The Complete Guide to Cycling Spain

Spain is probably the most loved country in Europe, and in 2023 also the number one destination chosen by travelers coming from the old continent.

The land of flamenco, bolero, bull fighting, olives, and sherry, cycling Spain is an experience one remembers for lifetime. From the azure shores of Costa Brava to the rugged Pyrenees mountains and the villages of Andalusia jagged with colorful ties, you will never have time to be bored!

Last but not least, the country enjoys one of the most favorable and sunniest climates in Europe, which makes every cycling journey better!

Let’s dive right in and let’s discover all you need to know about cycling Spain!

Topography

Spain is a country in the Iberian Peninsula in South-Western Europe, touching both the Mediterranean Sea (to the South) and the Atlantic Ocean (to the North-West).

The country also has two large groups of Islands:

1. The Balearics, consisting of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera) in the Mediterranean. The mountainous island of Mallorca is especially popular among cyclists for its spectacular routes, and the challenging climbs it offers.

2. The Canary Islands, consisting of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and four other smaller islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

The entire area of Spain is 504.782 sq. km (194,9 sq mi), which makes it the second largest country by area in the European Union member states, just behind France but well ahead of Germany and Italy.

Also called “La Piel de Toro” by Spanish people (the “skin of the Bull” in English) because of its peculiar geographical shape that resembles a skinned bull, mainland Spain is located in the Northern Hemisphere between 36° and 44.5° N latitude and a latitude of 8° 00 W and 4° 00 E.

Spain’s coastline extends over 5,755 km (3,576 mi) of Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts that add up to form 75% of the country’s borders.

Spain’s land frontiers are shared with the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar to the South, Portugal to the west, the gorgeous mountain state of Andorra and France to the northeast.

Spain’s topography is extremely varied and characterized by a relatively high average altitude of over 600 meters above sea level.

The Pyrenees in the north-east are high mountains loved by cyclists all over Europe. The Aneto Peak (3,404m / 11,169 feet) is famous for being among the most selective and awaited legs of the “Vuelta de Espana”, the national three-week cycling race that takes place every year between August and September.

The Parque Nacional de los Picos in Asturias in northern Spain is a highlight of any cycling in Spain, thanks to its unspoiled nature, while the rocky and snowy Sierra Nevada in the south, with its unbelievable serpentines, is a must-go for any passionate cyclist!

Spain’s gorgeous central plains are home to giant lakes and fertile lands that grow plenty of grains, olives, vines, and fruits. Famous historical art cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia, Granada Malagà and many others are also located in the plains.

Southern Spain consists of the famous Andalusia region made up of hills, rivers, farmlands, and beaches. The highest mountain in continental Spain, Mt. Mulhacén (3,482 meters/11,424 ft), is located in the Sierra Nevada range in Andalusia.

The famous “Costa del Sol” (“Coast of the Sun”) known for its golf courses and beaches is also located in Andalusia.

Flora

An extremely varied landscape necessarily leads to extremely different species of flora and fauna: all in all, there are an estimated 8000+ plant species in Spain, 2,000 of which are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula.

While cycling in Spain, the most common plants you can expect to witness on your journey are unending coniferous woodlands and beech trees in the Northern mountainous regions, holm oak trees in the wettest regions such as Galicia or Basque country, and chestnut, ash-tree, linden, hazelnut, and maple trees in lower areas.

Fern, broom, and different heather species are also pretty common plant species that grow all over Spain too! In addition to natural species, you might also come across wide expanses of cultivated agricultural land (especially in the hinterlands) such as corn fields, rice paddies, soy fields, and fruit trees, which depending on the season, color the central plateaus with yellows, greens and shades of reds, making a potential journey from the coasts to the central capital of Madrid all the more beautiful!

Fauna

Spain has an estimated animal population composed of over 65.000 species, of which around 700 are vertebrates.

Terrestrial mammals native to Spain that are fairly common to spot on the roads are the European hedgehog, moles, marmots, wild boars, squirrels, hares, shrews, and the cute and clumsy-looking Pyrenean desman.

In the hinterland and the most remote locations of the Pyrenees, very rare encounters could also be with Iberian wolves, brown bears (there are over 400 in Spain!), deers, and lynxes.

While not a wild animal, the Andalusian horse from the Andalusia region of Spain is definitely a beast worth admiring. Considered the finest variety of war horse and preferred by European nobility throughout history, Andalusian horses are admired for their strong build, large size, and a luscious mane.

Last but not least, the sea shores of Spain are also brimming with life and it’s not that uncommon to spot whales (over species live around the Spanish Coasts, mostly in the Atlantic Ocean), dolphins, porpoises, and seals, in addition to the great variety of fish that makes the country a top-destination for snorkeling-lovers.

