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 – its historical center was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Once you settle into your hotel, you can make your way to our partner's bike shop for a bike fitting.

     Sample accommodations

• Standard: Porto Trindade Hotel
• Premium: Porto Infante Sagres 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 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 the flavors of the sea for yourself. Continuing on, as you cycle through Ovar, 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%

     Sample accommopdations

• Standard: Furadouro Hotel
• Premium: Hotel Solverde Spa & Wellness Center

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%

      Sample accommodations

• Standard: Moliceiro Hotel
• Premium: MS Collection Aveiro - Palacete de Valdemouro

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 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%

     Sample accommodation

• Standard: Maçarico
• Premium: Maçarico (superior room)

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%

   Sample accommodation

• Standard: Sweet Atlantic Hotel
• Premium: Sweet Atlantic Hotel (Premium room)

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 in the district of Coimbra. 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. Of 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 to try here 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%

     Sample accommodation

• Standard: Hotel Mar e Sol
• Premium: Hotel Mar e Sol (Premium room)

Day 7: São Pedro de Moel - Nazaré, 18 mi. (29 km)
Heading towards Nazaré – a beautiful and quiet seaside town with a breathtaking clifftop view – the ride today will be of shorter distance. Nazaré is a world-famous surfing town, where spectators arrive to watch the results of a geomorphological phenomenon known as the 'Cannon of Nazaré', responsible for the formation of giant, perfect waves idealized by competitive surfers. It was here that Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara rode the world's largest wave in 2011.

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

    Sample accommodation

• Standard: Hotel Praia
• Premium: Hotel Praia (Premium room)

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 is a traditional Medieval Market, where the castle and the surrounding town recreate the spirit of Medieval Europe. The second 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%

     Sample accommodation

• Standard: Josefa de Óbidos
• Premium: 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 to be a unique example of the Toarcian turnover during the worldwide Early Jurassic extinction. Peniche is known for its long beaches, popular for recreational activities and sports like surfing, windsurfing, bodyboarding, and kitesurfing. These beaches are consistently windy, which allows for good surfing, with decent waves and supertubes. The Berlengas Islands, about 10 kilometers (6 mi) offshore from the peninsula, are part of the municipality and 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%

     Sample accommodations

• Standard: Star Inn Peniche
• Premium: 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. Every year at the Santa Cruz beach, the "Ocean Spirit" festival of wave sports takes place, hosting international competitions.

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

   Sample accommodation

• Standard: Vila Galé Ericeira
• Premium: Vila Galé Ericeira (premium room)

Day 11: Ericeira - Sintra, 17 mi. (27 km)
On this day, the route leaves the coast and leads to the city of Sintra. This city 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 from 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%

     Sample accommodation

• Standard: Sintra Boutique Hotel
• Premium: Tivoli Pálacio de Seteasis Sintra 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%

     Sample accommodation 

• Standard: Pestana Cascais
• Premium: Hotel Cidadela 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 that was 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.

     Sample accommodations

• Standard: Porto Trindade Hotel
• Premium: Porto Infante Sagres 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 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%

     Sample accommodations

• Standard: Furadouro Hotel
• Premium: Hotel Solverde Spa & Wellness Center

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 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%

 Sample accommodation

• Standard: Maçarico
• Premium: Maçarico (superior room)

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%

   Sample accommodation

• Standard: Sweet Atlantic Hotel
• Premium: Sweet Atlantic Hotel (Premium room)

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 in the district of Coimbra. 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. Of 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 to try here 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%

   Sample accommodation

• Standard: Hotel Mar e Sol
• Premium: Hotel Mar e Sol (Premium room)

Day 6: São Pedro de Moel - Nazaré, 18 mi. (29 km)
Heading towards Nazaré – a beautiful and quiet seaside town with a breathtaking clifftop view – the ride today will be of shorter distance. Nazaré is a world-famous surfing town, where spectators arrive to watch the results of a geomorphological phenomenon known as the 'Cannon of Nazaré', responsible for the formation of giant, perfect waves idealized by competitive surfers. It was here that Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara rode the world's largest wave in 2011.

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

  Sample accommodation

• Standard: Hotel Praia
• Premium: Hotel Praia (Premium room)

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 is a traditional Medieval Market, where the castle and the surrounding town recreate the spirit of Medieval Europe. The second 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%

 Sample accommodation

• Standard: Josefa de Óbidos
• Premium: Hotel real de Óbidos

Day 8: Departure 

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