Portugal: Along the Atlantic Coast Bike Tour - Porto to Lisbon

Portugal Bike Tour Itinerary

DAY 1: We will meet for a 5:00 pm bike fitting and orientation at our starting hotel in Porto, the northwestern Portuguese city famous for its production of fortified wines, or ports. We encourage you to arrive at least a day early to explore Porto’s wonderful attractions. The Cais da Ribeira, or riverfront district, was once a bustling dock. Now, its old stone buildings serve delicious cuisine. If you cross the Douro River via the double deck Dom Luís I Bridge into the sister municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia, you can visit one of the dozens of port warehouses, whose names are displayed on their rooftops. We will savor our first dinner together tonight. 0 miles.

DAY 2: Crossing the Rio Douro, we start our bike ride, heading west through the fishing village of Afurado. At the beach in Miramar, we’ll stop at the small but resilient Capela do Senhor da Pedra. Originally the site of pagan worship, the small, hexagonal chapel was built in the 18th century on top of a giant boulder that juts into the ocean, a symbol of Portugal’s conversion to Christianity.

DAY 3: It’s an easy ride to Praia da Torreira and its golden beach, which stretches for miles. Here you’ll see moliceiros, brightly colored flat-bottomed boats that were used in the 19th century to harvest algae, or moliço, for farm fertilizer. We’ll take a ferry to Forte da Barra, home to Portugal’s largest lighthouse, Farol da Barra. From there, it’s a short ride to our colorful home for the night, Costa Nova.

DAY 4: Expect some peaceful pedaling through several scenic lagoons, including the well-preserved Lagoa de Mira. We’ll also be treated to a rock show of sorts as we pass through an abandoned quarry showing off many geological formations from the Miocene epoch.

DAY 5: Let’s begin today’s bike ride along the Rio Mondego and its rice fields, with a view of the Montemor-o-Vehlo, the oldest castle in Portugal. We’ll also cycle on the country’s longest bike path through the Leiria National Pine Forest. Originally planted in the 13th century and used as a wood source for shipbuilding, much of the Pine Forest was destroyed by wildfire in 2017, but reforestation efforts are underway for its revival.

DAY 6: We could call this a day at the beaches, as you’ll ride by several. Praia da Pedra do Ouro is surrounded by black rock cliffs and an abandoned windmill. The cliffs surrounding Praia de Vale Furado are shaded in yellow and red. The waters of Praia do Norte in Nazaré are world-famous amongst surfers. In fact, American Garrett McNamara broke a world record here in 2013, riding a 100-foot wave. No big waves on our route! We just have to pedal to the coastal enclave of São Martinho do Porto, where our hotel boasts literary décor and shelves upon shelves of books. Dinner is on your own. 32 miles ±1476’.

DAY 7: Today we will ride our bikes in the morning and then devote a few hours for lunch and sightseeing in Óbidos. The village’s well-preserved medieval past comes alive as we walk the cobbled labyrinth of streets. Once a Roman outpost, the walled settlement was transformed into a castle in the 12th century.

DAY 8: Our bikes rest today while we take a boat ride to the Berlengas Islands, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. A haven for seabirds such as puffins and migrating species, these granite islands are also loved by diving enthusiasts due to the crystal-clear water, coral reefs and shipwrecks. On land, you’ll marvel at the rugged cliff formations, hidden coves, wonderful beaches and the 1650s Fort of the Berlengas. You’ll have the evening back in Peniche on your own. 0 miles.

DAY 9: We’ll ride past beach after beach after beach today. At Praia de Paimogo, we can admire another 17th century military fort. At Praia de Porto Dinheiro, there are late Jurassic dinosaur fossils. Our final destination is Ericeira, a seaside town that has the distinction of being Europe’s first World Surfing Reserve. We’ll celebrate all our miles through coastal Portugal at dinner together tonight. 44 miles +3461’/-3294’.

DAY 10: In the morning we will shuttle to Lisbon, where you can catch a flight home or continue south along our Blue Coast bike tour! Adeus!