From Lisbon or Porto, you reach beautiful Coimbra by train or private transfer. The University of Coimbra, one of the oldest in Europe, dominates the city nestling in a meander of the River Mondego. You will cycle along the coast to the iconic town of Nazaré, where surfing and fishing are the order of the day. The Silver Coast reveals its superb beaches, cliffs, rolling hinterland and rural life. This itinerary takes in some of Portugal's most beautiful towns, each with its own distinct identity: Nazaré and Ericeira, clinging to the coast and boasting a rich maritime history; Obidos and Sintra, guarding a thousand-year-old heritage from behind their walls and castles. At the end of the journey is Lisbon, the luminous Portuguese capital, with its white limestone buildings on the banks of the “Sea of Straw”. You'll never tire of visiting or revisiting Lisbon, and to continue the cycling adventure, we offer you the option of cycling along the banks of the Tagus River towards Bélem and the ocean.
From Lisbon or Porto, train or private transfer (optional) to Coimbra. The University of Coimbra, one of the oldest in Europe, dominates the city nestling in a meander of the River Mondego. The narrow streets of the old town reveal an atmosphere of bygone days, with a touch of modernity that gives Coimbra its charm. Depending on your arrival time, you can visit the University, the Joannine Library or the Botanical Gardens.
Meals included: none
Night: Coimbra
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After the bike delivery, you will have a short transfer to the coast (30 min), where your ride of the day follows the « estrada atlantica », the Atlantic Road, via a cycle path that leads through the national forest. Lake Ervedeira is an ideal place for a rest where you can relax on the lake shore or enjoy a swim. The beautiful cycle path, shaded by large pine trees, follows the coast, passing through the villages of Pedrogão, Praia da Vieira and Paredes de Vitoria. Detours to certain large beaches are both possible and recommended! The Notre Dame de Nazaré promontory is an exceptional end to the day, overlooking the cliffs battered by the largest waves on the planet, a legendary spot for surfers!
Departing from Nazaré, you have spectacular views over the protected harbor cove and the two parts of the town, one perched on the promontory and the other nestled in the lower part and protected from the prevailing north-westerly winds. An agricultural canal, small roads and country lanes lead to the magnificent bay of São Martinho do Porto. Once dubbed “the bidet of the marquises”, this small 19th-century seaside resort boasts some beautiful facades from the Romantic era and one of the cosiest beaches on the Portuguese coastline. The « estrada atlantica » continues southwards towards the Foz do Arelho estuary. Offshore, the Berlengas archipelago offers a beautiful landscape on the horizon. You cycle along the estuary and the Obidos lagoon where you can spot many different species of bird before reaching Obidos, one of the best kept fortified villages in the country, whose ramparts and alleyways defy time.
Obidos deserves one final visit after breakfast before cycling over hills and dales to the village of Pó. The passage through the Cornaga Gorge is the most difficult part of the itinerary, but perhaps also one of the most beautiful, with its ancient cascades and water mills. The gorge leads to the Cesarenada plateau, which you cross, passing through the vineyards of Lourinha and the windmills of Pinhoa. You reach the coast and the beach in Porto Novo via the bucolic valley of Alcabrichel.
The itinerary continues south following the coast to the small town of Santa Cruz, famous for its beach surrounded by cliffs. The trail then leads inland, along the River Lizandro and wooded or cultivated hills dotted with small villages and isolated hamlets. The final part of today’s ride follows the Atlantic Ocean to the beautiful town of Ericeira. Originally a major fishing port and a military stronghold, thanks to the fortress of Nossa Senhora da Natividade, Ericeira has become a seaside resort popular with surfers from every continent.
The route takes in the Lizandro valley and the superb São Julião beach before reaching the coast of the Sintra Cascais Natural Park. You will follow the steep coastline of Aguda beach, discover the photogenic village of Azenhas do mar with its terraced houses clinging to the cliffs, then cross the pinewoods and vineyards of Colares before skirting the northern flank of the Sintra massif, one of the peaks topped by the spectacular Pena Palace. Sintra has to be earned, and this cycling trip ends with a final climb to reach the historic centre. You could also visit Sintra's National Palace or the Quinta da Regaleira, two of Sintra's countless monuments. You could also visit Sintra's National Palace or the Quinta da Regaleira, two of Sintra's countless monuments.
Bike return. Private transfer to Lisbon. A day to discover the luminous and cosmopolitan Portuguese capital nestling on the banks of the Tagus estuary. In the narrow streets of its historic districts, you will discover an atmosphere that is both authentic and proud of its thousand-year-old past. As an option, you can hire a bike and ride downstream along the Tagus towards Bélem or upstream towards the Expo district.
After breakfast, optional transfer to Lisbon airport. End of your trip.