The Historic Towns in the North Self-Guided

Hybrid Bike | Self-Guided | Historic
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This is the easiest Hybrid Bike tour that we offer. This tour takes place in the North of Portugal, a very hilly region with very green environment; this gorgeous bicycle tour mainly runs on bike paths, bike lanes and some dirt roads along rivers and the Atlantic Ocean.

The overall difficulty level of this tour is 1, Easy (more precisely, level 1.4 between 1~5). It is recommended for beginners and occasional riders.

Minho is one of the most beautiful regions of Portugal. It is very green and there are many beautiful historic evidences. You can feel the History just looking to the historic buildings that are spread along the way, the historic main squares in each small town, in the local commerce, in the medieval structure of each town that we will cross on a bicycle!

This fantastic bicycle tour must be done with a hybrid bicycle, because we will ride on several bike paths that allow us to discover the green environment that is along the river banks, to enjoy the coolness of the paths during the summer days, to admire the landscape and to experience the History. By the way, Portugal is an independent country since the 12th century and everything started in the north.

This is the perfect bicycle tour for anyone that wants to have a very relaxed vacation, but wants to be active doing some exercise. You don’t have to be a very experienced and fit cyclist to enjoy this tour.

From
Euro 1600
Self-Guided
Tour

7
Days 

Level 1 (1.4)
Easy

Distance
132km/82mi
Average
26km/16mi day
Trails
24% asphalt+76% dirt-roads+bike lanes
Start | End
Ponte da Barca | Monção
Dates

Start-End

Availability

Booking

Price

Per Person

Oct, 2017

Available

Euro 1600

April, 2018

Available

Euro 1830

May, 2018

Available

Euro 1870

June, 2018

Available

Euro 1880

July, 2018

Available

Euro 1920

August, 2018

Available

Euro 1920

September, 2018

Available

Euro 1910

October, 2018

Available

Euro 1810

RESERVE THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME

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(Your booking will be confirmed when our specialist contacts you.)

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Minimum number of people: 2
Location: Porto and the North
Price per person:
Single room supplement:
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Adults:

Price includes:
7-day Road Bike Tour with a GPS device | Superior quality bicycle rental | Transfers from and to Porto or Lisbon Airport | Accommodations (6 nights): one 16th century Convent, one 16th century Manor House, one 17th century Fortress, one four-star Design Hotel, one four-star panoramic hotel and one four-star modern hotel | Double bedroom occupancy | 6 Breakfasts | Luggage transport from Hotel to Hotel | Documentation about PortugalBike Tour  | Personal Accident Insurance and Liability Insurance.

Please note:
Self-Guided version: We require a minimum of 2 people to confirm a Self-Guided departure | Longer tour: You can join two PortugalBike Tours and have a 2-week program (10% discount on the second tour) | Groups: Discount for Groups of 4 or more people | E-Bike rental: + Euro 100 | On Self-Guided tours we can offer you any date, depending on our availability. If the tour starts and ends in different months the price will be adjusted accordingly, depending on how many days in each month.

DAY BY DAY 

Day

1

Arrival   

Welcome at Porto airport. 1-hour drive to Ponte da Barca (or 4-hour drive from Lisbon airport), briefing about the tour. Lodging in a Hotel located in a green environment overlooking to a beautiful landscape.

Day

2

Cycling to a beautiful Medieval Town

18km (11mi), level 1 (1.1), total climbing 280m (920ft).
After breakfast we leave Ponte da Barca and ride towards a medieval town, classified as the oldest small town in the North of Portugal, and one of the most well preserved towns with its amazing bridge which was the only safe way to cross Lima river until the end of Middle Ages. Visit to a winery with wine tasting. Lodging in a modern 4* hotel in the center of the town and near the river.

Day

3

Along the Lima river banks

27km (17mi), level 1 (1.2), total climbing 290m (950ft).
After breakfast we will ride towards another historic town that was founded in the 13th century and whose port was one of the main ports of sailing during the Portuguese Discovery Journeys in the 16th century. Lodging in a 4* Hotel that is classified as a historic building.

