The Portuguese Camino

Cycle the Camino from Porto to Santiago de Compostela - 2 Countries, 1 Bike Tour!
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Porto to Santiago de Compostela

8 Days − Self Guided

3 & 4 Star Hotels & Country Inns

From

€ 1,590

An iconic trip that for centuries, pilgrim’s have trod. This Portuguese Camino cycle tour is an exciting route that takes in two countries. Leading one to the epicentre of devotion and historical journeys.

Arrive in Porto, an exciting European city of wine and culture, is your first stop in this tour. A wonderful city to explore before you set off following this famous route. Cycle through Barcelos on the Cavado River, past ancient Ponte de Lima, one of the oldest towns in Portugal and on to Valença, crossing the River Minho on an Eiffel bridge. Your passage through these towns and landscape will enchant and knowing the history of this trail, is evocative.

A mix of road cycling and hard packed trails, it is a pleasant ride, though very hilly at times. Nearing the great city of Santiago de Compostela, you cannot help but feel overwhelmed with emotion as you pedal closer with each rotation. It doesn’t matter if you are religious or not, you will be caught up in the remarkable emotion that surrounds this holy site. The Cathedral is a fascinating place and Santiago is a fitting end to your trip with its dynamic atmosphere, wonderful eating, lovely atmosphere and the knowledge that you have experienced and participated in one of the world’s oldest pilgrimages.

¡Buen Camino!

Bike Tour on the Camino Portugal Porto to Santiago

Dates

1 Mar 2024 to 31 Jul 2024

1 Sep 2024 to 31 Oct 2024

1 Mar 2025 to 31 Jul 2025

1 Sep 2025 to 31 Oct 2025

%

Riding Level

Challenging

40KM Daily Average

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Journey along the most iconic pilgrimage route, The Camino
  • Discover Porto, a Capital of Wine, the Douro wine region’s heart
  • 2 countries, distinct in their style, food, history & architecture
  • Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO historical city of devotion, study & travel
  • Pass through typical villages, an alluring landscape
  • Relish traditional local food & natural products like wine & olive oil

THE CC ADVANTAGE

We’ve have a personal connection to Portugal and absolutely love exploring it on 2 wheels!

Cycling Country has always enjoyed running tours on the Camino and in Portugal for many years

Portugal’s coastline and Spain’s Galicia, are firm personal favourites

Cycle on the Camino de Santiago

Route Map
itinerary
Day 1. PORTO

Cycling in PortoStart your Portuguese Camino cycle tour in Porto, its historical centre, a UNESCO Heritage site. Enjoy wonderful monuments and delicious culture of food. The Douro River has fed this city for centuries, with its Port wine industry and you can wander over to the other side and visit it’s wine cellars and caves (caves de vinho) there to have a tasting. Porto’s architecture is a marvel of styles and the Art Deco tilework and buildings are fun to experience. Read about it in The Zone, our blog.

 

 


Day 2. PORTO TO BARCELOS

Ride: 70 km | Elevation Gain: 578 m | 85% Asphalt / 15% Unpaved

Start your route, heading to medieval Barcelos, on the River Cavado in the Minho valley.  Known for its ceramics and famous pottery cockerel (the icon of Portugal), it is a lovely little town to wander. If you miss its monthly Monday market, visit the small Museum of Pottery for an idea of its arts and crafts (Museu de Olaria). The town’s 14th century royal importance, saw many of its monuments built and they are interesting to see.

See more

Day 3. BARCELOS TO PONTE DE LIMA

Cycling to Santiago de CompostelaRide: 34 km | Elevation Gain: 430 m | 80% Asphalt / 20% Unpaved

Your next destination on the Camino, will be the small town of Ponte de Lima, which is the oldest village in the country and full of legends. It is most famed for the enchanting 24-arch Roman bridge that has given safe passage to Camino pilgrims for years. Lovely mansions and riverside walks mark this town as does Vinho Verde, a refreshing drink, produced locally.

 

 


Day 4. PONTE DE LIMA TO VALENCA

Pilgrim Credentials for the CaminoRide: 35 km | Elevation Gain: 711 m | 55% Asphalt / 45% Unpaved

The mountains surrounding, the Teos-Montes, where eagles fly high and wolves once ran free, is a wild landscape. You are travelling to Valenca, a town which has 5km of fortifications built in the 17th century to protect them against the Spanish. Situated on the River Minho, the views from the ramparts are a 360 degree feast.

 


Day 5. VALENCA TO PONTEVEDRA

Camino Signs to CompostelaRide: 54 km | Elevation Gain: 713 m | 65% Asphalt / 35% Unpaved

Over to Spain! What an exciting thing it is to cross borders via bicycle and to top it off, cross a bridge built by Eiffel in the 19th century. The route today takes you through the deep forests of Galicia until you break out and afforded views of Atlantic waters coming inland. Pontevedra is an interesting city which has an ancient heritage and a medieval centre, where the higgledy piggledy plaza buildings with their red tiled roofs, are enchanting.

 


Day 6. PONTEVEDRA TO PADRÓN

Pimientos de Padron - peppersRide: 40 km | Elevation Gain: 419 m | 80% Asphalt / 20% Unpaved

Cycling along today through large forests and Galixian valleys.  It is a rural area passing nice villages such as Roman Caldas de Reis, with its impressive glass windowed Balneario situated on the River Gandra. Continue on to Padrón, the penultimate stop on the Camino, and a town steeped in legend about St. James. 10th century Vikings and Normans, both tried to overcome this place but its most famous export is the pimientos de Padron – a delicious dish of fried green peppers and salt.  However, even these are unpredictable, while most are mild tasting, some do have a kick, thus the Galician saying, Os pementos de Padrón, uns pican e outros non” (“Padrón peppers, some are hot and some are not”).


