Forget European Summer—Portugal’s Silver Coast Is Ideal for Fall Cycling

Pedal beyond Porto on a five-day, self-guided tour bursting with all the colors of autumn.

Thanks to this year ’s compulsion with all thingsEuropean Summer , it ’s safe to assume that there ’s belike just one grade ( or less ) of separation between you and someone who ’s late been to Portugal . Europe ’s southwesterly - most country is definitely having a moment . You ’ve probably heard rave reviews aboutPorto’ssurprising affordability , spectacular common , alone culinary art , and delicious wine — including its namesake fortified version , which can be delight at port houses and tasting rooms throughout the region . ( If you ’re concerned , Taylor Fladgateis one of the oldest , tasty , and most challenging . ) And you ’re also likely well aware ofLisbon’scoastal city , with its pastel - colored architecture , windswept beaches , and world - renowned museum . And do n’t even get us begin onMadeira’ssummertime wonderment …

But those mellow - visibility goal — and summer , for that matter — represent just a fraction of Portugal ’s many gift . In fact , fall is arguably the most beautiful sentence to visit the country ’s northerly region , as crowd have dissipated and thefall colors are at their most spectacular , provide plenty of reasons to hazard out of the metropolis and into the captivating countryside . And when it comes to exploring the Silver Coast of Portugal — a.k.a . Costa de Prata , a stretchiness of shoreline that stretches in the south from the mouth of the Douro River all the fashion to the seafront city of Figueira da Foz and the bustling university town of Coimbra — there ’s no better way to full treasure the switch foliage and sweeping views than from the fanny of a bicycle .

Here ’s everything you need to know to project a fall cycling adventure of a lifetime through Portugal ’s coastal Town .

bike parked under a shade of vines on an old road in portugal

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Link up with one of Portugal’s bike ride companies

Do a quick Google search for self - guided bicycle head trip from Porto to Coimbra , and nearly all the event will point you to Filipe Taborda ’s Porto - basedSportTours . Taborda himself withdraw care of all the manipulation — and give off — of the bike in increase to get up hotel bookings and baggage transfers for Edgar Albert Guest . He ’ll also plume you up with an e - bike or touring bike design for foresighted - space rides and GPS - informed map you could download to your phone , along with excess thermionic valve , a ignition lock , and canonical bike maintenance tools .

From there , you and your cycling companion(s ) will be free to rack up the scenic streets , following the path via GPS and pedaling at your own speed from town to township . And when you ’re ready to call it a night , your bags will be waiting for you at the pre - booked hotel en route . There , the staff will direct you to the correct spot to stow your bike as well as instruct you on where to leave your luggage in the morning so it can be picked up and channel to the next stoppage .

Kick off your fall cycling from Porto to Furadouro

The mostly flat , 26 - mile road charter you along a spacious promenade above an open stretch of Atlantic coastline to Espinho , a belittled waterfront town build up as a sportfishing hamlet in the 18th century — and , in the summertime , the closest and most popular beach for Porto ’s day - trip . Here , a boardwalk and a handful of little restaurants front out over a broad expanse of sandy beach . It ’s a welcome place to intermit for a snack and pint of local beer ( Super Bock Stout hits the spot this prison term of year ) .

From Espinho , you ’ll journey slimly inland , meander around the small village of Esmoriz and Ovar ’s military airdrome before re - emerging onto Furadouro ’s wide open , sandy beach . Another former fishing small town , this well-disposed stop - over sports a quaint business district with tile street and a few shops and coffee bar . Taking great pride in its fresh seafood , Restaurante O Tascois a choice place to indulge in a simply prepared ocean bass part , salmon fish fillet , or the pride of northerly Portugal , cod , each served with boiled white potato vine and cabbage salad . While take in the townsfolk , do n’t leave out the opportunity to saunter the boardwalk and douse your toes in the still - fond Atlantic Ocean .

Bike ride past charming canals in Aveiro

recognize as Portugal ’s answer to Venice , your next destination is a maze of canals and cute pastel building . The 34 - mile journeying to Aveiro is again mostly categoric , and divert passenger away from the slide via protected course and unfrequented route through a monolithic lagoon and marshland , the grasses and George Herbert Walker Bush of which feature a spectrum of warm autumnal color . At the halfway point , you ’ll pass through the industrial townsfolk of Estarreja before following a raised wooden nerve pathway suspend above the swamp into the metropolis .

As you near , you ’ll point out neat sight of ocean salt harvested from area lagune . Evidence of the salt production manufacture in place since the Middle Ages , the snowy lily-white mounds are the first preindication of civilization you ’re likely to lay eye on after a couple of hr spent navigating the countryside . You ’ll then merge onto a cycling path along the canal , which are tell apart with colorfully patterned Moliceiro boats offer charter cruises — it ’s not quite as complex as the net of waterways crisscross Venice , but it ’s still a quixotic way to take in the city ’s picturesque Art Nouveau - fashion computer architecture .

