Bike Tour in Catalonia - Cycling Girona and the Costa Brava
Cycling Holidays in Catalonia: Explore Costa Brava and the Empordà by bike
Embark on unforgettable cycling holidays in Catalonia, where diverse landscapes, rich culture, and world-class cycling routes create the perfect setting for an extraordinary adventure. Starting from Girona and into to the rugged coastline of the Costa Brava, this journey offers a thrilling mix of challenging climbs, scenic coastal roads, and rolling vineyard-covered hills.
Renowned as a training ground for professional cyclists, Catalonia offers varied terrain to suit every rider. Pedal along the breathtaking Costa Brava coastline, with roads that wind past hidden coves and vibrant seaside villages. Conquer the rolling terrain of the Empordà wine region, known for its smooth roads and picturesque countryside, and test your limits on iconic climbs in the Pyrenees and local natural parks. With every turn, you’ll discover why Catalonia and Girona are at the heart of the global cycling community.
Catalonia’s culinary scene is as rich as its landscapes. Indulge in authentic Catalan cuisine, from rustic family-run taverns to Michelin-starred restaurants, where fresh Mediterranean ingredients and creative flavors abound. Ride through the Empordà wine region, nestled near the French border, and savor renowned reds, whites, and sweet wines crafted from the region’s unique terroir. Pair scenic cycling days with unforgettable gastronomic experiences that celebrate the heart of Catalan culture.
Your journey along the Costa Brava showcases rugged cliffs, turquoise waters, and panoramic coastal views. Explore quiet fishing villages, pedal along winding seaside roads, and discover the mystical landscapes of Cap de Creus, where challenging climbs reward you with sweeping Mediterranean vistas. The blend of serene coastal stretches and exhilarating ascents makes cycling in Catalonia along the Costa Brava truly unforgettable.
After days filled with cycling and exploration, relax in handpicked accommodations that reflect Catalonia’s charm and warmth. Start in vibrant Girona, famed for its medieval streets and cycling culture, unwind in the peaceful rural settings of Torrent and Pau, and conclude in Cadaqués, where your coastal retreat overlooks the glistening sea—offering the perfect place to reflect on your journey.
Where to start? I tagged along with my friends on a 6-day bike tour. We had e-bikes, although our guide, Ricardo, ...
Pick up from the airport of Girona for a transfer to your hotel in Girona. Tour briefing and bike setup. Optional short ride in Girona to test the bikes and enjoy the spectacular cycling scene and lifestyle. Free afternoon/evening to enjoy the beautiful Girona medieval city centre and taste the brilliant food and wine of this region. Hotel – Hotel Nord 1901 Superior or Hotel Montjuic Boutique ("premium" option)
Breakfast at your hotel; Your first ride of this tour is an introduction to riding in Girona. It's one of the classic routes for the local cyclists, a loop ride that will take you from your hotel in Girona to the Banyoles Lake or El Place de l'Estany as the Catalans call it. This loop will take through the backroads just outside of Girona leading you to the lake, contouring it and return to Girona after enjoying the quiet roads that surround the lake and the city of Girona. Make sure you take time in the afternoon to walk around the old city, visit the monuments, the cycling cafés and especially to walk on top of the city walls for some fantastic views. Hotel – Hotel Nord 1901 Superior or Hotel Montjuic Boutique ("premium" option)
Breakfast at your hotel; This is one of the most beautiful rides in the Girona area and will lead you out of Girona to the Empordá region through the Els Àngels mountain, another classic climb of this area. Soon after you exit Girona you're already climbing this gentle and steady climb to the Els Àngels Sanctuary, from where you'll have great views of the town and the mountains. Riding down you'll enter the Empordá region, a flatter agricultural and wine area where you'll visit the small and absolutely beautiful villages of this area in succession. Go through Madremanya, Monells, Pubol with its Salvador Dali-Gala House and Museum, as well as Peratallada, just before reaching your hotel for the day. All this historic medieval villages are just a wonder to visit and enjoy. Take your time to stop for a coffee or lunch, soaking in the great atmosphere, especially in Pubol and Peratallada. Hotel – Hotel Mas Rabiol or Hotel Mas de Torrent ("premium" option)
