Porto's coastal attractions, stretching from São Jacinto to Esmoriz in Portugal, showcase the country's breathtaking scenic beauty.
Discover the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the coastline between São Jacinto and Esmoriz, just a day trip away from Porto. This itinerary combines public transport and cycling, allowing you to efficiently explore beaches, forests, lagoons, and fishing villages.
Start your journey early from Porto, taking a train or bus towards the Aveiro district. You can check schedules with Comboios de Portugal. Upon reaching Esmoriz or Ovar, rent a bicycle to begin your adventure. The area is cycling-friendly, with scenic coastline and forest trails.
Cycle from Esmoriz towards Maceda Forest, a peaceful wooded area ideal for a leisurely ride. Continue south to Barrinha de Esmoriz lagoon, where you can enjoy bird-watching and stunning water views. From there, take a short ferry or bike ride to reach São Jacinto, a protected nature reserve known for its dunes and beaches.
Next, pedal towards Torreira village, a charming fishing village with lovely beaches on both the ocean side and lagoon side. After exploring Torreira, return to Porto by train from Esmoriz or Ovar.
Key points for planning:
- Transportation: Conveniently reach the area by train from Porto to Esmoriz or Ovar.
- Bicycle rental: Available near Esmoriz or Ovar stations for local cycling.
- Route: Cycle through Maceda Forest, Barrinha de Esmoriz lagoon, São Jacinto, and Torreira.
This combination of public transport and cycling offers flexibility, immersion in the region's nature and culture, and efficient access to all highlights within a day. Remember to check train times and bike rental availability in advance, and bring water, sun protection, and comfortable cycling gear.
The Esmoriz beach, accessible from the trail in Barrinha de Esmoriz, boasts a slightly curved shape. Traditional boats called moliceiros are moored in the inner canal on the lagoon side, remnants of a seaweed farming activity. São Jacinto, located around sixty kilometers from Porto, forms a narrow spit of land, wedged between the ocean and the calm waters of the Ria.
The trail in Barrinha de Esmoriz winds above reed beds, skirts around bodies of water, crosses several inlets, and runs alongside nesting areas. More than a hundred bird species are recorded annually in Barrinha de Esmoriz, including the little tern, the great crested grebe, and the pied stilt.
Continuing northwards from Esmoriz, you will find the wilder Praia do Cantinho. Recently restored wooden walkways in Maceda Forest climb to the top of the dunes before descending to the beach, with no buildings in sight. The beach in Torreira, on the ocean side, is sparsely developed and lined with blonde dunes.
A signposted trail runs for three kilometers across the site, crossing shifting dunes, pine forests, wetlands, and a large beach. The most popular route in Maceda Forest leads to the Praia de São Pedro de Maceda, a long stretch of sand accessible only by foot. Bicycle paths cover much of the route between Torreira and Esmoriz, with long, mainly flat, traffic-free sections.
The Reserva Natural das Dunas de São Jacinto is a nature reserve of over 700 hectares, protected for its ecosystems and birdlife. Torreira is a village where the wilderness of São Jacinto meets the fishing villages along the Aveiro lagoon. Observation platforms and information panels are scattered throughout the trail in Barrinha de Esmoriz.
If using public transport, taking the train to Aveiro and the ferry to São Jacinto, followed by local connections, is the easiest option. The Barrinha de Esmoriz, located near Porto, is a rehabilitated lagoon offering a three-kilometer boardwalk trail on stilts. This itinerary promises a day filled with active exploration and relaxation in Porto's beautiful coastal region.
- After reaching Esmoriz or Ovar by train, rent a bicycle to begin your adventure and cycle through Maceda Forest, Barrinha de Esmoriz lagoon, São Jacinto, and Torreira, creating a unique blend of en-vols, lifestyle, home-and-garden, and travel.
- Immerse yourself in the region's natural beauty as you pedal along the boardwalk trail in Barrinha de Esmoriz, which offers stunning water views and the opportunity to watch more than a hundred bird species, enhancing your home-and-garden and travel experience.
