Portugal by bike along the Atlantic Coast to Lisbon

Day 1: Baiona
From Porto Airport you will be taken to Baiona, in Galicia. It's a captivating vibrant port town where a great dish of fresh seafood is a must. Don't forget to take a walk around the port or the Monterreal Fortress, known for the Prince's Tower.

Day 2: Baiona – Caminha (37 or 66 km)
The first leg of your journey will be spent gently following the Spanish coast, along the slopes of the Sierra de la Grova mountains and a bit further south, the Sierra de Argalo. You can enter Portugal by ferry, across the Minho River, arriving in the town of Caminha, or by crossing the bridge in Vila Nova de Cerveira. In Caminha, you will admire the stately homes that frame the entrance to the town, whose history dates back to pre-Roman times.

Day 3: Caminha – Viana do Castelo (29 or 39 km)
Today you will pedal south through Portugal on excellent paved cycle paths and fields along the coast, until you reach Viana do Castelo, where you will spend the night. Viana do Castelo, located on the estuary of the Lima River, is a lively city full of students and intense nightlife. Dating back to Roman times, Viana's impressive history intertwines with that of merchants who supplied ships that took part in Portuguese discoveries during the 16th century, and later built ships that sailed to Newfoundland for cod fishing. They are the ones who built the numerous stately homes, the architectural beauty of which is a distinguishing feature of the city.

Day 4: Viana do Castelo – Vila do Conde (54 km)
The third stage of your Portuguese bike tour will offer a gentle 50-kilometer ride south, through vineyards and through the protected landscape area of the Costa de Esposende, a reserve of wild flora and fauna. The fishermen and their wives are very friendly, and the town center is rich in elegant manor houses and small stately homes. The importance of its port is not strategic and you will discover this by enjoying a wonderful plate of sardines or other fresh seafood specialties. Relax with a pleasant walk along the beach before going to bed refreshed by the sea air.

Day 5: Vila do Conde – Porto (34 or 48 km)
Today you will cycle to Porto along the Atlantic and on cycling paths until you reach the Douro River. Pedaling alongside this famous river, you will reach one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Porto is a UNESCO Heritage city, a historical gem with over 150 listed monuments. Cross the famous Eiffel Bridge and admire the Casa da Música auditorium, designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. Tonight it will be hard to choose where to have dinner: Porto is famous, besides for Port wine, for the variety and quality of its cuisine.

Day 6: Porto – Furadouro (42 km)
Today you will leave the hustle and bustle of the city to reach the peace and tranquility of the Atlantic coast. You'll pedal through numerous towns hidden along the coast and within the pine forests. The day ends in Furadouro, a hospitable city, famous for its excellent seafood. Enjoy your meal!

Day 7: Furadouro – Aveiro (39 km)
Today's stage is a pleasant ride through the Protected Nature Reserve of the São Jacinto dunes. However, this stage wouldn't be complete without a visit to Costa Nova, a small town with a picturesque center of colorfully striped houses. If you have time, you can take a trip on a Moliceiro, the hand-painted wooden boats with vibrant colors. These are used to collect seaweed along the canals which is why Aveiro is called the Portuguese Venice. Don't miss visiting the salt pans and enjoy the extraordinary calming properties of sea salt, while soaking your feet in small tubs.

Day 8: Aveiro – Mira – Figueira da Foz (35 km)
Today's stage is a great mix of beaches, pine forests, and paths along the river. You will arrive in Mira, a small fishing village, where the main activity is traditional fishing with colorful boats, once pulled by oxen. Get inspired by the beautiful multi-colored striped houses and the friendly locals. Observe the golden effect of the sun on the sand, the sea, the vegetation and the contrasting colors of the landscape. Then, make sure to visit the fantastic fishing village of Praia de Mira, to discover the typical colorful wooden houses called palheiros and indulge in the exquisite seafood-based gastronomic specialties found there. A collective transfer will then take you to Figueira da Foz, the ideal destination to rest.

Day 9: Figueira da Foz – São Pedro de Moel (65 km)
This stage of the Portuguese bike tour will take you along the Portuguese Silver Coast and the Pinhal de Leiria, the large pine forest planted in the 15th century. This was exploited to provide wood for the caravels, on which the Portuguese discoverers sailed the seven seas. The trail follows a cycling path along the Estrada Atlântica to São Pedro de Moel, an elegant seaside resort located in a clearing in the forest. Famous for surfing, the beautiful 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 various tasty fish species, particularly bass and bream.

Day 10: São Pedro de Moel – Óbidos (49 km)
Today you will visit two cities loved by visitors to Portugal: Nazaré and Óbidos. Nazaré is perhaps Portugal's most famous fishing town that, also known for its beautiful beach, is unique in many ways. Its atmosphere of bygone days, the joy that is breathed, and the ancient traditions, make it a special place to visit. The narrow wooden fishing boats painted with various colors, their high and curved bows, remind you of the boats of the Phoenicians, who first visited the area. Another ancient tradition is represented by the seven-layer skirts that the fisherwomen still wear, along with wooden clogs and black veils. At the top of the steep cliff overlooking the beach, the view of the sea is breathtaking. Óbidos, your final destination for today, is a charming fortified town that recalls a medieval film set. The city has been carefully preserved, and its inhabitants are proud to have maintained the architectural style of past centuries, monuments, winding streets, and white houses with windows and terraces full of flowers. Particularly impressive are the walls covered with 18th-century blue tiles, inside the southern gate that serves as the main entrance.

Day 11: Óbidos – Lisbon
After breakfast, you will leave the bicycles at the hotel and 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 overlooking the sea, which has always shaped its destiny. Start with two historical monuments, close to each other, on the banks of the Tagus: the Belem Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery. Both sites, World Heritage Unesco, are known for the beauty of Manueline architecture. Alfama, the oldest district of Lisbon, should not be missed. Located on the southeast slope of the hill, dominated by São Jorge Castle, the picturesque district is composed of a maze of streets, winding alleys, and steep stairs. Bairro Alto, a picturesque popular neighborhood of the 16th century, has traditionally been the bohemian hangout for 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 facades, you will find a variety of traditional and international restaurants, Fado Houses full of tourists, and a multitude of bars and shops that stay open until late at night.

Day 12: Lisbon
After breakfast, transfer to Lisbon Airport and end of services.