You will arrive into Porto and make your way to the hotel. Visit the city and take a stroll around the enchanting streets. Porto is well known for its Port and wines from the Douro River valley. Enjoy a drink and take in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
Your ride today will take you along the Douro River until its mouth. You will start your ride south mostly on dedicated bike paths that hug the beautiful sandy beaches of the Atlantic. Take plenty of stops at the beaches and enjoy traditional Portuguese food en route. When you arrive at Espinho, you will continue on a cycling path through a pine tree forest to Furadouro beach.
Today’s ride will take you to the Aveiro lagoon. On the beach of São Jacinto, you will take a ferry to Barra Beach to the south of the lagoon. You will then continue your ride along the Ria de Aveiro.
Today you will ride to Figueira da Foz, one of the main seaside resorts in Portugal outside of the Algarve. You will ride across dunes covered in fresh pine forests, cycling along the Atlantic Coast. You’ll reach the Serra da Boa Viagem where you will get stunning views from the Miradouro da Vela, which overlooks the city and the salt-pans of the River Mondego. The trip finishes with a gentle descent to the lighthouse of Cape Mondego.
Today´s ride starts by crossing the Mondego River until you arrive close by Carriço. A cycling path will then lead you through the Pinhal de Leiria, a 14th century pine forest, planted to provide timber to build ships. You will ride past small beaches such as Praia do Pedrogão and Praia de São Pedro de Moel, which has a large beach sheltered from the wind.
You will ride today towards Nazaré, a traditional and authentic fishing village. This is also a mecca for water sports enthusiasts where waves are enormous and surfers come from far and wide to Praia do Norte. You will ride on to Foz do Arelho between the Óbidos Lagoon and the sea where you will spend the evening.
Today is your final day on the bike and you will leave the Atlantic Ocean behind you, riding inland. You ride will take you to the delightful town of Óbidos, a stunning sight in itself. White washed houses are draped with deep purple bougainvillaea and honeysuckle.
Cycle south along the Atlantic coast from Porto towards Lisbon. The route is fairly flat and hugs the coast for much of the trip. You will have the fresh sea air for your ride and you can enjoy the west coast sunny beaches, secluded coves and authentic fishing villages.
