Our quad tours run the coastal trails between Areia and the Sintra hills. All bikes are automatic transmission — so if you can ride a bicycle, you can ride one of these — and every ride is guided by a local who's been on these trails for eighteen years.
You start with a briefing and gear check at our office in Areia. From there we pick up the trail towards the Guincho cliffs, taking in the coast, small obstacles, dust and dune. Longer tours climb further inland towards Peninha, drop by Praia do Abano for a hidden-cove photo stop on the 1 h 30, and reach the Sintra viewpoints on the 3-hour signature ride.
Cheapest and most-booked is the 1 hour — a fast, adrenaline-forward loop close to the office. The 2 and 3-hour tiers show off the best scenery and are the ones we recommend if you've got the time.
The terrain
Guincho sits inside the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park — a mix of low coastal dunes, pine and eucalyptus forest, and the granite ridge that climbs up to Peninha. The trails link all three: sandy sections near the beach, tighter forest tracks with roots and rocks under the trees, and a few open climbs with the Atlantic on your right for miles. Nothing on the route requires off-road experience; the guide sets a pace the slowest rider in the group is comfortable with.
It's genuinely coastal — there are no other guided quad routes in Portugal that spend this much time on the actual Atlantic edge. Most operators run their tours inland or in agricultural terrain. Ours is the coast because that's where our office is.
How Guincho weather changes the ride
Guincho is famous for wind — it's why the world championship kite and windsurf events happen here. On the tours that mostly means comfort: a jacket in shoulder season, sunglasses (or the goggles we provide) year-round to keep sand out of your eyes. The tour runs in wind. We do not run in heavy rain because the trails get slippery — if the forecast is genuinely bad we contact you the evening before and reschedule at no cost.
Summer (June–September) is peak season — the trails are dry and dusty and the temperature is 25–30°C. Autumn and spring are our favourite months to ride: cool, empty, and the coast turns green after the first rains. Winter tours run on clear days and you'll often have the whole trail to yourselves.
Who this tour is for
About 70% of our riders are first-timers — couples on holiday, families with older kids, small groups mixing confident and nervous riders. The bikes are all automatic and the briefing covers everything you need. If half your group is confident and half is hesitant, we split the pace so nobody feels rushed and nobody feels held back.
The other 30% are stag parties, corporate teambuilding groups, and repeat riders who know exactly which of our four durations they want. Bigger groups (10+) usually go for the 1 h or 1 h 30 so everyone gets a taste; for a real half-day out, the 3-hour signature is the one to book.
Durations & prices
Pick your ride
Prices do not include VAT.
Peak season note: August weekends fill first — book 3–5 days ahead. Weekday mornings are the easiest to get.
1 hour
€60
per participant
1 hour
The workhorse tour — coastal loop close to the office.
•Automatic-transmission ATV — no experience needed.
•Helmet and safety gear.
•Local guide.
•Full liability + accident insurance.
What to bring
•Trainers or closed-toe shoes.
•Sunglasses and sunscreen — the coast is exposed.
•A light jacket if you're riding early or late.
•A phone or camera you can safely stow.
Requirements
•Riders must hold a valid driving licence (car licence is fine).
•Passengers welcome from age 12 upwards.
•Passenger mode available on request for the 2 h and 3 h tours — mention it when you enquire.
Meeting point
We start at the Guincho office
Rua da Areia n.º 1306, Areia, 2750-095 Cascais — 20 min from Sintra, 30 min from Lisbon.
Travelling from Lisbon by train? Take Cais do Sodré → Cascais (40 min), then a 10-minute Uber or taxi to Guincho (~€10).
Route
Where the tour goes
Coastal trail Areia → Guincho cliffs → dunes → (1 h 30) Praia do Abano photo stop → (2 h) Peninha viewpoint → (3 h) full Sintra ridgeline loop back to office.
What riders say
Reviews from this tour
★★★★★
“Genuinely one of the highlights of our trip to Portugal. The owner met us in Areia and off we went through the puddles and coastal forest. Unforgettable.”
