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Portugal Cycling Holidays

Self-guided bike tours in Portugal

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About Portugal Cycling Holidays

Portugal has become a hallmark destination for those keen on self-guided bike tours, offering a vivid tapestry of landscapes waiting to be explored on cycling tour Portugal adventures. Our meticulously curated cycling trips are your ticket to traversing Portugal’s picturesque terrains, immersing in its rich history, and vibrant culture right from the saddle of your bike.

The country’s temperate climate stands as an invitation for year-round exploration, making Portugal bike tours an ideal choice while other parts of Europe are in the grasp of winter chills. Here, the allure of pedaling through scenic routes never fades, regardless of the season.

We understand that orchestrating a self-guided cycling tour in Portugal can seem daunting, that's why we manage the logistics for you, allowing you to focus solely on cherishing every pedal stroke of your Portuguese cycling escapade. Our services include:
✔️ Expert tour design and organization
✔️ A detailed digital guidebook
✔️ GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
✔️ Reliable remote service and support during your trip

Start your journey today and ride Portugal like a local, with everything you need at your fingertips.

Everything You Need to Know About Cycling Holidays in Portugal

Why Ride Across Portugal?

Portugal ticks all the boxes for an unforgettable cycling holiday

  • diverse landscapes in a compacted area
  • over 300 days of sunshine 
  • 15,000+ km of cycling routes
  • bike-friendly infrastructure
  • and some of the safest roads in Europe. 

Add warm, welcoming locals and incredible food and wine, and you’ve got the perfect ride waiting.

Why Portugal should be on your bucket list →

The Best Time To Cycle in Portugal

Portugal is a year-round cycling destination, but the best time to ride depends on when you go—and where

Here’s how each season shapes up:

  • Spring & Autumn – ideal conditions for exploring most of the country
  • Summer – Great for the coast and northern regions, avoid the southern inland areas
  • Winter – Southern Portugal is an exceptional winter cycling destination


Discover the best time to ride →

Must-See Places

Portugal is a treasure trove of natural beauty, UNESCO sites, and wildly varied landscapes—but where do you even begin? 

With over 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the world’s oldest demarcated wine region, and coastlines that stretch from the Atlantic cliffs of the Algarve to volcanic craters in the Azores, narrowing it down isn't easy. 

But we’ve picked 10 unforgettable places you shouldn’t miss while on a cycling tour in Portugal.


Explore the Top 10 Highlights →

TOP Cycling Regions

With over 15,000 km of marked cycling routes, Portugal is one of Europe’s most exciting destinations for riders of all levels. 

But where should you start?

To help you choose where to start, we’ve narrowed it down to five standout regions:

Vicentina Coast, Douro Valley, Silver Coast, Algarve and Madeira island.

Discover what defines them and makes them ideal →

Flavors Worth Riding For

Cycling in Portugal isn’t just about the views — the food is half the experience. 

DYK that bacalhau, Portugal’s national dish, is cooked in a different way every day of the year?

With fresh ingredients, generous portions, and bold, comforting flavors rooted in tradition, Portugal’s culinary scene is as unforgettable as its landscapes.

Craving more?

 
See what's on the menu →

Best Cycling Events and Festivals

Portugal hosts world-class cycling events all year.

From the Volta ao Algarve, a UCI ProSeries race in February, to the legendary Volta a Portugal each August.

Planning your cycling holiday in Portugal to align with local events can add unforgettable energy to your route. All you need is the right time and place.

Explore the top cycling events in Portugal →

Types of Accommodation

Portugal’s bike-friendly stays go beyond basics — think quintas among vineyards, seaside guesthouses, sleek hotels, and even converted palaces and monasteries.

Each one is handpicked for comfort, charm, and a good night’s rest after the ride.

See where to rest your legs →


A Stunning Cycling Destination

Portugal isn’t just a great place to cycle — it’s one of Europe’s top must-ride destinations

With a mild climate, over 300 days of sunshine, and terrain that welcomes cyclists almost year-round, it offers unbeatable conditions for road, gravel, MTB, and leisure riders alike.

What truly sets Portugal apart is the sheer variety of landscapes in such a compact country

From the mountains of the north to the sunny Algarve and the dramatic cliffs of Madeira, the scenery keeps changing.

Want the full picture? 

Check out the Ultimate Guide to Cycling in Portugal

Hassle-Free

Hassle-Free

We handle itineraries, accommodations, and anything else you prefer not to deal with, so you can enjoy a carefree holiday.

Completely Customizable

Completely Customizable

Flexibility is our middle name — whether you want more or less, or just beyond ordinary, we’ll make it happen.

Book with confidence

Book with confidence

We are a financially protected company, fully bonded and insured, keeping your money safe and allowing you to travel with confidence.

Unbeatable support

Unbeatable support

Our 24/7 customer support is where we show our passion, bringing you a better experience by making your well-being our number one priority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Embark on a self-guided cycling odyssey, designed for a tailor-crafted and adaptable getaway on two wheels, unveiling wonders at your own pace while having the freedom to alter your itinerary or path as needed. Our dedicated team meticulously handles all facets, encompassing lodging arrangements, thorough planning, GPS navigational aid, and continuous support, to gift you a tranquil and engrossing journey.

Our tours are segmented into three tiers of difficulty: Leisurely, Moderate, and Challenging, categorized by the usual daily routine, although there may be variations in difficulty throughout the trip.

Leisurely tours are ideal for those in pursuit of a relaxed adventure amidst stunning landscapes, without the challenge of covering long distances or tackling rough terrains. These journeys typically cover 30-50 km each day, with an elevation gain of up to 500 m. This allows plenty of pauses to relish the scenic vistas, enjoy local delicacies, and explore charming villages and towns along the way.

