Cycling holiday in the Douro Valley on ebike

Explore the beautiful city of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Invicta City. The fascinating architecture dates back to the Middle Ages and you'll get your first views of the Douro River. The Dom Luís 1 bridge over the river connects Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia on the opposite bank. Here you can explore the historic port wine cellars. A cable car will take you back to the upper deck of the bridge with panoramic views of the city and the river below.

The riverside Ribeira district is full of cafes, bars and restaurants. Walk through the narrow, cobbled streets with traditional Portuguese azulejo-tiled buildings. The stunning São Bento train station has around 20,000 tiles depicting historical scenes.

Porto is a welcoming city and small enough to get around on foot. But you can always stop and rest in one of the many cafés and enjoy a pastel de nata (traditional Portuguese pastry).

Hotel (example): 4-star hotel

Our driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the scenic Douro region. In Alijó, you'll receive a personal welcome briefing from a member of our team. They'll also make sure your bikes are set up correctly for you.

You can order a packed lunch at your hotel to take on a short tour in the afternoon. The tour will give you a first taste of the Douro region and help you get familiar with the bike. You'll cycle along quiet roads and paths to the picturesque village of São Mamede de Ribatua. Here there's a fantastic viewpoint overlooking vineyards and the Tua River below.

Back in Alijó, you'll have time to freshen up before visiting a local Quinta to taste the local fortified wine, Moscatel.

Hotel (example): 4-star hotel

Leaving Alijó, you'll soon come to Favaios, a village with old cobbled streets. Famous for Muscatel wine and a unique four-cornered bread, it has a museum dedicated to both. As you continue to Pinhão, a breathtaking descent awaits. From the wide road there are panoramic views of terraced vineyards with the Pinhão River below.

Pinhão is a beautiful town on the banks of the Douro River. Popular with visitors arriving by riverboat or train, you'll find plenty of restaurants and cafés here. The train station is also worth a visit. The beautiful azulejo tiles depict scenes from the countryside and winemaking. If you're lucky, you might even see a steam train!

Leaving Pinhão, it's time to start the ascent back to Alijó, helped along by the electric bike battery. A short detour at Castedo leads to the Miradouro de Santa Marinha. The views from here are spectacular, high above the Douro River and overlooking the mouth of the Tua River.

Hotel (example): 4-star hotel

You say goodbye to Alijó and leave the city on a roadside bike path next to a forest. The terrain here is different, changing from vineyards to trees and mountain flora. High above Sanfins do Douro, there is a lovely viewpoint at the church of Nossa Senhora da Mercy, known for worship and pilgrimage.

After the village, cycle along country roads through vineyards and small villages. Sabrosa, home of the 15th-century Portuguese explorer Magellan, is a larger town with plenty of places to eat and drink. The route then continues to the Mateus Palace, which was built in the early 18th century and is set in beautiful gardens. It is open to the public so you can visit the house, garden and museum or book a tasting of this famous Portuguese rosé.

From Mateus, the route into Vila Real is traffic-free on an old railroad line. Relax in the afternoon at your riverside hotel or take a stroll through the cobbled streets and old buildings of Vila Real.

Hotel (example): 4-star hotel

You'll leave Vila Real on the iconic N2 - Portugal's answer to Route 66 - and cycle along the scenic Corgo Valley. The route passes under the impressive highway bridge that you crossed on the first day on your way to Alijó. Today's ride winds through small towns and villages with plenty of places to take a break.

You'll also enter the defined Douro wine region. In Santa Marta de Penaguião you'll pass their famous wine cooperative. Soon after, you'll reach the popular tourist town of Peso da Régua on the banks of the Douro River. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from or you can visit the riverside museum to learn more about the history of winemaking in the area.

From Régua, the route crosses a beautiful pedestrian bridge over the Douro River. It then continues up through the Varosa Valley, famous for its sparkling wine. As you approach Lamego, the 686 steps of the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Church beckon you into this historic town. Explore the cathedral with its Renaissance cloister or enjoy the views from the medieval castle.

Hotel (example): 4-star hotel

The road from Lamego to Samodães has fantastic views of the Douro River and Régua below. Following the Rota do Românico, the landscape changes again and you drive through cherry orchards instead of vineyards.

São Martinho de Mouros has a historic 13th-century church and is a good place to stop for refreshments. Then it's time to climb to the highest point of the tour with the help of the e-bike battery. The views from the top of the climb are incredible and you can look out over the entire route so far. The flora and fauna is also different here, more mountainous with pine trees and rocky granite outcrops.

Then it's downhill all the way back to Lamego. The route ends at the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios church. The church is open to visitors or you can wander around the area and look out over Lamego from the top of the 686 steps.

Hotel (example): 4-star hotel

Today's bike ride is from Lamego through the oldest part of the city. Bairro da Ponte has medieval houses along the riverbank and lovely views upriver. From there, follow quiet roads through small villages and orchards full of apple, cherry and elderflower trees.

At Ucanha you cross the Varosa River on a beautiful old bridge. The medieval tower on the other bank is open to visitors or you can relax with a refreshment on the riverbank. The route continues past the Murganheira wineries, known for some of the best Portuguese sparkling wines. They are open for wine tasting or you can continue to Salzedas. Here you'll find a stunning church and a Cistercian monastery, both open to visitors. The monks developed winemaking in the region and are even said to have invented port wine!

After passing several orchards, you'll soon reach Armamar, the mountain capital of the Douro. Perched high above the valley, the town has stunning views and plenty of places to explore. A long and scenic descent to the banks of the Douro follows. You'll cycle briefly on the N222 (National Geographic's Most Beautiful Road in the World, 2015) before crossing the river and entering Peso da Régua on a quieter road.

Your e-bike tour of the Douro Valley ends with a wine tour in Peso Régua, where you'll taste Douro and Port wines.

Hotel (example): 4-star hotel

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and individual return journey.

It is possible to take a bike cruise back to Porto and this can be chosen when booking the tour. The boat trip includes lunch. Besides the boat trip, the easiest option is to take the train back to Porto.