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Your guides for this tour will be Enrique: (+34) 696 546 088 and Sergio: (+34) 654 098 039.
Gratuities for our guides are much appreciated to thank them for exceptional service, support, and expertise. The industry standard for each individual guest is 7.5-10% tip of the trip price at the end of the tour. Local currency is preferred.
Call the Bike Spain Tours office on +34 915 590 653, or out of office hours call +34 677 356 586. We will get you where you need to be and get you the help you need.
Your insurance policy number is 21286990. You can find your insurance documents here.
Click here for our packing suggestions for a guided bike tour.
In order to ensure that there is enough space for everyone to travel comfortably in the van, we ask that you bring only one standard hold luggage size suitcase and one rucksack per person.
Please be aware that Spaniards follow a very particular routine in terms of their daily meals, and this is often strictly enforced by restaurant opening hours, especially in small towns!
You can expect restaurants to be open for lunch from approximately 1:30pm – 4pm. Remember that lunch is the main meal of the day in Spain.
Dinnertime in Spain is any time from 8pm onwards. Dinner in Spain is typically a lighter meal.
Wednesday, 23rd April. Madrid, Spain
Accommodation: Own arrangements
1pm: Bike fitting at our office in Calle del Codo with Enrique.
Click here for our Google Maps list of recommendations in Madrid.
Visit one of the galleries that make up Madrid’s “Golden Triangle of Art”: the classical Prado (open Mon – Sat 10am – 8pm, and Sun 10am – 7pm), the modernist Reina Sofia (open Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri and Sat 10am – 9pm and Sun 10am – 2:30pm), or the Thyssen-Bornemisza, a former former private collection (open Tue – Sun 10am – 7pm and Mon 12pm – 4pm).
Make a selfie stop at some of Madrid’s most legendary landmarks: Plaza Mayor, the elegant arcaded square that has been at the centre of madrileño life for centuries; Plaza del Sol, where you can visit the iconic bear and strawberry tree statue and the Km 0 plaque, the origin of all Spain’s roads and the exact geographic centre of Spain; Gran Vía, Madrid’s buzzing central street, full of shops and theatres; and the imposing Puerta de Alcalá, which once marked the entrance to the city.
Explore the Royal Palace, the biggest in Europe, built by a (open Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm and Sun 10am – 4pm).
Next door, visit Madrid’s unique cathedral (open daily 10am – 8:30pm), whose construction spanned more than a century and was only completed in 1993!
Take a stroll in the elegant Parque del Retiro, Madrid’s answer to Central Park. Catch at art exhibition at the striking Crystal Palace, rent a rowboat for a romantic cruise on the lake, or visit the peacocks in the “secret garden” named after architect Cecilio Rodriguez.
Watch the sunset from the Círculo de Bellas Artes rooftop bar and restaurant (open Tue – Sun, 11am – 2pm/5pm – 9pm).
Discover Madrid’s very own Egyptian temple! Dating back to the 2nd century BC, the Temple of Debod was transferred to Madrid, brick by brick in the 1970s.
If you happen to be in Madrid on a Sunday morning, we recommend a trip to El Rastro market (open Sun 9am – 3pm) to hunt for treasures and soak up the lively atmosphere!
Enjoy a Spanish-style tapas crawl at one of the local hotspots: laid-back Calle Cava Baja in La Latina, Calle de las Huertas in the historic Barrio de las Letras, or trendy Calle Ponzano in Chamberí.
For a fun local experience, grab lunch or dinner at one of Madrid’s renovated gastromarkets. The elegant Mercado San Miguel, which is located right by Plaza Mayor, is the most famous, and we also recommend Mercado Ildefonso, Mercado San Antón or Mercado Anton Martín.
Try traditional Castilian fare at the oldest restaurant in the world! Sobrino de Botín has been in continuous operation since 1725 (open daily 1pm – 4pm/8pm – 11:30pm).
Sample excellent fusion cooking in a laid-back, traditional setting at La Castela (open Mon – Sat 12:30pm – 5pm/8pm – 12:30am).
Enjoy excellent seafood at Pescadería & Club Fisherman’s, located in the trendy Ibiza district.
Treat yourself to an unforgettable meal at one of Madrid’s 27 Michelin star restaurants.
Visit one of Madrid’s “tabernas centenarias”: the title awarded to restaurants and taverns that have been in continuous operation for at least a century, and often two! Some of our favourites are Bodega La Ardosa, Casa Alberto and Casa del Abuelo. For a sweet treat, visit La Mallorquina, a bakery that dates back to 1894!
