Skip to main content

Portugal: Mainland Portugal

Porto Coastal Cycling

Trip code: C07OP

Average customer rating 4.5 / 5(37 verified reviews)

Self-Guided Cycling
7 nights hotel-to-hotel
Leisurely
CO₂ rating 1/5
Headwater Navigation app

Trip highlights

Porto’s famous wine cellars; Aveiro’s Venetian
canals

Coastal and lagoon wildlife: pink
flamingo, purple heron, kingfisher and
sandpiper

4-star hotels throughout in
beachfront and city
locations

Item 1 of 1

Trip details

It’s a mystery how such a lovely region can be kept quite so secret, yet the
coastline south of Porto and the Aveiro Lagoon make for some of the most relaxing
cycling we’ve ever experienced. It’s almost perfectly flat too, making it ideal for
first timers.

What's included

Included

  • 7 nights in 4-star accommodation
  • All breakfasts and 2 evening meals
  • Bike fitting and briefing at the start of your holiday
  • Headwater navigation app
  • Bike hire included
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • Port wine-tasting day 2

Not included

  • Flights
  • Local taxes/fees
  • Travel insurance

Your bike

Hand-picked for the route, hire included

Trek, Dual Sport 3 or equivalent. Your bike hire is included in the price of your holiday and comes equipped with the relevant essentials, plus rear pannier.

Travel options

Our travel specialists can arrange flights, rail and transfers to this holiday from wherever you are. Call us to plan your journey. +44 1606 720099

Itinerary

Route map, with each night's stop marked
The full route, night by night. Select the map to view it full screen.

Day 1 · —Arrive in Porto

Arrive in Porto

Arrive at your hotel where our agent will kit you out with your bike and run through the routes with you.

You stay at Hotel Vila Gale Porto Ribeira

Hotel Vila Gale Porto Ribeira
Image 1 of 5

Hotel Vila Gale Porto Ribeira

Porto Ribeira

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Safe
  • Television
  • Visa cards
  • Wifi access

A few minutes away from the historic centre and the main tourist attractions, as well as from Lordelo do Ouro, a picturesque fishing area, Vila Galé Porto Ribeira is a boutique hotel, resulting from the rehabilitation of four buildings in the area of Cais das Pedras, near the Old Customs House of Porto and about 15 kilometres from the Sá Carneiro airport.

Themed after the art of painting, this hotel in Porto stands just opposite the Douro, with a superb view of the river. Completely integrated into the urban reality of Cais das Pedras, it draws on its proximity to the riverside area of Porto.

Day 2 · 20km/12.4miAt Porto

At Porto

An optional, return cycle route takes you north of Porto following cycle paths, first along the river and then the ocean. You’ll pass beaches, restaurants, the 16th century castle of Sao Joao da Foz, the fishing village of Matosinhos and the Boa Nova Tea House of the famous Portuguese architect Siza Vieira, which belongs to Chef Rui Paula (from the Portuguese Masterchef). Alternatively, relax in Porto for the day, strolling along the narrow alleys and along the riverfront. Your evening meal has been left free so you can choose from one of the many restaurants on offer this evening.

Elevation

At Porto elevation profile

Day 3 · 30km/18.6mi or 43km/26.7miPorto to Furadouro

Porto to Furadouro

Take your time this morning, cycling along the south bank of the Douro River, where the rabelo boats line up along the quay. Perhaps stop for a tasting in one of the famous cellars before a glorious waterfront cycle path leads you from the Natural Reserve of the Douro Estuary, with its birdwatching hides, to the Atlantic coast. You exchange bays for beaches for the rest of the day, with many seafront restaurants to stop at for lunch. Relax on the sands at Espinho before hopping on the train (13 mins) to Ovar. For the longer route, continue cycling from Espinho to Ovar, making sure to visit the Parque de Bucaquinho. It’s then flat cycling to your beachfront hotel at nearby Furadouro.

