Duration
7 days/6 nights/5 stages
Trip type
Biking
Accommodation
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 mi
Recommended airport
Porto Airport
Recommended season
March to November
overview
Get ready for a cycling tour that connects the two historic medieval cities of Porto and Coimbra – each brimming with secrets and stories. Experience Porto, the cradle of Portuguese identity. This UNESCO World Heritage city invites you to discover the origins of port wine, a signature drink inextricably linked to the region's rich culinary traditions. Cycle along some of Europe's most stunning beaches, soaking up the sun and the unmistakable scents of the Atlantic. Discover Aveiro, the Venice of Portugal, with its canals and salt pans. Cross vast pine forests, originally planted to support Portugal's Age of Discovery. Stop in Figueira da Foz, a vibrant coastal town. Crown your adventure in Coimbra, a World Heritage city on the banks of the Mondego River. Here you'll find Portugal's oldest university, romantic alleyways, historical landmarks, and a pulsating cultural scene. Explore the monasteries, majestic churches, and cafes.
Itinerary & Tour Plan
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Discover Porto, one of Europe's most beautiful cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every street in Porto tells its own story, and you'll discover over 150 of them in the city's monuments and typical neighborhoods. The people here are as authentic as the city itself, and their smiles will charm you. Get to know the city by tasting its famous flavors. Sample the legendary Francesinha, a dish bursting with flavor, and toast with a glass of world-renowned port wine. In Porto, history, culture, and gastronomy combine to create an unforgettable experience.
Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and enjoy the tranquility of the Atlantic coast. Cycle through the small villages along the coast and pass fragrant pine forests that offer shade and pleasant coolness along the way. The day culminates in Furadouro, a charming coastal town renowned for its excellent seafood. Here, the Atlantic transforms every meal into a feast of authentic Portuguese flavors. Take a seat, savor every moment, and let yourself be enchanted by the hospitality of this coastal paradise.
Immerse yourself in the charm of Aveiro, the Portuguese Venice. Climb aboard a moliceiro, a colorful, hand-painted boat once used for harvesting seaweed, and glide through the city's tranquil canals. Back on land, savor local specialties and participate in a workshop on typical sweets like the famous ovos moles. Discover the secrets of these regional delicacies. A visit to the salt flats is a must, where you can relax your feet in small pools filled with soothing sea salt.
The day also invites you to a bike tour along the Ria de Aveiro, a route that combines landscape and tradition.
The day also invites you to a bike tour along the Ria de Aveiro, a route that combines landscape and tradition.
Experience the charm of the Portuguese coast on this scenic cycling tour. As you cycle to the idyllic fishing village of Mira, you'll witness the vibrant tradition of traditional fishing. Colorful boats, once pulled by oxen, dot the shoreline. The brightly striped houses of Praia de Mira, known as palheiros, add a playful touch to the landscape and reflect the warmth and creativity of the locals. Be captivated by the friendliness of the inhabitants and savor the fresh flavors of the Atlantic with every meal. From the freshly caught fish, perfectly prepared, to the stories of the fishermen and their families, Mira promises a feast for both the palate and the soul.
Day 5
Mira to Figueira da Foz
Belle Époque elegance and endless white sandy beaches (58 km/36 miles)
Mira to Figueira da Foz
Belle Époque elegance and endless white sandy beaches (58 km/36 miles)
Start in the charming village of Mira and travel south along Portugal's Silver Coast. Enjoy the natural beauty as you cycle through verdant fields and experience the tranquility of long beaches fringed by extensive pine forests. Follow the Estrada Atlântica, a scenic cycle path winding between pristine dunes, and reach the peaceful village of Praia da Tocha, renowned for its expansive golden sands. Discover Figueira da Foz, a destination celebrated for its stunning golden beaches and relaxed atmosphere. This town exudes a cosmopolitan flair that dates back to the Belle Époque.
