On visiting Catalonia, it becomes clear why there is such a strong sense of belonging and pride. Catalonia is home to beautiful and diverse landscapes from mountains to beaches and everything in between. It is a bastion of culture with a rich history that also happens to be home to world-renowned cuisine and art. The Cycling Catalonia: Beaches, Wine & Dali tour provides a glimpse into Catalonia's rustic and historical side as you peddle through vineyards and villages that date back to medieval times, with plenty of opportunities to try the region's wines and explore the museums. 

In a Nutshell

Where? Starting in the city of Girona, which dates back to the 12th century and is home to one of the best-preserved Gothic quarters in Europe, the cycling begins on day two as you cycle along the El Carrilet cycleway follows the Onyar River. The forests of cork trees soon give way to coastal views as you approach the town of Saint Feliu de Guixols. Cycling along Catalonia's Mediterranean coastline, you pass by coves and bustling villages where fishers bring in the hauls that are made into famous Catalonian seafood dishes such as Esqueixada. Then, heading back inland, the route takes you through groves of olives and almond trees before arriving at the medieval village of Pals, where 11th-century towers overlook vine-covered hills. After a night in Torroella de Montgri, a leisurely cycle takes you to Peralada. En route, you pass the Greek and Roman archaeological site of Empirues. Peralda is home to some of Catalonia's oldest wine cellars, the impressive Peralada castle, and the fantastic art collection housed in the 14th century Carmelite Convent. A few days are spent exploring the sites in Peralada, including three tours of traditional Catalonian wine cellars where you will learn about the historical production of the Grenache and Syrah grapes and taste Cava at the revered revered revered wine cellars of Trobart. Moving on, a gentle ride through the vineyards ends in Figueres, where Dali's theatre/museum is the focal point, an unbelievable collection of paintings, sculptures, holograms and other dynamic installations. 

Distance? 225 - 249 km, depending on the daily options you choose. This equates to average daily distances of 37.5 km or 41.5 km with a maximum daily distance of 49 km.

Grade? Easy to moderate. Some days are harder than others with some slopes, especially on the coastal trails, but most cycling is on farm tracks, rural routes and quiet country roads. The bike available is a 24-speed touring bike from Scott; however, we can also arrange for Ebikes if you prefer a power-assisted ride.

Why Cycle Here?

This is the perfect trip to discover Catalonia, both for those who haven't yet experienced the region and those who have. First, spend time in Catalonia's hidden corners and less explored areas on a relaxed cycling tour that affords plenty of opportunities to soak up the culture, whether it's exploring medieval villages, wine tasting or watching the catch being unloaded in a small fishing village. Next, enjoy some of the best wines that Spain has to offer and learn about the history of wine production in Catalonia. Next, take the opportunity to test your pallet on wine tasting tours in some of Catalonia's most famous wine cellars, many of which date back centuries. The deeply intense Priorat is one to go for if you like big reds or stick to the crisp, refreshing hit of a great bottle of Cava. Finally, spend time exploring some of Catalonia's most historically and culturally significant places. From the Gothic city of Girona to the historic village of Peralada and Salvador Dali's home town, Figueres.  

Planning and Preparation

Getting to our Cycling Catalonia trip is easy. Most airlines, as well as Ryanair well serve Girona airport. It is a 20-minute journey on the airport bus to Girona city centre. On the other end, there are regular trains from Figueres to Girona (30 mins) and Barcelona (1 hour 30 mins) and even a high-speed service to Paris. Browse or book the Cycling Catalonia: Beaches, Wine & Dali tour on our website or contact a member of our team at hello@macsadventure.com if you have any questions.