Douro Valley By Bike In Comfort

If you, like the Portuguese, have a passion for farm-to-table cuisine paired with some of the world's finest wines, then this is the trip for you. On this bike tour you'll discover the heartland of the world's oldest wine-producing region from the saddle, riding along quiet country roads through terraced vineyards, olive groves and traditional villages. Stay in a selection of characterful hotels and vineyard properties, and enjoy a boat cruise down the Douro River with lunch included along the way.

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

Solo Travellers

The minimum age for this tour is: 18 Years

The route is graded Moderate overall, based on daily distances and elevation gains. It should be manageable for most semi-regular cyclists, as well as those relatively new to cycling but with a good base level of fitness.

You’ll ride for five days, covering 29–46 km (18–29 miles) each day on a mix of quiet country roads and rural lanes. The longest ride is on Day 6, with a 46 km loop from Peso da Régua to Lamego.

Expect rolling and hilly terrain throughout the tour. Daily cumulative ascents range from 600–800 m (1,970–2,625 ft), with several sustained climbs through the Douro’s vineyard-covered hills. We recommend being comfortable with hill riding before you travel.

If you’re concerned about tackling the hillier days or simply prefer to take things easier—why not consider adding a little battery-powered help by hiring an e-bike?

On this self-guided cycling tour in Portugal you will stay in a mixture of charming 4-star hotels and vineyard properties. In the Douro Valley, your accommodation is well located for exploring the surrounding vineyards and enjoying views across the region. In Porto you stay in the centre of the city, close to the historic Ribeira district.

Alternate Accommodation
During the high season, you might be booked into alternative accommodation that is not listed in the main daily description. If those listed are unavailable, the alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard than those described.

Single Rooms & Solo Cyclists
If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you, although there is a single room supplement payable. It is also possible to travel as a solo cyclist for a supplement.

Meals
Breakfast is included each morning, along with lunch on the cruise on Day 7. For the lunches and dinners that aren't included, you are free to choose from local options nearby. For lunch, you will pass through towns and villages en route where you can purchase provisions for a picnic lunch, or your accommodation may prepare a picnic the night before if this service is available. World-class wines, and of course Port, are what the region is renowned for, alongside its excellent cuisine.

Navigation is straightforward using the Macs Adventure App which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone.

The majority of the time you will be cycling on small roads, so it will be relatively easy to find your way.

You can begin your trip Monday to Saturday. Spring and autumn are particularly rewarding times to visit the Douro Valley, with almond blossom appearing from early March and the grape harvest bringing the region to life from mid to late September.

Douro River Cruise: The river cruise from Peso da Régua to Porto is included on Day 7. Please note that the cruise is usually unavailable on Saturdays. From November to March, or when the cruise is unavailable, it will be replaced with a visit to the Casa de Mateus Museum followed by a transfer to Porto.

Please note: September and October are extremely busy for this tour, so we recommend booking as early as possible if you wish to travel during these months.

A private transfer from Porto Airport to your first accommodation in the Douro Valley is included in the price of the trip. The drive to Pinhão is approximately 2 hours. Your specialist will request your flight arrival details nearer the travel date to arrange your transfer.

Porto Airport is approximately 11km from the city centre. From Porto, you can use the metro, bus, shuttle or taxi to reach Porto Airport terminal.

If you're flying home from Lisbon Airport, take a train from Porto (approx. 2.5 hours) to Santa Apolonia Train Station in Lisbon, then an airport shuttle bus, metro or taxi from there.

Macs Adventure can also arrange private transfers to Porto or Lisbon Airport. Please contact your Destination & Adventure Specialist for details.

Luggage transfers between overnight locations are included in the tour. We request that one bag should not weigh more than 20 kg/44lbs. An extra bag per person can be added free of charge.