Find and book motorcycle tours to Portugal

Motorcycle Tours in Portugal

One of the top motorcycling destinations in Europe, Portugal offers so much scenery, twisty roads, countless off-road trails, culture, and cuisine that it’s hard to fit everything into one tour. Motorcycle tours in Portugal combine the best of the two-wheeled experiences on the continent: out here, the sun shines 300 days of the year, the roads carve up canyons and mountains, the locals are incredibly friendly and hospitable, and the food is to die for. Traveling Portugal, you’ll experience diverse terrain, visit historic sites and magnificent Old Towns of Lisbon and Porto, and relax on the sunny beaches of Algarve. For off-road riders, Portugal is an ideal enduro destination: one of the few remaining places in Europe where dirt trails are still open to motorcyclists, this country is a serious off-road playground

Motorcycle tours in Portugal offer both on and off-road options, and you can choose between guided, self-guided, and training tours. Because Portugal is quite small compared to its neighbor Spain, you can explore the entire country in the course of five or seven days. From the magnificent Douro Valley down to the Atlantic Coast, Lisbon, and Algarve, you’ll ride fast-paced, curvy roads, ever-changing scenery and terrain, and see different regions of Portugal ranging from mountains to forests and coastal routes. As you travel here, don’t forget to sample the local cuisine: in Portugal, food is both culture and obsession. Portuguese grilled fish, hearty soups and stews, fresh seafood and snails, cheeses, bread, and traditional pork and clam dishes are mouth-watering, especially when washed down with traditional port or red wine.

Motorcycle Tours in Portugal: Highlights

Whether you’re considering shipping motorcycles to Portugal or going on a guided tour, several locations in the country are simply bucket list destinations. If it’s your first time riding in Portugal, here’s what’s not to miss along the way:

Lisbon
Portugal’s capital city is small, cozy, and thoroughly Portuguese. Wandering the streets of Lisbon, enjoying the harbor views, and having a lazy lunch by the water is a great introduction to Portuguese culture, and if you have a few days to spare, it’s worth exploring Lisbon in more depth. If you can’t wait to hit the road and hope to find some great off-road trails nearby, however, head for Evora. Located just over a hundred kilometers east of Lisbon, Evora boasts a fantastic Old Town, but more importantly, it’s the gateway to some of Portugal’s most scenic off-road trails. For off-road riders, the town of Evora provides a perfect basecamp for dirt adventures. Out here, you can get your fill of off-roading bliss exploring the forest trails, meadows, steep climbs in the hills, and farmland trails providing plenty of mud, water crossings, and steep rocky descents.

Porto
One of the oldest cities in Europe, Porto is a friendlier version of Lisbon with a more of an artsy, bohemian vibe. Situated at the Douro River estuary in the North of the country, Porto boasts a magnificent historic town and serves as a starting point for motorcycle tours in Portugal focusing on the Douro Valley routes. Porto is also famous for its local port, so if you’re into wine, this is definitely the place to be.

Douro Valley
Portugal’s prime winemaking region, Douro Valley is home to some of Portugal’s most scenic roads. Lush green mountains, terraced vineyards, and granite bluffs create a stunning backdrop for the whitewashed quintas (traditional Portuguese ranches) and tiny villages, and the twisting canyons carved by the Douro River are skirted by roads that appear to be engineered with motorcycle riders in mind. Most motorcycle tours in Portugal focus on the Douro Valley because of its diverse landscapes, excellent roads, and of course, local wines – Douro is one of the oldest winemaking regions in Europe.

Algarve
The southernmost region of Portugal, Algarve is best known for its magnificent beaches and surfing spots. While the famous Benagil beach with its awe-inspiring rock formations and swirling grottos is worthy of a visit, the true allure of Algarve is its sun-drenched coastal roads. If you’re riding motorcycles in Portugal during winter trying to escape the cold back home, Algarve should be on your itinerary.

Off-road Riding in Portugal
Although there’s no shortage of phenomenal roads in Portugal, its real magic lies in the limitless freedom to ride off road. Portugal is one of the greatest enduro destinations in Europe because the country is crisscrossed by countless dirt trails and tracks and riding off-road here is perfectly legal. If you’re looking for off-road motorcycle tours in Portugal, you’re on the right track: out here, you can experience mountain trails, steep climbs and descents, sandy and muddy terrain, rocky single track, and just about everything in between. If there ever was a natural off-road paradise, Portugal is it.

Practical Information for Touring Portugal

Motorcycle tours in Portugal run year-round, because it’s almost always sunny on the Iberian Peninsula. The winter months are colder in the mountains, but on the coast, it’s always warm and pleasant. If you’re riding Portugal during the summer months, the temperatures can get extremely hot, especially in the south. Shoulder months like April and September are usually best if you’re hoping for cooler, milder weather and want to avoid the tourist crowds.

Portugal uses euro as its official currency, and traveling here, in terms of expenses, is similar to Spain. Porto, Lisbon, and Faro will be slightly more expensive, but out in the more rural regions, expect to spend around $60-$70 a day including food, fuel, and accommodation. If you’re going on a guided tour in Portugal, check with your tour operator which expenses are included in the tour package.

Portugal is a very safe country to travel, but in the big cities, beware of petty crime and pickpockets. Out in the countryside, however, expect nothing but hospitality and generous invitations for lunch- Portuguese people love seeing travelers discovering their country on two wheels.

Motorcycle choices for Portugal will depend on whether you’re going on a paved tour or an off-road expedition. For guided motorcycle tours in Portugal focusing on tarmac roads, any bike will do; if you’re hoping to get off the road, a small, light dirt bike will work best as Portugal is known for its hard, rocky terrain.