Porto to Lisbon Atlantic Ride

Begin your adventure in Porto, the UNESCO-listed city where the River Douro meets the Atlantic and port wine was born. Around 6pm, say olá to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Portuguese welcome by arranging a group dinner. Want to explore Porto further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Upgrade to a river-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

This morning, leave the city bustle behind and immerse ourselves in the more peaceful atmosphere of the Atlantic shore. Starting from Porto, we ride along the Douro River until its estuary. We then follow the coast, mostly on cycling paths, enjoying inspiring views of beautiful sandy beaches along the way. During this ride there will be opportunities to stop for drinks or snacks in traditional Portuguese cafes, right by the Atlantic Ocean. After following a cycling path that crosses a pine tree forest, we reach lively Furadouro, a seaside town renowned for excellent fish. Enjoy free time for a swim (seasonal), before riding to historic Ovar. The pretty town is best-known for the glazed tiles known as azulejos, which adorn many of the local houses in the old part of the town. Route: After leaving Porto, mostly flat riding along cycle paths until Furadouro region, then short ride to Ovar with slight climb. Terrain: 80% paved cycle paths, 20% paved roads.

Today’s ride follows the Aveiro lagoon and the nature reserve of São Jacinto, one of Europe’s last remaining untouched coastal marshland and habitat of numerous bird species. We pedal through a scenery of sandy beaches, marshland and rolling dunes peppered with grasses and creepers. This is home to a plethora of birds, insects, small animals and unusual flowers and plants. After a short transfer by ferry, we leave the lagoon and continue cycling to the small town of Costa Nova, a picturesque village characterised by multi-coloured striped houses. Our ride ends in the seaside town of Mira, known for its long beach rated as one of the best in Portugal. Route: Flat day starting with cycling to São Jacinto, ferry crossing from São Jacinto to Aveiro. Slight climb for bridge crossing, continue flat to Mira. Terrain: 65% paved cycle paths, including 0.6mi (1km) of dirt road, 35% paved roads. Upgrade to a superior sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Today’s ride takes us through one of the biggest dune systems in the area covered in pine tree forest. The route is mainly flat or rolling and the roads are peaceful making the cycling very pleasant. There is a final short but relatively steep climb up the beautiful Serra da Boa Viagem before reaching the lively town of Figueira da Foz. The rest of the day is free to explore the town of Figueira da Foz and its extensive beach nicknamed Rainha das Praias (Queen of Beaches). There are lots of lovely cafes and bars in which you can enjoy a pre-dinner drink, and some excellent restaurants. Route: Mostly flat ride along cycle paths and secondary roads to Quiaios, short, steep climb to Serra da Boa Viagem. Descent and flat ride to Figueira da Foz. Terrain: 55% paved cycle paths, including 2mi (3km) of dirt road, 45% paved roads.

Today we enter the Portuguese Silver Coast and ride a cycleway that follows the Estrada Atlântica (Atlantic Road). We’ll be riding mainly through pastoral land and the remains of vast pine forest, the Pinhal de Leiria (Leiria Pine Forest), which was originally planted in the 15th century to provide timber for the construction of the Portuguese shipbuilding industry during the Portuguese Discoveries. Unfortunately, vast areas of the forest were destroyed in 2017 by one of the fiercest forest fires in a century. Little more than 3,700 acres (1,500ha) remain from a total of 27,200 acres (11,000ha). Although maritime pine is considered a fast-growing tree, it will take many more years for the forest to regenerate. Exodus is supporting the regeneration of the forests, working with local schools and communities to replant trees. On our exit from the forest, we take a coastal route in the afternoon to reach the picturesque town of São Pedro de Moel and enjoy time to relax at the beach or at the hotel with a sea view. Route: Undulating ride on backroads to the Atlantic Road Cyclepath. Continue along the undulating route to São Pedro de Moel on the cycle path. Terrain: 70% paved cycle paths, 30% paved roads. Upgrade to a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Cycle to Nazaré this morning, one of the most famous fishing towns in Portugal. Here, fisherwomen still wear seven colourful layers of skirts, as well as wooden clogs and a traditional black headscarf. There is the opportunity to enjoy some spectacular ocean views from the popular panoramic terrace. It was in Nazaré’s Praia Norte that the world record for the largest wave ever surfed was set, an estimated 86ft (26.2m) high. From Nazaré we ride to Óbidos, a small fortified town resembling a medieval film set. Here, we visit a tavern belonging to one of Óbidos’s oldest producers of ginjinha (a sour cherry liqueur). Led by the owner, enjoy a guided tour of the courtyard and old wine cellars, ending with a ginjinha tasting. Route: Today is one of the more challenging rides with a total ascent of 2,126ft (648m). The pace will be slow and we have plenty of coffee and cake stops. It's an undulating ride to Sítio da Nazaré followed by a descent to Nazaré beach; after lunch, we have a series of short, steep climbs followed by similar descents before arriving at Óbidos. Terrain: 60% paved cycle paths, 30% paved roads.

After a relaxing start to the day, we depart Óbidos mid-morning and transfer (approximately one hour) to the great capital city of Lisbon. Enjoy free time in the afternoon and later we have an orientation walk through the historic core, observing beautiful architecture. Why not find a location after dinner to sample the traditional Fado music made famous from Lisbon?

This morning marks the final breakfast of the adventure; an excellent opportunity to reflect on some of the many wonderful experiences you’ve enjoyed during this cycling holiday in Portugal. If you’ve still got the appetite for a bit more exploration, speak to your sales representative to book further nights in our Lisbon hotel and discover this culturally rich capital a little more.