Porto to Lisbon Atlantic Ride
Porto to Lisbon Atlantic Ride
Porto to Lisbon Atlantic Ride
8 Days Starting in Porto and ending in Lisbon
Visiting: Portugal
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MEO
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Blessed with sun-kissed beaches, colourful and vibrant fishing villages and scenic routes, the Atlantic Coast of Portugal offers some fantastic cycling holiday opportunities. This tour starts in Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage city, and the itinerary follows relatively easy flat or undulating cycling trails through a variety of landscapes and along the stunning coastline, with stops in different villages and towns for a full immersion in the relaxed Portuguese way of life. Highlights include a scenic ride through the dunes of the Sao Jacinto Natural Reserve and an overnight stay in the picture-perfect fortified village of Obidos. After a week of cycling along some of the best coastline of Portugal, a full day is dedicated to the visit of Lisbon, one of the most charming capital cities in the world.
Highlights
Itinerary
Those arriving on the group flight will be met by the tour leader at the
airport and transferred to the start hotel by private minibus. Time
permitting, your leader will arrange a short orientiation tour in the
historic centre. Porto is a UNESCO World Heritage city and a real historic
jewel with more than 150 listed monuments. There is plenty to see and for
this reason we recommend travelling a day earlier if you are interested in
exploring more of its vibrant centre. Before dinner, we will enjoy a guided
visit and wine tasting at a traditional Port wine cellar. Overnight at Hotel
Vila Gale or Hotel Cristal.Â
Day 2
This morning we leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and immerse
ourselves in the more peaceful atmosphere of the Atlantic shore. Starting
from Porto, we will ride along the Douro River until its estuary. We then
follow the coast, mostly on cycling paths, enjoying some inspiring views of
beautiful sandy beaches along the way. During this ride there will be plenty
of opportunities to stop for drinks or snacks in traditional Portuguese
cafes, right by the Atlantic Ocean! After following a cycling path which
crosses a pine tree forest, we reach lively Furadouro, a seaside town
renowned for its excellent fish. Free time for a swim (seasonal), relax in
the hotel's spa or enjoy a deserved drink in one of the several cafes and
restaurants in town. Overnight at Furadouro Boutique Hotel Beach & Spa or
similar.
Day 3
Today's ride follows the Aveiro lagoon and the nature reserve of Sao 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 infinitely long beach rated as one of the best in Portugal.
Overnight at Macarico Beach Hotel or similar.
Day 4
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 undulating and the
roads quiet and 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 Figuera da Foz. The rest of the day is free to
explore the town of Figuera da Foz and its extensive beach (nicknamed 'Rainha
das Praias' - Queen of beaches) - there are lots of lovely cafes and bars to
enjoy a pre-dinner drink, and some excellent restaurants. Overnight at
Universal Boutique Hotel or similar.
Day 5
Today we enter the Portuguese Silver Coast and ride a cycleway that follows
the Estrada Atlântica (Atlantic Road). We’ll be riding mainly through the
remains of vast pine forest, the Leiria Pine Forest or Pinhal de Leiria,
which was originally planted in the 15th Century with to provide timber for
the construction o 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 of the past 100 years. Little more than
1,500 hectares remain, out of a total of 11 thousand. 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. We reach the
picturesque town of São Pedro de Moel in the afternoon and enjoy some time
to relax at the beach or at the comfortable hotel with sea-view. Overnight at
Mar & Sol Hotel or similar.
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Day 6
This morning you can opt to either transfer or cycle (adding approx. 20km to
today's ride) to Nazaré, 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 will be 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 30m high! From Nazare' we ride all the way to
Obidos, a charming small fortified town which resembles a medieval film set.
It has been carefully preserved by its inhabitants who take real pride in
maintaining the architectural image of the village characterised by narrow
winding streets and white-washed houses.Â
Day 7
A morning private transfer (approx. 1hr) takes us to the great capital city
of Lisbon; here we enjoy a full free day of independent sightseeing. Please
note that your leader will leave the group after breakfast and the remainder
of the trip will be self-guided, but you will be provided with plenty of
tips, maps and directions to make the most of your time in Lisbon. An
optional guided city tour can also be booked for a fee. Begin with the two
landmark monuments, the Tower of Belém and the Monastery of Jerónimos, both
of which have been designated UNESCO World Heritage status. For some great
views, head to the old Alfama district and walk from the iconic Praca do
Comercio, in the heart of Lisbon, to the elegant neighbourhood of Chiado and
trendy Barrio Alto. You may also decide to end the trip with a traditional
dinner accompanied by traditional Fado music. Overnight at Turim Europa Hotel
or similar.
