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Cycling Portugal's Atlantic Coast

7 Days & 6 Nights 4.4 Read 5 reviews
  • Immerse yourself in Portuguese life and culture
  • Explore the ancient city streets of UNESCO listed Porto
  • Cycle along the canals of Aveiro, Portugal's 'Little Venice'
  • Pedal past brightly-coloured striped fisherman's chapel's
  • Ride through immense green pine forests
Cycle south along Portugal's rugged Atlantic coast, starting from Porto and finishing in Coimbra, once the medieval capital of the country. Enjoy easy-going cycle paths along the coastline, past beautiful sandy beaches, small towns and villages. Discover the natural beauty and the variety of landscapes of this area, from the São Jacinto Natural Reserve to immense pine forests. Immerse yourself into the Portuguese culture and way of life, whether it's observing fishermen hauling in their day’s catch, exploring the ancient city streets of Porto, or mingling with the locals whilst sipping your coffee at village-style plazas.

What To Expect

This tour will immerse you in the culture and way of life of north central Portugal and also offers easy cycling along coastal routes and through immense sand dunes and pine forests. So if you enjoy cycling through typical villages and towns and areas teeming with wildlife and natural beauty, then this is the tour for you.

Trip Type:

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

  • Foodie
  • Wine

Grade & Terrain

Most of the time you will be cycling on small roads or cycle paths, so it will be relatively easy to find your way. 

This tour is suitable for people that are in good physical condition. It is graded as easy to moderate as it is mostly flat but there are some elevation gains on some of the latter end of the tour (Days 5 and 6). It is mostly along coastal routes, through sand dunes and pine forests, with a total distance of 236km/146 miles.

E-bikes can be requested if you would like a little extra boost during your cycling day. Please note we need plenty of time to confirm an e-bike upgrade due to limited availability.

Navigation

You will be using our smartphone app to follow the GPS tracks provided to make navigation even easier. The standard GPS tracks found in our app are for a hybrid bike, but there are road bike GPS tracks available upon request. 

Experience & Fitness

This tour is suitable for people that are in good physical condition. It is rated easy as it is mostly flat. There are some elevation gains, particularly on Days 5 and 6, but aside from that all the coastal routes are mainly level.

Accommodation Information

On your 7 days, 6-night self-guided cycling tour in Portugal you will stay 6 nights in a mixture of 23 & 4* hotels (depending on availability). 

Alternate accommodation

During the high season, you might be booked into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the main daily description. If those listed are unavailable the alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard than those described.

Single Rooms & Solo Cyclists

If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. Solo cyclists are also welcome for an additional charge.

Meals

7 Breakfasts are included. All the other nights you can eat dinner at your accommodations, or in the local town or village. For lunches, there are plenty of villages that you cycle through where you can buy goods for a packed lunch.

Included
  • 6 Nights in a mixture of 2*, 3* & 4* hotels
  • 6 Breakfasts
  • Baggage transfers
  • Transfer from Porto Airport to your first accommodation
  • Orientation meeting with our local representative
  • GPX tracks and access to our smartphone app
  • 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office
Excluded
  • Travel to Porto or Lisbon
  • Departure transfer from last hotel in Coimbra to Lisbon or Porto Airport
  • Bike hire
  • Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
  • Personal equipment
  • Travel insurance (required)
Extras
  • Additional nights along the route
  • Private transfer (Onward Travel) from Coimbra to Porto Airport
  • Private transfer (Onward Travel) from Coimbra to Lisbon Airport
  • Bike hire

When To Go

This cycling tour is available to start any day of the week all year round, from Janurary through to December. The summer months of July and August can be extrememly hot and you should bear thsi mind and take extra precautions. We recommend spring and autumn months as the best time of year to travel.

Weather and Climate

Generally you'll find that spring and autumn are the best times for cycling in Portugal, with the added bonus of less summer tourists. Portugal benefits from a mild Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and long, hot summers.

Getting to the Start

On arrival at Porto Airport a transfer is included to your hotel. Therefore you will need to provide us with your flight arrival details.

Porto Airport is served by many airlines, such as Easyjet, Ryanair, KLM and British Airways. If you prefer to fly into Lisbon, Porto is also accessible from Lisbon Airport. From Lisbon Airport take an airport shuttle bus to the Santa Apolonia Train Station and then a train to Porto which takes around two and a half hours.

Getting from the End

Please note that the departure transfer is not included in the trip price. A regular connecting bus/train service runs from Coimbra bus/train station to Porto and Lisbon. For more information visit: Flix Bus or CP (Trains) or use one of the many journey planner tools found online: Google and Rome 2 Rio.

If you wish to book a supplemented private transfer from your hotel in Coimbra to Porto or Lisbon Airport then please contact our Adventure specialists who can give you a quote.

Baggage Transfer

All baggage transfers are included. We request that you have only one piece of luggage per person and it should weigh only 20kg.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat and sun screen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking/cycling gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

2022 Route update

Based on feedback we have worked with our local supplier to update, better value for money and improve the tour for 2022 and beyond - The changes are as follows:

  • Day 1: Arrive Porto // (overnight in a more minimalistic hotel)
  • Day 2: Porto to Ovar // Previously: Porto to Esmoriz
  • Day 3: Loop ride from Ovar // Previously: Esmoriz to Aveiro
  • Day 4: Ovar to Aveiro // Previously: Aveiro to Praia da Mira
  • Day 5: Aveiro to Praia da Mira // Previously: Praia da Mira to Figuera da Foz
  • Day 6: Praia da Mira to Coimbra // Previously: Figuera da Foz to Sao Pedro da Moel
  • Day 7: Onward Travel // Previously: Transfer to Porto Airport.

Equipment

You can choose between hybrid bikes or e-bikes (electronic bikes) on this tour. Bike hire detailed information.

Brand

own brand (bases KTM)

Bike Type

City,

Frame types

gents, ladies, unisex

Sizes

Unisex/ladies: 43, 46, 51, 56

Gents:46, 56, 60, 64

Front suspension

no

Stand

yes

Mud guards

yes

Luggage rack Rear/Front

yes

Paniers

Yes

Handle bar Bag/ map holder

Yes/integrated in the handle bar bag

Bottle holder/Water bottle

no

Computer meter

yes

Interchangeable pedals

yes

Front gear set

3

Back gear set

7

Brakes

Shimano V-breaks

Helmet included

No

Puncture repair kit

Yes

Spare inner tubes/ how many

Yes/1

Pump

Yes

Lock

Yes

 

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
How far in advance do I need to book?
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What about meals?
How to baggage transfers work?
How do I find my way?
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Can I rent a bike?
What happens if I can’t cycle a stage?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Porto Day 2 Porto to Ovar 32 miles / 51 km Day 3 Ovar Loop 24 miles / 38 km Day 4 Ovar to Aveiro 33 miles / 54 km Day 5 Aveiro to Praia Mira 30 miles / 49 km Day 6 Praia Mira to Coimbra 35 miles / 57 km Day 7 Onward travel

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