Porto Coastal Cycling
Porto Coastal Cycling
Porto Coastal Cycling
8 Days Starting and ending in Porto
Visiting: Porto, Furadouro, Aveiro, Praia de Mira
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C07OP
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Physical rating:
Low, Leisurely
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishActivities:
From:
$3050 (USD)Tour Overview
Your holiday starts in Porto, where shuttered townhouses tumble downhill to colourful rabelo sailing boats cruising the Douro River and passing world-famous wine cellars. From here, you'll beach and bay hop south to your luxury beachfront hotel in Furadouro, before heading via the Aveiro Lagoon, home to pink flamingo and colourful birdlife, to Aveiro for two nights in a waterside mansion. Known as 'Portugal's Venice', this is where colourful moliceiro boats cruise along canals beneath tall palm trees, while alleyways are filled with tempting restaurants. Your final cycling stretch takes you back to the ocean to high sand dunes, meandering through pine and acacia forest, to Praia de Mira.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Porto
Location: Porto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Vincci Porto
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive at your hotel where our agent will kit you out with your bike and run
through the routes with you before a traditional dinner on the Douro
riverfront.
Day 2 : At Porto
Location: Porto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Vincci Porto
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 C16 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. A port wine tasting and cellar visit across the
Douro River is included in the afternoon, while your evening meal has been
left free so you can choose from one of the many restaurants on offer.
Day 3 : Porto To Furadouro
Location: Porto, Furadouro
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Furadouro Boutique Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 where you'll dine in the hotel restaurant.
Day 4 : Furadouro To Aveiro (Estarreja) 34Km/21.5Mi Or 44Km/27.5Mi
Location: Furadouro, Aveiro
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Moliceiro
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 5 : At Aveiro
Location: Aveiro
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Moliceiro
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 : Aveiro To Praia De Mira 33Km/21Mi Or 45Km/28.5Mi
Location: Aveiro, Praia de Mira
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Macarico Beach Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 7 : At Praia De Mira
Location: Praia de Mira
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Macarico Beach Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 8 : Leave Praia De Mira
Location: Praia de Mira
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leave Praia de Mira
What's Included
-
Luggage transfers between hotels
-
Port wine-tasting
-
GPS device
-
All accomodation
-
All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals
-
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
-
Route directions and maps
-
High quality bikes
-
All accommodation
-
Meals
7 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 4 dinners.
What's Not Included
-
Supplement for single traveller (includes single accommodation supplement)
-
Travel insurance
-
Single accommodation (compulsory supplement)
-
Visas or vaccinations
-
Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
Food
Portuguese cuisine is wholesome, hearty, and rarely fancy and relies heavily
on the use of different herbs and spices due to its Moorish influence. Fish
dishes are more predominant in the south, although northern regions often
offer delicious freshwater fish dishes.The region is also famous for sticky
desserts that use egg yolk. During the Golden Age (15C and 16C), the area was
very rich because of all the treasures that were brought back from the
discoveries of the New World. These riches paid for many convents. The nuns
needed egg whites to starch their habits so they used the egg yolks in many
gooey desserts that have curious names like monk’s breast and nun’s
stomach.The Alentejo is also a highly respected wine region. The Romans were
the first to start cultivating vines here. You’ll find a whole range of
different vintages to try en route, the best known ones include Roupeiro,
Rabo do Ovelha and Antão Vaz (white) and Periquita, Trincadeira and Aragonez
(reds), although many small family run vineyards produce their own versions
as well. The majority of the wines served in Portugal come from this region.
If you enjoy a very young wine, try Vinho Verde from the North. Calcos do
Tanha from the Douro region is a good red wine as are Cozinha Velha, Esporão
and Ma Partilha from Terra do Sado. Try one of the many excellent ports as a
digestif.
Accommodation
We've picked some rather special accommodation for you including luxury 4-star hotels in historic buildings in Porto and Aveiro; a design hotel in Praia de Mira with a rooftop pool boasting fabulous ocean views, and a stylish spa hotel in Furadouro. We've included three evening meals for you on this holiday and you're free to choose from some great local restaurants in Porto (night two), Furadouro and also in Aveiro.
Check out our Q&As
-
Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no specific health risks.
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
-
What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
4-star hotels
-
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.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
Tuesday - Tuesday
Apr 30, 2024 - May 07, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
May 14, 2024 - May 21, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
May 21, 2024 - May 28, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
May 28, 2024 - Jun 04, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jun 04, 2024 - Jun 11, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jun 11, 2024 - Jun 18, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jun 16, 2024 - Jun 23, 2024Monday - Monday
Jun 17, 2024 - Jun 24, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jun 18, 2024 - Jun 25, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jun 25, 2024 - Jul 02, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 09, 2024 - Jul 16, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 16, 2024 - Jul 23, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 23, 2024 - Jul 30, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 10, 2024 - Sep 17, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 17, 2024 - Sep 24, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 24, 2024 - Oct 01, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Oct 01, 2024 - Oct 08, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Oct 08, 2024 - Oct 15, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Oct 15, 2024 - Oct 22, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Oct 22, 2024 - Oct 29, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Apr 08, 2025 - Apr 15, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Apr 15, 2025 - Apr 22, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Apr 22, 2025 - Apr 29, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Apr 29, 2025 - May 06, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
May 06, 2025 - May 13, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
May 13, 2025 - May 20, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
May 20, 2025 - May 27, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
May 27, 2025 - Jun 03, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Jun 03, 2025 - Jun 10, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Jun 10, 2025 - Jun 17, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Jun 17, 2025 - Jun 24, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Jun 24, 2025 - Jul 01, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 01, 2025 - Jul 08, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 08, 2025 - Jul 15, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 15, 2025 - Jul 22, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 22, 2025 - Jul 29, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 29, 2025 - Aug 05, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 02, 2025 - Sep 09, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 09, 2025 - Sep 16, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 16, 2025 - Sep 23, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 23, 2025 - Sep 30, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 30, 2025 - Oct 07, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Oct 07, 2025 - Oct 14, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Oct 14, 2025 - Oct 21, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Oct 21, 2025 - Oct 28, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Exodus 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.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.