Alentejo Bike Tour Guided Premium

Description

DAY 1 - Transfer to Vendas Novas
This Premium Guided Bicycle Tour through Alentejo starts with arrival at Lisbon Airport and transfer to the hotel in Vendas Novas.

DAY 2 | STAGE 1 - Vendas Novas to Évora
Vendas Novas owes its origin and significance to the construction of the road to Alentejo by King João V, who, heading towards the Spanish border for the famous "Exchange of Queens" event, chose this city to build the "Palácio das Passagens," now converted into the Artillery Regiment.
Before leaving Vendas Novas, we suggest trying one of the region's most emblematic delicacies – Bifanas de Vendas Novas – a "simple pork steak in bread," with the secret being its sauce.
Let the Alentejo countryside guide you towards Montemor-o-Novo, where the Medieval Castle will lead you from the top of the hill. Here, details for Vasco da Gama's maritime journey to India were finalized.
Your route to Évora continues, with a brief stop at kilometer 70 to admire the Twin Cork Oaks (a natural phenomenon where two trees grow side by side and their tops become one).
Take the opportunity to glide with the Alentejo breeze and enjoy the landscape.
Welcome to one of UNESCO's World Heritage cities, whose history stretches back in time. The range of monuments is vast and diverse, with landmarks like the Sé Cathedral, the country's most significant medieval cathedral; the Roman Temple of Diana; and the Chapel of Bones.
As for culinary delights, the black pork reigns here, usually accompanied by typical Alentejo "migas."

DAY 3 | STAGE 2 - Évora to Alter do Chão
We leave Évora behind and dive into the true identity of Alentejo. Today's stage is marked by Alentejo's trademark – the plains, where the brown earth contrasts with the green cork oaks and olive trees, where a herd of cattle rests under a tree, awaiting the coolness of the evening.
Your route takes you to Alter do Chão, a peaceful village with cobbled streets and typical white houses with orange facades, painting the city center with the colors of Alentejo.
The origins of this village date back to Roman times in the Iberian Peninsula, where the military route connecting Lisbon to Mérida passed through here.
Here, there are many monuments, but the most symbolic is undoubtedly the Royal Stud Farm, founded in 1748 by King João V to breed Lusitano horses for the Royal Stud. Some of the space has been converted into accommodation, offering a unique immersive experience in equestrian arts and the ancient art of falconry.
In this region, soups are a delicacy, whether tomato, shark, açordas, or even Spanish-influenced with a delicious Alentejo gazpacho. All this pairs wonderfully with a local wine, which benefits from unique terroir conditions due to the microclimate of northeastern Alentejo and the soil characteristics.

Vicentine Coast Natural Park: Odemira is part of the Vicentine Coast Natural Park, offering pristine landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and stunning cliffs along the Atlantic coast.
Almograve Beach: This picturesque beach near Odemira is known for its golden sands, clear waters, and scenic views. It's an excellent spot for relaxation and seaside walks.
Odemira Historic Center: Explore the charming historic center of Odemira, with its whitewashed buildings, cobbled streets, and relaxed atmosphere.
Santa Clara-a-Velha: A medieval monastery near Odemira, offering a glimpse into the region’s historical and architectural heritage.
Santa Clara Dam: Santa Clara Dam, also known as Santa Clara Reservoir, is a tranquil reservoir surrounded by hills and vegetation. It's a serene spot for picnics and enjoying nature.
Zambujeira do Mar: A charming coastal village near Odemira, Zambujeira do Mar is known for its beautiful beaches, annual music festival (Festival do Sudoeste), and breathtaking sunsets.
Vicentine Route: The Vicentine Route is a network of trails for cycling and walking that passes through the region, allowing visitors to explore its natural beauty, rural landscapes, and enchanting sights.

