Atlantic Ocean tour: Coimbra – Lisbon

Europe's seductive West.

Look forward to a bike tour, where you will get to know and love Portugal's beauties. On the first day you cycle from the historic university town of Coimbra along the "Via Atlântica" cycle path through dense pine forest to the seaside resort of Praia de Vieira. Further along the coast you will cycle to Nazaré, formerly a small typical fishing village with a beautiful old town, which has been the scene of several film shoots several times. Then sand beaches, cliffs and protected lagoon landscapes change on the way to Obidos with its completely preserved city wall. Feel along the coast the fascination of the sea and the sometimes meter-high waves. The 8 km long coastline around Ericiera was recognized as the first surf protection area in Europe. Marvel at Sintra, a famous Portuguese city with ancient castles and magnificent palaces like the Pena Palace, one of the biggest tourist attractions in Portugal. Stroll along the beautiful seaside promenade that connects the fashionable seaside resort of Cascais and Estoril and marvel in Bélém at the Jerónimos Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the tower, built in 1521, which welcomes all arriving ships towards Lisbon. On a well-maintained bike path you finally cycle to the center of Lisbon. Here you can still explore the historic streets of the Alfama with the historic tram line 28, climb up to the fortress Castelo Sao Jorge and stroll over the pulsating Rossio square. In the evening, the famous elevator Santa Justa in the middle of the center brings you up to the bustling upper town with many bars and restaurants for a nice farewell party.

1. day Coimbra Arrival

From the airports of Porto and Lisbon, the old university city of Coimbra can be easily reached in just one or two hours by train. We recommend to book a flight to Porto to join the welcome meeting in Porto at 5 pm. Afterwards we will bring you and your bike to Coimbra (duration approx. 90 minutes). On the day of arrival you can stroll through the narrow streets of the old town with its numerous impressive Renaissance buildings and the world-famous antique library (since 2013 UNESCO World Heritage Site). If you arrive to Porto after 5 pm or you fly into Lisbon you go to Coimbra on your own. In this case we can arrange an online welcome meeting on request.

2. day Coimbra – Praia de Pedrogão 48 km + bus

After a short bustransfer in the morning (included) you hop on your bike in Verride - you cycle towards the coast! Initially dominated by the fertile plain of the Mondego River, the bike path "Via Atlantica" leads you through gently rolling pine forests to the wide sandy beach of Praia de Pedrogão with the hotel only 200 m away from the beach. In the evening, the sunset and typical beach bars and nice restaurants attract many guests. Enjoy the evening!

3. day Praia de Pedrogão – Nazaré 44 km

On the longest cycle path in Portugal we continue along the coast through the typical pine forests. First destination is the seaside resort of Sao Pedro de Moel with the lighthouse visible from afar, from which a phenomenal view over the rugged cliffs pays off. The sheltered bay invites you to take a break, but four more sandy beaches are on your way to the daily destination, including the famous beach, Praia do Norte ', where the Hawaiian Garrett McNamara 2012 surfed the 30m height of the largest wave in the world. Finally, enjoy the picturesque fishing village of Nazaré, whose historic center with the pilgrimage church is located on a rocky plateau above the town. Since 1889, a cable car has been very conveniently located there, so you can end the evening both on the beach and stroll through the old town.

4. day Nazaré – Óbidos 44 km

In the morning you cycle along the cliffs to the beautiful coastal town of São Martinho do Porto with its unique lagoon. Connected only by a narrow opening to the open sea, the lagoon's water is swimming and bathing suitable for most of the year. After another break in the seaside village of Foz do Arelho you cycle through a small wine growing area inland to Óbidos, the Portuguese "Rothenburg ob der Tauber". If the crowds of visitors have left the picturesque place in the evening, you can still enjoy all the highlights with leisure: the small decorated streets, the imposing castle complex, the idyllic mountain panorama and the preserved city wall, on which the historic city can be completely surrounded.

5. day Óbidos – Peniche 51 km

After a short downhill ride you cycle on well-developed cycle paths on the shores of the wide lagoon landscape of Óbidos back to the cliffs. This is dominated by the spacious glammorous hotel complexes with well-maintained golf courses before the scene changes completely on the Baleal peninsula. Known as a Mecca for the international surfing scene, there are colorful VW Bullis with surfboards on the beach and in all the cafes and shops is only one topic. For hours you can watch the hustle and bustle on the water. On the way to Peniche this picture does not change, because everywhere they say: Surf is Up!

