Spain’s cycling routes may not get the worldwide attention of France or Italy, where leisure cyclists follow in the slipstream of pros who’ve taken on the Tour de France or the Giro d’Italia respectively. However, Spain is home to a vast collection of velo-vacays, some of which are for serious road runners, and others that explore an electric-España. You can find your cadence in Catalonia, or go for your ultimate breakaway in the Balearics, as we have something for everyone. Check out our best cycling routes in Spain, whether you want to go by train, achieve a PB in the Picos, or join a peloton in the Pyrenees.
Seville and the Sierra de Aracena
This cycling tour combines city time in Seville, the capital of Andalucía, with an escape to the mountains of Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park. This is an opportunity not only to take in the multicultural heritage of Seville, but also the ancient trails of the mountains. For the latter, you are based in a traditional cottage in the heart of the natural park in Alájar, from which you can choose from many mountain trails, depending on your interests and abilities. Ancient sites in the mountains include Almonaster la Real, a traditional hammam in Linares de la Sierra, and the traditional whitewashed village of Galaroza.
Perfect flow in Catalonia
Dip in and out of the Catalonian coast on a mountain bike holiday that is based in two different places, with some superb loop trails and ancient hilltop villages on their doorsteps. The first few days are based in inland Palau-saverdera, gateway to Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Nature Reserve, which is home to flocks of flamingos. You then move on to Sant Pere Pescador, where the Fluvià River meets the sea. Based in a gorgeous Girona style farmhouse, circular cycling routes include trails in the heart of Catalonia countryside, with views towards the High Pyrenees. Or a day of historical and natural heritage, cycling to the Greek and Roman ruins at nearby Empúries, as well as some pretty coves for cooling off at, on the way back. Traditional mountain bike rental is included in the price of this Catalonian cycling holiday.
Personal best in the Balearics
Keen cyclists rave about the Balearics and the blissful Balearic vibe that they get here on a bike. The archipelago is made up of four main islands, namely Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, located in the Balearic Sea, the name given to the part of the Mediterranean that separates the Balearics from the Spanish mainland. Think a few hours east of Valencia or south of Barcelona, and you come to one of these island idylls. On our cycling holidays you can explore Menorca, Mallorca or Ibiza where the landscapes promise a mega-mix of mountain and coastal trails, dunes and wetlands.
Mallorca
Mallorca is not only the largest of the Balearics, at 3,640km², it’s also the most mountainous, with the Serra de Tramuntana range creating a strong spine along its north coast. This beautiful belt is studded with natural and cultural heritage gems and our more strenuous cycling holidays take it on, but we have a good mix of cycling holidays in Mallorca to suit all interests and abilities.
Menorca
Menorca is like manna from cycling heaven if you want a cruising combo of inland and coastal trails. It’s also the greenest of the Balearics, thanks to its north-eastern location which brings more rain and wind, but with no shortage of sunshine. Stretching for 53km east to west, its most elevated point is El Toro, at 358m. So, the Balearic beat here is most definitely the sound of the waves, made obvious by the word cala or bay appearing just about every day on our Menorca cycling holiday.
Ibiza
The largest island in the archipelago, our cycling holiday here is one of our more laid back ones. Particularly because it’s centre-based, meaning that you don’t have to pack your bags and panniers every day, but just rest up at a resort hotel with pools, in the coastal town of Santa Eulària des Riua. From here, we have crafted five days of cycling itineraries, through traditional villages, to traditional markets and Port de Sant Miquel. With both traditional or e-bikes available to rent, it’s suitable for people of all levels. With one rest day built into the tour, this holiday is about chilling as much as it is about cycling.
Lead out in Lanzarote
This Canary Island is one of the pros’ favourites and so you won’t be short of friends in the field in these vast, open volcanic landscapes. Our eight day Lanzarote cycling holiday takes you on a moderate-level velodyssey of this rugged, wild island which has developed a reputation for package tours but which actually proffer perfect pannier tours if you know where to go. Which we do, such as the fishing coves and villages of the north coast, the wild surfing beach of Famara on the west coast, or the turquoise shell-shaped beach at Papagayo. With volcanoes, vineyards and traditional villages in between.
Cycling the Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago in Spain is many things. It’s challenging and exciting, spiritual and peaceful. It also comes in various sizes, all of which converge on the sacred city of Santiago de Compostela. It’s more well known as a trekking trail, but many of its routes and segments are suitable for cyclists. We have options to cycle the Camino Frances, Camino del Norte, Camino Primitivo and the Camino Portugues, some taking on sections and others going for the whole shebang in a saddle.
