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 Historical Way of the Rota Vicentina. E-bikes make the hills much easier.

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.

Ecovia do Lima

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

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.

Cascais to Guincho

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

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 Rota Vicentina Historical Way

Inland tracks through cork forests and villages in the southwest, suitable for bikes. See Costa Vicentina.

Sintra by e-bike

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

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.

More: hiking in Portugal and the best road trips.

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