Portugal bike tours: Ride through Porto and the wild North

Arrive in Porto, where a local contact will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel, your first stop on a two-wheeled journey through northern Portugal.

This is the start of your tailor-made Portugal travel experience, built around local routes, slow discovery, and time to connect. Spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace: cycle along the Douro, wander the backstreets of the Ribeira, or follow our tips to find hidden viewpoints and under-the-radar restaurants. Porto’s energy is a perfect warm-up before the ride really begins.

Kick off your ride through Porto with a loop that takes in the Ribeira’s riverside paths, the tiled facades of Igreja do Carmo, and quiet neighborhoods up in Bonfim. This is where Portugal bike tours slow down and show you everyday life, with market stalls, local bakeries, and winding lanes most visitors miss.

Break for lunch at a neighborhood café or take a detour to the coast, where Foz’s breezy promenade offers an easy ride and great ocean views.

In the evening, visit a local winery or port lodge, no need to cycle afterwards. The winery is a Best of Wine Tourism Award winner, a must-stop for anyone planning a deeper Porto trip focused on culture, history, and wine.

Wrap up the day with a sunset view over the Douro and dinner in a spot that doesn’t need a reservation to impress.

Start the day with a transfer from Porto to Peso da Régua, where vineyard-covered hills and winding roads set the stage for one of the most scenic stretches of your trip. Ride along the Douro River through quiet villages, terraced slopes, and lookout points that show just how steep this landscape really is.

Stop for a relaxed lunch and Port tasting at a small, family-run quinta, where the focus is on tradition, not tourism. This route is a favorite on many Portugal bike tours, offering a satisfying mix of climbs, views, and vineyard-lined descents.

For a deeper dive into the region’s wine and landscape, take a look at our dedicated Portugal's Douro Valley trip.

After the ride, your support driver will meet you for the return transfer to Porto, with plenty of time to rest up or head out for another great dinner in the city.

Start your day with a van-supported transfer to Guimarães, one of the best places to visit in Portugal for history lovers, and a rewarding stop on a two-wheeled journey through the north. Set among rolling hills, the city blends well-preserved medieval streets with lively artisan workshops. Ride through quieter backroads to the castle and the Paço dos Duques, and meet locals keeping traditional crafts alive.

After lunch, continue by bike or van to nearby Braga. With an e-bike, the ride is manageable and scenic; or hop in the support vehicle for a more relaxed option. Visit the country’s oldest cathedral, explore the streets of the historic center, and climb the grand baroque staircase to Bom Jesus for sweeping views.

This day combines cultural depth with active travel, ideal for Portugal bike tours that go beyond the usual routes, without skipping comfort or context.

Take a break from the saddle with a hike along the Passadiços do Paiva, an 8km wooden walkway that cuts through the wild Garganta do Paiva valley. This protected area is packed with unique biodiversity and stories rooted in the land; locals still speak of old legends tied to the river and cliffs.

Nearby cycling routes make it easy to combine the hike with Portugal bike trips, adding a fresh layer to your active Portugal itinerary.

End the walk with a crossing of the Arouca 516, one of the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridges. Hanging 175 meters above the Paiva River, it delivers sweeping views, wobbly legs, and photo moments worth the climb.

Trade pedals for horsepower on a jeep ride through the Serra da Arada, following rugged mountain roads like the twisting Estrada do Portal do Inferno. The views here are big and bold, remote ridgelines, plunging valleys, and a side of Portugal few travelers get to see.

Stop in Regoufe, a half-forgotten village shaped by wartime wolfram mining, then push deeper into the mountains to reach Drave, an abandoned shale hamlet with no road access. It's all stone walls, silence, and stories waiting to be told.

If you're planning a trip to Portugal that goes beyond the usual stops, this day delivers. The mix of history, isolation, and raw landscape makes for a rare kind of experience, and one that stays with you.

Start the day in Amarante and ride into the Douro Valley along quiet roads that wind between vineyards and olive groves. This scenic stretch is a highlight of many Portugal bike tours, with steady climbs, rewarding views, and plenty of photo stops.

Midday, stop at a local quinta for a private tasting and relaxed vineyard lunch. Learn about Port production and take in the valley views before loading up for a transfer to Viseu, in the Dão wine region.

It’s an easier riding day, but one packed with good wine, big scenery, and a smoother setup for what’s next.

There’s no cycling today, after a week of rewarding rides; this is your wind-down. Before heading home, enjoy a relaxed visit to coastal Aveiro. Cruise the canals on a private moliceiro boat, wander past Art Nouveau buildings, explore the salt flats, and try ovos moles at a neighborhood bakery.

It’s a slow, cultural finish to a week of Portugal bike trips that went beyond the usual. In the afternoon, return to Porto and transfer to the airport.