Day 1: Miranda do Douro
A transfer will take you from Porto airport to the starting point of your tour, Miranda do Douro. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and landscapes along the way. The landscape of the Douro River Canyon and its cliffs, over 200 meters high, will fascinate you. Once you arrive in Miranda do Douro, take a walk around the small town, with its typical white houses and narrow cobblestone streets.
Day 2: Miranda do Douro - Mogadouro (47 km)
The first stage of your bike tour of Portugal will lead you through the Douro International Nature Reserve, a high plateau known for its wild nature. The stretch you will pass through is a quiet region, inhabited by over 170 species of birds, wild boars and the Iberian wolf. Even goats and cattle do not disturb the tranquility of the landscape. In the sky, you may even spot a rare golden eagle or an Egyptian vulture.
Day 3: Mogadouro – Torre de Moncorvo (38 or 48 km)
Today's stage will take you along what was once a railway line. This route crosses forests, fields, a typical agricultural landscape and some woods. Although the shepherds you meet may not speak your language, they are extremely friendly. You will continue through the olive and almond groves of Portugal by bike, until you reach the medieval Torre de Moncorvo, the almond blossom festival capital. You will be warmly welcomed in an elegant townhouse, where you will have the opportunity to taste delicious homemade liqueurs that go wonderfully with Moncorvo's almonds, grown by the locals.
Day 4: Torre de Moncorvo – Vila Flor (29 or 38 km)
Today you will ride along the Douro River for the first time. Get ready for breathtaking views and magical landscapes. The descent to the river takes you through olive groves that produce some of the world's best olive oil. Just today, you will stay in a farm that produces traditional and organic olive oil. For dinner, you will be served some of the best dishes of local cuisine: homemade cheeses, sausages, bread, olive oil, homegrown oranges, and homemade wine. Located seemingly in the middle of nowhere, the atmosphere is so peaceful and the night sky so clear, that a stroll after dinner, to gaze at the stars, will prove irresistible.
Day 5: Vila Flor – Sabrosa (29 or 31 km)
The Alto Douro wine region is famous for its wines, especially Porto wine. The terraced vineyards, typical of the region - a Unesco World Heritage site - were built by men on the hillsides. The estates, or quintas, that produce the wine, proudly rise up amongst the vineyards, their names clearly visible to all who pass by. When you reach the river, you will load your bike onto a Rabelo boat and enjoy the trip up to Pinhão, the next stop, which is surrounded by most of the famous Porto wine estates. Don't forget to visit the beautifully tiled train station! The sixteenth-century house where you will stay overnight is located on the hill above the town and offers a magnificent view.
Day 6: Sabrosa – Peso da Régua (31 km)
The next stage of your bike tour of Portugal starts with a trail that will take you along the secondary roads of the Douro Valley, then onto a gentle cycle path that brings you back to the river bank. The views you will see will be breathtaking, as if the Douro Valley wants to make sure you will never forget its magic when you return home. In the end, you will arrive in Peso da Régua, the center of the Porto wine region and the capital of the Douro district. The owner of one of the quintas will welcome you with a glass of wine on the terrace and invite you to share a culinary experience.
Day 7: Peso da Régua – Porto
Go down to the river bank, in the medieval district of Ribeira. Porto is a historic gem with over 150 monuments declared Unesco heritage. Ride peacefully along the river bank, past the famous Eiffel bridge and through the houses of Porto producers, which rise uphill from the southern bank of the Douro River.
Day 8: Porto
Free day.
Day 9: Porto
Free day.
Day 10: Porto – Furadouro (42 km)
Today you will leave the hustle and bustle of the city to reach the peace and serenity of the Atlantic Coast. You will ride through the many small towns nestled along the coast and into pine woods. The day ends in Furadouro, a friendly town, famous for its excellent fish. Bon appétit!
Day 11: Furadouro – Aveiro (39 km)
Today's stage of your bike trip through Portugal is a pleasant ride through the Protected Natural Reserve of the dunes of São Jacinto. However, this stage would not be complete without a visit to Costa Nova, a small town with a picturesque center of colorful striped houses. If you have time, you can take a trip on a Moliceiro, the colored wooden boats, hand-painted, used to gather seaweed along the canals for which Aveiro is called the Portuguese Venice. Don't miss out on visiting the salt pans and enjoy the wonderful soothing properties of sea salt while dipping your feet in small pools.
Day 12: Aveiro – Mira – Figueira da Foz (35 km)
Today's stage is a great mix of beaches, pine forests, and river trails. You will arrive in Mira, a small fishing village, where the main activity is artisanal fishing with colorful boats, once pulled by oxen. Be inspired by the stunning colored striped houses and friendly people. Observe the golden effect of the sun on the sand, sea, vegetation, and contrasting colors of the landscape. Then, be sure to visit the fantastic fishing village of Praia de Mira, to discover the typical colored wooden houses called palheiros and indulge in the exquisite local dishes made with fresh local fish. A collective transfer will then take you to Figueira da Foz, the ideal destination for a rest.
Day 13: Figueira da Foz – São Pedro de Moel (65 km)
This stage will take you along the Portuguese Silver Coast and through the Pinhal de Leiria, the vast pine forest planted in the 15th century to produce the wood for the caravels on which the Portuguese explorers sailed the seven seas. The trail follows a bike path along the Estrada Atlântica to São Pedro de Moel, an elegant seaside resort, located in a clearing in the forest. Known for surfing, the beautiful beach is bounded 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 sea bass and gilt-head bream.
Day 14: São Pedro de Moel – Óbidos (49 km)
Today you will visit two towns loved by visitors to Portugal: Nazaré and Óbidos. Nazaré, perhaps Portugal's most famous fishing town, is also known for its beautiful beach and is unique in many ways. Its old-time atmosphere, cheerful vibes, and ancient traditions make it a special place to visit. The narrow wooden fishing boats painted with bright colors, with their high curved bows, remind us of the Phoenician vessels that first visited the area. Other ancient traditions include the seven-layer skirts still worn by the fishwives, together with the wooden clogs and the mainly black veil. On top of the high cliff overlooking the beach, the sea view is breathtaking. Óbidos, your final destination for today, is a charming walled city that makes you think of a medieval movie set. The city has been carefully preserved and its inhabitants are proud to have maintained the architectural style of past centuries, the monuments, winding streets, and white houses with windows and terraces full of flowers. The 18th-century blue-tiled walls inside the southern gate, which serves as the main entrance, are particularly impressive.
Day 15: Óbidos – Lisbon
After breakfast, you will leave your bikes 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, sea-facing city that always shaped its destiny. Start with two historical monuments, close to each other, on the banks of the Tagus: Belem Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery. Both Unesco heritage sites, they are renowned for the beauty of Manueline architecture. Alfama, Lisbon's oldest district, is a must-see. Stretched out on the southeastern slope of the hill dominated by São Jorge Castle, the picturesque district consists of a labyrinth of narrow streets, winding alleys, and steep stairways. Bairro Alto, a picturesque popular district of the 16th century, has long been the meeting place for bohemian writers and artists. Its streets are quiet during the day but at night, they are transformed by the city's bustling 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 remain open until late.
Day 16: Lisbon
After breakfast, transfer to Lisbon airport and the end of the services.