Portugal - Porto and the Douro Valley - Self guided - 8 Days - Classic

Day 1 Arrival in Porto

Welcome to Porto! Our guide will be waiting for you at Porto airport to take you to your hotel in Vidago (1h30 transfer). This is a very special little town, famous for having been a mineral water treatment centre in the 19th century. It is said that its “special” mineral water contained properties to aid digestion.

Day 2 Vidago – Vila Real 55 km

A day full of remarkable landscapes and typically Nordic villages awaits you! This first day’s cycling takes you to Vila Real, the largest town you’ll pass through during your stay, which has been occupied since the Palaeolithic period. You’ll also discover historic sites such as Oura and Sabroso de Aguiar. You finish your journey in Vila Pouca de Aguiar.

Day 3 Vila Real – Vilarinho de Sao Romao 32 km

Today, you’re still riding on the heights of the Valley, among olive groves and vineyards, with some lovely views! You’ll pass other historic sites such as the Madorras Tumulus, which dates back to the Bronze Age. Then you head for the village of Sabrosa, where wine is produced on a massive scale. On this second cycle tour, you’ll discover small, rustic villages tucked away in the mountains of the Douro Valley, as if lost in time! Now’s the time to take lots of souvenir photos!

Day 4 Vilarinho – Pinhao 30 km

Once again, you’ll be mesmerised and hypnotised by the UNESCO World Heritage landscapes of the Douro Valley, the natural beauty of northern Portugal. You’ll pass through a number of typical villages and wine estates, offering photographers a wide choice of viewpoints! The day ends on a picturesque path beside the River Pinhao, with a magnificent sunset over the hills.

Day 5 Loop around Pinhao 18 – 38 km

After a delicious breakfast of local produce, you leave the hotel for a tour of the region’s vineyards. The first climb of the day takes you to Casal de Loivos, from where you can admire the most beautiful views of the Douro Valley. You continue to ride through the best-known Quintas, where you have the chance to taste some of the local wines at an unforgettable tasting session (not included). Then you start to descend towards the Douro, climbing back up to some of the most beautiful viewpoints in the region before returning to Pinhao.

Day 6 Pinhao – Peso da Régua 28 km

Today you’ll be driving towards your final destination: Peso da Régua. You’ll start to feel like a local, with long paths and traditional houses scattered across the land. End the day in Peso da Régua, another important town nestling on the banks of the Douro, full of history and traditions about wine production and festivals. Take advantage of the Original Douro Hotel for a restorative break or enjoy the sunset around the town to round off this magnificent day.

Day 7 Loop around Peso da Régua 28 km

Almost half of the final leg takes place along the river, so if the weather permits, take the opportunity to have a swim! This loop around Peso da Régua takes you through Douro wine country. The many undulating slopes are a challenge for wine tasters and cyclists alike. One of the best places to taste wine today is at Quinta da Pacheca, one of the Douro’s best-known estates, distinguished by the fact that it was the first to bottle wines bearing its brand name.

Day 8 Departure

After a 2-hour transfer to Porto airport, it’s time to leave this little corner of paradise and say “goodbye and see you soon”.