Portugal's Atlantic Coast 8-Day Moderate

Portugal's Atlantic Coast
8-Day Moderate

(11 Reviews)

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Overview

  • Tour DifficultyModerate
  • Tour Duration8 Days / 7 Nights
  • Daily Saddle Time3-5 Hours
  • Daily Elevation491 m (1650 feet)
  • Daily Distance52 km (32 miles)
  • Total Distance314 kms (195 miles)
  • StartLisbon, Portugal
  • FinishCoimbra, Portugal
  • Local AirportsLisbon or Porto
  • Tour SeasonMar 1 - Oct 31
  • Food & DrinkYes
  • History & CultureYes
  • Sun & SeaYes
  • Electric BikeYes
  • Gravel BikingYes
  • Mountain BikingYes

Overview

  • Tour DifficultyModerate
  • Tour Duration8 Days / 7 Nights
  • Daily Saddle Time3-5 Hours
  • Daily Elevation491 m (1650 feet)
  • Daily Distance52 km (32 miles)
  • Total Distance314 kms (195 miles)
  • StartLisbon, Portugal
  • FinishCoimbra, Portugal

Highlights

  • Lisbon: Starting in Portugal's capital city, embrace the vibrant city streets and visit the iconic Jerónimos Monastery.
  • Sintra National Park: This UNESCO heritage site boasts 6 remarkable castles and palaces, including Pena Palace.
  • Obidos: Step back in time and experience one of Europe's best preserved medieval fortified towns.
  • Nazaré: A mecca for the world's surfing elite, with breathtaking golden sand beaches and the world's most dramatic waves.
  • Coimbra: One of the world's oldest university towns, architecture excellence and a thriving music scene will welcome you.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon

Welcome to Lisbon, the most westerly capital city in continental Europe. This vibrant city, with its steep streets and colorful buildings, is steeped in over 750 years of history. Despite the devastating 1755 earthquake that destroyed much of Lisbon, iconic landmarks like the Lisbon Cathedral, São Vicente de Fora, and the hauntingly beautiful Carmo Convent still stand. Wander through Alfama, where narrow cobbled streets and bright facades charm at every turn. Climb its steep paths for a calf workout and a glimpse of the city’s soul.

No visit is complete without a ride on the iconic Tram 28, a rickety journey through Lisbon’s character-filled neighborhoods. End your day at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, where the sun sets over the city and the Tagus River, casting a golden glow across Lisbon’s timeless beauty.

Day 2: Lisbon - Sintra

Distance: 42 kms (8 miles) / Elevation Gain: 15 m (50 feet) / Saddle Time: 1 hour

Pedal along the coastal path, the Atlantic Ocean to your left shimmering under the morning sun. Pause in Cascais, a charming seaside town, where colorful fishing boats bob in the harbor. The route climbs gently into the Sintra hills, shaded by lush forests. In Sintra, the enchanting town greets you with its fairy-tale charm. The whimsical Pena Palace peeks out from the mist, a beacon of romance and history. Rest well—tomorrow, more wonders await.

Day 3: Sintra - Santa Cruz

Distance: 54 kms (33 miles) / Elevation Gain: 513 m (1720 feet) / Saddle Time: 3-5 hours

Leaving Sintra’s magic behind, you follow tranquil country roads toward the coast. The air fills with the scent of pine trees and the sound of distant waves. As you approach Santa Cruz, wide sandy beaches and rugged cliffs dominate the landscape. Surfers ride the Atlantic waves, their silhouettes framed by a golden horizon. The quiet town offers a peaceful retreat, where you can relax and let the rhythm of the ocean soothe your soul.

Day 4: Santa Cruz - Obidos

Distance: 42 kms (26 miles) / Elevation Gain: 597 m (2010 feet) / Saddle Time: 2.5-4.5 hours

The route today takes you through rolling countryside dotted with whitewashed villages. The medieval town of Óbidos appears like a mirage, its walls and towers rising above the surrounding plains. Wander the narrow streets lined with vibrant bougainvillea and artisan shops. Sip a glass of ginjinha, the local cherry liqueur, served in a chocolate cup. The timeless charm of Óbidos makes it feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

Day 5: Obidos - Nazaré

Distance: 39 kms (24 miles) / Elevation Gain: 321 m (1010 feet) / Saddle Time: 2.5-4.5 hours

Today’s journey winds through vineyards and olive groves. A highlight awaits: Vinhos Cortem, where a wine tasting introduces you to the rich flavors of the region. Further along, the coastal town of Nazaré offers dramatic cliffs and golden beaches. Stand atop the famous headland of Sitio, where the Atlantic unleashes its raw power. This is a town of tradition, where fishing nets dry in the sun and tales of giant waves linger in the air.

