Portugal's Porto & Douro Valley Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
From $4,149 - $4,199 /person
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 3-5
Casual Hotels
Portugal's Porto & Douro Valley Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 3-5
Casual Hotels
2024: Oct
Ancient Villages, Rugged Mountains & Valley Vineyards
It’s the heart of the country and always was. A place of profound cultural wealth and extraordinary scenery. Bike from the mountains of Peneda-Gerês National Park to the the banks of the Douro River Valley. See history come alive in Porto, Braga and Guimarães. Linger over haunting fado music and perfected port wine. Then rest your head in an ancient monastery. Let Northern Portugal capture your heart.
Highlights
- Rejuvenate in Portuguese pousadas—stunning and welcoming hotels housed in historic monasteries, palaces and nature retreats
- Discover the unparalleled World Heritage cities of Braga and Guimarães, and cycle magnificent Peneda-Gerês, the country’s singular national park
- Pause to savor exquisite wine and cuisine as you pedal among picturesque vineyards and dazzling river views in the Douro River Valley
- Bike superb routes that wind through historic landscapes, where ancient hermitages, charming quintas and breathtaking mountain vistas await
Start/End Porto
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Day 1
Kick off your adventure in spectacular Porto, a World Heritage city with a flourishing cultural scene • With granite massifs, open shrubland and oak forest, Peneda-Gerês National Park offers an incredible backdrop for your first bike ride • Rub elbows with the locals with lunch in a local taverna • Wild horses, herds of cows and an abundance of flora dot the landscape • Pedal to our 12th-century Cistercian Monastery where a refreshing drink and fabulous surroundings await.
Night 1
Surrounded by green hills and classified as a National Heritage site, this 12th-century monastery was masterfully restored and converted into an intimate hotel by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Eduardo Souto de Moura. (pool)
Days 2-3
Ride from the mountains of Peneda-Gerês to the historic town of Guimarães, considered the “birthplace of Portugal” • Explore its exceptionally well-preserved medieval center, a World Heritage site and feast for your eyes • In Braga, an opulent Baroque stairway leads to Bom Jesus do Monte, a notable Catholic shrine and pilgrimage site • Continue biking for a visit to the Citânia de Briteiros, an ancient Castro hill fort with scenic stone ruins and lovely views • Be serenaded by the haunting notes of traditional Portuguese fado music • Spin along quiet roads in the Serra da Cabreira mountains, where age-old stone buildings, waterfalls and ever-changing scenery abound • Savor local flavors with lunch at a friendly quinta (farm estate) • A guided walking tour of Guimarães' centro historico is sure to delight.
Nights 2-3
Built in the 12th century as a monastery and later expanded into a palace, this regal hotel offers both character and luxury in a parklike setting. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. (pool)
Days 4-6
Get a taste for the renowned Camino de Santiago—or Way of Saint James—with a bike ride along some of its pilgrimage roads • Pedal toward the lush Douro River Valley, breaking for lunch in the age-old town of Amarante • Superb ambiance and regional specialties reign at tonight's restaurant, housed in a traditional stone building • Terraced vineyards set the stage for today's picturesque bike ride in the Douro River Valley • At an organic winery, relax over a sumptuous picnic lunch • Taste superb wines of the Douro Valley, the oldest demarcated winegrowing region in the world • Relish a special farewell dinner overlooking the undulating countryside • Enjoy a beautiful morning spin along the Douro River • Top off your trip with time in Porto, where resplendent bridges, azulejo tiles and winding alleyways beckon.
Nights 4-5
Rural charm abounds at this historic manor house, set on a family-run winemaking quinta (farm estate) in the heart of the Douro River Valley. (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
Adventure-Ready Hotels
Ideally located with ready access to trip activities, our Casual hotels are also known for their character and charm.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Night 1
Casual Hotel
Surrounded by green hills and classified as a National Heritage site, this 12th-century monastery was masterfully restored and converted into an intimate hotel by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Eduardo Souto de Moura. (pool)
Nights 2-3
Casual Hotel
Built in the 12th century as a monastery and later expanded into a palace, this regal hotel offers both character and luxury in a parklike setting. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. (pool)
Nights 4-5
*Deluxe Hotel
Rural charm abounds at this historic manor house, set on a family-run winemaking quinta (farm estate) in the heart of the Douro River Valley. (pool, spa)
Gallery
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+
- $650 rental fee; subject to availability
- Ride like a pro with the top-of-the-line carbon Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod Red ETAP AXS
- Delivering phenomenal acceleration and handling in a light and powerful package
- Built for hard-core riders
- $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.
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.
Please Select a Group Size
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.