Portugal Castles and Beaches

Castles and Beaches takes you from the inland Alentejo, rich in castles, palaces and traditional architecture, to the pristine Atlantic beaches of the Vicentina Coast in just 8 days. Sleep in pousadas, manor houses and farmhouses as you ride quiet roads through vineyards, olive groves and cork oak country.

The first half explores the marble towns of Vila Viçosa and Estremoz, the hilltop fortress of Monsaraz, the pottery village of São Pedro do Corval and the UNESCO city of Évora, with a day on the wine and cork route. A transfer then takes you to the coast to ride past lagoons, Santiago do Cacém castle and Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes and the clifftops of Odeceixe.

Expect award-winning wines, fresh fish and the operator's famous gourmet beach picnics, with stories of olive oil, cork harvesting and Portugal's history along the way.

Highlights

• Marble towns of Vila Viçosa and Estremoz, and the Ducal Palace
• Hilltop fortress of Monsaraz on the Spanish border
• Évora's UNESCO-listed centre and the Chapel of Bones
• Wineries, a cork factory and a family olive mill
• Santo André and Melides lagoons and the fishing village of Porto Covo
• Clifftop ride along the Vicentina Coast to Odeceixe, with beach picnics

Surface and terrain
Mostly quiet secondary asphalt roads with some ecotrail and dirt road sections, gently rolling to undulating. Daily ascent is 210 to 610 m. The final coastal day has many dirt-road sections, with asphalt alternatives.

Weather
The inland Alentejo is hot and dry in July and August, while the coast stays milder with sea breezes. Spring and autumn are ideal for riding and still warm enough for a swim. Winters are mild with some rain.

Suitable for
Leisure riders comfortable with 35 to 70 km days on mostly quiet roads, with a challenge here and there. Suits couples and small groups who enjoy food, wine and culture. The longer first day is offered on e-bike only.