Article Explore Portugal by bike!

Exploring Portugal by bike is a wonderful experience. You can take it at your own pace, sensing aromas and sounds that might otherwise go unnoticed. Whether you choose to ride with the sea at your side, roll up and down mountains, or meander through the towns and villages, the options are endless!

With a pleasant climate and sun that shines throughout the year, Portugal offers lovely conditions for explorations by bike, with a great diversity of landscapes within short distances of one another. A variety of routes enables you to have varied experiences, from the road to the mountain trail; for touring and mountain bikes; quietly gliding along or tackling challenging trails that pump adrenaline to new levels. Many itineraries are geo-referenced and are available in podcasts or smartphone apps — but even when you can’t access online sources, friendly locals are always available to help you find your way.

With cycling gaining popularity, Portugal has increased its number of bike paths.  Options abound along the coast, such as the Rota Vicentina, between the Alentejo and Algarve region, or the Via Algarviana, the Guadiana Grande Randonnée and the Coastal Ecovia, or the Northern Coastal Way, path of the official Portuguese section of the Camino de Santiago. This starts in Porto and continues through seaside towns, sharing some of the same trails as the long European cycling route EuroVelo 1. You can also find trails in natural parks and in towns, such as the GR22-The Great Route of the Historical Villages of Portugal, the Schist villages trails, or the Ecopista do Dão, a converted railway route in natural surroundings, running through Portugal’s inner Centro region.

After exploring the mainland, visit the islands of Madeira and the Azores. Here, you will find trails that are both challenging and rewarding. You will always be pedaling in view of the Atlantic in the dramatic natural landscapes of these volcanic Portuguese archipelagos.

Throughout Portugal there are many signed cycle routes as well as service areas and bike shops. Some hotels are also equipped for cyclists, with all the services necessary for rest and restoration for both rider and bike. If you don’t have your own bicycle with you, you can hire one for short or long trips. Bicycles are also available in many cities, offering a green and healthy way to spend a day discovering the city’s attractions.

For those who want to get to know Portugal by bike with the convenience of an organized trip, several companies offer package tours where everything is included; those who prefer to be independent can opt for self-guided tours and travel without a guide or schedules, yet still take advantage of the support services that they need.

In short, there’s no lack of choice or challenges anywhere in Portugal for a fantastic cycling holiday. Just start pedaling!