Cycling Tour in Northern Portugal

Northern Portugal is known for its wines and artists, specifically in the districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga, Vila Real, Viseu, Aveiro, and Porto. Cycling here is a mix of easi(er) ups-and-downs with a dash of difficult climbing. Thrill at the spectacularly scenic riding through far less touristy landscapes and on some scenic bike paths.

Off the bike highlights include a boat ride along the Douro River, affording a chance to swim and to take in the views from the water. And then, of course, there is the cuisine. Portuguese wines are world-class, some so since the Roman times. As you sip, savor the delectable dishes that highlight fish--dried cod (for which there are hundreds of recipes), grilled sardines, and fish-and-potato stew--as well as lamb and suckling pig. Portuguese pastries are noteworthy as well: many originated in monasteries and often consist of just a few simple ingredients (think Portuguese custard tarts).

This is your vacation, so let us know which activities you prefer to enjoy. Bem-vindo a Portugal! (Welcome to Portugal!)

See here for more info on Portugal.

Dates & Pricing

DATES (8 days)

June 15-22, 2025

For other dates, more info and availability please contact us.

TOUR PRICE

Per person in double occupancy: from $4,990

Single Supplement: $890

For travel in 2021 and beyond, your tour is carbon neutral! In addition, we donate more than 1% of your trip price to food-literacy and environmental non-profits that share our values. (Details here)

Tour Highlights

Exposure to local culture and history with professional Tour Leaders
Experience the authentic Portuguese cuisine featuring fresh and seasonal ingredients
Enjoy some of the best wines of the region such as Vino Verde and Porto
Elegant and traditional accommodations in hand-selected 4-, 5-star hotels, country resorts and pousadas
Strolls through must-see UNESCO sites such as the historic centers of Porto and Guimares
Explore lesser-known towns such as Amarante, Castelo de Paiva, and the scenic Peneda-Gerês National Park
Exhilarating rides in northern Portugal, with plenty of opportunities to improve your cycling skills with your Tour Leaders
Exposure to the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of the Mediterranean Diet
Traditional, local recipes to bring home with you!

Cycling Level 4 – Antipasto, Primo, Secondo and Dolce (Dessert)

What's Included

7 nights of accommodation in 4-, 5-star hotels, country resorts and pousadas
7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 6 dinners with either a 3- or 4-course menu
Guided visits to UNESCO sites of Porto and Guimaraes
Visit to a bike shop with local former pro cyclist
Exploration of the lesser-known towns of Amarante and Castelo de Paiva
Exhilarating rides through the Peneda-Gerês National Park and the districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga, Vila Real, Viseu, Aveiro, and Porto in the north of Portugal
1 visit and tasting to a local winery and 1 private boat ride on Douro river
1 visit and tasting to a Porto wine producer
Bike rental and navigation system (see more info here)
One group transfer at the beginning from Porto airport to the first hotel (if you arrive on day 1)
One group transfer at the end of the tour from last hotel in Porto to the airport
Comfortable transportation and assistance by 9-seat van for all travel on tour as cited in the itinerary
Refreshments, snacks, fruits and other local delicacies during our rides
Two bilingual, professional Tour Leaders
Local taxes and gratuities for luggage porters and restaurant servers during tour

What's Not Included

6 lunches and 1 dinner on your own
Alcoholic beverages at group meals (including wine, beer, and spirits)
Round-trip airfare and expenses to/from the tour
E-bike, upon request and availability. (See more info here)
Trip cancellation, baggage loss or travel delay insurance (this optional coverage is highly recommended. See more info here)
Gratuities for your Tour Leaders. (Info here)
Personal expenses, such as, but not limited to, phone calls, laundry, emails, gifts

Itinerary

Optional Pre-Tour Night in Caniçada-Gerês (strongly recommended)
Day 1 – Warm up Ride in Peneda-Gerês National Park

Cycling Route Info on Day 1: Main Route: 23mi/2950ft of elevation gain | Extra loop adds: 12mi/680ft

We begin in the scenic area of the Peneda-Gerês National Park, the oldest protected area in the country since 1971.