For an immersive historical experience, visit La Venencia, a unique bar that only serves sherry, where the waiters will likely write your order on the bar in chalk and where cameras are banned: a tradition dating back to the bar’s popularity with spies during the Spanish Civil War!
Ranked multiple times among the best bars in the world, modern cocktail spot Salmon Guru is a great place to celebrate your bike trip with an amazingly creative concoction!
As a land-locked city, Madrid has for centuries prided itself on its ability to obtain top-quality seafood through sheer purchasing power! To this day, fresh seafood is auctioned in coastal cities in the very early hours of the morning and rushed to Madrid to be sold in markets and served in bars and restaurants. For this reason, one of Madrid’s signature dishes is the bocadillo de calamares (squid sandwich). Try this madrileño staple at one of the famous bars near Plaza Mayor (we like Bar Postas and La Campana), or at Bar El Brillante near the Reina Sofia Museum.
One of Spain’s most cherished traditions (and particularly in Madrid) is la hora del vermut: vermouth o’clock! Traditionally, Spaniards enjoy their vermouth pre-lunch, between 12pm and 2pm, although in recent years la hora del vermut has extended to most of the day. Our favourite spot to indulge in this tradition is at Casa Labra near Sol, where vermouth is paired with delicious cod, served in croquetas and as deep-fried bites. Don’t be afraid of the frequently long queues, they move quickly!
When visiting Madrid in winter, you can’t miss one of the city’s most traditional comfort dishes: cocido a la madrileña. Every madrileño has fond memories of their grandmother cooking this hearty stew of vegetables, chickpeas, chorizo and pork, which is traditionally served as two or three courses: first the broth, then the vegetables and then the meat. Two of our favourite spots to try cocido are Taberna Malacatín and Taberna La Bola, both family-run establishments that have been in operation for over two centuries.
For the most daring, a very traditional side to madrileño cuisine is casquería: offal! These dishes date back to the hard times in Madrid’s history, and one of the most popular variations is callos: a stew of strips of tripe,chorizo and morcilla (blood sausage). For a really authentic experience, try callos along with caracoles (snails) at Restaurante Casa Amadeo Los Caracoles.
No trip to Spain would be complete without churros con chocolate! The most traditional spot for churros in Madrid is at Chocolatería San Ginés, which has been serving up churros (thin deep-fried dough) and porras (fat deep-fried dough) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, since 1894!
One of the most unique snack experiences in Madrid is buying cookies from an “invisible” nun! For centuries, Spain’s cloistered monasteries and convents have funded themselves by selling baked goods, a tradition that still persists today. Ring the bell at the Convento Carboneras (located right behind the Bike Spain Tours office!) between the hours of 9:30am – 1pm/4:30pm – 6:30pm, and place cash on the torno (rotating wall) to buy cookies baked by the nuns themselves!
Thursday, 24th April. Peñafiel, Spain
Route: 69.5 km/43.2 miles
Elevation: +420m/+1,379 ft
Accommodation: Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, laundry, gym, swimming pool, spa, garden
Meals included: Lunch and dinner
9am: Your guides will pick you up from Hotel Cortezo for your transfer to Sepúlveda.
This charming medieval town was most affluent in the 11th and 12th centuries, as evidenced by the splendid architectural legacy dating back to this era. The town boasts the oldest Romanesque church constructed in the province, dating back to 1093.
From Sepúlveda, we’ll continue to the stunning gorges of the Duratón river, Las Hoces del Duratón, set in their own protected Natural Park. Here, we’ll see the impressive 7th century Hermitage of San Frutos, carved into the rock, and possibly also spot some local eagles or vultures. Next, it’s time to start cycling!
Our route takes us around the Natural Park of Las Hoces del Duratón, following the course of the Duratón river past centuries-old castles and windmills and eventually through vineyards as we enter the Protected Designation of Origin wine region of Ribera del Duero.
We’ll pass by the ancient hilltop village of Fuentedueña, whose fortifications date back to pre-Roman times and boasts an impressive Celtic necropolis and a spectacular Romanesque basilica. Next, we’ll visit the picturesque village of Sacramenia, fortified during the Christian reconquest of Spain and whose impressive legacy of palaces and Romaneque churches are evidence of its importance during the late medieval period. We’ll enjoy lunch in one of these two towns (depending on our cycling speed), before following the river northwards towards our hotel.
We’ll spend the night in one of the best-preserved 12th century Cistercian monasteries in Europe. Overlooking the Duero River, the views from the hotel stretch across over the surrounding vineyards and countryside.
