Tour Dates, Details & Prices

***Portugal is now (June 2020) in the process of lifting restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope to run tours later this year but will only do so if safe and sensible.

Our schedule for 2021 may also be revised once we have a clearer idea of the situation.***

Discover the best cycling in Portugal and ride our favourite roads.

Sign up for a Pedal Portugal guided bike tour and discover why we are rated as excellent by Lonely Planet – and get so many riders coming back for another trip.

We hope to be running tours on the dates below – but do contact us if you are interested in different dates/tours. 

Available tours

Please note: the dates below are a provisional schedule based on the ending of the Covid-19 pandemic.

We will confirm tours once it is safe to do so but in the meantime please get in touch of you want to book on a provisional basis.***

2020

• 18th-29th October – Border Castles – 12 days / €1,420 
• 29th Nov-10th Dec – Algarve Coast & Country – 12 days / €1,455

2021 

• 21st Feb-4th Mar – Algarve Coast & Country – 12 days / €1,455
• 14th-25th March – Southern Explorer – 12 days / €1,495
• 16th-28th May – Historic Heartland – 13 days / €1,590
• 26th Sept-8th Oct – Historic Heartland – 13 days / €1,590
• 17th-28th October – Border Castles – 12 days / €1,495

Please note: We’re also open to running different tours if that’s what (enough of) our customers demand. Get in touch via pedalportugal@gmail.com if you want to request particular tours/dates.

For small groups who want to decide their own route/dates, we may also be able to put together custom tours.

***Read our reviews to see why we get so many repeat customers on our guided tours.***

The Personal Touch

Pedal Portugal is husband-and-wife team Huw & Carolyn Thomas. We design and run all our tours, personally leading small groups (maximum of 12) through some of our favourite parts of the country.

We love cycling but believe that’s only part of the reason to do our guided tours. We also want everyone to enjoy the experience – making sure you have time to admire the scenery, visit the sights, stop for a coffee, take some photos etc.

Pedal Portugal began in August 2011 as a blog giving free advice for cyclists visiting the country and has developed into the number one information source for any rider interested in this gem of a destination.

We began running our own guided tours of Portugal in 2016 and – as of May 2019 – have now led 17 biking trips, with many riders returning to do several tours with us. Scroll down for more details of individual tours.

Pedal Portugal’s guided cycling holidays will take you to some of the country’s more famous sights but will also help you discover back roads, out-of-the-way places and wonderful scenery that most tourists never see. 

Along the way, you’ll stay in a range of places – from rustic to swish – and eat at restaurants where you can sample a wide range of typical Portuguese dishes and some wonderful wine.

“Huw and Carolyn did a truly wonderful job shepherding us through Southern Portugal.

“We had gorgeous rides on quiet backroads, tasty lunches and comfortable/clean accommodations. 2 thumbs up for Pedal Portugal.” Matt Ogburn, custom tour

Custom tours & reviews

As well as the tours listed above, I’m also open to suggestions for other routes, including setting up customized bicycle holidays for individuals and groups. (For self-guided biking tours please see the Route Planning Page.)  

Click on the Reviews page to see what previous riders thought of our cycle tours.

You can see pictures from previous tours on the Pedal Portugal Facebook page. You might also want to look at the blog for other bits and pieces about our bicycling experiences!

“Pedal Portugal will spoil you for any other bike tour. Huw and Carolyn have created something really unique and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone.” Maureen Kirkpatrick – Eastern Frontier Tour

Following the coast to Lagos on our Algarve cycling tour

Riding For Pleasure

As mentioned above, the aim of all our tours is to enjoy the ride – the scenery, the sights along the way, the people, the cakes and wine, etc. After all, it’s a cycling holiday not a competition.

We won’t be racing, we’ll be taking in the view, with no deadline to get from one place to another. The biking is important but the idea will be to see some of the best parts of Portugal from a bicycle saddle, not clocking up kilometres just for the sake of it. 

However, it is important riders are capable of riding the distances shown for each tour and cycling on consecutive days.

“Best trip ever! Such lovely guides, such a beautiful country.” Debbie Kinnear – Algarve Tour 

The idea is also to make the tour a sociable experience, riding in a group and hopefully making new friends along the way – and discussing the day’s ride over dinner and a glass of wine or two.

Breakfast and evening meals* are included in the price. Picnic lunches are also included on the main riding days as this helps us be flexible and have lunch when and where it suits us.

*Vegetarian and other special diet options are possible but please seek our advice when booking.

“We loved the Border Castles trip…The rides through lovely cork tree ‘parks’, rolling hills of the Alentejo, the medieval castles, low-traffic roads, and the super pleasant guides made the days go far too quickly.” Dave and Marcy VanLandingham – Border Castles

Our Guided Cycle Tours

The Southern Explorer explores the hills, rolling plains and historic towns of the southern Alentejo before crossing into the Algarve and on to the south coast. We visit better known tourist sights, as well as heading off the beaten track to places that get few other visitors. (March 2021 departure)

The Algarve Coast & Country takes in some of the most scenic scenery of Europe’s south-west corner, including spectacular Cabo São Vicente. (December 2020 & February 2021 departures) 

The Border Castles explores the north-east Alentejo, riding across the region’s rolling farmland, visiting ancient towns and a string of frontier fortresses and ruined castles, plus Neolithic tombs and a rugged natural park on the Spanish border.  (October 2020 & October 2021 departures)

The Historic Heartland provides a chance to explore some of the highlights of central Portugal, from the hill country near the Spanish border to the pine trees and sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast. (May & September 2021 departures)

The Eastern Frontier is our toughest bike trip, involving a fairly strenuous route starting from the northern end of the Serra da Estrela mountains, going up towards the Douro valley and then south along the Portuguese-Spanish border to the frontier fortress city of Elvas. (Sept 2020 departure)

“I hugely recommend Pedal Portugal’s guided tour. Lovely guides with a vast amount of experience and knowledge that they were more than happy to pass on.” John Harris – Algarve Tour

Prices & further details

The prices of these cycling holidays are based on staying in a selection of small hotels and guest houses, eating in decent but not Michelin-starred restaurants.

Please see each tour page for individual prices, more information about distances, meals and what you will see along the way. 

The price for tours will include:

• transfers (normally by train/bus) on the start/finish days of the tour 
• carefully chosen routes for each day of bicycling
• daily luggage transfer
• hotel accommodation for each night
• breakfast and evening meals (including wine/beer) and picnic lunch on riding days
• experienced guide to ride with you (myself or my wife)

Please see the individual tour description for further details of what is included for each tour.

We work with Cycling Rentals, a company based near Lisbon but able to deliver anywhere in Portugal. This cost is extra and you will be responsible for any bicycles hired – although riders on our tours get a 15% discount on the company’s normal prices.

You will also be responsible for all personal insurance, medical cover etc. Please see our full terms and conditions before making any booking.

“We’re going back again for another Pedal Portugal trip because we had such a great experience. Thank you Huw and Carolyn for introducing us to the wonders that Portugal has to offer.” Tilly Jensen, Eastern Frontier

For more information

If you have general or specific questions, please email pedalportugal@gmail.com. 

You can also join our mailing list using the form below if you want to be kept informed about future biking tours, dates, availability etc..

We look forward to hearing from you.

Huw  and Carolyn Thomas

Mailing list