Atlantic Ocean tour: Porto – Coimbra

Wild, Romantic, Colorful and full of history

Start your holiday in Porto, which is idyllically situated on the Douro River and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996 with its historic buildings, baroque churches, port wine cellars and fantastic bridges. This beautiful bike route will lead you to wide, sandy beaches on the Atlantic coast. Discover small seaside resorts and cycle through the protected wide lagoon of Aveiro. Look forward to the picturesque town, which is also called "Venice of Portugal" and to the mundane seaside resort of Figueira da Foz. You cycle along the longest river in Portugal and finally reach the old town of Coimbra with its medieval streets. The varied cycle route runs mostly flat, only on the 4th day you have to master larger slope and on the 5th day you cycle slightly hilly roads for 15 km. You cycle mostly on asphalted roads, separate bike paths and small streets with little traffic. The selected hotels, at the seaside resorts are always in the direct vicinity of the beach and in the famous cities right in the old town. Ideal cycling conditions await you from mid-March to the end of October due to the mild spring, not too hot summer because of the location on the Atlantic and sunny autumn.

1. day Porto Arrival

Low-cost flights and the nearby airport (Metro, 30 minutes) simplify individual travel. Look forward to Porto's lively Mediterranean shoreline and a colorful, charming old town with a variety of shopping opportunities.

2. day Porto – Furadouro 45 km

Today your cycling trip starts spectacular. You cycle to the picturesque Douro river, across the historic iron bridge to the famous port wine producers and follow the Douro to the wide estuary to the Atlantic. Enjoy wonderful panoramic views of the picturesque old town. On a separate bicycle lane you bike along the beach promenade. Like this you can enjoy the gentle waves of the Atlantic and the wide white sand beaches. In the middle of the dune landscape, you follow the cycle path along wooden walkways. Look forward to Espinho, here you will find the most beautiful beaches south of Porto. In the afternoon you will cycle through the pine-tree forest to the former fishing village of Furadouro with its kilometers of sandy beaches. Take a stroll through the wide promenade and enjoy the day.

3. day Furadouro – Aveiro 55 km

The well-developed lagoon landscape of Aveiro, separated from the Atlantic by an extended dune strip, offers a unique biotope with wide shallow waters, small canals, diverse flora and fauna and lively fishing. Enjoy the beautiful fishing village of Aveiro with picturesque canals. In the Art Nauveau dominated old town, colorful traditional boats offer small canal cruises. Dive into this picture-book town, visit the cathedral and enjoy the evening in one of the numerous restaurants of the old town.

4. day Aveiro – Praia de Mira 46 km

In Ilhavo you can admire the museum and the historical factory area of the Vista-Alegre porcelain factory, where noble porcelains of world renown is produced. The Spanish and Belgian royal houses, the White House and many museums are among the customers. Take a break at the coast in the town of Costa Nova with its countless colorful painted houses (palheiros), which now houses pretty holiday houses, cafés, restaurants and nice shops. Kilometers of dunes, the foothills of the lagoon landscape and a variety of bathing facilities will accompany you all day. The seaside resort of Praia de Mira, with its fine beach promenade and typical small restaurants and fishermen's houses, can be reached on separate cycle paths away from any traffic.

5. day Praia de Mira – Figueira da Foz 56 km

Today quite different landscape impressions characterize your day. 12 km you cycle through the wide state forest with beautifully scented pine trees. A separate cycle path leads you idyllically along densely wooded streams to historic water mills and small lakes. Afterwards, you will cycle along small streets through dreamy villages, colorful fields and green forests. Enjoy the well wooded track, as just before your reach your destination you have to master 200 meters height. Reward yourself with a "stopover" and look forward to the deserved descent down to the coast to the wide dream beach of the fashionable seaside resort Figueira da Foz.

6. day Figueira da Foz - Coimbra 55 km / 38 km + train ride

Today you will cycle on the new bike path along the river Mondego (optionally by train) to the impressive castle complex of Montemor-o-Velho. This widely visible fortification complex on the top of the hill will be reached by using three escalators in the narrow old town. Enjoy the fantastic panorama without effort. After leaving the town, you have to master 100 meter uphill before you will roll on small roads along the edge of the Mondego valley. Follow the river to the old town of the venerable university town of Coimbra, which is located majestic on a slope.

7. day Coimbra - Porto

Today’s day is free to define. We recommend to start the morning with a walk through the historic city of Coimbra. In 2013 the old but still quite busy part of the city became UNESCO world heritage. Particularly worth seeing is the famous university and it’s so called historic-baroque ‘golden’ library, which is open for visitors. After a short lunch break in one of the Cafés or student bars our transfer service to Porto starts at 2 pm. In Porto you can explore the city and enjoy the sunset and rest of the evening at the waterfront of Douro river.

8. day Porto Departure

Departure after breakfast.

Worth knowing about your bike trip Porto - Coimbra

Please find more information about the „Porto - Coimbra“ bike trip below. If you have any further questions feel free to contact us by phone: 0049 - (0)6421 - 886890.

Arrival by plane

Porto can be reached from many German and European airports. From the airport in Porto you will reach downtown Porto by metro (journey time approx. 30 minutes).

Condition of cycle paths

You cycle 90% on paved paths and only a few km gravel paths.

