Cycling Portugal's Atlantic Coast - Premium Adventure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

Days of Premium Adventures

Pace:

Leisurely: 9-13 km an hour

Terrain:

90% tarmac roads and cycle paths, 10% unpaved trails

Day by day breakdown

Day 340.0km/25.0miles

Day 460.0km/37.0miles

Day 561.0km/38.0miles

Day 638.0km/24.0miles

Day 750.0km/31.0miles

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips which improve life for the people and places we visit, and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People: How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

As much as possible, we use hotels that are locally owned and employ local staff.
Cycling tours actively encourages the group to chat with the locals to discover what life is like in this part of Portugal and purchase local produce, gifts and crafts.

Places: How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

This trip uses established cycling routes that have been created with the conservation of local landscapes in mind.
Our philosophy is to show you authentic Portugal in the most sustainable way possible, helping to conserve rural lifestyle and contributing to the overall sustainable development of the area.
We are dedicated to promoting authentic experiences and supporting the enjoyment of Portugal’s natural and cultural heritage while simultaneously encouraging their protection through raising awareness of environmental issues.
We only work with small groups of travelers and promote the maintenance of a social, economic, and environmental system that meets the needs of the current generation, without compromising the resources of future generations. Furthermore, local people (be it from restaurants, accommodations or residents) teach us how to care for and protect these destinations, knowledge that is useful not only in this context but globally.

Planet: How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

When meals are provided, ingredients used are locally sourced wherever possible. When meals are not provided, our local guides will recommend and encourage clients to visit local restaurants and cafés to try specialties from the area.
Cycling trips have very little detrimental impact on the environment. Rides on this trip are point to point, hence transport is barely needed during the week, further reducing our carbon footprint.
We encourage people to bring a re-usable water bottle and drink tap water on this trip.
Our partners take active steps to ensure our groups have a minimal environmental impact, such as sticking to established trails, not leaving rubbish behind and not removing any plants. Our operator also aims to minimise environmental damage by using eco engines on vehicles.
After the 2017 fires, reforestation and protection projects were implemented in the Centre of Portugal. Municipalities are still developing the best ways to protect and reforest these affected areas, and we believe we have an important role in spreading this information to tourists. These reforestation and protection projects are based on “firefighting trees”, native trees such as chestnut and cork oak trees, as opposed to the eucalyptus that was previously planted. We aim to allow each client to help in these reforestation efforts, as an effective and useful way of increasing awareness of the importance of native species in maintaining the local ecosystem.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same.
Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own re-usable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.
Take the train: Consider taking the train to this trip. Not only will it significantly reduce the carbon footprint of your holiday vs. flying, it also extends your adventure! Read more about which train journeys we can book, or how to book your own, here.

Itinerary

Expand all

Porto

Lisbon

Fly to Porto; transfer to hotel.
Those arriving on the group flight will be met by the tour leader at the airport and transferred to the start hotel by private minibus. The rest of 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)
Meals included: Dinner
Day 1
Start Porto; free afternoon and welcome 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)
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2
Full day in Porto: guided tour; wine tasting, boat trip on the Douro River.
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)
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch
Day 3
Gentle coastal ride to the bustling seaside town of Furadouro.
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)
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch
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.
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)
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch
Day 5
Follow the Portuguese Silver Coast and ride to Figueira da Foz.
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)
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch
Day 6
Transfer to Praia da Vieira to enjoy the beach, cycle to Nazaré fishing village.
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)
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch
Day 7
Cycle to the beach of Foz do Arelho, transfer to Óbidos, a picturesque and beautifully preserved medieval town and fortress.
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)
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 8
Private transfer to Lisbon, guided tour and free afternoon for sightseeing.
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)
Meals included: Breakfast
Transfer to the airport; fly home.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 9
End Lisbon.
End Lisbon
Meals included: Breakfast

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

Show map

Combine this trip with

Highlights of Portugal

1 review

Journey from Porto to Lisbon via the UNESCO Douro Valley and Portugal's best cultural highlights

Culture

Activity level:

Leisurely

Ages: 16+

8 Days from £1,649

Guided (Excl. Flights)

Cycling along the Atlantic coast

Porto Old Town

Torreira, south of Ovar

Photo stop by the Atlantic

Cycling through São Jacinto sand dunes

Picnic at São Pedro do Moel

Coastline at Nazaré

Rooftops of Obidos

Lisbon

Rooftop bar in Lisbon

Essential Info

Visas

Portugal

No visa required for British passport holders.

