A typical hotel breakfast consists of toast/bread with jam, or honey, cheese and ham, served with coffee, tea, milk, orange juice, fruit, cake and yoghurt. Eggs are usually available and there are frequently other cooked options; the breakfasts on this trip are always plentiful and perfect to set us up for a day of cycling.

Portuguese people are very proud of their cuisine, and the deliciously fresh seafood is a real highlight. You will find fresh fish on most menus, usually sardines, sea bream, hake, sea bass and sole, cooked in a variety of ways.

Bacalhau (cured codfish) is a national dish although it can vary depending on the region – there are up to 365 recipes to cook it. Caldo verde (green soup) is made with potatoes, olive oil and salt, sometimes with garlic and onion, and is typical in the northern region of Portugal.

For meat lovers, the barrosã meat (steak) is often served grilled and roasted to showcase its naturally delicious flavour. Francesinha is an iconic dish originating from Porto and involves layers of different meats (usually beef, ham, grilled pork, linguica [smoke-cured pork sausage] and sausage), between two slices of bread, covered by melted cheese and immersed in a spicy beer and tomato sauce, often topped with a fried egg and surrounded by chips. It is not for the faint-hearted.

To drink you will find plenty of the local Sagres and Super Bock beer. Vinho verde is available from the supermarket and directly from the producers. It is a young, medium-strength white wine with an almost carbonated quality. Port needs no introduction and a glass (or two) of the fortified wine will generally follow a hearty Portuguese meal.

There are an incredible number of different desserts available and if you have a sweet tooth it will be possible to try a different one each day! Local favourites include bolo de bolacha (cookie cake), leite-creme (cream eggs and sugar), pão de ló (sponge cake made with lots of eggs), arroz doce (a traditional rice pudding) and of course, pastel de nata, which you will find at most cafes on your route.

Cycle traffic-light paths that ride along the Douro estuary to the Atlantic, where boardwalks and promenades reveal sandy Atlantic beaches and salt-tanged air. Pause in the lively seaside town of Furadouro for a swim or café stop, then continue through whispering pines toward the historic heart of Ovar.

Discover Ovar’s devotion to azulejos, the glazed tiles that turn ordinary facades into open-air galleries. The blue-and-white patterns reflect centuries of craftsmanship and seafaring motifs, adding cultural texture to a day defined by ocean horizons and easy, scenic riding.

Pedal quiet trails through the São Jacinto Dunes Natural Reserve, a mosaic of beach, marsh, and rolling dunes alive with seasonal birdlife. The flat, car-light route invites unhurried coastal rhythms as sea breezes lift the scent of pine and salt.

Glide by short ferry on a ferry across the Aveiro Lagoon to the photogenic village of Costa Nova striped houses (palheiros), once fishermen’s sheds now painted like candy-cane postcards. It’s a day of gentle cycling, nature watching, and camera-ready color at the water’s edge.

Follow quiet lanes along the Portuguese ‘Silver Coast’, where dune-backed straights give way to soft rollers through pine forest. A satisfying ascent over the Serra da Boa Viagem reveals wide Atlantic panoramas before a smooth glide to the seafront boulevards of Figueira da Foz.

Arrive in a resort long hailed as the Rainha das Praias (Queen of Beaches). Broad sands, belle-époque architecture, and salt-laced air frame an inviting coastal scene—perfect for a post-ride stroll as fishing boats and surfers share the same luminous horizon.

Trace the breezy Estrada Atlântica cycleway, rolling between sea and forest toward the whitewashed cottages and sea cliffs of São Pedro de Moel. The route blends ocean vistas with stretches of pastoral calm, ideal for steady cadence and coastal immersion.

Ride through the storied Pinhal de Leiria, planted in the 15th century to supply timber for ships of the Portuguese Discoveries. Recent fires scar parts of the landscape, yet new growth signals renewal—an evocative backdrop that underscores Portugal’s enduring bond with the sea.

Climb steadily to the panoramic terrace at Sítio da Nazaré for a sweeping look at the lighthouse and Praia Norte giant-wave arena, where Atlantic swells rise from a submarine canyon. The descent to the beach town carries sea spray and the cry of gulls.

At street level, encounter proud fishing heritage: hand-painted boats, drying racks, and fisherwomen famed for their seven skirts. Linger on the promenade to pause for photos and reflection before continuing toward the medieval charms awaiting inland.

Step into a historic tavern for a guided tour of courtyard and old wine cellars, learning how sour cherries, aguardente, and patience yield Portugal’s beloved ginjinha. Conclude with a tasting—traditionally sipped neat or in a petite chocolate cup—celebrating sweet-tart balance.

Framed by the medieval walls of Óbidos, whitewashed lanes and Manueline doorways set a romantic stage. Your host shares producer lore and local customs, turning a simple liqueur into a story of harvests, heritage, and small-town pride.

Join a guided orientation walk through the heart of Lisbon, taking in Baixa and Rossio, the riverside sweep of Praca do Comércio, and the timeworn alleys of Alfama. This relaxed circuit helps you get your bearings among tile-fronted facades and café terraces.

Hear how the 1755 earthquake reshaped the city into a rational Pombaline grid and spot the filigreed Elevador de Santa Justa rising above the rooftops. Along the way, your leader points out viewpoints, transit tips, and places to sample custard tarts or catch live fado later on.

Experience a Fado evening in a traditional casa de fados, where candlelit tables frame melancholic vocals and the bright timbre of the guitarra portuguesa. This optional outing is available at additional cost and pairs soulful music with classic Lisbon ambiance.

Recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, fado grew from sailors’ laments and tavern ballads into an emblem of Lisbon identity. Your Tour Leader can advise venues and timings; this experience is bookable on tour subject to availability.

Celebrate your arrival in Porto with a convivial welcome meal where you meet your Tour Leader and fellow riders. Set in the atmospheric lanes of the UNESCO-listed Ribeira, this hosted dinner showcases regional flavors and the river city’s easygoing rhythm beside the Douro River.

Absorb Porto’s granite skyline, azulejo-clad churches, and the legacy of port wine merchants that shaped its character. Your Tour Leader outlines the journey ahead, ensuring you feel prepared and inspired for days of coastal riding from a city long connected to Atlantic trade winds.