Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Porto
You will be met upon arrival at Porto airport and taken to your hotel in the centre of Porto from where you can explore the city. Pick up your bicycles and ride down to the riverside, into the medieval quarter of the Ribeira. Porto is a World Heritage city, a historic jewel with more than 150 listed monuments. Cycle leisurely along the riverbank, past the famous Eiffel bridge and across to the Port Wine lodges that rise uphill from the southern bank of the River Douro. That evening, we suggest you to enjoy dinner in one of the many fine restaurants for which Porto is famous.
Day 2: Porto - Furadouro (42 km / 26 miles)
Leave the hustle and bustle of the city for the peace and quiet of the Atlantic coast. Ride through the many small towns that nestle along the coast and, from time to time in and out woods of pines. The day ends in Furadouro, a hospitable town renowned for its excellent fish. Enjoy your meal!
Day 3: Furadouro - Aveiro (40 km / 25 miles)
If you have time, take a trip on a Moliceiro, the brightly coloured hand painted wooden boats used for gathering seaweed, along the canals for which Aveiro is named Portuguese Venice. Ashore, tickle your taste buds and join a workshop to make a typical Aveiro pastry. Do not fail to visit the salt pans and enjoy the wonderfully soothing properties of sea salt as you soak your feet in small tubs. Your bike tour for today is a pleasant 49 kms ride through the Protected Natural Reserve of the São Jacinto dunes.
Day 4: Aveiro - Figueira da Foz (35 km / 22 miles)
Leave enchanting Aveiro for Figueira da Foz, cycling along the canal and through green fields until you reach Mira where you will be dazzled by the golden effect of the sunshine on the sand, the sea, the vegetation and the brightly contrasting colors of the landscape. Visit Praia de Mira fishing village with the typical colourful wooden houses they call palheiros. Treat yourself to one of the fresh fish gastronomic specialties for which Mira is famous. At this point, a shared transfer is included to Figueira da Foz, the ideal place to stop for the night.
Day 5: Figueira da Foz - São Pedro de Moel (64 km / 39 miles)
This stage takes you along the Portuguese silver coast and through the Pinhal de Leiria, the great pine forest planted in the 15th century to supply the wood for the caravels on which the Portuguese discoverers sailed the seven seas. The trail follows a cycling path alongside the Estrada Atlântica (Atlantic Road) to São Pedro de Moel, an elegant beach resort that nestles in a forest clearing. Famous for surfing, the splendid beach is bordered to the north by steep rocks and to the south by a small stream. Try fishing off the rocks near the lighthouse where the cliffs attract several species of tasty fish, especially sea bass and bream.
Day 6: São Pedro de Moel - Óbidos (49 km / 30 miles)
Today takes you to two towns beloved by visitors to Portugal – Nazaré and Obidos. Nazaré, possibly the most famous fishing town in Portugal, also famous for its beautiful beach, is unique in many ways. Its atmosphere of times gone by, contentment and long-standing traditions make it a special place to visit. The narrow, gaily-painted wooden fishing boats with their high, curved bows, are reminiscent of the Phoenecians who first visited the area. Another unique tradition are the seven-layered skirts that the fisherwomen still wear, their wooden clogs and predominantly black headscarves. At the top of the high cliff overlooking the beach, a small village marks the birthplace of Nazaré and the legend of a knight saved by the Virgin Mary. The view out to sea is breathtaking. Óbidos, your final destination of the day, is a charming, small fortified town that makes one think of a medieval film set. The town has been carefully preserved and its inhabitants take pride in maintaining the architectural style from ages past, its monuments, narrow winding streets and white-washed houses with windows and terraces full of flowers. The walls covered with 18th century blue tiles inside the southern gate that acts as the main entrance are especially impressive
Day 7: Transfer for day in Lisbon
After checking-out from your hotel in Óbidos, return your bikes at the hotel. A transfer will take you to your hotel in Lisbon where, after checking in, you will have plenty of free time to explore the city. Lisbon is a romantic city open to the sea that has always shaped its destiny.
Start with two landmark monuments near each other on banks of the Tagus: the Belem Tower and the Jeronimos Monastery. Both World Heritage Sites are noted for the beauty of the Manueline architecture. Alfama, Lisbon's oldest quarter, is not to be missed. Sprawling over the southeastern slope of the hill crowned by São Jorge Castle, the picturesque neighborhood is composed of a maze of narrow streets, winding alleyways, and steep flights of steps. Bairro Alto, a picturesque working-class quarter dating from the 16th century, has traditionally been the bohemian haunt of artists and writers. Its streets are quiet during the day but at night they are transformed by the city’s vibrant nightlife. Behind the colorful and graffiti-covered façades you will find a variety of traditional and international restaurants, tourist-packed Fado Houses, and a multitude of bars and shops that stay open until late at night.
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast, a transfer will take you to the airport for your homeward journey.
What's Included
12 hour emergency back up support on tour
7 nights accommodation
Bed & Breakfast
Luggage transfers between hotels
Airport Transfers
Per person: Hybrid bicycle, cargo rack, pannier bike bag, handlebar bag (one per two bicycles), lock (one per two bicycles), and helmet.
Bike group/reservation: GPS loaded with the tracks and a roadbook with detailed information, toolkit, first aid kit, puncture repair kit, pump, spare inner tube and pre-paid mobile phone
What's Not Included
Flights
Insurance
Lunch & evening meals
Drinks
Admissions to attractions