For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers

Vaccinations

Portugal

There are no specific health risks.

Eating and Drinking

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, linguiça (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.

Weather

Porto and Lisbon have a temperate maritime climate with a strong Mediterranean influence. The climate here is long, warm summers and mild winters, with most rain falling in the winter months, but possible in all other months. Seasons are marked, with pleasant temperatures in the spring, in the summer, and in the autumn. Heatwaves can push up temperatures between mid-June and September.

Coastal areas of Portugal can be known to be quite windy, but we are fortunate that this tends to be from north to south; which gives us an extra push whilst cycling!

Is this trip for you?

This trip is classified as Road. Average daily distance: 50 km (31 miles) No. of days cycling: 5

We mainly use cycle paths and quiet roads, and will occasionally cross or ride along busier roads. The first two rides are shorter and easier, through mainly flat terrain. Day 4 has a slightly longer ride and one challenging hill - worth it for the exquisite views over the Atlantic Ocean. On Day 6, after a short transfer, the ride starts on cycle paths by the ocean with a slow pace and plenty of possible stops, ending in the well-known fishing village of Nazaré.

A support vehicle (with limited seats) is available throughout the trip. It will not be able to follow the group at all times, but it will meet the group at the end of cycle paths and at junctions to give route directions and allow access to any items you don’t wish to carry on the bike. This tour will require a good level of fitness, but was designed so that you can take time to enjoy this charming part of Portugal, combining enjoyable rides with good food and outstanding landscapes.

Part of this tour include occasional steep but short ascents - if you have limited cycling experience we encourage you to request an electric bike before departure (available for a supplement), to improve your experience and ensure the trip is led at a comfortable pace for the group.

Activity Level: 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). Please see the introductory pages of the cycling brochure or our website for more important information on classification and grading. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to call us.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Call for general departures:

020 8772 3936

Call for private group trips:

020 3885 9103

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

Accommodation

Premium Hotels

This tour uses a selection of carefully selected properties in key locations along our route on Portugal's Atlantic coast, many offering quick access to a beach or the local cafés and restaurants. Each has its own style and character to offer something a little different for your stay in Portugal.

The Literary Man (4 star), Óbidos - 1 night

Enjoy an enchanting stay at a former convent on the cobbled streets just outside the impressive city walls of medieval Óbidos
With echo-chic rooms, the furnishings are made from reused materials including iron beds, as well as rooms in the old wing, known as the "Nuns' cells"
This hotel is perfect for bibliophiles as it houses over 45,000 books from floor to ceiling, with each room featuring different novels from all over the world
The Literary Man also has a beautiful, rustic dining room, high ceilings with antique flooring and a quirky Gin Bar.

Maçarico Beach Hotel (4 star), Mira - 1 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 (4 star), 1 night

Situated just in front the Furadouro beach in Ovar, you can enjoy sunset walks on the beach in the evenings during your stay
With the hotel’s light, spacious and contemporary design, your accommodation also comes with an indoor heated swimming pool and relaxing spa area
The sophisticated and elegant Furadouro Boutique Hotel offers beautiful sea-view rooms

The full hotel list comprises:

Neya Hotel, Porto (2 nights)
Furadouro Boutique Hotel, Ovar (1 night)
Maçarico Beah Hotel, Mira (1 night)
Universal Boutique Hotel, Figueira da Foz (1 night)
Hotel Praia, Nazaré (1 night)
The Literary Man, Óbidos (1 night)
Marquês de Pombal, Lisbon (1 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. While we will endeavour to inform you of any changes in advance, this could, on rare occasions, be at late notice. Bookings within 30 days are subject to availability and may incur a supplement of approximately £145 per person (based on a twin share).

