Overview
Cycling the Atlantic Coast of Portugal is a spectacular way to enjoy this country’s natural and cultural heritage, pedalling between the two gorgeous towns of Viana do Castelo and Aveiro, the latter famous for its wetlands and lagoons, navigable by traditional boats.
Stay in small, locally-owned hotels and guesthouses, with your luggage transferred for you every day, cycle along the River Lima, through traditional fishing villages, along coastal trails between Viana do Castelo and Ovar with the historic city of Porto in between. The finale in Aveiro is a heritage highlight, not only for the aquatic wonders of Aveiro’s lagoons, but also for its array of colourful boats and wetland life that still abounds here.
E-bikes are also available on this cycling holiday.
- Medieval towns and cities
- Riverside trail along the Lima River
- Porto
- Birdwatching
- Ria de Aveiro lagoons and wetlands
- Moliceiro boats
- Vista Alegre porcelain museum and factory
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Viana do Castelo
Arrive in this beautiful city at the mouth of the River Lima, where you receive a full briefing and bikes from our local representative.
Enjoy exploring Viana do Castelo’s many fascinating sights including the Gil Eannes hospital ship, the costume museum where you can learn about traditional clothing worn by local women, Santa Luzia Basilica which overlooks the city, coast and nearby mountains and the medieval architecture in and around Praça da República.
- Accommodation: Hotel Melo Alvim or similar
Day 2: Viana do Castelo and Ponte de Lima | 55km
From Viana, cycle along each bank of the Lima River, through woodland and countryside, with time to enjoy the charms of Ponte de Lima which is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful towns in Portugal. These include the Roman bridge, medieval tower, Gothic church, the Terceiros Museum and, depending on the time of year, the International Gardens Festival. Or simply watch the world go by from an outdoor café or restaurant as you savour some superb Portuguese cuisine.
- Cycling for the day: 55km
- Accommodation: Hotel Melo Alvim or similar
Day 3: Viana do Castelo to Vila do Conde | 58km
Today you head south, weaving between coast and countryside, including some nature reserves such as the one at Esposende. Your day of cycling comes to a close in Vila do Conde, a town that has an impressive naval history but is also famous for its bobbin lace and embroidery, which you can find out more about at the Bobbin Lace Museum.
- Cycling for the day: 58km
- Accommodation: Hotel Vila C or similar
Day 4: Vila do Conde to Porto | 35km
Enjoy the varied coastal scenery as you make your way to the city of Porto. Shortly after leaving Vila do Conde, you cross another nature reserve with plenty of birdlife. Check out the colourful boats and small fishing community at Angeiras, a stark contrast from the busy port at Matosinhos.
Follow the Douro River from its mouth into the heart of Porto city centre, which is where today’s route ends.
Make the most of your time in this beautiful city by visiting one of its famous port cellars or just wandering around the city’s ancient centre. A perfect spot to enjoy a glass of port (try white port and tonic for a great aperitif) is overlooking the river in the Ribeira district.
- Cycling for the day: 35km
- Accommodation: Hotel Neya Porto or similar
Day 5: Porto to Ovar | 48km
Cross the mighty Douro River and head back to the Atlantic Ocean to continue cycling south along the coast through coastal towns and villages, including Miramar with its famous chapel on the beach. Before reaching the last of these villages, Furadouro, enjoy the shade and refreshing scent as you cycle through an extensive pine forest.
End the trail in the small town of Ovar where you can try the famous Pão de Ló, an impossibly soft sponge cake that Portuguese people will travel miles for. This town is also known for its colourful tiles, which cover most of the buildings in the historical centre.
- Cycling for the day: 48km
- Accommodation: Aqua Hotel or similar
Day 6: Ovar to Aveiro | 62km
On your way to Aveiro, explore the Ria de Aveiro lagoons with many small quays lined with brightly-painted fishing boats of varying shapes and sizes. Heading on to Cais do Bico beach, you will find a monument to the moliceiro, a traditional boat that was once used to transport seaweed along the waterways to be used as fertiliser in the surrounding farmlands.
End the day in the beautiful town of Aveiro famous for its magnificent Art Nouveau architecture and also where moliceiros are now used to transport tourists along the canals and it’s well worth taking time out to enjoy one of these trips.
- Cycling for the day: 62km
- Accommodation: Hotel Moliceiro or similar
Day 7: Aveiro and Costa Nova | 55km
Head back to the coast for the first part of today’s route, passing some salt pans as you leave Aveiro. Pass Barra Fort and lighthouse and see the picturesque striped houses in Costa Nova.
There are plenty of wading birds in Aveiro Lagoon, between here and the town of Vagos, which you skirt on the way to the Vista Alegre Museum. This fascinating museum is housed in the original porcelain factory and explains the history of porcelain in Portugal as well as the story of Vista Alegre and the village that it developed to support the factory workers.
From here, make your way back into Aveiro for your last night. If you are curious about salt production, you can find out more at the Troncalhada Marine EcoMuseum.
- Cycling for the day: 55km
- Accommodation: Hotel Moliceiro or similar
Day 8: Departure
Departure day
What to expect
Accommodation
They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view our default hotels for this trip
- Hotel Melo Alvim (Viana do Castelo)
- Hotel Villa C (Vila do Conde)
- Hotel Neya Porto (Porto)
- Aqua Hotel (Oval)
- Hotel Moliceiro (Aveiro)
Hotels are subject to availability. In case a hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a property of equal standard. We will provide full accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All breakfasts are included in the trip. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops. Dinner is available either from the restaurant in your accommodation or from the restaurants in the town where you stay overnight.
Difficulty and terrain
We rate the difficulty level as easy to moderate, with daily distances ranging between 35 and 62km, cycling on quiet coastal and forest asphalt paths with limited car traffic, and a few occasional climbs. (read more about difficulty grades). We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
When to go
This trip is available from March until the end of October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season. There is a higher chance of rain in spring and autumn, but the temperatures are cooler (nicer for cycling).
Getting there
Click to view travel options and route planner
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Porto.
By train or bus
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnights with breakfast as detailed in the itinerary
- 6 days bike rental, with pannier bags and helmet
- Luggage transfer between accommodations(1 bag per person, up to 23kg/bag)
- Detailed route notes
- App with trail information for use on a smartphone
- Detailed route notes (1 x per room)
- In-person welcome briefing
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes
- Personal equipment
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a single room.
- This holiday is NOT available for solo travellers
- Additional nights in Porto
- E-bike upgrade
Complimentary bike rental
We offer complimentary standard 29″ hard-tail mountain bikes that are most suitable for the paths you will be riding on. For cycling the Atlantic coast we selected the MTB TREK Marlin 6 with 29” wheels, disc brakes and front suspension. The bike you will receive is regularly checked; still, basic knowledge on bike maintenance is highly recommended, as you will be cycling by yourself. E-bikes are also available at an extra charge.
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