Climate

The Spanish climate is one of the most salubrious in Europe. Winters are mild outside of the mountains, summers range from warm to scorching depending on the region, and the intermediate seasons are pleasant and temperate.

The Atlantic Ocean to the northwest, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south and the east contribute to giving the coastal regions a stable and predictable climate all year round.

The mountainous and inland regions, on the other hand, are more subject to extreme temperature fluctuations, experiencing a continental European climate.

Given the geographical complexity of the Spanish peninsula, let's look in detail at the microclimates of the various regions:

Green Spain: Green Spain refers to the northwestern Atlantic coast of Spain that has a wet, temperate oceanic climate resembling that of Ireland. The vegetation comprises lush pastures and forests. The regions of Galicia, Asturia, Cantabria, and Basque countries are a part of Green Spain. These regions are influenced by the Atlantic current and enjoy fresh and pleasurable summers, but cold, rainy, and unpredictable winters, which makes these regions unwelcoming for cyclo-tourism during the cold season.

La Costa del Sol: This is the stretch of land that faces the Mediterranean Sea which comprises the regions of Catalonia, Comunidad Valenciana, Murcia, and Andalusia and hosts some of the most iconic and world-renowned Spanish cities such as Barcelona, Valencia, Malagà, Estepona and Granada. Being the Mediterranean an enclosed sea, the temperature swings here are way more contained than those on the Atlantic coast and the lower latitude contributes to the warmer climate for these regions.

The Inland and Madrid: The Spanish hinterland is characterized by dry summers with occasional downpours and mild winters. The best time to cycle the inner regions such as Madrid, Castilla y Leon, or Castilla la Mancha is early autumn, when everything gets colored in shades of yellows and reds, and rains are still pretty rare.

The Islands: The Balearic Islands enjoy hot summers and mild winters. Thanks to the Sierra de Tramunatana mountains, a spectacular mountain chain that is also noted as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its beauty, the island of Mallorca is often chosen by European professional cyclists for training in winter and early spring before the start of the season.

The Canary Islands enjoy the same climate year-round, with temperatures around 18-27°C (66-78°F), and are a great destination to cycle any time of the year (just beware: they can be very windy!).

Economy

With a GDP of 1.62 trillion in 2023, Spain has the 15th largest economy in the world, just behind South Korea and ahead of Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.

The GDP per capita, though, is pretty low by European standards at just 34.000 USD, and positions the country at the 37th place in world ranking, and 17th among the 27 EU countries.

As happened with many European countries, in the last two decades also the economy of Spain has greatly shifted toward the service sector.

Despite all of Spain's cultivated fields, agriculture in Spain produces barely 2.5% of the total country’s GDP. Industrial production, on the other hand, contributes to 20.5%.

All the remaining 73% of the Spanish economic output is due to services, which also include the tourism sector which generates roughly 11.6% of the country’s GDP.

As of 2023, Spain topped Italy as the 2nd most visited country in Europe with 85.1 million tourists, and is vying closely with France for the first spot which clocked 100 million tourists in 2023.

Last but not least, a fun fact: according to Numbeo, the cost of living in Southern Spain (Almeria-Andalusia) is about 30% that of Madrid or Barcelona.

In Spain, there’s a huge disproportion of prices between main tourist hubs such as Barcelona, Madrid, the Balearics, or Valencia where prices in hotels range from 70/80 Euros upwards, and the mainland rural areas where locals might live with 700/800 Euros a month.

I’ve traveled through the length and breadth of Spain, and after crossing the whole of Spain, cherry-picking only the best regions wasn’t an easy task, but here we go with our favorites:

Mallorca

Mallorca is, in many ways, the Mecca of cycling in Europe. With its hauntingly beautiful Sierra de Tramuntana mountains on one side and its mesmerizing views of the Mediterranean on the other side, Mallorca is where pretty much every competitive cyclist in Europe comes to train at least once a year.

Since so many cyclists flock to Mallorca, there are plenty of bike hotels and facilities for cyclists. The temperature is great during the winter when it's cold pretty much everywhere else in Europe.

Canary Islands

Closer to the tropics, the Canary Islands offer a volcanic landscape with a mild and enjoyable climate year-round. The hard part is to pick the most beautiful, as Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, and all the minor islands have something unbelievable to offer!

Costa del Sol: between Granada, Malagà, and Estepona, the Costa del Sol is a sun-kissed region jagged with art cities. It has the highest concentration of golf courses in Europe, and is one of the most sought-after destinations among tourists.

