Spain Bicycle Tours - Costa Brava Bike Tour

By Samuel Mascarell
© copyright by bikecyclingreviews.com

Romantic Latin music, old alleyways and cottages, sangria, who wouldn't love to spend some time touring Spain? This country is home to numerous delights for travelers. Every year the bulls run in Pamplona and Madrid the country's capital has many historic political possibilities, but for bike touring nothing beats the eastern coast of the country in views, salty sea air and weekend festivals

Most routes in Spain are on the main roads, but the eastern coast has a lot less traffic than the rest of Spain. Also cycling is very popular here, so be prepared to share the road with fellow riders.

Portbou to La Bisbal

Begin your journey right on the border of Spain and France in the small touristy fishing town of Portbou.Visitors come to Portbou to enjoy the sunshine, price difference of goods that are more expensive in France and the beaches.There is also a train station in town so you can catch a ride in to start your journey.

The trip from Portbou to La Bisbal is best done by the more experienced cyclists as it is somewhat long coming in around 48 miles (77 km), and is a mix of flat and hilly land.Be aware that you will have a couple of steep climbs. Those who want to take it slow can reach La Bisbal in about 3 days, this includes sightseeing. Those with more experience could make it to La Bisbal in 1 day.

small costa brava village along the tour

Starting in Portbou get on N260 heading south, at 6.8 miles out (11 km) you hit the small town of Colera.South of Colera is a steep climb that ends with a drop in the town of Llanca, from Llanca pass through the BarrenMountains.The second peak of the mountains is the 14.3 miles (23 km) mark. From here to La Bisbal you should have flat farmland.

If you want to make a stop before La Bisbal try Figueres, the approximate half way point between Portbou and La Bisbal. Here you can enjoy the Salvador Dali Museum and find a place to rest at the Youth Hostel, a local hotel or the campgrounds.

Leave Figueres on the National Road South.About 1.8 miles (3 km) out you should see a turnoff for C252 on the left.Take it and keep on it until you hit La Bisbal. While in La Bisbal you can tour the Terracotta-Pottery Museum and admire some of the work of the local pottery master craftsmen.Also in town is the Episcopal Castle built in the mid 11th century considered important for its architecture.

Stay in the Hotel Castell d'Emporda and experience what its like to live in a real castle.

La Bisbal to Barcelona

Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

You can head down to Barcelona from La Bisbal in about 61 miles (98 km).Barcelona is over 2,000 years old and a wonderful place to end your tour of Eastern Spain. It has an active cultural life with lots of Salsa dancing, the Rambla and Boqueria market, Palau de la Musica Catalana with its evening concerts and the Picasso Museum.

Leave La Bisbal on C252 heading south. The land should remain flat and farmed as you pass through the towns of Verges, Ultramort and onto Vulpellac. Before you get to Vulpellac you should cross over the DaroRiverBridge and make a transition to C255. From Vulpellac head into Palamos which has campgrounds 2.5 miles (4 km) out of the city.

Leaving Palamos head south to S Feliu de Guixols and get on C682, on this winding road just outside of S Feliu is the 26.8 mile (43 km) mark.Pass through the towns of Tossa de Mar, Lloret de Mar, and Blanes. Blanes is a good spot to stop and have lunch while visiting the ruins of a Roman castle.After leaving Blanes merge with N11 and follow it the rest of the 36.8 miles (59 km) into Barcelona.This road is easier than the past hilly regions but there is traffic so be careful.

On the rest of the way to Barcelona you'll pass through Calella, Canet de Mar, Arenys de Mar, and you pass by Mataro, just before Barcelona you'll pass through Badalona.

You'll get into Barcelona just in time to look for a place to stay for the evening. There are hotels in the Gothic Quarter that offer interesting architecture for the sight seers but lack some modern amenities. Most hotels in Barcelona run an average of 80 to 150 Euros a night for two people; however you can find a couple that run about 50 to 80 Euros.

Majestic and the Eurostar Grand Marina Hotel that run over 225 Euros a night.

Marina Folch in Barceloneta and the Paseo de Gracia on Eixample Blvd run about 50 to 80 Euros.

Gran Via on Eixample Blvd and Jardi perched over the Placa del Pi in the OldCity are from 80 to 150 Euros.

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