Duration
7 days/6 nights/5 stages
Trip type
Biking
Accomodation
Selected
Premium
Accommodations offering top-tier comfort, distinctive character, and unique charm. Includes 5-star hotels, the finest rooms in 4-star hotels when 5-star options are unavailable, historic properties, and intimate boutique hotels with a refined atmosphere.
Selected
Comfortable and hand-picked accommodations in central locations, offering a mix of quality and local charm. Features 4-star hotels, 3-star hotels when 4-star options are unavailable, charming guesthouses, and small traditional accommodations that reflect local culture and hospitality.
Casual
Comfortable and practical accommodations for relaxed travelers. Includes 3-star hotels, 2-star hotels when 3-star options are unavailable, and small, simple lodgings that provide an essential but pleasant stay.
Glamping
A unique and stylish outdoor experience blending nature with comfort. Encompasses luxury tents, elegant bungalows, barrel bungalows, and treehouses, offering an adventurous yet refined retreat.
Accommodations offering top-tier comfort, distinctive character, and unique charm. Includes 5-star hotels, the finest rooms in 4-star hotels when 5-star options are unavailable, historic properties, and intimate boutique hotels with a refined atmosphere.
Selected
Comfortable and hand-picked accommodations in central locations, offering a mix of quality and local charm. Features 4-star hotels, 3-star hotels when 4-star options are unavailable, charming guesthouses, and small traditional accommodations that reflect local culture and hospitality.
Casual
Comfortable and practical accommodations for relaxed travelers. Includes 3-star hotels, 2-star hotels when 3-star options are unavailable, and small, simple lodgings that provide an essential but pleasant stay.
Glamping
A unique and stylish outdoor experience blending nature with comfort. Encompasses luxury tents, elegant bungalows, barrel bungalows, and treehouses, offering an adventurous yet refined retreat.
Levels
Easy to Moderate
We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.
Route
221 km/137 m
Recommended airport
Porto Airport
Recommended season
March to November
Overview
Get ready for a cycle tour linking two historic medieval cities, Porto and Coimbra, each full of secrets and stories. Experience Porto, where Portugal's identity was born. This UNESCO World Heritage Site invites you to explore the origins of port wine, a signature drink intertwined with the region's rich culinary traditions. Ride along Europe's stunning beaches, taking in the sun and the distinctive scents of the Atlantic. Discover Aveiro, known as the Venice of Portugal, with its canals and salt pans. Ride through vast pine forests, originally planted to support Portugal's Age of Discovery. Stop in Figueira da Foz, a vibrant seaside town. Culminate your adventure in Coimbra, a World Heritage city on the banks of the Mondego River, home to Portugal's oldest university, the city's romantic streets, historic landmarks and vibrant cultural life. Explore its convents, majestic churches and cafes.
Itinerary & tour plan
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Come and discover Porto, one of Europe's most beautiful cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every street in Porto has a story to tell, and you'll find out more than 150 of them in the city's monuments and typical neighbourhoods. The people here are as authentic as the city itself, and their smiles will enchant you. Get to know the city by sampling its famous flavours. Try the iconic Francesinha, a dish full of layers of flavour, and toast with a glass of the world-famous Port wine. In Porto, history, culture and gastronomy come together to create an unforgettable experience.
Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind for the tranquillity of the Atlantic coast. Cycle through the little villages that dot the coastline, passing through fragrant pine forests that offer shade and coolness along the way. The day culminates in Furadouro, a cosy seaside village renowned for its excellent fresh fish dishes. Here, the Atlantic turns every meal into a celebration of the true flavours of Portugal. Take a seat at the table, savour every moment and let the hospitality of this coastal refuge envelop you.
Immerse yourself in the charm of Aveiro, known as the Portuguese Venice. Board a moliceiro, the colourful hand-painted boats once used to harvest seaweed, and glide along the city's tranquil canals. Back on land, indulge in local flavours by taking part in a workshop on typical sweets, such as the famous Ovos Moles, and discover the secret of the region's sweetness. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the salt pans, where you can relax your feet in small tubs with the soothing properties of sea salt.
The day also invites you to take a bike ride along the Ria de Aveiro, a route that combines landscapes and tradition.
The day also invites you to take a bike ride along the Ria de Aveiro, a route that combines landscapes and tradition.
Feel the charm of the Portuguese coast on this picturesque cycle tour. As you make your way to the picturesque fishing village of Mira, you'll witness the enduring tradition of artisanal fishing, with colourful boats - once pulled by oxen - lining the shore. The bright striped houses of Praia de Mira, known as palheiros, add a whimsical touch to the landscape and reflect the warmth and creativity of the local community. Let the friendliness of the locals guide your experience and savour the fresh flavours of the Atlantic with every meal. From the catch of the day, prepared to perfection, to the stories told by the fishermen and their families, Mira promises a feast for the palate and the soul.