6. day Peniche – Ericeira 66 km

From one surf hotspot to the next: Along a magnificent cliff landscape today's day's stage leads through the hilly, coastal interior. This longest stage also holds the most climbs for you, so it is worth taking a cooling bath break on the white beach of Praia da Areira Branca, before following the river Rio Grande on side roads. Shortly before your destination of the day, the surfing and fishing village of Ericeira, you have to pedal hard again, then roll into the lively streets of the old town, which promises a relaxing evening with many bars and restaurants.

7. day Ericeira – Sintra 27 km

Today's stage is kept very short, leaving plenty of time for the enchanting Sintra, with its ancient castles and magnificent palaces that have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1995. The absolute highlight is the vividly painted Pena Palace, one of Portugal's greatest attractions, with an impressive mix of North African influences and medieval Gothic. But the National Palace, the Moorish castle and other extravagant palaces with sophisticated parks are on every visitor list and let the day go by way too fast.

8. day Sintra – Lisbon 58 km

In the morning enjoy a great descent through the green mountains of the Serra de Sintra and along the shallow coast to the pretty town center of Cascais, the historic summer destination of the Portuguese kings. Right on the sea promenade you cycle to the fashionable seaside resort of Estoril with the first casino of Portugal, before you follow the coastal road (partially bike path) to Belém with the UNESCO World Heritage listed Jerónimos Monastery whose entire limestone facade is artistically designed. A short stop at the neighboring pastry shop to taste the famous Pastéis de Belém pudding tarts - and then quickly on the bike path right on the water into Lisbon.
Alternatively you can shorten today's day's stage by train several times. Either travel by train from Sintra directly to Lisbon or you shorten from Cascais or Estoril the route to Belem or Lisbon by train.

9. day Lisbon Departure

From your centrally located hotel you can easily reach all the attractions of Lisbon. We recommend that you spend a few extra days in this wonderful city.

Worth knowing about the bike tour Coimbra - Lisbon

Below you will find specific information about the bike tour "Coimbra - Lisbon". If you have further questions about this trip, just call us: Tel: 06421 - 886890.

Arrival by plane

The bike tour starts in Coimbra and ends in Lisbon. You can easily reach Coimbra both from the airport in Porto and from the airport in Lisbon, because Coimbra is located directly on the railway line Porto - Lisbon. From Porto, the express trains takes 1 hour and Lisbon 2 hours.
The return flight is of course the quickest from Lisbon, but also a train return to Porto takes only 3 hours and therefore you could also start the return flight from there.

The individual bike routes

You cycle 90% on paved roads, bike paths or small roads. Short passages on the beach you cycle on the beautiful wooden stilts through the middle of the dunes. Only a few sections you have to cycle on busy roads or difficult gravel paths.
Most stages have been consciously selected not too long, so you really have time on the road to enjoy the many natural beauties and to explore the worth seeing places of accommodation. Nice stopovers on the beach or on the cliffs are possible without having to rush.
Overall, the daily stages are hilly, flat sections at sea level alternate with climbs up to the cliffs or hilly routes in the hinterland through vineyards and wooded nature reserves.

Available rental bikes

We provide touring bikes (unisex), hybrid bikes (females/men's) and electric bikes (unisex) with a pannier and a lock. The bikes are available with freewheeel and in different frame sizes  Please specify your wishes with your booking.
Rental bikes

Your Velociped contact person on site

Also in Portugal we offer you a reliable all-round service. Our english- and german-speaking, born in Porto partner takes care of your well-being on the spot. He welcomes you on the day of arrival in Coimbra, takes care of the rental bikes, knows all the bike routes personally and is always available for advice and action if needed.

Navigation with your mobile phone

You often cycle on small roads and paths with many branches in a very varied landscape. There are only a few bike path signs or information signs. Therefore we recommend to use our GPS files in addition to our tour book with maps. We are happy to send you the GPS files free of charge by email. You can save all day tours on your smartphone to follow them easily.
We can provide a GPS device with the files for a rental fee (50.00 EUR). GPS device is subject to availabilty, so please contact Velociped at least 1 week before your journey starts. A short video for handling can be found here tutorial.

Travel season

As early as March, the daytime temperatures are ideal for leisurely cycling and from April, you can expect warm evenings. From May is high season and in June, the shady places are in demand in Portugal. The bathing season is in July and August, then the locals are in large numbers at the water. From September, the pleasant temperatures for the cyclists are predominantly. Even October is still a good travel month for bike tours in Portugal.  Only the Atlantic Ocean might be too cold for a long bath.

