Exploring Portugal on Two Wheels: A 1,500 km Adventure with Sérgio's Expert Guidance
From Lisbon to the Open Road
In September 2024, my husband Chad and I enjoyed an idyllic motorcycle ride in Portugal guided by Sérgio and accompanied by his friend Michael. We rode about 1,500 km in a loop around the country, through varied terrain, sublime landscapes, and historical towns and villages. Sérgio’s deep knowledge of the rural back roads, local economies, and history of the areas we visited made the journey a perfect and unforgettable experience. We highly recommend seeing Portugal on a ride with Sérgio!
On the first morning, we met up with Sérgio at LX Rent in Lisbon and rented a BMW GS 750 F and a Honda CB500X respectively. These bikes worked well for the ride. After escaping from Lisbon over the suspension bridge, we met up with Michael and began our trip. Sérgio led the way, choosing the best routes and making modifications so that we could see and experience as much as possible throughout the trip.
Left: Peggy Creveling
Middle: Chad Creveling
Middle: Michael Berwin
Right: Sérgio Lopes
Portugal’s Rich History on Every Turnt
Here are some of the highlights over the next six days:
• Rode along winding rural roads through vineyards, olive and almond orchards, cork and pear trees
• Rode up cobblestone streets through scenic historical towns and castles
• Visited Évora, an UNESCO World Heritage town with Gothic cathedrals and two-thousand-year-old Roman temples
• Climbed to Serra da Estrala, the highest point in Portugal with a working ski lift! And sampled some cheeses in various stages of aging.
• Rode through small historic villages of slate homes, stopping for lunch and visited clear thermal water pools
A Feast for the Senses
• Rode through the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley, watched a luxury cruise boat move through the locks, and tasted white port wine for the first time (dry and sweet versions)
• Stayed a night in Aveiro, the “Portuguese Venice,” enjoying a scenic walk along the canals with colorful boats and shophouses and a delicious meal
• Rode through the Bucaco forest, stopping to refill water bottles at the pure mountain source of a freshwater stream, which downstream feeds Luso’s mineral water spas
• Rode along the Atlantic Ocean and visited Nazaré, home of the largest surfing waves in the world
Culinary Adventures Along the Way
Each day along the way, we enjoyed local delicacies such as fried eel, grilled fresh sardines, lemon garlic steamed clams, corn-meal fried cod, shredded pork “suckling pig” sandwiches, fresh in-season tomato and onion salad, and all kinds of local wines and stout beer.
Although we tried to experience as much as possible, we really couldn’t begin to see and try everything. We highly recommend this trip and will plan another ride with Sérgio soon!
Conclusion: Why Sérgio's Tours Are a Must
Riding with Sérgio isn’t just a guided tour; it’s an insider’s journey into the heart of Portugal. His knowledge of hidden routes, local culture, and personalized attention transforms a great trip into an unforgettable one. For an authentic, well-curated, and immersive motorcycle adventure, Sérgio is the guide who ensures you see the real Portugal.
