Portugal: Porto, the Silver Coast & Lisbon

7 days
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
If you’re looking for an independent cycling vacation featuring warm Portuguese hospitality, this action-packed self-guided itinerary is it! Explore Portugal’s Silver Coast from Porto to Lisbon—pausing in authentic seaside villages to take a refreshing dip in the Atlantic’s azure waters, or savoring an included dinner showcasing delectable Portuguese cuisine....
From$3,195
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Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Stay in diverse locales, from the spa town of Monte Real to the old fishing village of São Pedro Moel.
    • Cycle along the Silver Coast’s sandy beaches framed by Atlantic waves, pine and cork forests, and stunning rural landscapes.
    • Indulge in Portugal’s delicious fresh seafood, enticing pastries, espresso, and affordable, excellent wines.
    • Spend the night exploring the medieval walled city of Óbidos after the day trippers have left.
    • Visit Alcobaça’s Gothic monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, founded by Portugal’s first king in the 12th century.

What's this trip about?

    If you’re looking for an independent cycling vacation featuring warm Portuguese hospitality, this action-packed self-guided itinerary is it! Explore Portugal’s Silver Coast from Porto to Lisbon—pausing in authentic seaside villages to take a refreshing dip in the Atlantic’s azure waters, or savoring an included dinner showcasing delectable Portuguese cuisine. From the moment you meet your VBT Local host for an orientation and bike-fitting session, you’ll be on your own timetable—cycling from inn to inn, arriving to find your luggage already waiting for you. Linger on the beach at Nazaré, catching a glimpse of its record-breaking waves—or enjoy a vibrant sunset in the historic town of Óbidos with its ancient hilltop castle. With this invigorating self-guided tour of the Portuguese coast, you set the pace of your discovery—with 24/7 local VBT support if you need it. 

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeIndependent
Age range13 to 80 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityPorto
End CityLisbon

Travel Themes

  • Culinary & Wine
  • Cultural
  • Cycling & Biking
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Activities

  • Cooking
  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • History
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Wine Tasting
  • Self-Guided & Independent

Trip includes

    • Transportation from Porto centrally located hotel to first hotel in Monte Real (two-hour drive)
    • Transportation from last hotel in Óbidos to central Lisbon (one-hour drive)
    • Puncture-protected tires
    • Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
    • Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
    • Support Vehicle
    • Luggage Transportation
    • Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
    • Welcome Reception
    • Facilitated Cultural Experiences
    • Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure

Itinerary

Travel Map
DAY 1: VBT Self-Guided Bicycle Vacation begins / Porto to Monte Real

We suggest arriving in Portugal at least one day prior to the tour start date, as your tour begins at 10:00 a.m. Meet your VBT Local host and any other VBT guests arriving on the same day at 10:00 a.m. in the lobby of the NH Hotel Jardim in Porto. Your host will be ca...

DAY 2: Monte Real to São Pedro Moel / Move on Day

Get your first taste of Portugal’s coastal beauty as you cycle to the Atlantic Ocean. You will travel through pine forests and past fertile farms. You may want to bring a snack and take the time to enjoy it on your arrival at the Ervideira Lagoon. You’ll see why this ...

DAY 3: São Pedro Moel to Alcobaça / Move on Day

You will depart São Pedro Moel’s cobbled streets and join a dedicated bike route through fragrant pine forests paralleling the coastline. Sections of this historic Atlantic pine forest were planted in the 13th century by King Afonso III to stop the erosion of the dune...

DAY 4: Alcobaça to São Martinho do Porto / Move on Day

Depart your hotel this morning and coast down to the center of Alcobaça. Start the day at your own pace, revisiting the monastery or just enjoying a late-morning coffee or early lunch at an outdoor café, and grabbing some snacks for the road. Any time of day is perfec...

DAY 5: São Martinho do Porto / Stay Put Day

Your Stay Put Day is full of possibilities! If you can’t get enough of cycling, you can choose to ride one of two loops. The short option loops inland from São Martinho do Porto to the outskirts of the town of Caldas da Raina. The longer option, back to Nazaré, return...

DAY 6: São Martinho do Porto to Óbidos / Move on Day

Enjoy today’s leisurely ride to Óbidos, one of Portugal’s best-preserved medieval walled towns. You will ride out of São Martinho do Porto, following the Atlantic coast south into the beach and town of Foz do Arelho, then wind inland through a mixture of small farms, ...

DAY 7: Lisbon / VBT Self-Guided Bicycle Vacation ends

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Óbidos. At 10:00 a.m., complimentary transportation of about one hour brings you to the VBT Self-Guided Air+ hotel in the heart of Lisbon, together with any other VBT self-guided guests.

From there, you may continue with your in...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,195
Price per day$456
Last Updated: 2/9/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with VBT Bicycling Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

VBT Bicycling Vacations Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
579
Great
42
Average
11
Disappointing
4
Terrible
3
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Tour Operator

VBT Bicycling Vacations

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Since 1971, VBT has crafted immersive and authentic biking vacations for active travelers. When you travel with VBT, you’re not just another tourist—you’re a traveler. With us, you’ll experience your destination with the help of a local, bilingual trip leader with a passion for sharing their home with you. You’ll eat in local restaurants, stay in accommodations that have been family-owned for generations and cycle through vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages. 


With VBT, you won’t just visit a place—you’ll immerse yourself in it. You might follow a centuries-old pasta recipe while taking a cooking class in Rome—or learn a folk dance in Croatia, followed by sharing a bottle of locally-produced Grk wine with your new friends. Exploring the world on two wheels lets you experience your surroundings on a deeper level.

 

VBT offers exceptional value without compromising on quality. Simply put, no other US-based active travel company offers an experience this rich for such a reasonable price. On our tours, you can see more sights, have more local experiences, and enjoy more delicious, authentic meals—all while staying in high-quality, boutique hotels and charming, family-run inns.

 

All you have to do is show up at the airport—we’ll handle the rest! From tour consultants who help you find the perfect vacation to expert local trip leaders who show you the best place for gelato, we take care of all the little details that make your trip memorable. We book your flights, arrange all your transportation and accommodations, and move your luggage between hotels. Our support vans are available to give you a lift up a hill or quickly fix a flat tire. VBT takes care of your travel details and creates unique itineraries so you can relax and enjoy your small-group vacation from start to finish.

 

Friendly camaraderie, cultural immersion, and casual comforts are the hallmarks of our vacations. Discover delightful people, beautiful hotels, foreign cultures, and fascinating lifestyles that will enrich your life and provide memories for years to come.

What they’re known for
VBT Cycling are renowned for offering exceptional guided and self-guided bicycle tours worldwide.

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Logistics

Accommodation

6 nights in town-center boutique hotels and countryside spa hotels

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

8 meals: 6 breakfasts, 2 dinners

Age Requirements
13 to 80 years
Additional Information

This tour offers a combination of easy terrain and moderate hills and is ideal for beginning and experienced cyclists. Rides are on relatively flat paved roads and bike lanes. Expect more undulating terrain when crossing the small hills separating the Atlantic coast from the rolling interior. You will encounter some traffic when entering and exiting historic town centers and beachside bike paths and lanes. Please verify your bike selection for this tour, as it is not always possible to change bikes once you arrive on tour. Travel with your friends and family—we can accommodate multiple guests on this self-guided vacation. Our 24/7 support system is available as needed.

Daily Mileage: 15 - 40 miles| Biking: 2 - 5 hours

Trip ID
vbt-vbt-PorPo

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