— cbroovia TripAdvisor
★★★★★
“What can I say — there wasn't anything we didn't love here. I booked for me and my boyfriend expecting a bigger group; it ended up just being us. Perfect that way — our own private tour and guide.”
— Lolie Cvia TripAdvisor
★★★★★
“An incredible experience with incredible guides. The viewpoints and scenery were excellent. Easily the best thing to do in Cascais / Lisbon.”
— Bruno Cvia TripAdvisor
★★★★★
“A really fun quad experience — time flew by. We covered different terrain and got to see stunning views. Our instructor was friendly and full of info.”
— adeola_02via TripAdvisor
★★★★★
“First time on a quad and it went brilliantly. We had a great time, the team is fantastic, and we'll definitely be back for the 3-hour ride.”
— Vacation721760via TripAdvisor
★★★★★
“I chose the 2-hour option and got to see so many different terrains and landscapes — mountains, forest and the coast.”
— Shahnasvia TripAdvisor
★★★★★
“An unforgettable adventure! The guides were friendly and professional, and the coastal trails were stunning. Highly recommend.”
— hplopesvia TripAdvisor
★★★★★
“Absolutely brilliant day out. Well organised from start to finish and the scenery near Sintra is breathtaking. A must-do if you're staying near Cascais.”
— sharon_tapsvia TripAdvisor
Frequently asked
Before you book
+Do I need a driving licence to ride a quad?
Yes — a valid car licence is enough. If you don't have one, book the passenger option on the 2 h or 3 h tours; the guide takes you as a passenger and you enjoy the scenery without driving.
+Can I rent a quad and ride without a guide?
We don't offer self-drive quad rental — every ride is a guided tour. You still drive your own quad the whole way; the guide leads the route so you get the coastal trails, viewpoints and beach sections you'd never find on your own. Helmet, gear, briefing and insurance are all included, so there's nothing to arrange separately.
+I've never ridden anything with an engine — is this ok?
Yes. Every ride starts with a briefing and a slow warm-up loop right outside the office to make sure you're comfortable before we set off. The bikes are automatic — no gears, no clutch. About 70% of our riders are first-timers.
+Can two people share one quad?
Yes on the 1 h and 1 h 30 tours — one person drives, one rides pillion, still one price per bike. Passenger mode is also available on the 2 h and 3 h on request; mention it when you enquire so we prep the right setup.
+What if it rains?
The tour still runs in light rain — trails are fine, just wetter. In heavy rain we don't run because the terrain gets slippery; we contact you the evening before to reschedule at no cost. Wind by itself is not a problem — Guincho is windy year-round.
+Do you run tours in winter?
Yes, every day the weather cooperates. Winter tours are quieter and the coast is at its most dramatic — you'll often have the whole trail to yourselves. Bring a proper jacket; we provide the helmet and goggles.
+Can I bring a GoPro or action camera?
Absolutely — most riders do. There's no mount on the bike itself; the easiest thing is a chest or helmet strap you bring with you. We'll happily pause for photos at the scenic stops.
+What's the minimum age?
Passengers are welcome from age 12. Drivers must hold a valid driving licence, so effectively 18+.
+Where exactly do we meet?
Rua da Areia n.º 1306, in Areia, Cascais — 20 minutes from Sintra and 30 minutes from central Lisbon. If you're arriving by train to Cascais station, it's a 10-minute Uber or taxi from there (~€10).
+How far in advance should I book?
In summer (June–September), weekend slots book out first — enquire 3–5 days ahead, longer for larger groups. Weekday mornings are the easiest to get. Off-season, 24–48 hours is usually enough. Enquire by email and Arlindo will confirm same day.
+Do you take corporate or stag groups?
Yes — up to 50+ people. For big groups we typically split you across two departures or run the coast on quads while the rest of the group does the Jeep tour to Sintra and a wine cellar; both meet back at the office. See our corporate page for how the split works.