If you want to cycle in Europe in December and January, this is the place to be!

Asturias

Located in northwestern Spain, Austrias is the greenest region in Spain, with high mountain roads and the Atlantic Ocean as panorama. Asturias has a great climate, with cool summers and mild winters. However, rainfall is comparatively higher given its location on the Atlantic coast. Not to miss here are the spectacular peaks of the Picos de Europa and the long Camino de Santiago.

Pyrenees

Among the highest mountains in continental Spain, the Pyrenees are an ideal destination for those who are looking to explore Spain in summer. The high altitude makes this region fresh and enjoyable from June to September, and all the mountain lakes, pine forests, and green roads are a marvel for the eyes!

The Tour of the “Sierra de Tramuntana” in Mallorca (Balearic Islands)

Mallorca is the favorite playground for cyclists of every level, and the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains are its masterpiece!

Starting from the posh village of Port-Andraxt, there is a 137 km (85 mi) mountain road that crosses the mountain range to reach Cap de Formentor on the other side of the island.

The road crosses some of the most breath-taking sceneries that the island has to offer, including picturesque towns such as the “hippie” Valdemossa which was voted among the most gorgeous towns in Spain.

The bay of Banyalbufar and its terraces of lemon trees in Soller are famous for a 100 years old train that still crosses its streets.

Not to miss on the way are a stop at the overhang restaurant Es Grau from where the cliff views are unbelievable!. Taking a picture at the old tower of Ses Almes, descending the postcard-worthy serpentine of Sa Calobra and of course, watching the sunrise or the sunset at the lighthouse of Cap de Formentor, where the landscape seems from another world, are some of the other highlights of this route.

To savor the way it’s possible to split up the road into multiple days and rest in one of the many villages on the way, which offer cheap accommodation for cyclists. .

The Eurovelo 8

One of the most beloved Mediterranean cycling routes in Europe, the Eurovelo 8 starts from Girona in Catalunya and runs for over 1,000 kms (630 mi) until Tarifa, the southernmost point of Spain. Along the way, it crosses Murcia, which is famous for being Europe’s orchard due to its long history of producing the finest fruits and vegetables in Europe. The route also passes through Andalusia, the capital of Flamenco and Spanish tile art.

If you have limited time and you need to choose a portion of the route, we would recommend you choose either the route from Malagà to Tarifa better with stops in Estepona – the city of Graffiti – and Marbella, or Girona to Valencia, with must-do stops in Barcelona and the thermal baths of Tarragona.

The Picos de Europa Route

This is a pleasant 28 km route (17 mi) for intermediate=level cyclists that crosses the Parque Nacional Picos de Europa, starting from Auserva, in Cantabria, northern Spain.

Forget all about traffic, big cities, and mass tourism/ Here we are between the Asturian mountains and unspoiled nature surrounds us on all sides.

The highlights of this route are surely the mountain lake Covadonfa located 1,134 m (3,720 feet) above sea level, the Mirador de la Reina, a viewpoint offering great views of the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains, and the Lago Enol, another tranquil highland lake.

This route is open only from the end of March to early October, as in winter the lakes freeze and the snow blocks the road.

The La Rioja Winery Route

La Rioja in northern Spain is the most famous wine region in the country. the iconic La Rioja Spanish wine originates from this region.

When cycling through this wonderful part of Spain, you can expect to come across rolling vineyards, ancient monasteries, and rustic medieval towns, all while being able to admire the Sierra de la Demanda mountains as a backdrop.

If you’re looking for a cycle tour that combines great scenery with an exceptional culinary experience, you can’t go wrong with La Rioja.

Stops not to be missed are Logroño, the historical capital of the region, the mountain village of Ezcaray, the vineyards of Haro, and the Ebro River. Of course, don’t forget to stop also in one or more of the many tapas bars that populate and give life to the whole route!

The Sherry Triangle

Sherry is to Spain what port is to Portugal, scotch is to Scotland, and champagne is to France. And the finest sherry in the world comes from an area in southwestern Spain known as the Sherry Triangle.

The cities of Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and El Puerto de Santa María are the three corners of this sherry producing triangle. In fact, under Spanish law, any drink labeled sherry must necessarily come from this region.

The region has flat terrain facing the Atlantic Ocean. the landscape is dotted by vineyards and wineries and the climate is pleasant, being moderated by the ocean.

The word sherry, in fact, is derived from the city of Jerez.

Best Season

For the Northern Regions of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and Basque Country, the best time to visit is between May and October, when the temperatures are pleasurable (14-24°C / 57-75°F) and the weather more predictable.

