PortCity Bike Tours offers two distinct experiences to showcase the New Hampshire Seacoast and the City of Portsmouth. The Islands and Harbor Tour (approximately 2.5 hours) is an adventurous journey featuring both Portsmouth and New Castle's charm, Atlantic views, lighthouses, quaint islands off of the city, and picturesque harbor landscapes—perfect for coastal enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the City of Portsmouth Tour (approximately 2 hours) dives into the city’s rich history, vibrant culture, and iconic landmarks, including stops at historic sites like the Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion and Haven Park. Both tours run from April to October and are guided by experts to ensure a memorable blend of history, culture, and scenic beauty tailored to your interests.

On the Island and Harbor Bike Tour with PortCity Bike Tours, you will explore the must-see sites, scenic islands, coastal landscapes and historic sites unique to the only seacoast town in New Hampshire. The tour includes a ride along the picturesque harbor, where you can enjoy views of boats everywhere, lighthouses, and waterfront parks. You will also cycle through charming islands featuring quaint parks, plentiful 18th - 19th century architecture everywhere and local landmarks. In addition, the tour offers opportunities to learn about the area's maritime history and historic preservation, making it both educational and visually captivating. This carefully curated route allows you to immerse yourself in the natural coastal beauty and cultural heritage that define our coastal community.

PortCity Bike Tours offers a carefully planned experience that balances both safety and enjoyment. While portions of the tour do take place on city side roads, these routes are selected to minimize exposure to heavy traffic and ensure the comfort of all riders. Our guides lead groups along streets with lower traffic volumes and utilize bike lanes wherever available. Additionally, significant segments of the tour are conducted in parks and scenic waterfront trails, allowing riders to enjoy a relaxed pace in safer, more protected environments. This combination provides a well-rounded riding experience that showcases the city’s highlights while prioritizing rider safety from start to finish.

Yes, the combined areas of Portsmouth and New Castle, New Hampshire (8-12 miles), provide an ideal size and setting for a bike tour with PortCity Bike Tours. While Portsmouth is a vibrant city with a compact, pedestrian-friendly historic district, New Castle offers scenic coastal routes and charming residential neighborhoods. Together, they create a diverse and accessible biking experience that fits perfectly within a manageable tour length. This allows participants to comfortably explore notable landmarks, waterfront views, and local culture without feeling rushed or overwhelmed, making it a perfect destination for both casual riders and cycling enthusiasts.

The Islands and Harbor Tour gets off the beaten path and onto the side roads where most of the historic sites are located. We navigate to the less crowded streets and away from any and all traffic. We will travel to parks and through gardens (traffic-free) and to the islands in Portsmouth's harbor. We will also travel to New Castle Island via a causeway with a wide bike path (shoulder) for a short distance. Your safety and enjoyment are our top priorities. Our experienced guides provide instructions and support to ensure a safe and comfortable ride for cyclists of all skill levels. If you have any specific concerns or require accommodations, please let us know in advance.

At PortCity Bike Tours, our routes are thoughtfully designed to offer an enjoyable experience for riders of all skill levels. While our tours take you through the beautiful and historic areas around the John Paul Jones House, you will encounter a few gentle hills that add scenic variety without being too strenuous. These mild inclines are perfect for those looking to get a bit of a workout while still comfortably exploring the city’s charm. Whether you’re a casual rider or more experienced, our guides will tailor the pace to ensure everyone can enjoy the ride from April to October with enthusiasm and ease! We start at sea level and bike over a small bridge to Four Tree and Pierce Islands in Portsmouth. Most guests find gears 1 or 2 sufficient. There's a gentle 15-degree incline as we head to New Castle Island. We often pause for slower riders to ensure everyone enjoys the tour. If you have concerns, call us or consider upgrading to an e-bike for extra support.

Tour & Rental Rescheduling Policy Cancellation of the tour (by our guests) — If for any reason any of our guests need to cancel a booked tour, we will follow these simple guidelines: ​​​ • We offer a full refund for cancellations made more than 72 hours before the event. • You may reschedule for a $20 fee per (rider) ticket based on availability. • If you book within 48 hours, no cancellations or refunds. Tours must be rescheduled in person by phone, not text or email. • Rescheduling requests are subject to availability and are processed at the sole discretion of the employee making the transaction. • Reservations may only be rescheduled once. Tours must be rescheduled in person by phone, not text or email. • Failure to arrive 30 minutes before your tour departure time may result in your space being given away. You will not receive a refund or credit for your tour. • Late arrivals will not be able to catch up to the tour. Our seats are limited for a one-on-one experience. When we receive a cancellation close to the actual tour date, we won't be able to re-book that canceled space for another guest. • We now offer trip bike tour protection for a small fee per guest. Purchasing trip protection allows you to cancel or reschedule your public bike tour for any reason up to 48 hours before trip departure.

We welcome children 9 years and older with experience riding for 2+ hours in a straight line and can take direction from a guide. This is a professional tour, and we reserve the right to discontinue the tour for a child who poses a safety risk to themselves or others. We have a tag-a-long bicycle for parents who want to do the tour with their children. Tag-a-longs are great for children 6-9 who are not too confident. Please call with questions at 603-380-6524.

Yes, any of our tours can be made private.

The seats are made and provided by Jamis Citizen and are the best cushioned seats around! The seats are about 6 inches wide and 8 inches long.

Your safety is our top priority. Our tours are guided by experienced professionals who navigate city traffic and provide a comprehensive safety briefing before the tour. We limit group sizes for close supervision and provide high-quality helmets and bikes with safety features like lights and reflectors. Our routes avoid high-traffic areas, focusing on scenic and quiet side roads. Tours are scheduled during lighter traffic times, and our starting point at 43 Middle Street is conveniently located to access quieter streets. With our safety measures and professional guidance, you can enjoy a safe and memorable ride through the city.

At PortCity Bike Tours, we use Jamis Citizen 7-speed bicycles or an ebike upgrade (Serfas Edart or Qlife), chosen specifically for their ease of use and reliability. These bikes provide a smooth and comfortable ride suitable for riders of all skill levels, allowing you to explore the city’s historic sites effortlessly. The 7-speed gearing system enables riders to navigate varying terrain with ease, enhancing your overall tour experience by making it accessible and enjoyable throughout our operating season from April to October.