Porto to Sintra – West Coast
Ride along a Pristine Coast with crashing waves as the background
Porto to Sintra – West Coast
Ride along a Pristine Coast with crashing waves as the background
QUICK FACTS
SNAPSHOT
- Porto’s old town, its Cathedral & Ribeira waterfront – UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Aveiro canals filled with colourful boats, the surrounding marshlands and lagoon; the curious architecture in Costa Nova
- Nazaré and its colossal big waves, amazing cliff shores and small fisherman villages, where you can still see fisherman at work and fish markets by the ocean
- The medieval castle town of Óbidos, perched on a hilltop overlooking the Óbidos Lagoon
- Sintra’s Nature Reserve & forest and its idyllic Palaces and Parks
ITINERARY
Day 1 Welcome to Porto – Port Wine District
Explore Porto’s historical medieval center filled with granite stone buildings. Wander along its narrow cobble streets filled with colorful flower pots. You will quickly reach the Ribeira. Once there, explore the Douro River waterfront with its iconic Barcos Rabelo, traditional boats. No visit to Porto is complete without a Porto Wine tasting.
Day 2 Aveiro the Portuguese “Venice”
As you exit Porto through its most emblematic bridge, you will soon continue along oceanfront bike lanes, quiet roads and across pas forests into the Ria de Aveiro (lagoon and marshland). Aveiro the “Portuguese Venice” is famous for its canals, beautifully surrounded by Art Nouveau buildings. Take some time to explore the Portuguese capital of Bikes!
Porto – Aveiro: 83 kms – 51 miles | 300 m – 984 ft
Day 3 Ride along Marshlands and a Stunning Cape
Cycle along the immense lagoon until Costa Nova, a fisherman village with colorful “striped” houses. Continue between marshlands and sand dunes, and soon the scenery changes as you proceed through a forested area. The landscape opens up once again to the sea, with an opportunity to ride on the towering Cape Mondego a Natural Monument area with its wide-open views over the Atlantic Ocean.
Aveiro – Figueira da Foz: 80 kms – 50 miles | 320 m – 1050 ft
Day 4 Nazaré and Massive Waves
Moving again from the coast for a while then soon edging the coastline, often with optional scenic bike lanes. Soon, the lighthouse in Sao Pedro Moel will remind you of the importance of the sea life is in this area. In Nazaré, you may see some of the biggest, world record breaking, waves ever surfed. Once at the beach, look for the decorative display of fish drying out over the fishnets.
Figueira da Foz – Nazaré: 84 kms – 52 miles | 540 m – 1772 ft
Day 5 Windmills and Obidos Castle
As you spin up the hill and discover forgotten windmills and you will soon be rewarded by vast ocean views. Don’t forget to look back for another scenic perspective of Nazaré! Past S. Martinho do Porto bay continue up for great views You will soon be in a lagoon area, crowned by the medieval village of Obidos with its well-preserved Castle Walls, hidden winding streets and whitewashed houses.
Nazaré – Óbidos: 40 kms – 25 miles | 560 m – 1837 ft
Day 6 Countryside & Beach Areas
Cycle across a variety of scenarios, including agricultural fields, cliffs and sand beaches. The high-rise scarps around Porto Novo are a unique background on this trip, soon passing through beach towns and resorts where locals often spend holidays. The rough and often windy coast, best known for its waves, is definitely a perfect spot for surfers.
Óbidos – Ericeira: 68 kms – 42 miles | 810 m – 2657 ft
Day 7 Sintra’s Nature Reserve & Mystical Forest
As you ride away from the town of Ericeira, the scenery changes, the ocean views brings you to fruit orchids and farmlands. And finally, cycle through the spectacular Sintra Nature Reserve. In this “fairytale” forest, uncover a lush, dense, Mediteranean like woodland, hidden enchanting palaces and beautiful gardens.
Ericeira – Sintra: 29 kms – 18 miles | 930 m – 3051 ft
Day 8 Departure Day
Take some time to visit Sintra’s captivating Palaces and Parks classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This tour starts in Porto, Portugal’s the second major city and finishes in Sintra, in Lisbon’s surroundings.
Closest international airports are Porto and Lisbon.
Public Transport:
From Porto Airport, the city centre can be reached by subway taking around 35 minutes > more info on www.metrodoporto.pt
The train from Sintra to Lisbon takes around 40 minutes > more info in www.cp.pt
Private Transfer:
We can help you organize a private transfer with a third-party provider.
Rider
Suitable for beginners / intermediate riders who are comfortable with longer rides,
Mostly on rolling terrain with occasional stronger winds.
Traveller
Looking to be close to the oceanside, getting in touch with nature and low key beaches.