Day 6: Nazaré - Figueira da Foz

Distance: 77 kms (48 miles) / Elevation Gain: 368 m (1240 feet) / Saddle Time: 3.5-5.5 hours

The route hugs the coastline, with the ocean as your constant companion. Fishing villages offer glimpses of local life, and the scent of salt and seaweed fills the air. Arriving in Figueira da Foz, you’re greeted by wide beaches and elegant promenades. The town is vibrant yet relaxed, perfect for enjoying fresh seafood while the waves lap gently on the shore

Day 7: Figueira da Foz - Coimbra

Distance: 60 kms (37 miles) / Elevation Gain: 466 m (1570 feet) / Saddle Time: 3-5 hours

Your final ride takes you through the rolling hills of central Portugal. Rustic farms and olive groves line the way as you approach Coimbra, a city rich in history and academia. Discover the grandeur of its ancient university, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and listen to fado, Portugal’s soulful music, echo through the old streets. Coimbra’s vibrant energy is the perfect culmination of your journey.

Day 8: Depart from Coimbra

Spend your final day wandering Coimbra’s historic center. Visit the magnificent Joanina Library, where gilded bookshelves inspire awe. Walk along the Mondego River, reflecting on the journey you’ve completed. Savor a farewell meal of regional specialties like chanfana or arroz doce. As you depart, Coimbra leaves you with memories of Portugal’s beauty, culture, and the quiet joy of discovery.

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.

Lisbon: Ting's Lisbon

Tings Lisbon is a small oasis where travelers meet creatives in its shaded garden. The old, rebuilt protected house is located on Senhora Do Monte Miradouro in Graça w. the best cafes, bars, restaurants, street art and music venues only a few minutes away. All guests wake up to the smell of the home baked bread served for breakfast.

Sintra: Águamel Guest House

A building from 1885 and the charm of an old family home. The conditions were right for Águamel. In this Boutique Guest House they highlight the high wall, with its typical flirtatious window and large gate, interior patio and mansards, with views of the mountains and the bell towers.

Every morning, guests can enjoy a breakfast designed just for you, worthy of this house. Amongst a variety of fruit, cereals and homemade sweets, these are just some of the options that await you.  

Obidos: Hotel Real

Inspired by the town’s history, the Hotel Real portrays the medieval era and the life of the most influential Óbidos’ monarchs.

Every room has been decorated and furnished differently, bearing names of kings & queens, with allusion to the various periods of the region’s history.
In the “old wing” there isn’t a ceiling, a lamp or a bed alike. The design of the space, decoration and furnishings of each room is unique!

FAQ

What Is the cycle like?

This tour is in our Moderate difficulty grading. Consisting of a blend of cycle lanes, quiet country roads and some technical forest trails, it is recommended to be comfortable riding in all terrains. The opening half of the tour is more difficult with some big elevation gain and a lot of ground to cover. The closing half of the tour is much flatter and offers an opportunity to let the legs recover.

We only offer electric mountain bikes or gravel bikes on this tour due to terrain and daily distances.

Is this tour for me?

This is a tour of discovery and with it comes an ever evolving backdrop to enjoy during the cycle. If your idea of a perfect bike tour is a test of your fitness and skill, but with rewards of seeing parts lesser known, this tour is the one for you.

With incredible landmarks along the route as well as top tier food & wine stops, you’ll discover more about Portugal’s rich culture in 11 days than most would dream of in a month.

Tour includes

  • 7 nights accommodation in charming guesthouses and hotels
  • A hearty breakfast each morning
  • A visit to a world class wineries & vineyards
  • 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 Portugal’s Atlantic Coast, the bikes available are robust electric mountain bikes or manual gravel 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 Lisbon 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.

As a lot of ground is covered on this tour, you may be exposed to different weather systems. For inland regions such as Coimbra, temperatures can rise as high as 40°C (104°F).

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 8-Day Moderate

From$1,285
(11 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$1,285
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