Cycling tours in Portugal: 14 things to know before you book

1. Pick the best part of Portugal for your cycling trip

If you have never been to Portugal before, you might only know places like Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve. These are popular for good reason, but they are not the best spots to focus on for a cycling holiday in Portugal. The cities are worth a visit, but they are busy with traffic, lack perfect cycling infrastructure and are often surrounded by unattractive suburbs.

Our suggestion: instead of staying in a city and riding out of town, skip the built-up areas – for example have a night in Porto but then go out to a quiet part of northern Portugal like Viana or the Douro Valley to ride. The Algarve has some great routes, but it also gets far more tourists than the rest of the country, especially along the crowded, developed coastline – so consider heading inland.

Our guide to cycling Portugal should help you plan.

Beautiful beach of Praia da Marinha

2. Bring the right gearing

Portugal is often thought of as a flattish, warm-weather destination. However, while the coastline offers some flatter terrain, these areas tend to be busier with traffic and particularly in the Algarve, can be less enjoyable for cycling than the interior (our guide to the Algarve will help you find the best parts).

The Alentejo region is a great option if you are looking for a cycling tour of Portugal on quiet roads that roll through open landscapes. The Viana region of Northern Portugal also offers a mix of climbing and quiet coastal roads .

Elsewhere, Portugal is home to rugged landscapes; deep river valleys and uneven terrain dominate much of the country. The Douro Valley is a prime example!

3. Plan ahead if transporting bikes and luggage

Transporting bikes and luggage in Portugal can be a challenge. If you are bringing your own bike or need bags moved between stops, plan ahead.

• Some trains allow bikes, but not all do – and even when rules say no, guards may allow it at their discretion. Buses are stricter. You will usually need to pack your bike as if flying.
• Taxis can work for shorter transfers, but prices vary, so agree a fixed fare in advance.
• A simpler option is to hire a bike locally. Some companies offer delivery and collection at the start and finish of your cycling tour. Get in touch if you’d like some tips for who could help you.

4. Pick your route carefully

There is clear evidence of investment in cycling infrastructure across Portugal. Paths such as the Ecopista do Dão and the Lima River route are great examples of dedicated cycling routes that make the most of the country’s scenic landscapes.

However, maintenance in some regions can be patchy. For example, south of Viana do Castelo, sections of the coastal boardwalk have fallen into disrepair, making it impossible to cycle along the sea in places.

Also some places feel like they are crying out for a good bike lane; the Douro Valley has only one flat road, the EN222, which is also popular with motorbikers and wine tourism visitors driving along the Douro wine route. We saw quite a few cyclists here, so it would be fantastic to see infrastructure being added. Hopefully it’s on the way!

The country has established a network of Centros de BTT (national mountain bike centres), with over 1,330 kilometres of marked trails. These are especially common in the north and offer everything from family-friendly loops to more technical rides through forests and hills.

The National Cycletourism Network is a fantastic resource. Created by Portuguese road engineer and cycling enthusiast Paulo Guerra dos Santos, it includes over 1,375 kilometres of backroads and asphalt trails.

Some of Portugal’s well known long distance routes include

• EuroVelo 1 – Atlantic Coast route, with the section from Porto to Lisbon being particularly famous
• N2 – a popular route for road cyclists – read our article on cycling the N2
• Ecopista do Dão – a converted railway track, providing a smooth and scenic cycling path through the Dão Valley
• Via Algarviana – a challenging inland trail that traverses the Algarve region including the Serra do Caldeirão and Monchique mountains
• Rota Vicentina – a network of cycling trails along the southwestern coast of Portugal including the Historical Way and Fishermen’s Trail within Alentejo and the Algarve

N2 sign (photo credit: Portugal A2Z Walking & Biking)

5. Consider taking part in an event

For some, taking part in an event can be a highlight of a cycling tour in Portugal.

Algarve Granfondo – 22 February 2025

Part of the Volta ao Algarve, the 2025 Algarve Granfondo will start and finish in Faro. Participants can choose between two routes: a 130 km course with 2,213 m of elevation gain and a 90 km course with 1,375 m of elevation gain.

This article on the Algarve’s best cycling events may be useful.

Douro Granfondo – 11 May 2025

Celebrating its 10th edition, the Love Tiles Douro Granfondo will feature redesigned routes showcasing the Douro Valley’s scenic beauty. Participants can choose from three distances: Granfondo (141 km), Mediofondo (105 km), and Minifondo (82 km), all starting and finishing in Peso da Régua.

Granfondo Serra da Estrela – 29 June 2025

Set entirely within the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, this event offers two challenging routes: the Granfondo (154 km with 4,200 m of elevation gain) and the Mediofondo (102 km with 2,800 m of elevation gain).

6. Watch out for cobbles in town centres

Many Portuguese towns and villages have beautiful historic centres with cobbled streets. Sometimes climbs are also cobbled. While they add charm and character, they are not the most comfortable surface to ride on, especially with narrow tyres or a loaded bike. The stones can also be slippery when wet.

