Porto to Lisbon cycling holiday, self guided
Highlights
Porto | Lisbon | Self-guided cycling | Douro River | Espinho | Aveiro Lagoon | San Jacinto | Praia de Mira | Coimbra | Choupal National Forest | Figueira da Foz | Monte Real Castle | Praia de Sao Pedro de Moel | Atlantic Way | Nazare | Obidos |Description of Porto to Lisbon cycling holiday, self guided
This is a simply sublime journey from Porto to Lisbon along Portugal’s wildly beautiful Atlantic Coast, cycling along a self-guided route which gives you structure but plenty of flexibility. Generally flat terrain means this holiday is ideal for families and casual cyclists, with daily rides of between 40km and 60km.The Atlantic Coast is Portugal’s largest cycle path, taking you past pine-scented forests, idyllic beaches, peaceful fishing villages, conservation areas and historic architecture. And of course, you’re never far from a magnificent sea view.
Begin in Porto, home to the famous port wine that originates on the banks of the Douro Valley. A little further south you pass the Figueira da Foz, otherwise known as the ‘Queen of Beaches’, long one of Portugal’s best-loved holiday resorts.
As you approach your final destination you pause overnight in Nazaré, where the largest wave ever recorded sent surfers into a frenzy. Finally, arriving in medieval Óbidos, you can relax and wander this charming, quintessential Portuguese town before making your own way to Lisbon by bus or train, just 90km further south.
Good to know: You will be provided with a high-quality hybrid bike, maps and directions and a GPS device. Locally owned accommodations are arranged for you in advance, and your luggage is conveniently transferred between. You will need to bring your own helmet.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.comDeparture information
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.
We are dedicated to promoting authentic experiences, supporting the appreciation and enjoyment of Portugal’s natural and cultural heritage sites while at the same time encouraging their protection by raising awareness of environmental issues with our travelers.We are knowledgeable of the dire environmental and social consequences of mass tourism and thus consciously committed to only working with small groups of travelers. We are also committed to minimizing the impact of their activities on the environment, such as: protecting the environment, the flora, fauna, and landscapes; conserve natural resources in all destinations of this tour; minimize the acoustic pollution, elimination of residues and overcrowding.
With routes by the ocean side, cycling is a perfect way to explore our coast from Porto to Lisbon without pollution during your stay in Portugal. As this tour cross through several dune areas (dunes of San Jacinto, for example), we alert our guests for their importance in order to prevent: the advance of the sea, to safeguard the life of population and the fact that they are the best defense against the intensity of the wind.
We only work with small groups of travelers and we promote the maintenance of a social, economic and environmental system that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising resources for the use of future generations. Furthermore, the local people from the restaurants, accommodations and residents always pass the message of how to protect these destinations and each person can apply this knowledge not only in this tour but throughout the world.
After the 2017 fires, reforestation plans and protection projects in the Center of Portugal were created. First of all the fact of eucalyptus covered hills in this region is a big problem for the environment because these trees are very flammable. In the general way, these reforestation and protection projects are based in reforest with “firefighting trees” - chestnut and cork oak trees, for example. The Municipalities are still developing the best way to protect and reforest these affected areas, and we believe we´ll have an important role to spread the information to the tourists, and we have a goal to the future: each client will have the opportunity to spread an amount of seeds to a certain piece of land in order to contribute to the reforestation. We believe it will be an effective way of alert to the consciousness of the people to the native species role instead of the exotics.
The Impacts of this Trip
We have been mindful of the social and environmental consequences of our work and have consistently sought to find sustainable and innovative ways to create a positive impact.
A fundamental aspect is that all who visit the region get to learn about the territory and history and for this to be possible nothing works better than a good relationship with the local population - the locals are the best to do the storytelling of their own region. We in turn support the local economy by booking directly with local accommodations and restaurants in every destination of this tour from Porto to Lisbon.
Through our sustainability policies, we further aim to support local economies and minimize the social impact of our activities by working with local guides and ensuring the needed respect for local traditions and cultures. In 2017 for example, the fires have destroyed more than 128.000 hectares of land in Center of Portugal. After that, is important make something. Some reforestation and protection projects are already underway, but tourism support is also essential. In this way, with this tour and all of activities in Center of Portugal are important to support the local economy affected by the fires.
