Porto to Lisbon

Day 1: Porto 
Day 2: Porto - Furadouro, 29 mi. (47 km)
Day 3: Furadouro - Aveiro, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Aveiro - Praia de Mira, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 5: Praia de Mira - Figueira da Foz, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Figueira da Foz - São Pedro de Moel, 41 mi. (65 km)
Day 7: São Pedro de Moel - Nazaré, 18 mi. (29 km)
Day 8: Nazaré - Óbidos, 29 mi. (47 km)
Day 9: Óbidos - Peniche, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 10: Peniche - Ericeira, 42 mi.  (68 Km)
Day 11: Ericeira - Sintra, 17 mi. (27 Km)
Day 12: Sintra - Cascais, 25 mi.  (40 Km)
Day 13: Departure to Lisbon

All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, i.e. weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the route, you may find temporary deviations/detours necessary due to roadwork or other unforeseen circumstances that will not be reflected on your maps or route descriptions. 

Day 1: Porto
Your first day will be spent in Porto, an ancient port city steeped in history and tradition, once an outpost of the Roman Empire. Located along the Douro River Valley in Northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European cities and its historical center was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1996.  Once you settle into your tour hotel, you can make your way to our partner's bike shop for a bike fitting followed by an included guided walking tour of this beautiful city. Three tours are offered daily at 10 am, 3 pm, or 4 pm. This will lead you through the art and tradition, such as the blue and white tiled churches, as well as some contemporary highlights including the bookstore that influenced J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the magnificent Stock Exchange Market. 

Preferred accommodation: Porto Trindade Hotel

Day 2: Porto - Furadouro, 29 mi. (47 km)​ 
You exit Porto cycling over one of the most famous bridges in Portugal, the Dom Luís I Bridge, entering then the city of Vila Nova de Gaia on the southern side of the Douro River. This town was originally founded as the Roman settlement, Cale. Here you can visit the world-famous Porto wine cellars. Another highlight is the chapel of Senhor da Pedra located in Miramar Beach.  Built on the top of a rock situated right on the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean, you will enjoy amazing views out to sea and to the white sandy beach stretching in front of it. 

Upon arrival to the city of Espinho, famous for its fresh fish, you can sample for yourself the taste of the sea. Continuing on, as you cycle through Ovar next, be sure to taste the famous breadcake! Bread baking in Portugal is just as important a part of the culture as wine, cheese, and pastries. You will also have the opportunity to see the famous Chapel of the Steps, classified as a National Interest Monument, and enjoy many examples of the typical Portuguese tiles, azulejos, not only on the facades of public buildings but on privately owned houses.

• Elevation gain: +214 m; max grade, 5%
• Elevation loss:  - 310 m; min grade, –7,6%

Preferred accommodation: Furadouro Hotel

Day 3: Furadouro - Aveiro, 28 mi. (45 km)​ 
Following a coastal route, you will cycle on a secondary road, through several fishing villages including, Torreira, with its long stretch of beautiful beach. You will also cycle through the famous nature reserve of the São Jacinto Dunes, a peaceful 6.7 square kilometer wooded nature reserve, equipped with trails and birdwatching areas. 

Via ferry, you will cross to Aveiro where you can visit the Monastery of Jesus, marvel at the tiles of the train station, and take a boat tour of the Ria de Aveiro.

• Elevation gain: +128 m; max grade, 1,7%
• Elevation loss:  -130 m; min grade, –1,1%

Preferred accommodation: Moliceiro Hotel

Day 4: Aveiro - Praia de Mira, 25 mi. (40 km)​
Today's route will lead through Ílhavo, the location of Vista Alegre, the Portuguese porcelain manufacturer, founded in 1815. The fantastic scenery of the famous Costa Nova do Prado where the beaches are intertwined with the rural farms is uniquely beautiful. The enchanting haystack houses splash the waterfront with their vertical multicolored bands. 

