Transport

Bus, Bicycle, Train

Guide

Tour Leaders are quite simply the glue that holds our tours together. They are chosen for their travel experience and people skills and are thoroughly trained by Explore, widely acknowledged as some of the best training in the industry. A Tour Leader’s ultimate aim is to ensure everyone is well looked after and have a fantastic trip. They are there to ensure that the tour logistics run smoothly, that health and safety is adhered to and provide comprehensive briefings at the beginning and throughout the tour.

Meals

A key facet of our responsible approach to tourism is that we encourage our groups to eat in local restaurants that prepare locally grown food. We give customers choice as to their meals and do not use rather bland and impersonal hotel restaurants or all- inclusive options 7 Breakfasts

Accommodation

7 nights comfortable hotel Our comfortable, mid- range accommodation offers a good level of service, often with amenities such as, restaurant, bar, garden or swimming pool. Rooms generally have en-suite facilities.

Others

All accommodation, activities and meals that are shown in the itinerary are included in the total cost of your trip You will also receive a complimentary transfer to and from the airport if you arrive on day 1 of the trip and depart on the last day and have provided your international flight information.

Not included:

Flights

International flights not included in the tour cost

Optional

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for direct with the supplier and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract. Lisbon - Fado concert 35-40 Euros

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Others

Any visa costs, spending money and tips are not included in the trip price. You can also book extra nights’ accommodation at the beginning and end of the trip and the cost of this accommodation along with any transfers would be quoted separately.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Trip Starts In Porto; Evening Orientation Walk
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Trip Starts In Porto; Evening Orientation Walk

Our trip starts in Porto. Portugal’s second city straddles the River Douro and its atmospheric historic centre lies on the northern bank. The Port Wine lodges are located along the river in Gaia on the southern side. For those arriving on time our Tour Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner after the orientation walk. If you would like to receive an airport transfer today, you will need to arrive into Porto Airport (OPO), which is a 30-minute drive from the hotel. If you miss the briefing, your Tour Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. No cycling today.
Day 2 Day 2: Cycle Through Porto And Onto The Seaside Town Of Furadouro
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Cycle Through Porto And Onto The Seaside Town Of Furadouro

After breakfast, there will be some time to ensure all are happy with our bikes and to make any minor adjustments. We then start our cycling journey through downtown Porto cross Luís I bridge along the Douro River and later continue along the Atlantic Coast to Furadouro and our hotel for the night. Furadouro is a small unspoilt resort boasting an extensive sandy beach backed by a long stretch of pine-fringed dunes. Our premium hotel for the night is right by the beach with views of the Atlantic and close by to many restaurants and bars. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 43 kilometres/26.7 miles (180 metres/590 feet of ascent and 250 metres/820 feet of descent).
Day 3 Day 3: Visit Ovar And Cycle Along The Coastal Trail To Aveiro - The Portuguese ’Venice’
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Visit Ovar And Cycle Along The Coastal Trail To Aveiro - The Portuguese ’Venice’

We cycle from the hotel after breakfast and ride our way along the graded cycling trail into Ovar and visit this lovely old town. We then continue back to the coastal trail and ride to Sao Jacinto. Between white sand beaches, dunes, pine forests and marshes, the landscapes are quite simply spectacular. From there, we take a short ferry ride and then continue cycling to Aveiro, a charming town that is known for its canals, Art Nouveau architecture and colourful Moliceiros boats. In the afternoon, explore the centre of Aveiro often called the Portuguese ’Venice’ or take an optional boat tour along the canals. Our hotel for the night is a typical Portuguese townhouse located right in the centre of Aveiro. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 48 kilometres/29.8 miles (total 100 metres/328 feet accumulated ascent metres descent).
Day 4 Day 4: Cycle On Coastal Plains To Praia De Mira And Transfer To Nazaré
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Cycle On Coastal Plains To Praia De Mira And Transfer To Nazaré

