Itinerary
- Day 1
Baiona
After you're picked up from Porto airport, you'll head to Baiona, a quiet coastal town in Galicia where narrow streets run down toward the water. Monterreal Fort sits up on the headland with nice views across the bay, especially good if you catch it around sunset. The historic center has several old buildings worth walking through, and the local seafood is fresh and worth trying before you start the cycling portion of your trip.
- Start point
- Aeroporto Francisco Sá Carneiro (OPO), Pedras Rubras, Vila Nova da Telha, Porto 4470-824, Portugal (Meeting Point, 14:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Monterreal Fort
- Explore historic center of Baiona
- Time visit for Festa da Arribada celebration (first arrival of Columbus' ships in 1493)
Landmarks/POIs Monterreal Fort - Day 2
Baiona to Caminha
Today you'll cycle through the Rías Baixas region along the Spanish coast with either 38 km or 68 km route options. The landscape includes green hills and farmland as you pedal through areas known for Albariño wine production. Later you'll cross from Spain into Portugal, either by taking a ferry across the Minho River or biking over the Vila Nova de Cerveira bridge to reach Caminha. The town has medieval and Renaissance buildings scattered throughout, with roots going back to Roman times.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Cycle through Rías Baixas region
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting in O Rosal (Albariño wine region)
- Visit Igreja Matriz de Caminha
- Explore Caminha's historic center and stately houses
Landmarks/POIs O Rosal Igreja Matriz de Caminha - Day 3
Caminha to Viana do Castelo
You'll cycle 29 km or 40 km depending on which route you choose, moving through a mix of coastal stretches, farmland, and some hillier sections. By the end of the day you'll arrive in Viana do Castelo, a port city with Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture from its important maritime past. The floating museum and the Basilica of Santa Luzia are worth spending time in, and the town's connection to the Age of Discovery shows throughout the streets and local culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Cycle to Viana do Castelo
Optional Activities
- Visit Gil Eannes Hospital Ship (floating museum)
- Visit Basilica of Santa Luzia
- Explore Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture
- Learn about Minho folklore and traditional costumes
- Experience local dances such as the 'vira'
- Visit Romaria da Senhora da Agonia festival (if in season)
Landmarks/POIs Gil Eannes Hospital Ship Basilica of Santa Luzia - Day 4
Viana do Castelo to Vila do Conde
The 55 km ride south takes you across the Sebastião Bridge spanning the Neiva River, a spot connected to the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. If you want a break from cycling, there's a panoramic tower in Belinho with far-reaching views of the countryside. After passing through the Litoral Norte Natural Park with its different habitats, you'll reach Vila do Conde. The streets are narrow and lined with traditional houses, and you can learn about bobbin lace making or try toucinho do céu, a local pastry treat.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Cycle through Litoral Norte Natural Park
Optional Activities
- Detour to Panoramic Observation Tower in Belinho (12-metre-high viewpoint)
- Wildlife viewing: over 155 bird species, 240 plant species, 19 mammal species
- Visit traditional houses in Vila do Conde
- Learn about rendas de bilros (bobbin lace) crafts
- Taste local treats like toucinho do céu (traditional conventual sweet)
Landmarks/POIs Sebastião Bridge Panoramic Observation Tower in Belinho Litoral Norte Natural Park - Day 5
Vila do Conde to Porto
You'll ride 36 km or 50 km south through small fishing villages and into Matosinhos, known for a nice beach and restaurants serving fresh seafood. The route follows the Douro River where you'll see the famous Luís I Bridge, Porto's most recognizable landmark. Porto's old center is a UNESCO site with over 150 buildings of historical importance. Take time to check out the Port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia and architectural highlights like Casa da Música.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Cycle through fishing villages and Matosinhos
- Cycle along Douro River with views of Luís I Bridge
Optional Activities
- Lunch of fresh grilled fish or traditional bacalhau in Matosinhos
- Visit Port wine cellars in Porto
- Explore picturesque streets of Porto
- Visit Casa da Música
- Explore UNESCO World Heritage sites in Porto (over 150 listed monuments)
Landmarks/POIs Luís I Bridge Casa da Música 
- Day 6
Porto to Furadouro
Leaving Porto, you'll cycle 42 km along the Atlantic coast with ocean breezes and the smell of pine trees surrounding you. Small coastal towns dot the route, each with a quieter feel and sea views. By afternoon you'll get to Furadouro, a beach town popular for water sports like surfing. The seafood here is fresh from local catches, and Pão de Ló de Ovar, a traditional sponge cake, is the local specialty worth trying.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Cycle along Atlantic coast through charming coastal towns
Optional Activities
- Water sports activities, especially surfing
- Fresh seafood dining at local restaurants
- Try Pão de Ló de Ovar (traditional Portuguese sponge cake) at local bakeries
- Day 7
Furadouro to Mira
Today's 58 km ride takes you through the São Jacinto Dunes Natural Reserve where rare plants grow and birds stop during migration seasons. You'll board a ferry for a 15 minute crossing with river views, then continue to Praia da Barra where Portugal's tallest lighthouse stands with 288 steps leading to views from the top (though it's only open on Wednesdays). After that, you'll roll through Costa Nova with its colorful striped row houses, and finish in the quiet fishing village of Mira where local shops sell handmade carpets and traditional crafts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Cycle through São Jacinto Dunes Natural Reserve
- Take São Jacinto ferry crossing
Optional Activities
- Visit Praia da Barra lighthouse (Portugal's highest at 288 steps, open Wednesdays only)
- Explore Costa Nova and colorful striped houses
- Shop for handmade carpets and traditional crafts in Mira
- Wildlife viewing in São Jacinto Dunes Natural Reserve
Landmarks/POIs São Jacinto Dunes Natural Reserve Praia da Barra Lighthouse Costa Nova - Day 8
Mira to Porto Airport
Your tour ends today with a transfer to the airport based on your flight time, wrapping up your week of cycling through Portugal's coastal regions and historic towns.
