Cycling in Portugal | Best Routes Around Portugal

Endless roads, beautiful beaches, mouth watering cuisine and a rich culture await you in Portugal. It's time to explore!

Portugal is the ideal holiday destination all year round. Not just for relaxing on beaches but cycling holidays too, thanks to its mild climate, 3000 hours of sunshine per year, and 850 kilometres of magnificent coastline bathed by the Atlantic Ocean.

This is a country with the oldest borders in Europe, with an exceptional range of different landscapes just a short distance away, a plethora of leisure activities, and a distinct cultural heritage in which tradition and modernity coexist harmoniously. Its excellent cuisine, fine wines, and friendly people make it a top-tier tourist destination.

Portugal attracts visitors from all over the world due to its location in the south-west of Europe, just a few hours from any of the other European capitals. Come ride with epico and discover the wonders of this country for yourself.

From the sea to the west, the mountains inland and the beautiful villages between, Portugal has it all!

Cycling is our favourite way to explore any country and Portugal is no different. Portugal is well-known for being one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations. The country’s popularity has skyrocketed as more visitors visit and praise its gastronomy, culture, natural beauty, and authenticity. We couldn’t agree more; The country is doing an excellent job of not only promoting but also preserving its identity and culture. Travelling by bicycle is one of the best ways to experience the authenticity of the Portuguese lifestyle and traditions.

Cycling Portugal is a great way to get to know the country, particularly the less urbanised areas, where you’ll find quaint villages, vineyards, fresh fish, Mediterranean cuisine, and, most importantly for epico? Cyclists, no cars. Even though the country lacks large infrastructures such as cycle-paths, it compensates by having excellent back-roads that run from north to south. As a result, the question remains….

Why should you go on a cycling tour in Portugal?

You name it: weather, culture, gastronomy, geographical diversity, history, nature…

Great, accessible diversity: With 10 million inhabitants and 92,212 km2 of land area, it is considered one of Europe’s most geographically diverse countries, as well as the home of several UNESCO world heritage sites and traditions – a small enough country for you to cover a large portion of it on a bike to learn about many different heritage sites, traditions, flavours, and natural beauty. Portugal has beautiful beaches, glacial valleys, large mountain ranges, wine regions, and national parks.

You may not know it yet but Portugal is a phenomenal cycle tour destination

The natural environment in Portugal is ideal for cycling tourism. Despite its small size, it has a diverse landscape and a rich cultural heritage. Throughout the country, there are hundreds of cycle routes for cycle tourism, road cycling, gravel biking and mountain biking. More so, the locals are helpful and respectful towards cyclists and a lot of the accommodations are geared for cyclists and their gear.

Cyclists can enjoy the timelessness of Lisbon or explore the Algarve’s coastline, which features wind-swept white beaches. Portugal appears to have everything. Visit Porto and then cycle the Douro or walk the Camino de Santiago. The rolling countryside of the Alentejo offers breathtaking views.

Then, there are the enchanted palaces and monuments along Portugal’s Atlantic West coast. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the location. Reflect fondly on the miles cycled while sipping a glass of port in the evening.

Feast your eyes on the sights and scenes from the coastal paths or the mountain tops

Cycling in Portugal offers fantastic routes, blissful sights, and fascinating landscapes. Whether you’re looking for afternoon jaunts or want to explore the country on a deeper level. With a long Atlantic coastline and two offshore archipelagos, bike rides will often provide you with breathtaking sea views and plenty of opportunities for toe-dipping.

However, cycle routes in Portugal have much more to offer than just a beautiful, wild coastline. With such a diverse landscape, you can ride past rugged mountains and glacial valleys, see rare Mediterranean forests, and stop in remote villages for Pasteis de Nata, Portugal’s famous custard tart.

Flat, coastal cycle paths abound, making them ideal for both families and riders looking for an easier day on the bike. Many sections of the coast include forest hills, which reward your climbing effort with spectacular views. Multi-day routes are also an excellent option, as no two days will be the same. Cycling is possible all year thanks to the warm, maritime, and Mediterranean climate.