ViajePortugal

This full-day guided ride explores the vineyards of the Bairrada Wine Route from Coimbra, a region celebrated for traditional grape varieties (Baga and Touriga Nacional for reds; Bical, Maria Gomes, Arinto and Cercial for whites) and known as Portugal's sparkling wine capital, with Bairrada named best sparkling wine at Portugal's 2019 wine competition.

After pick-up in Coimbra, riders are driven with their bikes to Curia to visit the Bairrada Route headquarters before setting off on a 52 km circular ride of intermediate difficulty, mixing secondary roads and dirt tracks around wine estates for direct contact with the terroir, grapes and producers.

The ride includes a stop at a traditional winery for wine and sparkling wine tasting, a break for the regional dish Leitão Assado à Bairrada (roast suckling pig), and a visit to a second cellar for further tasting before returning by van to Coimbra.

Highlights:

• Cycle a 52 km circular route through the vineyards of the Bairrada Wine Route
• Visit the Bairrada Route headquarters in Curia
• Wine and sparkling wine tasting at a traditional winery
• Taste the regional speciality Leitão Assado à Bairrada (roast suckling pig)
• Visit a second cellar for further wine and sparkling wine tasting

Surface and terrain:

Circular 52 km route of intermediate difficulty, mixing secondary sealed roads and dirt/packed-earth tracks around vineyard estates.

Weather:

Bairrada generally has a cool, humid climate with strong maritime influence.

Suitable for:

Riders of moderate fitness comfortable with a 52 km intermediate-difficulty circular route on mixed sealed and unsealed surfaces, and keen on wine and regional food. Minimum 2 participants.

This full-day, self-guided e-bike tour departs from Coimbra and follows waymarked pilgrim routes to the Roman ruins of Conímbriga, a National Monument since 1910 and Portugal's most notable and most visited Roman-era site. Riders follow the Rota Carmelita (Caminhos de Fátima, blue markers) on the way out, and return via the Caminho Central Português (Caminhos de Santiago, yellow markers).

The ruins originated as a Celtic hillfort of the Conii tribe before being conquered by the Romans in 139 BC, later partially sacked by the Suebi in the 5th century. The on-site Monográfico Museum, established in 1962, displays artefacts from the excavation and manages the ongoing archaeological work.

Although self-guided, riders receive support for route queries or mechanical issues along the way.

Highlights:

• Ride to Conímbriga, Portugal's most visited Roman archaeological site, a National Monument since 1910
• Follow waymarked pilgrim routes (Caminhos de Fátima and Caminhos de Santiago) on e-bike
• Explore ruins dating from a Celtic hillfort through Roman conquest (139 BC) to Suebi-era decline
• Visit the Monográfico Museum of Conímbriga, showcasing excavated artefacts
• Self-guided riding with route and mechanical support available

Surface and terrain:

Roughly 17 km each way (34 km return) with 700 m of positive elevation gain, indicating a hilly route.

Suitable for:

Riders of reasonable fitness comfortable with a hilly 34 km round trip on e-bike; suited to those wanting a self-guided cultural/historical day out with route support on hand. Minimum 2 people.

This tour follows the Estrada Nacional 2 (N2), a 739 km road officially designated in 1945 as Portugal's north-south backbone, running from Chaves to Faro through 11 districts and 35 municipalities. It's one of only three roads of its kind in the world, alongside the USA's Route 66 and Argentina's Ruta 40.

The standard programme covers the route over five riding stages: Chaves to Viseu (167 km), Viseu to Pedrógão (155 km), Pedrógão to Ponte de Sor (104 km), Ponte de Sor to Aljustrel (188 km) and Aljustrel to Faro (118 km), totalling roughly 732 km.

The operator is open to running a custom itinerary, and invites groups to get in touch for tailored terms.

Highlights:

• Ride the length of the Estrada Nacional 2, one of only three such "endpoint-to-endpoint" national roads worldwide
• Cross 11 districts and 35 municipalities from Chaves to Faro
• Cover roughly 732 km across five distinct stages
• Fully supported riding with luggage transfer and roadside refreshments
• Flexible, customisable itinerary available on request

Suitable for:

Fit, experienced road cyclists comfortable with long, supported stage riding.

EuroVelo 1 is part of Europe's long-distance cycling network, spanning 15 signed routes across the continent. The Atlantic Coast Route runs from Norway to Portugal via the UK, Ireland, France and Spain, linking dramatic fjords, sunny beaches and busy port cities.

In Portugal, the route follows over 920 km of coastline, from sheltered dunes to rocky coves and shallow lagoons to Atlantic surf beaches, benefiting from more than 300 days of sunshine a year. The operator's programme runs north to south from Porto and describes the whole route as flat.

Two options are offered: Porto to Óbidos (8 days/7 nights, 7 stages, 306 km) or Porto to Estoril (11 days/10 nights, 10 stages, 487 km). They are open to modifications, extra nights, custom daily distances and pick-up/drop-off arrangements on request.

Highlights:

• Ride a flat, dedicated coastal cycle path (Ecovia do Litoral) along Portugal's Atlantic coast
• Pass the Ria de Aveiro and coastal landmarks such as the Capela do Senhor da Pedra in Miramar
• Choose between a 306 km (Porto–Óbidos) or 487 km (Porto–Estoril) itinerary
• Ride part of the wider EuroVelo 1 network, stretching from Norway to Portugal
• Flexible route, with custom distances, extra nights and transfer arrangements available on request

Surface and terrain:

Entirely flat, following the dedicated Ecovia do Litoral coastal cycle path.

Weather:

Portugal's coastline enjoys more than 300 sunny days per year.

Suitable for:

Riders of most fitness levels given the flat terrain; well suited to those wanting an easier, self-guided multi-day coastal ride. E-bike hire is available as an option for those wanting extra assistance.

#eurovelo1

This tour follows the Rota Vicentina along Portugal's southwest Alentejo and Algarve coast, riding between the cliff-hugging Trilho dos Pescadores (Fishermen's Trail) and the more inland Caminho Histórico, which avoids some of the sandier coastal sections.

Riders meet in Porto Covo, a picturesque fishing village, for check-in, bike hand-over and a trip briefing, with the rest of day one free to explore the village. Three riding stages follow: Porto Covo to Zambujeira (50.6 km, 646 m ascent), Zambujeira to Barranco (60.7 km, 854 m ascent), and Barranco to Sagres (51 km, 599 m ascent), covering roughly 162 km in total.

Support is provided throughout, with GPS tracks, luggage transfers between stages, and a return transfer with luggage from Sagres back to Porto Covo at the end.

Highlights:

• Ride the Rota Vicentina between Porto Covo and Sagres along Portugal's southwest coast
• Combine the cliff-top Trilho dos Pescadores with the inland Caminho Histórico
• Explore the fishing village of Porto Covo on arrival
• Finish at Sagres, at the far southwestern tip of Portugal
• Fully supported riding with GPS tracks, luggage transfers and 24-hour phone support

Surface and terrain:

Mixed coastal and inland trails, including cliff-top sandy sections (Trilho dos Pescadores) and an inland historic path. Notably hilly for a coastal route, with daily ascents of 599–854 m across three stages totalling around 2,099 m.

Suitable for:

Riders comfortable with hilly, mixed-surface coastal trail riding averaging around 54 km/day over three consecutive days. Minimum 4 participants; daily distances can be adjusted to suit fitness or interests.