Cycling the Camino de Santiago Supported

Cycling The Camino de Santiago Supported

Hybrid Bike | Supported | Historic

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The Camino de Santiago, also known as “The way of St James”, is one of the World’s oldest pilgrimage routes. It is a way covered by thousands of pilgrims since the 9th century, when Saint James’ remains were rediscovered in the place known today as Santiago de Compostela by the hermit Pelagius.

There is more than “one” way (“camino”) to Santiago because over the centuries different ways were covered by pilgrims whose aim was to get to Saint James’ resting place. We follow the Portuguese Way. This also has some variations, such as: the Coastal Way, the Medieval Way, the Central Way and the Royal Way. We follow the Coastal Way with the Medieval Way, because it is the most scenic and beautiful of the Portuguese Ways.

Cycling the Camino de Santiago is a 7-day stunning tour from Vila do Conde (Porto region) through seaside Atlantic villages and sandy beaches until we get to the Spanish border. Then we continue along the Medieval Way, through ancient Roman roads, medieval towns, dense woods and centuries old pilgrims’ footpaths en route to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Santiago de Compostela.

As the day comes to an end, relax at gorgeous and magnificent Castles, Palaces, Monasteries and Convents that were once inhabited by the clergy or the Queens and Kings and now are converted into exquisite lodgings.

To complete this adventure (for religious reasons or not) you should previously get the Pilgrim’s Credential (Portugal Bike Tours will get this for you in advance). A pilgrim must get at least two stamps per day; you collect the stamps along the way at the hotels, restaurants and churches.

When you get to Santiago you go to the Pilgrim’s Office and show your Credential with all the stamps to prove that you did cycle The Camino (minimum of 200km biking). You are then awarded the Compostela, a document with your name written in Latin that certifies that you completed the Camino!

To cycle The Camino de Santiago, you should use wider tires on your bicycle! We will ride sometimes on asphalt, other times on bike lanes, wood lanes along the beaches and some dirt roads, or even some single tracks and rough trails. Thicker tires have better grip and they will help you to get the necessary comfort and balance when you have to cross Roman bridges that are more than 2000 years old.

The overall difficulty level of this tour is 3, Intermediate (more precisely, level 2.6, between 1~5). It is recommended for “bikers” and “cyclists”. It is supposed that you are in good shape.

There is a well-known sentence that helps us to understand what really is The Camino de Santiago and it says something like this: “It is the Way itself that changes our lives, not the goal”, i.e. it is by cycling The Camino and overcoming the daily difficulties that our inner self is changed, and not the fact that you get to Santiago de Compostela.

Cycling the Camino is giving a bit of yourself! …It is something different, …it is really an experience!

From

Euro 3350

Supported

Tour

7

Days

Level 3 (2.6)

Intermediate

Distance

236km/147mi
47km/29mi day

Hotels

Signature, Monument and Historic

Trails

57% asphalt + 43% dirt roads and bike lanes

Start | End

Vila do Conde (Porto region) | Santiago de Compostela

Dates

Start-End

Availability

Booking

Price

Per Person

20 Apr – 26 Apr, 2025

Available

Euro 3350

25 May – 31 May, 2025

Confirmed

Euro 3450

08 Jun – 14 Jun, 2025

Available

Euro 3480

22 Jun – 28 Jun, 2025

Available

Euro 3390

06 Jul – 12 Jul, 2025

Available

Euro 3390

20 Jul – 26 Jul, 2025

Available

Euro 3390

31 Aug – 06 Sep, 2025

Available

Euro 3450

14 Sep – 20 Sep, 2025

Available

Euro 3520

28 Sep – 04 Oct, 2025

Available

Euro 3500

Available: You can sign up for the bicycle tour, but we must have a minimum of 4 cyclists.

To be Confirmed: We already have some cyclists, but we need more to Confirm the bike tour.

Confirmed: We already have a minimum of 4 cyclists on the bicycle tour and you can still sign up.

Complete: The bicycle tour is already full.

. Contact us if you prefer a Private Bike tour.
. If you wish to ride with one of our Guides, contact us for a Full Guided Bike Tour.
. If you wish a different date, ask us for prices and availability.
. Supported bike tours usually start on Sundays.

Looking for another Supported tour date?
See all Confirmed Departures

RESERVE THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME

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Minimum number of people: 4

Location: Porto and the North

Price per person:

Single room supplement:

WHAT’S INCLUDED

7 days / 6 nights / 5 days cycling

Support Level

Experienced, knowledgeable local Guide
A GPS device on your handlebar with all bike tracks preloaded
Our comfortable support and backup vehicle van with air conditioning
Techno-mechanical assistance at all times
All transportation from airport pick-up to drop-off
All baggage transportation by our team
Documentation booklet about PortugalBike Tour
Personal Accident Insurance and Liability Insurance
First-Aid assistance on location
Pilgrim’s Credential

Accommodations

One Pousada – Charming Hotel (located in a 13th century Fortress)
One Parador – Historic Hotel (16th century former Palace)
One 4* Historic Hotel (16th century Monument Hotel)
One 4* Historic Hotel (16th century former Manor House)
One 4* Historic Monument Hotel (13th century former Convent)
One 3* plus Boutique Hotel

Meals

6 Breakfasts
6 Dinners (including our famous wines, cheeses and desserts)
3 Light nourishing and energetic picnics
Daily water supply, fruits, energy-bars, nuts etc.

