Cycling in Portugal: The Best Bike Routes

Portugal is a great country for cycling: flat greenways on old railway lines, riverside paths, quiet country roads and, for the fit, challenging mountain climbs. Here are the best places to cycle in Portugal, from easy family rides to multi-day routes.

Quick answer: for easy, flat rides, try the Ecopista do Rio Minho along the Spanish border, the Ecovia do Lima near Viana do Castelo, Lisbon’s riverside path to Belém, and the coastal path from Cascais to Guincho. For longer trips, cycle the Algarve or the Rota Vicentina cycling routes in the southwest. E-bikes make the hills much easier.

Why cycle in Portugal

Portugal has turned many old railway lines and riverbanks into car-free paths called ecopistas and ecovias. They’re flat, well signed and pass through villages with cafés, so they suit families and casual riders. The weather allows cycling for most of the year, and distances between towns are short. For keen riders, the mountains of the north and the hills of Monchique and the Serra da Estrela offer long climbs.

The best rides

Ecopista do Rio Minho

A flat greenway on an old railway along the Minho river, from Valença to Monção and towards Caminha, voted one of Europe’s best greenways. See Viana and the Minho.

The railway section between Valença and Monção is about 15km, past vineyards, fields and river beaches, with Spain just across the water. It won third prize at the European Greenways Awards in 2017. Riverside paths extend the route towards Caminha for a longer ride. Start at the old fortress town of Valença. See Valença.

Ecovia do Lima

Along the Lima river from Viana do Castelo to Ponte de Lima and beyond.

The path runs on both banks of the river and links Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima, Ponte da Barca and Arcos de Valdevez. It’s split into sections, so you can ride a short stretch and return, or link several for a full day. Ponte de Lima, with its long medieval bridge, makes the best base. See Ponte de Lima.

Ecopista do Dão

One of the longest and easiest greenways in the country: about 49km on the old Dão railway line between Viseu, Tondela and Santa Comba Dão. It opened in 2011, has a smooth paved surface with no cars, and passes restored stations, river valleys and vineyards, with views of the Caramulo and Estrela mountains. Ride a section and back, or the whole line in a day. See Viseu.

Lisbon’s riverside

A flat cycle path along the Tagus from Cais do Sodré to Belém and beyond, and riverside paths in Parque das Nações. See Belém.

It’s the easiest way to cycle in a hilly city. Ride out past the 25 de Abril bridge to the Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém, then stop for a pastel de nata. Lisbon’s shared bike scheme, GIRA, has docks along the river.

Cascais to Guincho

A coastal cycle path from Cascais past Boca do Inferno towards the wild beach of Guincho. See Cascais.

The path is about 9km each way, mostly flat and separated from traffic, with ocean views all the way. Expect a headwind on the way to Guincho on many afternoons. Cascais’ MobiCascais scheme rents normal and electric bikes, including near the train station.

Aveiro and Costa Nova

Flat roads around the lagoon and out to the striped houses of Costa Nova. See Aveiro.

The Algarve

The coastal Ecovia runs across the region, mixing quiet roads and paths. Inland, the hills of Monchique offer tougher rides.

The Ecovia do Litoral covers about 214km from Vila Real de Santo António on the Spanish border to Cape St Vincent. Most riders take about a week. Some stretches share busy roads, so pick the quieter sections, such as those near the Ria Formosa, for a day ride. The trains on the Algarve line make it easy to ride one way and return by rail.

The Ecovia is part of EuroVelo 1, the Atlantic Coast Route, which continues north along Portugal’s coast to Caminha and on to Scandinavia.

The Rota Vicentina cycling routes

The Rota Vicentina is best known for its walking trails, but it also has more than 1,000km of marked mountain bike and gravel routes in the southwest, mostly around Odemira. These include a long-distance MTB trail of about 145km and a touring bike route of about 500km linking Lisbon and Faro. Ride them from September to June, as summer is hot. See Costa Vicentina.

Sintra by e-bike

Guided e-bike tours make Sintra’s hills easy. See Sintra e-bike tours.

When to go

Spring (March to June) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons, with mild temperatures. Summer is hot inland and in the south, so ride early. Winter is fine in the Algarve and around Lisbon, but the north is wet.

Tips

• Hills: Lisbon, Porto and much of the interior are steep; an e-bike helps.
• Heat: ride early in summer, and carry plenty of water.
• Traffic: some drivers are impatient; stick to greenways and quiet roads.
• Trains: bikes are allowed on many regional and suburban trains; check CP’s rules. See the train guide.
• Bike hire is easy in Lisbon, Porto, Cascais and the Algarve.
• Intercity trains: CP carries bikes free, one per passenger, but on Intercidades trains you need to reserve one of the seats next to the bike racks. Regional trains take bikes except on some services and times.
• Alfa Pendular: bikes must be folded or taken apart and carried as hand luggage. Urban trains around Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra take bikes at any time in the marked carriages.
• Rules of the road: drivers must leave at least 1.5m when overtaking a cyclist. Wear a helmet, as it’s sensible even where not required.
• Food stops: village cafés along the ecopistas sell cheap coffee, sandwiches and pastries, so you rarely need to carry much.

FAQ

Can I take my bike on trains in Portugal?

Yes, for free, one bike per passenger. On Intercidades trains, reserve a seat next to the bike racks. On the Alfa Pendular, bikes must be folded or taken apart.

What is the easiest place to cycle in Portugal?

The ecopistas on old railway lines, such as the Ecopista do Rio Minho and the Ecopista do Dão, are flat and free of cars. Lisbon’s riverside path to Belém is the easiest city ride.

Can you cycle the whole Algarve coast?

Yes. The Ecovia do Litoral runs about 214km from Vila Real de Santo António to Cape St Vincent, and most riders take about a week.

More: hiking in Portugal and the best road trips.

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