Biking and camping in Portugal

[Lin]

Hi there,
First of all, I'm brand new to this forum so please forgive me if someone has already breached this subject!
Lately I've been thinking about going for a camping/bike-trip (on my own) in Portugal. From what I've read it seems like a beautiful country and the handful of Portuguese people I've met have been lovely (much nicer than the Spaniards lol). I've read up on it quite a lot but still don't feel like I have any idea of what the country would be like biking in. I've previously biked in Scotland and New Zealand, and finding maps and information about these countries was so much easier. I'm also a bit concerned about the language - it is after all the first foreign-speaking country I'll be biking on my own in.
So, is there anyone out there that has been in Portugal before and can give me some general information about it? What are the people like and what do they think about tourists? How easy would it be to get help (as a single girl) and is the risk of getting mugged/harrassed/attacked in any way (again; as a single woman) high or low (compared to e.g. England)?
I'd really appreciate ANY input you guys have!
Many thanks
Lin

 

[Yellow7]

HI Lin, welcome to the forum.

I cycled through Portugal as part of an extended tour and found it to be great. Entering from Spain I headed to Castelo Branco then continued west to the coast and followed it all the way south tip then east to Faro, then Ayamonte before going back into spain. I rode that section in November but was really fortunate as found a chain of campsites that open 364 days a year, as expected they were deserted but proved great, with free wifi and very clean.

Where were you thinking of cycling? The Camino de Santiago has a route in Portugal that would prove scenic, maybe busy in the summer with predominantly walkers but as travelling solo at least you'd converse at campsites / guest where you may stay relatively easy - not that the locals are unfriendly but with the language barrier it's never easy!

This post and the subsequent from my tours blog may prove useful in showing some of Portugal's offerings.

mark

 

[L14M]

Hello,

I've been to portugal a fair bit, especially in the country side,.
Yep, the people are really nice! Just one thing to be wary of is dogs, the majority of them are chained up but could come loose. Some are scary, otherwise its a brilliant country especially for cycling!

Liam

 

[JPLL]

I'm currently researching a trip in Portugal for next year and have discovered the Pedal Portugal website which has a lot of information about routes and accommodation etc.
http://pedalportugal.wordpress.com/

 

[steveindenmark]

Portugal thrives on tourist. You will be fine.

Steve

 

[Huw T]

Hi Lin - and thanks to JPLL for giving my Pedal Portugal site a plug!
Funnily enough, I used to live in Cornwall - and have also biked through New Zealand.
Anyway, main points are, yes, the language is tough. But the Portuguese are generally really friendly and a lot of people, particularly younger ones, speak some English. A bit of French or German also works sometimes as many Portuguese have worked in other countries. (Oh, and Spanish of course helps!) However, even if you can't speak any foreign languages, just learn a few basic phrases, smile a lot, use sign language and the locals will do what they can to help. The Portuguese don't expect you to be able to speak their language - although a bit of effort is always appreciated.
I'm not a single woman (!) so can't comment too much on that side of things but Portugal is generally a very safe place. Of course, crime exists but I've never felt remotely threatened in Portugal - I'd much rather walk through the centre of Lisbon at night than Penzance or Camborne!! You don't tend to get drunken louts on the streets and - other than in a few of the really grotty urban places - it's much more civilised than back home.
Portugal is a wonderful country to visit and has some fantastic biking opportunities. I would say, though, choose your season. The southern half of Portugal is best October to April (gets VERY hot otherwise). Northern half depends a bit.
If you want specific advice on routes etc, drop me a line via pedalportugal@gmail.com
Otherwise, as Steve says above, Portugal thrives on tourists. You'll be fine!
Cheers, Huw

 

[Lin]

Wow thanks everyone for your replies! I assumed I hadn't gotten any since I didn't get any e-mail notifications so this was a nice surprise.
Good to hear that most of you seems to have a good impression with the Portuguese and that they're allright with tourists.
Huw, that's a great website you've got. But your comment about the weather kind of put me off..! I don't want to wait until October to go, but at the same time I'm quite sensitive with heat. I'm fine on my bike, but it's when I get off it and when I'm sleeping that I can't stand it. I think I'm gonna have to google the temperatures again...
My main problem right now is that I don't know where to get hold of maps showing roads and campsites in Portugal. My original plan was to begin in Porto and bike down south then spend some time taking it easy around the algarve coast. I want to avoid traffic and civilization as much as I can. I'm planning to sleep at campsites, but at the same time I want to be able to camp "in the wild" whenever necessary or I feel like it. But from what I've heard it's not actually legal (as it is in e.g. Scandinavia). Does anyone know if it's frowned upon camping in the wild in Portugal? I always leave the places I camp wild in as they where before I came, but that doesn't stop people from wanting to argue (I was fine in New Zealand but I did run into some angry old fellas in Scotland).
But as I said what I need the most right now is a good map. Is there any you guys can recommend?
Thanks again,
Lin

 

[midliferider]

Hi Lin
I just returned (on Sunday) from a week of cycling in Alentejo region in Portugal. I was thinking of writing a summary but would like to add the following.
The entire tour was based on the excellent website, pedalportugal. I will add my views there in few days.
The Bike: B Twin Triban 3
Maps: Google maps, downloaded and printed, downloaded in to Garmin Dakota 20. It is very easy to navigate.
Camping is not for me, I live on the principle that "for everything else there is Mastercard"
My opinion, It is a wonderful contry, in my underrated as a holiday and cycling destination.
If you need any other reason, the food is excellent (and cheap). Perhaps this is one tour that you may actually put on weight. There is so many ways that you can eat Cod fish.
If you need any specific info, please let me know.