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Route Rating Level 3 to Level 5

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TRIP NOTES

All meals included except 3 lunches.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation fees may vary based upon departure date. Please call our expert Trip Consultants at (800) GO-ACTIVE (462-2848) for more information.

Meet / Depart

Santiago de Compostela, Spain/Porto, Portugal

Special Interest

Culture & History, Natural Beauty &/or Wildlife, Romance &/or Honeymoon

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Spain Portugal Biking

Spain & Portugal Biking

Galicia & the Minho Wine Region

This trip is currently only available as a Private Trip. Looking for a similar trip? See Burgundy/Normandy Biking, Argentina Biking, Ireland Biking, Tuscany Biking, Italy/Slovenia Biking, Czech Republic/Austria Biking, and Hungary/Slovakia/Poland Biking. Or call 800-462-2848 to speak with a Trip Consultant.

Culturally diverse, geographically varied and awash in tradition and history, Spain's quiet Galician countryside and northern Portugal's Minho wine region are perfect for bicycling with Backroads. Between the medieval pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela and Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal in 1143, visit historic landmarks, pedal over eucalyptus-covered hills, encounter friendly locals on horse-drawn carts and explore the region's stunning tableaus, ranging from rugged alpine terrain to the lush misty coastline. Along the way, sample fresh seafood and overnight in grand paradores and pousadas brimming with history and hospitality.

You are viewing the Classic Premiere Inns version of this trip.
View the Classic Casual Inns Itineraries.

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Day 1 santiago de compostela

Meet in one of Spain's most renowned and beautiful medieval cities At the end of the famed Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, tour the central plaza and cathedral with a local historian.

Day 2 baiona

In the wine region of Rias Baixas, pedal from the picturesque fishing village of Baiona through hillside communities and eucalyptus forests Continue to the beach town of Panxon and the Playa America, named in honor of Columbus' return from the New World  If you're in the mood to tackle a steep hill, bike all the way to Monte Ferro for dramatic views of the Atlantic and the rugged Islas Ciés.

Day 3 tui

Follow the rugged coast to A Guarda  Indulge in some of the region's fresh seafood, such as langosta (lobster) or zamburiñas (scallops) Explore Tui, where narrow granite streets and tiny houses rest in the shadow of the San Telmo Cathedral.

Day 4 ponte de lima

Cross the Minho River into rural Portugal passing the fortified city of Valença and sharing the road with locals delivering milk or returning cows to pasture Red-tile roofs and rows of grapevines punctuate hillsides along your route.

Days 5-6 amares

Stunning lake and valley vistas greet you in the serene Parque Nacional Peneda Gerês, a 178,000-acre reserve nestled in the Vale do Alto near the Spanish border If it's a clear day, you'll get spellbinding views of pine and heather-clad foothills studded with rotund granite boulders and topped by jagged ridgelines.

Days 7-8 guimaraes

Our route leads to the home of several architectural marvels Pedal through northern Portugal's rural farmland, passing historic granite homes  Shuttle to Porto, where the trip ends.

Route Rating What's this? Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Each offers options for more or less activity, so you can decide exactly how much you want to do day by day.

Lodging What's this? Our lodgings are divided into three different categories.

Premiere Inns:These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.

Casual Inns:These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the areawith such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.

Deluxe Camping:We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.

Detailed Itinerary

Guest Trip Reviews

The itinerary you planned for this trip was an unforgettable combination of everything the region had to offer -- from the coastal ride, to the hills and valleys, from small villages to interesting ancient towns. I was completely delighted.
Kelly Babij - Minneapolis, MN

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All Guest Reviews

For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Spain and Portugal tour experts. For biking tours in Europe At Large, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Europe At Large biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe At Large walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe At Large multisport tours click here.

Spain & Portugal Biking

A TASTE OF TRADITION: Premiere Inns*

Parador Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos

Santiago de Compostela (1 night): Founded 500 years ago by Queen Isabel and King Fernando as a pilgrims' hospital and hostel, it's one of Spain's most magnificent paradors, according to Travel+Leisure.

Parador de Baiona

Baiona (1 night): An impressive clifftop fortress, once home to the Count of Gondomar, with views of the crashing Atlantic surf.

Parador de Tui

Tui (1 night): This Galician country home, built of chestnut and granite, features a fantastic panorama of the cathedral and the Minho River.

* With 1 Casual Inn night

Paco de Calheiros

Ponte de Lima (1 night): A traditional Galician country manor house of the Calheiros family brimming with antiques, spacious salons, gardens, a pool and offering magnificent valley views.

Pousada de Santa Maria do Bouro

Amares (2 nights): A 12th-century Cistercian monastery, beautifully restored under the direction of famed architect Eduardo Souto and featuring courtyards, fountains and a pool.

Pousada Santa Marinha

Guimarães (1 night): This 12th-century Augustin convent with lovely gardens is considered one of Portugal's architectural treasures.

Spain & Portugal Biking Spain & Portugal Biking

Paco de Calheiros

You are viewing the Classic Premiere Inns version of this trip.
View the Classic Casual Inns Itineraries.

Spain & Portugal Biking

Route Rating

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • 1 Route Option Available
  • Walking Tour 1.5 hours
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • 3 Route Options Available
  • Biking 16, 23, 28 miles
  • 500 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • 3 Route Options Available
  • 19, 37, 42 miles
  • 1000 - 3500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • 3 Route Options Available
  • 14, 25, 38 miles
  • 1000 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • 3 Route Options Available
  • 20, 31, 44 miles
  • 1000 - 2500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • 3 Route Options Available
  • 13, 24, 37 miles
  • 1000 - 4500 feet elevation gain
Day 7
  • 3 Route Options Available
  • 28, 32, 43 miles
  • 1000 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 8
  • Conclusion of Trip
Spain & Portugal Biking Spain & Portugal Biking

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking
& Hiking
1 2-3
hours		 10-20
miles		 2-5
miles
2 2-4
hours		 21-30
miles		 5-7
miles
3 3-5
hours		 31-40
miles		 7-9
miles
4 4-6
hours		 41-55
miles		 9-11
miles
5 5-7+
hours		 56-75+
miles		 11-13+
miles