Cycling the Mediterranean Coast in Spain

We start the trip in Barcelona, a captivating city of quirky landmarks and excellent cuisine. Our cycling starts tomorrow but the adventure begins immediately as we take advantage of our time here with a guided walking tour. Stops include La Rambla, Barcelona Cathedral and the Gothic Quarter. After, we get to know each other a little better with a trip briefing and our first meal as a group. Stay: Catalonia Sagrada Familia or Hotel Ronda House (or similar).

After breakfast, we have a transfer (approximately one hour) to Sitges where we adjust our bikes before we start cycling by the coast. We explore some of Sitges, cutting through the cobbled streets and along the promenade before we start a gentle climb through a forest to get to Vilanova i la Geltrú, where we stop for a well-deserved coffee.

Afterwards we enjoy lunch at one of the many great restaurants along the way with sea-view tables. We then jump back on the bike and join the national road leading us to the Arc de Berà, which marks the Via Augusta connecting all the cities the Roman Empire controlled. Our destination today is the medieval town of Altafulla.

This evening, we have a guided walking tour, visiting the castle and the main square, Plaça del Pou, where there is a sculpture called Castell depicting an eight-person-high human tower. Stay: Hotel Altafulla Mar (or similar) (B).

We start with a transfer (approximately 30 minutes) this morning to cross the city of Tarragona and begin cycling in the coastal town of Salou. We ride along the promenade in Salou and Cambrils until we join a road running parallel to the coast. We have another transfer (approximately 10 minutes) to avoid pedalling past a nuclear power station.

After lunch, we cycle to the picturesque fishing village of L'Ametlla de Mar and enjoy a quick break before our final stretch on the saddle. Our ride ends in the seaside town of L'Ampolla, known for having lovely beaches and great restaurants. As we are staying at a beachfront hotel, you have the chance for a swim in the sea or in the hotel pool. Stay: Hotel Flamingo (or similar) (B).

The highlight today is riding through the Ebro Delta Natural Park, the largest wetland area in Catalonia and home to more than 300 bird species. We cycle alongside canals that travel through rice fields and lagoons. Our first stop is the town of Deltebre, where we enjoy a coffee before crossing the Ebro river, situated in the middle of the delta.

When we reach Tancada Lagoon, we admire and take pictures of all the flamingos, plus other birds, such as gulls, marine crows and ducks. When we leave the delta, we take a coastal route in the afternoon to reach the picturesque fishing town of Sant Carles de la Rapita and enjoy time to relax at the beach or the hotel pool. Stay: Hotel Miami Mar (or similar) (B).

Today we enter the Valencia region and enjoy the most scenic day as we cycle through Sierra de Irta Natural Park. We ride mainly next to the coast and pass through the fishing town of Les Cases d'Alcanar where we find the remains of two defensive bunkers from the Spanish Civil War. We stop for lunch in Peñíscola and get a chance to explore the old streets and white houses surrounding the castle.

After lunch, we enter Sierra de Irta Natural Park and ride on a bumpy dirt track with a few short, steep climbs. This is a truly spectacular section: an unspoiled stretch of coastline offering Mediterranean Sea views while cycling through forest. Stay: Gran Hotel Las Fuentes (or similar) (B).

Today we continue cycling south along the coast, mostly using cycling paths and enjoying inspiring views of beautiful sandy beaches along the way. We pass through the Parque Natural del Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca, one of the most unspoiled wetlands in the Valencia region. Once we have reached the town of Oropesa, we use a car-free cycling path that runs along the coast and includes a few short tunnels.

We stop in Benicassim and have lunch at one of the many restaurants with sea-view terraces. After, we continue using cycling lanes but head inland to reach our destination for the night, El Grau de Castello. Stay: Hotel Doña Lola (or similar) (B).

On our last day of cycling, we start with a transfer (approximately one hour) to Playa Puzol on the outskirts of Valencia. From here, we jump on our bikes and take modern cycling lanes passing typical vegetable orchards growing the delicious produce used in the classic local paella. When we arrive in Valencia, we enjoy a guided cycling tour of the city, which includes stops at the City of Arts and Sciences, the Quart and Serranos towers, and the central market. After, we check into our hotel for a chance to shower, before we head into the city to enjoy our last group meal and reflect on an incredible week of cycling. Stay: Hotel Olympia Universidades (or similar) (B).

Our adventure ends with a transfer (approximately four hours) from Valencia to Barcelona airport. If you've still got the appetite for more exploration, speak to your sales representative to book further nights in our Valencia or Barcelona hotel (B).