A bike tour with boats! Aveiro, Portugal. Photo via Flickr:Rosino
Rooftops in Porto along the Douro River, Portugal. Photo via Flickr:HarshilShah

Aveiro Town, Portugal. Photo courtesy of Tour Operator
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Portugal Atlantic Route

Portugal Bike Tours

Cycling the Coastline of North Central Portugal

This cycling tour in Portugal follows the coastline of north central Portugal, known as the Atlantic Way. Discover some of the cultural and natural beauties of this land.
The route starts at Porto, renowned place for its Port wine and wine cellars, it is a vibrant city full of history and cultural sites to unveil. The town of Porto is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. From the narrow streets and alleys of the old town, the route crosses along the coastline past beautiful beach resorts and small towns which give insight to Portuguese culture. The route crosses the São Jacinto Dunes Natural Reserve and the Ria de Aveiro, the estuary of the Vouga river. Aveiro City, Portugal's little Venice, is another highlight of the tour.

See a complete list of our bike tours in Portugal here.

Where You’ll Stay

Accommodations in 3, 4, and 5 star hotels

What’s Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 6 nights (1 x five star hotel, 4 x four star hotel, 1 x 3 star hotel)
  • Breakfasts
  • Route information
  • Bicycle rental including helmet, tool kit, pump, lock, handle, handlebar bag, and flat/spd pedals)
  • Transfer on day 1 from Porto airport to the first hotel and briefing about tour
  • Transfer on day 7 to Lisbon or Porto
  • Liability and personal accident insurance
  • Luggage transport
  • GPS for navigation

What’s Not Included

  • Remaining meals
  • Bicycle protection
  • Trip insurance

Portugal Atlantic Route Map

TourBike
TypeBoth
SkillEasy
Length7 days
From€1111 Rates
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Tour Dates

Arrivals possible daily in 2016. The weather is ideal between May and October.

*Guided tours can be organized for groups.

Skill Level

This is an easy, flat bike tour that takes place on paved roads and dedicated bike lanes.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Portugal Atlantic Route Map

Day 1: Arrival 
Day 2: Porto - Espinho, 15 mi. (24 km)
Day 3: Espinho - Aveiro, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 4: Aveiro - Praia da Mira, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 5: Praia da Mira - Figueira da Foz, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Figueira da Foz - São Pedro de Moel, 43 mi. (70 km)
Day 7: Departure

*All distances are approximate.

Day 1: Arrival  
Transfer from the airport in Porto to the starting hotel (approximately 20 min). Porto a vibrant city. In the old town, granite houses line the narrow streets that are ideal for a stroll. After arrival, explore the city of Porto. 

Lodging in 4* Hotel: Hotel Teatro.

Day 2: Porto - Espinho, 15 mi. (24 km, + 15m, road)
The day begins in Porto, the old town, to cross the Don Luis Bridge, designed by French civil engineer and architect Gustave Eiffel. Almost all the way to Espinho, you will follow a cycling path near the coastline, crossing numerous small beaches. Praia de Valadares, Francelos and Miramar are good spots to take a bath and enjoy the sun. Praia de Miramar is worth a stop to visit a small chapel by the sea, the Church os Senhor da Pedra.

Lodging at Espinho in a 5* Hotel: Hotel Sol Verde

Day 3: Espinho - Aveiro, 37 mi. (60 km, + 25 m, road)
Today's route is easy and enjoyable along the sea. The route includes pine forest trees and the Ria de Aveiro. The river Vouga Delta (Ria de Aveiro) is a favorite place to catch shellfish and to enjoy water sports. The dune system of São Jacinto is a Natural reserve providing bird enthusiasts a good opportunity watch wildlife. In São Jacinto, catch the ferry to Aveiro.

Lodging at Aveiro in a 4* Hotel: Hotel Moliceiro

Day 4: Aveiro - Praia da Mira, 26 mi. (42 km, + 25 m, road)
The days starts going out of Aveiro and its canals to cross to a dune system that close the Ria the Aveiro. Following this huge dune by the inner road you’ll cross small villages looking inland to the calm water of the Ria. Why not stopping along the way and climb the dunes to take a look to the more alive scenery of the sea, just a few meters from the road. By the end of the water arm of the Ria the way enter a small field and vegetables gardens lands to enter the Praia da Mira village.

Lodging at Praia da Mira in 4* Hotel: Aparthotel Mira Villas

Day 5: Praia da Mira - Figueira da Foz, 31 mi. (50 km, + 270 m, road)
One day of solitude crossing one of the biggest dune systems covered in a pine tree forest. Here one can feel quite small while cycling through this immense green scenery, on nearly empty roads. Near Figueira da Foz, you'll experience the first big climb of the day. Cycling up to the Serra da boa Viagem and then down to the lighthouse of Cape Mondego. Then follow the slopes of the hill into Figueira da Foz with its vast sandy beach.

Lodging at Figueira da Foz in 4*: Hotel Atlantico

Day 6: Figueira da Foz - S.P. de Moel, 43 mi. (70 km, + 315 m, road)
Cross the bridge over the Mondego River. Cycling further, arrive near Carriço you will enter the Atlantic way, a designating cycling path that leads through the Pinhal de Leiria. Along the way, pass a pine tree forest which was planted by orders of a king of the XIV century in order to have timber to build the fleet, the one who will discover the world and the maritime way to India (hundreds of years later). The cycling path which crosses this immense pine forest also passes numerous small beaches along the way. 

Places like Praia do Pedrogão, da Vieira and São Pedro de Moel are like oasis in the countryside of covered pine forest dunes.

Lodging at São Pedro de Moel in 3* Hotel: Hotel Mar e Sol

Day 7: Departure
Transfer to Lisbon or Porto airport. (2h drive)

You can view all of our bike tours in Europe or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news. 

Email or Call 800-951-4384 +1 570-965-2064

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Customer Feedback

  • Marvin Robison 10 months ago

    Terrific time, everything came off without a hitch. Can hardly wait to do another.

     Reply

  • Hank Robison 11 months ago

    Tour operator got us from AP to hotel, fixed us up with two able bikes with all accessories, and provided thorough pre-ride instruction including, most-importantly, how-to operate the provided gps. But there is more: One of our ride days was stricken with particularly bad weather (30 km headwind with gusts to 50 km, dead against us). About 25 km in, exhausted, wind with rain now, tour operator tracks us down with his van and transports us to our next hotel. Great attention to detail, we couldn't be happier with the whole experience.

     Reply

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