Madrid to the Douro River & Porto Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
Madrid to the Douro River & Porto Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-5
Premiere Hotels
2025: Aug-Nov2026: Mar-Jun, Aug-Nov
Heart of Spain to Portugal's Famed Wine Country
The Iberian Peninsula. A stretch of land that is varied, rich and steeped in tradition. Bike from the golden fields of Spain’s Castile-León to Northern Portugal’s lush slopes. Trace rivers, from the Tormes to the banks of the multihued Douro. Travel over ancient bridges, through evocative villages and towards charming cities. Discover how these two countries have shaped their piece of the Iberian plateau.
Highlights
- Gaze in awe at stunning Gothic, Moorish and Baroque structures in the World Heritage cities of Salamanca and Porto
- Cycle pristine routes amid rolling hills, through a beautiful patchwork of Spanish fields and ancient landmarks
- Immerse yourself in dazzling shades of green as you trace the terraced hillsides and vast vineyards of the Douro River Valley
- Compare and contrast the delicious wines and fresh local flavors of culinary hotspots in Spain and Portugal
StartMadrid
EndPorto
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
Meet in bustling Madrid to kick off the first half of your two-country cycling journey • From the Tormes River, bike through rolling hills filled with wheat and brilliant yellow sunflowers • The ancient Mocho bridge leads us into the charming town of Ledesma, home to an ancient fortress and rich heritage • Sample acorn-fed ibérico ham alongside fresh cheese made on-site at our extraordinary hotel • Explore vibrant Salamanca, a World Heritage city known for its elaborate sandstone architecture, baroque-style town square and lively restaurant culture.
Nights 1-2
Known for its farm-to-table dining and ample vineyards, Hacienda Zorita has been a haven for travelers since its creation in 1366. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. (pool, spa)
Day 3
Cross the border into the vast plateaus and enchantingly open landscapes of Portugal’s Guarda region • Savor a traditional lunch in a local adega (tavern) • Gaze at famous baroque staircases in the elegant hillside town of Lamego • Dine, swim and vacation at a working vineyard and wine hotel—a quintessential Douro Valley experience • Taste and share authentic Port wines.
Night 3
An active vineyard and winery dating back to the 1700s, this beautiful property is renowned for its immersive Douro experience and award-winning wines and ports. (pool, spa)
Days 4-6
Embark on an unforgettable ride past the quintas and vineyard-laden hamlets of the Douro region • Descend through the Alto Douro to Bitetos Port, where a private boat ride gives you a chance to see the contours of the river in a different way • A beautiful loop ride takes you through the eucalyptus forests and river paths surrounding Paivas • Bike all the way to Quintadona, one of Portugal's oldest aldeias preservadas (preserved villages) • Unwind with river views at our exquisite hotel • Toast to a wonderful week in Spain and Portugal, sitting down to a gastronomic farewell dinner • Extend your stay in the vibrant city of Porto.
Nights 4-5
Built in schist and glass on a terraced hillside, this supremely luxurious getaway offers panoramic views of the Douro Valley, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a sense of union between the hotel and the natural world. (pool, spa)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
The slower pace, relaxed approach to life and old-world qualities in Portugal are some of the highlights of this spectacular region and are reflected in the hotels and restaurants on this trip. This said, service can lack a sense of urgency when compared with the service found in other parts of Europe.
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-2
Premiere Hotel
Known for its farm-to-table dining and ample vineyards, Hacienda Zorita has been a haven for travelers since its creation in 1366. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. (pool, spa)
Night 3
Premiere Hotel
An active vineyard and winery dating back to the 1700s, this beautiful property is renowned for its immersive Douro experience and award-winning wines and ports. (pool, spa)
Nights 4-5
Premiere Hotel
Built in schist and glass on a terraced hillside, this supremely luxurious getaway offers panoramic views of the Douro Valley, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a sense of union between the hotel and the natural world. (pool, spa)
Gallery
Share Your Adventure!
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Bikes
Choose Your Perfect Bike
Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Included in your trip price
- Ideal for avid cyclists
- Redesigned for 2024
- Next gen titanium frame with carbon wheels
- Responsive, efficient and comfortable
- Drop handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- Suited for a wide range of cyclists
- Comfortable ergonomic seat
- Long wheel base adds to the bike's control and stability
- Upright handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- One of the lightest e-bikes available
- Provides plenty of power and more than enough battery
- Lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting
- Upright handlebars only
- Limited availability on Unplugged Bike Tours; learn more
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
- $400 rental fee
- Hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed Cro-Moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train
- Custom upgraded wheelset
- Best for riders with some tandem experience.
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 7 customers
Great trip, beautiful country, great trip leaders
My wife and I are avid bikers just pass our mid sixties. We very much enjoyed the rides because of the great scenery and great company (and great coffee stops). I took a performance road bike and found it the equal of my carbon bike at home (maybe a bit heavier but more comfortable). The routes were both beautiful and challenging enough to feel good about having accomplished something when done. My wife used an e-bike and we were able to ride together throughout the trip whether on the flat or on hills. The trip leaders really made a difference, there were no unwanted surprises, just fun and adventure, they took care of our every need. Hotels were great, food was great, highly recommended. It was our first Backroads trip and we are already planning our next one.
Some of the Best Rides and Fellow Adventurers Ever
This trip was magical, in no particular order, because of locations, selected routes, food, accommodations.
Thoughtful and fun icebreakers helped the group to coalesce
The days were physically demanding. The nights dropped us into the lap of luxury. Hot tubs and communal dining facilitated friendships
Magical Spain and Portugal
The magicians at Backroads worked their magic again. They found the backroads of Backroads which made for a mostly traffic-free experience. One of my favorite trips.
Great Backroads biking adventures!
This trip was our first time in Spain and Portugal- what an incredible time we had, exploring quiet country lanes in Salamanca, Spain and biking the incredible Douro Valley of Portugal! This was also our first Backroads trip, and we had fantastic guides and support teams; they were always available to help with biking tips, offer encouragement, and always with a smile on their faces. The accommodations and meals were top tier! And last of all, the E-bikes were first rate- not sure we'd have climbed all those mountains without them! The whole experience was excellent from start to finish!
Great combination of activity, culture, scenary, nice hotels
Our leaders made the trip unforgettable! They were the key that pulled everything together.
Special
This was our 3rd backroads trip. I can't say it was beyond our expectations because backroads have trained us to expect the exceptional. The non-biking activities are not things you can get easy access to and they are always special. The guides are excellent and always seem to have the guests enjoyment as their priority. We are rusted on backroads supporters and highly recommend this tour.
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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