Sustainable tourism, therefore, has become an alternative for the protection and preservation of destinations that do not want to give up certain social, cultural and environmental characteristics that should be threatened by tourists. Our philosophy is to show you the most authentic details of Center of Portugal in the most sustainable way possible.
We are dedicated to promoting authentic experiences, supporting the appreciation and enjoyment of Portugal’s natural and cultural heritage sites while at the same time encouraging their protection by raising awareness of environmental issues with our travelers.We are knowledgeable of the dire environmental and social consequences of mass tourism and thus consciously committed to only working with small groups of travelers. We are also committed to minimizing the impact of their activities on the environment, such as: protecting the environment, the flora, fauna, and landscapes; conserve natural resources in all destinations of this tour; minimize the acoustic pollution, elimination of residues and overcrowding.
With routes by the ocean side, cycling is a perfect way to explore our coast from Porto to Lisbon without pollution during your stay in Portugal. As this tour cross through several dune areas (dunes of San Jacinto, for example), we alert our guests for their importance in order to prevent: the advance of the sea, to safeguard the life of population and the fact that they are the best defense against the intensity of the wind.
We only work with small groups of travelers and we promote the maintenance of a social, economic and environmental system that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising resources for the use of future generations. Furthermore, the local people from the restaurants, accommodations and residents always pass the message of how to protect these destinations and each person can apply this knowledge not only in this tour but throughout the world.
After the 2017 fires, reforestation plans and protection projects in the Center of Portugal were created. First of all the fact of eucalyptus covered hills in this region is a big problem for the environment because these trees are very flammable. In the general way, these reforestation and protection projects are based in reforest with “firefighting trees” - chestnut and cork oak trees, for example. The Municipalities are still developing the best way to protect and reforest these affected areas, and we believe we´ll have an important role to spread the information to the tourists, and we have a goal to the future: each client will have the opportunity to spread an amount of seeds to a certain piece of land in order to contribute to the reforestation. We believe it will be an effective way of alert to the consciousness of the people to the native species role instead of the exotics.
The Impacts of this Trip
We have been mindful of the social and environmental consequences of our work and have consistently sought to find sustainable and innovative ways to create a positive impact.
A fundamental aspect is that all who visit the region get to learn about the territory and history and for this to be possible nothing works better than a good relationship with the local population - the locals are the best to do the storytelling of their own region. We in turn support the local economy by booking directly with local accommodations and restaurants in every destination of this tour from Porto to Lisbon.
Through our sustainability policies, we further aim to support local economies and minimize the social impact of our activities by working with local guides and ensuring the needed respect for local traditions and cultures. In 2017 for example, the fires have destroyed more than 128.000 hectares of land in Center of Portugal. After that, is important make something. Some reforestation and protection projects are already underway, but tourism support is also essential. In this way, with this tour and all of activities in Center of Portugal are important to support the local economy affected by the fires.
Sustainable tourism, therefore, has become an alternative for the protection and preservation of destinations that do not want to give up certain social, cultural and environmental characteristics that should be threatened by tourists. Our philosophy is to show you the most authentic details of Center of Portugal in the most sustainable way possible.
6 Reviews of Porto to Lisbon cycling holiday, self guided
Reviewed on 22 Sep 2020 by Billy Dougan
George made us really welcome and Jonnie looked after us and was attentive to all our needs. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Oct 2019 by Georgie Jephson
The night at casa do colmeal - best hotel of the trip, thanks to a George and his awesome hospitality. Read full reviewReviewed on 03 Nov 2019 by Hannah OFarrell
The most exciting part of the holiday was the beautiful coastal towns. Read full reviewReviewed on 15 Oct 2018 by Laurie Crossman
It actually exceeded our expectations. We loved it and would been consider doing it again. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Oct 2018 by Fran Kelly
Really well planned routes, great locations that gave a flavour, but contrast of scenery. Good value for money. Organisers we meet extremely helpful, friendly and proud of good service. Read full reviewReviewed on 08 Oct 2018 by Mandy Edney
Beautiful and stunning scenery. Lovely friendly and helpful locals. Great cycling routes - and very good bikes. Read full review
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