Overview
Enjoy a cycling adventure through Andalucía’s iconic Pueblos Blancos, whitewashed towns and villages, often perched on hilltops overlooking the region’s vast landscapes. This is a trip for keen cyclists who like to combine great biking with cultural exploration. Each day the routes will take you through quiet countryside roads and cosy villages. In the evenings, you will be able to reflect on your adventure and enjoy the local hospitality in the authentic hotels we have selected for you. The itinerary is partially centre-based, so on some days you can choose between exploring on a bike or just relaxing and marvelling at the cultural riches of Andalucía.
- Stay in authentic Pueblos Blancos – the old frontier hilltop towns
- Historical cities: Jerez and Cadiz
- A delightful mix of coast, rolling hills, Roman roads and greenways
- Excellent hotels full of local character
- Bird-spotter’s paradise – storks, kingfishers, waders
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Jerez de la Frontera
Arrive at your comfortable hotel in Jerez city centre; depending on your arrival time, you will have the rest of the day for a walk around the historical centre before dinner.
- Accommodation: Hotel Spa Jerez or similar in Jerez de la Frontera
Day 2: Jerez to Arcos de la Frontera | 50km
Leaving Jerez, you follow a lovely route passing vineyards, ancient settlements and riverside towns. Quiet country roads and gravel tracks alongside the River Guadalete take you past villages full of pretty, pastel-coloured houses and on towards Arcos de la Frontera. Why not stop to sample the local Tierra Blanca white wines en route? At the end of the day, a steep ascent will take you to the historic town centre in Arcos de la Frontera, which seems to be literally balancing on the edge of the cliff. Later there will be time to stroll along the narrow lanes or Arcos, enjoying Andalucía’s lovely evening sky and a luminous twilight of deep blue.
- Accommodation: Hotel Los Olivos or similar in Arcos de la Frontera
- Cycling for the day: 50km, ↑450m ↓350m
Day 3: Circular Route Arcos | 20 or 54km
In the morning, we recommend a circular tour along quiet countryside roads, through vast rural areas; you can either take a long tour of 53.3km around the Bornos reservoir (past whitewashed villages Villamartin and Bornos) or the short route of 19.8km around the Arcos reservoir. Arcos itself is worth a visit because it was one of the most important frontier towns during the Reconquista (hence the adjective “de la Frontera”). Follow the old Arabic walls, passing the impressive Castillo de los Duques, as you make your way to the Iglesia de San Agustin with its fantastic views over the river and rich fertile valley of orange, almond and olive trees. Spend some time in the unique miniature art museum and have lunch in one of the numerous restaurants.
- Accommodation: Hotel Los Olivos or similar in Arcos de la Frontera
- Cycling for the day (option 1): 54km, ↑↓575m
- Cycling for the day (option 2): 20km, ↑↓300m
Day 4: Arcos to Medina Sidonia | 48 or 59km
Follow a winding road, passing orange and almond orchards through the town of Junta de los Rios, where two rivers converge. Passing through San Jose del Valle, dating back to Roman times, and the impressive El Tempul, you can choose between the direct route along gravel roads (total of 48km approx.) passing the Moorish Gigonza castle or the more challenging route of almost 60km along quiet but winding and undulating tarmac roads past vast estates. Both routes come together in Paterna de Rivera, famous for its healing waters after which a steep ascent of 225m awaits to your hotel in Medina Sidonia. Take time to explore before dinner this little gem with its grand plaza, mediaeval Moorish architecture, narrow streets and views of the bay of Cadiz.
- Accommodation: Hotel Tugasa Medina Sidonia or similar in Medina Sidonia
- Cycling for the day (option 1): 59km, ↑800m ↓650m
- Cycling for the day (option 2): 48km, ↑650m ↓ 500m
Day 5: Medina Sidonia to Vejer de la Frontera | 37 or 70km
A short route today to recover from yesterday’s adventure. A quiet lane through fighting bull estates and holm-oak woods takes you from Medina to Naveros. A lovely greenway then crisscrosses this stunning landscape for irresistible views of dark green meadows as they melt into the Sierra de Cadiz (look out for Egyptian vultures and Bonelli’s eagles) before you finally reach the most picturesque of our three white frontier villages: Vejer de la Frontera. Our standard hotel is an old convent from the 17th century, conveniently located in the centre of town.
- Accommodation: Hotel Tugasa Convento de San Francisco or similar in Vejer de la Frontera
- Cycling for the day (option 1): 37km, ↑425m ↓300m
- Cycling for the day (option 2): 70km, ↑700m ↓ 575m
Day 6: Circular Route Vejer | 23 or 60km
Wander through the maze of streets that makes up Vejer de la Frontera and understand why it has been decreed as a historic site. Discover its Roman walls, Visigoth hermitage and its castle at the highest part of the old town, combining Moorish and Christian architecture. Lunch in one of the many cafes and restaurants, or walk up to the highest point with panoramic vistas and picnic next to the lovingly restored windmills of San Miguel.