Room at Universal Boutique Hotel, Figueira da Foz

Call for general departures:

020 8772 3936

Call for private group trips:

020 3885 9103

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

Experts

Contact a member of staff who has done this trip

Travel Expert - Tom Wilkinson

Family & Winter Programme Manager

[email protected]

Expert Leader - Ruben Lopes

Expert Leader

See all experts

Call for general departures:

020 8772 3936

Call for private group trips:

020 3885 9103

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

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Dates & Prices

Please provide as much information as possible below so we can best help with your holiday requirements.

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Please call one of our experts to discuss your private group requirements on 0203 993 4668, or fill out the form below and we will give you a call back.

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An overview of flight options

Exodus is committed to making joining our tours as easy as possible, wherever you live. We generally only block book seats from London, but this certainly does not mean that you need to fly from there. Depending on the route and airlines available, there will usually be various options available for those who want to fly from their local airport.

This page aims to provide a useful overview of the options available to our clients. However, the best flight arrangements should be tailored to your personal requirements, so please contact our Sales team for expert advice.

What kind of options do I have ?

1. We can book for you: Flights from anywhere in the world - not via London

Depending on the route, this may be direct or via an overseas hub like Amsterdam, the Middle East or elsewhere. On short haul routes there may be direct flights with low cost airlines, charter flights or scheduled airlines. Exodus can book most, but not all, of these for you. The most appropriate airline may be different to that which we use for the group flight from London, but many people now travel on different airlines and meet up with their fellow passengers at the destination.

Pros	Cons
May be the most direct route Often the extra fare compared to the London flight is minimal. As you will be in the hands a single airline for your entire journey, the airline will be responsible for your bags and your connections.	You may not be able to join the group transfers. However, we can usually arrange private transfers, or book your flights to try and coincide with the group transfers. See notes on transfer arrangements below.

2. We can book for you: Connecting flights from your local airport to London

Exodus can book connecting flights to London so you can join the group flight there. Connecting times will be followed according to airline advice, or as requested by clients. There are two types of fares we can use for this option: a 'through-fare' or a 'published fare'.

a) A 'through-fare' is where you will be in the main airline's care throughout. You change planes, but your bags are checked all the way through to your final destination.

b) A 'published fare' ticket is completely seperate from your onward ticket from London. It is usually cheaper than a through-fare but will need to be paid for and issued as soon as it is booked. This can be a problem if your tour has not yet reached minimum numbers. On 'published fares' neither airline is aware that you have connecting flights, so Exodus is responsible for timing your connection, not the airlines involved. The tickets are also usually non changeable and non refundable.

Pros	Cons
Depending on the fare type, Exodus or the airline is responsible for flight connections.	Through fare tickets can be expensive. On a published fare, tickets must be issued immediately; tickets on published fares can be very difficult to change if onward flight times change; bags are not checked though to your final destination. Published fares are non-refundable.

3. Booking some or all of the flights yourself

You can also book connecting air travel yourself, either to London, or all the way to the start point. There may be certain airlines or routes we don't have access to, so this is always an option. However, if you make your own travel arrangements you become liable for any delays, cancellations or missed connections, and Exodus is not required to offer refunds if you have trouble reaching the start of your trip.

Pros	Cons
You might find cheaper fares, or routes not available to Exodus.	You are responsible for any delays or missed connections, and the cost of the tour is not protected should you miss your flight be cancelled.

Notes on transfer arrangements

Sometimes it is possible to travel on a different airline to the group flight from London. Where this is the case, we need to think about ensuring you meet up with the group with minimum extra cost and hassle.

On certain trips, it is easy to arrive on a different flight and still meet the group at the hotel with time in hand. We can usually arrange private transfers (at extra cost) or offer advice on taking a taxi to the start hotel.
On other trips (especially in Europe), the transfer meets the group flight and then travels some distance to the first night's accommodation. Where this is the case, our Sales team will try to arrange flights that arrive before (and depart after) the group. However, we do have to make it clear in your final documentation that if your flights are delayed, the transfer cannot wait for you. While Exodus or our local operators will do what we can to help you reach the start point of the tour, any additional costs must be paid by the client.

Next steps?

Call our Sales team on: 0203 733 0698

Email your query: [email protected]

Private Adventures

Not found the date you’re looking for? We can organise this itinerary as a Private Adventure – just click on the tab above the list of dates and prices, let us know your preferred dates of travel and how many people are travelling, and we’ll do the rest!

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