Self-guided Bike Tour: Lisbon to Badajoz in 7 Days

TWO COUNTRIES, ONE TRAIL: FROM LISBON TO BADAJOZ

From €2030 per person

7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS

A fascinating journey through the heart of Alentejo: from estuaries to plains, among historic villages, picturesque greenways, and uniquely enchanting landscapes.

DURATION: 7 days / 6 nights

LEVEL: Intermediate

TYPE OF TRIP: gravel / MTB bike trip with luggage transport, self-guided; overnight stays in guesthouses or 3/4* hotels.

SUITABLE FOR: bikers in good health, trained, and adaptable to different road surfaces.

RECOMMENDED PERIOD: April to December

PRIVATE TOUR – Available every day. Price per person, with a minimum of 2 participants.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR:

A journey through the historic towns and villages of the Alentejo, between estuaries, mountains, and peaceful plains.
The route takes you along greenways, former railway lines, and rural roads lined with vineyards, olive groves, and cork oak forests.
Along the way, discover medieval castles, historic ruins, and picturesque villages, always with sweeping views of the Alentejo landscape.
The experience is completed with typical products and the authentic flavors of Portuguese and Alentejo cuisine, before ending in the vibrant atmosphere of the Spanish city of Badajoz.

Two estuaries, medieval castles, picturesque villages, and the tranquility of the vast inland plains, culminating in the vibrant atmosphere of the Spanish city of Badajoz.

PROGRAM

Day 1: Arrival in Lisbon – Bike Fitting
Day 2: Transfer Lisbon – Cabo Espichel + Cabo Espichel – Setúbal(55 + 6 km, 325m A+)
Day 3: Setúbal – Landeira (50 km, 100m A+)
Day 4: Landeira – Montemor-o-Novo (57 km, 375m A+)
Day 5: Montemor-o-Novo – Évora (47 km, 250m A+)
Day 6: Évora – Reguengos de Monsaraz (45 km, 175m A+, 250m A-)
Day 7: Reguengos de Monsaraz – Vila Viçosa (55,5 km)
Day 8: Vila Viçosa – Badajoz (82 km)
Day 9: Departure

INCLUDED

6 overnight stays with breakfast
One-way rental and drop-off of bicycles
Transfer from Lisbon to Cabo Espichel
Road book with map, route description, and GPS tracks (self-guided option)
Daily transport of personal luggage up to a maximum weight of 20 kg per participant
Qualified staff and 24-hour telephone assistance from our office team

NOT INCLUDED

Flights
Meals not mentioned in the detailed itinerary and all drinks, except tea and coffee at breakfast
Optional visits and activities, and extra services due to force majeure
Everything not included under the “Included” section

EXTRA

Bike rental: MTB – €120, Gravel – €180, E-bike – €230
Single room supplement
Option to extend the stay or add other activities

Get in touch with us for a tailor-made quote!

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Tour Plan

Day 1: Arrival in Lisbon - Bike Fitting

Day 2: Transfer Lisbon - Cabo Espichel/Cabo Espichel - Setúbal

South of the Serra da Arrábida we head back towards Setúbal. It is worth stopping in Santana to shop for supplies before continuing to Sesimbra. Here you may choose to visit the castle, bearing in mind that reaching it requires an additional climb of about ninety metres. After crossing Sesimbra again, the asphalt gives way to a dirt road that first runs flat and dusty through the fields before steadily ascending. The vegetation soon changes to the dense green shrubs of the Natural Park, until suddenly the view opens onto the endless Atlantic and the white sandy beaches of the Troia Peninsula. At this point, there are two options: to the left, the route climbs almost to the top of the hill, more demanding but rewarded with spectacular views over the ocean; to the right, the road runs along the coast and the famous beaches of Arrábida, offering sweeping views of the cliffs and the golden shoreline stretching all the way to Troia. After a long descent, the path leads to the beaches, a paradise of white sand and turquoise waters, home to turtles, dolphins and, occasionally, even whales. At Creiro Beach, the first of the “Praias da Arrábida”, a dirt track follows the shoreline and gently rises before reconnecting with the road. Further along lie other beaches, including the charming Praia de Galapinhos, perfect for a break and a refreshing swim. These are small coves of fine white sand, ideal for sunbathing or hiding among the rocks. The route includes a short section closed to cars due to rockfall, marked by half-metre concrete blocks, before reaching Setúbal, where the two paths merge once again.

Day 3: Setúbal - Landeira

Setúbal is a city with a very intense harbour activity with lots of ships, containers, cargo trains and trucks. You will pedal some kilometers along the harbor road, mixing with its 50 km/h traffic. Then you will move towards inland, visiting the Sado River flooding areas and an old tidal mill, now renovated, with a nice café. A few kilometers ahead, after crossing the heavy traffic road EN10, you will pass over many vineyards, some of them quite big. Small hamlets and isolated houses will be sight as you pedal to Landeira, a tiny rural village flanked by a brook, pine trees and oaks. If you want you can continue and pedal the first 18 kms of section 15.3, reaching Cabrela, a rural village with its old traditional mansion houses.

