Portugal's Atlantic Coast 6-Day Gentle

Portugal's Atlantic Coast
6-Day Gentle

(8 Reviews)

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Overview

  • Tour DifficultyGentle
  • Tour Duration6 Days / 5 Nights
  • Daily Saddle Time2-4 Hours
  • Daily Elevation225 m (750 feet)
  • Daily Distance32 km (20 miles)
  • Total Distance127 kms (79 miles)
  • StartPorto, Portugal
  • FinishAveiro, Portugal
  • Local AirportsPorto or Lisbon
  • Tour SeasonMar 1 - Oct 31
  • Food & DrinkYes
  • History & CultureYes
  • Sun & SeaYes
  • Electric BikeYes

Overview

  • Tour DifficultyGentle
  • Tour Duration6 Days / 5 Nights
  • Daily Saddle Time2-4 Hours
  • Daily Elevation225 m (750 feet)
  • Daily Distance32 km (20 miles)
  • Total Distance127 kms (79 miles)
  • StartPorto, Portugal
  • FinishAveiro, Portugal

Highlights

  • Porto: Starting in Portugal's second city, renowned for its historic Ribeira district, vibrant culture, and world-famous port wine.
  • Ovar: A charming coastal town hosting vibrant traditional festivals, beautiful beaches, and the unique "Pão de Ló de Ovar," a famous Portuguese sponge cake.
  • Santa Maria da Feira: With its superbly preserved castle, gives an insight into Portugal's medieval heritage.
  • Aveiro: Dubbed the "Venice of Portugal," is a picturesque city known for its charming canals, colorful moliceiro boats, and Art Nouveau architecture.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Porto

Your journey begins in the vibrant city of Porto, where the Douro River glistens beneath iconic bridges and historic charm surrounds you. Wander the Ribeira district’s cobbled streets, lined with colorful houses and lively cafés. Visit the majestic Livraria Lello, its ornate interior a bibliophile’s dream, and take in the breathtaking views from Clérigos Tower. Sip on a glass of port wine in a riverside cellar, the city’s namesake indulgence. As the sun sets, the lights of Porto illuminate the skyline, casting a golden glow over your adventure’s starting point.

Day 2: Porto - Espinho

Distance: 27 kms (17 miles) / Elevation Gain: 217 m (740 feet) / Saddle Time: 1.5-3 hours

After picking up your two wheeled companion for the road ahead, we’ll see off Porto the right way with a Port Tasting at the legendary Cockburn’s Port Lodge. Leaving Porto behind, you pedal along the Atlantic coastline, where the sea breeze invigorates your senses. The cycling path hugs golden beaches, and you pause to watch fishermen casting their nets. Coastal villages like Vila Nova de Gaia offer picturesque stops for fresh seafood or a quiet coffee. Arriving in Espinho, you’re greeted by its wide beaches and the lively buzz of the town. As the waves crash nearby, you reflect on your first day on the road, where ocean views accompany your every turn.

Day 3: Espinho - Ovar

Distance: 24 kms (15 miles) / Elevation Gain: 97 m (327 feet) / Saddle Time: 1-2.5 hours

Today’s ride leads you further south, through serene pine forests and past tranquil lagoons. The route is peaceful, with stretches where it feels like the world belongs only to you and your bike. In Ovar, you’re welcomed by a town famed for its azulejos, stunning ceramic tiles that adorn walls in vibrant patterns. The scent of freshly baked pão-de-ló, a traditional sponge cake, tempts you to pause and indulge. As you rest, the calm beauty of Ovar’s old streets envelops you.

Day 4: Loop cycle to Santa Maria

Distance: 37 kms (23 miles) / Elevation Gain: 530 m (1750 feet) / Saddle Time: 2-4 hours

Today’s loop takes you inland to Santa Maria da Feira, a town crowned by its medieval castle. As you climb gently through rolling hills, you’re rewarded with verdant vineyards and glimpses of rural Portugal. The Feira Castle, with its towering walls and spires, feels like a portal to another time. Explore its battlements and enjoy panoramic views before returning to Ovar. On your way back, the pastoral serenity is a reminder of the simple beauty of the Portuguese countryside.

Day 5: Ovar - Aveiro

Distance: 38 kms (24 miles) / Elevation Gain: 56 m (189 feet) / Saddle Time: 2-4 hours

Your route leads you through the heart of the Ria de Aveiro, where salt pans glisten under the sun and fishermen navigate colorful moliceiro boats. You feel a deep connection to the natural surroundings as you glide along bike paths bordered by water and reeds. Arriving in Aveiro, the “Venice of Portugal,” its charming canals and art nouveau buildings captivate you. Take a moliceiro tour or explore the bustling market for local delicacies like ovos moles, a sweet custard treat.

Day 6: Depart from Aveiro

Before concluding your journey, take time to explore Aveiro’s hidden treasures. Cycle through its narrow streets to admire the azulejo-adorned facades and discover serene parks and gardens. The Costa Nova is a short ride away, with its iconic striped beach houses and golden sands. As your adventure winds down, the memories of coastal breezes, historic towns, and vibrant landscapes stay with you. Aveiro bids you farewell, leaving you enriched by this incredible six-day journey through northern Portugal.

