Cycling Portugal – a stunning coastline tour

Rich in heritage, medieval castles and golden beaches, truly an authentic Portuguese experience

INTERESTED IN THIS TRIP?

Our Portugal cycling tour is designed to be one of the most scenic in Portugal! This 14 night/15 day adventure cycling tour promises to capture some of the most dramatic coastlines and captivating beaches in Portugal.

From the vibrant city of Lisbon to the jagged cliffs and hidden coves overlooking the Atlantic, we will experience the unique cuisine of the region and immerse ourselves in this country’s rich heritage. Our Portugal bike tour is designed to be unforgettable!

Each day we will cycle a different terrain along the Southwest area of the Atlantic Coast. We’ll sea kayak in the blue waters of Arrabida Natural Park, and hike the picturesque Cape Sardao. Our tour ends in the beautiful beach resort of Cascais with a bike tour in Sintra. We’ve included beautiful accommodations, several beachside picnic lunches, a cooking class, and a local wine tasting.

We are always on the lookout for opportunities to enjoy the local fare, but also willing to wander a bit off the beaten path to find hidden gems often overlooked on other tours. Each day is packed with extraordinary adventure and balanced with the right amount of leisure time.

Itinerary:

A typical Portugal trip schedule:

Arriving in Lisbon, Tuesday
Departing from Lisbon, Tuesday

Day 1 : Complimentary transportation will be arranged for you from the airport to the hotel. If you’re more excited than you are tired, we will plan a short excursion before dinner.
Our 4-star accommodations are located in the heart of historic Lisbon, and within walking distance to many of the most popular areas of interest.

Day 2 : After a good night’s rest and complimentary breakfast, we will explore the majestic monasteries, gothic cathedrals and museums of Lisbon with a 3-hour guided walking tour.

Day 3 : After a complimentary breakfast we will enjoy a full day of cycling in the cosmopolitan city of Lisbon. Today you will experience the major historical areas and ancient city squares. Lisbon is one of the greenest cities in Europe and has some outstanding parks in the city center. Our tour today will also include a Tappas lunch in a local cafe. Today’s bike tour will be on a different style of bike, built for a city tour. The terrain will be mostly flat surfaces on paths and designated cycling lanes.

Day 4 : Today you’re on your own to explore the many museums, great restaurants and endless shopping opportunities in Lisbon. Later this afternoon we will transfer to Sesimbra, a small Fisherman’s village in the heart of Arrabida Natural Park.

Day 5 : Today after a complimentary breakfast we will take a guided sea kayaking tour and explore the coastal areas of Arrabidia Natural Park. There is no better way to view the steep limestone cliffs and breathtaking views. We will stop to enjoy a special picnic lunch on the beach.

Day 6: After breakfast, we’ll tour the picturesque Sesimbra Fisherman’s market and take a short climb to a 12th century castle overlooking the port. We will cycle through the lush green Arrabida Natural Park and enjoy a nice ocean swim. Our picnic lunch will offer beautiful views of the mountain on one side and the ocean on the other. After lunch we’ll cycle to the energetic city of Setubal. Our accommodations tonight is in a charming hotel that was once a 17th century family palace with a beautiful view of the park.

Day 7 : After a complimentary breakfast, our bike tour will begin with a short visit to the picturesque downtown area in Setubal. We’ll enjoy a short ferry crossing on the Sado river home to a local dolphin pod. We’ll continue cycling along the Troia peninsula surrounded by sand dunes that was once an island. Later we will enjoy a wine tasting and a picnic on Portugal’s longest white sand beach. After lunch, we will have the option of cycling to Santo Andre to enjoy Sado Esturary Natural Park home to storks, egrets and many other species of birds. Dinner will be included with our accommodations at a local hotel where we will, hopefully, have time to enjoy the beautiful pool.

Day 8 : Today we will cycle from Santo Andre to Santiago do Cacém and explore the Natural Reserve of the Lagoons of Santo André and Sancha an ecosystem of freshwater lagoons, small marshes and willow forests located in the coastal region of Alentejo. We’ll enjoy a drink by the sea and ride to a unique outdoors library made of marble and enjoy a picnic in a cork oak forest. Afterward, we will visit a family owned olive mill which has been in operation for several generations. The ride will end in the old town of Santiago, rich in history and aristocratic architecture. We’ll enjoy dinner and a cooking class at our hotel this evening.

Day 9 : We’ll begin a busy day with a short climb to the top of an old Moorish castle filled with legends and tales of chivalrous knights and princesses. We’ll also visit the city’s last operating windmill as we cycle towards the coastline through a rich green forest.
We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch by the sea surrounded by schist cliffs before we finish the day in the charming fisherman’s village of Porto Covo. The beach is only a few minutes from our hotel if you wish to go for an evening swim.

Day 10 : After a complimentary breakfast we’ll begin a short day of cycling. Our tour will take us to a natural harbor which once served as protection from marauding pirates with a spectacular view of Peach Tree Island. This afternoon we’ll be able to wander the small fishing harbor of Vila Nova de Milfontes, much loved by the Portuguese for its beautiful beaches and terrific food and nightlife.

Day 11: After a complimentary breakfast, grab your cameras for one of the most beautiful hikes you’ll ever experience. We will hike from Cape Sardão to Zambujeira do Mar and view storks’ nests, wild crashing waves on jagged cliffs and beautiful sweeping views of the coastline. We will enjoy a celebration dinner and say farewell to our tour guides.

DAY 12 & 13 : After breakfast we will transfer to Cascais, a traditional Portuguese fishing town on the beautiful Lisbon coastline. Cascais was the summer retreat of Portuguese nobility, and the town is an elegant blend of decorative 19th century architecture and modern tourist facilities. We will have 5-star accommodations and rooms with balconies to enjoy the sea views. We will spend the next two days on the beach or wander through “old town,” or the “museum quarter.”

Day 14 : After a complimentary breakfast we’ll transfer to the fairytale city of Sintra, also a World Heritage Site. With its exotic environment, Sintra’s been another favorite spot of the Portuguese aristocracy. Our cycling tour today will be filled with castles, palaces, dense forests and amazing coastal sea views.

Day 15 : Today it’s time to say goodbye as our adventure comes to a close. We’ll provide transportation to the airport for your journey back home.

Tour Pricing:
Single Supplement:
e-Bike:

You may reserve any of our adventures by submitting the registration form below. Upon receipt of your $500 per person deposit, we will send you a confirmation letter and additional trip information. The trip fee balance is payable by check or credit card and is due 90 days prior to the start of your trip. For European adventures, final payment is due 120 days prior to trip departure date. Final payment is due upon confirmation for reservations made less than 90 days prior to trip departure date.

If you prefer to make reservations by telephone please call, we look forward to hearing from you!

303-475-4593

INTERESTED IN THIS TRIP?

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE: Transportation to and from the airports in Lisbon, all transportation within the scheduled tour, guided half day walking tour in Lisbon, full day guided cycling tour guided tour in Lisbon, with tapas lunch. all accommodations 3 - 5* hotels, cycling guide, bike and helmet rental, support vehicle, daily breakfast, ferry crossing, picnic lunches on days listed, 2 dinners including wine, cooking class, wine tasting.