• Elevation gain: +221 m; max grade, 2,3%
• Elevation loss: -214 m; min grade, –4,1%

Preferred accommodation: Maçarico Hotel

Day 5: Praia de Mira- Figueira da Foz Route, 31 mi. (50 km)
Today you visit the little-known and beautiful Barrinha Lagoon. The landscape progresses from that of the oceanfront and the wide expanse of sand dunes to the lagoon and aromatic pine forests. The Queen of the Silver Coast, Figueira da Foz, is the day's destination. It is here that the beautiful River Mondego meets the ocean.

• Elevation gain:  +496 m; max grade, 11,5%
• Elevation loss:  -490 m; min grade, –9,1%

Preferred accommodation: Sweet Atlantic Hotel

Day 6: Figueira da Foz – São Pedro de Moel, 41 mi. (65 km)
This amazing cycling day starts alongside the Atlantic Ocean in Figueira da Foz, a city in the center of Portugal, located in the district of Coimbra. This city is known as the "Queen of the Portuguese beaches". In the middle of your journey, you arrive at Pedrogão. The citizens of this region have always been dedicated to agriculture and fishing, implementing traditional means known as "Xávega", a brand image that still persists. You will eventually get to your final destination São Pedro de Moel, surrounded by extensive areas of pine forests. This little town offers various points of leisure and communion with nature. A particular note is the famous "Volta dos Sete": a course of approximately 7 km, which combines sea, woods, and beach, with pure forest, parks, fountains, and streams. The typical dishes that stand out are the: "Vidreiro" soup, Cod soup, and Rabbit stew.

• Elevation gain:  +476 m; max grade, 22,6%
• Elevation loss:  - 300 m; min grade, –5,5%

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Mar e Sol

Day 7: São Pedro de Moel - Nazaré, 18 mi. (29 km)
Heading towards Nazaré, a beautiful and quiet seaside town, with a breathtaking view from the top of a big cliff, the ride today will be of shorter distance. Nowadays, the great attraction of this city is the waves and surfing. This happens due to a geomorphological phenomenon, "Cannon of Nazaré", allowing for the formation of giant and perfect waves. It is the largest submerged gorge in Europe, with about 170 kilometers along the coast, which is 5000 meters deep. The Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara made it famous, when, in 2011, he surfed the world's biggest wave.

• Elevation gain:  +364 m; max grade, 12,6%
• Elevation loss: - 354 m; min grade, –11%

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Praia

Day 8: Nazaré - Óbidos, 29 mi. (47 km)
Leaving Nazaré the next village is Óbidos. Without a doubt, this town is one of Portugal's most classic walled settlements and visitors can also enjoy amazing views of windmills, vineyards, and surrounding farmlands. In the residential area below, narrow cobblestone streets are lined with whitewashed houses, supporting terracotta roofs. Every year the city organizes two important events, the first one is a traditional Medieval Market, where the castle and the surrounding town recreate the spirit of medieval Europe. The second one is the Chocolate Festival. This one also attracts great interest from tourists, amazed by the real-life chocolate sculptures. 

• Elevation gain:  +831 m; max grade, 25.4%
• Elevation loss: - 743 m; min grade, –12,3%

Preferred accommodation: Hotel real de Óbidos

Day 9: Óbidos - Peniche, 22 mi. (35 km)
Returning to the coastal area, you will ride towards the city of Peniche. The city was built on a rocky peninsula which is considered by geologists, a unique example of the Toarcian turnover during the worldwide Early Jurassic extinction. Peniche is known for its long beaches, which are popular for recreational activities and sports such as surfing, windsurfing, bodyboarding, and kite surfing. These beaches are consistently windy, which allows for good surfing, with decent waves and supertubes. Berlengas islands, about 10 kilometers (6 mi) offshore from the peninsula, are part of the municipality. They form one of the world's first nature reserves. You will also be able to stop at "Lagoa de Óbidos", a lagoon that extends between the municipalities of Óbidos and Caldas da Rainha. It is a natural barrier that separates the Atlantic Ocean and marine biome from the river ecosystem of "Foz do Arelho" formed by lateral dunes.

