Douro Valley By Bike

Welcome to Portugal! Upon arrival at Porto Airport, our local representative will meet you at arrivals and drive you to Quinta do Ventozelo in the Douro Valley, your first hotel and where you'll have a welcome briefing. The drive takes approx. 2 hours. 

Today is your first day of riding, and today's loop ride allows you to explore this beautiful area you're staying in, including Pinhão, famous for its incredible views and beautiful, historic train station. Surrounded by vines, this small town is placed in a beautiful landscape, classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. It is one of the most beautiful places in this wine-growing zone and certainly worth a stop to explore the town. You'll pass through villages and the Nossa Senhorade Fátima Chapel. If you feel like doing a wine-tasting today, Quinta do Bonfim is nearby and located by the river, and considered to be one of the best wineries in the region. We have also recommended other wine experiences that can be done during your cycling, which is included in your Information Pack.

Ascent/Descent - 785m/785m

Today's destination is Alijó. You'll head north and leave the Douro Valley towards a municipality with the largest area of vineyards, as well as port wine production. Along the way, several historic villages can be discovered, as well as a rich gastronomy scene. Several viewpoints offer stunning panoramic views of the Douro and Tua rivers. A famous viewpoint in the area is Miradouro de Casal de Loivos. Casal de Loivos is a tiny village perched on a hill overlooking the small but popular village of Pinhão in the heart of the Douro Valley. The BBC declared the views from this spot to be among the 6 best views in the world. From the miradouro terrace, you can see wave after wave of mountains beyond the wide expanse of the Douro River, where you may spot a cruise ship gliding towards the quayside at Pinhão. The slope between the river and where you stand is decorated with geometrical vineyards, rows of olive trees, vegetable plots and houses.

Continue on to the village of Favaios, located in one of the most beautiful plateaus in the Douro region. The village offers mouth-watering cuisine and one of the two only places in Portugal (beside Setúbal), where a different fortified wine called Moscatel is produced. It is also home to a distinctive four-cornered loaf made with locally produced wheat and baked in a wood-fired oven. Many locals pop to the bakery for a fresh loaf on a daily basis. Be sure to try the famous bread in a traditional bakery (one of the best is Manuela Barriguda, where the recipe has been passed down through generations). Finally, you'll arrive in Alijó, with excellent opportunities to taste local wines.

Ascent/Descent - 790m/525m

The scenery today is full of olive trees and vines on historic terraces as you make your way to your wine hotel (another quinta!) in Vilarinho São Romão, where a wine tasting awaits. Cycling through small villages and vineyards, you'll get a real flavour of the Douro region. As you cross the plateau, some of your ride will be on old roads, taking you from small villages to the breathtaking landscapes of the vineyards and then on to Vilarinho São Romão. You'll pass the town of Sabrosa enroute. The majority of the settlements in Sabrosa date back to the Middle Ages. Many of these settlements were established prior to 1143 (the establishment of the Kingdom of Portugal), such as Provesende, and have scattered paleo-Christian structures from this period. You will have plenty of opportunities to admire the beautiful colours of the Douro Valley and to take photos.

Ascent/Descent - 615m/650m

Today you'll cycle towards your last destination in the Douro Valley, to immerse yourself in vineyards once more. You'll get a flavour of the local life today, with traditional homes scattered across the land. Finish the day in Peso da Régua, another important town on the Douro riverside, full of history and traditions of wine production and celebrations. Situated on the banks of the Douro River, it played a fundamental role in the production and sale of Port wine, and it was from here that the barrels were transported in the special boats, known as barcos rabelos, to Vila Nova de Gaia, where the wine was left to age in the local wine lodges. In this region, the vines are grown on terraced slopes leading down to the river, providing visitors with a series of spectacular views, which are best admired from the area's many viewpoints, such as São Leonardo at Galafura, and Santo António do Loureiro. To end your day, there is no better place than Quinta da Pacheca as your hotel for the evening, one of the best wine estates and hotels in the region. Relax in the hotel and enjoy the sunset by the pool.

Ascent/Descent - 550m/1035m

Your last ride! Nearly half of the route today will be alongside the Douro River, where you can take your time to appreciate the views. From Peso da Régua, you'll cross the wine country of the Douro via its hilly slopes. The landscape along the way will be pleasant, with stunning viewspoints throughout. Crossing the plateau, the vineyard scenery is superb and the old roads will lead you back to your hotel via small villages. The ride will take you via Lamego, an ancient city rich in history since its founding dates back to the Roman ages. It was an important city even in Visigothic times. It features an 11th-century cathedral and was ruled by the Arabs from the 6th century until the 11th century. Lamego is defintiely worth a stop, and we have include some suggestions on historical sites to visit in our Information Pack. If you want to challenge yourself for the final day, a longer ride is available (48km). To finish your ride, another wine tasting is included today on your return at Quinta da Pacheca, to celebrate!

Ascent/Descent - 740m/740m (long version)

Ascent/Descent - 515m/510m (short version)

A beautiful 6 hour cruise will take you from the Douro Valley to Porto along the Douro River, with 14 locks and 35m of climbing via the dams. Observe the stunning views of the valley from the river, and enjoy a lunch on board, which is included. Upon arrival in Porto, spend you last evening exploring the cobbled winding streets of the old quarter, with plenty of rooftop bars, coffee shops and restaurants to choose from. 

Your journey comes to an end today, or why not book an extra night in Porto so that you can explore this historic bustling city.