Bike Portugal’s Northern Coast

Porto at night - this guided bike tour of Portugal ends in Porto
  • Length 9 days
  • From USD$1
  • Style/Level Classic 1.5
  • Countries Portugal
    Spain
  • Begin/End Coimbra / Baiona – with shuttle to Vigo
See related tours

Pedal along the rivers, coasts and valleys of Northern Portugal while learning about the characters and cities that in the 12th century founded the country we now know as Portugal. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Coimbra, Porto and Ponte de Lima and cruise along the Douro, Minho and Lima rivers by bike. Take the time to taste and savor the gastronomic specialties of the area. With 3 wine regions along our route and a blend of fresh seafood, hearty stews and modern day gourmet there is something for all tastes.

Our route crisscrosses the Portuguese Camino and crosses into Spain on the last few days to land in the historic port town of Baiona. Along the way we follow in the footsteps of royalty such as Queen Isabel of Portugal who in the 13th Century was on this same pilgrimage, we’ll touch on both the coastal way and the traditional interior route to reach the enthralling towns of Barcelos, Ponte de Lima and Baiona, Spain. A generous dose of Southern Europe’s hospitality and lifestyle makes this a unique bicycle tour in an undiscovered part of Europe.

If you want to extend this tour all the way to Santiago de Compostela, check out our 12 day bike tour on the Bike Portugal’s Northern Coast Plus the Camino.

Highlights

  • UNESCO Towns: Coimbra, Porto, Ponte da Lima and Santiago, Douro, Minho and Lima River Valleys, Salt Flats of Aveiro, Cycling Portugal’s Northern Coast, Spanish Oysters, Historic Port of Baiona, Spain

Includes

  • 9 days, 8 nights’ accommodation

  • 6 dinners with wine, 8 breakfasts

  • visit to Salt Factory, Porto wine tasting, city guided tours as described in the itinerary

  • All Classic tour inclusions


Date Price Private room fee Note

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  • Total distance 245 km (153 miles)
  • Average daily distance 41 km (25 miles)
  • Tour style Classic
  • Tour level 1.5

Highlights: Stay in a renovated 18th century palace, UNESCO World Heritage Town

Meet the group in Coimbra, Portugal – an easy train ride from Lisbon, and explore the streets that Afonso I, king of Portugal once walked. It is rumored that he was born in Coimbra and it is certain he was buried here in 1185. Arrive early to explore the historic center of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our hotel in Coimbra is located slightly out of town but its a perfect setting to begin a tour steeped in history and mythology. This historic country estate features beautiful grounds and was the site of a tragic 14th century love story between lady-in-waiting Inês de Castro and Prince Pedro. This is where we meet for our bike fitting and first dinner.

Meals : Dinner
Lodging : Quinta das Lagrimas

Highlights: Ride along the Mondego River, Explore the Aveiro canals

Exiting Coimbra you’ll follow the bike path along the Mondego River this morning. Our route takes you through the small towns of the interior as you head north to Aveiro on the shore of Aveiro Lagoon, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy a stroll along the riverfront or explore the city’s famous network of waterways with a canal cruise. Don’t miss out on trying the famed Fios de Ovos de Ovar pastries.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Moliceiro

Highlights: The history of salt, beachfront hotel

Visit a local salt factory to learn about salt’s integral history in the economy of this region as well as to learn about products that are made today. You’ll have a close-up view of the source as we pedal the salt flats before taking a short ferry ride along the Ria de Aveiro, an estuary teeming with wildlife. (Keep your eye’s peeled for flamingos.) It’s easy to see how water conquered land and shaped the towns in this area. The numerous oxygenated lagoons provide the seaweed that is sold to pharmaceutical companies, and is another important income source for the local economy. This evening, we’ll walk to a local hang-out for an aperitif together. There will be plenty of time for a dip in the ocean which is only a short distance from our hotel.