Our first hotel is a pousada. Meaning “inn”, a pousada is an elegant accommodation built into a renovated castle, convent, fortress, or palace to showcase local culture and tradition. (In Spain, it is called a parador.)

Unwind from the warm-up ride in the tranquil countryside near the village of Vieira do Minho. Enjoy your first tastes of the delicious local cuisine over lunch and dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 2 – Caniçada-Gerês to Guimaraes

Cycling Route Info on Day 2: Main Route: 42mi/3890ft of elevation gain | Extra loop adds: 10mi/1340ft

The route today traces quiet roads and scenic bike path. In Guimarães, a UNESCO site for its well-preserved medieval buildings and hilltop 10th-century castle, we sojourn in another pousada. This one has been lushly designed into a former convent. Do not miss a walk in the vast park around this property, which also features a pool with a scenic view over Guimaraes.

Other highlights off the bike include lunch on your own in the untouristy and quaint village of Fafe, and an informative guided walking tour of Guimaraes followed by dinner in a quintessential local restaurant.

Today we ensure ample time to spend in this charming town that in the 12th century was the first capital of Portugal.
Day 3 & 4 – Guimaraes to Amarante

Cycling Route Info on Day 3: Main Route: 49mi/4500ft of elevation gain | Extra loop adds: 16mi/2470ft

Cycling Route Info on Day 4: Main Route: 36mi/3450ft of elevation gain | Extra loop adds: 8mi/1100ft

On our way out of Guimaraes, we stop by a local bike shop owned by a former pro cyclist who competed in the 70's. Enjoy the bike path leaving Guimaraes and our route to Amarante, which is surrounded by forests and vineyards.

Amarante, on the banks of the Tâmega River, delights with its picturesque stone bridge and delightful blend of Renaissance, medieval, and Romanesque architectures. We stay in a nearby elegant hotel and producer of Vino Verde and other northern wines, for which Portugal is now world-famous.

Other off-the-bike highlights here include a meal in a tasquinha (a local tavern) featuring traditional recipes and a visit and wine tasting at a local winery, in addition to plenty of downtime to soak in charming Amarante.
Day 5 & 6 – Amarante to Douro and Tâmega Rivers

Cycling Route Info on Day 5: Main Route: 40mi/3260ft of elevation gain | Extra loop adds: 16mi/1650ft

Cycling Route Info on Day 6: Main Route: 39mi/4130ft of elevation gain | Extra loop adds: 14mi/1400ft

More exhilarating riding takes us near Castelo de Paiva, where we stay in a quinta (a traditional country estate) for a taste of life in the riverside villages. (The confluence of the Tâmega and Douro Rivers is nearby). Our quinta is a recovered farmhouse dating from the 1940s, tastefully updated to offer both a wonderful rest and a chance for genuine contact with the people and flavors of this landscape.

Here we ride an inland loop and explore the area by water, on a scenic mini-cruise along the Tâmega and Douro Rivers. Enjoy a swim in the river or simply hang out by the pool or at the bar surrounded by vineyards.
Day 7 – Along the Douro River to Porto

Cycling Route Info on Day 7: Main Route: 24mi/1540ft of elevation gain | Extra loop adds: 8mi/815ft

The fabled city of Porto is a UNESCO site, flanked by the Douro River and the Atlantic Ocean. Our destination is a colorful and elegant hotel right by the river and under one of the iconic bridges of the city. While in Porto, we’ll be sure to taste a real porto (port wine made locally) during a visit to a historic producer as well as enjoy a walking tour of this charming city with a local guide.

We strongly recommend spending more time here on your own to meander the historic alleys of Porto, or Vila Nova de Gaia, on the other side of the Douro river. It is surely worth visiting also the Campanha train station featuring colorful azulejos (the typical Portuguse tiles decorating the inner walls of the bulding).

Let's celebrate our journey in northern Portugal with a final dinner featuring fish. Até breve! (See you soon!)
Day 7 – Porto Airport

To request the itinerary as a PDF or to ask us any questions please contact us today!