Costa Brava & Empordà
Spain Bike Tours
Explore the coast & inland beauty of Catalonia
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length6–8 days
- Prices from€700 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
On this Costa Brava bike tour, you cycle along the coast of l’Empordà and inland through one of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in Catalonia. Impressive wild coasts, large sandy beaches, rice fields, great agricultural plains, and wetlands are highlighted.
Different waves of history have brought varied cultures and heritages, with several settlements and ruins from the Iberians, the Greeks, the Romans, and into the medieval ages. The whole region is dotted with hundreds of small villages, with well-conserved medieval castles, churches, or spectacular arched squares.
This charming route starts and ends in the medieval town of Torroella de Montgrí. As you cycle, north along the coast, inland, and back again to the coast, the varied terrain and wonderful cuisine blend to create the perfect cycling holiday.
For those who love bird watching, beyond the beaches, in the natural reserves of the wetland, birds rest on their amazing migration between Europe and Africa. A good variety of ducks, herons, waders, and other wetland birds can usually be spotted.
Highlights
- Costa Brava
- Plain and coast of Empordà
- Opportunity to visit Dali's Museum in Figueres
- Natural park “Aiguamolls d’Empordà”, an important center of bird watching
- Greek-Roman ruins of Empúries
- La Bisbal d'Empordà, region's captial
- Colorful Calella de Palafrugell
- MedievaPeratallada
- Pyrenees
- Catalan Cuisine
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Itinerary
8-day tour
Day 1: Arrival at Torroella de Montgrí
Day 2: Torroella de Montgrí - Castelló d'Empúries, 23 mi. (37 km)
Day 3: Loop ride Castelló d' Empúries, 29 mi. (47 km)
Day 4: Castelló d' Empúries – Madremanya, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 5: Madremanya - Calella de Palafrugell, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 6: Calella de Palafrugell - Torroella de Montgrí, 18 mi. (29 km)
Day 7: Loop ride Torroella de Montgrí, 26 mi. or 12 mi. (41 km or 19 km)
Day 8: DepartureAll distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions, or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the route, you may find temporary deviations/detours necessary due to roadwork or other unforeseen circumstances that will not be reflected on your maps or route descriptions. In this case, please follow the directions posted locally.
Day 1: Arrival at Torroella de Montgrí
Your tour begins in Torroella de Montgrí located on the north bank of the Ter river, surrounded by the Natural Park of Montgrí Massif, Medes Islands, and Low Ter. The Mediterranean Museum is a must if you want to learn about the area. Tour documentation and maps will be waiting for you at your first hotel.Preferred accommodation:
- Standard: Fonda Mitjà
- Premium: Hotel Moli del Mig
Day 2: Torroella de Montgrí - Castelló d'Empúries, 23 mi. (37 km)
After the delivery of the necessary documentation and bike fitting, you can start your cycle tour. Of course, this could be a relaxing day by the pool or the beach. But a nice loop ride is also available to follow the Daro River and visit some small but very charming medieval villages such as Fonolleres.You reach the ruins of the Iberian village near Ullastret, where you can enjoy the wonderful panoramic view over the area. You come back to Torroella through Palau-Sator and Peratalla, some of the most beautiful medieval villages of the area. You will have an alternative route to the coast, to enjoy the beach and the coastal village of L’Estartit.
Elevation: +162m
Preferred accommodation:
- Standard: Hotel Canet
- Premium: Hotel Palau Maceli
Day 3: Loop ride Castelló d' Empúries, 29 mi. (47 km)
Castelló is an important medieval settlement where you can visit the Jewish Quarter and its magnificent Cathedral. From there, you will head Peralada, the capital of the wine region, and then arrive to Figueres where
you can visit the Salvador Dalí Museum, the most visited museum in Spain. Then, cycling south, you will pass through Siurana, and an olive oil mill. There is an optional visit to the Natural Park of l'Empordà wetlands, a protected area of great ornithological importance.Elevation: +390m
Preferred accommodation:
- Standard: Hotel Canet
- Premium: Hotel Palau Maceli
Day 4: Castelló d' Empúries – Madremanya, 34 mi. (55 km)