Available rental bikes

We provide touring bikes (unisex), hybrid bikes (females/men's) an 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 at the location

In Porto we have an absolutely reliable all-round service for you as well. Our english- and german-speaking local partner, will be at your disposal every day, will welcome you, takes care of the bikes and knows every bicycle tour personally. He is looking forward to give you insider tips and common information.

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.

On request, we will also provide a GPS device with the files on site 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 seasons

In March daytime temperatures are well suited for cycling already and in April you can expect balmy evenings. High season starts in May and in June a shelter from the sun is already treasured. The bathing season is in July and August and you are going to meet many locals at the waterfront. As of September the temperatures are very pleasant for cycling again. Even October is still a good month for travelling but the Atlantic Ocean is way too fresh for a long bath at that time.

Return transfer Coimbra - Porto

On day 7 a transfer to Porto is included. You will be picked up at your hotel at 2 pm. 

Extra costs which are not included

The short train ride on the 6th day from Figueira da Foz costs about 3.00 EUR and has to be paid locally. 
Since March 1st 2018 the city of Porto charges a visitor’s tax of 2,00 EUR per person per night. The tax has to be paid at the hotel.
It is possible to use one of our GPS devices. The fee is 50.00 euros.

7 day hotline service

Just in case the bike chain is broken, flooding makes it impossible to continue your tour or any other nasty surprise: you can reach us seven days a week and we will do anything to help you as fast 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.

Old town of Porto

Known as the Ribeira the old town of Porto starts right on the river banks of the Douro and is since 1996 part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to numerous winding streets and alleys, there are especially many Baroque churches in the old town, that is why Porto is also known as the baroque city. The special feature of the old town is that it is less influenced by individual interest, but rather by their contiguous charm. This becomes clear especially from the other side of the riverbank, from where you have a beautiful view over the old town and thereby the overall pictures from buildings, roads and churches is shown. At the same time there are today many shopping streets and cafés in the old town, which invite you to a long stroll.

Ribeira

Bookstore Livraria Lello a Irmão

The Livraria Lello & Irmão is considered one of the most beautiful bookstores worldwide. The business is actually unique and also not bookworms, should have a look. Already in 1869 the bookstore was opened in order to allow the inhabitants of Porto access to both domestic and foreign literature. The building has two floors, each with large bookshelves. Both the ceiling and the bookshelves are worth seeing. The highlight is the sweeping staircase in the middle of the first floor, about which the elongated stained glass roof is. On the first floor there is a small bar with wines among others. Also striking is the bright exterior facade, which was built in neo-Gothic style.

Livraria Lello e Irmao

Port wine cellars

Portos best known export product is the Port wine. The vineyards where the grapes are grown for this particular sweet wine, extending inland along the Rio Douro. Since 1756 only grapes may be used for the production of Port wine which come from a area that is precisely defined by law. From there, the wine is brought to Porto to the numerous Port wine houses with their famous cellars where it is processed and matured. Visitors can spend days visiting the cavernous cellar at the riverside (there are more than 50, from which you can choose), where you can taste dozens of excellent Port wines.

Port wine

Church Igreja dos Clérigos

Near the historic center of Porto is the Church of the clergy that has been built from 1732 - 1750 in Baroque style. While the interior, compared to other churches in Porto, is surprisingly simply, especially the Baroque façade is worth a visit. From the outside it does not necessarily look like a church, the external facade with large windows and the frescoes and statues in the wall appear venerable. But the main attraction of the  Igreaj dos Clérigos is the Torre dos Clérigos. The church tower with a height of 76 meters the tallest tower of its kind in Portugal and is considered a landmark of the city. After the 225 steps, always narrowing, visitors get a spectacular panoramic view over the city.

Igreja dos Clérigos

Bridge Ponte Dom Luis

The impressive Dom Luis Bridge with 172 m span is a filigree steel-arch bridge in two levels above the Douro and connects Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. It was built from 1881 until 1888, after plans of the engineer Théophile Seyrig. Seyrig already been completed along with Gustav Eiffel the 500 meters further upstream located bridge "Ponte Maria Pia". The bridge belongs to the territorially historic center of Porto, and therefore since 1996 to the "World Heritage Site". The upper part of the bridge is used by the Metro, cyclists and pedestrians, the part underneath is used by car traffic, cyclists and pedestrians.

Ponte Dom Luis

Aveiro

Through the enchanting capital city of Aveiro, nicknamed the "Portuguese Venice", a shimmering Channel runs and the city is considered one of the most enchanting destinations in the country. That is because of the brightly patterned moliceiro boats, the numerous pastel colored buildings in the Art Nouveau style and its quiet, urban atmosphere - a picturesque backdrop. In the city center there are a variety of restaurants as well as a great selection of bars and shops. When you wander through the city, you should go in one of the typical cafes and sample the heavenly ovos moles, the sugary-based egg specialty of the district.

Aveiro

Praia de Mira

Praia de Mira lays on the Atlantic Ocean and the Barrinha-lagoon. It is a popular seaside resort with a long, fine sandy beach which is dune-lined. The “Museu Etnográfico da Praia de Mira“ reminds of the fishermen and their hand-operated fishery, whose importance has waned. The church  „Capela de Nossa Senhora da Conceição“ with its gold-plated crosses,  was redecorated in 1884 after a thunderstorm and is under a preservation. 

Praia de Mira

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 12^th 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