CYLING EVENTS IN PORTUGAL

Portugal hosts an awesome calendar of gravel and road cycling events. These range from professional stage races to scenic granfodos and epic MTB events

DONT MISS…

The Volta ao Algarve

This professional 5-stage race is the highlight of Portugal’s cycling calendar. All the big teams feature, but its a more modest event than the Tour or the Giro, and that means you can see the action up close without the crowds. For some of the best roadside viewing, come to Alte and join the party at Germano’s BiciArte cafe (pictured).

Event 2

Description

MONTH BY MONTH

January - February

The Volta Algarve

This professional 5-stage road race takes place in mid-February each year. Attracting all the big teams, this is the biggest event in Portugal’s cycling calendar. Get yourself to the roadside and get ready to soak up the atmosphere!

Algarve Granfondo

Fancy riding the same roads as the pros? This epic sportive is open to all, with a short, medium and long course to suit all levels. It takes place on the final weekend of the Volta each year, and the start points vary each time.

March - April

May - June

Transportugal MTB – an epic hotel-to-hotel endurance race, from Chaves, in the far north, to Tavira, on the south coast. With over 100km each day, and a total of over 800km of off-road riding, this is not for the faint-hearted!

Serra da Estrela Granfondo – open to all (if you’re up for climbing!) This fantastic road sportive departs from Seia, offers two distances and a journey to the roof of Portugal at Torre!

July - August

Summer in the Serra da Estrela and the northern hills is wonderful. The highlands stay cooler than the surrounding regions, and the chance of rain is minimal.

Temperatures in the Alentejo in August commonly reach 40°C, and the Algarve is generally too hot for cycling unless you are already acclimatised. Great options for this time of year include:

Serra da Estrela and Silver Coast

Peneda-Geres National Park

Lisbon – Santiago

September - October

Autumn colours add magical shades of gold to the vines in the Douro Valley, and its the grape harvest!

The mountains remain pleasantly warm until October, but the chance of rain increases. Meanwhile, the Alentejo and Algarve are cooling after a hot summer, and the conditions here are settled and warm. Check out our –

Iberian Divide Gravel Tour

Douro Valley Gravel Tour

Douro Valley Road Tour

Premium Alentejo Wine Tour

Alentejo Adventure

Serra Algarviana Gravel Tour

November - December

Chase the Sun Algarve – hosted annually by Germano’s BiciArte Cafe, this 211km ride takes you East to West across the Algarve, from Alcoutim to Arrifana. Taking place on the shortest day of each year, the challenge is to make it to the coast before the sun sets!

Interested in cycling in Portugal?

Check out some of our holidays below…

REVIEWS

      
   Paradise Cycling Tours
   227 Google reviews 
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   enrico leonardi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Abbiamo fatto 5 giorni in bicicletta con Fiona come ns accompagnatrice nella Valle del Douro. Organizzazione eccellente. Ci ha tracciato un percorso fantastico con panorami bellissimi, abbiamo percorso  strade senza traffico e con fondo perfetto. Ottima scelta di Hotel e ristoranti. Fiona è stata fantastica nel farci trovare sempre i ns bagagli negli hotel. Le biciclette sia le e-bike che le muscolari perfette. Consiglio vivamente questa organizzazione.
  
 
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   Michela Oberti 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Secondo viaggio insieme a Fiona e a paradise cycling. Quest'anno Azzorre: isola di san miguel!!
Un viaggio meraviglioso. Organizzato tutto alla  perfezione. Grande professionista, la sua miglior qualità è la capacità di prevenire sempre, Anticipando, Qualsiasi bisogno. Tutto questo accompagnato da un sorriso
Contagioso. Super!!!!
  
 
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   Francesca Cutini 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I spent an unforgettable week in the Azores with Fiona as our group leader, cycling for seven days through the rolling hills, breathtaking lakes, and spectacular coastline of São Miguel Island.

Everything was perfectly planned. Every route, every stop, and every detail was thoughtfully organized, making the entire experience smooth, relaxing, and truly enjoyable.

Fiona is an outstanding guide—professional, knowledgeable, kind, and full of positive energy. Cycling with her is a real pleasure, and she made us feel welcome and cared for every single day.

She gave us seven days in paradise, filled with incredible landscapes, great company, and memories that will stay with me forever.
I can’t wait to ride with Fiona again—next time in Italy, exploring the beautiful roads and landscapes of Umbria.

Thank you, Fiona, for such a wonderful experience. I highly recommend Paradise Cycling Tours to anyone looking for an unforgettable cycling holiday.
  
 
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   Chiara Enrico 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing trip! Thank you for the perfect organization with attention to any details . Riding the island through small paths away from main roads made us feel in Paradise !
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Andrea Cattani 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Experience exceeding our expectations.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Liam Somers 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great day out with Paradise Cycle club on the gravel trails around Loulé. Top (Tomas) to tail (Fiona), everyone looked after and made to feel very welcome.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Nicola Craxton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As a newbie to gravel riding I cannot recommend Paradise Cycling more! Fiona and Tomas make everyone feel so welcome (no matter your level or experience) and these are genuinely social rides. No one is left behind and I’ve only ever felt supported and comfortable - it’s a wonderful cycling environment. I can’t thank you enough for all the tips and tricks, and for helping me enjoy gravel riding so much!
  
 
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   Jamie Gall 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have used Paradise tours on various occasions now to show me some routes around the Algarve
Fiona and Tomas are top of there game in every way and super friendly and as we would say in Scotland good craic as well
Thanks again and hopefully see yous again  soon
Cheers guys 👍
  
 
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   Nuno S. 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic team , nice tour guides very helpful, amazing routes with good views and always time for that coffee stop on the ride…enjoyable cycling tours 👍👏🏻👏🏻
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Steve Richardson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great social cycling ride today with Fiona and Tomas from Paradise Cycling and the local riders giving me a warm welcome on my first ride with them.  Great tarte de maçã at the coffee break too.
  
 
  
  
 
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