Today's route takes you from the Alt Empordà region to the Baix Empordà region, cycling through the inland part of this area. You can visit typical rural villages such as Sant Miquel de Fluvià, with a Romanesque monastery, and magnificent tower, and Sant Mori and its castle. You pass Verges, a medieval village with the remains of its ancient walls, and Foixà, where we can see a magnificent panorama of the plain of the Baix Empordà. After passing the medieval villages of La Pera and Púbol you reach Madremanya.Elevation: +600 m
Preferred accommodation:
- Standard & premium: Hotel Plaça Madremanya
Day 5: Madremanya - Calella de Palafrugell, 25 mi. (40 km)
Today, the itinerary goes from the most interior part of the region to the coast. It goes through a large number of medieval settlements: Cruilles, with its great tower. Then, you cycle through La Bisbal d'Empordà, the region's capital, with its medieval castle and its Pottery Museum. We continue cycling to Torrent, where you find a singular marmalade museum. After crossing Palafrugell, we arrive at the old fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, which still retains its original charm.Elevation: +253 m
Preferred accommodation:
- Standard: Hotel Sant Roc
- Premium: Hotel Alga
Day 6: Calella de Palafrugell - Torroella de Montgrí, 18 mi. (29 km)
The route to return to Torroella de Montgrí along the area ‘Empordanet’ with a great variety of beautiful landscapes and cultural sights. You visit the magnificent medieval historic monument of Pals. This day, the route runs through the interesting area of the Pals rice fields. You have an alternative route that brings to the long sandy beach of the Ter River mouth.Elevation: +/- 180 m
Preferred accommodation:
- Standard: Fonda Mitjà
- Premium: Hotel Moli del Mig
Day 7: Loop ride Torroella de Montgrí, 26 mi. or 12 mi. (41 km or 19 km)
This could be a relaxing day by the pool or the beach. But a nice loop ride is also available to follow the Daro River and visit some small but very charming medieval villages such as Fonolleres. You will reach the ruins of the Iberian village near Ullastret, where you can enjoy the wonderful panoramic view over the area. You come back to Torroella through Palau-Sator and Peratalla, some of the most beautiful medieval villages of the area. You will have an alternative route to the coast, to enjoy the beach and the coastal village of L’Estartit.Preferred accommodation:
- Standard: Fonda Mitjà
- Premium: Hotel Moli del Mig
Day 8: Departure
Departure from Torroella de Montgrí after breakfast.6-day tour
Day 1: Arrival at Torroella de Montgrí
Day 2: Torroella de Montgrí - Castelló d' Empúries, 23 mi. (37 km), +162m
Day 3: Castelló d' Empúries – Madremanya, 34 mi. (55 km), +600m
Day 4: Madremanya - Calella de Palafrugell, 25 mi. (40 km), +253m
Day 5: Calella de Palafrugell - Torroella de Montgrí, 18 mi. (29 km), +180m
Day 6: DepartureMap
Hotels & Bikes
Accommodations
You will have your choice regarding the level of accommodations, standard (2 or 3 star) or premium (3 or 4 star). On each day’s details, you will find the name of the preferred hotel. If the hotel listed is not available, a hotel of equal standard will be offered.
Bicycles
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 5 or 7 nights in the booked category
- Breakfasts
- Roadbook & maps
- Tourist information
- Luggage transfer, max 2 pieces, suitcase (max. 20 kg) & carry on
- 24-speed touring bike
- Emergency assistance
What’s Not Included
- Tourist tax (see pricing)
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
Daily arrivals are possible from March through October 2022
Low season: March 1 through April 13 & October 4 through October 31, 2022
Midseason: April 14 through June 22 & August 29 through October 3, 2022
High season: June 23 through August 28, 20228-day tour
Standard accommodations Low season Midseason High season Twin/double $ 1325 £ 749 $ 1,186 € 865 ₪ 3130 NZ$ 1469 kr 9217 $ 919 $ 1401 £ 792 $ 1,254 € 915 ₪ 3311 NZ$ 1554 kr 9750 $ 972 $ 1478 £ 836 $ 1,323 € 965 ₪ 3492 NZ$ 1639 kr 10282 $ 1,025 Single supplement $ 441 £ 249 $ 395 € 288 ₪ 1042 NZ$ 489 kr 3069 $ 306 $ 464 £ 262 $ 415 € 303 ₪ 1097 NZ$ 515 kr 3229 $ 322 $ 542 £ 307 $ 485 € 354 ₪ 1281 NZ$ 601 kr 3772 $ 376 Solo traveler $ 113 £ 64 $ 101 € 74 ₪ 268 NZ$ 126 kr 789 $ 79 Tourist tax $ 8 £ 4 $ 7 € 5 ₪ 18 NZ$ 8 kr 53 $ 5 Premium accommodations Low season Midseason High season Twin/double $ 1654 £ 935 $ 1,480 € 1080 ₪ 3908 NZ$ 1834 kr 11508 $ 1,147 $ 1876 £ 1061 $ 1,679 € 1225 ₪ 4433 NZ$ 2081 kr 13053 $ 1,301 $ 2389 £ 1351 $ 2,138 € 1560 ₪ 5646 NZ$ 2649 kr 16622 $ 1,657 Single supplement $ 557 £ 315 $ 499 € 364 ₪ 1317 NZ$ 618 kr 3879 $ 387 $ 744 £ 421 $ 666 € 486 ₪ 1759 NZ$ 825 kr 5179 $ 516 $ 988 £ 558 $ 884 € 645 ₪ 2334 NZ$ 1095 kr 6873 $ 685 Solo traveler $ 113 £ 64 $ 101 € 74 ₪ 268 NZ$ 126 kr 789 $ 79 Tourist tax $ 15 £ 9 $ 14 € 10 ₪ 36 NZ$ 17 kr 107 $ 11 Triple room discounts are available.
