Spain has the reputation of having some of the world's greatest food and culture, but it is also exceptional for riding bicycles. On a cycling tour, you can see the real countryside, and go at your own pace. You become part of the landscape when you are cycling. There are tours for different parts of Spain, and you can often mix and match them to fit your tastes. There are tours that will allow you to ride through Portugal, along the beaches of Costa Brava, the forested hills of Andalucia and more. Many of the cycling tours are handled by Spanish travel companies. These tours are often small groups, but you can get your very own with a private guide. Is bicycling through Spain on your bucket list? Check out the following questions and answers to learn more!
Several companies offer bicycle tours in Spain, but our favorites are Backroads, PureAdventures, and Cycling Country. All three tour companies offer bicycle adventures in different countries.
Your small group will typically be accompanied by a bus or other vehicle that will have staff available to provide water and snacks, as well as lunch along the way. You may also ride the bus for awhile if you get too tired.
Tour operators provide carbon-fiber road bikes. Most of them provide high-quality bikes, but it is good to check first. Most will not allow you to bring your own bike. A GPS that is pre-programmed with route maps is also provided.
Want to experience an incredible bike tour with equally unforgettable cuisine? Then you'll love the Olive Trails of Southern Spain bicycle tour offered by Cycling Country. This five-day guided tour starts for around $2,200 and goes through Malaga, Ronda and Andalucia.
Backroads is the world's top provider of active travel tours, and its variety of Spain bike tours is quite large. The Pyrenees to Costa Brava Bike Tour is our favorite tour in the Backroads lineup. You'll have to contact Backroads to get a quote for your specific touring needs.
PureAdventures offers its incredible Andalusia White Villages Biking Tour starting at roughly $1,500 per person. Unlike our other favorite tours, this one is self-guided. Riders see homes built into the Ronda and Grazalema mountains, and they can pause to soak up sun on breathtaking beaches. This eight-day tour is available year-round.
With a tour group, all you do is the ride. Everything else is provided. They will even make any repairs needed during the ride. "Fully supported" rides are those that take care of all the details.
Most tours offer three and four-star hotels. The tours all stop for the evening and your hotel is part of the package. Meals are also generally included, but you may go off on your own and sample local cuisine. The tours are designed often to stop for the day in the town, near nightfall, at your hotel.