New Tour

Central Portugal by Road Bike

Price from
US$ 3,850
Duration
9 Days / 8 Nights
Distance
547 km
Tour Code
PRT-RCP
Next departure
25-May-2025
Number of Cycling Days7
Average Distance Per Day: 79
0
150 Km
Average Climbing Per Day: 1345
0
2,250 m
Accommodation
Basic
5 Star
Total Cycling Distance547 kilometres
AccommodationIncluded
Bike HireCarbon Road Bike: US$ 400, E-Bike*: US$ 450
Single SupplementUS$ 725
*E-bikes are in limited supply, please enquire to reserve one.

About this Cycle Tour

Starting from the soaring heights of the Serra da Estrela mountains and concluding on the Silver Coast of the Atlantic Ocean, this epic road cycling journey provides a rich cross section of Portugal’s ruggedly beautiful terrain. While the climbing is tough, the rewards are plentiful: dramatic landscapes, medieval castles, idyllic countryside, picturesque stone villages, delicious cuisine, and cozy hotels.

We begin on a literal high note, meeting in Portugal’s highest altitude city of Guarda. The following days we traverse a vast plateau and conquer climbs in and around the Serra da Estrela, taking in views of glacial valleys, vast forests, and jagged cliffs. We overnight in mountain villages and towns, a standout being Piodão; renowned for its unique centuries’ old stone houses draped over steep slopes. We continue southwest along ridges, river valleys, and endless stretches of olive groves, riding from one storied historic town to the next. In Tomar we’ll marvel at the stunning Convent of Christ built by the Knights Templar and in Alcobaça we'll explore a grand Monastery dating to the reign of Portugal's first monarch. We reach the Atlantic coast in spectacular fashion by riding up and down the seaside accompanied by visuals of wave-battered bluffs, tranquil lagoons and golden beaches. The last night is spent in Óbidos, with its fairytale-like hilltop fortress, cobblestoned streets, and locally made cherry liqueur. On the final morning we drop you off in Lisbon where you can explore the stunning capital city before traveling onwards.

Join us on this unforgettable road biking journey across Central Portugal!

Book Your Cycling Holiday

Itinerary

Day 1

We meet in Guarda, Portugal’s highest city, located in the country’s mountainous interior. We’ll arrange bike fittings and enjoy a welcome dinner.

Day 2

A great first day as we ride along the farmlands, passing historic villages and castles built out of granite, before climbing up a glacial valley taking us deep into the mountains of Serra da Estrela. We’ll see Portugal’s highest point, the Torre, as we ride.

Day 3

Today we ride along spectacular switchbacks that wind up and down the western slopes of the Serra da Estrela. We’ll tackle a challenging ascent to a viewpoint (1,200 m) before descending down into scenic pastures and towns. Along the way we visit the medieval castle and village of Folgosinho.

Day 4

We climb up and down the pine-forest covered slopes of southwestern Serra de Estrela before entering a new mountain range, the Serra do Açor. Breathtaking views abound all along and we spend the night near the picturesque schist-stone village of Piodão.

Day 5

A great day in the saddle as we ride along mountain ridges and descend into the valleys of Coimbra. We enjoy blissful stretches of cycling along roads shaded by dense forests and dotted with the quaint, red tile roofed villages of Central Portugal.

Day 6

A relatively gentle ride awaits as we make our way to the historic town of Tomar, along the way crisscrossing hills and lowlands blanketed by olive groves. Founded by the Knights Templar in the 12th century, Tomar harbors stunning and rare architecture no longer found elsewhere in Europe.

Day 7

We leave Tomar and head west towards Alcobaça, a small city renowned for its grand Gothic-style Monastery built by Portugal’s first monarch in the 12th century. The route offers a scenic ride through the countryside and a climb over the karst-studded terrain of the Serra De Aire Natural Park.

Day 8

On our last day of riding we reach Portugal’s “Silver Coast”, riding up and down the seaside with epic views over wave-battered bluffs, tranquil lagoons, and golden beaches. We spend the night in the medieval town of Óbidos, known for its fairytale-like castle.

Day 9

We transfer you to Lisbon (around 1 hour) and drop you off at your hotel or the airport for your flight home.

Elevation Profiles

Day 2 - Guarda - Manteigas  Ride 97km. +1,609m / -1,611m.
Day 2 - Guarda - Manteigas Ride 97km. +1,609m / -1,611m.

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