Portugal is one of the best destinations in Europe for coastal bike touring — thanks to its wild Atlantic scenery, good weather, quiet backroads, and rich local culture.
Given your wish to ride by the ocean, cover 60–75 km per day, and finish each day at or near the beach, we’ve focused on the coast — where the scenery is at its best and the roads are most bike-friendly.
Among Portugal’s entire coastline, two regions stand out as the
most scenic and rewarding for cycling:
- The Vicentine Coast (Costa Vicentina) in the southwest — remote, wild, and sun-drenched.
- The Silver Coast (Costa de Prata) in central Portugal — more varied, cultural, and dotted with iconic beach towns.
For most of the year, Portugal’s coastal winds blow from the
northwest, which means coastal routes are best planned
from north to south. This way, you ride with the wind at your back, especially in the afternoons — making each day more pleasant.
If you’re choosing between the first and second week of September,
I’d personally recommend the second week — by that time, most Portuguese families are back from holiday and getting ready for the school year (which starts mid-September). Beaches and hotels become quieter, availability improves, and the whole atmosphere is more relaxed — perfect for cycling.
I’ve prepared two route options designed for a 7-day coastal cycling journey — but these are
not fixed itineraries. The final version of the route will be fully tailored to you — shaped around your specific goals, riding pace, preferred terrain, travel dates, timing, and season.
While both routes already reflect the best Portugal’s coast has to offer, they are built as a flexible foundation — not a rigid plan. They don’t simply follow the EuroVelo line, though they may overlap with its most scenic stretches. Instead, they’ve been designed to help you enjoy as much beauty, variety, and peace as possible — while avoiding dull stretches or high-traffic roads.