Extra costs which are not included

City tax is not part of the price and has to be paid at the hotel locally.

If you do not want to use your moble phone for navigation, we can provide a GPS device on request (rental fee 60,00 €).

7 days hotline service

If the bike chain is torn, flooding makes it impossible to continue or any other unpleasant surprises await you: we are available for you 7 days a week and will help you as soon as possible.

Passport and visa requirements, health regulations

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Corona travel information:
Before booking your trip, please inform yourself about the measures in place to contain the Corona pandemic.

An up-to-date overview of applicable measures and travel and safety advice regarding Covid-19 for all countries in the EU and Switzerland can be found here:
https://reopen.europa.eu/en/

You can also find more information on our website at:
Corona virus and holiday planning

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Coimbra

The historic city Coimbra is situated in the interior and on the beautiful river Mondego, approximately 100 km south of Porto and is domicile of Portugal’s oldest University. Would you like to get to know the real and authentic Portuguese Life? Coimbra is the right place.  You can feel the special flair especially in the narrow winding streets and alleys of the old town. Due to the city’s history you will find many places of interest as well – don’t miss it.

Coimbra

University of Coimbra

The reputed Alma Mater is the city’s landmark. Built in the 12th century, you find it on the highest point of the city, alreday visible from afar.  Characteristic for the students in Coimbra is a black cape and the varicolored ribbons (“fitas”), which differs depending on the faculty. Universities’ centerpiece is the majestic library “Joãnina” form the 18th century with about 300.000 books. Those relicts are preserved with the aid of a colony of bats, which spend the nights in the library and feed on insects.

University of Coimbra

Nazaré

Nazaré, with its mild climate and natural beauty, has very ancient traditions and is known as a fishing and pilgrimage destination. In recent years, a natural phenomenon and one surfer guy have made the place world famous. This is the underwater phenomenon "Canhão da Nazaré", the largest underwater gorge in Europe, which is over 170 kilometers long and extends down to 5000 meters. It provduces gigantic and perfect waves conditions and one of the largest surfable waves in the world.

Nazaré 

São Martinho do Porto

The city is located in a charming area, on a lagoon that only opens with a narrow gate to the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore the water is suitable for swimming and bathing almost all year round. The location had made São Martinho do Porto a sought-after summer resort already in the 19th century.

Sao Martinho

Obidos

This charming town is known for its historic center, which is completely surrounded by walkable walls and laced with flower-filled streets. From these walls you have a fantastic view over the roofs with their terracotta tiles and the whitewashed houses of the city. During your visit, you should not miss a tasting of the sweet "Ginja de Obidos", the cherry liqueur produced in the region of Obidos!

Obidos

Peniche

Peniche is located on a peninsula, characterized by a high cliff. At the westernmost point you will find the Cabo Carvoeiro with a lighthouse, from which the island group of the Berlengas can be seen very well. Take a tour through the historic center and visit the churches of São Pedro and Misericórdia as well as the Forte de Peniche. In addition to fishing, lace-making is still one of the artisan traditions in Peniche, which is maintained in a school next to the tourist office.

Peniche

Ericeira

This small town is located aprx. 50 km northwest of Lisbon and especially known for its surf spots. Stroll through the winding streets of the old town and visit the church "Igreja Paroquial de Sao Pedro". A special attraction of this area is the gastronomy full of traditional flavors out of the sea.

Ericeira

Sintra

Sintra is considered to be a picturesque town amid a beautiful landscape of steep hills and lush green forests leading down to the fantastic coastline. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city offers a variety of colorful and historic buildings ranging from extravagant palaces and decadent houses to ancient castle ruins. The city center of Sintra impresses with beautiful cobbled streets, traditional houses, shops and cafés. Very worthwhile: a visit of the "Palácio Nacional da Pena".

Sintra

Pena Palast

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

The 16th century "Mosteiro dos Jerónimos" is located in Belém, a suburb of Lisbon. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 for its unique architecture. Nowadays it houses the sarcophagi and tombs of important Portuguese personalities, including members of the royal family. It is one of the most beautiful sights in Portugal.

Monastery

Lisbon

Lisbon, Portugal's stunning capital. The city is built on seven hills (not counting minor hills) and is considered to be one of the most charismatic and lively metropolises in Europe. Heritage, tradition and modernity coexist here. The old town impresses with its tile facades and medieval, narrow streets. The international airport is 6 km north of the center.

Lisbon