Porto is the closest airport to the start of your tour and a 45 minute transfer will take us to our first hotel south of the city of Porto. Our accommodation for this evening is a nice modern boutique hotel on the ocean front, opposite the lovely beach of Furadouro and is the perfect spot to begin our journey along the coast of Portugal. After building bikes (assistance will be on hand) we’ll dine together at the hotel. After dinner your Skedaddle guides will chat with you about the journey ahead.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 630 Metres Approx.

Coming out of Furadouro we follow a flat road that borders the ‘Ria de Aveiro’ lagoon for many miles. Once at St Jacinto we take the ferry across the channel to get to Aveiro on the other side. We are soon following the ‘Ria’ on its south part with the first big village on the west bank Costa Nova where we make a pit-stop at a local café. The lagoon is now in sight all the way to Praia da Mira where the pine tree forests begin. The roads through the forest will lead us to Serra da Boa Viagem and the first hill to tackle today – a 4km long climb with a few steep sections between its switchbacks. At the summit we finally get the first view of the coastline and notably the Bay of Figueira da Foz with its vast beach. The ride ends today as we enter the city by riding along a bike path beside the bay.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,420 Metres Approx.

After crossing the River Mondego we are soon amongst small rural villages. With a few gentle short climbs here and there, the scenery changes as we enter the big eucalyptus and pine tree forests that run along the coast. Our first village of note is Praia da Vieira. This is one of the last remaining places in Portugal where the traditional way of fishing continues, with the catch sold at the village market. Sao Pedro de Moel and Sitio follow before we reach Nazare – the most famous fishing village of the west where nearby sits one of the best surf beaches in Portugal and is where surfer Garret McNamara created a world record by surfing a 33 metre high wave. After Nazare the route finally starts ascending and descending for the remainder of the day, with St Martinho do Porto Bay and the Obidos lagoon amongst the highlights.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,370 Metres Approx.

The flatter part of the tour is definitely behind us now and the day starts by taking us back to the coast to the lovely beach Praia da Areia Branca before we reach Santa Cruz.

Today will be a long day in the saddle and for some the most challenging of the tour as there are many climbs to deal with along the way.

Due to the numerous rivers and streams in this region the route will meander around these natural barriers with lots of ups and downs to get your teeth into. Today’s ride ends in the historic village and World Heritage Site of Sintra where we‘re perfectly placed to explore its highlights.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 750 Metres Approx.

We start the day by climbing through the village on a very winding road through lush vegetation, as we make our way to the coast near Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point of continental Europe, compromising a rocky cape 150 metres above sea level that has simply breathtaking views of the Azure Ocean.

From this point to the end of our ride today we closely follow the shoreline taking in the charming village of Cascais before taking the ‘Marginal’ past wealthy Estoril with its Hollywood style villas and hotels, the surf beach of Carcavelos, Oeiras and Paco de Arcos, before finally entering Lisbon at Belem.

From here we’ll jump in the van for a quick transfer into the city, to avoid riding on the busier roads through the centre. Time to relax and enjoy your evening in Lisbon.

• Meals: Breakfast

A well-earned rest day in the heart of Lisbon is the perfect chance to catch your breath and soak up the character of this vibrant capital. After four rewarding days in the saddle, Lisbon greets us with its warm, genuine hospitality and an irresistible mix of colourful streets, ocean views and big-city charm. Whether you fancy stretching your legs with a gentle wander through its historic neighbourhoods, ticking off a few of its must-see sights, or simply settling into a café to watch the world roll by, today is all about taking things at your own pace.

In the afternoon, we’ll whisk you over to the charming coastal town of Sesimbra, a laid-back spot tucked between golden beaches and rugged cliffs. It’s the perfect place to unwind with a sea breeze and a sunset view before the adventure picks up again the next morning. The transfer takes around 40 minutes.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,450 Metres Approx.

We roll out from the seaside town of Sesimbra, a fishing community wrapped around a sheltered bay beneath the high cliffs of the Arrábida mountains. A steady climb leads us to the higher ground above town, with the Serra da Arrábida, our goal for the morning, rising ahead across the Sado estuary.