Lighthouse Way, Galicia
Don’t be put off by the name for Galicia’s Costa da Morte, which translates as Coast of Death, because it simply refers to ancient mariners who perished on these shores. Their demise meant the creation of the Lighthouse Way (Camiño dos Faros) for landlubbers and coastal landscape lovers, with beautiful beacons to aim for on this wild route between Malpica and Finisterre. Cycle to historic lighthouses such as Touriñan or Punta Nariga and ignite the swimmer within at beaches such as Niñons or Praia do Lago. You will also never run short of Galician gastronomy to help you power through some of the longer stretches. All in all, this trip will have you beaming.
“A great cycling adventure along a stunning coastline… awesome scenery with plenty of opportunity for swimming off some incredible beaches.” Pete, Suffolk cycling the Lighthouse Way
Extremadura is extra by train
On our cycling holiday in Extremadura, you get to explore one of Spain’s most modest regions tourism-wise, but one that is worthy of being held up high on a prettiness pedestal. Nestled in the heart of western Spain, Extremadura is a land where time slows down and you can too, cycling across a mosaic of sweeping plains, rugged sierras and the iconic dehesas, home to the free-roaming Iberian pigs that produce the world-renowned jamón ibérico. And the fact that it is also accessible by train, with stations in both Cáceres, where the tour begins, and in Talavera de la Reina, where it comes to a close, adds to the slow, gentle quality of it all.
In addition, we have a 10 day cycling holiday that crosses the regions of both Castilla y León and Extremadura, following the Vía de la Plata, one of Spain’s Via Verde trails that follows former railway lines. Starting in the historic city of Salamanca and finishing in medieval Trujillo, there are train stations in both.
Cycling the Camino Mozárabe
The Camino Mozárabe was a pilgrimage route for Christians heading to Santiago de Compostela from southern Spain. The pilgrimage was undertaken by the Mozarabs who were living in the Muslim territory of Al-Andalus. Although it’s ancient, it’s new to our collection of cycling holidays, following a section between Granada and Córdoba. Covering 145km over seven days, you not only get to explore these two iconic Spanish cities, but also the Alhambra de Granada, Mosque of Córdoba and La Mota fortress in Alcalá.
Personal best in the Picos
The Picos de Europa, or Picos as they are known for short, are protected by one of Spain’s lesser-known sixteen national parks and their limestone spires, twisting trails and wildlife habitats are peppered across the provinces of Asturias, Cantabria and León. This nine day, self-guided cycling adventure takes you along some of its most remote mountain trails and valleys, in the regions of Asturias and Cantabria. Although there are some challenging ascents, such as up to Collado de los Buitres at the edge of Casaño Gorge, or to Collado Prioro, where you get views of some of the Picos’ main peaks, there is also an e-bike option. Just because you’re in remote regions, doesn’t mean you can’t be making the most of cycling tech.
Gear up for Asturias’ Green Coast
If you like to have mountains on one side and the sea on the other as you cycle, the Green Coast of Asturias in northern Spain ticks these and many other beautiful boxes. Starting in Villanueva de Colombres in the east, cycle in a westerly direction through Asturias as far as the maritime heritage city of Gijón. You also hit parts of the Camino del Norte on this week-long cycling holiday, following your own pedalling pilgrimage to beaches such as Pechón, Cuevas del Mar and Llanes. There are, in fact, 32 white sandy beaches here, in the shadow of the Picos de Europa mountains, so get pedalling and take your pick. E-bikes are also available on this holiday. In addition, we have a family-friendly version of the Green Coast cycling tour, with other activities thrown into the mix.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed cycling around Spain with us. Please note that all of the cycling holidays mentioned above have options for e-bike rental, as well as traditional bikes which may make some of the strenuous routes more inviting. Don’t hesitate to contact our Spanish adventure specialists for more details and, for more blogs on cycling, you may enjoy the following: 10 reasons to go cycling in the Baltic states; Most remote cycling holidays in Europe; and Cycling the Ciro Trail. For a pannier packed with cycling blogs, see here.
Related tours
Cycling in Catalonia: Coast and Aiguamolls Nature Reserve
Cycling the Asturias Green Coast
Cycling in Lanzarote
Cycling the Camino Frances: Roncesvalles to Santiago
Camino Mozárabe: Cycling Granada to Córdoba
Cycling in Menorca
Cycling the Lighthouse Way
Cycling in Extremadura
Cycling in Seville and Sierra de Aracena
Cycling the Picos de Europa
