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Experience the many varied landscapes of southern Spain on this cycling adventure from Seville to Granada.

Viva Espana! The country that brought the world tapas and bull fighting has so much to offer outside its incredible cities. Ride through lush valleys, wide meadows and even abandoned tunnels on an adventure across southern Spain’s rich landscapes. Breeze through delightful white villages, dine on hearty Andalucian cuisine, marvel at centuries-old Moorish architecture, and luxuriate in car-free arterials on this classic European cycling adventure.

Start
Seville, Spain
Finish
Granada, Spain
Destination
Spain
Style
Original
Theme
Active Adventures, Cycling
Code
ZMXA
Physical rating
Ages
Min 14
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • From fiestas to Flamenco, Manzanilla to tapas, alcazars to Alhambra—the very essence of Spain is found in Andalucia

  • Enjoy traditional pork sausages stuffed with eggs and chunky La Porra stew after a rewarding day in the saddle

  • Ride through the narrow, winding cobblestone streets of Andalucia's dramatic white villages – the likes of El Chorro and El Burgo

  • Discover Spain's intriguing history, from Seville's famed Alcazar to Granada's exquisite Alhambra

  • Relax and ride traffic-free on Spain's renowned Via Verde, abandoned railway lines turned cycling superhighways

Is this trip right for you?

  • To complete this trip it is important that you are both confident and competent in riding a bicycle.

  • While the cycling distances on this trip are relatively short (the longest ride is only 50 kilometres), the stunning terrain of Andalucia is naturally hilly, and the climate is warm so you’ll need a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy the trip. Remember we will always have the support vehicle on hand if you need to take a break for an hour or a day.

  • On this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group, and another that drives the support vehicle (acting as a back marker where needed). Where the vehicle cannot travel directly with the cyclists (e.g. a cyclists-only path) your leader will assign a person from the group to act as a back marker.

  • As our riding is done mostly on sealed roads with the occasional gravel cycle path there are no technical cycling skills required. Given there will be hills, we do suggest practicing riding downhill so you are comfortable with this once the trips begins.

  • There’s the possibility of a few hiccups along the way, a puncture here and there, but there’s no doubt this is an incredibly rewarding adventure.

  • You'll be spending your nights in hotels all the way, ranging from comfortable to basic levels of comfort, but they'll always be authentic and a great opportunity to interact with the locals and fellow travellers alike.

  • The weather in this region can be varied depending on the season. Be prepared to get sweaty and for the occasional rainstorm, which may require a change of plans.

Map of Cycle Andalucia including Spain
Andalucia Cycling with Intrepid Travel
View of Tajo Gorge and city on cliff, Ronda, Spain
Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain
Andalucia Cycling with Intrepid Travel
spain tapas

Itinerary
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Hola! Welcome to Spain and the city of Seville, capital of Andalucia and the largest city in southern Spain. Meet the tour group at 7 pm this evening and perhaps get to know each other over a late night dinner – Spanish-style!
Optional Activities
  • Seville - Guided Tour including Alcazar - EUR13
  • Seville - Cathedral & Giralda Tower - EUR9
  • Seville - Torre del Oro - EUR3
  • Seville - Museum of Fine Arts - EUR2
  • Seville - Evening Flamenco Performance - EUR18
  • Seville - Museum of Art & Popular Customs - EUR2
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where the welcome meeting will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time for the welcome meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.

Meet with your bike support team and get fitted to a bike before commencing a historical cycling tour around town, exploring both the classic and modern Seville. The tour will go for around three hours and covers interesting places in Triana, such as the old historic centre, the Maria Luisa Park, and Plaza de Espana.

Ride - Approx. 15 km. No elevation gain
Included Activities
  • Cycling Tour - Seville
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Cycle the Via Verde de la Sierra and to Zahara de la Sierra today. Begin with a transfer to the town of Puerto Serrano, where the Via Verde (green road) de la Sierra starts. Vias Verdes are disused railway lines, normally used in their day for mining transportation purposes, now repurposed for cycling and walking. Cycle 16 km up to the old train station of Coripe. Take secondary roads for a further 15 km to the town of Algodonales. Pedal a further 9 km to Zahara de la Sierra, set atop a hill with a majestic castle hanging from the rocks and overlooking a turquoise reservoir. It's a perfect place to have a picnic. Afterwards, continuing cycling on flat terrain next to the Reservoir for a further 10 km. Finish the day with a private transfer up the mountains to the beautiful town of Grazalema.

