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Starts in Nazaré
Nazaré to Alcobaça Monastery by e-bike (35 km)
Inland through Famalicão and the apple orchards to the Cistercian monastery, up to the castle ruins for the view, and back to the coast with the wind behind you.
Route elevation profile: from -2 m to 165 m, total ascent 415 m.
- Tour Difficulty
- Moderate
About this ride
A 35 km out-and-back from Nazaré to Alcobaça on quiet country tarmac with a few gravelly farm-road sections. Moderate climbs, the highest point is 165 m. The monastery holds the tombs of Pedro and Inês and deserves an hour. The short climb from the Jardim do Amor to the Castelo de Alcobaça gives the best view of the town.
Before you go
The ride
Out of Nazaré through Famalicão da Nazaré and into the Alcoa valley. From Famalicão on it is apple orchards, which smell of fruit in late summer. Alcobaça town, then the Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça. Lock the bike on the square and go in. From the monastery ride to the Jardim do Amor and take the short, steep climb up to the Castelo de Alcobaça ruins. Return by the same road.
Surfaces and bike
Mostly quiet country tarmac. A few farm-road sections get gravelly. Any bike. 415 m of total ascent, from 2 m to 165 m.
Wind
The afternoon wind follows the river valley westward, toward the sea. It is usually at your back on the way home, which is the right way round.
Water and food
Alcobaça has plenty. The restaurants around the monastery do a proper lunch. Nothing between Famalicão and Alcobaça.
When
Year round. Late summer for the orchards. Monastery opening hours change with the season, check before you go.
Onward
From Alcobaça you can continue to Batalha, about 20 km with one climb through Aljubarrota, on the Fátima gravel loop.
Prefer company?
This is the Alcobaça Monastery guided e-bike day, lunch optional.
Along the way
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Nazaré
A picturesque fishing village famous for its giant waves, rich maritime culture, and beautiful beaches.
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Famalicão
A quiet village just outside Nazaré, a practical base for relaxed rides along the calmer back roads of the Silver Coast.
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Alcobaça
A historic town known for its magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Monastery, traditional Portuguese cuisine, and local wine production.
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Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça
Founded by Portugal's first King, D. Afonso Henriques, in 1153, through a donation to Bernard of Clairvaux (France), the Monastery of Alcobaça is one of the largest and best-preserved Cistercian monasteries in all of Europe, and was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1989.
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Jardim do Amor
Beautiful, romantic spot tied to the legendary story of Pedro I and Inês de Castro.
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Castelo de Alcobaça
Hilltop ruins of a medieval castle of Moorish origin, reconquered in 1148 by D. Afonso Henriques and watching over the town and monastery of Alcobaça with sweeping views across the valley.
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