Costa Brava Road Cycling Tour Self-Guided

Overview

Our Costa Brava road cycling tour gives you the chance to explore some of Girona’s very best cycling routes in just five nights. Challenge yourself with some of the region’s most iconic climbs, training on the same routes as the many professional cyclists that live in Girona. Explore the spectacular volcanic landscapes of the Girona area, before heading down to the coast to cycle the rugged cliffs of the Costa Brava. Finally, discover the beautiful landscapes of the inland Empordà, cycling through bucolic countryside and visiting charming medieval villages. This short trip is perfect for road cyclists looking to challenge themselves in a beautiful setting. Within just a few days, you’ll enjoy mountains, coast, countryside and castles: there really is something for everyone! At the end of each day’s ride, enjoy a well-earned dinner of delicious Mediterranean gastronomy. The Empordà and the Costa Brava boast a deeply rooted mar i muntanya (sea and mountain) culinary tradition, where seafood like gambes de Palamós, anchovies from L’Escala, and suquet de peix meet inland specialties such as duck with figs, butifarra with beans, and arroz de Pals. The region celebrates seasonal, local produce—from calçots and tomatoes to wild mushrooms—and is also known for artisanal cheeses, olive oil from the Empordà plains, and traditional sweets like crema catalana. With its own Protected Designation of Origin status, the Empordà is the heart of Catalan wine culture. The windswept terrain produces expressive Garnatxa and Carinyena wines that range from elegant reds and aromatic whites to the region’s signature Garnatxa de l’Empordà sweet wine. A new wave of artisanal wineries blends centuries-old tradition with innovation, crafting fresh rosés, experimental natural wines, and bottles that capture the Tramuntana’s mineral, Mediterranean character. Day 1: Girona (Arrival day). Welcome to your Costa Brava road cycling tour! Arrival at leisure in Girona. The city is famous for having one of the best-preserved Jewish Quarters in the world, and the Cathedral boasts one of the widest vaulted naves in Gothic architecture. We highly recommend that you climb up to the ancient city walls to enjoy the spectacular views all the way to the snowy peaks of the Pyrenees. Make sure that you take a walk along the Onyar river, where you can enjoy a picturesque view of the brightly-coloured houses that line the riverbanks. Day 2: Girona loop ride. Route: 102km/64 miles. Elevation: +1560m/+5118ft. You'll start the tour with an exciting challenge: a climb of over 1000m up to the beautiful mountaintop town of Saint Hilari Sacalm. The ascent to the town is approximately 30km through volcanic cliffs and verdant forests, and the combination of relaxed gradients and long distance make it an excellent training climb. From here, you’ll enjoy a thrilling 18km descent to the town of Santa Coloma. This is another famous training ride that is very popular with local cyclists, both amateur and professional. From Santa Coloma, you’ll enjoy a beautiful route through the spectacular Gironès countryside back to Girona. Day 3: Girona – Calella de Palafrugell. Route: 82km/51 miles. Elevation: +1120m/+3674 ft. Today’s beautiful ride takes you all the way down to the coast, cycling along one of the Costa Brava’s most beautiful roads, right in front of the Mediterranean Sea. This road was made famous in the cycling world in 2009, when it was used for that year’s Tour de France. You’ll take a cycle path southwards out of Girona, enjoying beautiful rolling climbs with glimpses of the Mediterranean Sea. From Tossa de Mar, you’ll be follow the fantastic coastline all the way to Calella de Palafrugell, an old fishing village which still retains its original charm and considered to be one of the pearls of the Costa Brava. Day 4: Calella de Palafrugell loop ride. Route: 84km/52 miles. Elevation: +600m/+1968 ft. Today you’ll enjoy some beautiful road cycling through the inland of the Empordà, made famous by Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. The route takes you through a bucolic landscape of cultivated fields, historic farmhouses and well-preserved medieval villages. In the north, you can explore the archeological settlement of Empúries, once the gateway of the classical Greek and Roman cultures into Spain, and the only site on the Iberian Peninsula where the remains of a Greek city coexist with those of a Roman city. Day 5: Calella de Palafrugell – Girona. Route: 58km/36 miles. Elevation: +875m/+2870ft. The last route of your Costa Brava cycling tour takes you north through pine forests and farmland, passing by the charming medieval village of Palafrugell, and then east towards La Bisbal de l’Empordà. Your final major climb of the tour will take you up to the Sanctuary of Els Àngels, where you will be rewarded with spectacular views. Your route will finish back in Girona, where you can celebrate your achievement (and refuel after all that cycling!) with a wonderful dinner at one of the many fabulous restaurants. Day 6: Departure day. After breakfast, your Costa Brava road cycling tour will come to an end. If you require any assistance with your onward travels, please contact our Bike Spain Tours team. Arrival/departure airport: Aeropuerto Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) or Aeropuerto de Girona-Costa Brava (GRO). Direct flights to Barcelona are widely available from many international destinations, and direct flights to Girona are available from a number of destinations within Europe. From Barcelona Airport, you can take a taxi or the local Rodalies urban train to Barcelona Sants train station (approx. 20 minutes). From here, you can travel by high-speed train to Girona. You can purchase your train tickets online. By booking online, you can ensure that you are booking the direct train (40 minutes) rather than the local train (up to 2 hours!) which can only be booked locally at the train station. At the end of your tour, you can take a high-speed train from Girona back to Barcelona (approx. 40 minutes). Please consult with your Bike Spain Tours travel coordinator if you wish to book extra nights in Barcelona before or after your tour. Some of our favourite hotels are: Casa Bonay****: Boutique design hotel and cultural centre located in the upmarket Eixample district. Ofelias Hotel****+: Boutique art hotel conveniently located clost to Plaça de Espanya and Montjuic.

Daily Ride Schedule

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included