8:30pm: Dinner at the hotel restaurant.
As early as the 12th century, the Cistercian monks discovered water-bearing rock deep below the surface, whose mineral-medicinal waters were used to irrigate their countryside and vineyards. Almost ten centuries later, the hotel continues to employ these thermal waters in their in-house spa. Please let us know in advance if you would like us to book any treatments for you.
Friday, 25th April: Peñafiel, Spain
Route: 60.6 km/37.6 miles
Elevation: +455 m/+1493 ft
Accommodation: Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, laundry, gym, swimming pool, spa, garden
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Today’s route takes us through some of through the oldest vineyards of Ribera del Duero. We’ll visit the town of Pesquera del Duero, known for growing some of the best grapes in the region, and dedicated almost exclusively to wine production. The historic old town features a beautiful porticoed Plaza Mayor, as well as numerous palaces, decorated with the family crests of the aristocrats of centuries gone by.
Once here, we’ll follow the course of the Duero river through endless vineyards, finishing at the historic fortified town of Peñafiel, one of the region’s centres of wine production. The town’s castle, the oldest part of which dates back to the 9th century, has been repurposed into a Wine Museum. We’ll take a stroll around the winding streets of the historic Jewish Quarter, and visit the charming Plaza del Coso, which retains its original traditional wooden balconies. During the summer, the square fulfils its original medieval function as the town bullring.
From Peñafiel, we’ll head to a nearby bodega, where we’ll enjoy a guided tour and tasting, followed by a fabulous lunch of traditional Castilian fare.
1pm: Guided tour and lunch at Bodegas Protos.
Tonight, we’ll head to a nearby town to enjoy a gourmet dinner of traditional fare in a refurbished historic windmill.
Saturday, 26th April: Toro, Spain
Route: 43.6 km/27.1 miles
Elevation: +235m/+772 ft
Accommodation: Valbusenda Hotel Bodega & Spa
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, laundry, gym, swimming pool, spa, garden
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
In the morning, we’ll travel by van the short distance to Toro, known for the local variety of red wine: “Tinta de Toro”, which has its own Denomination of Origin status. Due to its strategic location, Toro has been of great importance over the centuries: a stronghold for the Moors and then the Christians in medieval times, as evidenced by its 10th century fortifications, and in later centuries a royal court. The town is built in the shape of a fan, and offers views of the surrounding fertile plains, known as the Oasis of Castile.
From Toro, we’ll jump on our bikes and enjoy a gentle ride through picturesque, agricultural countryside with lots of sprawling vineyards. Toro is a relatively new wine-making region, which is slowly gaining recognition. Today’s route ends with a delicious lunch at a local winery in Toro.
1:45pm: Lunch and visit at Bodega Divina Proporción.
Tonight, we’ll stay at the luxurious Valbusenda Hotel Bodega and Spa*****, where you can enjoy fabulous views of the surrounding vineyards from your room, and pamper yourself with the soothing properties of the local grape at the wine spa. Your room package includes unlimited access to the hotel’s spa circuit; if you would like to book any spa treatments, these will be payable separately. Please let us know if you would like us to reserve any treatments for you.
Dinner tonight is included at the hotel restaurant.
Sunday, 27th April: Vila Nova de Foz Côa, Portugal
Route: 41.8 km/26 miles
Eevation: +463m/+1521 ft
Accommodation: Casa do Rio Wine Hotel
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, laundry, swimming pool, garden
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
It’s time to say adiós Spain, and olá Portugal!
After breakfast, we’ll travel by van through the spectacular area of the La Almendra dam, one of the biggest in Europe. The impressive dam was built between 1964 and 1970 and forms part of the hydroelectric system knows as the “Duero Drops”.
Our van will drop us off at the hamlet of Villasbuneas, from where we’ll continue by bike, following the course of the river across the border into Portugal. Our cycle route takes us through the Arribes del Duero Natural Park, recognised as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO due to the huge variety of flora and fauna that inhabit the area. Keep a look out for the famous black storks! We can also enjoy spectacular scenery as the river courses through a deep canyon, which marks the division between Spain and Portugal.
After crossing the border near the Salto de Saucelle dam, we’ll follow the river (now called the Douro in Portuguese) towards the beautiful riverside town of Barca d’Alva, surrounded by terraced vineyards and picturesque olive and almond groves. This area offers some of the best birdwatching in Portugal: buzzards, falcons, swifts, and black storks and nesting eagles! We’ll enjoy lunch in Barca d’Alva before travelling by van to Vila Nova de Foz Côa and tonight’s hotel.