DAY 4 | STAGE 3 - Alter do Chão to Elvas
Today's route continues with the same landscape as yesterday, with the Alentejo plains as the backdrop. Along the way, you will get up close to some of the typical landmarks of the region, passing through towns with castles, houses, and specific features. In Castelo de Vide, take the opportunity to refresh yourself at the Sulfurous Baths, dating back to Roman times and considered a landmark for rheumatic, respiratory, and skin diseases.
Before reaching your destination, stop to see the typical Santo Aleixo puppets, marionettes supported by a double rope net, telling stories against a painted cardboard backdrop lit by oil lamps. The presentations are accompanied by the sound of the Portuguese guitar.
Elvas, the border city between Portugal and Spain, is easily identified by its walls, which were classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. This wall complex, the largest in the world of this type of earth bastion fortifications, with a perimeter of about 9 kilometers covering the entire city, was primarily built to protect it from potential attacks from neighboring Spain. An impressive aqueduct complex was added to the walls to ensure greater autonomy during sieges.
Don’t miss trying one of Elvas’ most typical sweets – its preserved plums, which the Fábrica-Museu Ameixas de Elvas, founded in 1919, still uses today, following the original recipe from 16th-century convents. You can also enjoy the plums with a slice of sericaia, the flavors of the region bursting in your mouth.

DAY 5 | STAGE 4 - Circular Tour of Elvas
The richness of the region calls for a circular tour, visiting some Alentejo towns where authenticity is key.
Visit the town of Borba and get lost in its streets and the friendliness of its people. Here, wine and marble are the distinguishing marks. The soul of Alentejo wines also knows its origins here, ensuring the flavor of the region in every glass.
The internationally renowned marble decorates both private buildings and monuments. You can learn a little about the exploration of this raw material with a visit to the Marble Thematic Park.
Continuing the tour towards Vila Viçosa, you’ll pass the Ducal Palace, the residence of the Dukes of Braganza, who started the fourth and last dynasty of the Portuguese monarchy. The Mannerist facade is entirely covered with the region's most typical and noble stone – marble.
Discover the region, let yourself get lost in the bike lanes, and enjoy the tranquility of Alentejo to recharge your energies.

DAY 6 | STAGE 5 - Elvas to Monsaraz
Today’s journey continues with the Guadiana River as your companion, now alongside the Spanish border. Heading south, you'll pass several reservoirs and dams, many of which result from the Alqueva Dam – with over 1,100 kilometers of shoreline, it’s the largest artificial lake in Europe. This dam is now the largest water reservoir in the country, providing enough electricity to supply the entire Beja district.
Along the way, you will quickly discover some of the traces marking the time of this people. You will cross the Guadiana River via the Roman Bridge of Ribeira de Pêga, and there are many megalithic and funerary monuments along the way – the Cromlech of Xerez and the Menhir of Bulhoa.
Upon reaching Monsaraz, a medieval walled village, enjoy the authenticity of this true soul of Alentejo. Here, the streets are cobbled, and the houses are whitewashed to ensure freshness during the hottest summer days.
Olive oil is given pride of place with a museum dedicated to it, and the Cante Alentejano has its own house, a space aimed at promoting, celebrating, and studying Cante Alentejano; this space seeks to promote and study the genre. UNESCO declared Cante Alentejano an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014.
The sunset over Alqueva will be one of the most impressive images you will take from your trip.

DAY 7 | STAGE 6 - Monsaraz to Beja
On your final day touring Alentejo, part of your route will be guided by the Alqueva Dam and the Guadiana River. The water reflections and the coolness emanating from them will set the rhythm for your day.
Now, the landscape begins to change, with green marking the horizon, but the cork oaks continue to be part of this landscape, along with the numerous archaeological traces, living witnesses of Roman and Arab presence, and to prove it, we have the original name of Beja – Pax Julia.
With its well-preserved architectural heritage, a tour through Beja's city center will showcase the best examples of architectural evolution over the centuries, from the Roman Castle to the Convento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição and the cathedral.
After storing the most breathtaking landscapes of Alentejo in your mind, complete your five senses by tasting some of the region's delights – here, you will find lamb stew, stewed broad beans with sausages, and black pork, often served with "migas." Perfection will come with choosing a local wine, which gives Alentejo wines a distinctive flavor thanks to the unique and special climate and soil.

DAY 8 | TRANSFER
Transfer to Lisbon Airport