Tandem Bicycle Tours, Inc.
Catalonia, Girona & the Costa Brava, Spain
Cadaqués
l’Estany de Banyoles
Besalú
Some Highlights of this Tour:
Join us for this tour of the Costa Brava, Spain. One of the more famous regions of the Iberian peninsula, the Costa Brava stretches from the north of Barcelona over the province of Girona. Known for its natural beauty where the Pyrenees drop to the sea, we'll enjoy fabulous cycling in a region known for its mild climate, wonderful wines, seafood sepcialties, and birthplace to two of Spain's most talented citizens, Antoni Gaudí and Salvador Dalí.
September 14: (Arrival) Barcelona
Our hosts will pick us up for the coach transfer to Girona. Spend time getting to know this charming city with its famous painted houses on the riverside, the fascinating Jewish Quarter and its many outdoor cafés and superb restaurants.
Lodging: Hotel Gran Ultonia
September 15: Girona
74/31 km - 1216 m/411 m gain
A choice of roundrides to Girona: maybe a short ride around the extinct volcano of Puig d'Adri, or a longer climb to the Santuari dels Àngels, scene of the wedding of Dalí and Gala and with magnificent views over the plain of the Empordà and the Mediterranean.
Lodging: Hotel Gran Ultonia
September 16: Girona to Olot
59 km - 1018 m gain
today's ride heads towards the foothills of the Pyrenees, the town of Olot, and the volcanic area of La Garrotxa. Beautiful forests now cover these extinct volcanoes with some 40 cones (the last eruptions were 11,500 years ago), which surround the town itself. The urban area of Olot actually includes two volcanic craters. Olot itself was home to a thriving textile industry and has some impressive Modernist architecture around the centre.
Lodging: Hotel Riu Fluvià
September 17: Olot
67/51 km - 1532 m/718 m gain
Take a ride into the Pyrenees with a couple of great climbs on our loop to the medieval town of Ripoll. An easier alternative ride leads to the beautiful village of Besalú with its fantastic bridge and old Jewish quarter.
Lodging: Hotel Riu Fluvià
September 18: Olot to Figueres
75 km - 783 m gain
The route leads through the Garrotxa and passing the volcanic park and the famous beech forests. We pass through charming medieval villages such as Santa Pau. In Banyoles we can stop for a swim in the lake (used for water sports in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games) before continuing to the town of Figueres, birthplace of the surrealist painter Salvador Dalí. Here we can visit the superb Dalí Theatre-Museum, where the artist’s tomb can be seen.
Lodging: Hotel Durán
September 19: Figueres to Collioure
55/48 km - 1067 m/713 m gain
A change of country. A beautiful and easy little pass takes us over the Pyrenees and into France. A great ride through vineyards with the Pyrenees behind us and the Mediterranean Sea in front of us to finally arrive at the picture postcard village of Collioure, France with its restaurants, harbour, beach and fine castle. Don't forget to try the fine local wines!
Lodging: Hôtel Madeloc
September 20: Collioure
80/31 km - 635 m/794 m gain
A choice of rides today. One ride heads north to the salt water lagoon of Étang de Canet, where we should see pink flamingos, Another ride leads to the Tower of Madeloc on a little narrow hillside road with spectacular views of the coast and the Mediterranean to finally descend to the villages of Banyuls-sur-Mer and Port Vendres.
Lodging: Hôtel Madeloc
September 21: Collioure to Cadaqués
63 km - 1311 m gain
A spectacular coastal ride take us back to Spain. Cerbère on the French side leads to Portbou in Spain as we ride the route that the many exiles took who were fleeing Spain after the Civil War ended in 1939. From Llança more coastline to the charming village of Port de la Selva and then a brief climb and a descent lead us to the wonderful village of Cadaqués and the magnificent scenery of the Cap de Creus, where the Pyrenees meet the sea.
Lodging: Hotel Llané Petit
September 22: Cadaqués
18 km - 427 m gain
An easy Day in Cadaqués. This is where Dalí's famous summer residence to found and we can ride to the lighthouse at Cap de Creus (where the Pyrenees meet the sea) to see the landscape which inspired many of his paintings. Enjoy this pretty village and its wonderful promenade.
Lodging: Hotel Llané Petit
September 23: Cadaqués to Torroella de Montgrí
62 km - 607 m gain
Over the climb from Cadaqués and across the plain of the Émpordà to the medieval village of Castelló de Empúries. We then cycle across the marshland of the Aiguamolls de l'Émpordà rich with birdlife. Stop for a visit at the huge archaelogical site of Empúries, bearing witness to the Greek & Roman occupation of Iberia. We end the Day with arrival in Torroella de Montgrí, dominated by its imposing castle.
Lodging: Hotel Molí del Mig
September 24: Torroella de Montgrí
64/37 km - 900 m/274 m gain
Two rides today: one has a combination of marvellous rocky Costa Brava coastline with stunning seaside villages such as Sa Tuna, Aigual Blava, Begur, beaches and small bays and also beautiful medieval villages. Another shorter ride leads to the Castle of Púbol, which Dalí bought for his wife Gala and where he was supposedly required to request written permission to visit.
Lodging: Hotel Molí del Mig
September 25: Torroella de Montgrí to Sant Feliu de Guíxols
48 km - 501 m gain
This ride leads across the plain past wonderful medieval villages such as Pals and Peratallada. After the town of La Bisbal de l'Émpordà a beautiful climb through Mediterranean forests and then a descent towards the Costa Brava and the lively fishing village of San Feliu de Guíxols.
Lodging: Hotel S’Agaró
September 26: Sant Feliu de Guíxols
45 km - 930 m gain
today is an out and back ride along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Costa Brava to Tossa de Mar. The road winds round the impressive hills which descend steeply to the sea below. Tossa de Mar itself is a pretty village with a fine citadel. And then back again with the views in the opposite direction. One of the best rides ever!
Lodging: Hotel S’Agaró
September 27: Sant Feliu de Guíxols to Girona
54/48 km - 937 m/544 m gain
Complete the circuit back to Girona. An easier direct ride takes us across low country to reach the capital again. Another ride takes part of the Tossa de Mar road before turning inland doing the magnificent but easy climb up to the Ermita de Sant Grau before heading across the countryside to Girona and another chance to enjoy a final visit to this beautiful city, and once again pay our respects to the lioness.
Lodging: Hotel Gran Ultonia
September 28: Transfer to Barcelona
Breakfast and shuttle to back to Barcelona and an airport hotel prior to flights home or other destinations on September 29.
September 29: Depart for home or other destinations.
We will take bookings for this tour in late 2022. In the meantime, if you are interested in this tour, please Contact Us for more information or check out our info page to see what's included on a Tandem Bicycle Tour.
Tandem Bicycle Tours strives to find quiet, paved secondary roads/bike paths for cycling and to avoid busy roads as much as possible. The description listed here is a very good approximation of our trips but routes may change marginally to improve the trip experience.
Callela, Costa Brava
Near Girona
Castell de Peralada