Cobbles might not phase more experienced cyclists (or those training to head to Belgium to ride cobbled climbs!). But if you’re concerned, you can always dismount.

Riding Caminha’s cobbled streets

7. Drivers in Portugal

Driving standards in Portugal are not the best in general (source). However, in our experience, drivers tend to be respectful towards cyclists (once they’ve spotted them) -perhaps something to do with the popularity of cycling within the local population? Who knows, but we have generally found drivers give cyclists a wide berth when overtaking.

On main roads and quieter rural lanes, we found that close passes were rare and most drivers slow down before going past. However, there are of course exceptions and on narrower roads – such as those in the Douro Valley – we were occasionally squeezed by vehicles trying to pass without enough space.

Stay alert.

8. Bring cash

If you are heading out on a cycling tour in Portugal, be sure to carry cash. In rural areas in northern Portugal, we found that many small shops, cafés and restaurants did not accept cards. This is especially true in more remote regions where mobile signal can be limited and digital payments are not always reliable.

While larger towns and cities are generally card-friendly, cash is essential when you are riding through the quieter parts of the countryside.

9. Eat like a local – especially at lunchtime

The best-value meals in Portugal are often at lunchtime. Look for small restaurants serving prato do dia (dish of the day), where you’ll get home-cooked food, wine, bread, and dessert for a fraction of the price you’d pay elsewhere or at other times of day.

10. Vegans be aware

Portuguese cuisine is hearty and meat-heavy. When locals eat out, meat or fish is almost always on the menu – often served with plenty of rice, chips or bread. Butter, salt and garlic are used generously.

If you are a vegetarian or have a restricted diet, options can be very limited, particularly in smaller towns. You’ll find lots of great fresh fruit and vegetables in the shops but restaurants can be more tricky.

While some restaurants may try to accommodate special requests (special shout out to the restaurant at FeelViana Hotel in this regard!), in rural areas, dishes tend to stick closely to a traditional menu. Do not expect a wide range of alternatives or much creativity when it comes to substitutions. It helps to plan ahead and learn a few key food-related phrases in Portuguese.

The Francesinha sandwich is a local delicacy in Porto (photo credit: John Shell)

11. Top sheets

We found that duvet covers (with the duvet fully zipped inside) did not seem to be a “thing” here – each place we stayed had a top sheet with a duvet folded inside it. This didn’t seem the most hygienic to us, as inevitably the duvet falls out of the sheet from time to time. A cultural nuance to be aware of (though I guess it might vary by hotel) if you are particular about such things!

12. When to cycle in Portugal

Timing is everything when planning cycling tours in Portugal. July and August are best avoided. Temperatures soar and the roads are far busier with holiday traffic. Portugal is one of Europe’s southernmost countries – the Algarve lies on the same latitude as parts of North Africa – so the heat can be intense.

Spring and autumn are ideal. We visited northern Portugal in late March and saw spring arriving day by day. Trees turned green during our five-night stay at FeelViana Sport Hotel, and temperatures were perfect for riding.

Lemons on the road to Ponte de Lima

13. Carry ID

Hopefully, it never happens, but if you are involved in an accident or need help from the police or other officials, they will ask for your passport. If you require medical assistance, they will expect to see proof of insurance. Make sure you carry your documents (or at the very least a photograph of them, which just might be enough to satisfy the authorities temporarily) with you when out on the bike.

14. Locals and language

One of the great joys of cycling in Portugal is the people. We found locals to be friendly, welcoming and always willing to help.

In our experience, even when there was no shared language, there was no lack of communication. People happily reached for their phones to use Google Translate or relied on gestures and pointing to get their message across. Whether asking for directions, ordering food or checking into a hotel, we were met with warmth and patience.

This said, learning a few simple Portuguese phrases goes a long way. Even just being able to say hello (olá), please (por favor) and thank you (obrigado if you are male, obrigada if you are female) can make a big difference. It shows respect and it always brings a smile. Locals really notice when you make the effort, no matter how small. You do not need to be fluent to get a better response. A few words can help break the ice and make your interactions more positive.

The impressive Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal

What’s next?

I hope this was useful – if we missed anything please comment below!

Looking for further tips for cycling in Portugal? Read on!

• Guide to cycling Portugal
• Guide to cycling the Algarve
• Guide to gravel cycling in the Algarve
• Guide to cycling Alentejo
• Guide to cycling Porto to Lisbon via the Atlantic Ring Route
• Guide to cycling the Viana do Castelo region
• Guide to cycling the N2
• Cycling hotels in Portugal

Clare Dewey is a cyclist with a passion for travel. She set up epicroadrides.com in 2018 to help make it easy for cyclists to explore the world by bike. Today her mission is still inspiring cyclists to discover new places on two wheels - and doing what she can to make sure they have the best possible time while they're there. Clare has visited 50+ destinations around the world, many of them by bike.

Want to connect with Clare? Find her over on LinkedIn.