• Elevation gain:  +309 m; max grade, 7,2%
• Elevation loss: - 316 m; min grade, –7,6%

Preferred accommodation: MH Peniche

Day 10: Peniche - Ericeira, 42 mi.  (68 km)
Leaving Peniche but continuing along the coast the next destination is Ericeira. Ericeira is a civil parish and seaside resort/fishing community on the western coast of Portugal, in the municipality of Mafra, about 35 kilometers (22 mi) northwest of the capital, Lisbon. Ericeira was a popular summer retreat for many of Lisbon's families in the 1940s and 1950s. Today, it is a popular destination for local and visiting tourists, as well as surfers from around the world. Ericeira is also keen on its musical culture. The local philharmonic, currently named Filarmónica Cultural Ericeira, has existed since 1849 and pursues a path of success in this village's musical heritage with a permanent free musical school for all who love this type of culture. The beach of Santa Cruz it´s the place of passage during this day, and it is a place that is conducive to a large part of wave sports. Every year there is the "Ocean Spirit" festival of wave sports where international competitions of various kinds are held.

• Elevation gain: +871 m; max grade, 15,9%
• Elevation loss: - 842 m; min grade, –10,9%

Preferred accommodation: Vila Galé Ericeira

Day 11: Ericeira - Sintra, 17 mi. (27 km)
On this day, the route leaves the coast and leads to the city of Sintra. This place is known for its many XIXth-century Romantic architectural monuments, which has resulted in Sintra's classification by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It has become a major tourist center, visited by many one day-travelers who travel from the capital Lisbon. In addition to the Sintra Mountains and Sintra-Cascais Nature Park, the parishes of the town of Sintra are places with royal retreats, estates, castles, and other buildings, including the medieval Castelo dos Mouros, the Pena National Palace, and the Sintra National Palace.

• Elevation gain: +738 m; max grade, 15,8%
• Elevation loss: - 418m; min grade, –11,6%

Preferred accommodation: Sintra Boutique Hotel

Day 12: Sintra - Cascais, 25 mi.  (40 km)
Continuing through the center, today's cycling ends at the coastal city of Cascais. Situated west of Lisbon it is a cosmopolitan suburb of the Portuguese capital and one of the richest municipalities in Portugal. The former fishing village gained fame as a resort for Portugal's royal family in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it is a popular vacation spot for both Portuguese and foreign tourists. Cascais is surrounded by popular beaches such as "Praia do Guincho" to the west and the lush Sintra mountains to the north. Some of its shoreline has cliffs, attracting tourists who come for the panoramic views of the sea and other natural sights. It is also becoming a popular golf destination, with over 10 golf courses nearby. The Sintra – Cascais Natural Park is one of the 13 Natural Parks of Portugal, it includes the Serra de Sintra and extends all the way to the coast.

• Elevation gain: +583 m; max grade, 17,4%
• Elevation loss: - 714m; min grade, –15,4%

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Eurostars Cascais

Day 13: Departure to Lisbon
We recommend that you extend your stay in Lisbon!  The City of Seven Hills is an enchanting finale to your cycling holiday!

Day 1: Porto 
Day 2: Porto - Furadouro, 29 mi. (47 km)
Day 3: Furadouro - Mira, 41 mi. (65 km)
Day 4: Mira - Figueira da Foz, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 5: Figueira da Foz - São Pedro de Moel, 41 mi. (65 km)
Day 6: São Pedro de Moel - Nazaré, 18 mi. (29 km)
Day 7: Nazaré - Óbidos, 29 mi. (47 km)
Day 8: Transfer to Lisbon or Porto

Day 1: Arrival in Porto
Your first day will be spent in Porto, an ancient port city steeped in history and tradition, once an outpost of the Roman Empire. Located along the Douro River Valley in Northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European cities and its historical center was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1996.  Once you settle into your tour hotel, you can make your way to our partner's bike shop for a bike fitting followed by an included guided walking tour of this beautiful city. Three tours are offered daily at 10 am, 3 pm, or 4 pm. This will lead you through the art and tradition, such as the blue and white tiled churches, as well as some contemporary highlights including the bookstore that influenced J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the magnificent Stock Exchange Market.