6-day tour
Standard accommodations Low season Midseason High season Twin/double $ 1072 £ 606 $ 959 € 700 ₪ 2533 NZ$ 1189 kr 7459 $ 743 $ 1118 £ 632 $ 1,001 € 730 ₪ 2642 NZ$ 1240 kr 7778 $ 775 $ 1187 £ 671 $ 1,062 € 775 ₪ 2805 NZ$ 1316 kr 8258 $ 823 Single supplement $ 329 £ 186 $ 295 € 215 ₪ 778 NZ$ 365 kr 2291 $ 228 $ 346 £ 196 $ 310 € 226 ₪ 818 NZ$ 384 kr 2408 $ 240 $ 394 £ 223 $ 352 € 257 ₪ 930 NZ$ 436 kr 2738 $ 273 Solo traveler $ 113 £ 64 $ 101 € 74 ₪ 268 NZ$ 126 kr 789 $ 79 Tourist tax $ 4 £ 2 $ 3 € 3 ₪ 9 NZ$ 4 kr 27 $ 3 Premium accommodations Low season Midseason High season Twin/double $ 1302 £ 736 $ 1,165 € 850 ₪ 3076 NZ$ 1444 kr 9057 $ 903 $ 1447 £ 818 $ 1,295 € 945 ₪ 3420 NZ$ 1605 kr 10069 $ 1,004 $ 1830 £ 1035 $ 1,638 € 1195 ₪ 4325 NZ$ 2030 kr 12733 $ 1,269 Single supplement $ 414 £ 234 $ 370 € 270 ₪ 977 NZ$ 459 kr 2877 $ 287 $ 541 £ 306 $ 484 € 353 ₪ 1277 NZ$ 600 kr 3761 $ 375 $ 718 £ 406 $ 643 € 469 ₪ 1697 NZ$ 797 kr 4997 $ 498 Solo traveler $ 113 £ 64 $ 101 € 74 ₪ 268 NZ$ 126 kr 789 $ 79 Tourist tax €5 Triple room discounts are available.
Extra Options
Dinner included
8-day tour
Standard accommodation (5 dinners): $ 236 £ 133 $ 211 € 154 ₪ 557 NZ$ 262 kr 1641 $ 164 Premium accommodation (7 dinners): $ 312 £ 177 $ 280 € 204 ₪ 738 NZ$ 346 kr 2174 $ 217
6-day tour
Standard accommodation (5 dinners): $ 237 £ 134 $ 212 € 155 ₪ 561 NZ$ 263 kr 1652 $ 165 Premium accommodation (4 dinners): $ 201 £ 113 $ 180 € 131 ₪ 474 NZ$ 222 kr 1396 $ 139
Extra nights
Torroella de Montgrí
Standard Accommodation Low season Midseason High season Twin/double $ 77 £ 43 $ 69 € 50 ₪ 181 NZ$ 85 kr 533 $ 53 Single On request Premium Accommodation Twin/double $ 92 £ 52 $ 82 € 60 ₪ 217 NZ$ 102 kr 639 $ 64 $ 115 £ 65 $ 103 € 75 ₪ 271 NZ$ 127 kr 799 $ 80 $ 176 £ 100 $ 158 € 115 ₪ 416 NZ$ 195 kr 1225 $ 122 Single On request Tourist tax not included in price. This will be charged on final invoice.