Meals : Breakfast
Lodging : Furadouro Hotel

Highlights: Explore the interior, Porto

Today’s ride is a part of the Camino de Santiago so look for fellow pilgrims along the way. Our ride take us from a fisherman’s village along the Atlantic coast, to green pine woods, and a quiet bike path that will lead you directly to the heart of downtown Porto, or Ribeira do Porto as it is known locally. Before crossing the iconic metal bridge into Porto you’ll pedal through its sister city on the south bank, Vila Nova de Gaia, featuring docks lined with famous Porto wineries. Locals will tell you it is the best place to admire Porto from a far! As you make your way across the famous Douro River the colorful city of Porto will come alive before your eyes. Welcome to the home of proud happy people with a quick smile.

Meals : Breakfast
Lodging : Boeira Garden Hotel

Highlights: Explore Porto, Pilgrim’s passport, wine tasting

Today you decide – explore the Douro by boat, take a scenic tram ride, or explore the intricate historic city streets of Porto. If you stay in town, don’t miss a visit to the spectacular Lello Library. For lunch, seek out a unique Francesinha sandwich with chips and sauce or – if you’re feeling especially brave – a bowl of Tripas á moda do Porto. This evening we’ll meet for a group tour and taste of the famous Porto wine in Gaia. You can pick up your pilgrim’s passport today so you can track your progress along the Portuguese Camino de Santiago which ends at Santiago de Compostela.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging : Boeira Garden Hotel

Highlights: Ride in Portugal’s Wine Country

Have you spotted the colorful rooster that is Portugal’s unofficial mascot? If not, keep your eye out; the rooster is said to embody the Portuguese love of life and it originates in Barcelos. But, before we get there, we must say goodbye to bustling Porto. We ride out on a bike path that eases us into the peaceful wine country. Expect fun hills and green lush vistas along the way along with plenty of other cyclists with whom to share an “OLÁ.”

Meals : Breakfast
Lodging : Hotel Bagoeira

Highlights: Explore historic Ponte de Lima

Today’s ride is short so you can take full advantage of beautiful country roads that lead to the oldest village in Portugal, Ponte de Lima. Often considered the postcard village of Portugal, Ponte de Lima is situated on the banks of Rio Lima and is the heart of the green wine region. It is also home to a very old tradition dating back to Roman or even Phoenician times: Vaca Das Cordas, or “playing with wild cows”. Vaca Das Cordas is a type of bull-running through town, followed the next day – generally in July, by the Festa do Corpo de Deus (Corpus Christi), when flowers carpet the streets. Stroll through the picturesque historic center and along an old bridge where you’ll likely spot pilgrims walking along the Portuguese Camino de Santiago.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Inlima

Highlights: Pedal to Spain, the beaches of Baiona, Columbus’s first port

On March 1, 1493 the first of Columbus’s ships touched shore in Baiona. The news of his “discovery” of America soon spread to the rest of Europe. Today’s ride follows the coast and Minho river as we pedal north towards this historic port and cross into one of the most beautiful regions of Spain, Galicia. Toast your arrival into Spain with a glass of Albarino or by relaxing on the beach in Baiona.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Parador de Baiona

Highlights: Travel home or to other parts of Spain

Shuttle from Baiona today to the nearby city of Vigo, where a landmark naval battle (Battle of Rande) took place outside Vigo in 1702. The battle between Anglo-Dutch and French-Spanish fleet was over the arrival of Spanish galleons laden with an immense treasure of gold, silver and jewels. Here the story differs, depending on which side you are on: either the Spanish galleons were attacked with treasure on board, or the treasure had already been unloaded… but no one knows where. Of course, this stoked the fire of many a treasure hunter including Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

From here, trains and buses head north to Santiago or south to Porto or Lisbon for you to continue your journey, happy travels! Or, take a hopper flight from the international airport.

Meals : Breakfast

Visit our Tour Level page to learn more about terrain levels and how we determine day and tour levels.



Pre-trip planning checklist



  • How would you describe this tour to a friend? A must trip after you”ve done southern Portugal.

    Estelle K., Aurora, CO – June 2018
  • Absolutely fabulous – a must do if you like biking and being with terrific people. The tour altogether was fabulous – exceeded my expectations all around.

    Herb W., Moreland Hills, OH – June 2018
  • Everything about Experience Plus, the tour guides, the route, and the accommodations exceeded our high expecations, which were based upon friends also on the same tour, which had done previous rides with ExperiencePlus.

    Tim B., Memphis, TN – July 2019