Gear

Superior quality hybrid bicycles with hydraulic disc brakes and 30 speeds, tailored to your height and specifications
PortugalBike cycling jersey to keep
PortugalBike water bottles to keep
Specialized helmets (optional)

Activities

Pilgrim’s Credential stamps
The “Compostela” – Pilgrim’s Certificated (optional)

Please note:

Prices are based on a double bedroom occupancy (hotels may be different depending on availability) | Supported version: We require a minimum of 4 people to confirm a scheduled departure | Groups: Discount for Groups of 8 or more people | E-Bike rental: + Euro 350 | If you wish a different date, ask us for prices and availability | If you wish to ride with one of our Guides, contact us for a Full Guided Bike Tour (minimum of 6 participants).

DAY BY DAY

cycling and biking in Portugal bike tours

biking and cycling in Portugal bike tours

Day

1

Arrival

Welcome at Porto or Lisbon airport. Transfer to a hotel in Vila do Conde (20-min near Porto or Porto airport, or 3-hour from Lisbon airport). Briefing about the tour. Lodging in a 3* plus Boutique Hotel in the town. Lodging in BB Hotel Vila do Conde.

Day

2

Riding to the historic town on the coast

52km (32mi), 290m total climbing (950ft), level 2 (2.0).
After breakfast we leave the ancient city following the ways covered by the pilgrims until we get to the historic town on the coast. Lodging in 4* hotel, a historic building from 16th century, in the historic center of this small town. Lodging in Casa Melo Alvim Hotel.

Day

3

Riding to the border, always following the Way

58km (36mi), 410m total climbing (1350ft), level 3 (2.6).
After breakfast we continue riding along the Portuguese coast towards the Spanish border, but we spend the night in Portugal, in a beautiful medieval town near the border, which is protected by a fortress with double walls. Lodging in a Pousada which is set on the highest place of the old fortified area of this town, a 13th century Fortress, with a great view over Spain. Lodging in Pousada de Valença, Charming Hotel.

Day

4

Crossing the border to Spain

59km (37mi), 1030m total climbing (3380ft), level 4 (3.8).
After breakfast we finally cross the border. We continue along The Way and we will ride on some medieval paths until getting to the next town. Lodging in a Parador, a 16th century palace, near the historical and commercial center of the town. Lodging in Parador de Pontevedra (or in Galicia Palace 4* Hotel).

Day

5

The luxuriant vegetation and the mysticism of the Way

41km (25mi), 600m total climbing (1970ft), level 3 (2.7).
Breakfast. Before you get the next Spanish town you cross the thick woods with a luxuriant vegetation. Lodging in a 4* hotel with a swimming-pool; the building was built in the 16th century and it was the vacation house for the archbishops from Compostela. Lodging in Pazo de Lestrove, Monument Hotel (or in Scala Hotel).

Day

6

Mixed emotions when we arrive to Santiago de Compostela

26km (16mi), 570m total climbing (1870ft), level 2 (2.0).
Breakfast. Finally, we get to Santiago de Compostela and we feel we accomplished our “mission”. Free afternoon to wander around this mystic city and do some shopping. Lodging in a beautiful 4* Historic Monument hotel, a former Convent from 13th Century, ideal to rest after this long ride and in the historical center of Santiago de Compostela. Lodging in San Francisco Monument Hotel.

Day

7

Departure

After breakfast transfer to Porto (2-hours and 30min) or Lisbon airport (5-hours and 30 min).

Total distance 236km (147mi) | Average 47km/day (29mi/day) | 57% asphalt + 43% dirt roads and bike lanes

SEE CLIMBING PROFILE

ACCOMMODATIONS

Accommodations for this tour include Signature Hotels (the best charming Hotel of the region, usually stylish 4-star hotels or 5-star properties), as well as Monument and Historic Hotels (gorgeous Castles, Palaces, Monasteries and Convents once inhabited by the clergy or the Queens and Kings and now converted into exquisite lodgings)

cycling camino santiago portugal bike tour luxury hotel room

cycling camino santiago portugal bike tour luxury hotel lobby

cycling the camino santiago portugal bike tour accommodations

“Second Time – Even Better Time!
It has been 11 years since our last Portugal Bike excursion and it was great to meet up with Jose and Cristina again! Our first outing with them back in 2010 was so enjoyable, we had promised ourselves we’d go back for another one. Though it has been a little longer than intended, we did get back finally! The original booking was for September 2020, but for obvious reasons, we postponed it by a year. Jose and Cristina rolled out the welcome mat and we had a most enjoyable time with them…again! They are wonderful ambassadors for their homeland of Portugal and so very accommodating and hospitable! As the last two outings were on Mountain bikes, we may just have to come back for one on the road bikes! Thanks Jose and Cristina for a wonderful time – we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!
Cheers.”