Day 8
**
What's Included
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Local bike hire
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Airport transfers for group flights
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All accommodation
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All breakfasts, 1 wine tasting
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Visas & vaccinations
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E-bike hire supplement
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Local city taxes (approx. €10)
Accommodation
We use a selection of four-star hotels. All are high quality and individual and have been selected for their location, comfort and character. Some have a swimming pool or are located directly on the coast with exceptional sea views.
Examples of hotels used:
Porto: Neya Hotel (night 1)
On the banks of the Douro, this four-star hotel used to be a convent and many original features have been preserved. The Skybar provides wonderful views over the river and city.
Ovar: Aqua Hotel (night 2)
A four-star centrally located in the historic town.
Praia de Mira: Macarico Beach Hotel (night 3)
A four-star property with a contemporary design and excellent rooftop pool.
Figueira da Foz: Universal Boutique Hotel (night 4)
A four-star hotel that’s just one block from the beach, or EXE Wellington, a four-star hotel that reflects the town’s maritime heritage throughout.
São Pedro do Moel: Mar & Sol Hotel (night 5)
A four-star hotel with a seafront location, modern style, spa, and rooftop deck.
Óbidos: Josefa D'Óbidos Hotel or The Literary Man (night 6)
The Josefa D'Óbidos Hotel is a boutique four-star property with elegant, well-designed rooms and only a couple minutes walk to the walled old town of Óbidos.
A four-star, unique literary hotel and the biggest in the world of its kind. A former convent converted into a hotel in 1965 with traditional decoration and an eco and modern style. It has a gin bar and a lounge with an antique fireplace.
Lisbon: Marquês de Pombal (night 7)
With an unrivalled location on the central Avenida da Liberdade, this four-star hotel has a gym and spa facilities. Alternatively, we stay at Olissippo Saldanha, a four-star hotel with a central location, spacious rooms, and facilities including a bar and restaurant.
Worth knowing
Hotels might change on certain departures. For more up-to-date information about the hotels used, please contact our customer operations team closer to your travel date.
Food
*All breakfasts, 1 wine tasting and 1 dinner included.*
A typical hotel breakfast consists of toast/bread with jam, or honey, cheese
and ham, served with coffee, tea, milk, orange juice, fruit, cake and
yoghurt. Eggs are usually available and there are frequently other cooked
options; the breakfasts on this trip are always plentiful and perfect to set
us up for a day of cycling.
Portuguese people are very proud of their cuisine, and the deliciously fresh
seafood is a real highlight. You will find fresh fish on most menus, usually
sardines, sea bream, hake, sea bass and sole, cooked in a variety of ways.
Bacalhau (cured codfish) is a national dish although it can vary depending on
the region - there are up to 365 recipes to cook it! Caldo Verde (green soup)
is made with potatoes, olive oil and salt, sometimes with garlic and onion,
and is typical in the northern region of Portugal.
For meat lovers, the barrosã meat (steak) is often served grilled and
roasted just to its naturally delicious flavour. 'Francesinha' is an iconic
dish originating from Porto and involves layers of different meats (usually
beef, ham, grilled pork, linguica (smoke-cured pork sausage) and sausage),
between two slices of bread, covered by melted cheese and immersed in a spicy
beer and tomato sauce, often topped with a fried egg and surrounded by chips.
It is not for the faint-hearted!
To drink you will find plenty of the local Sagres and Superbock beer. Vinho
Verde is available from the supermarket and directly from the producers. It
is a young, medium-strength white wine with an almost carbonated quality.
Port needs no introduction and a glass (or two) of the fortified wine will
generally follow a hearty Portuguese meal!
There are an incredible amount of different desserts available and if you
have a sweet tooth it will be possible to try a different one each day! Local
favourites include bolo de bolacha (cookie cake), leite creme (cream eggs and
sugar), pao de lo (sponge cake made with lots of eggs), arroz doce (a
traditional rice pudding) and of course, the famous pastel de nata, which you
will find at most cafes on your route!
Check out our Q&As
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.