Optionally, we can make a quick trip by van to visit the historic town of Castelo Rodrigo, one of the 7 wonders of Portugal. Here, we can visit the well-preserved 12th century Gothic castle, which once played an important role as a frontier outpost during centuries of border battles between Spain and Portugal.
Tonight, we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner of locally-sourced traditional fare at our hotel.
Monday, 28th April: Pinhão, Portugal
Route: 74.4km/46.2 miles
Elevation: +1237m/+4060 ft
Accommodation: Vila Galé Douro Vineyards
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, laundry, swimming pool, garden
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Our day begins with a visit to one of the most interesting archaeological sites in Europe. The Côa Valley is home to over a thousand outcrops with rock art, predominantly from the Upper Paleolithic, dating back to 30.000 years ago. The valley comprises a fascinating open-air prehistoric art gallery, set in a spectacular location above the Douro river, and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From here we make our way to the start of today’s bike ride, a beautiful route along quiet roads, with vineyards blanketing the landscape. We’ll reach the Douro River Valley at the beautiful town of Pinhão, where we’ll be able to enjoy spectacular views of the terraced vineyards that cover the valley slopes. We’ll make a stop here for lunch, before continuing to pedal through beautiful landscapes to our hotel, set in a vineyard of its own.
Tonight, we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner at our hotel, paired with locally-produced wines.
Tuesday, 29th April: Pinhão, Portugal
Route: 47.5 km/23.9 miles
Elevation: +967m/+3172 ft
Accommodation: Vila Galé Douro Vineyards
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, laundry, swimming pool, garden
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
This morning, we’ll enjoy a beautiful final ride along the course of the river, which offers us glimpses of the many fortresses that dot the surrounding landscape. This area is at the heart of port wine production in Portugal.
On arrival in Peso da Regua, known as the Port wine capital, we will visit a beautiful port wine quinta, for a guided wine tasting and a lunch of delicious local fare – the perfect opportunity to relive the week’s biking adventures.
12pm: Guided visit and lunch at Bodega Quinta Pacheca.
After your bodega visit, you will travel by van back to Hotel Vila Galé. Here, your guides will say goodbye to you, as they make their way back to Madrid.
The Vila Galé Douro Vineyards is set in a spectacular location in the historic Quinta do Val Moreira wine estate, in the heart of the Douro wine region.
Spend some time walking around the vineyards surrounding the hotel and admiring the fabulous views from one of the many viewpoints.
Visit one of the nearby wineries: Niepoort or Quinta do Tedo (here you can have lunch at Bistro Terrace, which is run by the Michelin-starred Gaedas brothers).
Wednesday, 30th April: Porto
Accommodation Kathy and Greg: The Editory Garden Baixa Porto Hotel
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, laundry
Meals included: Breakfast
Morning at leisure in Marmelal.
2:45pm: Your taxi will pick you up from Hotel Vila Galé for your transfer to Peso da Régua. Please remember to take all your luggage with you, as you will be continuing on to Porto after your cruise.
3:30pm: Cruise from Peso da Régua to Pinhão. Please make sure that you arrive at the jetty in plenty of time to board the boat. You can access your cruise tickets here. In case of any issues, call (+351) 223 759 042.
5:45pm: Cruise arrives into Pinhão. The jetty is located very close to the train station.
6:13pm: Train from Pinhão to Porto. Please make sure that you arrive at the train station in plenty of time to board the train. You can access your train tickets here.
Please note that there are two train stations in Porto: Porto Campanha and Porto São Bento. You can get off the train at either station; please check to see which one is located closer to your hotel.
8:30pm: Train arrives into Porto São Bento.
Click here for our Google Maps recommendations in Porto!
The city of Porto, built along the hillsides overlooking the mouth of the Douro river, is an outstanding urban landscape with a 2,000-year history. The historic centre, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar, are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Take the funicular up to the Batalha (old town) and explore the narrow streets and colourful buildings. Don’t miss the Sé, Porto’s fortress-like hilltop Cathedral (open daily 9am – 6:30pm).
Hop over the river to Vila Nova de Gaia and visit one of the myriad of port wine cellars to discover the secrets of the regional vintage. Popular options include Sandeman’s, Taylor’s and Cockburn’s.
Pay a visit to Livraria Lello, widely considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores (open daily 9am – 7:30pm), or climb the 225 steps of the nearby Clérigos tower (open daily 9am – 7pm) for fabulous views over the city.