Bike rental options
8-day tour
Electric bike: $ 161 £ 91 $ 144 € 105 ₪ 380 NZ$ 178 kr 1119 $ 112 Gravel bike: $ 161 £ 91 $ 144 € 105 ₪ 380 NZ$ 178 kr 1119 $ 112 Gravel plus bike: $ 214 £ 121 $ 192 € 140 ₪ 507 NZ$ 238 kr 1492 $ 149 GPS: $ 100 £ 56 $ 89 € 65 ₪ 235 NZ$ 110 kr 693 $ 69 Look or Shimano MTB pedals: $ 46 £ 26 $ 41 € 30 ₪ 109 NZ$ 51 kr 320 $ 32 Child seat: $ 54 £ 30 $ 48 € 35 ₪ 127 NZ$ 59 kr 373 $ 37
6-day tour
Electric bike: $ 115 £ 65 $ 103 € 75 ₪ 271 NZ$ 127 kr 799 $ 80 Gravel bike: $ 115 £ 65 $ 103 € 75 ₪ 271 NZ$ 127 kr 799 $ 80 Gravel plus bike: $ 153 £ 87 $ 137 € 100 ₪ 362 NZ$ 170 kr 1066 $ 106 GPS: $ 69 £ 39 $ 62 € 45 ₪ 163 NZ$ 76 kr 479 $ 48 Look or Shimano MTB pedals: $ 31 £ 17 $ 27 € 20 ₪ 72 NZ$ 34 kr 213 $ 21 Child seat: $ 38 £ 22 $ 34 € 25 ₪ 90 NZ$ 42 kr 266 $ 27
Transfers
1 - 4 people, shared costs Up to 8 people, additional supplement, per person Girona to Girona Airport $ 61 £ 35 $ 55 € 40 ₪ 145 NZ$ 68 kr 426 $ 42 $ 23 £ 13 $ 21 € 15 ₪ 54 NZ$ 25 kr 160 $ 16 Girona - Barcelona Airport $ 283 £ 160 $ 254 € 185 ₪ 669 NZ$ 314 kr 1971 $ 196 $ 31 £ 17 $ 27 € 20 ₪ 72 NZ$ 34 kr 213 $ 21 Torroella - Girona Airport $ 145 £ 82 $ 130 € 95 ₪ 344 NZ$ 161 kr 1012 $ 101 $ 28 £ 16 $ 25 € 18 ₪ 65 NZ$ 31 kr 192 $ 19 Torroella - Barcelona Airport $ 368 £ 208 $ 329 € 240 ₪ 869 NZ$ 408 kr 2557 $ 255 $ 31 £ 17 $ 27 € 20 ₪ 72 NZ$ 34 kr 213 $ 21 Girona - Torroella de Montgrí $ 130 £ 74 $ 116 € 85 ₪ 308 NZ$ 144 kr 906 $ 90 $ 26 £ 15 $ 23 € 17 ₪ 62 NZ$ 29 kr 181 $ 18 Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate
This is a moderate self-guided bike tour during which you will cycle an average of 40 km per day with an elevation difference of + 190 m.
Airport Info
Fly to Barcelona International Airport (BCN) or to Girona Costa Brava Airport (GRO)
Local Travel
Barcelona (BCN)
There are two options for onward travel from Barcelona to Girona:
-From Barcelona airport, you can take the shuttle train to Barcelona Sants main station. The shuttle train leaves from Terminal 2. If your flight arrives at Terminal 1 there is a bus that leaves every 7 minutes and takes 10 minutes to get to Terminal 2. The train from Terminal 2 departs every 30 minutes at :08 and :38. and takes 19 minutes to get to Sants station. A taxi from Barcelona airport to Sants train station usually costs about €25 and the trip takes about 25 minutes.
-From Sants station, you can take the slow train (1:46), fast train (1:30) or the high-speed train (37 min). For train times, please see this website. It is recommended to pre-book the high-speed train tickets as it gets very busy. This can be done on the same website.
It is then recommended that you travel by bus or by taxi onward to Torroella de Montgrí. The train station and bus station are in the same building in Girona.Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO): -You can use the Barcelona Bus Service (part of the Sagales Company). Buses leave for the city center every hour. You can find complete timetables on the Sagales website.
Upon arrival at the bus station in Girona, you can travel onward to Torroella de Montgrí by bus or taxi.Climate
Girona has a mild climate, with plenty of sunny days and not too much rain. There are differences on the coast, which might be a couple of degrees warmer, but with a cooling sea breeze. The best season for cycling in the land of Dali is Spring (March to June) and Autumn (September- October). Temperatures range between 20° and 25º C. In summer temperatures can reach 33° - 34 º.
Recommended
We recommend that you arrive early in Girona and spend a day or two here. Girona is a beautiful city where you get a real feeling for its history just by walking through its ancient streets. A walled city, dating back to the Roman period, it has a fascinating old quarter. You will be able to explore the entire city on foot since it is not very large.
Remarks
Regarding luggage transfer, please have luggage at reception no later than 9 am. Luggage will be delivered to your next hotel by 5 pm. In the event of an inclement weather forecast, please pack your pannier accordingly.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Emergency Assistance
In case of problems with your rental bike, emergency assistance is included. Based on the damage or the location of the breakdown, you may be directed to the bike shop for repairs. If the problem was not your responsibility, our partner will be financially responsible. Please note that normal punctures are excluded from this included service. It is understood that participants on a self-guided tour will know how to repair or change an inner tube. In case of assistance for normal punctures or if you need assistance with personal bikes, a fee will be charged for the roadside assistance.
Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by CicloTursime.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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