Eric and Liz, 66 and 64 – Invermere, BC – Canada

“My wife and I were very excited, and have always wanted to ride the “Camino de Santiago Compostela”. Jose and Cristina of “Portugal Bike Tours” are not only AMAZING and ENCOURAGING, (my wife and I are road bikers), they SURPASSED our expectations of what a mountain bike journey would be! They made the “arduous” easy and fun. They also introduced us to many beautiful and friendly towns a “conventional tour” may pass by. As we discovered from our previous journey the “Jewels of Portugal”, Portugal is a BEAUTIFUL and FRIENDLY destination. Jose and Cristina are proud ambassadors and good friends! Until the next trip “Nos Veremos Novamente”, we will see you again!”

Brian Wing, 61 – Calgary, Alberta – Canada

“Jose and Christina guided our MTN bike tour from Porto to Santiago de Compostella about 130 miles over 4.5 days. Epic trip with 6 close friends. Beautiful Caminho and expert guiding by Jose to optimize our bike vs walking experience. I never looked at a map or the route, or really had to make any decisions about best places to rest and picnic. Really great to focus on the experience vs logistics. This was my first biking tour and I plan to do more!”

Eric Bohren, 52 – California, United States

“This was an excellent adventure that took us along trails with an unimaginable history for those that come from tropical lands. The landscape is completely different from what we can see in Brazil. We were able to experience some of the situations described in the pilgrims’ reports. The pleasant company of the gods, the amazing discovery of the cultural “differences and similarities” between Brazil and Portugal, softened the weariness, the heat during the climbs and the rocks along the way. Everything was very well organized, first class equipment and car, very comfortable hotels; we enjoyed the ride, the food, the landscape and the historic monuments. We thank PortugalBike Team very much.”

Eduardo Preto, 57 – São Paulo, Brazil

“My wife and I did the northern mountain bike trip to Santiago a couple of weeks ago. We had an AWESOME time. Here’s a quick rundown: 1) Jose and Cristina are really the perfect guides. Both very friendly and very professional. Very knowledgeable about Portuguese history, culture etc… And Jose is a hell of a cyclist, to boot! 2) Really cool hotels. Obviously, these vary depending on the trip, but we stayed in 3 historic “Pousadas,” which were amazing. We also had one awesome new, modern hotel along the way. 3) Some wonderful food. With one exception, all the restaurants they selected were excellent. We had a lot of authentic, tasty Portuguese dishes. 4) Beautiful, challenging, rewarding biking. My wife and I are both in good shape, but neither of us is an experienced cyclist. Jose did a great job of encouraging us and helping us out without being condescending or unnecessarily demanding. We both felt exhilarated at the end of our 220+ km journey! All in all, this was a splurge for us, but one that we will absolutely remember for the rest of our lives! Oh, and I don’t want to promise that they’ll do this for everyone, but Jose and Cristina even drove us about 30 km out of their way to our final hotel in Cascais, outside of Lisbon, which was certainly above and beyond the call of duty… Thanks again Guys!!!”

Noah Zepelin, 33 – Colorado, United States

See detailed reviews

TOUR GEAR

On this tour you can ride with this bicycle

SCOTT SPORTSTER

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE

Sporster 20 Solution emphasises comfort and convenience for touring and transportation. Equipped with a lockout fork and Syncros components, the Sportster is set up perfectly for your excursions with a more vertical and comfortable position.

Electric bicycle for Portugal Bike tours

CUBE NUROAD C:62 RACE 400X

GO ANYWHERE-ADVENTURE WITH THIS E-GRAVEL BIKE

Now you don’t have any excuse for not participating on a Portugal Bike Tour! 🙂 Don’t be afraid of not being able to keep up with the group. Now you can ride an e-bike without feeling too exhausted! The higher your cadence (not the speed), the more electric assistance you have. If you reduce your cadence the Bosch Smart System gives you less electric assistance to save the battery. With this eGravel Bike, with its elegant carbon frame and full carbon fork, you are ready to ride a very light and comfortable eGravel bike to explore all the ways of Portugal.

From Our Blog

by José Neves

Cycling the Camino de Santiago, one of the World's oldest pilgrimage routes

There are many Camino de Santiago: there is the Portuguese Way, the English Way, the French Way, the Finisterra Way, the North Way, the Sanabria Way, the Silver Way and the Primitive Way.