Bicycle touring in Portugal - the coast, the interior and when to go
Bicycle touring in Portugal - the EuroVelo 1 coast, quiet interior routes, the best season, the Algarve, where to sleep and practical tips for your trip.
· 5 min
About
Portugal is a great destination for cyclists. Enjoy some of the beautiful and historical cities, or find yourself between the beautiful landscapes. The food is amazing, the climate can be good depending on the time and place you visit.
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Cycle PlanetEdit
People
Very friendly people who are willing to help. If you're cycling through rural areas people are likely to wave at you. In the north people are friendlier, but also more modest than elsewhere. The Portuguese themselves are also aware of this distinction. It would have to do with the harsh winter climate in the north. As a woman, more southerly, you are approached more often than you would like.
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
Visa
People from EU, Canada, Japan and USA don't need a visa. All other people need a Schengen visa to visit this country. You can find more information here https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/tourist-schengen-visa/. The visa is valid for 90 days, and allows you to travel through all Schengen countries.
Last updated 3 Sept 2020 by Bas IdsingaEdit
See and do (16)
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1. Albufeira lagoonSee & doNice place for splash either at wavy sea or calm lagoon 1- 2. ArrábidaSee & doSuper nice by-the-sea mountain with very nice views and beaches. 1
- 3. Capela dos Ossos de Campo MaiorSee & doAfter a huge explosion, more than 1000 people died in the 18th century. The bones of the victims are now decorated on the walls of this chapel. It sounds… 1
- 4. Miradouro do Castelo de São JorgeSee & doViewpoint over the city, historical place, with an almost 360º view over the town 1
- 5. Miradouro Boca do Vento (Cacilhas, Almada)See & doNice viewpoint to Lisbon from the other side, reachable by ferry
- 6. Miradouro da GraçaSee & doNice viewpoint over the city, with a big café
- 7. Miradouro da Senhora do MonteSee & doNice viewpoint over the city, said to be the highest point in the city
- 8. Miradouro das Portas do SolSee & doNice viewpoint over the city, sometimes with music events
Bike shops (8)
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1. Bike PopBike shop 1- 2. Armazéns AirafBike shopBicycle shop with very good and helpful mechanic
- 3. Cicloficina de AlmadaBike shopBicycle DIY repair spot. Local volunteers help out people make repairs in their own bicycles. Not every day, check schedule!
- 4. Cicloficina do BarreiroBike shopBicycle DIY repair spot. Local volunteers help out people make repairs in their own bicycles. Not every day, check schedule!
- 5. Cicloficina do SeixalBike shopBicycle DIY repair spot. Local volunteers help out people make repairs in their own bicycles. Not every day, check schedule!
- 6. Cicloficina dos AnjosBike shopBicycle DIY repair spot. Local volunteers help out people make repairs in their own bicycles. Some second hand parts available
- 7. RciclaBike shopBike shop with good offer
- 8. Rcicla - OrienteBike shopBike shop with good offer
Sleeping
Staying with locals
Lisbon and Porto have large couchsurfing communities. This is much less in the interior.
(Formal) camping
In the tourist areas you can cycle from campsite to campsite. During the holidays these are busy, but there is always room. The ground is quite hard, a tent hammer is recommended. Campsites are often far apart outside the tourist areas.
Wild camping is possible in non-touristy areas. The population also thinks this is normal and will not report you to the local authorities.
Ho(s)tels
In Portugal, many places have a guest house. The further from the tourist destinations, the cheaper they become.
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
Places to sleep (128)
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1. Camping Os AnjosCampsiteVery relaxed campsite owned by a very friendly Dutch couple and their dog Nietsche. There is a swimming pool and some basic amenities. It's located on walking… 1
2. Camp near small waterfallWild campingAfter entering Portugal it was getting late and the hills made it difficult to find a good spot. When I took a small side road, I ended up at this perfect spot…- 3. CampimecoCampsiteCampsite by beautiful beach with long stretch of sand (at the end it's traditionally a naturist beach)
- 4. Camping “Quinta Chave Grande”CampsiteOfficial campsite
- 5. Camping Almargem do BispoCampsiteOfficial campsite
- 6. Camping Costa NovaCampsiteOfficial campsite
- 7. Camping GuardaCampsiteOfficial campsite
- 8. Camping PicheleirosCampsiteNice campsite surrounded by nature
Safety
Portugal is a safe country, especially in the east where only simple people live and everyone in the villages knows each other. Greed seems completely alien to these people.
Traffic
Car drivers are still not very use to see cyclists on the road, but it's overall safe. Central and Northern Portugal: The roads are quiet inland. In (near) the cities, the main roads are especially busy. Motorists are not used to cyclists and oncoming traffic in particular can overtake recklessly.
Algarve: The main roads are busy and often highway-like. A number of through roads are prohibited for cyclists. The coastal road between Faro and Albufeira is more like a highway and, despite a wide hard shoulder, is unpleasant for cycling. In the conservatories outside the tourist area you are sometimes alone on the road for hours. You can avoid busy roads on the Ecovia de Algarve.
Criminality
The usual thinking of being more careful in some cities or touristy areas at night, but overall quite safe.
Corruption
No corruption.
Nature and animals
Nothing really to worry about.
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
Transport
Train
Not all trains are allowed to accommodate cyclists. Sometimes you have to take the first or last train to get on by bike.
Bus
In the Algarve it is not possible to take a bicycle on the bus. Only in express buses from Algarve (Lagos) to Lisbon (bicycle in bag or box in 2015) or Porto or back. In northern Portugal you can always take a bus, they will not let you down.
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
Food and drink
Portugal has great pastries to offer ("pastel de nata" are a must). Also the Bacalhau is a popular dish.
Supermarkets
In the larger villages there are supermarkets that are comparable to those in the Netherlands. The supermarkets are often open until the evening and on Sundays. Small villages often have a small shop with a necessary supply. There are not many gas stations, so for drinks and snacks you will have to cycle to a village.
Restaurants
Eating out is cheap in Portugal. In every village there is a restaurant with a cheap daily menu. Portions are always large and a glass of wine is often included. Often villages are completely extinct, but the restaurant turns out to be full.
Usually at the start of the meal - unsolicited - a plate is placed with smaller dishes. This is not free, if you taste it it will be on your account. You can ask for it to be removed from your table without any problem.
Not the easiest country for vegetarian, but its slowly improving, especially in major cities.
Drinkable water
Many villages have pumps or a well. This water is good to drink. The water from the wells along the mountain roads is also good. Bottled drinking water is available in many places.
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
Other places (1)
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Other
Best time to cycle
Algarve: Spring is most suitable for Algarve and the surrounding interior. In summer it is unbearably hot.
Central and Northern Portugal: The best weather is in May-June and September with temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees. In the dry part of the interior it cools down considerably at night. In August it is usually warm but a sleeping bag is needed at night, sometimes rain and getting warmer towards the south until hot on some days. In the mountains it is also doable in summer.
Special sightseeing
The Rota Vicentina is a hiking trail and opened in 2013 in the southwest of Portugal. (Alentejo) This route follows the jagged cliff coast from Santiago do Cacem to Sagres in the south. (rotavicentina.com). The route is also indicated as a mountain bike trail. It is very nice to plan a hike of about 10 days (including cycling from Lisbon). Count on solid mountain biking, especially with a pack! Best time: April-May.
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit