Costa Brava Easy Riding: Iconic Spanish Cycling Tour
Self-Guided5 days
Discover sweeping roads and a slow pace to life. This is the most refreshing leisure self-guided tour that takes you from Girona to the coast, with local activities along the way.
Style
Road cycling
Gain
1,650 m
Distance
207 km
Level
Medium
Tour overview
DISCOVER THE COSTA BRAVA AT A LEISURELY PACE
Our most sunny and refreshing self-guided bike tour will take you throughout the southern half of Costa Brava. You will discover the most iconic coastal landscapes and places in Girona, Spain’s quintessential cycling capital, at your own pace.
The tour begins and ends in Girona, a beautiful city with a rich cultural and historical heritage. This leisure tour will take you through charming fishing towns, sandy beaches, and secluded coves, as well as picturesque mediaeval villages.
This 5-day tour is designed for leisure cyclists and consists of four stages. Book now, personalise your trip, and explore these rugged landscapes and winding roads! This epic self-guided cycling tour requires a minimum of four people.
Flights not included. Direct flights available at lastminute.com
Explore the Stunning Coast Line
Highlights of your cycling trip
Day-to-day Luggage Transfers
Each day, the team will transfer your luggage from hotel to hotel, allowing you to focus on cycling. We arrange bike transfers for you on the first and last days, and the digital travel guide is available for everything in between.
Extraordinary Experience
We're taking you to one of the world's best cycling destinations. Excellent empty roads, breathtaking scenery, and a vibrant Catalan culture combine to make for an unforgettable riding vacation. Prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Customisable Accomodation
Choose your hotel level to tailor your trip to your budget. Each hotel has been carefully chosen for its idyllic setting. Throughout your journey, you'll feel well rested after each day in the saddle.
Tour destination
Costa Brava - Catalonia
Costa Brava's rugged coast, which stretches north from Barcelona to the Spanish–French border, is without a doubt the most beautiful of Spain's three main coastal holiday destinations. The satisfaction levels of cyclists here are unrivalled. The ride's beauty and quality are both excellent. There are a few stretches of coastal road that should be on everyone's bucket list. Even so, you can avoid the traffic and crowds. Costa Brava manages to keep the feel of small fishing villages while offering some seriously good restaurants and accommodations.
Costa Brava has a lot of warm Spanish sun. Fresher rides can be found north of the peninsula during the spring and autumn months. Make sure to bring your gilet for wind and rain protection and sun cream for the rest of the time.
Terrain
Costa Brava means "wild" in Spanish, which already says a lot. It's a rocky and mountainous terrain with some excellent and diverse riding. There will be some decent mountain passes and climbs, as well as some pack riding on the winding, limited, flat sections.
Culture
This area has its own distinct features, such as small fisherman's villages and some seriously good food, such as famous anchovies, and boasts a relatively unspoiled version of Catalan culture. There are some absolute gems to visit, such as Cadaqués, Salvador Dal's birthplace.
Accommodation during your tour
Brilliant 4* Hotels
Throughout the tour you will be accommodated in wonderful 4* hotels.
All our hotels are certified bike-friendly accommodations and offer cycling facilities, such as secure bike garage storage, early morning breakfast service, and common bicycle repair tools.
The trip’s first stop is the wonderful city of Girona, a major city and pro-cycling hub near the Costa Brava.
Check into your hotel, then grab your bike and hit the road right away. Spend the rest of your time ascending Els Angels, Girona’s most iconic climb, or exploring the city. Don’t miss out on strolling through its historic district or sharing your passion for bikes over a cup of coffee at one of the numerous cycling cafes.
Overnight Town
Girona
This city has established a perfect balance between history, leisure, gastronomy, and cycling culture. Girona is bubbling and alive!
Suggested Activities
Walking guided city tour
Accommodation Possibilities
Explorer – DoubleTree by Hilton
Comfort – Ciutat de Girona Hotel
Luxury – Nord 1901 Hotel
Stage 1 – From Girona to the sea
Distance
50 km
Altitude gain
320 m
You will leave Girona by bike in the morning, heading to the coast to Sant Feliu de Guxols, which has a lovely old town, marina, and beach. S’Agaró, one of the most beautiful towns to cycle in the Costa Brava, is located further along the trail.
Finally, you’ll arrive at Platja d’Aro, which has everything from Roman ruins to hidden coves dotting the coastline.
Overnight Town
Platja d’Aro
Considered the heart of the Costa Brava, this town boasts a long beach, hidden little coves, and Roman ruins.
Suggested Activities
Visit a local winery
Boat tour
Kayak or Paddlesurf
Accommodation Possibilities
Explorer – Hotel Spa La Terrassa
Comfort – Park Hotel San Jorge
Luxury – Cala Del Pi Hotel
Stage 2 – The coastline of Costa Brava
Distance
40 km
Altitude gain
580 m
Today you will visit Palamós, a fishing village, and two of its most famous and beautiful coves, La Fosca and El Castell.
You will continue through the Natural Park of Cap Roig to the main streets and promenade of Calella de Palafrugell.