For those who want to cycle, we can offer a route along dirt roads through an entirely different landscape; first alongside the river Barbate, then across vast rice fields to the fishing village of Zahara de los Atunes to try some local tuna at lunch, and finally uphill across the nature reserve Parque Natural de la Breña y Marismas del Barbate.
- Accommodation: Hotel Tugasa Convento de San Francisco or similar in Vejer de la Frontera
- Cycling for the day (option 1): 23km, ↑↓375m
- Cycling for the day (option 2): 60km, ↑↓600m
Day 7: Vejer to Conil and transfer to Cádiz | 23 or 34km
You head to the coast today with a choice of shorter (24km) or longer routes (38km), both ending in the charming seaside frontier town of Conil de la Frontera. The longer route heads east, passing the town of Barbate and the pretty surf village of El Palmar. Taking the shorter route affords you more time to wander around the whitewashed houses of Conil de la Frontera before being transferred to the cosy hotel in the centre of Cádiz, an ancient and magical fortified town.
- Accommodation: Hotel Argantonio or similar in Cádiz
- Cycling for the day (option 1): 34km, ↑250m ↓370m
- Cycling for the day (option 2): 23km, ↑125m ↓250m
Day 8: Departure
Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. Taxi transfers to Jerez, Seville or Málaga airport can be arranged upon request.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in nice family hotels and B&Bs, in double or twin private en-suite rooms. All overnight places on this trip have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and unique services.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Spa Jerez (Jerez de la Frontera)
- Hotel Los Olivos (Arcos de la Frontera)
- Hotel Tugasa Medina Sidonia (Medina Sidonia)
- Hotel Tugasa Convento de San Francisco (Vejer de la Frontera)
- Hotel Argantonio (Cádiz)
Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal or higher value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All breakfasts are included in the programme. When no restaurant location is available en route lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops or you can pre-order a packed lunch at your hotel. Dinner is available either from the restaurant in your accommodation or from the restaurants in the town where you stay for overnight.
Difficulty and terrain
The actual difficulty will depend on whether you choose the longer/tougher routes or shorter/easier variants (read more about difficulty grades). The average daily distance cycled is 43km (minimum 22km, maximum 60km), and the average ascent is 360m (minimum 125m, maximum 575m). Generally, we would recommend this trip to cyclists who have some previous bike-touring experience and are in good physical shape.
When to go
This tour is bookable from the beginning of March until mid-December, except for the hot months of July and August when temperatures reach 33C and higher. However, the period 26 June – 24 September can still be arranged on request only. Blackout dates in 2023 are 27 March – 9 April (Easter), 28 April – 2 May (Moto Grand Prix) and 4 – 14 May (the Fair in Jerez). From November till March, rainfall could make it difficult to access the dirt roads (mud), but the chances are low that you will get wet (the number of days with rainfall per month is 8 in December and between 5 and 7 during the rest of winter). The most enjoyable cycling season is from March to June (the first fortnight) and from September (2nd fortnight) till the end of October.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airports for this tour are Jerez Airport, Sevilla Airport (SVQ) and Málaga (AGP)
By train or bus
Arrival in Jerez de la Frontera
There is at least 1 direct train to Jerez Train station from Jerez airport, but a private taxi transfer can be arranged as well for approx 25,- euros. From Jerez Station, you either walk to your hotel (5min walk to Casa Grande) or take a taxi. By rail Jerez can be reached from all major Spanish cities.
Departure from Cádiz
At the end of your tour, you can take a direct train from Cadíz to Jerez airport. For timetables of the train connections between Cadiz and Jerez (train station or airport), check here.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights at comfortable, charming accommodations, private ensuite rooms
- 7 breakfasts
- Luggage transport on Days 2, 4, 5 and 7 (1 piece per person up to 20kg)
- Hybrid bike rental incl. panniers and map holder in 6 days
- Complimentary transfer from Conil to Cádiz (only if you rent bikes from us*)
- Detailed digital holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps. Please note that the info pack is emailed to you prior to departure, and no printed documents are mailed or provided on-site.
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
*Please note that if you bring your own bikes, you need to book this as an optional transfer
Excluded
- Flights and airport transfers
- Lunches and dinners, drinks and snacks
- Additional transfers
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Supplement for e-bike rental
- Extra nights
- Extra days of bike rental
- Airport transfers
- If you bring your own bike, there will be a discount on the price
Bike rental
The rent of hybrid bicycles with 21-24 gears, repair kit, lock, pump, and front and back cycle bags with map carrier is included in the price. E-bike (Bocas or Stevens) is also possible to rent with a supplement. From 1 April 2023, the bike rental company requires a deposit of 50€ for a hybrid bike and 100€ for an e-bike, which will be paid in cash upon delivery of the bikes and returned at the end of the trip after checking the condition of the bike. You will also be asked to sign a contract requiring you to show your passport.
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