Atlantic Ocean Tour: Coimbra - Lisbon

From the airports of Porto and Lisbon, the old university city of Coimbra can be easily reached in just one or two hours by train. We recommend to book a flight to Porto to join the welcome meeting in Porto at 5 pm. Afterwards we will bring you and your bike to Coimbra (duration approx. 90 minutes). On the day of arrival you can stroll through the narrow streets of the old town with its numerous impressive Renaissance buildings and the world-famous antique library (since 2013 UNESCO World Heritage Site). If you arrive to Porto after 5 pm or you fly into Lisbon you go to Coimbra on your own. In this case we can arrange an online welcome meeting on request.

After a short bustransfer in the morning (included) you hop on your bike in Verride - you cycle towards the coast! Initially dominated by the fertile plain of the Mondego River, the bike path "Via Atlantica" leads you through gently rolling pine forests to the wide sandy beach of Praia de Pedrogão with the hotel only 200 m away from the beach. In the evening, the sunset and typical beach bars and nice restaurants attract many guests. Enjoy the evening!

On the longest cycle path in Portugal we continue along the coast through the typical pine forests. First destination is the seaside resort of Sao Pedro de Moel with the lighthouse visible from afar, from which a phenomenal view over the rugged cliffs pays off. The sheltered bay invites you to take a break, but four more sandy beaches are on your way to the daily destination, including the famous beach, ‚Praia do Norte‘, where the Hawaiian Garrett McNamara 2012 surfed the 30m height of the largest wave in the world. Finally, enjoy the picturesque fishing village of Nazaré, whose historic center with the pilgrimage church is located on a rocky plateau above the town. Since 1889, a cable car has been very conveniently located there, so you can end the evening both on the beach and stroll through the old town.

In the morning you cycle along the cliffs to the beautiful coastal town of São Martinho do Porto with its unique lagoon. Connected only by a narrow opening to the open sea, the lagoon's water is swimming and bathing suitable for most of the year. After another break in the seaside village of Foz do Arelho you cycle through a small wine growing area inland to Óbidos, the Portuguese "Rothenburg ob der Tauber". If the crowds of visitors have left the picturesque place in the evening, you can still enjoy all the highlights with leisure: the small decorated streets, the imposing castle complex, the idyllic mountain panorama and the preserved city wall, on which the historic city can be completely surrounded.

After a short downhill ride you cycle on well-developed cycle paths on the shores of the wide lagoon landscape of Óbidos back to the cliffs. This is dominated by the spacious glammorous hotel complexes with well-maintained golf courses before the scene changes completely on the Baleal peninsula. Known as a Mecca for the international surfing scene, there are colorful VW Bullis with surfboards on the beach and in all the cafes and shops is only one topic. For hours you can watch the hustle and bustle on the water. On the way to Peniche this picture does not change, because everywhere they say: Surf is Up!

From one surf hotspot to the next: Along a magnificent cliff landscape today's day's stage leads through the hilly, coastal interior. This longest stage also holds the most climbs for you, so it is worth taking a cooling bath break on the white beach of Praia da Areira Branca, before following the river Rio Grande on side roads. Shortly before your destination of the day, the surfing and fishing village of Ericeira, you have to pedal hard again, then roll into the lively streets of the old town, which promises a relaxing evening with many bars and restaurants.

Today's stage is kept very short, leaving plenty of time for the enchanting Sintra, with its ancient castles and magnificent palaces that have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1995. The absolute highlight is the vividly painted Pena Palace, one of Portugal's greatest attractions, with an impressive mix of North African influences and medieval Gothic. But the National Palace, the Moorish castle and other extravagant palaces with sophisticated parks are on every visitor list and let the day go by way too fast.

In the morning enjoy a great descent through the green mountains of the Serra de Sintra and along the shallow coast to the pretty town center of Cascais, the historic summer destination of the Portuguese kings. Right on the sea promenade you cycle to the fashionable seaside resort of Estoril with the first casino of Portugal, before you follow the coastal road (partially bike path) to Belém with the UNESCO World Heritage listed Jerónimos Monastery whose entire limestone facade is artistically designed. A short stop at the neighboring pastry shop to taste the famous Pastéis de Belém pudding tarts - and then quickly on the bike path right on the water into Lisbon.
Alternatively you can shorten today's day's stage by train several times. Either travel by train from Sintra directly to Lisbon or you shorten from Cascais or Estoril the route to Belem or Lisbon by train.

From your centrally located hotel you can easily reach all the attractions of Lisbon. We recommend that you spend a few extra days in this wonderful city.