From Porto to Lisbon, cycle the Atlantic coast

Bike

April to October

Easy/Moderate - 1,5 / 5

From Porto to Lisbon, cycle the Atlantic coast

Follow picturesque trails through the forest and along the ocean as you cycle along Portugal's Atlantic coast.

Blessed with sun-kissed beaches, colourful fishing villages, and scenic routes, the Atlantic coast of Portugal offers fantastic cycling holiday opportunities. This tour starts in Porto, a Unesco World Heritage city, and the itinerary follows relatively easy flat or rolling cycling trails through a variety of landscapes and along the stunning coastline, with stops in different villages and towns for a full immersion in the relaxed Portuguese way of life. Highlights include a scenic ride through the dunes of the São Jacinto Natural Reserve and an overnight stay in the picture-perfect fortified village of Óbidos. After a week of cycling along some of the best coastline in Portugal, enjoy the delights of Lisbon, one of the most charming capital cities in the world.

Highlights

  • Cycle past sandy beaches and fishing villages along Portugal’s Atlantic coast
  • Begin in historic Porto, raising a glass together in a traditional port wine cellar
  • Ride a scenic trail through the untouched dunes of São Jacinto Natural Reserve
  • Stay in white-washed Óbidos, one of Europe’s best preserved medieval towns

Local agency
Our cycling specialist takes care of all aspects of the trip.

Detailled itinerary

Detailled itinerary

Day 1: Start Porto

Afternoon orientation tour and guided wine tasting at a port wine cellar. Welcome meeting at 3.30pm in the reception of the start hotel before your guide leads the group on an orientation walk through the historic centre of the city. Porto is an Unesco World Heritage city and a real historic jewel with more than 150 listed monuments. There is plenty to see and for this reason we recommend travelling a day earlier if you are interested in exploring more of the vibrant centre. Before dinner, we will enjoy a guided visit and wine tasting at a traditional port wine cellar. Overnight in Porto.

Accommodation: Neya Hotel (or similar)

Day 2: Gentle coastal ride to historic Ovar

This morning we leave the city bustle behind and immerse ourselves in the more peaceful atmosphere of the Atlantic shore. Starting from Porto, we ride along the Douro River until its estuary. We then follow the coast, mostly on cycling paths, enjoying inspiring views of beautiful sandy beaches along the way. During this ride there will be opportunities to stop for drinks or snacks in traditional Portuguese cafes, right by the Atlantic Ocean. After following a cycling path that crosses a pine tree forest, we reach lively Furadouro, a seaside town renowned for excellent fish. Enjoy free time for a swim (seasonal), before riding to historic Ovar. The pretty town is best-known for the glazed tiles known as azulejos, which adorn many of the local houses in the old part of the town.

Route: After leaving Porto, mostly flat riding along cycle paths until Furadouro region, then short ride to Ovar with slight climb. Terrain: 80% paved cycle paths, 20% paved roads.

Accommodation: Aqua Hotel (or similar)

Distance covered: 30mi (48km)

Ascent: 981ft (299m)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3: Cycle to Mira

Today’s ride follows the Aveiro lagoon and the nature reserve of São Jacinto, one of Europe’s last remaining untouched coastal marshland and habitat of numerous bird species. We pedal through a scenery of sandy beaches, marshland and rolling dunes peppered with grasses and creepers. This is home to a plethora of birds, insects, small animals and unusual flowers and plants. After a short transfer by ferry, we leave the lagoon and continue cycling to the small town of Costa Nova, a picturesque village characterised by multi-coloured striped houses. Our ride ends in the seaside town of Mira, known for its long beach rated as one of the best in Portugal. Overnight in Mira.

Route: Flat day starting with cycling to São Jacinto, ferry crossing from São Jacinto to Aveiro. Slight climb for bridge crossing, continue flat to Mira. Terrain: 65% paved cycle paths, including 0.6mi (1km) of dirt road, 35% paved roads.

Accommodation: Maçarico Beach Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade to a superior sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Distance covered: 35mi (57km)

Ascent: 610ft (186m)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4: Ride to Figueira da Foz

Today’s ride takes us through one of the biggest dune systems in the area covered in pine tree forest. The route is mainly flat or rolling and the roads are peaceful making the cycling very pleasant. There is a final short but relatively steep climb up the beautiful Serra da Boa Viagem before reaching the lively town of Figueira da Foz. The rest of the day is free to explore the town of Figueira da Foz and its extensive beach nicknamed Rainha das Praias (Queen of Beaches). There are lots of lovely cafes and bars in which you can enjoy a pre-dinner drink, and some excellent restaurants. Overnight in Figueira da Foz.