Elevation

Porto to Furadouro elevation profile

You stay at Furadouro Boutique Hotel

Room at Furadouro
Image 1 of 5

Furadouro Boutique Hotel

Furadouro

  • Air conditioning
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Other email access
  • Safe
  • Swimming pool
  • Television
  • Wifi access

Facing the beach just a 5km ride from the inland town of Ovar, the Furadouro Hotel is a chic and classy waterfront property with cutting edge design throughout. The spa facility is a nice way to reward yourself after a day on the bike, as is a good walk along the endless beach.

Day 4 · 40km/24.9mi or 44km/27.3miFuradouro to Aveiro (Estarreja)

Furadouro to Aveiro (Estarreja)

Leaving Furadouro, pedal south along the protected Aveiro Lagoon past rickety pontoons, where plover and sandpiper tiptoe amid golden wattle and parrot feather in search of lunch. Hop on the train from Estarreja (14 mins, pay locally) or Salreu (another nearly 10km further on for those looking for a longer cycle) to the heart of Aveiro and your luxury mansion hotel. For dinner tonight you’re free to choose from one of the many famous fish restaurants nearby.

Elevation

Furadouro to Aveiro (Estarreja) elevation profile

You stay at Hotel Moliceiro

Hotel Moliceiro, Aveiro
Image 1 of 4

Hotel Moliceiro

Aveiro

  • Air conditioning
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Other email access
  • Safe
  • Television
  • Wifi access

In the heart of Aveiro amid the canals and colourful boats (from which the hotel takes its name), the Hotel Moliceiro is a 4 star hotel in one of Aveiro’s period buildings. Artwork on the walls, patterned fabrics and atmospheric lighting all add to the luxurious atmosphere. It is easy to walk out and explore the narrow streets and alleys that are filled with restaurants, and it makes an ideal base for exploring the town.

Day 5 · —At Aveiro

At Aveiro

Aveiro is known as ‘Portugal’s Venice’. Alleyways are lined with churrasquerias for lunch, and gondola-style boats cruise below swaying palms on the latticework canals. The noisy fish market is a daily event, and the excellent museum is set in a beautifully preserved Augustinian convent. A short bus trip (30 mins) leads to neighbouring Costa Nova; streets of wooden houses are squeezed between the beach and the lagoon, painted in candy floss pink, summer yellow and sailor-blue stripes.

Day 6 · 33km/20.5mi or 45km/28.0miAveiro to Praia de Mira

Aveiro to Praia de Mira

The Aveiro Lagoon narrows as you cycle south today. Vista Alegre is Portugal’s oldest fine porcelain producer and has a fascinating museum and factory in Ilhavo. Head for lunch in Costa Nova (extends the day’s route by a round-trip cycle of 12km) if you wish. Next, cross the lagoon to meet the ocean again in Vagueira where oxen were once used to pull fishing nets up the beach. You then turn inland, pedalling past pears, lemon orchards and strawberry fields to your beachfront hotel at Praia de Mira with its inviting rooftop pool.

Elevation

Aveiro to Praia de Mira elevation profile

You stay at Macarico Beach Hotel

Room at Macarico Beach hotel
Image 1 of 4

Macarico Beach Hotel

Praia de Mira

  • Air conditioning
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Safe
  • Swimming pool
  • Television
  • Wifi access

The Macarico Beach Hotel mixes nautical themes with contemporary design and is located on the beachfront of Praia de Mira.

There is a rooftop swimming pool with fabulous views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 7 · 24km/14.9miAt Praia de Mira

At Praia de Mira

A leafy trail leads east into lagoons and acacia forest this morning, and sun-dappled routes cross timber, New England-style, covered bridges spanning clear-water canals. Kingfisher and blue heron are common here, and bright cistus and iris splash colour along the route leading past several perfect picnic spots. Have lunch by the sea and enjoy a final paddle before dinner back at your hotel.

