Estremoz Test Ride

Sunday | 33km & 344m

We begin with a gentle loop around Estremoz, a historic hilltown famed for its marble quarries – the “white gold of Alentejo”. Flat roads and easy miles let you spin the legs and take in the scenery of vineyards and olive groves. Overlooking our route is Estremoz’s medieval castle, where Queen Isabel of Portugal spent her final days. It’s a relaxed warm-up ride that blends natural beauty with the town’s rich cultural heritage, setting the stage for the adventures to come.

Vila Viçosa Loop

Monday | 79km & 748m

Today’s ride leads to Vila Viçosa, known as the “Princess of Alentejo” and set in the heart of marble country. The approach is mostly rolling terrain, surrounded by olive orchards and marble outcrops. In town, we’re greeted by the imposing Ducal Palace with its 110-meter marble façade, a legacy of the Braganza dynasty that called this royal town home for 500 years. With over 150 marble quarries in the area, nearly every building here gleams with local stone. Cycling through ornate plazas and tree-lined boulevards, you can sense the opulence of a bygone era while enjoying the village’s laid-back charm.

Redondo Loop

Tuesday | 81km & 894m
We pedal through golden plains and cork oak forests towards Redondo, a quaint Alentejo town celebrated for its artisanal pottery and robust wines. Nestled at the foot of the Serra d’Ossa hills, Redondo charms us with whitewashed houses, a tiny medieval castle, and family-run pottery studios where centuries-old ceramic traditions live on. This region’s winemakers still honor ancient methods – some ferment their rich reds in huge clay talha (amphora) jars, just as the Romans did. After cruising past vineyards, we might pause to savor a sip of local talha wine or admire earthenware handiwork, experiencing Redondo’s rustic blend of history and homegrown hospitality.

Vieiros Loop

Wednesday | 57km & 542m
A scenic loop carries us north on quiet backroads to the sleepy village of Veiros. We spin by pastoral fields – where the only sounds are distant sheep bells – before reaching this whitewashed hamlet with its modest 14th-century castle. Though Veiros is tranquil today, it holds a noble secret: it once belonged to the House of Bragança and was the birthplace of the family’s first duke, who would found Portugal’s last royal dynasty. Standing by the old castle walls and pillory, you can imagine medieval knights guarding these lands. This ride feels like a journey back in time, as we cycle through living history and return enriched by the village’s stories.

Évora Monte Loop

Thursday | 71km & 630m

We cruise across open plains until the road ramps upward toward Évora Monte, a fortified village perched on a solitary hill. The climb is steady, leading to the ancient gates of Évora Monte and its striking Renaissance castle, distinguished by thick knot-like bands encircling its round bastions. From the hilltop, breathtaking views sweep across the Alentejo, an ocean of rolling wheat fields, cork forests, and distant villages. After absorbing the panorama, we enjoy a thrilling descent from the castle walls back to the tranquil countryside.

Sousel Loop

Friday | 85km & 853m

Our final loop explores the rural charms around Sousel, a land of ancient olive groves and gentle hills. We ride through quiet lanes flanked by gnarled olive trees, passing manor houses and farmland that reflect Alentejo’s slow pace of life. The normally flat plains are briefly interrupted by the limestone heights of Serra de São Miguel. A short detour up there rewards us with a 360º vista over the endless plains: to one side, patches of cork oak forest; to the other, mosaic fields and the village of Sousel itself, known for its fine olive oil and hunting heritage. It’s a fitting end to our journey, blending panoramic natural beauty with a touch of local tradition.

DEPARTURE

Saturday
This is our final morning together and after a leisurely breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye, or at least arrivederci, until we meet again. Transfers to the airport will be arranged by our hard-working crew but if you’re planning on staying a few extra days, let us know if we can help with reservations or a few recommendations.

STAYING LONGER?

Adventure Continues…
Do you plan to come a few days early, or stay on after your inGamba adventure has ended? Our concierge can help you plan with a carefully curated selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, and guides. All of our recommendations have been hand-picked by a team of local experts, so you can spend more time enjoying all that this destination has to offer.