Porto to Lisbon (10 days)
Date
- June 6-15, 2025
Price
- $3,470 USD or $5,320 AUD (single supplement $790 USD or $1,210 AUD)*
Level of difficulty
- Moderate
Overview
Embark on a bicycle tour from Porto to Lisbon with us. This tour offers a picturesque journey through some of Portugal's most captivating destinations. Starting in the vibrant city of Porto, known for its historic architecture and famous port wine, you will enjoy scenic coastal routes and charming countryside vistas. Our route leads through Aveiro, often dubbed the "Venice of Portugal" for its canals and colorful boats, providing a unique blend of natural beauty and urban charm. Later on, we visit Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and amazing historical landmarks.
After a day off in Coimbra, we continue to another beautiful historical town of Tomar, before returning to the coast, specifically to the coastal town of Nazaré, renowned for its impressive waves and traditional fishing culture. On the way, we ride through other famous sites, such as Fatima and Batalha. The tour eventually ends in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal with lively atmosphere, rich cultural heritage, and stunning views, making it a fitting end to an unforgettable cycling adventure through Portugal..
What’s Included
- 9 nights lodging in selected 3-star and 4-star hotels and pensions (usually in the center or near the center of the cities).
- Breakfasts every morning and 4 delicious dinners (one drink included).
- Tour guide and ride leader en route.
- Sightseeing (including boat tour in Aveiro and walking tour in Coimbra)
- Visit to selected cultural monuments and other after-cycling activities
- Van support with snack stops and optional picknick lunches along the route; luggage transport
- Cue sheets and GPS files
- Option for extended stay in Porto and Lisbon...
Itinerary**
We encourage you to extend your stay in Porto in the beginning of the trip and in Lisbon in the end of the trip by at least a day or two.
Day One:
Porto - Check-in and Sightseeing
Today is reserved for sightseeing on your own. We do recommend you arrive a day or two before our tour starts to explore this amazing city in more detail... In the afternoon, after you check in (for those who are just arriving) we will meet in front of the hotel for our bike fitting session. In the evening, we will meet again for our welcome dinner and orientation meeting in a nearby restaurant.
Day Two: Porto – Aveiro (79 km / 49 miles)
Today’s route from Porto to Aveiro covers approximately 75 kilometers along Portugal's scenic coastline to the south. Starting in Porto, we head southward, passing through small coastal towns. The journey takes us through the charming town of Espinho, with its long sandy beaches and lively atmosphere. As we proceed further south, we reach Ovar, famed for its traditional azulejos. Finally, the route concludes in Aveiro, renowned for its picturesque canals, colorful moliceiro boats, and Art Nouveau architecture. Our route today offers a delightful blend of coastal beauty, cultural landmarks, and urban charm.
Day Three: Aveiro - Figueira de Foz (80 km / 50 miles)
Our route from Aveiro to Figueira da Foz covers mostly copies Portugal's beautiful Atlantic shoreline. We will navigate through the tranquil scenery of the Ria de Aveiro lagoon, an area celebrated for its salt flats and rich birdlife. We go through the town of Mira, where the inviting Praia de Mira beach offers an ideal spot for a break. Further along, we pass Praia de Tocha, a picturesque fishing village renowned for its stunning coastal views and serene environment. Our journey today ends in Figueira da Foz, a dynamic seaside town famous for its vast Praia da Claridade beach and lively social scene. This route, with its scenic coastal paths, charming communities, and splendid beaches, provides for an enjoyable and unforgettable cycling experience
Day Four: Figueira de Foz to Coimbra (70 km / 44 miles)
Leaving the coast, we pedal through lush, rolling countryside and quaint villages. The terrain gradually shifts from flat coastal plains to gentle hills as we approach the interior. Along the way, we’ll pass through small towns like Montemor-o-Velho, where the impressive Montemor-o-Velho Castle offers a picturesque stop with panoramic views of the Mondego River.
The route partially follows the course of the Mondego River, offering peaceful riverside cycling as you near Coimbra. This historic city, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, greets cyclists with its rich and beautiful architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. The ride from Figueira da Foz to Coimbra combines coastal charm, rural tranquility, and historical significance, making it a delightful and varied cycling day.