Breakfast at your hotel; This ride will take you from Torrent to the Costa Brava, for some great coastal views of the small seaside villages and coves of the region, returning to the Empordá via the lovely medieval village of Pals. Today you'll leave your tranquil rural retreat to see some of the great little coves and beaches that lie on the coast so near the Torrent and Peratallada area. As you leave Torrent, you'll first go past Palafrugell, getting to the coast in beautiful Tamariu. From here onwards and while you're at the coast you'll ride this very hilly part, visiting the small seaside villages of Aigua Blava and Fornells, shortly coming inland to get to very picturesque and historical Begur, returning to the coast until Sa Riera where you'll be slowly veering towards your rural hotel. Just before you arrive to the tranquility of Torrent you'll have the opportunity to visit beautiful Pals, another gem of the Baix Empordá, with its historic village centre so worth a visit and certainly many photographs. Hotel – Hotel Mas Rabiol or Hotel Mas de Torrent ("premium" option)
Breakfast at your hotel; Today you'll have the longest ride of the tour but also the flattest one. This ride will connect the Baix and Alt Empordá regions, going from the south towards the northern part to get close to the Cap de Creus natural park. You leave Torrent towards the north through the agricultural area and villages of Palau Sator and Bellcaire d'Empordá, detouring to the coast to go to the just beautiful Sant Marti d'Empuriés, a great place to have a seafood lunch. You'll then return inland continuing to ride north to St. Pére Pescador and Castelló d'Empuriés, entering the rural backroads that will lead you to the small village of Pau, on the foothills of the Sierra de Rodes and where you hotel is located. Enjoy the quietness of this picturesque village and its beautiful hotels. Hotel – Hotel Can Massanna or Hotel Mas Lazuli ("premium" option)
Breakfast at your hotel; Today is one iconic ride that will lead you to Cap Créus and then to seaside Cadaqués, tackling the climb to the Monastery of St. Pere de Rodes and the Cap de Creus super scenic road. You'll have a few short kilometres to warm up before the start of the climb in Villajuiga, this is a steady climb with beautiful views of the the whole Empordá region as you go up. Getting to the top means you've reached the Monastery, from where you'll have, again, magnificent views, this time to the Mediterranean Sea and the town of Port de la Selva. The downhill section that leads you to this village is no short of amazing, the deep blue views of the sea are special. Enjoy the seaside village and prepare for another climb to Perafita, this a gentler and shorter climb, again with great views, that lead to you this higher altitude winery of Perafita. From here you'll have a long downhill section to Cadaqués and Port Lligat, incredible villages by the sea, made famous by Salvador Dali and where you'll find his House/Museum. You'll pass the Cadaqués centre and your hotel without stopping as you'll need to go to Port Lligat and the to Cap Creus, to ride this brilliant hilly road that will get you to the Cape for some great views of the Mediterranean and the whole natural park. From the cape you'll trace back to Cadaqués to end this tour on a high note. Hotel – Hotel Playa Sol or Boutique Hotel Villa Gala ("premium" option)
Breakfast at your hotel; At the scheduled time transfer to Girona Airport.
The tour combines smooth asphalt backroads, rolling hills, and steady climbs like Els Àngels and St. Pere de Rodes, with rewarding views. Coastal sections feature hilly, undulating terrain and thrilling descents, while flat agricultural roads in the Empordà region offer a relaxing contrast. Charming village streets and scenic coastal routes complete this diverse and memorable cycling experience.
/ Riding is a great part of my life, and I ride my bike regularly with my friends. I am comfortable with rides of 2 to 3 hours, or even more at a relatively strong pace. I like to be challenged and to surpass obstacles or just ride smoothly in a peloton.
You will get to feel different riding experiences, from tougher climbs to rolling along in great company. You’ll have time to enjoy the great landscapes, gain speed in the descents and also push yourself and climb those tough hills. You’ll enjoy the variety of terrain, riding in a peloton and pushing a little harder just before the stop at the café.
Our guides and support vans will provide you with nutrition and hydration along all our guided tours so that you can better enjoy your ride.
Ricardo "El capitán" Costa is the"roadie" in charge of designing this tour. Having ridden all over the world, from Malaysia to the USA, it is in Portugal that he found some of the best rides in the planet. Ricardo has picked some of the best roads in the region, that will introduce you to his favorite vineyards, coffee stops, viewpoints, hotels and other secret spots.