Day 2: Porto - Furadouro, 29 mi. (47 km)
You exit Porto cycling over one of the most famous bridges in Portugal, the Dom Luís I Bridge, entering the city of Vila Nova de Gaia on the southern side of the Douro River. This town was originally founded as the Roman settlement, Cale. Here you can visit the world-famous Porto wine cellars. Another highlight is the chapel of Senhor da Pedra located in Miramar Beach.  Built on the top of a rock situated right on the shoreline of the Atlantic ocean, you will enjoy amazing views out to sea and to the white sandy beach stretching in front of it.
Elevation gain: +214 m; max grade, 5%
Elevation loss:  - 310 m; min grade, –7,6%

Day 3: Furadouro - Praia de Mira, 41 mi. (65 km)
Today's route will lead through Ílhavo, the location of Vista Alegre, the Portuguese porcelain manufacturer, founded in 1815. The fantastic scenery of the famous Costa Nova do Prado where the beaches are intertwined with the rural farms is uniquely beautiful. The enchanting haystack houses splash the waterfront with their vertical multicolored bands.
Elevation gain: +221 m; max grade, 2,3%
Elevation loss: -214 m; min grade, –4,1%

Day 4: Praia de Mira- Figueira da Foz Route, 34 mi. (55 km)
Today you visit the little-known and beautiful Barrinha Lagoon. The landscape progresses from that of the oceanfront and the wide expanse of sand dunes to the lagoon and aromatic pine forests. The Queen of the Silver Coast, Figueira da Foz, is the day's destination. It is here that the beautiful River Mondego meets the ocean.
Elevation gain:  +496 m; max grade, 11,5%
Elevation loss:  -490 m; min grade, –9,1%

Day 5: Figueira da Foz – São Pedro de Moel, 41 mi. (65 km)
This amazing cycling day starts alongside the Atlantic Ocean in Figueira da Foz, a city in the center of Portugal, located in the district of Coimbra. This city is known as the "Queen of the Portuguese beaches". In the middle of your journey, you arrive at Pedrogão. The citizens of this region have always been dedicated to agriculture and fishing, implementing traditional means known as "Xávega", a brand image that still persists. You will eventually get to your final destination São Pedro de Moel, surrounded by extensive areas of pine forests. This little town offers various points of leisure and communion with nature. A particular note is the famous "Volta dos Sete": a course of approximately 7 km, which combines sea, woods, and beach, with pure forest, parks, fountains, and streams. The typical dishes that stand out are the: "Vidreiro" soup, Cod soup, and Rabbit stew.
Elevation gain:  +476 m; max grade, 22,6%
Elevation loss:  - 300 m; min grade, –5,5%

Day 6: São Pedro de Moel - Nazaré, 18 mi. (29 km)
Heading towards Nazaré, a beautiful and quiet seaside town, with a breathtaking view from the top of a big cliff, the ride today will be of shorter distance. Nowadays, the great attraction of this city is the waves and surfing. This happens due to a submarine geomorphological phenomenon, "Cannon of Nazaré", that allows the formation of giant and perfect waves. It is the largest submerged gorge in Europe, with about 170 kilometers along the coast, which is 5000 meters deep. The Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara gave it worldwide visibility when, in 2011, he surfed the world's biggest wave.
Elevation gain:  +364 m; max grade, 12,6%
Elevation loss: - 354 m; min grade, –11%

Day 7: Nazaré - Óbidos, 29 mi. (47 km)
Leaving Nazaré the next village is Óbidos. Without a doubt, this town is one of Portugal's most classic walled settlements and visitors can also enjoy amazing views of windmills, vineyards, and surrounding farmlands. In the residential area below, narrow cobblestone streets are lined with whitewashed houses, supporting terracotta roofs. Every year the city organizes two important events, the first one is a traditional Medieval Market, where the castle and the surrounding town recreate the spirit of medieval Europe. The second one is the Chocolate Festival. This one also attracts great interest from tourists, amazed by the real-life chocolate sculptures.
Elevation gain:  +831 m; max grade, 25.4%
Elevation loss: - 743 m; min grade, –12,3%

Day 8: Departure