Lisbon will once again be the starting point for the Volta a Portugal cycling race: the 87th edition of the race, which takes place between August 5 and 16, 2026, kicks off in the capital with a 6-kilometer prologue along the Tagus River, and ends 1,388 kilometers later on Avenida dos Aliados in Porto. Along the way, it will pass through 71 municipalities and 15 districts, including two climbs never before featured in the race.
Lisbon sets the tone
The prologue, scheduled for August 5, will take place along Lisbon’s waterfront and will determine the race’s first yellow jersey. This is the first time since 2022 that Lisbon has hosted this opening stage, after the Volta had kicked off in other cities across the country in recent editions.
The route, stage by stage
Aug. 5 — Prologue: Lisbon, 6 km (individual time trial)
Aug. 6 — Stage 1: Lourinhã → Sintra (Queluz), 153 km, with a climb up the Sintra Mountains Aug. 7 — Stage 2: Sines → Albufeira, 177 km
Aug. 8 — Stage 3: Beja → Elvas, 180 km
Aug. 9 — Stage 4: Figueiró dos Vinhos → Covilhã (Torre), 148 km
Aug. 10 — Stage 5 (time trial): Anadia (Sangalhos Velodrome) → Águeda, 17 km
Aug. 11 — Rest day: Santa Maria da Feira
Aug. 12 — Stage 6: Santa Maria da Feira → Peso da Régua, 129 km, passing through the iconic National Road 222 in the Douro region
Aug. 13 — Stage 7: Vieira do Minho → Termas do Gerês, 147 km, with a brief detour into Spanish territory
Aug. 14 — Stage 8: Melgaço → Fafe, 166 km
Aug. 15 — Stage 9: Paredes → Mondim de Basto (Senhora da Graça), 141 km
Aug. 16 — 10th and final stage: Maia → Porto, 124 km, finishing on Avenida dos Aliados
The two major new features of the route
For the first time, the peloton will climb to the Santuário da Senhora da Graça in Mondim de Basto twice in the same stage: a first climb via Carvalhais—about 9 km, with the final kilometer on a dirt road—followed by a descent and a new climb along the usual route to the summit.
The other major new development takes place in Gerês, on a stage that briefly crosses into Spain before ending with a 10-kilometer climb to Germil, with about half the route on cobblestones—a rare surface on today’s Portuguese roads, but one that the organizers specifically sought out for this stage.
Who organizes it and who races
This is the first Volta a Portugal directed by former Spanish cyclist Ezequiel Mosquera, who also serves as director of O Gran Camino (Galicia) and succeeds Joaquim Gomes in the role. The new leadership of the Portuguese Cycling Federation, headed by Cândido Barbosa, has made it a stated goal to internationalize the race—and has already succeeded in bringing in UAE Emirates, the team of Tadej Pogačar and João Almeida, which will be represented by Portuguese rider Rui Oliveira, the Olympic madison champion at Paris 2024, alongside Iúri Leitão. In all, ten Portuguese teams and international squads will be participating.
Where to watch
For the first time, the Volta a Portugal will be broadcast live internationally via the HBO Max platform; in Portugal, coverage will be provided by RTP1.
Useful Information
Dates: August 5–16, 2026 (87th edition)
Total distance: 1 ,388 km, through 71 municipalities and 15 districts
Start: Lisbon (6-km prologue along the waterfront, next to the Tagus River) Finish: Porto (Avenida dos Aliados)
Rest day: August 11, Santa Maria da Feira Broadcast: RTP1 (Portugal) and HBO Max (international) Organized by: Portuguese Cycling Federation (FPC) and EME Sports
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