For Costa del Sol including Catalonia, Comunidad Valenciana, Murcia, and Andalusia, the best of the year for cycling is between October and March, when temperatures are more than comfortable (10-25°C / 50-77°F).

Many cyclists choose to come to Andalusia in December - January (during the European winter) as most of the continent gets covered by snow or flooded with rain, while this Spanish region generally enjoys sunny and warm winters.

If you’re planning to cycle the Pyrenees mountains (Aragon, North Catalunya, Andorra), plan your trip from May to September and you will find chill mornings and warm days, ideal for pedaling the mountains.

For the hinterland and Madrid, autumn is a spectacular time to cycle, as nature will be at its best and the explosion of the colorful foliage will accompany your journey along clear skies and make it even more memorable!

For the Balearic Islands including Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza, the best time to visit is the mid-seasons: spring (February-April), and fall (October-November), where temperatures are favorable and precipitation rare.

The Canary Islands are a year-round destination. Being close to the tropics and surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on all sides, the weather remains practically the same all year round, with temperatures varying between 22 to 27°C ( 71-80°F).

Peak Season

The peak season in Spain is the summer from June to September, as tourists from all over Europe assault the country’s coasts looking for sun, non-stop parties, and summer vibes.

Luckily for us, the peak tourist season doesn’t necessarily coincide with the best time for cycling in Spain, as summer in most regions is way too hot for cycling!. this is great for booking accommodation at lower off-season rates!

That said, Spanish cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, or Granada are beloved by international travelers, and are crowded year-round, and even in low season you’re better to book well in advance if you’re aiming for favorable fares.

Off Season

The off-season in mainland Spain and the Balearics is the winter, while the Canary Islands are popular year-round. The periods you should avoid for cycling are:

1. The winter months (Nov – Feb) for the Northern regions, which are cold, rainy and temperatures might drop well below 0°/ 32°F
2. The summer months (May-Sept) for the Balearics and the Costa del Sol, where temperatures range between 25 – 40°C (77 -104 °F)
3. October-April for the Pyrenees, where the cold season is long and roads might get closed due to snowfall
4. Summer months (June-August) for the inland regions, as they can get scorchingly hot and the extremely dry air would make cycling hard and unpleasant.

Spanish cuisine is one of the “big 4” cuisines in Europe (along with Italian, French, and Greek) and goes back well over a millennium in its unbroken tradition.

Must try dishes when Cycling in Spain are:

Paella

Typical of the city of Valencia, but loved all over Spain, Paella is a rice dish cooked in a very thin pan and covered with meats, seafood, and vegetables along with saffron, tomatoes, and peppers. There are many versions, two special ones are the “Paella Ciega” (made with black rice), and the Paella de Bogavante (with lobster!).

Pimientos de Padron

Little green peppers fried and covered with thick salt, they are typical of Galicia. Their taste is slightly spicy and pleasant, a true delicacy!

Jamòn Iberico de Bellota

if you love dry-cured ham, Spain is the place to be! The country has an enormous tradition for hams, and that’s something that cannot be missed in any Spanish dish! The “Jamòn 100% Hiberico” is a cut of a particular species of Spanish pigs cured for 36-48 months, a meat that melts in the mouth! Fantastic is also fantastic to eat it on bread with local olive oil!

Patatas Bravas

Fried potatoes with a gently spicy sauce, a great snack to accompany a local Spanish beer

Churros

The king of Spanish breakfast, churros are popular and inexpensive snacks made from fried dough, cut into sausage shapes, and doused in sugar. Dipping them in hot melted chocolate is pretty much the law.

Spain is a member state of the EU and part of the Schengen Area.

If you’re not a citizen of a member state, you can apply for a Uniform Schengen Visa which will allow you to stay in the country for up to 90 days.

You can find more information on the EU Page for the Schengen application.

Currency

The official currency in Spain is the Euro. As of July 2024, 1 Euro = 1.10 USD.

In the country, all major credit card circuits are accepted (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express), and all merchants are obliged by law to offer the possibility of paying by card.

This makes carrying liquid cash quite optional when cycling in Spain, although having a small amount of you is always a clever idea as sometimes you might find street vendors that won’t leave you a receipt for their services.

Transport

The public transportation in Spain is generally efficient, although not always round the clock!

In most tourist cities, buses and metros are cheap, fast, and frequent, and moving around is pretty easy.

The main companies operating in the country are Flixbus and Alsa Spain. Most buses offer the possibility to carry bikes, although its good to always check before booking to make sure!

Trains are a great way to move between major cities, but due to the shape of the country, they are not as capillary as they are in most central Europe.