Day 7. PADRÓN TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Cycling the Camino de Santiago, road cycling in the North of Spain

Ride: 25 km | Elevation Gain: 419 m | 75% Asphalt / 25% Unpaved

This is a highlight to all travellers whose destination is Santiago de Compostela. Thrilling, there isn’t another word to describe how exciting it is to enter this city. Of course, a very holy city for Christians, but in its own right, an elegant pale stone city with many monuments to explore as well as excellent eating to try out. Stand in the Obradoiro Square is among the largest plazas in Galicia and serves as an imposing symbol of Santiago de Compostela with its historical buildings. The Cathedral, the Parador hotel (former royal hospital), Neoclassical palace, now town hall and 16th century College are inspiring.  It will certainly be a memorable moment for you.

 

 

 


Day 8. ONWARD FROM SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Unfortunately, your trip has come to an end and your transfer back to Porto airport will be awaiting this morning.

We hope you enjoyed your cycle trip through Portugal and Spain!

Trip Details

Leisure Cycling Tour: Self-Guided

Bikes: Hybrid or Ebike 

Route: Porto – Barcelos – Ponte de Lima – Valenca – Pontevedra – Padrón – Santiago de Compostela – Porto

Group Size: Minimum 2 people

Departures: Monday Departs (prior 14h00), Other days upon Request

Riding Level

Challenging: Daily average of 45 km over very rolling terrain (450m daily ascent). There is a good proportion of this Camino trip on unpaved routes, mainly 15-30% each day. so it is challenging in that respect.

For experienced cyclists who enjoy an epic route! It follows the old Camino path, so that’s the reason for unpaved sections.

Accommodation

7 nights in 4 & 3 Stars Boutique / Inns Hotels | All bedrooms are en-suite

Food

All breakfasts

6 packed light lunches

Extras Included
  • Pre-tour information & Travel help
  • Personal CC guide book & helmet bag, Bidon, Tee shirt
  • Luggage moved on daily
  • Toolkit, first aid kit, puncture repair kit, pump, and spare inner tube & Pre-paid mobile phone
  • GPS track loaded & road book of detailed information
  • 5% Off your next tour with us!
Not Included

Good Quality Bike Hire – Specialized Hybrid Bike (or similar) (110€) | CUBE Reaction ebike (or similar) *if Step Thru needed plse enquire- not available for those under 160cm or over 180cm (210€)

Travel Insurance

Personal expenses & any Museum entrances

Other Extras

Wine Tasting Experience featuring 2 wine tastings and visits: 50€ p.p. Itinerary : ▪ Day 1 – visit a bodega in Porto (last visit before closing time at 17:00 & Day 3 – visit a wine producing estate Quinta in Ponte de Lima.

Special Dine package with 2 dinners: 100€ p.p. It includes: ▪ Day 2 – Dinner at a typical  Portuguese restaurant in Barcelos, three courses menu & wine / ▪ Day 7 – Special Spanish dinner three course menu and wine in Santiago de Compostela

Portugal Cycling Jersey with iconic Cockerel on it – €55

Transfers

Shared transfer back to Porto airport on last day from Santiago.

UNESCO Heritage site, Santiago

Lodgings

This Portuguese Camino cycle tour is an epic journey, so we want you to approach each morning fully rested and ready to go. Our Self-Guided Camino bike tour hotels are carefully chosen to ensure this.

The hotels are exceptional and reflect the charming regional style and comfort in order to get revitalised for the next day’s bike ride. On this trip we have a selection of Highlight Hotels (4-3 star hotels) and Boutique spots (smaller, family run places which are charming and often historical).

Traditional Style hotel in Porto - Cycling Country Tours
Best Portuguese Hotels on Camino Bike Trip
Cycle Trip starting in Portugal’s North
Bike Trip from Portugal to on the Camino – Hotels on the way
Bike Tour of the Camino de Santiago from Portugal
Cycling the Camino from Portugal to Spain - Fine Hotels
 
Reviews

Iconic symbols of the Camino

“I found Cycling Country, Maggi in particular, to be extremely responsive via email from my initial inquiry until after my ride ended. This was particularly helpful when small problems arose
during and after the ride, and because I ended up having to do the ride alone. My cycling partner contracted COVID a week prior to our departure. Though 2 riders are required for a
self-guided ride, Cycling Country encouraged me to continue with my ride solo.

This trip was well organized, the hotels, luggage transfers. The Ride with GPS app as well as the small guide book provided interesting and useful information about the area that day, and
restaurant recommendations. The lodging was good, and each hotel or inn provided breakfast and a picnic to take for the day’s ride. The lunches were substantial enough to fuel the day’s
ride.
The ride itself was beautiful and the weather couldn’t have been better!
I would work with Cycling Country again. I felt well supported, and confident about Cycling Country’s knowledge and skills.”
J & Robyn W – Illinois, USA – May 2022

St. James Sculpture on Santiago CathedralTestimonials from previous cyclists are always available and we enjoy receiving the feedback after tours.

It helps us improve our services and offer you an even better experience.

Please feel free to contact us if you would like a reference to talk to.

Others have also posted reviews on the independent travel website

DATES & RATES

THE PORTUGUESE CAMINO

8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS

MONDAY START DAY

FROM €1,590

SINGLE SUPP. FROM €370

SELECT YOUR DATE AND CHECK AVAILABILITY HERE

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