Portugal 2025 – Cycling Porto to Lisbon via the Douro
We wanted a route where we could take our own bikes. This meant a circular route back to the airport. The train from Lisbon meant the cycling was linear.
The N2 is a great route now most cars use the motorway, leaving wide roads with little traffic. We visited in mid May and the weather was kind and around 20C. The hotels were generally quiet and good value at this time of year.
Food is generally cheap outside the cities.
2 Coffee and cakes was 4 euros in a roadside cafe, and there were lots of options for coffee breaks and lunch stops.
A can of coke +Mixed toasties and chips was about 5 euros.
Day 1
Fly to Porto ( Bike boxes )
Opo Airport hotel ( 8 mins walk, or hotel courtesy shuttle ) – https://www.opohotel.com/en/
Build bikes at hotel ( Hotel looked after boxes whilst we were cycling as we were staying with them 1st and last night )
Day 2
Cycle to Porto centre and then up the Douro to Peso de regua ( Hotel Columbano https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/residencial-columbano.en-gb.html )
The route up the Douro is fantastic. Whilst we did 1800M of elevation over they day, there were no really long climbs.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/349591598
Day 3
Pick up N2 and cycle to Tondelo ( Hotel SJ https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/severino-jose.en-gb.html )
Places in town to eat
Another amazing day cycling as we left the Douro on the N2. The morning starts with a 27km climb, so another big day.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/349598890
Day 4
Tondelo to Pedogao Grande ( Hotel Montanha https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/da-montanha.en-gb.html )
Lovely isolated location with great views. DB&B as town is too far away.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/349599216
Day 5
Pedogao Grande to Abrantes ( Luna Hotel https://www.expedia.co.uk/Abrantes-Hotels-Luna-Hotel-Turismo.h2962.Hotel-Information )
Nice hotel with great views
Great Beer, Kebabs and Pizzas at Star – https://maps.app.goo.gl/TM7JCtzfVQ7F6QfF8
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/349600985
Day 6
Abrantes to Santarem (Hotel Umu https://www.expedia.co.uk/Santarem-Hotels-Hotel-Umu.h23393445.Hotel-Information )
Amazing Sushi at Sushi and Poke ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/1FdrgTzncApX2QDt6 )
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/349601169
Day 6
Cycle to Lisbon – roads are much busier than elsewhere.
Lisbon to Porto via Intercity train ( 3hr 15 min, book bikes on the train )
Cycle to Opo Porto airport hotel and pack away bikes
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/349601418
Day 7
Day in Porto ( just get Metro in from Botica station )
Fly home
Routes were set using Strava (on road cycling setting )
Strava follows the heatmaps to use roads popular with cyclists. For the most part this worked really well. The road from Porto and then the N2 were quiet and we even picked up a path down an old railway line at one point.
The final day from Santarem to Lisbon was much busier, although when you get into Lisbon there is a bike path through the city. I would replan this day to keep off the main road more.
If your thinking about Cycle Touring then here are some thoughts on kit, routes etc based on my experience and how I approach it.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SEy4sjgmcC5pcT5KHHIQy6VpliQNFQoZhb2FfnuhzMQ/edit?usp=sharing