Cycling distance: 50 km
Elevation gain: 1025 m
Included Activities
  • Cycle the Via Verde de la Sierra
Optional Activities
  • Castle and Homenaje Tower - EUR2
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today's cycling route takes you from Grazalema to Ronda. You can cycle all the way, with no need for a transfer. Head from Grazalema down to the valley and through beautiful secondary roads, along a canyon, and to the village of Montejaque and later Benaojan and Jimera de Libar. Finish in the town of Atajate, then take a transfer to the famous town of Ronda and see its beautiful bridge over the cliffs. Since today's cycling is not too long, there is ample time for a walking tour around town before dinner.

Cycling distance: 43 km.
Elevation gain: 880 m
Included Activities
  • Orientation walk
Optional Activities
  • Ronda - Bandits Museum - EUR4
  • Ronda - Santa Maria la Mayor Church - EUR4
  • Lara Museum - EUR4
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today's ride is a most beautiful one – Ronda to El Chorro. Departing Ronda, climb to the mountain pass of El Viento, located in the Natural Park of the Sierra de las Nieves. Then descend to the lovely white village of El Burgo. From there, cycle to the equally photogenic Ardales, on less demanding terrain. Finally, enjoy a nice descent to El Chorro, who sheer walls make it a popular destination among climbers. For the last stretch, to Antequera, take a transfer. Stretch the legs on a visit to Antequera Alcazaba, the 14th century Moorish fortress set on a hilltop (your entry fee is taken care of). Climb the 50 steps of the Torre del Homenaje for some nice views of the 'Rock of Lovers' and beyond.

Cycling distance: 60 km
Elevation gain: 900 m
Included Activities
  • Antequera Alcazaba Entry
Optional Activities
  • Antequera Dolmen prehistorical site - Free
  • Antequera Los Remedios Convent - Free
  • Antequera El Carmen Church - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

On today's cycling adventure you can forget about the mountains and instead check out a nature reserve known for its birdlife. Ride along nice, flat planes towards the Natural Reserve of the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra (Lagoon of the Fountain of Stone). Here you can likely see a colony of flamingoes that lives here for long periods of the year. Afterwards, take a transfer back to the hotel in lively Antequera and enjoy a leisurely evening.

Cycling distance: 52 km
Elevation gain: 204 m
Included Activities
  • Laguna de Fuente de Piedra Natural Reserve
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today's cycling route takes you from Puente Genil to Zuheros. Head along Via Verde, which is free of cars and almost flat. This time you use an old railway track that runs through endless olive groves next to the Natural Park of the Sierras Subbeticas to finish in the beautiful village of Zuheros, another town with an eye-catching castle. This town is famous for its goats cheese, so if you have time, perhaps pop over to Las Balanchares where you can buy some straight from the source.

Cycling distance: 48 km
Elevation gain: 350 m
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Enjoy a day off the bike. With no cycling on the agenda, take the time to enjoy the magnificent ancient city of Granada. The narrow hilly stone streets of this town don't lend itself to cycling, but are of course a dream to stroll around.

Your leader will take you on a walking tour through the old Moorish area with local craft market, shops, and tea houses. We will also visit the precursor to the famed Alhambra, the Palacio de la Madraza. This complex housed the Muslim School of Islamic Law founded by Yusuf I in the 14th century and later became Granada's first City Hall 'Casa del Cabildo'. Currently the palace houses a number of departments of the University of Granada. The visit includes an interesting mix of architecture and gives you a small insight into Granada's colourful history.

At the end of the day why not enjoy an optional farewell dinner with the group. Granada is well known for its particular take on Spanish cuisine, so make the most of it.

Note: Growing tourist crowds, especially from cruise ships, have made gaining entry to the spectacular Alhambra palace a real challenge, and are often sold out months in advance for group bookings. For this reason we do not include entry. Should you wish to visit the Alhambra we advise booking online.
Optional Activities
  • Granada - Mirador de San Nicolas - Free
  • Granada - Catedral de Granada - EUR5
  • Granada - Capilla Real - EUR5
  • Granada - Alhambra Visit (pre-purchase online) - EUR28
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

The trip comes to an end, with no further activities planned.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

8 breakfasts

Transport

Bicycle, Support Vehicle

Accommodation

Hotels (8 nights)

Included activities

  • Cycling Tour - Seville
  • Cycle the Via Verde de la Sierra
  • Orientation walk
  • Antequera Alcazaba Entry
  • Laguna de Fuente de Piedra Natural Reserve

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Cycle Andalucia trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A Single Supplement is available on this trip, please ask your booking agent for more information.
2. Bicycle hire is included in your trip price. Please advise your height at time of booking so as we can organise a suitable sized bike.
3. Bike helmets are compulsory on this trip. We are unable to hire bike helmets locally so please ensure you bring your own bike helmet from home.
4. On this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group, and another that drives the support vehicle (acting as a back marker where needed). Where the vehicle cannot travel directly with the cyclists (e.g. a cyclists-only path) your leader will assign a person from the group to act as a back marker.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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