A Bikesul staff member will be at the airport to welcome-you and drive you to Estremoz, 2 hours away from Lisbon.
Once in Estremoz, its rich historical heritage is unmistakable. Crowned by a 12th-century castle—later used as a jail—the town once served as a vital stronghold in Portugal’s primary line of defense. Today, Estremoz is best known for its thriving wine industry, with numerous acclaimed wineries located in and around the region.

Marble is another defining feature of the city. Thanks to the area’s abundant natural deposits, this elegant stone appears throughout Estremoz—from sidewalks and public sculptures to the façades of landmarks such as the castle and former jail.

Be sure to spend some time exploring the charming city center, where you’ll find excellent spots for lunch or a light bite. Estremoz boasts a vibrant culinary scene, with standout restaurants like Mercearia Gadanha and Cadeia Quinhentista ranking among the most highly regarded.

Accommodation: Pousada de Estremoz or similar

Leaving Estremoz the first section towards Rio de Moinhos villages is quite easy and pleasant! With a marvelous surrounding landscapes with the "Serra D'Ossa" hills, the vineyards and the marble queries this will be the perfect trip of a memorable bike trip.

With 20km you will pass by the city of Borba. Famous for its red wines, Borba is the less visited of the three marble cities in the Alentejo (the others are Estremoz and Vila Viçosa). Stroll around the Castle of Borba, take photos of the Bicas Fountain – all in marble – and, of course, enjoy a good wine. In addition to visiting the Adega de Borba, try the cheeses produced in Rio de Moinhos and the traditional Borba bread.

Continue towards north passing through the villages of Orada, Santo Aleixo and Villa Fernando. As you approach Elvas through a fast descent the view over the city is just awesome!

Also nicknamed “The Boarder Queen”, it is one of the hidden gems of the Alentejo. Due to its strategic position close to the Spanish border, Elvas was marked by many wars. Elvas military history can be revisited through a walk through the city. Its fortifications, together with the Fortresses of Santa Luzia and Nossa Senhora da Graça, are considered to be the largest and best preserved bastioned fortifications in the world!

Destination of the day: Elvas

Daily distance: 65km
Elevation gain: +650 m
Terrain: Mostly Flat

Accommodation: Vila Gale Elvas or similar.

From Elvas ride along the boarder with Spain with the Guadiana river in between. This will be a short ride giving you more time to relax through a landscape of cork trees, olive groves, and flocks of sheep. Half-away on the ride you will pass by Juromenha a picturesque village overlooking Spain. On this day, you must face some uphills to get to Vila Viçosa.
Vila Viçosa is a village that is home to at least one major attraction: the Paço Ducal. The palace, built around 1501, has a facade covered in marble about a hundred meters long and houses more than 50 rooms open to the public. Known as the Princess of Alentejo, the village keeps some secrets, such as the remains of the poet Florbela Espanca, which lies in the cemetery next to the Castle of Vila Viçosa. Within the walls, the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Vila Viçosa, Portugal’s patron saint, can also be seen.
At the top of a hill, a castle surrounded by a medieval wall welcomes visitors to Estremoz, known as the White City and the main city on the marble route. Estremoz looks like an enchanted village with its white houses and architectural monuments full of stories.
The wall has four marble doors that look like time travel portals. After crossing the city center, climbt to the magnificent medieval castle and get to your accommodation, a refurbished convent turned into hotel.

Destination of the day: Vila Viçosa

Daily distance: 44km
Elevation gain: +620 m
Terrain: Rolling hills

Accommodation: Convento de Vila Viçosa or similar.

From Vila Viçosa, the route gently rolls through the scenic countryside, leading you to Alandroal—a beautifully preserved village where the castle stands proudly as the central landmark.

Alandroal is a perfect spot for a short break. Grab a coffee and try some of the delicious local pastries, a simple pleasure that’s hard to beat after a good morning ride.

