Silver Coast of Portugal

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 - Coimbra, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 7: Departure

All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, such as 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, once an outpost of the Roman Empire, steeped in history and tradition. 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 Don Luis 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 both 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.  As you cycle through Ovar next, be sure to taste the famous breadcake! Bread baking in Portugal is just as an important part of the culture as is wine, cheese, and pastries. You will also have the opportunity to see the famous Chapel of the Steps, which is classified as a National Interest Monument, and many examples of the typical Portuguese tiles “azulejos”, not only on the facades of public buildings but on privately owned houses.

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 Aveira where you can visit the Monastery of Jesus, observe the tiles of the train station, and take a boat tour of the Ria de Aveiro.

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,  Portuguese porcelain manufacture, founded in 1815. You will enjoy the fantastic scenery of the famous Costa Nova do Prado where the beaches are intertwined with the rural farms, creating a unique environment. The enchanting haystack houses splash the waterfront with their vertical multicolored bands. 

Preferred accommodation: Maçarico Hotel

Day 5: Praia de Mira- Figueira da Foz Route, 31 mi. (50 km)
On your ride today you can 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.

Preferred accommodation: Sweet Atlantic Hotel

Day 6: Figueira da Foz - Coimbra, 34 mi. (55 km)​
The final cycling route leads away from the sea, but continues along the Mondego River to end in Coimbra, famous for its University, the oldest in Portugal, and one of the oldest in Europe, which over time has shaped its image to become "the city of students". 

Preferred accommodation: Tivoli Coimbra Hotel

Day 7: Departure
Included in your tour price is transportation back to Porto from Coimbra. This will be by van or train depending on the number of participants. 

Day 1: Figueira da Foz
Day 2: Figueira da Foz - São Pedro de Moel, 42 mi. (65 km) - Pedrógão e Praia da Vieira
Day 3: São Pedro de Moel - Nazaré, 18 mi. (29 km) - praia do norte- giant waves!
Day 4: Nazaré - Óbidos, 29 mi. (47 km) - São Martinho do Porto
Day 5: Óbidos - Peniche, 22 mi. (35 km) - Óbidos lagoon
Day 6: Peniche - Ericeira, 42 mi. (68 km) - Santa Cruz beach
Day 7: Ericeira - Sintra, 17 mi. (27 km)
Day 8: Sintra - Cascais, 25 mi. (40 km) – natural park Sintra- Cascais
Day 9: Departure

Would you like to bike all the way to Lisbon? Check out our Porto to Lisbon tour!

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