Cycling Portugal's Atlantic Coast - Premium Adventure
Cycling Portugal's Atlantic Coast - Premium Adventure
9 Days Starting in Porto and ending in Lisbon
Visiting: Porto, Douro, Vis, Figueira da Foz, Nazaré, Óbidos, Lisbon
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MEH
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
5 - 16
Physical rating:
Leisurely / Moderate
Age range:
16 to 99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Meat, Kosher, Jain, Halal
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Blessed with sun-kissed beaches, colourful and vibrant fishing villages and scenic routes, Portugal's Atlantic coast offers fantastic cycling opportunities. Your premium adventure starts in Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage city, with the route following relatively easy, flat or undulating cycling trails through a variety of landscapes. Riding along Portugal’s majestic Silver Coast, you’ll stop in different medieval-walled villages and towns for full immersion into the relaxed Portuguese way of life.Notable highlights include a memorable ride through the dunes of the São Jacinto Natural Reserve, fascinating Port wine cellar tours and an overnight stay in the picture-perfect fortified village of Óbidos. After a week of cycling along some of Portugal's most outstanding coastline, a full day is dedicated to the visit of Lisbon, with an included guided experience to soak up one of the most charming capital cities in the world.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Porto; Enjoy A Free Afternoon And Welcome Dinner.
Location: Porto
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: dinner
Start in Porto. The day is free for you to settle into your accommodation or
explore the city, before enjoying a welcome dinner with the group.Porto is a
UNESCO World Heritage city and a real historic jewel with more than 150
listed monuments. Continuously inhabited since the 4th century, the hilly
city is a melting pot of architectural styles.Premium accommodation: Neya
Hotel, Porto (4 star)
Day 2 : Full Day In Porto: Guided Tour; Wine Tasting, Boat Trip On The Douro River.
Location: Porto
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
Porto is renowned all over the world for its delicious, fortified wine, and
no trip to the city would be complete without taking part in a Port wine
cellar tour. Port wine is specific to the region, and refers to grapes that
have been cultivated and harvested on the designated banks of the Douro River
valley, and transformed into this delicious nectar at one of the area’s
many Port wine estates.Embark on a guided walking tour through the historic
centre of Porto, ending with a wine tasting in a Port wine cellar. Then take
a scenic boat ride on the Douro River in a traditional 'rabelo' boat, a
vessel once used to carry Port wine barrels from the heart of the Douro
Valley to Gaia. Afterwards, we will have lunch together at a local restaurant
and the remainder of the day is free for extra sightseeing.Premium
accommodation: Neya Hotel, Porto (4 star)
Day 3 : Gentle Coastal Ride To The Bustling Seaside Town Of Furadouro.
Location: Douro
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
This morning, we leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and immerse
ourselves in the more peaceful atmosphere of the Atlantic shore. Starting
from Porto, we will ride along the Douro River until we meet the estuary. We
then follow the coast south, mostly on cycling paths, while enjoying some
inspiring views of beautiful sandy beaches along the way. During this ride,
there will be opportunities to stop for drinks or local snacks such as pão
com chouriço (pork sausage and bread rolls) or pastel de feijão (a sweet
pastry tart filled with white beans and ground almonds) in traditional
Portuguese cafés, right by the Atlantic Ocean. At Miramar, we will be able
to see a small and intriguing little chapel built on the top of a rock,
situated right on the shoreline. This chapel has amazing views both out to
sea and to the white sandy beach stretching in front of it. The chapel has a
distinctive hexagonal design and is known as "Senhor da Pedra" (Lord of the
Rock). It was built in 1686 and restored in 1996.At Espinho, a cosmopolitan
holiday resort with beaches and a casino, we continue on a cycling path
through a pine tree forest to Furadouro beach, cycling the final 21
km.Premium accommodation: Furadouro Boutique Hotel, Furadouro (4 star)
Day 4 : Cycle To Mira Via The Protected Natural Reserve Of The São Jacinto Dunes; En Route Visit The Pretty Coastal Town Of Costa Nova.