Estação de São Bento: Porto’s train station is so much more than a transport hub! This former convent combines a Belle Epoque facade with an iconic interior decorated with 20,000 painted tiles.
Take a walk (or a tram) up to Foz de Douro, and enjoy an afternoon on the beach! This seaside district is full of fabulous restaurants serving up the freshest grilled seafood: try Restaurante Pedro Lemos for a Michelin star option (open Tues – Thu 7pm – 11pm and Fri and Sat 12:30pm – 3pm/7pm – 11pm) or Casa Vasco (open Tue – Sun 12:30pm – 3:30pm/7pm – 10:30pm).
Watch one of Europe’s most spectacular sunsets from one of Porto’s many miradouros (viewpoints). Popular options include Miradouro das Virtudes, Jardim do Morro and the Luis I bridge.
Set in the hilltop old town, Patio 44 serves up high-quality traditional Portuguese cuisine (open Tue – Sat 7pm – 11pm).
Visit Brasão Coliseu (open daily 12pm – 3pm/7pm – 11:30pm) to try a traditional Porto francesinha: an enormous sandwich made with a variety of meats and melted cheese!
Local favourite Restaurante Roma (open Mon – Sat 12pm – 3pm/7pm – 10pm) is a down-to-earth option where the daily menu is determined by the catch of the day.
Family-run Casa Expresso (open Mon – Sat 8:30am – 10:30pm) serves timeless Portuguese fare in a no-frills setting.
Porto classic Adega São Nicolau serves up delicious fresh seafood in the colourful riverfront district (open Mon – Sat 12pm – 1:30pm, prior reservation recommended).
Treat yourself to a special dinner at one of Porto’s seven Michelin star restaurants.
Carb-load after your bike tour with a traditional francesinha: Porto’s famous sandwich made with layers of cured meats, steak, melted cheese, and a rich beer-based sauce. Our favourite place in Porto for a francesinha is Brasão Coliseu.
Portuguese cuisine is famous for its cod. One of the standout dishes is bacalhau à brás: a classic recipe of shredded cod with eggs, onions, and thin potato fries.
Citizens of Porto are nicknamed tripeiros because of their love of dishes made from tripe and offal! If you’re feeling brave, try tripas à moda do Porto: a traditional tripe stew with beans and sausage.
Although pastéis de nata are traditionally linked with the Belem district of Lisbon, these delicious custard tarts are enjoyed all over Portugal! Enjoy one or two with a cup of coffee for breakfast or a mid-morning snack.
Of course, you can’t leave Porto without trying some of the city’s famous port wine! Take a tour at one of the wineries in Vila Nova de Gaia, or ask for vinho do porto at one of the city’s many bars. Port wine is a sweet dessert wine, and the three main types are ruby, tawny and white.
Thursday, 1st May: Porto
Accommodation Kathy and Greg: The Editory Garden Baixa Porto Hotel
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, laundry
Meals included: Breakfast
Please note that today is Labour Day, a public holiday in Portugal. As a result, some shops, restaurants and tourist attractions may be closed, or operating under a reduced timetable.
Day at leisure in Porto.
Friday, 2nd May: Porto
End of tour
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast, our services come to an end. We hope you had a wonderful time exploring the wine regions of Spain and Portugal with us!
Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena
Right at the heart of Ribera del Duero, this hotel – the first spa with 5 stars status in Castilla y León – is located in one the best preserved Cistercian monastery of the 12thcentury in Europe.
The Monastery of Santa María de Valbuena provides 79 rooms, all of them of high quality, a spa centre and hot spring bath, an outdoor pool, children’s playground and terrace.
Hotel Valbusenda
The luxurious Valbusenda Hotel Resort & Spa is 5-star hotel located in the beautiful region of the Vega de Toro.
Located 12 km from Toro village, and few meters away from the banks of the Duero River in Valbusenda winery complex. This spectacular wine resort with futuristic design is the perfect place to enjoy a unique experience in this famous wine area. It offers luxury rooms with minimalist decor and exceptional views of the vineyard.
Vila Galé Douro Vineyards
In the heart of the Douro region, Vila Galé Douro Vineyards is set in the centuries-old Quinta do Val Moreira. The property features an outdoor swimming pool and a terrace with scenic views over the Douro and the Tedo rivers.
Producing its own wines, the property features a restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views, serving regional cuisine. Guests can enjoy a drink at the bar or take a tour of the wine cellars, where wine tastings are available daily.
Vila Galé Douro Vineyards stands out for its location, charm and exclusivity. Enjoy walking among the vineyards, the olive groves or the almond tree groves.