Day 4: Landeira - Montemor-o-Novo

In this section you will cycle mostly isolated from the general traffic. As you exit Landeira, you will take a rural asphalted road for 15 km. It takes you upstream a small river almost to Cabrela. Once at this village, please reinforce energetically and ensure a good water supply, as this will probably be the last time you will see a coffee before Montemor-o-Novo. Then you will pedal a few more kilometers in asphalt before turning left to a long macadam rural road. It’s mostly uphill but with smooth slopes. Enjoy the great views over the farming areas, the cattle, the small dams and the Cork Oak forests. After passing over the Alentejo Railway you will enter at the Montado Rails-to-trails which will take you directly to Montemor-o-Novo.

Day 5: Montemor-o-Novo - Évora

You are now cycling in the hottest and driest region of Portugal, so please take enough water for today’s journey. Right after exiting Montemor-o-Novo you will take a long macadam rural road until you arrive to São Sebastião da Giesteira. Basically without traffic, you will reach this hamlet passing by Cork Tree estates and enormous farming estates… From here, asphalt roads with moderate traffic will take you to visit 2 cromlechs before reaching Nossa Senhora da Graça do Divor. At this small village you will enter at Mora Rails-to-trails, an abandoned railway corridor renovated for cycle tourism. Mostly in soil/dirt, this infrastructure will take you directly to the centre of Évora.

Day 6: Évora - Reguengos de Monsaraz

Leave the historic centre of Évora and go down until you cross the abandoned Évora Railway, a branch which ran to Estremoz. Further ahead you will pass over the brand new Évora-Elvas Railway, which will soon allow to connect Lisbon to Badajoz at high speed trains. Then you will turn onto the Évora-Reguengos Rails-to-trails, the old railway branch that connected to this small Alentejo village. You will always pedal on a mix of macadam and fine gravel. And to avoid making the tour too monotonous, three small exits are suggested: the first to go and have a coffee in the village of N.ª Sr.ª de Machede, the second to observe Valongo Castle and enjoy the vineyard on that hillside. The third is to visit the village of Montoito and have another coffee there. 12 km after this last detour you will be in the centre of Reguengos de Monsaraz.

Day 7: Reguengos de Monsaraz - Vila Viçosa

The cycling route from Reguengos de Monsaraz to Vila Viçosa crosses the beautiful Alentejo countryside, offering stunning views and an immersive experience in local culture and history. The journey begins in the center of Reguengos de Monsaraz, a town full of tradition and charm, where cyclists can admire the characteristic whitewashed houses and picturesque streets. From here, the ride heads north toward Borba along the N255 road, passing stretches of vineyards and typical regional fields, making the journey both pleasant and relaxing. In Borba, famous for its marble quarries and well-preserved historic center, a short stop is recommended to explore the town and enjoy its unique atmosphere. Continuing toward Vila Viçosa, the route follows mainly paved roads, with some light gravel sections, passing gentle hills and small characteristic villages of the Alentejo. Arrival in Vila Viçosa allows riders to discover its impressive Ducal Palace and Castle, symbols of the town’s history, offering a well-deserved moment of relaxation and cultural exploration. The route, approximately 52 km long with around 375 meters of ascent, is of medium difficulty and suitable for experienced cyclists, providing an ideal balance between enjoyable riding and breathtaking scenery.

Day 8: Vila Viçosa - Badajoz (72 km

The cycling route from Vila Viçosa to Badajoz crosses the countryside of Alentejo and the Spanish region of Extremadura, offering a unique experience through two territories rich in history and culture. The journey starts in Vila Viçosa, a Portuguese town famous for its Ducal Palace and marble quarries, from where cyclists head east along quiet secondary roads, passing gentle hills, olive groves, and small characteristic villages. After about 20 km, Elvas is reached, a fortified city near the Spanish border, known for its impressive walls, the Forte de Nossa Senhora da Graça, and the aqueduct, all UNESCO World Heritage sites, which deserve a short stop. Continuing, the route includes a stop at Juromenha, a small fortified village along the Guadiana River, famous for its medieval castle and historic walls, ideal for a scenic and photographic break. The journey then crosses the Spanish border into Extremadura, where secondary roads provide a pleasant and safe ride all the way to Badajoz. The ride ends in Badajoz, offering the opportunity to explore the city’s historic monuments, such as the Alcazaba and the Puerta de Palmas. The route is approximately 82 km long, with about 500 meters of ascent, of medium difficulty, suitable for experienced cyclists, providing a perfect balance between enjoyable riding and stunning landscapes.