• Meals: Dinner

Following your arrival into Porto airport, you will be met by your guide(s) and transferred to your first accommodation in the city of Porto (approx. 20 minute transfer). Porto is Portugal’s second largest city and is located in the estuary of the River Douro. Porto is well known for being the home of Port wine (it’s in the name!) so we’ll be sure to have a glass to salute our journey ahead. Once settled into our home for the night, your guide(s) will fit hire bikes and chat through the week to come.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 325 Metres Approx.

Today we will be riding along cycle paths alongside the River Douro, along both the north and south banks, allowing for marvellous views of the city, its bridges and the ocean. After pedalling through Gaia, Porto’s neighbouring city, our route continues along bike lanes that stretch right the way south, towards the seashore.

Half way through our journey today, we’ll have the chance to stop and explore the bustling sea side town of Espinho, originally a small fishing village – if you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll still see some colourful boats on the sand. As we near the end of today’s ride, our route goes through less populated areas along the shore, towards our home for the evening in a small hotel on the beach, in the typical fishing village of Furadouro.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 230 Metres Approx.

Today’s route leads us to Ria de Aveiro, a natural lagoon of sea water that extends inland, parallel to the coast, for approximately 40kms. The route follows the road, nestled in between the lagoon and the ocean providing us with stunning views as we pedal. Sticking close to the lagoon, we’ll have water, wildlife and tranquility to the left and villages, beach-resorts and Hollywood-style villas to the right – a wonderful contrast!

Halfway through the day’s cycling, we’ll reach the end of the lagoon and it’s time to rest our legs for a few minutes whilst we cross over to the other side on a ferry (Approx. 2.40€ per person, not included in tour cost), then it’s back on the bikes to continue along the lagoon, through many fishing villages along the south shore of Aveiro. Our destination tonight is Ilhavo, well-known for its glorious beaches and cod!

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 650 Metres Approx.

The first part of our day today will be spent cycling along flat terrain, through isolated areas on narrow roads. The second half of today’s route, however, requires a little more of our energy.

We’ll make a stop in Quiaios, a rustic village situated on the foothills of the Serra de Boa Viagem mountain range. There’s a cheeky climb to the top, with some steep sections. The climb is smooth and progressive and the ocean views from the top make the ride well worth it! Down the other side, we’ll reach Figueira da Foz and the largest, most famous beach along the west coast. Our hotel for the evening is located on the sea front, right on the beach and is the tallest building in town, offering you great views.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 500 Metres Approx.

To reach the more relaxing cycle lanes, you’ll first travel across the river Mondego over the main road bridge (using a side path alongside the road, away from the traffic). After following the road for a couple of kms you will once again be cycling along narrow country roads that will take you all the way to the shoreline.

Along the way, we’ll pass through Praia de Vieira. Depending on our timing, we might head over to the far end of the beach…if we time it right, we will be able to help the fishermen pull their nets from the ocean, full of the day’s catch, ready to be sold at the local fish markets…you can’t get fresher than that and the fish you’ll taste in this area really is the best! Our hotel tonight boasts a cliff top location, overlooking the beach.

• Meals: Breakfast, dinner
• Ascent: 680 Metres Approx.

This morning’s ride will take us along bike lanes following the coast line, with magnificent views of the ocean. The most amazing views will come once we reach the village of Sitio, where we’ll make a quick stop, as the viewpoint in the centre of the village is a must! The frame is composed of the town of Nazaré in the foreground and you can see miles and miles of stunning shoreline with the deep blue ocean and crashing waves in the background. Really something not to be missed!

We’ll then descend to Nazaré, one of the most famous fishing villages along the western shoreline, which also boasts one of the regions most beautiful beaches. Moving south, the flat terrain we’ve left behind gives way to more undulating landscape, with a few hills to climb. Our reward… the most beautiful views! Today’s ride finishes in Óbidos, a village surrounded by castle walls, bursting with history and medieval culture.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 680 Metres Approx.

Today’s route takes us west towards the town of Peniche. Here we’ll cycle a short loop around the coastline of the peninsula of Carvoeiro, giving us magnificent views to the high cliffs and the distant islands of Berlengas. Our route then proceeds south through neighbouring coastal villages, where we’ll be meandering along a narrow road next to the shore, heading to the beach of Areia Branca.

The ride to our home for tonight is varied and the latter part takes us through a canyon which ends at the beach of Porto Novo. Our hotel overlooks the ocean from its cliff-top position.

• Meals: Breakfast

After a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, your guides will whisk you away to Lisbon airport for your flights home (approx. 1 hour).