Location: Vis
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
Today's ride follows the Aveiro lagoon and the nature reserve of Sao Jacinto,
one of Europe's last remaining untouched coastal marshlands and habitat of
numerous bird species, including the diving duck and crested tit. 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 infinitely long beach and
rated as one of the best in Portugal. Premium accommodation: Maçarico Beach
Hotel, Mira (4 star)
Day 5 : Follow The Portuguese Silver Coast And Ride To Figuera Da Foz.
Location: Figueira da Foz
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
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 undulating and the
roads quiet and peaceful making the cycling very pleasant. There is a final
short but relatively steep climb up the beautiful Serra da Boa Viagem for
panoramic views from the Miradouro da Vela, before descending to the
lighthouse of Cape Mondego. On arrival in Figueira da Foz, we will take part
in a local wine tasting, then there is free time to enjoy this lively seaside
town.Premium accommodation: Universal Boutique Hotel, Figueira da Foz (4
star)
Day 6 : Transfer To Praia Da Vieira To Enjoy The Beach, Cycle To Nazaré Fishing Village.
Location: Nazaré
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
This morning, we take a transfer (approx. 1 hour) to the picturesque beaches
of São Pedro de Moel and Praia da Vieira. Backed by dunes covered in pine
forests, São Pedro de Moel's large beach is sheltered from the wind, making
it ideal for watersports including diving and windsurfing.Getting back in the
saddle, we will continue the journey south to Nazaré, a traditional fishing
village and perfect spot to try fresh seafood. The cycle path to Nazaré hugs
the Atlantic coastline and takes in some of Portugal's most impressive
beaches. It is also along this stretch of water that Garrett McNamara broke
the record for the largest wave ever surfed (30 metres/100 feet) in 2013.
While in Nazaré, there will be time to visit the lighthouse, which offers
the best views of the waves crashing to shore, and the interesting surf
museum to learn about the underwater Nazaré Canyon, which produces such
dramatic waves.Premium accommodation: Hotel Praia, Nazaré (4 star)
Day 7 : Cycle To The Beach Of Foz Do Arelho, Transfer To Óbidos, A Picturesque And Beautifully Preserved Medieval Town And Fortress.
Location: Óbidos
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today we ride to Foz do Arelho, on the confluence between the Óbidos Lagoon
and the sea. After free time to enjoy the beach, we take a transfer to the
charming medieval town of Óbidos that seems to have been frozen in time. It
has been carefully preserved by its inhabitants who take real pride in
maintaining the architectural image of the village and is characterised by
narrow winding streets, white-washed houses and trailing bougainvillea and
honeysuckle. This evening, we will share a farewell dinner then stay at the
quirky and characterful hotel, The Literary Man, located next to Óbidos
Castle. This premium accommodation was once a former convent and is now one
of the biggest literary hotels in the world. According to the owner, the
hotel currently holds more than 45,000 books!Premium accommodation: The
Literary Man, Óbidos (4 star)
Day 8 : Private Transfer To Lisbon, Guided Tour And Free Afternoon For Sightseeing.
Location: Lisbon
Meals Included: breakfast
A morning private transfer (approx. 1 hour) takes us to the great capital
city of Lisbon, our final stop on this tour of Portugal's Atlantic coast. A
guided city tour will take you to some of the city's most recognisable
locations and monuments, while you will have free time in the afternoon for
individual exploration. Please note that your leader will depart after the
guided tour and the remainder of the trip will be self-guided, but you will
be provided with plenty of tips, maps and directions to make the most of your
time in Lisbon.Premium accommodation: Marquês de Pombal, Lisbon (4 star)
Day 9 : End Lisbon.