Route: Mostly flat ride along cycle paths and secondary roads to Quiaios, short, steep climb to Serra da Boa Viagem. Descent and flat ride to Figueira da Foz. Terrain: 55% paved cycle paths, including 2mi (3km) of dirt road, 45% paved roads.

Accommodation: Universal Boutique Hotel (or similar)

Distance covered: 39mi (63km)

Ascent: 1,690ft (515m)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5: Forest ride to the village of São Pedro de Moel

Today we enter the Portuguese Silver Coast and ride a cycleway that follows the Estrada Atlântica (Atlantic Road). We’ll be riding mainly through pastoral land and the remains of vast pine forest, the Pinhal de Leiria (Leiria Pine Forest), which was originally planted in the 15th century to provide timber for the construction of the Portuguese shipbuilding industry during the Portuguese Discoveries. Unfortunately, vast areas of the forest were destroyed in 2017 by one of the fiercest forest fires in a century. Little more than 3,700 acres (1,500ha) remain from a total of 27,200 acres (11,000ha). Although maritime pine is considered a fast-growing tree, it will take many more years for the forest to regenerate. Exodus is supporting the regeneration of the forests, working with local schools and communities to replant trees.

On our exit from the forest, we take a coastal route in the afternoon to reach the picturesque town of São Pedro de Moel and enjoy time to relax at the beach or at the hotel with a sea view. Overnight in São Pedro do Moel.

Route: Undulating ride on backroads to the Atlantic Road Cyclepath. Continue along the undulating route to São Pedro de Moel on the cycle path. Terrain: 70% paved cycle paths, 30% paved roads.

Accommodation: Mar & Sol Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade to a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Distance covered: 39mi (62km)

Ascent: 1,132ft (345m)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6: Cycle to Nazaré and then to Óbidos

This morning you can opt to either transfer or cycle (reducing approximately 12mi/20km to today’s ride if taking the transfer) to Nazaré, one of the most famous fishing towns in Portugal. Here fisherwomen still wear seven colourful layers of skirts, as well as wooden clogs and a traditional black headscarf. There will be the opportunity to enjoy some spectacular ocean views from the popular panoramic terrace. It was in Nazaré’s Praia Norte that the world record for the largest wave ever surfed was set, an estimated 86ft (26.2m) high. From Nazaré we ride all the way to Óbidos, a small fortified town, which resembles a medieval film set. It has been carefully preserved by its inhabitants who take real pride in maintaining the architectural image of the village characterised by narrow winding streets and white-washed houses. Overnight in Óbidos.

Route: Undulating ride to Sítio da Nazaré followed by a descent to Nazaré beach; after lunch a series of short, steep climbs followed by similar descents before arriving at Óbidos. Terrain: 60% paved cycle paths, 30% paved roads.

Accommodation: Josefa D’Óbidos Hotel (or similar)

Distance covered: 40mi (64km)

Ascent: 2,126ft (648m)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7: Morning in Óbidos and private transfer to Lisbon

The morning is free for further exploration of Óbidos and try not to leave town without trying the famous drink from the region, ginjinha, a sour cherry liqueur served in a small edible chocolate cup. Late morning we transfer (approximately one hour) to the great capital city of Lisbon. Enjoy free time in the afternoon and later we have an orientation walk through the historic centre, observing beautiful architecture. Why not find a location after dinner to sample the traditional Fado music made famous from Lisbon? Overnight in Lisbon.

Accommodation: Marquês de Pombal (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8: End Lisbon

This morning marks the final breakfast of the adventure; an excellent opportunity to reflect on some of the many wonderful experiences you’ve enjoyed during this cycling holiday in Portugal. If you’ve still got the appetite for a bit more exploration, speak to your sales representative to book further nights in our Lisbon hotel and discover this culturally rich capital a little more.

Meals included: Breakfast

Price

*** Contact jean@inspirationsvoyage.com or call 819-771-6271 for further information.

Key Information

  • Accommodation: 1 Premium night (hotels), 5 Superior nights (hotels), 1 Classic nights (hotels)
  • Five days cycling with partial vehicle support (limited seats)
  • Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

What’s Included

  • All breakfasts, one wine tasting
  • All accommodation
  • All transport and listed activities
  • Tour leader throughout
  • Local bike hire
  • Group arrival and departure transfers available

What’s Not Included

  • Travel insurance
  • Single accommodation (available on request)
  • Visas or vaccinations
  • Local city taxes (approx. €10)
  • E-bike hire (available for an additional cost)

 

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From Porto to Lisbon, cycle the Atlantic coast

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