Moderate bike tours are tailored for those seeking a beautiful blend of scenic trails and a dash of challenge. Generally covering 50-80 km daily with an elevation gain of up to 1000 m, these tours traverse enchanting landscapes and delightful villages, featuring a mix of flat and rolling terrains. They not only provide ample chances to stop and explore but also ensure a satisfying cycling workout.

Challenging bike tours are meant for experienced cyclists eager to push their limits. Spanning 80-120 km daily with an elevation gain of up to 2000 m, these tours entail tackling steep ascents and demanding terrains. Though these tours require a high level of fitness and endurance, the exhilarating feeling of accomplishment at the end of each day, coupled with breathtaking views, makes the endeavor thoroughly rewarding.

Our tours can be adapted to any bike type, whether road, gravel, or mountain bike. We are in constant communication with you to find the optimal conditions for your cycling holidays in Portugal.

The most versatile option is a gravel bike, even if you are coming on a road cycling holiday. It does not really affect your road performance while allowing you to take some scenic backroads that can be in a slightly worse state than the main ones. A gravel bike is usually more comfortable as well.

We are devoted to discovering the ideal match for you. We collaborate with numerous lodging providers who meet our standards, although their availability may fluctuate, especially during peak demand times. Furthermore, we can customize your vacation to align with your preferences and budget, ensuring we identify the most fitting choice for your needs.
Here, you can see the types of accommodations in Portugal.

We advise booking your tour at the earliest opportunity, especially for popular tourist destinations with limited lodging availability. Prime choices often get snapped up for the summer before spring even arrives.

Addressing dietary preferences can vary based on their complexity. In Portugal, vegetarian options are generally available, but finding vegan meals might be more challenging in rural areas or smaller towns. Notably, lunch stops are often at traditional eateries which may not cater to special dietary needs beyond their standard menu. Keep this in consideration as you plan your adventure.
Wondering what are the most common things on the menu? Check our guides for foodies in Portugal!

If you are not bringing your own bike and equipment, we can certainly arrange that for you. We have a wide selection of bikes at our disposal and we will choose the ones that best fit your tour. All we need from you is your usual bike size and any other relevant information or preferences so we can make sure you will be comfortable throughout your trip.

  • Spring: Great across most regions, might rain in the north
  • Summer: Too hot inland, best in the north and on the coast
  • Autumn: Ideal in the south, rain returns in the north by November
  • Winter: Ride in the Algarve or Madeira, avoid inland and north

For a more in-depth rundown on the best time to plan your cycling holidays in Portugal, check this guide.

Ratings & Reviews

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5.0 average rating

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Greg Martin

Verified customer

Great holiday. Really easy to follow routes, good choice of hotels and the en route places to eat and visit was really helpful. Super responsive to questions during my holiday. Would definitely use them again.

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Michael Cleary

Verified customer · about 2 months ago

I recently completed the Tour of Champions ride which is a 7-day road cycling tour in Slovenia. The entire experience was fantastic. The cycling in Slovenia is amazing. The roads were great and the scenery on each ride was spectacular. Our guide, Blaz, was fantastic. He planned routes throughout Slovenia and some parts of Italy that were amazing. The routes on each day included some amazing climbs which were challenging, to say the least, but after they were done there was an excitement among everyone in the group about completing the climbs. The routes also included some amazing flats where we were cruising along in a nice pace line. Blaz was also a great person. He was supportive of everyone in the group, and he was so encouraging and attentive to everyone. His attention to detail was admirable. The crew was also great in the support van. The hotels, the meals, and especially the bike that I rented was fantastic. It was a top-of-the-line bike which was equivalent to my bike at home. The accommodations were superb and the selection of restaurants for dinner each night were great. Tina, who I dealt with when it came to organizing the trip was great. She was very accessible, and she answered all the questions I had when organizing the trip for my wife and a friend of mine. Tina also helped me organize some kiteboarding in Croatia after the cycling trip which was outside the scope of her business model which was above and beyond. By the way the kiteboarding in Croatia was fantastic! The group was small with a total of 5 riders not including the guide. If anyone is interested in challenging themselves on a road cycling trip, I would strongly recommend this trip.

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David Kreslin

Verified customer · about 2 months ago

My self-guided Bergen Bike Tour was an amazing experience. The route took me through some of Norway's most beautiful landscapes, like the Sognefford and the charming village of Solvorn. Cycling along the Gaularfjellet National Tourist Route with its stunning waterfalls and glaciers was both a challenge and a highlight. The GPS navigation made it easy to follow the route, and I loved having the freedom to explore at my own pace. The team at Bike Tours Norway was incredibly helpful from start to finish. Timotej was especially great-he answered all my questions and made sure everything ran smoothly. The accommodations were cozy, and the luggage transfers made the whole trip stress-free. This tour was the perfect mix of adventure and independence, and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to see Norway's stunning nature up close.

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SHONA Goaman

Verified customer · 11 months ago

Well organised, great route and lovely hotels.

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Karen Bergman

Verified customer

I thoroughly enjoyed this trip! The guides were professional and provided excellent leadership. They clearly know this country and the best cycling routes. I would definitely do another trip with them.

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Amy Berger

Verified customer

Great trip! Klemen set up our trip perfectly. When we needed him he was there. The hotels were excellent. The biking a blast. We did a 5 day self guided tour. Do it!!

Unforgettable cycling trips in Portugal. Traverse scenic vineyards, quaint villages, indulge in local cuisine, and enjoy fine wines on this picturesque journey.

Have questions? Talk to us.

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Lan Lajovic
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