Location: Lisbon
Meals Included: breakfast
End Lisbon
What's Included
-
8 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 2 wine tastings, 2 dinners
-
Premium accommodation throughout
-
Tips for all hotel staff, drivers and local staff
-
Named tour leader, chosen for their expertise
-
All transport and listed activities
-
Local bike hire
What's Not Included
-
Tip for the tour leader
-
International Travel
-
Country Entry Visas
Food
8 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 2 wine tastings and 2 dinners are included.A typical hotel breakfast consists of toast/bread with jam, or honey, cheese and ham, served with coffee, tea, milk, orange juice, fruit, cake and yoghurt. Eggs are usually available and there are frequently other cooked options; the breakfasts on this trip are always plentiful and perfect to set us up for a day of cycling.Portuguese people are very proud of their cuisine, and the deliciously fresh seafood is a real highlight. You will find fresh fish on most menus, usually sardines, sea bream, hake, sea bass and sole, cooked in a variety of ways.Bacalhau (cured codfish) is a national dish although it can vary depending on the region - there are up to 365 recipes to cook it! Caldo verde (green soup) is made with potatoes, olive oil and salt, sometimes with garlic and onion, and is typical in the northern region of Portugal.For meat lovers, the barrosã meat (steak) is often served grilled and roasted just to its naturally delicious flavour. Francesinha is an iconic dish originating from Porto and involves layers of different meats (usually beef, ham, grilled pork, linguica (smoke-cured pork sausage) and sausage), between two slices of bread, covered by melted cheese and immersed in a spicy tomato sauce, often topped with a fried egg and surrounded by chips. It is not for the faint-hearted!To drink you will find plenty of the local Sagres and Superbock beer. Vinho Verde is available from the supermarket and directly from the producers. It is a young, medium-strength white wine with an almost carbonated quality. Port needs no introduction and a glass (or two) of the fortified wine will generally follow a hearty Portuguese meal!There is an incredible range of desserts available and if you have a sweet tooth it will be possible to try a different one each day! Local favourites include bolo de bolacha (cookie cake), leite creme (cream eggs and sugar), pão de lo (sponge cake made with lots of eggs), arroz doce (a traditional rice pudding) and of course, the famous pastel de nata, which you will find at most cafés on your route.
Accommodation
This tour uses a collection of carefully selected properties in key locations along our route, many offering quick access to a beach or the local cafes and restaurants. Each has its own style and character to offer something a little different for your stay in Portugal.
The Literary Man (four-star), Óbidos. One night
Enjoy a stay at a former convent just outside the impressive city walls of medieval Óbidos
In the eco-chic rooms, the furnishings are made from reused materials including iron beds, plus rooms in the old wing, known as the nuns’ cells
This hotel is perfect for bibliophiles, as it houses more than 45,000 books from floor to ceiling, with each room featuring different novels from across the world
Macarico Beach Hotel (four-star), Mira. One night
Enjoy a relaxing stay at this contemporary seafront hotel
Unwind for the evening with a refreshing drink at the Bik Bik Bar
Take advantage of the fantastic spa and fitness centre, or head upstairs to the top-floor Jacuzzi and pool to admire the spectacular sea views
Furadouro Boutique Hotel, Ovar (four-star). One night
Situated just in front of Furadouro beach in Ovar, you can enjoy sunset walks on the beach
With a light, spacious and contemporary design, your accommodation also comes with an indoor heated swimming pool and relaxing spa area
The sophisticated hotel offers beautiful sea-view rooms
The full hotel list comprises:
Neya Hotel, Porto (two nights)
Furadouro Boutique Hotel, Ovar (one night)
Macarico Beah Hotel, Mira (one night)
Universal Boutique Hotel, Figueira da Foz (one night)
Miramar Hotel & Spa or Hotel Praia, Nazaré (one night)
The Literary Man, Óbidos (one night)
Marquês de Pombal, Lisbon (one night)
The accommodation shown has been booked and agreed in advance; however, we may need to change to a property of similar or higher standard after you have booked. We endeavour to inform you of any changes in advance, which could, on rare occasions, be at late notice.
Bookings within 30 days are subject to availability and may incur a supplement of approximately €192 / £165 / US$265 per person.
Check out our Q&As
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
-
Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
-
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
-
Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
-
Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is protected in an external trust until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."