Bem vindo a Portugal!

You will be met at Porto Airport and taken to your hotel, with your bikes and luggage. if you have ordered bike hire, we will ensure that these are set up ready for you at the hotel.

Enjoy an evening in this breathtakingly beautiful city - visit the tile museum, try the grilled sardines and wander the cobbled streets.

This is a comfortable hotel with great airport links and plenty of space in the garage here to set up bikes and get ready for the tour!

Taken at hotel

Your journey starts by rail. At Porto you will board the historic train which will take you along the valley to Pinhão.

We recommend taking drinks and snacks with you on the way - there is no service cart on this train.

Make sure you have your ID and ticket!

Your first cycle starts along the river to Peso da Régua, the heart of wine production in the Douro Valley.

You will join the N2, and ride through Lamego to your hotel, which is in the countryside to the south of the town. In Lamego you must head up to see the church of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios.

Duration

53km, 633m+

24km - Peso da Régua

43km - Lamego

Unwind at the spa before savoring a hearty meal of regional dishes made with fresh, on-site ingredients. Spend the night in a beautifully refurbished old watermill, and wake refreshed to a sumptuous breakfast featuring even more home-grown produce.

Taken at hotel

From Lamego, you will leave behind the vineyards for rolling hills of the north of Portugal. Here one finds small, quiet villages and forested hillsides. You will finish the day in Viseu, a historic town dating back to the Roman empire and beyond, and considered the possible birthplace of Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal.

Duration

63km, 1200m+

25km - Touro

34km - Fraquas

49km - Nelas

Stylish rooms and a wellness centre with spa facilities, sauna and hot tub make this a perfect place to rejuvenate after your first day

Today you will arrive at the foothills of the Serra da Estrela, the highest mountains of Portugal. As you ride, you will notice the incredible biodiversity of this region, and the way that people live in close harmony with nature.

This whole region is truly unspoilt and just like it was years ago, with people still living in the same traditional way as they always have.

Duration

48km, 843m+

18km - Mangualde

37km - Vila nova de Tazem

42km - Pinhanços

This stylish, contemporary hotel offers supreme comfort and super-friendly staff who will make you feel right at home.

TBC

Museu do Pão

Rua de Santana, R. do Fonte do Marrão, 6270-538 Seia

This day you will cycle further into the heart of the stunning Serra de Estrela, through small roads and tracks. This day is very flexible and can be lengthened or shortened very easily.

Manteigas is nestled in the valley bottom. Here you can cool off in the beautiful natural river pools, and visit the waterfalls nearby.

Duration

44km, 1289m+

11km - Sabugeiro

18km - Ti Branquinho

Recuperate in the pool with views of the mountains at this new and top-rated family hotel.

This day you can either take as a full rest day, to enjoy the hotel and pool , or take as a ride. There are a couple of options if you want to have a great loop in the hills. You could also do a hike instead along many of the stunning trails nearby.

Duration

22km, 608m+

or

51km, 1300m+

3km & 19km - Manteigas

15km - Ti Branquinho

47km - Granja

Recuperate in the pool with views of the mountains at this new and top-rated family hotel.

This day will take you through the stunning valleys of the central Serra da Estrela , to Unhais da Serra where you will stay at the stunning H20 Congress and Medical Spa with amazing facilities. The longer version of todays ride will take you around a beautiful loop to Bouça, where you can swim in the natural pools there.

Duration

30km, 860m+

or

53km, 1300m+

None until Unais de Serra at the end of the day, so fuel up on the hotel breakfast and ensure you have enough with you for the day!

This staff at this stylish hotel specialise in wellness treatments and the delicious food is thoughtfully crafted to help you feel your best.

Today you will be cycling through the heart of the most breathtakingly beautiful countryside of Portugal from Serra de Estrela to Piodão, one of the ‘Aldeias do Xisto’ . It’s like going back in time a hundred years – old traditions live on in these small villages in the mountains.

Duration

50km, 997m+

20km - Pedras Lavadas

29km - Aguachinho (river beach)

33km - Broca (river beach)

This hilltop hotel has panoramic views over historic Piódão, an enchanting village all made from black schist.

TBC

Out of Piodão there is a little bit of climbing, but after that you are rewarded by a fabulous descent away from the hills. Tonight you will stay in an unique glamping spot near Tabua which will be a memorable and gorgeous evening!

Duration

52km

890m+

18km - Pomares

22km - Avô

28km - Baril De Alva

45km - Sao Joao da Boavista

Sleep close to nature here on the farm, tucked into the hills. Enjoy the succulent fruits and vegetables grown here with your meals and unwind in the hot tub under the stars.

Today you will continue cycling down from the hills towards the famous Mondego River, passing through Penacova (known for its natural springs) and along the Ciclovia until Coimbra, Portugal’s historic university town.  

Duration

66km, 813m+

43km - Penacova

Here you will have a truly unique experience at this beautiful hotel located within a historic palace.

Use this day to explore this unique university city. The old town is full of historic sights, including the Biblioteca Joanina and Church of Santa Cruz.

There is no shortage of fantastic local restaurants and cafes either, so no excuse not to refuel for the next part of your journey!