Many remote locations of Spain, especially away from tourist hotspots, are pretty much still cut off from public transport, and having your own vehicle remains the best mode of transport to reach some remote locations.

If you’re planning to hop around different Spanish regions with your bike, a good option could be renting a campervan and keeping it as a base to sleep.

The culture for mobile homes in Spain is very welcoming and it’s easy to find free facilities, electricity, and water free of charge on the road.

Language

The official language of Spain is Spanish.

Some regions have their own officially recognized languages too such as Catalan for the Catalonia region including Barcelona, Basque for the Basque region bordering France, or Galician used in northwestern Spain.

While most regions have different accents, Spanish in general is not a language with strong and different dialects and everybody speaks the same “high” language.

The level of English speakers in Spanish is among the lowest in Europe — only 27% can communicate in English — and even the younger generation has a hard time understanding simple English.

That said, the Spanish people are extremely welcoming and extroverted with foreigners and even without a shared language, most people won’t have a hard time communicating with Spanish and pick up mall talk words such as “Buenos dias” (good morning), “gracias” (thanks), or “cerveza” (beer).

Culture and Religion

As already mentioned, the Spanish culture is very open, extroverted, and direct.

Spanish people talk much louder than northern Europeans, and the Spanish language is pleasantly rhythmic, just like the lives of the Spanish people.

Among the things that the Spanish love most are Latin music such as Spanish reggaeton, dancing including flamenco, salsa, bachata, merengue, rumba, and all Latin/Caribbean dances, karaoke and bingo.

Yes, you heard it right — Spanish people get crazy with bingo!

Young or old, everybody loves this simple luck game, and it’s common to find games of bingo at fairs, municipality celebrations, and summer fests. The most awaited bingo game of the year takes place at Christmas when the winning ticket awards the “Gordo” prize of 4 million Euros.

As for religion, 44% of Spanish people identify themselves as atheists, 52% as Catholics (although more than 80% are non-practicing), and the rest are divided between Muslims and minor faiths.

Appliances and Devices

Electricity in Spain, as in most of the European continent, is supplied at 220-240 volts, and Spain uses a frequency of 50 Hz.

The electrical sockets in Spain are of three types: type-C (2 simple round pins) or type-F (shuko- two large round pins). Those are the most common types of sockets in Europe which work with most electronics coming from the old continent.

If you’re coming from the UK, USA, or Asia, we suggest you bring or purchase a universal adapter. Mobile Coverage

4G and 5G coverage is widely available all over the Iberian peninsula.

In the Pyrenees and remote rural areas though, many dark areas remain where both mobile service and data are not available.

The main Spanish phone companies are Vodafone, Movistar, Orange, and Yoigo, which all sell prepaid SIM cards with data. You could also think about getting an e-sim by E-travels, Maya mobile, Airalo, or Holafly.

Time Zone

Spain follows the Central European Time (CET) zone, which is UTC+1. However, during daylight saving time, it switches to Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC+2.

Read: Don Chischotte de la Mancha (Miguel de Cervantes 1605), La Sombra del Viento (Carlos Ruiz Zafon 2001)

Listen: Julio Iglesias, Rosalia, Alejandro Sainz, Nino Bravo, Ana Mena, Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, Louis Fonsi

Watch: Ocho Apellido Vascos (2024) , El mundo es Nuestro (2012), Campeones (2018)

Eat: Paella, Pimientos de Padron, Enseimada, Bull’s Balls, Jamòn Iberico, Gazpacho, Lechona, and Tapas of all kinds!

Drink: Cerveza Estrella Galicia, Cerveza Rosa Blanca, Rioja Wine, Sherry, Tinto de Verano, Sangria! Learn: to cook a Paella, to make Sangria, to dance Flamenco

Experience: Watch a Flamenco show in Sevilla, visit the Oceanographic in Valencia, visit the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, visit the Alhambra in Granada, Eat tapas in Malaga, visit the Graffiti in Estepona, Wind-surf in Tarifa, visit the Mega-Museum of Beer in La Coruna, cycle the Asturian mountains, stroll around the streets of Segovia and witness the Roman aqueducts, fly to Mallorca and descend the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sa Calobra, assist a traditional bullfight.

If you’re interested in cycling in Spain, drop us an email, and we will be happy to craft a dream Spain cycling itinerary for you. Each guided bike tour we offer is organized by a passionate local trip leader who will provide you with all the support you need, world-class bikes and equipment, and plenty of tips and information on what to visit, where to eat local, and what to try.

Electric bikes are also available for all our bike tours.

You can explore some of our other guides to cycling in Europe, such as our Italy Cycling Guide and Portugal Cycling Guide.