Set off from the captivating village of Mira and journey south along Portugal's Silver Coast. Enjoy nature as you cycle through verdant fields and experience the serenity of long beaches framed by a vast pine forest. Follow the Estrada Atlântica, a scenic cycleway nestled between preserved dunes, and arrive at the tranquil village of Praia da Tocha, known for its expansive golden sands. Get to know Figueira da Foz, a destination celebrated for its sweeping golden beaches and laid-back charm. This city has a cosmopolitan feel to it that dates back to the Belle Époque.
The journey takes you through a changing landscape as you head towards Coimbra, accompanied by rice fields and the Mondego River. This historic university city, which cascades down the hillside to the river's east bank, is a striking blend of centuries-old architecture. During the academic year, especially on summer evenings, Coimbra comes alive with the melodies of fado. Student love ballads and the sound of mandolins fill the streets, reflecting the city's rich cultural heritage as home to Europe's second oldest university after Bologna.
At the end of your tour, we will arrange your transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule.
What is included?
What you get on this adventure
- Transfers to Porto airport
- Accommodation 6 nights BB, in double standard room
- Daily luggage transfer (one piece per person up to 23kg)
- City taxes
- Daily post-ride messages
- Access to the Ride With GPS app on your smartphone
What is not included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Transfers from Porto airport
- Meals and wine tastings (optional)
- Guide and support vehicle (price on request)
- Helmet
- Standard touring bicycle with cargo rack, a pannier bike bag, a handlebar bag and a spare inner tub
- Per reservation: toolkit, first aid kit, puncture repair kit, pump, lock (one per two bikes)
- E-Bike supplement (optional)
- GPS with loaded tracks (optional)
- Ferry ticket
- Mechanical bike interventions made on the bikes without Authentic Trails permission
- Personal expenses and other items not mentioned
Tour facts
Essência do Vinho (Wine Event), Porto, 20th to 23rd February 2025
- Join this event and indulge in over 4,000 wines from 400+ producers! Explore 40+ tastings, guided by experts, and discover the Top 10 Portuguese wines. A must-visit for wine lovers!
- https://www.essenciadovinho.com/
Ovar Carnival, Ovar, 8th February to 4th March 2025
- A vibrant blend of Portuguese tradition and Brazilian flair, featuring dazzling parades, samba rhythms, and spirited street celebrations.
- https://carnaval.cm-ovar.pt/pt/53993/programa-geral.aspx
The March Fair, Aveiro, end of March to end of April
- With over 600 years of history, this annual fair offers an eclectic mix of live concerts, an amusement park, delicious local food, and cultural exhibitions.
Queima das Fitas, Coimbra University Festivals, 23rd to 31st May 2025
- Get to see the students burning their academic ribbons while wearing black capes, as a symbolic act of completing their studies! The event is filled with music, parades, and a festive atmosphere.
- https://www.facebook.com/queimadasfitascoimbra/?locale=pt_PT
Primavera Sound, Porto, 12th to 15th June 2025
- Since 2012, Primavera Sound has transformed Porto into a global music hub, featuring legends, rising stars and cutting-edge sounds. It's an unmissable event!
- https://www.primaverasound.com/pt/porto
Feast of St. John, Porto, 23rd to 24th June 2025
- Savour sardines, caldo verde, and port wine as the streets come alive with laughter, music, playful plastic hammers, fireworks, and balloons to celebrate St. John!
Festival dos Canais, Aveiro, 16th to 20th July 2025
- A celebration of the performing arts with street theatre, contemporary circus and music that transforms the city into a free street spectacle.
- https://festivaldoscanais.pt/
Latada/ Cans Festival, Coimbra University Festivals, October to November
- Come and see the student parade in Coimbra, where bright university colours fill the streets, creating a lively atmosphere with entertainment and the sound of cans being smashed!
Special Dates
- Explore the historic and charm of Coimbra and the picturesque beauty of Porto, two UNESCO’s World Heritage cities
- Accommodation in lively seaside towns, some on the beach
- Enjoy golden beaches and the sea, countryside, forests and lagoons
- Cycle through the protected São Jacinto Dunes Natural Park
- Discover the rich history and cultural heritage of Portugal's towns and cities
- Towns rich in Roman, Baroque and Neoclassical architecture
- Experience Aveiro, known as the Portuguese Venice
- Savor the delicious flavours of the Atlantic Ocean, with daily catches of the freshest fish and shellfish
- Benefit from convenient airport transfers and comfortable accommodations in lively coastal towns