Map

Accommodation

All our accommodation selections are in-house reviewed. We partner with family-owned, charming guesthouses and hotels where you can relax and recharge. Below are some sample accommodations on our Portugal Atlantic Coast tours. Depending on availability, the accommodation you stay at may vary but will always be of a similar standard.

Porto: InPorto Gallery Guesthouse

The In Porto Gallery is located in the historic center of Porto in one of the oldest streets of the city. The full recovery of a building with the traditional architecture of Porto allows you to get closer to the city and its inhabitants in an authentic, cozy, informal and filled with art way!

Less than a five minutes walk from our building you can find many of Porto most characteristic points of interest (Tower of Clérigos, São Bento Station, Avenida dos Aliados, Bolhão Market and Santa Catherine Street). Also nearby, the Sé Cathedral, Customs Congress Centre, Port wine cellar, Ribeira, Bolsa palace among others.

Ovar: Vintage Balcony Guesthouse

Welcome to Vintage Balcony, a charming 1950s house, recently renovated and with stylish and intimate decor.

We have transformed the outdoor areas into wellness zones, in harmony with the calm countryside environment, with a garden, jacuzzi, dining and relaxation areas.
We are located 2 km from the center of Ovar, between the cities of Porto, Aveiro and St Maria da Feira, an area full of cultural events and countless activities.
We have protected parking for bicycles and motorcycles and space to store your canoe or surfing equipment.

Aveiro: Hotel das Salinas

The Salinas Studio Hotel was remodeled in 2016, in the historical center of Aveiro. With a typical façade, the building offers the best views of the central canal of the Ria de Aveiro, where Moliceiro boat rides take place.

The atmosphere is peaceful, harmonious and inspired in Portuguese art. Along the three floors you can find poems by Fernando Pessoa and paintings from Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, Almada Negreiros, Paula Rêgo or Vieira da Silva which invite reflection. The decoration is minimalist, marked by functional furniture and neutral colors.

FAQ

What Is the cycle like?

This tour is in our Gentle difficulty grading. Consisting of a blend of cycle lanes, quiet roads and some beach trails. Once you’ve left Porto, the elevation gain is very light. You will have a lot of time to take in the beach scenery and maybe stop for a lazy lunch to let the legs recharge.

We offer hybrid bikes and electric touring bikes on this tour.

Is this tour for me?

This tour offers a fantastic balance of sun, sea, history and food. The pace is slow so you will have a lot of time to hit the kickstand to relax and recharge.

The majority of the route follows the coast, so if a mid day beach swim to cool down is your thing, you will have countless opportunities.

Tour includes

  • 5 nights accommodation in charming guesthouses and hotels
  • A hearty breakfast each morning
  • A tour and tasting of a Port lodge
  • Luggage transfers between accommodations
  • Detailed itinerary, GPX files and printable maps of your route
  • Tips on local attractions, history & evening meals
  • On call support before and during your tour

Tour excludes

  • Flights and transfers to and from the trail heads
  • Lunches & Dinners
  • Insurance
  • Bike rental (Selected on checkout)

The Bikes

You have a choice of bringing your own bike or renting your tour bike through us during booking. For this tour, the bikes available are comfortable hybrid bikes and electric touring bikes. If an electric bike is chosen, it will bring the daily saddle time down by approximately 1 hour.

We only partner with the best bike suppliers for all our destinations so you’ll be guaranteed well maintained, premium brand bikes such as Cube, Trek or KTM.

All bike rentals come with helmet, lock and repair kit. A network of mechanics are on call in case of any mechanical issues faced while on tour.

What Is The Climate Like?

We offer tours in Portugal from March – October. At the start and end of the tour season, the average temperatures in Porto are approximately 15 °C (50 °F). These are also the quietest times of the season to miss queues at famous landmarks. Temperatures peak average at 28 °C (83 °F) in July & August and are also the driest months. Temperatures as high as 35 °C (95 °F) have been recorded, but these are quite rare. Please see image below for reference.

Is The Tour Easy To Navigate?

We include detailed navigation instructions and GPX files for your ride. Our navigation app is easy to use and we give a detailed instructional video on how to use it. If you are having any difficulty, we are on call at all times to assist you.

Portugal generally speaking has a high level of English fluency, so you are never far out of reach of a local’s wise words.

What If There Is An Issue On Tour?

Included in your tour, is 24/7 message and video support. If you have an issue with navigation, bike breakdown, accommodation, medical, etc, we are at the touch of a button away at all times.

We have an extensive network of suppliers along the route, who will resolve the problem as swiftly as possible.

 

More FAQ

If you haven’t found the answer you’re looking for above, visit our general FAQ page for more information or simply reach out to us with the “Ask A Question” button on the side.

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Price

Portugal's Atlantic Coast 6-Day Gentle

From$1,073
(8 Reviews)
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Tour Includes


3* or 4* Accommodation Throughout

Breakfast Each Morning

Winery Tour & Tasting

Train Transfers While On Tour

Luggage Transfer

Itinerary & Navigation Documentation

Tips & Local Insights

24-Hour Support

From$1,073
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