Essence of the Coast
8-day guided bike tour
Like a feast for your senses. Our signature route takes you along breathtaking shores and surrounds you with the crystal blue essence of the Costa Azul. Ride through the expansive Arrábida Natural Park by day and indulge on tantalizing seafood dishes and savoury wines by night. Each day brings a new wave of adventure to tease your senses and awaken your inner explorer. Soak up the sun as you coast along the sand dunes of the Costa Vicentina, encountering the well preserved Roman site of Mirobriga, watch the windmills turning in the Atlantic breeze, and try your Portuguese with delightful fishermen mending their nets over time-weathered hands. Feel free to dismount along the way and take in the sights of each tiny cove and fishing village, and allow your toes the well deserved caress of an invigorating surf. This luxury bike tour of the maritime region will give you an intimate look into the culture of Portugal, at a pace that is right for you. Give in to your desires to ‘live coastal’ and allow your senses to guide you through what will indeed be a very memorable journey.
Location
Tour Details
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May 5th - May 12th
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June 16th – June 23rd
- October 20th – October 27th
Would you prefer other dates? Just ask us a quote for your private tour | REQUEST
- FADO dinner | Unanimously voted UNESCO World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage
- Mystic Sintra
- Cape of Roca, Cape of Espichel, Cape Sardão & Cape of S. Vicente
- Panoramic ocean views & coastal routes
- Castle of Sintra, Castle of Sesimbra, Castles of Palmela, Castle of Setúbal, Castle of Santiago do Cacém & Castle of Milfontes
- Tour of Sado River aboard traditional Galleon
- Fresh seafood dinners & mediterranean cuisine
- Wine tasting at local wineries including Moscatel de Setúbal | Awarded the best in the world
- Beautiful secluded beaches
- Dolphin Watching
- The Bay of Setúbal & Arrábida Natural Park | Elected as One of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World
- Roman Ruins
- Traditional Fishing Villages
Day 1 | Sintra
After a transport from Lisbon, we’ll descent from the castle to the coast, as we take in the misty mysteries of the enchanting Sintra. Refreshments await as we take a break on the westernmost point in Europe, then back on the bikes for a breezy ride along the Atlantic to the center of Cascais. We’ll take a lunch, and stop off to indulge our sweet side, as we fill up on Portugal’s reigning pastel de nata, in production since 1837. Crossing the Tejo River, we’ll see a working tile artisan and learn the art of azulejo, followed by a visit to a local winery for some degustation and refuelling. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the Hotel Spa Sesimbra, where you can recharge your batteries over the ocean blue, before joining us for an early evening hike to see some actual dinosaur footprints on the dramatic Cabo Espichel. From our vantage point we can watch the sun set over your first day on the coast, followed by fresh grilled seafood at our welcome dinner in the old town! (Aprox. 40km/24mi plus mild 1 hour hike)
Day 2 | Sesimbra & Arrábida Natural Reserve
We’ll head up and out of Sesimbra, and into the Parque Natural Arrábida, a 200 million year old example of original Mediterranean landscape, and backdrop to our adventure on the Costa Azul! Your ride today will take you through lush green hillsides with the dramatics of panoramic vistas around each curve and an exciting downhill to a secluded beach at the end. Longer or shorter options today, for those who can’t resist sinking their feet into the white sands, and a coastal cruise on an authentic Portuguese galleon awaits us at the road’s end, complete with grilled seafood lunch aboard! Later in the afternoon, our good friend Silvia will be giving you a course in the regional wines, and yes, a tasting! Dinner at a local hot spot and walking tour in the old-quarter of Setubal later on. Tonight rest your head above the bay in the Fortress of St. Filipe. (Aprox. 19km/12mi or 38km/24mi)
Day 3 | Santiago do Cacém