Continuing on Llafranc’s path to Pals, don’t miss a stop at the picturesque Sant Sebastià lighthouse, which offers panoramic views of the sea. Finally, you’ll arrive in Pals, a lovely mediaeval town.
Overnight Town
Pals
A stunning Medieval old town, surrounded by bucolic rice fields and with a big beach where to enjoy different water sports, is a village with marvellous contrasts, where you won’t get bored.
Suggested Activities
Visit a local winery
Visit the Botanic Cap Roig’s Gardens
Accommodation Possibilities
Explorer – Ses Garites
Comfort – Arkhé Hotel Boutique
Luxury – Gastro-Hotel Es Portal
Stage 3 – Marshlands and islands
Distance
57 km
Altitude gain
390 m
You will ride through the rice fields of Pals to the Marshlands of Baix Ter, where you will have the opportunity to observe natural beauty as well as a variety of birds that inhabit these lands.
You will also visit Estartit, a family-oriented beach town with stunning views of the Illes Medes, one of Europe’s most important marine parks.
Overnight Town
Pals
A stunning Medieval old town, surrounded by bucolic rice fields and with a big beach where to enjoy different water sports, is a village with marvellous contrasts, where you won’t get bored.
Suggested Activities
Visit a local winery
Boat tour
Accommodation Possibilities
Explorer – Ses Garites
Comfort – Arkhé Hotel Boutique
Luxury – Gastro-Hotel Es Portal
Stage 4 – The medieval villages
Distance
60 km
Altitude gain
360 m
Returning to Girona will take you through a stage rich in history and surprises as you explore the inland region of Baix Empordà and its magnificent walled towns.
You will travel from Pals to Palau-Sator, which is famous for its clock tower. Peratallada followed, with his imposing town walls and moat. Finally, there is Ullastret, a mediaeval and ancient Iberian settlement.
Following the mediaeval towns, you will head north in search of the Ter River, which you will mostly follow on today’s route to Girona.
Optional Overnight Town
Girona – additional extra This city has established a perfect balance between history, leisure, gastronomy, and cycling culture. Girona is bubbling and alive!
Suggested Activities Walking city tour
Accommodation Possibilities Explorer – DoubleTree by Hilton Comfort – Ciutat de Girona Hotel Luxury – Nord 1901 Hotel
Getting there
Information to help you book your flights and get around.
Any questions about flights and transfers? The Epico team is here for you. Ping us via the chatbot in the corner of your page or send an email to [email protected]
Flying in
Fly in airport: Barcelona or Girona
When best to fly in: in the morning or early afternoon on the first day of the self-guided tour (before 14:00)
Transfers: scheduled airport transfers are extra for an additional fee which can be added to your trip at booking
Flying out
Fly out airport: Barcelona or Girona
When to leave: in the afternoon on the last day of the self-guided tour
Transfers: scheduled airport transfers are extra for an additional fee which can be added to your trip at booking
Tour essentials
What’s included in your cycling trip.
Choice of Accommodation
Standard accommodation is a shared room with another rider in your group (if applicable)
Digital Guide
Turn by turn navigation throughout the entire trip
Daily Luggage Transfer
Support vehicles will transport your luggage on to the next hotel, so you only have to carry your essentials
Experienced Mechanic
Mechanical service in case of breakdowns (does not include spare parts in customer bicycle repairs)
Health Insurance
Medical sport accident insurance covering any cost up to €6000 is included on this trip
What’s not included in your cycling trip.
Flights
The best airport to fly to is Barcelona or Girona. We will then organise for you and your bike. If you have any questions on how to best organise your flights, contact us for more information.
Meals
Unless you add them on, meals are not included during this self-guided trip.
Transfers
Airport pick up and drop off can be arranged. Let us know if you want to add this on to your booking.
Extra
Bike rental
Only €220 for the entire trip
It’s not always easy travelling with a bike but fear not, high quality disc brake carbon bikes are available for rental for the duration of the tour. To make sure you get the maximum from your bike for your trip, we’ve partnered with some of the best brands in cycling to give you the latest choice of equipment.
Choose a CANYON CF 7 etap AllRound (Gravel) or a SCOTT SubCross20 E-Ride electric touring bike to suit your needs for your tour.
With a variety of sizes available, we can ensure your bike fits you perfectly. All rental bikes are mechanically checked and adjusted before each and every tour so you can have peace of mind that your bike will be running smoothly from start to finish!
You can select this option when you proceed to checkout.
CANYON CF 7 etap AllRound (Gravel)
Fitted to you and ready to ride!
More things to maximise your cycling trip
EXTRA
Hotel Upgrade
Starting from €100
Upgrade your hotel to the mid-range Comfort Level or premium Luxury Level. Prices vary depending on the season of your trip and your accommodation choice. Price per person.
EXTRA
Return airport transfers
Starting from €60
Add on your airport transfers from Girona for €60 or Barcelona for €240. Prices are based on groups of 4+ and are per person.
EXTRA
Half Board Meal Add-On
Starting from €120
Include breakfast and dinner throughout your trip for an additional €120 per person (€240 if you choose the Luxury Level accommodations).
Booking options
Choose when you want to travel
Don't see the travel dates you want or have a special request, such as adding a non-rider, please contact us.
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