This bicycle tour of Andalusia offers you a fascinating insight into the incredible beauty, and the intriguing history, of this part of southern Spain. Enjoy challenging bike rides through spectacular scenery, pedalling your way from hotel to hotel at your own pace. On this self-guided bike tour, you will cycle along smaller country roads and paths, with a backdrop of the stunning Sierra Subbética mountain range. This awe-inspiring landscape of rolling countryside and traditional pueblos blancos (white villages) gives you a glimpse into the quintessential Andalusia. Experience the wonder and charm of open skies and country paths that curve their way through tranquil olive groves where you can see shepherds guiding flocks into quiet town centres, where residents stroll in the late afternoon sun and gather on benches to discuss the day’s events. You’ll stay in small, charming hotels in picturesque Andalusian villages which afford you the perfect opportunity to experience traditional Andalusian cuisine paired with excellent wines. Day 1: Lucena. Arrival at leisure in Lucena. The town is 60 km from Cordoba and 85 km from Malaga. Lucena is also well connected to Granada, Seville and Jaen. This afternoon, enjoy a walk in Lucena and discover the Gothic-Renaissance church of San Mateo, from the 15th-16th centuries, with one of the most beautiful Baroque sacrariums in Andalusia. Your accommodation tonight is a repurposed 18th-century convent, full of local character and charm – the perfect place to begin your adventure! Tonight’s dinner at the hotel is included in your tour package. Day 2: Lucena – Zuheros. After breakfast, we’ll begin pedalling through classic Andalusian countryside, over rolling hills covered with endless olive trees and vineyards. Once we pass the town of Cabra, we will continue along a peaceful biking path (via verde), a former railway line once used to transport trains full of olive oil from Andalusia to the rest of Spain. Our destination for today is the charming medieval Moorish village of Zuheros, a striking example of beautiful Andalusian architecture, nestled in the Sierra Subbética mountain range. Zuheros retains the traditional architectural style of white houses with ochre roofs, and is set at the foot of a historic Moorish castle, where we highly recommend stopping to visit the local museum, which has some archaeological finds from the bat cave on display. A visit to this cave is a must – it is a natural opening running into the mountainside, inhabited as far back as the Neolithic period. At the end of the day, savor your 3 course dinner at the hotel, prepared with local ingredients. Day 3: Zuheros – Priego de Córdoba. Today, you will enjoy a day of cycling through dramatic landscapes whilst on your way to Carcabuey which is a quaint typical white village on your way to your next destination: Priego de Cordoba. This afternoon, take some time to stroll around this romantic, typical Andalusian village surrounded by the mountains of the Natural Park of Las Sierras Subbéticas. Before dinner, enjoy a relaxing moment in the Arab baths with a good massage to relax your soul and body. Tonight, dinner is not included. We recommend Balcón del Adarve Restaurant or the Asador La Muralla, both located close to the hotel. Day 4: Priego de Córdoba – Iznájar. Today you will enjoy a beautiful cycle route through the Sierra Subbética Natural Park, riding through endless olive trees and along quiet roads that curve around the mountains as you bike south towards the Genil River valley. Your destination for today, Iznájar, is a gem of traditional Andalusian architecture: a maze of narrow streets and whitewashed buildings, perched on a hill overlooking the impressive reservoir (with the same name). Our route takes us up into the town to explore the winding streets and enjoy the fabulous views, before heading back down to our hotel, located just outside town beside the reservoir. You can enjoy the afternoon at the hotel pool, with amazing views over the Iznájar reservoir. Tonight’s dinner at the hotel is included. Day 5: Iznájar – Loja. Today’s ride takes you through beautiful traditional villages, against a background of mountains and endless olive groves. Everywhere, the air is scented with aniseed, thanks to the numerous traditional aniseed distilleries that made the area famous. Your destination for tonight is La Bobadilla, renowned as one of the best hotels in Spain! A luxurious 5* hotel set in beautiful grounds, La Bobadilla is a small pueblo blanco in and of itself. Spend the afternoon enjoying the hotel facilities: relax at the spa, take a dip in the outdoor pool (open April – October), or play a game of tennis, badminton or basketball. Tonight, dinner is not included. Day 6: Loja – Antequera. Your final cycle route takes you along quiet country roads through the foothills of the Sierra Subbética, passing through olive groves and meadows, and through the medieval frontier town of Archidona. We recommend a quick stop here to visit the hilltop Moorish fortress. The route is largely downhill, allowing you to enjoy a relaxed ride into your final destination: Antequera. The city of Antequera dates back to time immemorial, to the extent that even the Romans named it “Antikaria”, meaning “ancient”! The city’s Bronze Age dolmens have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the patchwork of streets reflect the many different eras and cultures that have left their mark in the city over the centuries. Dinner tonight is not included. Day 7: Antequera. After breakfast, your bike tour will come to an end. We hope you had a great time discovering the traditional white villages of Andalusia. Antequera is very well connected with other main cities in Andalucia, and the rest of Spain on modern, high-speed trains. Accommodation: Hotel Santo Domingo in Lucena is a charming 4-star hotel set in an 18th-century former convent, featuring a beautiful cloister and elegant design that blends Moorish and modern styles. Hotel Rural Zuhayra is a charming rural hotel in the picturesque village of Zuheros, Córdoba, nestled in the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park, right next to the scenic olive groves and the green cycling route. Hotel Patria Chica is an elegant manor-style boutique hotel located in the heart of Priego de Córdoba, combining antique furnishings with modern comforts for a warm and character-filled stay. The Hotel Caserío de Iznájar rises impressively from the largest body of water in Andalucía, the Iznájar reservoir. In the heart of Andalusia, nestled between the gentle hills of the Sierra de Loja, lies this exclusive luxury retreat covering more than 350 hectares, part of the prestigious collection of The Leading Hotels of the World. Finca La Bobadilla is undoubtedly one of the best options for experiencing and discovering southern Spain. If there is one Parador that breaks with the trend of historic buildings and acts as a symbol of modernity, it is the Parador de Antequera. Activities and extras: Day trip to El Caminito del Rey. A private day trip to El Caminito del Rey provides an unforgettable adventure along one of Spain’s most spectacular and scenic walkways. Day trip to El Torcal Natural Park. Enjoy a day trip up to El Torcal Natural park where you can meander around one of Spain’s most unique karst landscapes. City tour in Cordoba. As many travelers arrive in Cordoba, before their tour, we are happy to offer a 3-hour city tour (including a visit to La Mezquita, the Juderia and the Alcázar). Extra night in Malaga. Malaga is a stone's throw from Antequera and there is an international airport there.
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