8-day Self-Guided Cycle Tour around Portugal's Castles and Wines

Tour begins in Arraiolos, Portugal

Highlights: mediaeval village famous for its round-shaped castle and embroidered carpets

Welcome to Arraiolos! We meet this afternoon at your first charm hotel, built in a wonderful 16th century convent. We will fit bicycles and go over route details. Take a walk around the center of Arraiolos and admire the castle while tasting a delicious pasteis de toucinho or relax in the hotel swimming pool before dinner on your own.

Cycle from Arraiolos to our guesthouse out of Evora

Highlights: winery with its private carriage collections

Before leaving Arraiolos you can climb to the castle for unforgettable views. On your ride, you may want to visit a winery also famous for its carriage collection. You will sleep at our guesthouse tonight. Dinner is included. Daily mileage: 45 km (28 miles)

Loop ride on the Megalithic route or on the Wine and Cork route

Highlights: Ancient Roman settlement of Evora, prehistorical sites and 5,000 years of history or Cork factory and wineries

You have a choice today between two loop rides. The first one will take you on the Megalithic route: visit one of the biggest dolmen and one of the most important cromeleques in Europe. On the second loop you will cycle to a cork factory, where you'll see how cork is transformed and learn about all you can do with it! You will sleep in Evora tonight. Inhabited for more than 2000 years, Evora is on the roster of most ancient towns in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be brave and visit the surreal XIII century bone chapel. Daily mileage: Megalithic route 25-40km (16-25 miles). Wine and Cork route 42-62km (26-39 miles)

Cycling from Evora to Reguengos de Monsaraz

Highlights: Degebe river valley, castle of Valongo, wine tasting

Pedal east towards the Spanish border today, through olive groves and barren landscape to reach the small and traditional village of Nossa Senhora de Machede. Here you can visit a leather factory and the mysterious castle of Valongo. Reguengos de Monsaraz was nominated European wine city in 2015. Optional visit to a local winery where the scent of the fermenting wine in clay pots fills the air. Daily mileage: 50km (31 miles)

Cycle from Reguengos to Monsaraz

Highlights: Pottery village, Alqueva reservoir, castles and fortified town of Monsaraz

Today you will visit the pottery village of S. Pedro do Corval, where you can see the men transforming the clay into pots and plates and the ladies painting them at an impressive speed.You will be heading to the castle town of Monsaraz , which overlooks the Alqueva reservoir. The largest reservoir in Europe, this body of water straddles the Spanish-Portuguese border and was designated in 2012 as one of the first Starlight Tourism Destinations for its ideal star-gazing conditions and exceptionally low light pollution. Daily mileage: 35km (22miles)

Cycle from Monsaraz to Vila Vicosa

Highlights: marble capital of Portugal

You will pedal north with views into Spain, riding toward Vila Vicosa through wheat fields and olive orchard dotted with cork-oak trees. This semi-arid region is one of the country's least populated and is known for its agricultural production, though today's short climb ends at a town famed for its marble. The beautiful rose-colored Vila Vicosa marble can be seen everywhere in town-including the street pavers! You can learn about its properties, history and the process of extraction at the marble museum. Daily mileage: 50km (31 miles)

Cycle from Vila Vicosa to Estremoz

Highlights: the marble route, taste petiscos, Estremoz

A light cycle today to give you the opportunity to stop in taverns to taste local delicacies "petiscos". You will sleep in a historical 700 years old hotel in Estremoz tonight, which is the second largest exporter of marble in the world. And the journey will not be over until you climb up to the marble donjon tower of the castle where you will sleep. Daily mileage: 35km (22 miles)

Tour ends in Estremoz

Highlights: Boa viagem!

Your tour ends after breakfast. We can organise an optional transfer to Lisbon if you wish and we highly recommend to spend a night in this beautiful capital.