After breakfast, we start our cycle along the colourfully painted beachfront houses in the Costa Nova neighbourhood. The surrounding area is a shallow coastal lagoon rich in birdlife and our cycle route takes us outh, through the plains and marshland close to the sea, to finally reach Praia de Mira where our ride ends. We then travel to Nazaré where we spend the night. This seaside town has become famous among surfers for the monster waves, created by a trench close to shore, that can reach over 20 metres/65 feet in height in the winter months when conditions are right. Our hotel is situated less than 100 metres/328 feet from the beach and the breakfast room has panoramic views of the town and Atlantic Ocean. In the afternoon, spend time at the beach or climb up to the viewpoint and llighthouse. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 40 kilometres/24.8 miles (total 75 metres/246 feet accumulated ascent descent).
Day 5 Day 5: Coastal Cycling From Nazaré To Foz Do Arelho. Free Afternoon To Enjoy The Beach
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Coastal Cycling From Nazaré To Foz Do Arelho. Free Afternoon To Enjoy The Beach

Our cycle route this morning follows the coast south towards the charming beach town of Sao Martinho do Porto. Then, we continue to Foz de Arelho for a much-deserved lunch on the beachfront. The afternoon is free to enjoy the fabulous beaches of Foz de Arelho which remains remarkably undeveloped and boasts a vast beach on the estuary, popular for windsurfing, as well as a great seafront beach just 15 minutes walking from town. Our hotel for the night is located in between Obidos Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, and walking distance from from the beach. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 30 kilometres/18.6 miles (total 350 metres/1148 feet accumulated ascent descent).
Day 6 Day 6: Visit The Lovely Medieval Town Of Obidos. Cycle To The Small Fishing Town Of Peniche
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Visit The Lovely Medieval Town Of Obidos. Cycle To The Small Fishing Town Of Peniche

Our final ride is always close to the sea as we cycle south until Peniche. In between, we make a stop inland, in Obidos for a walking tour. Obidos is considered to be one of the most picturesque and well-preserved medieval towns in Portugal. We then, cycle back to the coast and arrive in Peniche for the night, spectacularly set on a headland surrounded by the sea. The town remains an important fishing port as well as offering great beaches and surf. After settling in our hotel, explore the walled historic centre and see the old fort where Salazar’s regime imprisoned political prisoners only a few decades ago. Tonight, we are staying in a family run hotel in a 19th century building located in Peniche’s lively city centre, a 5-minute walk from the Atlantic Ocean and the Peniche Fortress. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 48 kilometres/29.8 miles (total 450 metres/1476 feet accumulated ascent descent).
Day 7 Day 7: Drive To Lisbon. Orientation Walk And Free Time To Explore In The Afternoon. Evening Chance To See A Fado Concert
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Drive To Lisbon. Orientation Walk And Free Time To Explore In The Afternoon. Evening Chance To See A Fado Concert

This morning, we drive for around one-and-a-half hours to Lisbon where our Tour Leader will take you on an orientation walk and the afternoon will be free to discover the city at your own pace. Resting on seven hills overlooking the estuary of the River Tagus, Lisbon became the capital of Portugal after its conquest from the Moors in 1147. As Portugal built a global empire Lisbon became the hub of international trade and the heart of this maritime Golden Age of discovery, reflected in the monumental architecture. A devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami almost totally destroyed the capital in 1755 and therefore Lisbon appears as a carefully planned 18th century city. Lisbon offers a good selection of restaurants to celebrate the end of our journey followed by the option to see a live performance of traditional ’Fado’ music for those interested.
Day 8 Day 8: Trip Ends In Lisbon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Trip Ends In Lisbon

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Lisbon. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS), which is about 15 minutes’ drive from the city centre. Lisbon has so much to offer and if you would like to have more time to explore the city at your own pace, we suggest to book a few extra nights at the end of the trip.

8 days tour

Cycling Portugal - Porto To Lisbon

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Cycling Portugal - Porto To Lisbon

Day 1: Trip Starts In Porto; Evening Orientation Walk

Day 2: Cycle Through Porto And Onto The Seaside Town Of Furadouro

Day 3: Visit Ovar And Cycle Along The Coastal Trail To Aveiro - The Portuguese ’Venice’

Day 4: Cycle On Coastal Plains To Praia De Mira And Transfer To Nazaré

Day 5: Coastal Cycling From Nazaré To Foz Do Arelho. Free Afternoon To Enjoy The Beach

Day 6: Visit The Lovely Medieval Town Of Obidos. Cycle To The Small Fishing Town Of Peniche

Day 7: Drive To Lisbon. Orientation Walk And Free Time To Explore In The Afternoon. Evening Chance To See A Fado Concert

Day 8: Trip Ends In Lisbon

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