Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING AROUND
Air
Flights within mainland Portugal are expensive and, for the short distances involved, not really worth considering. Non-
etheless,
TAP Air Portugal
(
www.flytap.com
) has multiple daily Lisbon-Porto and Lisbon-Faro flights (taking less than
one hour) year-round. For Porto to Faro, change in Lisbon.
Bicycle
Mountain biking is popular in Portugal, even though there are few dedicated bicycle paths. Possible itineraries are numer-
ous in the mountainous national/natural parks of the north (especially Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês), along the coast
or across the Alentejo plains. Coastal trips are easiest from north to south, with the prevailing winds. More demanding is
the Serra da Estrela (which serves as the Tour de Portugal's 'mountain run'). You could also try the Serra do Marão
between Amarante and Vila Real.
Local bike clubs organise regular Passeio BTT trips; check their flyers at rental agencies, bike shops and
turismos
(tourist offices). Guided trips are often available in popular tourist destinations.
Cobbled roads in some old-town centres may jar your teeth loose if your tyres aren't fat enough; they should be at least
38mm in diameter.
Documents
If you're cycling around Portugal on your own bike, proof of ownership and a written description and photograph of it
will help police in case it's stolen.
Hire
There are numerous places to rent bikes, especially in the Algarve and other touristy areas. Prices range from €8 to €25
per day.
Information
For listings of events and bike shops, buy the bimonthly Portuguese-language
Bike Magazine,
available from larger news-
agents.
For its members, the UK-based
Cyclists' Touring Club
(CTC;
www.ctc.org.uk
)
publishes useful and free information
on cycling in Portugal, plus notes for half a dozen routes around the country. It also offers tips, maps, topography guides
and other publications by mail order.
Transporting Your Bicycle
Boxed or bagged-up bicycles can be taken free on all
regional
and
interregional
trains as accompanied baggage. They can
also go unboxed on a few suburban services on weekends or for a small charge outside the rush hour. Most domestic bus
lines won't accept bikes on board.
