Night 1-2
See Tripadvisor ReviewsHotel Pousada de Valença in Valença
This superb hotel is located in the interior of the old fortress and boasts spectacular views of the river and Tui.
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Explore Northern Portugal’s wild Atlantic Coast on this 7-day self-guided cycling tour
Take the first step towards a private travel experience, customized just for you.
About this tour:
Captivating Portuguese towns, exquisite wine counties, and the wild Atlantic Coast are yours to discover on two wheels on the mesmerizing 7-day Northern Portugal Cycling Tour.
From Monçao to Viana do Castelo, this pleasant and approachable route unfolds on the Minho and Lima riverbanks, peaceful country roads, and gorgeous coastal paths tracing the Atlantic Ocean. Cyclists are invited to experience the majestic natural beauty of Northern Portugal and revel in its vibrant culture and sensational food and wine.
Days spent on your bike, navigating rolling hills, lovely beaches, and fascinating fortified towns are accompanied by wonderful evenings spent enjoying this region's high-quality white wines. Unwind after an exhilarating day on the bike as you sip a crisp cold glass of local vinho, dining on spectacular local cuisine before retiring for the evening at historical accommodations in enchanting towns.
Explore the fortified towns of Monçao and Valença on the Spanish-Portuguese border, and visit Caminha, Viana do Castelo, and more to fill you with romantic memories.
This cycling tour allows you to experience the best of this region, ensuring your adventure strikes the perfect balance of thrilling days on your bike, authentic cultural experiences, fantastic food and wine, and endless breathtaking natural landscapes. Don't miss out on this epic Portuguese cycling holiday—book the Northern Portugal Cycling Tour today!
Valença, the well-preserved star-shaped fortified town, is a fitting introduction to Northern Portugal and where your cycling adventure begins.
Tomorrow, your journey on two wheels commences. In the meantime, head out on foot and explore the sights and sounds of Valença.
Setting out along the Ecovía, you’ll follow the converted railway track across the old bridge into Spain.
Further on, cruising through the beautiful old town of Tui, you can stop to enjoy a coffee and some fascinating people-watching.
Continuing the route, you’ll cruise along the River Minho, enjoying a flat and pleasant ride, leading you to the bridge at Salvaterre. Back on the Portuguese side, a visit to the enchanting historic town of Monçao is up next, before a final stretch following the Ecovía along the river banks back to Valença.
Your second day on the bike begins on the Portuguese side as you ride along the riverbank to your next fortified town of Vilanova de Cervera, where you can stretch your legs and enjoy a refreshment.
Following Seixes, you’ll cross the River Coura via an ancient steel bridge, continuing the route to Caminha, located on the scenic River Minho.
At Caminha, a short ferry will provide a helping hand to get you across the River Minho (only possible when the tide is high). After crossing the river, you’ll embark on a lovely circuit along the coast as you ride to the sandy shores of A Guarda. Here, you’ll find an electric atmosphere paired with pristine beaches and breathtaking natural beauty in every direction.
Enjoy the town by bike and on foot before continuing the loop back to Caminha.
Today has an easy but beautiful route in store as you make your way south along the Atlantic Coast, pedalling surfaced lanes, wooden walkways, and tractor ruts. Sandy shores will accompany you most of the ride, and a refreshing dip (or two!) along the way comes highly recommended.
As the route wraps up, you’ll cross the harbour at Viana do Castelo, entering the old town center. Viana do Castelo is the largest and liveliest town on the route, providing endless opportunities to explore, dine, sip, and enjoy!
Setting out from Viana do Castelo this morning, you’ll depart via the old bridge, crossing the River Lima. A serene route then unfolds along the riverbanks, guiding you alongside vegetable gardens and the famous vineyards that produce the well-loved Vinho Verde.
Ponte de Lima (the oldest town in Portugal), founded in 1125, marks the halfway point on today’s route. You’ll then continue the trail back to Viana.
Spend your final evening soaking up the magic of this remarkable region, savouring those last delightful glasses of Albarinho and Vinho Verde!
This morning after breakfast, your cycling tour in Northern Portugal comes to an end. Check out and depart for the airport, taking with you a week’s worth of unforgettable cycling memories.
Wine lovers, rejoice! Ride through fields of grapes and visit vineyards to sip on the perfectly-aged local nectar.
Delight in breathtaking coastal scenery as you pedal mesmerizing paths along the Atlantic Ocean.
Enjoy scenic journeys along the banks of the Minho and Lima Rivers and take a quick jaunt across the border to Spain.
Soak in the restorative waters of the Atlantic Ocean, enjoying the pristine beaches and surfers oases that line the coast.
6 breakfasts are included on this tour.
Accommodations for 6 nights is included.
Luggage transportation between hotels on Day 3 and Day 5 are included on this tour. Your bike rental and airport transfers are not included but can be added as a supplement.
This self-guided cycling tour in Portugal is always run as a private tour for your group and the price per person depends on the number of people staying in one room, as well as the season.
Prices below are per person.
Departures from March 1st to 24th:
Departures from March 25th to April 29th:
Departures from April 30th to May 20th:
Departures from May 21st to July 23th:
Departures from September 1st to September 17th:
Departures from September 18th to 30th:
Departures from October 6th to 29th:
Departures from October 30th to December 18th:
Departures from December 19st to 31st:
This tour is based on 3-star and 4-star Hotels. The hotels are well located, offering comfortable rooms and modern amenities. Rooms are double or triple occupancy, and single travellers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel. Please refer to Dates and Prices, where the pricing includes all the supplements necessary.
This superb hotel is located in the interior of the old fortress and boasts spectacular views of the river and Tui.
Guests will enjoy this unique stay at this eco-friendly modern hotel that combines tradition and technology spectacularly.
This hotel holds the title of the oldest urban manor in the city and is located in the beautiful historic center of Viana do Castelo.
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How hard is the Northern Portugal Cycling Tour?
We rate this tour a 2 / 5. The route is mostly flat with gentle hills involving short climbs of up to 200 metres. You should be comfortable riding a bike and riding up to 40 kilometres a day.
Do I need a visa to travel to Portugal?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Northern Portugal Cycling Tour?
6 breakfasts are included on this tour.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance for this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your Travel Insurance.
How do I get to Valença to start this tour?
Arrive at Porto Airport (OPO) or Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ). From Porto Airport, you can take a train from Porto Campanha station, which takes about 3 hours. From Santiago de Compostela Airport, you can take a bus or train, which takes about 2 hours. Alternatively, you can book a direct private transfer as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer.
Where does the Northern Portugal Cycling Tour end?
From Viana do Castelo there are train connections to both Porto Airport (OPO) and Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ). Alternatively, you can book a direct private transfer as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer.
Can I rent a bike?
Yes! You can rent a bike during the booking process.
What does the bike rental include?
Bike rental includes a hybrid bike (24 gears), repair kit, pump, and lock.
Can I bring my own bike?
Yes! You can bring your own bike.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Portugal?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Portugal?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
When is the best time to travel to Spain for this tour?
The best time to travel to northern Portugal for this cycling adventure is during the late spring and early fall. You’ll have pleasant weather and fewer crowds. This tour is available from January to July and September to December. Note that this tour is not bookable from July 26 to August 31, 2021.
Easy
We rate this tour a 2 / 5. The route is mostly flat with gentle hills involving short climbs of up to 200 metres. You should be comfortable riding a bike and riding up to 40 kilometres a day.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
This tour was made for you!
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