From Alandroal you’ll ride through a tranquil landscape of olive trees, vineyards, and cork oaks, all around you. The atmosphere is peaceful and immersive—ideal for connecting with the land at your own rhythm.

Along this stretch, you’ll cross a serene lake hidden in the countryside, which is actually part of the Alqueva Reservoir. This is the largest artificial lake in the Iberian Peninsula. As you continue riding, you’ll soon realize just how vast it is when you reach your destination for the day.

We will pass through other small villages  such as Motrinos, Barrada and Aldeia do Outeiro. In the last one stands out the Menhir of Bulhoa, and the Convent of Orada where the famous Cromeleque do Xarez is located.

Destination of the day: Monsaraz

Daily distance: 60km
Elevation gain: +630 m
Terrain: Mostly flat

Accommodation: Convento da Orada or similar.

As you leave the hotel a challenging climb takes you to Monsaraz, one of Portugal’s official Seven Wonders. It’s a short but rewarding ascent, a test for your legs and a treat for the soul. The views become increasingly spectacular as you climb, especially as the Alqueva Lake comes into full view.

Just before reaching the walled village, you’ll come to a roundabout where a viewpoint awaits on the left. Be sure to stop here and take in the breathtaking panorama of the lake and surrounding plains. Although artificial, the lake was created in 2002 following the construction of a dam for water supply and irrigation, and it has since blended seamlessly into the natural landscape.
Monsaraz, the graceful medieval village of Monsaraz, maintains the magic from ancient times like few others in the world. Made of lime and schist, this place whispers us, between the echo of our footsteps in its streets. A lot of magnificent stories could be told about its courageous kings, Knights Templar, brave people and dames of simple beauty.
From there a fast easy section takes you to the wine DOC region of Reguengos. Passing through the village you are able to visit the Jose Maria da Fonseca historic winery.
Then take the 40km "ecopista de Reguengos", a dedicated cycle lane through a former train line. This stretch is quite flat and easy with a beautiful landscape.

Destination of the day: Évora

Daily distance: 67km
Elevation gain: +600 m
Terrain: Mostly flat

Accommodation: The Nooble House, Albergaria do Calvario or similar

Departing from Évora, ride towards the old village of Valverde.
Valverde is a small typical settlement nearby Nossa Senhora da Tourega village, situated in the heart of the vast and lovely Alentejo region, on the slope of the Monfurado Mountain. All the region presents important vestiges of human occupancy from remote periods, as the superb Anta Grande do Zambujeiro, the largest Anta known in all the Iberian Peninsula, or the interesting Geraldo’s Castle Hill Fort.
In Valverde lived Geraldo Sem Pavor (“fearless Geraldo”), a noble borned in the North of Portugal that soon left to the South to fight the Moors where he leaded a group of brigants. Its great achievement was during the Évora’s Christian conquest to the Moors, offering the town to the first Portuguese king, d. Afonso Henriques in 1165, using the “Giraldo’s Castle” as a strategic point.
This peaceful rural settlement is characterized by its Alentejo’s traditional streets with white houses coloured with a blue or yellow strip around doors and windows.
Valverde is proud of its heritage which highlight is the Bom Jesus de Valverde Convent, also known as Mitra, with a Bishop’s Palace built in 1517 and a lovely Renaissance Chapel.
Heading north on a slight steady climb towards Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe. In this village you will take a gravel road that will take you to the Cromlech of Almendres, a group of stones standing as the most important megalithic group in the Iberian Peninsula.
Continuing towards the north you will visit the Vila of Arraiolos, the village of the famous "Arraiolos carpets", boasting also a circular castle.

Returning to Évora you follow the "ecopista de Mora", a gravel easy flat cycle lane.

Destination of the day: Évora

Daily distance: 58km
Elevation gain: +620 m
Terrain: Mostly flat

Accommodation: The Nooble House, Albergaria do Calvario or similar.

Our trip has come to the end.
Transfers to the airport will be arranged but if you’re planning on staying a few extra days, let us know if we can help with a few recommendations.