Portugal Biking
From Vintage Porto to Douro Valley Vineyards
Portugal will charm you. From the crisp white vinho verde, to Francisco, the Count of Calheiros, who welcomes you as a guest to his manor home. Portugal's charm gets to you at every turn. Two converted monasteries will be your hotels. Rich port wine will cap off each authentic Portuguese meal. The fado, a nostalgic folk music, will grip you. Every passing farmer. Every distinct blue and yellow azulejo tile mosaic on ornate churches in the sleepy villages you'll pass through. It's a charm that takes European culture, landscapes, flavors and wines and makes them uniquely Portuguese.
- Roman ruins, Baroque manors and medieval castles
- Glide on quiet roads in the Douro Valley with river views
- Dine, lodge and dance with Count Francisco at his home
- Gerês National Park, where a tableau of pine, heather, granite and water stretch to the horizon
- Guimarães, a World Heritage site-town considered the birthplace of the nation
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Dine, lodge and dance with Count Francisco at his distinguished manor home 
Ride past lush gardens, vineyards and quaint stone homes, perhaps sharing the road with horse-drawn carts Saúde! Toast with a glass of vinho verde, a sparkling wine.
Day 2 Descend into the beautiful market town of Ponte de Lima, crossing a 14th-century arched bridge Gentle farmland makes way for winding climbs en route to Caldelas, the first of the spa towns in the Penedes-Gerês region Smooth and spicy? Nutty and complex? A private tasting reveals the finer nuances of port.
Day 3 Gerês National Park, where a tableau of pine, granite and water stretches to the horizon Keeping eyes on the road is tough when views of the blue lake and heather-clad mountains are so sublime In the little spa town of Gerês, shop for herbal teas and pottery Explore majestic Guimarães, a World Heritage site considered the birthplace of the nation.
Days 4-6 Glide on quiet roads in the Douro Valley with river views Amarante, a hamlet founded by Romans in 360 B.C., invites exploration Spin past vine-laden slopes and almond orchards in the Alto Douro wine region, where grapes have been cultivated for millennia Stop to sample or keep on biking? It's up to you A scenic river cruise carries you through port wine country.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
Overall, Portugal is a beautiful spot for biking -- the quality of the light on the olive groves, oak trees and vineyards will be etched in my memory forever. I would not have felt this connection with the landscape traveling by any other means.- North Yarmouth, ME More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
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Portugal Biking
Premiere Inns
Paco de Calheiros
Ponte de Lima (1 night) A traditional country manor house owned by the Calheiros family who welcome us like family. (pool, tennis)
Pousada de Amares Santa Maria do Bouro
Amares (1 night) A 12th-century Cistercian monastery, beautifully restored under the direction of famed architect Eduardo Sorto. (pool)
Pousada de Guimaraes Santa Marinha
Guimarães (1 night) This stunning 12th-century Augustin monastery with lovely gardens is considered one of Portugal's architectural treasures.
Aquapura Douro Valley
Lamego (2 nights) Nestled in vineyards along the Douro River and adorned in contemporary décor, this hotel has it all. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. (pool, spa)
Portugal Biking
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 17 miles
- 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 19, 30, 42 miles
- 1000 - 2400 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- 26, 48, 61 miles
- 1200 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 5 5 Route Options Available
- 22, 29, 38, 52, 79 miles
- 1000 - 2400 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Option Available
- 19, 38, 46 miles
- 300 - 1800 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 11 miles
- 1640 feet elevation gain