To organize a motorcycle tour through Portugal we must bear in mind that it is a country that, in addition to having a vast network of roads, its history and culture are also very interesting. It is advisable to dedicate a minimum of 7 days to explore the country. We make sure to visit at least half of the terrain without incorporating overly long stages. For example, riding distances of about 300km a day, we can enjoy rides on winding secondary roads and at the same time stop and enjoy some of the picturesque towns that we will find on our trip.
Portugal's road network is highly developed and extensive. For an unforgettable motorcycle trip, the mountain ranges of Serra da Estrela in the north, and Monchique in the south, are highly recommended. As we look at the map, we will see that both ranges have twisty local roads that, due to their mixture of technique curves and landscape, will not disappoint us. The road that follows the course of the Douro River for a good number of kilometers is also beautiful, very twisty, with the majestic presence of the river and the vineyards at all times.
In Portugal there are two types of tolls, the usual ones with a pay booth, which work in the traditional way with cash or credit card, and electronic tolls, in which there are no pay booths, the license plates are simply recorded through cameras. These tolls are very confusing for foreigners since the form of payment is not obvious. For the Portuguese it is simple since they have the license plates of their vehicles associated with their credit cards, something that we can do even without being Portuguese thanks to the “Easytoll” application. There is another method called "Tollservice" with which we can acquire prepaid vouchers of various amounts for electronic tolls. However, to make a motorcycle route through Portugal the best option is to draw a route that avoids the highways, something that can be done without problems enjoying the large number of secondary roads that the country has to offer. In the event that your motorcycle route through Portugal is with a trip organized by IMTBIKE, we will have the help of the guides to manage the payment of the toll at all times.
Portugal is a country that may seem small for those motorcycle travelers who come from larger countries, and some may have the idea that it can be crossed in a couple of days. There would be no problem doing it from East to West, although we would still miss valuable stops, since many places in Portugal deserve time to be explored on foot. To do it from North to South, a week or more is recommended. The N2 road from Chaves to Faro runs through the center of Portugal and using it as the axis for our motorcycle trip will allow us to discover the diversity of the country and the warmth of its people. Making a couple of detours to get to know cities like Coimbra or Évora is worth it if we don't know them.
The National Highway 2 of Portugal divides the country into two almost perfect halves if we identify it on a map, from the Concelho de Chaves, in the North of Portugal, to Faro in the Algarve. It is more than 700km making it one of the longest roads in the world. It crosses 4 mountain ranges, 11 rivers, 11 of the 18 districts of Portugal, in addition to 3 important wine-growing areas, such as Duero, Dao and Alentejo. It was built in 1945 following ancient Roman roads and is now practically in disuse. This is due to the wide network of modern highways that attract the vast majority of traffic and leave this gem for motorcyclists. This is a clear incentive for those of us who like to travel by motorcycle.
Undoubtedly both areas of this country deserve to be visited if we want to travel by motorcycle through Portugal. The North and South of Portugal are very different when it comes to traveling by motorcycle, the north being much more populated, and also with more roads and highways. In the north of Portugal there are more mountain roads, and winding stretches along rivers than in the south, also more forests and vegetation and even the remains of an ancient glaciers in Serra da Estrela. The South of Portugal is generally much flatter and drier than the North. Even so, we will find the Serras de Monchique and Caldeirao, which will make us smile in our helmet as we cross them on a motorcycle. Plains, agricultural areas, and picturesque towns run along small roads between the hills. The coastline in Southern Portugal is spectacular and under-exploited in the west. The southern coast, from Punta Sagres to the east is the Algarve region, and is more populated.
When deciding on a guided motorcycle tour through Portugal, it is best to contact companies specializing in the sector. IMTBIKE has been running tours in Portugal for many years, its guides are experts who know the roads of Portugal, as well as its culture and gastronomy. Thanks to this, IMTBIKE offers several different organized motorcycle routes in Portugal, to be chosen according to the tastes or needs of the participants. You can make the trip with your own motorcycle, or with an impeccable BMW that IMTBIKE can provide you from its large fleet of BMWs, and your luggage will be comfortably transported in the support vehicle. Nor will you have to think about looking for accommodation, since the organized motorcycle tour includes top-notch hotels and restaurants, as well as free days in destinations of interest. It is best to check the IMTBIKE.com website and contact the office for more information.
Portugal has about 1800km of coastline and offers very diverse and beautiful landscapes for a motorcycle tour. There is much to see, and unless we have many days, it is advisable to do it in parts, North and South for example. We will find majestic cliffs, beautiful beaches, very sparsely inhabited and quiet areas, as well as other more exploited and exclusive areas such as the Algarve, Estoril and Cascais. Not forgetting the starting points of two important rivers of the Iberian Peninsula such as the Duero and the Tagus, and the famous waves of Nazaré, which attract surfers from all over the world. When traveling by motorcycle, we must bear in mind that even with so much coastline; Portugal does not have many coastal roads. The numerous rocky cliffs have made it impossible to create a road that goes along the Atlantic for very long. Sometimes we will have to follow roads parallel to the coast and make small detours to enjoy magical places.
In IMTBIKE the tours calendar offers up to 5 different Tours in Portugal, "The Essence of Portugal" is the most economical tour since it is the shortest with 9 days. Prices start at around € 3,000, including the base BMW motorcycle, 2 expert guides, a support vehicle, a well-crafted motorcycle route design, and a selection of boutique hotels, Pousadas and first-rate restaurants.