Day Five: Day off in Coimbra
We’ll enjoy a day off in this arguably most beautiful interior town in Portugal. This historic city in central Portugal, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and stunning beauty. Dominated by its ancient university, Coimbra boasts magnificent architecture, including the Joanina Library, a Baroque masterpiece. The city's steep, narrow streets are lined with charming cafes, medieval churches, and historic buildings. The Monastery of Santa Cruz, with its intricate Manueline design, adds to Coimbra's historical allure. The city’s scenic location along the Mondego River provides picturesque views and tranquil riverside parks. Coimbra's blend of academic prestige, historical landmarks, and natural beauty makes it a captivating destination.
Day Six: Coimbra – Tomar (87 km / 54 miles)
Our route from Coimbra to Tomar spans approximately 85 kilometers through picturesque landscapes of central Portugal. We will enjoy rolling hills, lush forests, and charming villages along the way. The journey culminates in Tomar, a historic town renowned for the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site and former stronghold of the Knights Templar. Tomar's old town features narrow cobblestone streets, beautiful squares, and traditional houses. The serene Nabão River adds to the town's charm, making Tomar a captivating blend of historical significance and scenic beauty.
Day Seven: Tomar - Nazare via Fatima and Balalha (88 km / 55 miles)
Today’s stage from Tomar to Nazaré passes through historic and scenic central Portugal. In Fátima, cyclists can visit the renowned Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, a major pilgrimage site. Batalha is home to the stunning Batalha Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its Gothic and Manueline architecture. The journey ends in Nazaré, a picturesque coastal town famous for its giant waves, traditional fishing culture, and beautiful sandy beaches. Today thus offers a rich mix of spiritual, historical, and coastal experiences.
Day Eight: Nazare - Peniche via Obidos (69 km / 43 miles)
We will continue from Nazaré to Peniche along Portugal's scenic coastline. A perfect lunch stop is in Óbidos, a charming medieval town enclosed by ancient walls. Óbidos boasts cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and a majestic castle, providing a delightful historical ambiance. Continuing the journey, we will reach Peniche, a vibrant fishing town renowned for its dramatic cliffs, stunning beaches, and excellent surf spots. Peniche also features the Berlenga Islands Nature Reserve, a haven for birdwatchers and divers. The route today therefore combines coastal beauty with medieval charm.
Day Nine: Peniche - Ericeira - Lisbon (64 km / 40 miles)
Our last day of riding covers approximately 70 kilometers along Portugal's scenic Atlantic coastline. Begin by heading south, enjoying breathtaking ocean views and passing through picturesque towns like Santa Cruz. The route features some hills, with highlights including beautiful beaches and coastal cliffs. Upon reaching Ericeira, a charming surfing village, you can relax and explore before taking a shuttle (van or bus) to Lisbon.
Day Ten: Lisbon
Our trip is officially over after breakfast. We strongly encourage you though to spend a few more days and explore this beautiful capital city of Portugal.
Trip Difficulty
For full enjoyment of the trip, you should come prepared to comfortably pedal 70-95 km / 45-60 miles on flat and/or rolling terrain. Most of the hilly terrain occurs on days 4,, 6 and 7, when we leave the coast for a while to visit and sightsee Coimbra and Tomar.
Our route is mostly designed along small, quiet, and picturesque roads with as little car traffic as possible and/or bike paths that enhance your sightseeing experience of the local areas. Most of the roads and bike paths are paved, however, there are several unpaved sections on some days as well. The trip is suitable for road as well as hybrid bikes.
Transportation
Porto is serviced by Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, located about 11 km (7 miles) northwest of the city center. There taxi, metro and bus service available from the airport to the center of Porto.
Lisbon is serviced by Humberto Delgado Airport located 7 km (4 miles) northeast of the city center. The best way to get there from your hotel is either by metro or taxi service, which widely available from the city center.
Bike Rental
If you wish to rent a bike from us, we have the following fully serviced, light, quality, road/fitness bikes available:
- Fuji Absolute 2, 3, and 4, flat handlebars
- Fuji Newest 1 and 2, drop handlebars
- Fuji Roubaix 1.3, drop handlebars
Your rental bike comes with a rear luggage rack, bungie cord, extra tube and levers, water bottle cage, pump, lock, and odometer. The price for renting a bike for this bike tour is $200 for Fuji Absolute or $270 for Fuji Newest or Fuji Roubaix.
* Our expenses are mostly payable in Euros. Because of the constant fluctuations in currency rates, we reserve the right to increase the trip price. The trip price may increase depending on the currency exchange rate of the Euro to the USD and/or AUD at the moment of your final payment. The trip price shall increase if the USD/Euro exchange rate exceeds 1.10 and/or AUD/Euro exchange rate exceeds 1.60.
** We reserve the right to change the itinerary without notice especially, but not only, for safety reasons