An Italian - fashion pizza pie and sangria will hit the position for lunch , or opt for an espresso with an ovos mole , a sugary orchis - free-base pastry dough that ’s a long suit of the region . Later , loosen up canalside or in one of Aveiro ’s vibrant squares with a glass of Vinho Verde and some tapas for dinner party ( the mussels atMaré Cheiaare particularly flavorful ) . You ’ll find out many hotel options in Aveiro , include the charmingHotel das Salinas , a friendly , wide holding that pairs saucily squeezed orange juice with its ample breakfast buffet . And before you depart , consider indulging in a picayune shopping , as the topically made gifts and jewelry here are both unique and A-one affordable .

biker in Portuguese coast

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Soak up the sights as you cycle to Praia de Mira

The next sidereal day , you ’ll be heading back to the loose coast on what is in all likelihood the trip ’s most scenic route . The 28.5 - nautical mile sweep set about with a expedition through the farm country bordering Aveiro ( be fain to ask a cow or two to step off the path ) , where you ’re certain to bask the rainbow of changing leaf cascading around you , include tunnels of olive trees lining the lane of nearby villages . After about an hour of vendition , you ’ll come upon a stately clean building — Vista Alegre — one of Portugal ’s most acclaimed porcelain manufacturers and museums . Although porcelain is n’t exactly the safestsouvenirfor bike travel , a prompt tour of the facility will help you appreciate the darling export .

continue on , you ’ll be met once again with salty aura as you get over into Costa Nova , a gay spread of striped vacation homes perched on a tongue of land separated from the coast by a full duct . The final few miles to Praia de Mira take you along wooden pathways surrounded by rollingsand sand dune . Although it features a broad beach promenade , the seaside town of Praia de Mira feel comparatively remote and sparsely fitted out . That say , the sprawl sandy beach is its central feature film and you ’ll find the sunset here nothing short of spectacular .

Treat yourself to some nightlife in Figueira da Foz

After departing from serene Praia de Mira , the next ride terminates in a very different sort of beach town — the brisk city of Figueira da Foz , full of fortresses , theaters , and casino . On the room there , you ’ll move around through a lush forest where you ’ll feel like a youngster again , delighting in rolling over crunchy fallen leaves , before combing large swaths of farmland where it ’s not rare to see a shepherd moderate goats to gurgling streams . You ’ll pass through several hamlet lined with a counterpoint compounding of undimmed cottages with perfectly manicure lawn and faded , dilapidated wooden barns . Once you reach Quiaios ’ vivacious square , it ’s a good idea to hop off the saddle and fuel up , as the next 45 minutes or so will have you cross a serial publication of wind switchbacks up a 600 - foot mountain route . Do n’t interest , though — a very rewarding diorama of the entire Silver Coast is waiting to greet you at the top .

Cycle through fall foliage to Coimbra

The final ride of the trip , this 34 - mile journeying follows the mighty Mondego River . release in from the coast , you ’ll alternate between legato tract and pot - hole roads as you pedal through storybook medieval towns , over a few hill , and into the bustling city of Coimbra , home of the old continually operating university in Europe see back to the 12th century . Along the direction , be certain to hold back at the castling looming atop the hill in Montemor - o - Velho , a town founded by Arab settlers in the eighth hundred . Grab an espresso in the small town ’s sprawl square toes , where it ’s easy to envision the smut - blacken cobblestone streets filled with revelers partake in royal mediaeval celebrations .

Once you reconnect with the paved riverfront route , you ’ll see the majestic city of Coimbra in the distance . The route leads riders into its neck of the woods via several breathless wooden bridge engulfed in thriving woodland — the spectacular colors enrich the tree surrounding this hilly historic city are quite possibly one of Portugal ’s most cover autumnal precious stone . gloam is also when the university is in full - swing , the low metropolis thumping with renewed energy . Be sure to make the trek up the mound to tour the campus to see library Biblioteca Joanina , which served as inspiration forHarry Potter ’s Hogwarts . Later , hang out among the pupil at a café and dig into a Pastel de Nata , a tiny custard pie that will belike become your preferred baked goodness . And if you ’ve worked up a thirst , make your way across the river toPraxis Brewery . Located in a less - traveled corner of town , the originative local soapsuds and hearty card ( go for the ocean bass ) are well worth the try .

After your engage enlistment company meet you here to dilute you and your two - wheeled steed into a caravan for the trip back to Porto , you ’ll likely have your eye sic on next fall , eagerly face ahead to embarking on another European cycling adventure .

panoramic view over arrabida bridge in oporto, portugal