Day

4

The Atlantic coast

28km (17mi), level 1 (1.2), total climbing 220m (720ft).
After breakfast we will ride to another small and beautiful historic town, sometimes very close to the Atlantic Ocean where you can feel the fresh breeze that comes from the beaches; other times cycling along winding roads sided by small houses and crossing small villages. Lodging in a modern 4* hotel near the coast.

Day

5

The fortified town at the border with Spain

31km (19mi), level 2 (1.7), total climbing 370m (1210ft).
After breakfast we leave this small historic town near the water to go to a unique example in Europe of a small town composed of two sets of houses, both fortified independently, and both surrounded by another wall that is much bigger. Lodging in a Pousada which is set on the highest place of the old fortified area of this historic town, with a great view to the Spanish border.

Day

6

The refreshing “Vinho Verde” (Green Wine)

28km (17mi), level 2 (1.6), total climbing 370m (1210ft).
After breakfast we will cross the border to Spain, only to say that we rode in Spain! We will come back and ride on several bicycle paths along the Minho river (that marks the border), always with Spain on the other side of the river, until we get to the capital of Vinho Verde. Visit to a beautiful Palace with Vinho Verde tasting. Lodging in a 4* Rural Hotel, that was a 16th century Convent.

Day

7

Departure

After breakfast transfer to Porto or Lisbon airport  (1-hour and 30-min drive to Porto or 4-hour and 30-min drive to Lisbon).

Total distance 132km (82mi) | Average 26km/day (16mi/day) | 24% asphalt + 76% dirt-roads and bike lanes

SEE CLIMBING PROFILE

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See here the difference between Guided, Self-Guided and Supported tours

TESTIMONIALS

“Portugal Bike arranged a self-guided tour for my wife and me in the north (Minho) region. Everything about the trip was fantastic. The quality of our hybrid bikes (one regular, one electric) was top notch, the route was well thought out to avoid traffic and maximize scenery, the GPS was very accurate, detailed and easy to use, and the support at the beginning, end and middle of the day was outstanding. Jose was very clearly invested in making sure everything went well. We had pouring rain for part of the day. It is a testament to Jose and Portugal Bike that at the end of the day we could not have cared less that at one point we were soaked. Everything else about the tour was so good that the rain did not matter.”

 John Graham, 58 – Boulder CO, United States

“My husband and I did a bicycle tour with 20 friends in the North of Portugal in June this year. I can’t say enough about how awesome the tour was. Jose, Christina and Ricardo were professional, very, very encouraging and wonderful people. They were with us every step of the tour. I wouldn’t hesitate a minute when considering this group.”

Carolyn Larken, 60 – Thornbury, Canada

“(…) We used Portugal Bike to be our hybrid tour guides. We had bikers from very little bike experience to the more experienced biker. Portugal Bike was able to accommodate all our needs as bikers. This was a 7 night, 6 day biking tour on the coast and inland. We visited medieval towns, stayed at 4 star hotels and had wonderful food while working off the calories biking. The biking guides Jose and Ricardo were excellent while the backup staff, Cristina, provided backup in the van. This is an excellent biking company that puts the Canadian group together.”

Canuk – Toronto ON, Canada

“Amazing trip very organized and spectacular views. Saw the country in a way that you would never experience in a car. Would definitely recommend it.”

Walter A. – Canada

See detailed testimonials

TOUR GEAR

On this tour you can ride with one of these bicycles
Hybrid Bike Scott Sportster

SCOTT SPORTSTER

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE

Sporster 20 Solution emphasises comfort and convenience for touring and transportation. Equipped with a lockout fork and Syncros components, the Sportster is set up perfectly for your excursions with a more vertical and comfortable position.

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e Bike Bosch System

BOSCH SYSTEM 

E-BIKE

Now you don’t have any excuse for not participating on a Portugal Bike Tour! Don’t be afraid of not being able to keep up with the group. Now you can ride an e-bike without feeling too exhausted! The system works as if someone is pushing at your back! The more you pedal, the more electric assistance you have.

SEE MORE

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