Day 1: Castro Laboreiro
Transfer by car from Porto airport to Castro Laboreiro, within Gerês National Park. As you cross the countryside, beyond the vast vineyards, observe the small villages on the distant hills, dotted here and there like pieces of a mosaic. When you reach the mountains of Serra de Laboreiro, where you will spend the night before starting your bicycle holiday, a peace will descend on everything, as you slowly ascent to the village, through pine forests. This is a small place with a nice breeze, watermills, and just an old shop in the center which is the hub of city life where you can buy some souvenirs.
Day 2: Castro Laboreiro – Monção (44 km)
The first stage of your Northern Portugal bike tour is exceptionally beautiful: it is a pleasant downhill route, across the border with Spain and through a granite landscape, with few trees and the northern regions of Gerês National Park and Serra da Peneda. The 72,000 acres of Gerês National Park offer one of the last natural refuges for wolves and royal eagles. You will continue cycling through villages suspended in time, where you will always find a kind person who will help you find the way when necessary. The community ovens, where village residents would come together to bake bread, are very charming and some are still in use. Particularly suggestive are the espigueiros, traditional stone granaries built on stilts. When you arrive in Monção, a fortified town on the Minho River, you will understand why the Portuguese are so proud that the Spaniards have never been able to conquer them.
Day 3: Monção – Caminha (48 km)
Today you will ride east, along the Minho River, to the Atlantic Ocean. The route through Northern Portugal by bicycle will lead you to the Vinho Verde wine region and its vineyards, which produce the dry white wine for which it is famous. Admire the elegant Brejoeira Palace – still inhabited by the family – one of the main producers of high-quality Vinho Verde, and try at least one of their wines. Along the way, you will cross the sites of battles between Portugal and Spain, particularly the imposing 17th-century fortress in Valença and the fort in Vila Nova de Cerveira. Overnight in Caminha, an elegant town strategically located at the estuary of the Minho River, whose history dates back to pre-Roman times.
Day 4: Caminha – Ponte de Lima (53 km)
Riding along the powerful Atlantic Ocean will be an extraordinary experience, especially as you cross picturesque fishing villages, which seem to have stepped back in time. When you reach Viana do Castelo, the peace and quiet will be replaced by the bustle of this vibrant city on the Lima River. Dating back to Roman times – when it was the Northern Iberia's main port – Viana's impressive history intertwines with that of its merchants, who supplied provisions for the ships that sailed for the 16th-century Portuguese expeditions and, later, built the ships that sailed to Newfoundland to fish for cod. With their wealth, they built the numerous manor houses, whose architectural beauty is a hallmark of the city. Worth seeing is the 19th-century Byzantine church of Santa Lucia, located on the hill overlooking the city: a short climb has to be made, but the reward is a breathtaking view. From there, you will pedal back inland, following the Lima River, til you reach Ponte de Lima, the oldest village in Portugal, famous for its beautiful 24-arched Roman bridge. The town is also well known for medieval pilgrims heading from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. We recommend a nice stroll through the picturesque city. The next morning, sweeten your breakfast with the best honey from the estate.
Day 5: Ponte de Lima – Barcelos (33 km)
Whether you are religious or not, following the Portuguese medieval road to Santiago de Compostela is a special experience. This is a pleasant bike stage through wheat fields and vineyards, up to the city of Barcelos, on the Cávado River. A center of the ceramic industry and also of religious importance. Worth visiting is the 13th-century mother church.
Day 6: Barcelos – Vila do Conde (36 km)
Today you will return to the Atlantic to reach Vila do Conde, famous for its past of major shipbuilding, as you can see from the replica of a ship, used during the Discoveries and built here. The city center is rich in charming manors and small palaces. The importance of its fishing port is not only strategic: tonight you can enjoy a wonderful fish dinner and a pleasant walk along the beach, before going to bed, refreshed by sea air.
Day 7: Vila do Conde – Porto (34 km)
On quiet bicycle lanes along the coastline of Northern Portugal, you will cross a seabird reserve, among dunes and fishing villages. It is amazing how hard these fisherman (and their wives!) work and, even more so, their good mood. You will soon reach Porto, through the estuary of the Douro River. This city, famous for the Port wine, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. A Unesco World Heritage city, whose historic center boasts over 1500 monuments.
