Andalusia by bicycle: southern Spain bike tours

This is the tour for any cyclist who wants to experience Spain´s most iconic region and cycle through breathtaking scenery.

Following the route of the Caliphs, from Cordoba to Granada, this first part proposes an enticing adventure for the mind, linking the two most prominent cities of Spain´s Moorish occupation. If Cordoba had the grandeur then Granada had the finesse. On route, there are castles, corn fields, vineyards, huge olive groves, sun flowers, orchards. Arriving in Granada, we visit the Alhambra, a UNESCO listed palace of mayor splendour which fascinated the senses of Washington Irving, the American writer and diplomat. Seville, the Andalusian capital, is unique in its ability to evoke a diversity of sensations and the essence of the Andalusian spirit.

Our route includes the path of a disused railway perfectly adapted for cycling, minor country roads and pathways. Our accommodation is of the best quality; four star hotels in the main cities and smaller hotels with a special charm in some villages.

We will savor the Andalusian cuisine that offers us traditional dishes accompanied by excellent wines. The mini bus will transport us to the starting point of each of the tour stages, and we will be bicycling for the most interesting parts of our route. Each stage of the tour may be adapted to the groups overall bicycling skills.

Few cycling experiences can match the combination of the Andalusian sun, its delicious food and fine wines, visiting monumental Cordoba and Granada and other jewels of the Jewish, Arabic and Christian culture.

Please check-out our Magix Photos by clicking on the left-hand menu for views of our team, vehicles, bicycles and previous tours in Andalusia.

Itinerary

Day 1. Madrid.Total distance is 15 Kms. (10 miles) in a flat terrain
You arrive independently in Madrid. We offer you as part of the Andalusian travel package an escorted 3-hour bicycle tour of Madrid. Optional unguided visit of the city and the Prado museum and other beauties of the city of Madrid. We are more than happy to suggest places to visit while in Madrid.

Day 2. Cordoba.15 km (10 miles) on level - city streets
Early morning departure from Madrid on the high speed train (AVE) to Córdoba arriving in less than two hours. Transfer to the hotel, followed by a cycling tour of the city until early afternoon, then lunch. In the afternoon we are free to visit the Mosque and the picturesque historic centre.10 centuries ago, Córdoba was one of the biggest and most influential cities in the world and the capital of Muslim Spain. Today Córdoba is well-known for its mosque but the city abounds with artistic and architectural treasures. The old Arab and Jewish quarters with their narrow streets offer the visitor a unique experience.

Day 3. Zuheros.Total distance is 45 Kms. (30 miles) on the flat (a disused railway track with possiblity of extending the cycling time)
After breakfast we leave Cordoba by minibus to visit a famous winery in Montilla, the town giving its name to the world-renowned wine. We proceed by minibus to Lucena, where we begin cycling along the old rail track which is known as the "Via del Aceite". After our lunch stop, we continue cycling for some more miles through the olive groves. Dinner at the hotel of our choice.
Zuheros, one of the most picturesque villages in Andalusia, hangs from a rocky outcrop on the edge of a nature reserve. The castle and palace enjoy a spectacular position on top of an enormous rock, commanding splendid views of the Andalucian countryside. For those interested, the Bat Cave, 4 km. away, boasts a collection of extraordinary limestone formations.

Day 4. Priego de Córdoba.Today's total distance is 40 Km (28 miles with a modest initial climb along a wide rural track)
After breakfast in Zuheros we cycle to the village of Baena to visit a certified organic olive oil producer. After the visit we bicycle to Luque and then on to Priego, crossing the impressive landscapes of "Sierra Subbética" mountain range. Following our descent we will stop for lunch at Carcabuey. In the afternoon, we cycle on to Priego where we dine at the hotel, or in a restaurant of our choice.Surrounded by olive groves and with a fine mediaeval castle, Priego is a small and delightfully picturesque town, considered the cradle of Spanish baroque architecture. The town is a maze of incredibly narrow streets, a labyrinth of whitewashed walls, cobblestone pavements and corners and niches over- flowing with flower pots.

Day 5. Granada.Today's total distance is 50 Km (32 miles along rolling country roads with minimal traffic).
Our day begins with a short minibus ride to visit the castle of Alcalá la Real following which we continue to our cycling departure point, close to the village Moclín perched above pinewoods with a ruined fortress. From here we wind our way gently up and down through olive groves and pine trees, arriving at the reservoir of Cubillas where we stop for lunch at a fine restaurant with views on to the lake. Here, we can choose to continue cycling, or ride in the minibus to the hotel in Granada. For the cyclists we have a further 20 km (12 miles) on the level, via Güevejar, with more intense traffic as we approach the city centre, where our hotel is located. Dinner in the city of Granada.
Granada is a romantic destiny. In the words of Alexandre Dumas written in 1846: "With the pretty name of Granada , you have already created a medieval city in your mind, half Christian, half Moorish". But Washington Irving´s words define it more aptly: "It typified the oriental exoticism of the romantic vision of Spain”.

Day 6. Granada.Today's total distance is 20 Kms (12 miles rolling terrain)
Our day starts with a visit to the Alhambra, after which we explore the city of Granada either on cycle, or on foot, taking in Albaicín, the original moorish quarter. Here we climb to the panomaric outlook point of San Nicolás affording us a magnificent view of the majestic Alhambra lit up by the soft rays of the setting sun - an unforgettable moment and maybe the best highlight of our cycling tour through Andalusia. After dinner in a tapas restaurant, we have the option of seeing a late flamenco show in one of the gypsy caves in Sacramonte.

Day 7. Seville.
Leaving the hotel in Granada we drive by minibus to Seville, the journey lasting about two hours. Here we have a light lunch at the hotel, followed by a city cycling tour. This will be the end of our cycling activities.

Day 8. Seville or Madrid End of trip.
Guests return to Madrid by high-speed train (tickets included), or may extend their stay to enjoy more of the city of Seville on their own.*N. B. Guests who spend their first night in Córdoba, have the option of adding the Madrid city program on their return from Seville.
Gracias.

!Hasta pronto y buen viaje!

WHAT´S INCLUDED IN THE FULLY SUPPORTED TRIP