Douro Valley By Bike

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 32–44 km (20–27 miles) each day on a mix of quiet country roads and car-free nature trails. Day 6 is the shortest stage, though a longer optional route is available if you’re looking for an extra challenge.

Expect gently rolling terrain throughout the tour. Daily cumulative ascents range from 500–790 m (1,640–2,590 ft), with descents of 500–1,000 m (1,640–3,280 ft). It’s an excellent trip for anyone with solid physical fitness, and we recommend getting comfortable with hill riding beforehand.

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 wine estates (otherwise known as 'quintas') and hotels. In the Douro Valley your accommodation is very much focussed on the historical wine estates, surrounded by vineyards and boasting fantastic views of the Douro Valley. Most have outdoor swimming pools. In Porto you stay in the centre of the city, Batalha Square and very close to the old Ribeira district.

Alternate Accommodation

During the high season, you might be booked into alternative accommodations that are 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. Dinner is also included on Day 1 and Day 2 (excluding beverages) and a 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, as well as it's mouth-watering 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. We do not offer this tour during the summer months of July and August due to high temperatures. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit the Douro Valley. In early March, the almond groves begin to blossom with delicate white flowers, while in mid to late September the grape harvest starts and the normally slow pace of life in the Douro Valley shifts into a much livelier rhythm.

Douro River Cruise: The river cruise operates seasonally and is available from April to October, with full operation from May through October. Due to variable water levels, the cruise cannot be guaranteed before May. If you are travelling outside the cruise season (November to March), the river cruise will be replaced with a private transfer by car to Porto, including a stop to visit the Casa Mateus Museum, a 17th-century manor house set within beautiful gardens.

Please note: September and October are now extremely busy for this tour. We strongly recommend booking as early as possible if you wish to travel during these months to avoid disappointment.

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.