The day begins with a ride aboard the ferry, as we cross Setúbal Bay to Tróia. Afterward, it’s back on the bike and coasting through pine forests and sand dune landscapes, and into the craggy cork groves to our destination of Melides. Spend the afternoon at an expansive beach before reaching the hilltop village of Santiago do Cacém, whose castle was conquered from the Trojans by the knights Templar, before changing hands to the knights of the order of Santiago. Lodgings tonight at a unique design hotel, with a new modern addition overlooking the medieval city below. Relax poolside before dining with us tonight on some gourmet Portuguese cuisine. (Aprox. 43km/27mi or 61km/38mi)
Day 4 | Vila Nova de Milfontes
After a visit to the impressive Roman ‘holiday’ site of Mirobriga, we’ll roll out of Santiago, and it’s a breezy downhill run through the shady cork forests of the Alentejo before turning back to the coast, arriving at the picturesque fishing village of Porto Covo. We’ll stop for a lunch break before returning to the road in pursuit of our destination, Vila nova de Milfontes. This afternoon you can hit the beach, take an ocean kayak out on the surf, or just grab an ice cream (we know the perfect place) and hit the boardwalk of Milfontes to soak up some fresh sea spray! An excellent dinner tonight, just footsteps away at our local favorite, Tasca do Celso, which boasts one of the most impressive wine selections in the region. . Tonight we’re at a charming bed and breakfast, as our good friend Idália welcomes us into her home for a royal treatment of hospitality and friendship. (Aprox. 47km/30mi or 75km/47mi)
Day 5 | Zambujeira do Mar
Leaving Milfontes we head down the coast, encountering some of the most tranquil riding yet, along our way to Zambujeira do Mar, a fantastic example of Portuguese coastal living. Today is really about leisure, as a flat, 30km ride, a few white-washed villages and a long blue horizon are the only things in our way between coastal bliss and the picnic lunch waiting for you just ahead. Before we transfer (or ride if you choose) back to Milfontes, take time to get lost on the footpaths over the Atlantic, splash on the beach below or splurge on maritime souvenirs in the village. Tonight, dinner with a view. (Aprox. 30km / 18mi)
Day 6 | Aljezur to Sagres
Today an early start if you want ‘Breakfast on the Beach!’ We’ll stop off to see a Moorish castle in the village of Aljezur as we make our way toward the cape of St. Vicente, where your journey comes to end in dramatic fashion in the Vila de Sagres. We’ll visit the historic sailing school of Henry the Navigator, where the legendary Portuguese explorers learned to sail their caravels. Tonight your accommodations are in the lovely Pousada Infante, in all its historical lustre, at the southernmost tip of Portugal where you have a full panoramic perspective on the sunrise and sunset from where you stand. Before retiring however, join us for dinner at a lovely oceanfront restaurant. (Aprox. 65km/40mi or 100km/62mi)
Day 7 | Lisboa – Fado Dinner
This morning it’s back to Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city and birthplace of the traditional FADO music – unanimously voted UNESCO World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. Our farewell dinner will be in the Alfama district, where FADO began, at one of our favorite restaurants. Join us for a toast and some live music that will pull at your heartstrings, as we dine on delicious local cuisine and recount the week’s memories. Accommodations tonight will be at the enchanting Solar do Castelo, part of the Heritage Collection. (Aprox. 1,5km/1 mile walking tour)
Day 8 | Até breve!
Day reserved for departures
- Tour Length: 8 days / 7 nights
- Price: 2995€ | 5% group discount for groups 6+ available at the time of booking
- Includes: Trek touring/hybrid bicycle & helmet rental; support vehicle & guides; accommodations with breakfasts; luggage transfer; wine tastings; rider’s insurance; BCB jersey & water bottle
- Single Supplement: 850€
- Accommodations: historic castles, palaces, and country villas
- Dining: breakfasts, picnic lunches, dinners with wine, Fado dinner
- Daily Distance: 15-35 miles / 25-60 Km average
- Terrain: moderate with some longer climbs on Arrábida day, paved roads, some rural gravel paths, scenic oceanic landscape
- Minimum/Maximum participants: 4 / 16
NOT INCLUDED: Airfare