Elevation

At Praia de Mira elevation profile

Day 8 · —Leave Praia de Mira

Leave Praia de Mira

Extending your holiday

HOTEL LISBOA PLAZA, LISBON (4 STAR)

Hotel Lisboa Plaza

Lisbon

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • ATM
  • Bank
  • Hairdryers
  • Market
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Safe
  • Shops

Owned by the same family since 1953, the 4 star Hotel Lisboa Plaza is an imaginatively designed hotel, just off the famous Avenida da Liberdade. All rooms have en-suite marble floored bathrooms, air conditioning, satellite television, direct dial telephones, hairdryers and mini-bar. The public rooms are elegantly furnished and there is a pleasant bar and dining room.

What our travellers say

This was our third self guided cycling holiday with Headwater and the easiest to navigate using GPS. The bikes have 24 gears and are very well maintained with good support if required from local agents. The hotels are all fabulous with amazing food, we lost count of the number of Portuguese custard tarts we ate! The itinerary was well designed with a great start in Porto (Port tasting arranged) and a break mid week if desired in very scenic Aveiro. The cycle paths are amazing, very well maintained and mostly far away from roads and the route around the numerous lagoons and pine forests were uplifting. We would definitely recommend this trip, the cycling is easy giving time to admire the surrounding scenery with the Atlantic Ocean waves in the background.

Mrs Devenish

Very easy enjoyable cycling with no pressures. Lovely ocean views.

Mrs Haley

A good description of a one wheel cycle holiday for those not normally cycling. Lovely hotels. There could have been more ‘human’ contact from a rep. We received one phone call asking if we were ok but saw no-one from the Introduction until pick up time at the end. Had a good time though.

Mrs Anderson

All agency staff were terrific giving good tips for eating out and places to visit. The trips were well organised and the bikes were fine. Everything promised was delivered. It was nice to meet other people on the same trip and a good balance between your privacy and some interaction.

Mr Woods

perfect cycling holiday for newcomers/occasional cyclists

Mr Taylor

Faultless.

Mrs Wheeler

Excellent holiday. Easy cycling. Lovely scenery.Garmin makes a huge difference and avoids regular stops to review maps. Very good standard of hotels. Food in general excellent especially Restaurant in furadura. Furadoura and Praia de Miras bit busy and touristy but can easily escape on bikes. Aveiro is atmospheric with lots of good restaurants and cafes. All in all, great holiday

Mrs Mckay

Very enjoyable , good accommodation except for the hotel Porto Christal. This was a last minute change to the original tour. The location was not ideal and the food was terrible. There were a few hiccups starting with the meet and greet at the airport, which did not happen until we made several phone calls to the emergency contact but all problems were dealt with very courteously and all members of staff were extremely caring and helpful.

Mr Reid

The Porto cycling trip was a brilliant holiday for the 4 of us – easy cycling through interesting countryside alongside the coast, great food and good accommodation. We were really lucky with the weather – blue skies all the way although the evenings were a little chilly and it was pretty windy at Costa Nova. As a bonus we saw flamingos and storks along the way! The only disappointment was building work going on next door to our last hotel which made sitting on the balcony a less than relaxing experience. But Headwater responded promptly to our concerns and we were treated to a couple of free bottles of wine to help make up for it, which was appreciated.

Mrs Hardy

A well-organised holiday with generally good 4-star accommodation (one specific difficulty was dealt with promptly and efficiently) . The grading system was very accurate for first-time cyclists. Equipment provided, the local support and the initial briefing were also excellent.

Mrs Compton
Item 1 of 1

Positive impact

Carbon score for this trip

15.0

Kg CO₂e

per person, per night

Relative to other Headwater trips

We measure emissions from the parts of the holiday we organise — including accommodation, in-trip transport, meals and activities — and express them as CO₂e per person, per night. Our label doesn’t include your travel to and from the start of the trip. As a Certified B Corp, Headwater is committed to reducing this figure and to positively impacting local communities, the local environment and our staff. Learn more

From£1,639per person