I’ve caught the Portugal fever! I fell in love with this perfect blend of culture and cuisine, relaxation and sociability, serenity and vibrancy, rugged cliffs and soft sandy shores.
On my last active vacation, I explored the stunning Algarve coast on foot - you can read more about that adventure in my personal travel story “Coastal Hiking on the Algarve”.
This time, though, I’m embracing a slightly more active challenge: cycling along the West Coast from Porto to Sagres.
The mild climate makes sunny Portugal a popular year-round destination with pleasant temperatures. However, the best months for cycling or hiking are certainly late spring and fall. Thanks to the refreshing Atlantic breeze along the west coast, an active vacation is still quite enjoyable even during the hot summer months. That said, and we experienced this firsthand, the weather in Portugal can be unpredictable, so it’s always wise to be prepared for anything!
We begin our journey in vibrant Porto, once the European Capital of Culture. Absolutely impressive — and we immediately wished we had arrived a day earlier, as Porto truly deserves more time to explore. The old town is brimming with fascinating sights, centuries-old architecture, and trendy cafés and bars. My personal tip: plan an extra night or at least an early arrival!
For our very first night, we’re fortunate to stay in one of our favorite accommodations — the Nerja Hotel. This modern property, set within historic walls, offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Douro River and the old town from its sky bar. Even at breakfast, we can’t help but enjoy the river view and feel energized by the early risers already jogging along the promenade.
With our sporty PLUS rental bike, we start our tour and rattle through Porto’s old town over the cobblestones that the Portuguese simply love! Crossing one of the city’s many bridges is truly impressive, and soon after, the bike path winds along the Douro River until we can already feel the fresh Atlantic breeze — a perfect way to begin the journey!
With the north wind at our backs, we follow the coast on well-developed, red asphalt bike paths, passing golden sandy beaches, typical little fishing villages, and peaceful pine forests.
Overnights are spent in well-known places such as Furadouro, famous for its fish; Aveiro, the “Venice of Portugal”; Figueira da Foz with its wide sandy beaches; Sintra, the magical UNESCO World Heritage Site; and Cascais, known for its lively beach bars — before finally “cycling into” Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, along the River Tejo.
Even on the way to the hotel, we pass many famous sights — truly a special experience!
For us, the journey continues — we’re adding the cycling tour from Lisbon to Sagres, which is a bit more challenging, but the landscape and coastline are all the more spectacular and diverse. With the scent of salt in the air and the constant sound of the wild Atlantic in our ears, we cycle through untouched nature and past breathtakingly beautiful sandy beaches.
Right from Lisbon, the route leads through the Arrábida Natural Park, offering fantastic coastal views on the way to Setúbal, where we probably had the best sardinhas assadas — grilled sardines — of all time. From there, the path continues to Sines, rich in maritime history, then to Vila Nova de Milfontes, a charming coastal town in the Alentejo region, and on to Aljezur, a laid-back surfer town full of good vibes.
The absolute highlight comes at the very end of the tour, when we reach Cabo de São Vicente — the southwesternmost point of mainland Europe — and enjoy a snack at Letzte Bratwurst vor Amerika. Sagres, the final overnight stop on our tour, welcomes us with its cool and easygoing atmosphere. We wrap up our journey with a cold Sagres beer on the beach, soaking up the sun and watching the talented Portuguese surfers ride the waves for hours.
It’s really hard to pick just one favorite spot. On the tour from Porto to Lisbon, I was especially captivated by the ride out of Porto, crossing the bridge and then following the Douro River all the way to the sea. On the journey from Lisbon to Sagres, the stretch on the fifth day between Vila Nova de Milfontes and Aljezur, with its fantastic coastal views, stands out most in my memory.
From gentle river valleys to sunny coastal paths – your dream cycling holiday awaits. Secure your desired dates now and enjoy the early bird bonus until 28 February.
