Portugal - Azure Ocean Ride Supported Leisure Bike Tour - 8 Days

Following your arrival into Porto airport, you will be met by your guide(s) and transferred to your accommodation in the city of Porto (approx. 20 minute transfer). Porto is Portugal’s second largest city and is located in the estuary of the River Douro. Porto is well known for being the home of Port wine (it’s in the name!) so we’ll be sure to have a glass to salute our journey ahead. Once settled into our home for the night, your guide(s) will fit hire bikes and chat through the week to come.

Cycling Distance: 0 km

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Porto

After breakfast we'll ride on cycle paths alongside the River Douro, following both the north and south banks with marvellous views of the city, its bridges and the ocean. After pedalling through Gaia, Porto’s neighbouring city, our route continues south along bike lanes that stretch all the way to the seashore.

Half way through our journey today, we’ll stop and explore the bustling seaside town of Espinho, originally a small fishing village where you’ll still see some colourful boats on the sand. As we near the end of today’s ride, our route goes through less populated areas along the shore. Our home for the evening is a small beach hotel in the typical fishing village of Furadouro.

Cycling Distance: 41 km

Climb: 325 M

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Furadouro

Today’s route leads us to Ria de Aveiro, a natural lagoon of sea water, that extends inland parallel to the coast for approximately 40 kms. The route follows a bike lane next to the road, nestled in between the lagoon and ocean providing us with stunning views as we pedal. Sticking close to the lagoon, we’ll have water, wildlife and tranquility to the left and villages, beach-resorts and Hollywood-style villas to the right – a wonderful contrast!

Halfway through the day’s cycling, we’ll reach the end of the lagoon and it’s time to rest our legs for a few minutes whilst we cross over to the other side on a ferry (Approx. 2€ per person, not included in tour cost). Then it’s back on the bikes to continue along the lagoon, through many fishing villages along the south shore of Aveiro. Our destination tonight is Ilhavo, well-known for its glorious beaches and cod!

Cycling Distance: 50 km

Climb: 230 m

Meals: Breakast

Accommodation: Hotel in Ilhavo

We'll spend the first part of our day cycling along flat terrain on narrow roads through isolated areas and peaceful, pine forests. The second half of today’s route, however, requires a little more of our energy.

After cycling through the forest, we’ll make a stop in Quiaios, a rustic village situated on the foothill of the Serra de Boa Viagem mountain range. Then there’s a cheeky ascent with some steep sections. The climb is smooth and progressive and the ocean views from the top make the ride well worth it! Down the other side, we’ll reach Figueira da Foz and the largest, most famous beach along the west coast. Our hotel for the evening is located on the seafront, right on the beach and is the tallest building in town, offering you great views.

Cycling Distance: 66 km

Climb: 650 m

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Figueira da Foz

In order to reach some more relaxing cycle lanes, we begin our day by travelling across the River Mondego over the main road bridge (don’t worry, you can cycle on a side path alongside the road, keeping away from the traffic). After following the road for a couple of miles, we’ll once again be cycling along narrow country roads inside pine tree forests – these will take us all the way to the coastline again!

Along the way, we’ll pass through Praia de Vieira. If we time it right we might head over to the far end of the beach where we'll be able to help the fishermen pull their nets from the ocean. The day’s catch will be sold at the local fish market - you can’t get fresher than that. The fish you’ll taste in this area really is the best! Our hotel tonight boasts a cliff top location, overlooking the beach.

Cycling Distance: 60 km

Climb: 500 m

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in São Pedro de Moel

This morning’s ride will take us along bike lanes following the coast line, with magnificent views of the ocean. The most amazing views will come once we reach the village of Sitio, where we’ll make a quick stop, as the viewpoint in the centre of the village is a must! The frame is composed of the town of Nazaré in the foreground and you can see miles and miles of stunning shoreline with the deep blue ocean and crashing waves in the background. Really something not to be missed!

We’ll then descend to Nazaré, one of the most famous fishing villages along the western shoreline, which also boasts one of the region's most beautiful beaches. Moving south, the flat terrain we’ve left behind gives way to a more undulating landscape, with a few hills to climb. Our reward - more beautiful views! Today’s ride finishes in Óbidos, a village surrounded by castle walls, bursting with history and medieval culture.

Cycling Distance: 65 km

Climb: 680 m

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Óbidos

Following breakfast we'll ride west towards the town of Peniche. Here we’ll cycle a short loop around the coastline of the peninsula of Carvoeiro, giving us magnificent views to the high cliffs and the distant islands of Berlengas. Our route then continues south along a narrow road next to the shoreline. We'll meander through neighbouring coastal villages towards the beach of Areia Branca.

The ride to tonight's destination is varied and the latter part takes us through a canyon ending at the beach of Porto Novo. Our hotel overlooks the ocean from its cliff-top position.

Cycling Distance: 63km

Climb: 680 m

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Vimeiro

After a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, your guides will whisk you away to Lisbon airport (approx one hour) for your flight home.

Cycling Distance: 0km

Meals: Breakfast

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