Birds

BIRDWATCHING LOVERS

Birdwatching in Portugal | Hiking and Cycling Tours

Come explore nature and see the beautiful feathers of Portugal’s birds.

Follow the flight of the birds. Cross this country in search of the beautiful, native fauna. You will come across unique species in beautiful scenarios, inspiring you to continue the search and fall in love with even more birds.

Despite being relatively small in terms of territory, Portugal is regarded as one of the best destinations in Europe for bird watching because it has an excellent concentration of different habitats.

This richness and variety attract a great diversity of species, with around 330 occurring here regularly, some of which are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula.

Some of the best places to watch birds are in protected areas, which occupy 21% of the national territory. Whereas in the north, you can take a cruise on the Douro Internacional park to enjoy the beauty of the cliffs where the Egyptian vulture and Bonelli’s eagle make their nests.

Near Lisbon, the Tagus and Sado estuaries boast a great wealth of species and enormous flocks of flamingos and spoonbills are a common sight, coloring the salt pans and marshes.

Sagres is a prime place to enjoy one of nature’s most awe-inspiring displays: bird migration. In September and October, thousands of birds fly by.

As Summer ends and the weather begins to turn, a wave of birds sweeps across Europe, from north to south. Those heading to Africa have a considerable hurdle ahead: the Mediterranean. On the western side of the continent, the shortest – and therefore safest – route is across the strait of Gibraltar. But sometimes a lack of experience or a mishap throws birds off route. When that happens, the solution is to cross via Sagres, the “plain of lost birds”.

And why not fly to the islands in the Atlantic Ocean? The trip is worthwhile since you find birds there that are found nowhere else in the world, for example, Zino’s petrel (also known as Madeira’s freira) and the Madeira laurel pigeon (or Trocaz pigeon), or the Azores bullfinch (or priolo). Ponta do Pargo, Ponta de São Lourenço and the Desertas Islands in the Madeira Islands, or Pico da Vara on the Island of São Miguel (Azores) are examples of excellent places for bird watching.

Whatever the choice, you will have the opportunity on your visit to Portugal to enjoy breathtaking landscapes while following the flight of birds across an almost always blue sky. Take a look at our hiking and cycling tours below.

Sintra Road Bike

Enjoy beautiful and scenic routes, visit the palaces and castles of Sintra and ride to the westernmost point of Continental Europe - Cape Roca. The picturesque village of Azenhas do Mar and the surrounding area of Sintra are a joy to see.
80

Rota Vicentina by Bike

Admire the natural beauty of different sceneries that offer stunning coastal views on this epic trip from the outskirts of Lisbon to the south-westernmost point of Europe. Cross two natural reserves and discover small fishing villages and some abandoned fortresses. Nothing is missing in this trip, only you!
1,650

Easy Wild Coast

The Easy Wild Coast tour is a beautiful and relaxing cycling trip along the southwestern coast of Portugal. From Vila Nova de Milfontes to Sagres you will discover small fishing villages, some abandoned fortresses, stunning beach cities here and there. It ends at Cape São Vincente, adding a dramatic and historical full stop to the trip.
1,690

Portugal Wild Coast

From Santiago do Cacém to Sagres many magical places will offer stunning coastal sceneries for you to enjoy, while crossing the natural reserve of the SouthWest Alentejano. A sunny and stunning beach city here and there, some delicious traditional Portuguese food and the welcoming faces of our people will complete this wonderful trip.
1,625

Portugal South West Coast

From Setúbal to Lagos along the most beautiful coastline of Portugal, admire the natural beauty of different sceneries that offer stunning coastal views along the way. Cross two natural reserves and discover small fishing villages. The trip finishes in Lagos, a sunny beach city, after passing by Cape São Vicente, the south-westernmost point of Europe.
2,150