After a coffee stop, we tackle the long, steep ascent into the range. Up on the ridge, the views are some of the most striking of the tour, sweeping over the river estuary, the Troia peninsula and its endless white-sand beach, stretches on a clear day all the way to Sines. Arrábida’s low, scrubby slopes keep the vistas wide open.

A fast, thrilling descent drops us toward the ocean, where dense forest and salty air give the ride a tropical feel. Setúbal waits at the foot of the mountains, and from here we hop on the ferry to Troia (25 minutes), often accompanied by dolphins.

On the peninsula, the riding eases as we follow quiet, flat roads through dunes, rice fields and pine forest. A gentle 12 km spin brings us to Comporta, with its vast rice paddies, before we continue south through Torre, Brejos da Carregueira and Carvalhal. Three kilometres after Carvalhal (km 68), we turn right into a peaceful pine forest road, entering Alentejo, Portugal’s largest and quietest province.

Rolling countryside leads us to Melides for an afternoon break, we often stop at Café Tabanca near the village market. From here the terrain becomes more undulating as pine gives way to cork oak and we approach Santiago do Cacém.

Tonight’s stay is in a small, charming hotel near the town centre, set on a hill with views toward the castle. The hotel’s chef is highly regarded, making dinner here a well-earned treat.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 725 Metres Approx.

We begin by rolling through town and straight into a gentle 3 km climb that lifts us onto a quiet ridgeline south of Santiago. For about 15 km the road meanders through classic Alentejo cork oak country, with big views on both sides, endless prairies to the left and, to the right, the deep-blue sweep of the Atlantic and the protected coastline of the Costa Vicentina stretching away towards the Algarve. It’s a wonderfully peaceful bit of riding.

At a crossroads we turn left, heading deeper into the Alentejo on remote, narrow, beautifully paved lanes. By km 38 we’ll reach Cercal, before continuing west to meet the ocean again at the wide sandy beach of São Torpes, near Sines. From here, the 10 km coastal run into Porto Covo is one of the loveliest sections of the tour; flat, quiet riding where grazing cattle and open farmland blend with rugged, sandy coves beneath bright blue skies. This marks the start of our journey through the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, which will be our backdrop for the rest of the ride.

Porto Covo is a charming whitewashed village perched above the cliffs, and we’ll aim for the main church square, where cafés spill out onto sunny terraces, perfect for a snack break. Leaving town, we’ll head east on the main road. After 2 km, at a roundabout marked by a small blue boat, we turn right and follow gently rolling roads for around 15 km to the tiny village of Brunheiras, on the way to Vila Nova de Milfontes.

The final 4 km into Milfontes are flat but can be busier with traffic, though there are hard shoulders to separate riders and cars. Our riverside hotel sits right at the mouth of the estuary, with views of the beautiful beaches on both banks. To reach it, we’ll descend the town’s main avenue to the pedestrian zone near the old fortress, then we’ll turn onto the cobbled lane that leads directly to the hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,155 Metres Approx.

Although we are cycling along the coast today we won’t see the ocean as much as in previous days. Our cycling takes us on quiet roads through farmland as we eat up the miles towards the Algarve.

A small bridge over a stream near Odeceixe marks our entrance into the Algarve and we are soon tackling a few ups and downs as we head towards the Odeceixe Valley. The village of Aljezur topped by its ruined castle is reached after 15kms. A long descent with a couple of switchbacks finally takes us back to the shoreline as we enter the village of Carrapateira, before a long but gentle climb takes us up to the plateau. This is the last climb of our tour and soon we are able to see Sagres in the distance and the vast Azure Ocean.

Our goal is now in sight and an open flat road invites us to speed towards the finish. Sagres is a mythical place with the 60m vertical rocky cliffs around the village extending all the way around the south and the west coast. On arrival at the lighthouse of Cape St. Vincent, we’ve reached the most south-westerly point of continental Europe and sadly the end of our ride. Obligatory group pictures taken, we make our way to our hotel in Sagres.

Overlooking the harbour, the hotel is superb with its magnificent views a fitting end to this tour. Time to contemplate your achievements whilst gazing over the blue waters of the ocean and reflecting on your time in Portugal.

• Meals: Breakfast

Following breakfast at the hotel, we make our way to Faro airport for return flights / onward connections.