Cycling day trip from Porto to Ovar

Roll out from Porto’s historic center and spin along the Douro to Foz, then cross into Vila Nova de Gaia and pick up the seaside cycleway south. It’s about 51 km of mostly paved riding with gentle ups and downs—lots of dedicated paths and quiet roads, plus a few cobbles leaving Porto and the odd wooden boardwalk by the beaches.

Hug the Atlantic past Canidelo and Miramar (don’t miss the Capela do Senhor da Pedra on the sand), then glide through Aguda and Granja. Espinho is a great stop for coffee or seafood on the promenade. Continue by the Barrinha de Esmoriz/Parámos lagoon and Buçaquinho Park before cruising into Ovar.

Porto’s UNESCO-listed old town and the Port wine lodges in Gaia make the start special; at the finish, Ovar is known as the “city of azulejos” and for its famously gooey pão‑de‑ló cake—and a lively Carnival.

Tips: coastal winds can be real, boardwalks get slick, and there’s a touch of cobblestone bounce near Porto. If you’re spent, the suburban train runs between Ovar, Espinho, Gaia, and Porto and takes bikes.