Day 8: Porto
Descend to the river bank, in the medieval district of Ribeira. Porto is a historical jewel. Pedal peacefully along the river bank, beyond the famous Eiffel bridge and through Porto producers' houses, rising uphill from the south bank of the Douro River. Then treat yourself to a taste of the delicious Port wine: an experience you must try!
Day 9: Porto – Furadouro (42 km)
Today you will leave the bustling city to reach the peace and serenity of the Atlantic Coast. You will pedal through the many towns that nestle along the coast and into pine forests. The day ends in Furadouro, a hospitable city renowned for its excellent fish. Bon appétit!
Day 10: Furadouro – Aveiro (39 km)
Today's stage is a pleasant tour along the Protected Natural Reserve of São Jacinto dunes. This stage would not, however, be complete without a visit to Costa Nova, a small town with a picturesque center made of colorful striped houses. If you have time, you can treat yourself to a trip on a Moliceiro, the colorful, hand-painted wooden boats, used to collect seaweed along the canals: which is why Aveiro is called the Portuguese Venice. Be sure to visit the salt pans and enjoy the wonderful calming properties of sea salt, as you put your feet in small pools.
Day 11: 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, whose main activity is artisanal fishing with colorful boats, once drawn by oxen. Be inspired by the stunning colorful stripe houses and friendly locals. Watch the golden effect of the sun on the sand, sea, vegetation and contrasting colors of the scenery. Be sure, then, to visit the fantastic fishing village of Praia de Mira, to discover the typical colored wooden houses, called palheiros and savor the fantastic fresh fish specialties found here. A collective transfer will then take you to Figueira da Foz, the ideal destination to rest.
Day 12: Figueira da Foz – São Pedro de Moel (65 km)
This stage will take you along the Portuguese Silver Coast and Pinhal de Leiria, the large pine forest planted in the 15th century to produce the wood used for the caravels on which the Portuguese explorers sailed the seven seas. The path follows a bike trail 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 bounded to the north by steep rocks and to the south by a small stream. Try fishing offshore the rocks, near the lighthouse, where the cliffs attract various species of tasty fish, particularly sea bass and bream.
Day 13: São Pedro de Moel – Óbidos (49 km)
Today you will visit two cities loved by visitors to Portugal: Nazaré and Obidos. Nazaré, perhaps the most famous fishing town in Portugal, is also known for its beautiful beach and is unique in many respects. Its old-fashioned atmosphere, the joy it breathes and the ancient traditions make it a special place to visit. The narrow wooden fishing boats painted with bright colors with their high, curved bows recall the boats of the Phoenicians who first visited the area. Other very ancient traditions are the seven-layer skirts still worn by fisherwomen, together with wooden clogs and the predominantly black veil. At the top of the high cliff overlooking the beach, the view of the sea is breathtaking. Today's final destination, Óbidos, is a fascinating fortified town that resembles a medieval film set. The town has been carefully preserved and its inhabitants are proud to have maintained the architectural style of centuries past, as well as the monuments, winding streets, and white houses, with windows and terraces full of flowers. The 18th-century blue tile covered walls inside the southern gate that serves as the main entrance are particularly impressive.
Day 14: 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 check-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 nearby historical monuments, on the banks of the Tagus: Belem Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery. Both Unesco World Heritage sites are known for the beauty of their Manueline architecture. Alfama, Lisbon's oldest neighborhood, is not to be missed. Spread out on the southeastern slope of the hill, dominated by São Jorge Castle, the picturesque neighborhood consists of a labyrinth of narrow streets, winding alleys and steep staircases. The Bairro Alto, a charming 16th-century popular neighborhood, has been the habitual haunt of bohemian artists and writers. Its streets are quiet during the day, but at night, the lively nightlife transforms them. Behind 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, which stay open late into the night.
Day 15: Lisbon
After breakfast, transfer to Lisbon airport and end of services.
Portugal