The days finish with the possibility of exploring historical towns or a swim in the ocean!
This coast offers a variety of beaches and towns with characteristic heritage and culture!
Terrain
Mostly paved, includes options with hard packed gravel and plenty of Bike lanes along the way.
Predominant winds blow from NW, still occasionally winds might come from S (head winds).
Weather
The weather on the Silver Coast has an Atlantic influence with mild temperatures in summer and with the rainy season during winter.
In Spring can tends to be cool with lower chances of precipitation.
Summer days can be cooled down by the Atlantic ocean breeze and towns are lively with local summer beachgoers.
With mild temperatures during the day, Autumn nights can be chillier.
In Winter expect lower temperatures, windier days and a higher chance of rain.
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Day 2: Porto to Aveiro: 83 kms – 51 miles > Gain: 300 m – 984 ft
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Day 3: Aveiro to Figueira da Foz: 80 kms – 50 miles > Gain: 320 m – 1050 ft
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Day 4: Figueira da Foz to Nazare: 84 kms – 52 miles > Gain: 540 m – 1772 ft
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Day 5: Nazaré to Obidos: 40 kms – 25 miles > Gain: 560 m – 1837 ft
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Day 6: Obidos to Ericeira: 68 kms – 42 miles > Gain: 810 m – 2657 ft
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Day 7: Ericeira to Sintra: 29 kms – 18 miles > Gain: 930 m – 3051 ft
Elevation may vary depending on GPS device, mapping sources and other external elements.
Self-Guided Tours are private and available year-round, thus allowing you to select any dates you prefer.
Contact us for custom itineraries and tour options tailored to your needs!
PREMIUM HOTELS
Porto – Editory Palácio
Featuring a 360º view of Porto and spa, this urban retreat is a great starting for exploring. This hotel blends comfort and elegance with a 5 start service
Aveiro – Turim Palace
A relaxed and gracefully renovated historical building in the city center. Both modern and traditional comforts with city views
Figueira da Foz – Universal Boutique
A centenary Boutique Hotel, elegantly renovated with modern updates and displaying remnants of its long history
Nazare – Praia Hotel
A small beachside hotel with naturally bright rooms in the town center features a rooftop indoor pool and a terrace
Obidos – Hotel Real d’Óbidos
Housed on an historic building dating back to the 1300’s, it blends a medieval atmosphere with today’s comforts, including a pool overlooking the castle
Ericeira – Vila Galé
Set against the backdrop of the ocean this historical hotel features ocean views and beach access with relaxing amenities for everyone
Sintra – NH Centro
Located in the town center next to the Royal Palace, it features a quiet atmosphere and panoramic views of the Nature Reserve
CASUAL HOTELS
Porto – HF Tuela
Centrally located in Boavista offering modern comforts, casual rooms and easy access to Explore Porto
Aveiro – Afonso V
A contemporary hotel located at the heart of Aveiro, within walking distance from main attractions and featuring a spa
Figueira da Foz – Costa da Prata
A beachside hotel with a modern design located right in the city center, with panoramic ocean and mountain views
Nazaré – Hotel Maré
A charming beach town hotel, with an informal atmosphere, located at the town centre within walking distance from the beach
Obidos – Hotel Vila d’Óbidos
Located outside of the medieval walls in a rural setting, this contemporary hotel features an outdoor pool
Ericeira – Reserva FLH
A comfortable boutique hotel with ocean views. A unique space with personality where you can feel at home
Sintra – Hotel Sintra Jardim
An 1800 noble summerhouse converted into an hotel, featuring classic rooms and lush gardens
PRICE & INCLUSIONS
Tours are offered year-round and require a minimum of two participants.
Price are per participant, based on double occupancy. Contact us for single room rates.
AVAILABLE BIKES
ROAD TOURING BIKE
- Giant® Touring Bike
- Shimano 105 2×11 speed
- Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- Touring set-up
- Wheel Size 28″ / 700c
- Small to Extra – Large Frames
ELECTRIC TOURING BIKE
- Giant® E-Touring Bike
- Engine 70Nm, 250W
- Battery 500Wh
- 5 Levels of Pedal Assist
- Wheel Size 28″ / 700c
- Small to Extra – Large Frames [Ladies & Gents Frames]
REVIEWS
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Thanks for all your terrific help to enjoy biking in Portugal these past few weeks. You are very special people, and your bikes are too! Besides this, it was a great education to learn more about Portugal, and its people and history. Of course we will never forget the trip and tell all of our friends and colleagues that BikeIberia is the place to go for a great biking experience in Portugal.
Bob & Julia – OR – USA