Imagine: the sun is shining and a gentle sea breeze blows off the Atlantic coast. You’re riding your bike, soaking in the stunning scenery. And then you roll into a quaint village and decide to stop for a snack. What you’re greeted with is the most delicious pastel de nata (custard tart) you’ve ever tasted. Life can’t get much better than this. This is just a snapshot of what makes Portugal a cyclist’s dream in our eyes. Let Backroads bring those dreams to life.
If you’re looking for your next unforgettable adventure, join us on a cycling holiday through the heart of Portugal to discover sun-soaked landscapes, historical villages and culture, delicious food and scenic routes. Every pedal stroke reveals another layer of this special part of Europe.
Here are three of our favorite Portugal Bike Tours:
Algarve & Alentejo Bike Tour
We start and end our Algarve & Alentejo Bike Tour in Lisbon, where you’ll experience the funiculars, stylish restaurants and views of the Ponte 25 de Abril. Explore the whitewashed village of Monsaraz by bike and on foot, see Moorish palaces and sample local wine.
In Alentejo, take a walking tour of the capital city of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Roman ruins from the first century AD. Pedal from the magnificent Monchique Mountains in the Algarve to the coast, cruise around Vasco da Gama’s home port on two wheels and savor local flavors such as caldo verde, bacalhau a bras or arroz de marisco.
Camino de Santiago Bike Tour
You may be confused by the traditional pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago showing up on our short list of favorite Portugal bicycle tours. Yes, historically the journey to the famous Cathedral de Compostela in Spain has been taken on foot. But it’s become popular in recent years to bike portions of this iconic path. And you may be surprised to learn that there are many paths that the Camino de Santiago takes, and on our Taste of Camino de Santiago Bike Tour, we follow a portion of the “Portuguese Way.”
For travelers looking for a cross-border cycling adventure on the Iberian Peninsula, this trip offers the best of two worlds. After spending the first half of the trip in Spain, you cross into Portugal’s remote Trás-os-Montes (Beyond-the-Mountains) region where you can sip fresh coffee in Montalegre, walk Chaves’s cobbled streets and bike through the lush forests surrounding our palatial hotel in the spa town of Vidago.
Madrid to the Douro River & Porto Bike Tour
Another dual-country trip, our Porto & Douro Valley Bike Tour introduces you to the terraced vineyards, grand bridges and iconic azulejos that characterize northern Portugal. They say that the soul of the country is found in the north, and we’ll let you decide while biking past centuries-old vineyards, tasting Port wine and unwinding in historic yet elegant hotels.
Experience the rugged terrain of Peneda-Gerês National Park and dip your toes into traditional Portuguese culture in Trás-os-Montes. Our trip goes through Alto Douro as well, which UNESCO describes as an “outstanding example of humankind’s unique relationship with the natural environment.”
Each of Backroads’ Portugal bike tours offers a unique way to experience Portugal and even Spain, yet they share a common theme—an immersive journey that combines breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and exceptional local flavors. Whether you're exploring sunlit coastlines, following historic pilgrimage routes, or cycling through verdant wine country, these adventures provide a deeper connection to the Iberian Peninsula’s timeless beauty.
