9-Day Spain Catalonia & Costa Brava Scenic Coastal Bike Tour

Please meet at the La Trobada Hotel Sport at 3pm. Ripoll is the capital of the comarca of Ripollès, in the province of Girona. It is located at the confluence of the Ter River and its tributary the Freser River, not far from the Pyrenees and the French border. The first traces of humans inhabiting the area date back from the Bronze Age. In the IX century, residents of the surrounding areas began to concentrate around the place that today is called the city of Ripoll.

Take time to have a look at the famous Benedictine monastery built in the Romanesque style, Santa Maria de Ripoll, founded over 1,100 years ago by Count Wilfred the Hairy. The magnificent Romanesque portal is one of the treasures of European sculpture. Enjoy dinner together tonight.
Accommodation: La Trobada Hotel
Meals: Dinner

You cycle today toward Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. It’s a unique landscape carved out by ancient lava flows and bordered by volcanic cones. It’s the best example of volcanic terrain on the Iberian Peninsula. Pedal along “Vías Verdes,” greenways that are usually converted old railway lines. And head down the Vall d’en Bas to reach tonight’s destination in Joanetes, a restored manor house, and relax by the pool.

Dinner is together at the restaurant at your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Vall d'en Bas
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 27 miles (43 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier to Intermediate

Today, the route descends from Joanetes to Girona by the Greenway, an easy and safe cycling path. Then spin across the countryside and see different ancient villages such as Sant Feliu de Pallerols and Amer – where you can visit the natural sparkling fountain called Font Picant. Then, cycle about four hours on the Greenway to arrive in Girona.

Girona has become a popular destination for professional cyclists from all over the world because of the outstanding quality of its roads and bike routes. But it is also a well-preserved medieval town … with narrow winding city streets and one of the best-preserved Jewish Quarters in Europe.

Stroll along the city’s medieval walls, the Passeig de la Muralla, and enjoy views of the city and the surrounding countryside … and reach the 13th-century Gothic Cathedral. Join our guided walking tour of this medieval town in the afternoon. Tonight, explore the flavors of the Catalan cuisine. Gaudir del seu menjar! Enjoy!
Accommodation: Hotel Ciutat de Girona
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 32 miles (51 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier

A comfortable bike path leads you out of Girona. You are back on a greenway Vía Verde called “El Carrilet” that leads you to the Mediterranean Sea. The small towns of Cassà de la Selva, Llagostera and Santa Cristina d’Aro offer the opportunity for pleasant stops along the ride. Great views of the Costa Brava will reward you for your efforts … all the way to the coastal town of Sant Feliu de Guixols.

Enjoy your afternoon with a dip in the Mediterranean, a walk along the beach, or a visit to el Monasterio de Sant Feliu de Guixols before dinner together tonight.
Accommodation: Eden Roc Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 29 miles (46 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier

Enjoy this beautiful ride to Tossa de Mar, which follows one of the most panoramic stages of La Vuelta a España – Spain’s “Grand Tour.”

Tossa de Mar is a small medieval village that sits on a promontory overlooking the old fortified village, called Vila Vella. It’s surrounded by walls dating back to the 12th century. They enclose the very quaint and well-preserved old town and feature three cylindrical towers and four turrets.

Walk the cobblestone streets of the village and step back centuries in time as you explore the alleys and ancient stone of this historic place.
Accommodation: La Trobada Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Biking: 28 miles (45 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier

The fresh scent of the sea will follow you along the first part of your ride today. The coastline is scattered with lovely little coves, and it enjoys pleasant temperatures most of the year. You then turn inland and pedal over rolling hills. Pass through medieval towns with their everyday life ... a chance to stop and get to know the local products of the region.

Your hotel is just outside Torroella de Montgrí. While the town is pleasant and typical of the region, it is the Montgrí Castle that dominates the landscape. It’s an unfinished 13th-century fortress that looms above the town on the hill and provides the main tourist attraction. Dinner is together at our hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Palau lo Mirador
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 36 miles (58 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier to Intermediate

Next, your route takes you north toward the coastal town of Roses. Roses was once a Greek colony. According to some historians, in the 8th century BC, Greeks came here from the lovely island of Rhodes as early as 776 BC, tempted by the peaceful waters of Roses’ natural harbor. It was there that they set up their commercial colony. Today, apart from enjoying the charms of the beaches and evening entertainment, you can still see the remains of this Greek city and those of the Roman town. Enjoy a dip in the Mediterranean here if you like.

In the afternoon, you take a chartered boat ride to Cadaques, where our hotel for the next two nights is. Dinner is together tonight in a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel Villa Gala
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 35 miles (56 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier

You have the choice today to take a loop ride to Cap de Creus National Park, one of the most amazing places in Costa Brava, a paradise with sea and mountain views ... or to take it easy, relax, enjoy the beach and get to know this lovely village, the people, the steep cobbled streets, the whitewashed houses, the memory of so many famous artists who lived here: Salvador Dalí, Luis Buñuel, Pablo Picasso, Federico García Lorca, Marcel Duchamp … People who helped to turn this fishing village into a tourist destination.
Accommodation: Hotel Villa Gala
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, you transfer to Figueres, the birthplace of the surrealist artist Salvador Dalì. Together, we will visit the Dalì Theater-Museum. He was involved in all types of artistic creation … from painting, sculpture, design, drawing, movies, fashion … and Dalì applied the surrealist concept to an amazing array of media.

Your cycling vacation ends after the museum visit. We offer one transfer to the train station after the museum visit, around 1:30 p.m. Take some extra time to explore Figueres before you head home, or arrange to spend a day or two in Barcelona if you wish. Adéu from Catalonia!
Accommodation: La Trobada Hotel
Meals: Breakfast