The journey takes you through a diverse landscape on the way to Coimbra, past rice paddies and the Mondego River. This historic university town, which stretches down the hillside to the river's east bank, is a fascinating blend of centuries-old architecture. During the academic year, especially on summer evenings, Coimbra comes alive with the sounds of Fado. Students love the ballads, and the sound of mandolins fills the streets, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the city, which is home to the second oldest university in Europe after Bologna.
At the end of your tour, we will organize your transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule.
What is included in the price?
What to expect on this adventure
- Transfers to/from Porto Airport
- Accommodation for 6 nights with breakfast in a standard double room
- Daily luggage transfer (one piece of luggage per person up to 23 kg)
- City taxes
- Standard touring bike with luggage rack, pannier, handlebar bag and spare inner bag
- Per reservation: Tool kit, first aid kit, puncture repair kit, pump, lock (one per two bicycles)
- Daily news after the trip
- Access the Ride With GPS app on your smartphone
What is not included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Meals and wine tastings (optional)
- Touring and support vehicle (price on request)
- helmet
- E-bike attachment (optional)
- GPS with loaded tracks (optional)
- ferry ticket
- Mechanical modifications to the bicycles without the permission of Authentic Trails
- Personal expenses and other unmentioned items
Tour facts
- Explore the historic charm of Coimbra and the picturesque beauty of Porto, two UNESCO World Heritage cities.
- Accommodation in lively coastal towns, some directly on the beach
- Enjoy golden beaches and the sea, the landscape, forests and lagoons.
- Bike tour through the protected São Jacinto Dunes Nature Park
- Discover the rich history and cultural heritage of Portugal's cities.
- Cities rich in Roman, Baroque and Neoclassical architecture
- Experience Aveiro, known as the Portuguese Venice.
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- Enjoy the delicious flavors of the Atlantic Ocean with freshly caught fish and seafood daily.
- Benefit from convenient airport transfers and comfortable accommodations in vibrant coastal cities.
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Special Dates
Essência do Vinho (Wine Event), Porto, February 20-23, 2025
- Join this event and enjoy over 4,000 wines from more than 400 producers! Discover over 40 expert-led tastings and the top 10 Portuguese wines. An absolute must for wine lovers!
- https://www.essenciadovinho.com/
Carnival of Ovar, Ovar, February 8 to March 4, 2025
- A vibrant mix of Portuguese tradition and Brazilian flair, with dazzling parades, samba rhythms and exuberant street parties.
- https://carnaval.cm-ovar.pt/pt/53993/programa-geral.aspx
The March Fair in Aveiro, from the end of March to the end of April
- With a history spanning over 600 years, this annual fair offers a diverse mix of live concerts, an amusement park, delicious regional food and cultural exhibitions.
Queima das Fitas, Coimbra University Festivals, May 23-31, 2025
- Witness students in black robes burning their academic ribbons – a symbolic act marking the completion of their studies! The event is characterized by music, parades, and a festive atmosphere.
- https://www.facebook.com/queimadasfitascoimbra/?locale=pt_PT
Primavera Sound, Porto, June 12-15, 2025
- Since 2012, Primavera Sound has transformed Porto into a global music hub, showcasing legends, rising stars, and innovative sounds. An absolute must-see!
- https://www.primaverasound.com/pt/porto
Feast of Saint John, Porto, June 23-24, 2025
- Enjoy sardines, Caldo Verde and port wine as the streets come alive with laughter, music, funny plastic hammers, fireworks and balloons to celebrate St. John's Day!
Festival dos Canais, Aveiro, July 16-20, 2025
- A performing arts festival featuring street theatre, contemporary circus and music, transforming the city into a free street spectacle.
- https://festivaldoscanais.pt/
Latada/Canned Food Festival, Festivals of the University of Coimbra, October to November
- Visit the student parade in Coimbra, where the streets are aglow with vibrant university colors and a lively atmosphere is created with entertainment and the sound of smashing cans!