Here you will have a truly luxurious experience at this 5* hotel located within a historic palace

Local restaurant - TBC

This is an easy day along the river via Montemor-o-Novo. Relax and enjoy the sights.

Today you will see the Atlantic, at Figueira da Foz, a lovely seaside town where it’s vital to try the grilled fish and sardines!

Duration

51km, 171m+

29km - Montemor-o-Velho

TBC

Pateo Casino Restaurante or Pregaria Do Bairro

Today is a flat, easy cycling along the coast to the colourful waterfront town of Aveiro, built in Roman times as a centre for salt exploration and trade. You will stay in the sublime 5-star MS Collection Palacete which will be a real treat as you near the end of your trip.

Duration

82km, 250m+

44km - Praia da Mira

58km - Praia da Vagueira

This hotel is superbly situated right in the centre of Aveiro, close to the water and all the local amenities.

All good things come to an end! You will finish with another flat, easy cycle along the coast up to Porto where you began your journey, following the EuroVelo1 for most of the way. You will have a short boat ride across the ‘Salinas de Aveiro’ in the middle of the day.

Duration

82km, 226m+

24km - Torreira

54km - Praia de Paramos

Relax here and explore the city, before your transfer to the airport in the morning.

We will be sad to see you leave!

We will take you to the airport in Porto in time for your flight.

Até a proxima...

The best time to cycle in this part of Portugal is between April and September, when the temperatures are pleasant for riding and conditions are relatively settled in the mountains. The spring and autumn colours are particularly beautiful.

We recommend against riding this tour between October and March, as the Serra da Estrela experiences low temperatures, heavy rain and even snow!

This route is designed for cyclists with a moderate level of fitness.

The Douro Valley is fairly hilly, and a good warm up for the Serra da Estrela! After the mountains, you will find the terrain easier as you descent to the coast, then north to Porto.

Expect fantastic Portuguese cuisine suitable for cyclists in the evening and plenty of coffee stops during the ride. We design the route to take in towns and villages where the authentic Portuguese experience can be had.

Please note that due to availability, accommodation may vary from the hotels listed above.

Depending on your group size, we may be able to offer you a choice of hotels. Where possible we will do our best to accommodate you in small, traditional hotels and guesthouses where you will enjoy a truly unique experience each night.

• Bike*

• Inner tube, hand pump, levers, multitool*

• Pedals

• Helmet

• Cycling shoes

• Powermeter/Di2/Sram batteries/Garmin chargers as appropriate*

• Sunglasses (including clear lenses if you have them)

• Cycling gloves (depending on season)

• Cycling rain jacket

• Saddle (All of our hire bikes are equipped with a saddle, of course. However, we recommend that you bring your own if it is comfortable for you rather than spending a week sitting on a saddle that may not be suitable for you.)

• Suitcase (see below)

• Bib shorts, jersey, gilet, socks- minimum 4 sets. We will offer a wash on day 4.

• Arm/leg warmers

• Rain/wind vest

• Base-layer (depending on season)

• Chamois Cream

• Rear bike light + chargers

• Water bottles x 2 (we have bottles available to purchase).

• Garmin/Wahoo and mount

• Energy bars/snacks that you particularly like!

• Regular clothes and light jacket or jumper for evening

• Swimsuit (many of the hotels have pools or spa)

• Evening shoes / sandals

• Passport (Valid for at least 3 months after your departure date)

• Travel Insurance

• Small day bag that will be accessible for you in the van

• Sun protection

• USB charger

• First aid kit

• Toiletries

• Cellphone and charger

• ID card or passport

• Credit/debit card

• Medications and prescriptions

• Power adapter

• Ear plugs / eye mask

• Powerbank

• Airport transfers from Porto

• Train tickets to Pinhão

• 14 nights accommodation in handpicked, bike friendly hotels

• Buffet breakfast each day

• Restaurant reservations each evening

• Detailed route planning (suited to group), GPX files given in advance plus itinerary

• Large luggage storage (bike boxes for example) throughout

• Civil Liability Insurance

• Telephone support whenever you should need it.

• 5 star Service – our promise

• Dinners, lunches, extra activities

• Flights

• Anything else not listed above

• Luggage transfers + mechanical support vehicle (€360/group per riding day) = €4,680

• Luggage transfers (€150/group per riding day for groups up to 5) = €1,950

• Luggage transfers (€200/group per riding day for groups 6+) = €2,600

• Guide (€260 per guide per riding day) = €3,380

We have a range of rental bikes to suit different styles and budgets, including e-bikes. Below are a few examples. For full details and prices, see our website.

• Megamo. SRAM APEX AXS. 12 speed.

• Megamo. SRAM Apex Eagle. 12 speed.

• Megamo Lande Premium e-Gravel. Bosch Performance Line.

• Megamo e-Gravel. Bosch 600wh.

Our bike rental partners are scaled to support large group, of 40+ riders.

Paradise Cycling Tours Unipessoal LDA

Bairro da Boavista 6
8100-016 Alte
Portugal
NIPC 517913704
RNVAT 11760

Contact:
Fiona Hunter Johnston +351 931325694

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Read our 200+ 5* Google reviews here.