Dates, details & prices

Tour dates

Due to various other personal commitments, we will not be running any more tours in 2024. We may resume operations in 2025 but do not currently have any specific plans.

To find out what previous riders thought of our tours, please go to our Reviews page – which may also explain why we are rated as excellent by Lonely Planet and get so many riders coming back for multiple trips.

 

The Personal Touch

Pedal Portugal is husband-and-wife team Huw & Carolyn Thomas (pictured above). We design and run all our tours, personally leading small groups 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 January 2024 – have led 30 trips, with many riders returning several times. (Scroll down for details of individual tours.)

“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

Pedal Portugal’s 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 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.

You can see pictures from previous tours on our 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

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 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. 

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. 

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.

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.

The Algarve Coast & Country takes in some of the most scenic scenery of Europe’s south-west corner, including spectacular Cabo São Vicente.

For self-guided trips please see my Route Planning Service.

“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 prices for tours 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 descriptions for further details.

We will also organise bicycle hire, although please note that this cost is extra and you will be responsible for any bicycles hired.

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. We look forward to hearing from you.

Huw and Carolyn Thomas