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Ruth and family’s bike itinerary for Andalucia*

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Discover the traditional white villages of Andalusia at your own pace with this amazing self-guided bike tour.

ACCESSING GPS ROUTES

Click here for our step-by-step guide!

  1. Download the app called RideWithGPS on your cell phone
  2. Follow the steps to make a free account in the app
  3. Once you have your account set up, connect it with your tour routes by clicking this link: click here
  4. This should open an EVENT in the RidewithGPS app, which will include all of your routes. 
  5. To access the routes, at a later date, from the home screen in the app click on “More” then on “My Events”. You should find the routes there! Now you’re ready to pedal!
  6. We recommend downloading each route to ensure offline accessibility. 
  7. Please make sure that you finish the route recording at the end of each day’s ride.
  8. Tips for saving your battery while using the GPS: Click here

SHARE YOUR TRIP!

We love to keep up with the photos and videos of your fabulous cycling tour!

Follow us on Instagram at @bikespaintours and on Facebook at BikeSpainTours, and tag us in the posts from your trip.

Don’t forget to join our Strava club, so we can give you kudos for all your amazing bike rides!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Daily luggage transfers

Please leave your luggage in the hotel reception each morning (by 9am at the latest) so that it can be transferred to your next hotel. Make sure that your luggage is clearly labelled with the nametag provided.

Bike fitting

Your bike fitting is scheduled for Friday May 16 at 15.30h/3.30pm with Sergio at your hotel. In case of any issue please contact Sergio at +34 654 09 80 39

In case of emergency

Call the Bike Spain Tours office on +34 915 590 653, or out of office hours call +34 677 356 586. We will get you where you need to be and get you the help you need.

Mealtimes in Spain

Please be aware that Spaniards follow a very particular routine in terms of their daily meals, and this is often strictly enforced by restaurant opening hours, especially in small towns!

You can expect restaurants to be open for lunch from approximately 1:30pm – 4pm. Many places will offer a menú del día: a set menu with 2/3 options for each course, usually including a drink, bread and dessert or coffee. Remember that lunch is the main meal of the day in Spain.

Dinnertime in Spain is any time from 8pm onwards. Dinner in Spain is typically a lighter meal.

Must-try food and drink

Andalucía, a vibrant region in southern Spain, is renowned for its rich culinary heritage and diverse flavors. The cuisine here is a delightful blend of Mediterranean influences, local ingredients, and traditional recipes that have been passed down through generations.

One of the most iconic dishes is gazpacho, a refreshing cold soup made from ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, garlic, and olive oil, perfect for hot summer days. Another must-try is salmorejo, a thicker version of gazpacho, often garnished with hard-boiled eggs and jamón (cured ham).

Seafood lovers will be in heaven with dishes like fried fish (pescaíto frito) and grilled sardines (espetos), especially along the coast. Andalucía is also famous for its tapas culture. Small plates of delicious bites, such as patatas bravas (spicy potatoes), croquetas (fried dough filled with various ingredients), and jamón ibérico (Iberian ham), are perfect for sharing with friends over a drink.

Speaking of drinks, you can’t visit Andalucía without trying sherry (vino de Jerez), a fortified wine that comes in various styles, from dry to sweet. Another popular beverage is tinto de verano, a refreshing mix of red wine and lemonade, ideal for cooling off in the sun.

For dessert, indulge in flan or rice pudding (arroz con leche)!

In summary, the food and drinks of Andalucía offer a delightful journey through flavors and traditions, making it a must-visit destination for any food lover! Enjoy your culinary adventure!

Packing list

Click here for our packing suggestions for a self-guided bike tour.

Cycling safety

Click here for our recommendations for cycling safely and legally in Spain.

 
 

Bike bloopers

Click here for our recommendations on what to do if you experience mechanical issues with your bike during your tour.

 

Itinerary

Tuesday May 13 and Wed May 14: Seville
Extra days
Accommodation: Hotel Eurostars Sevilla Boutique

Welcome to Seville for Ruth and Lee, enjoy this beautiful city. A sunset walk along the river is quite spectacular! 

At leisure in Sevilla

 

  • Seville’s most iconic attraction is without a doubt the spectacular Plaza de España, built for the Ibero-American Expo of 1929 in a mixture of Renaissance and Mudéjar architectural styles with splashes of art deco. We recommend enjoying a rowboat trip on the moat surrounding the plaza, spanned by four bridges representing the ancient kingdoms of Spain.
  • Built between 1402 and 1517, Seville Cathedral (open Mon – Sat 11am – 7pm, Sun 12pm – 7pm) is the one of the largest in the world. The cathedral is topped by the iconic La Giralda tower, the ancient minaret of the old Arab mosque, and contains the sarcophagus of Christopher Columbus.
  • Surrounding the cathedral is the old Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz, a maze of narrow cobblestone streets and beautiful, flower-filled plazas.
  • Seville’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Royal Alcázar palace (open Mon – Sun 9:30am – 8pm). Originally built by the Almohads in the 12th century, and still used by the modern Spanish royal family as their Seville residence, the Alcázar is the oldest palace still in use in Europe!
  • Finishing the UNESCO trio is the majestic Archive of the Indies (open Tue – Sat 9:30am – 5pm, Sun 10am – 2pm), built in the 16th century to house the documentation of the Golden Age of the Spanish Empire in the Americas.
  • Take a stroll along the shady walkways of Parque Maria Luisa, the original venue of the famous Expo of 1929 and Sevilla’s largest green space.
  • Don’t miss sunset from Metropol Parasol, popularly known as “Las Setas” because of the distinctive shape of the vast wooden canopies and slender supporting pillars.

Thursday May 15: Cordoba
Extra days
Accommodation: Hotel Eurostars Patios de Cordoba

Welcome to Cordoba! I hope you all make it and can begin your great trip together!

At leisure in Cordoba

Ten centuries ago, Cordoba was one of the greatest cities in the world and the capital of Muslim Spain, and boasts no fewer than four UNESCO World Heritage sites!

  • Top of your list should be the Mezquita-Cathedral de Córdoba (open Mon – Sat 10am – 7pm, Sun 8:30am – 11:30am/3pm – 7pm), a truly unique construction and a microcosm of medieval Spanish history: an elegant 8th century mosque with a 16th century Gothic cathedral built inside it by the conquering Christians! 
  • Córdoba’s annual Festival of the Patios, an annual competition in which the ancient Moorish courtyards are filled with flowers is also recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Even out of season, the patios of Córdoba’s Moorish old quarter are one of the city’s main attractions. You can find more information about the patios here.

The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos (open Tue – Fri 8:15am – 8pm, Sat 9:30am – 6pm and Sun 8:15am – 2:45pm) is an ancient Moorish fortress that became the home of Ferdinand and Isabella, the famous Catholic Monarchs who carried out the reconquest of Spain, for almost a decade.

Eating and drinking in Cordoba

Among locals, a popular option are the tabernas: informal restaurantes that serve both tapas and sit-down meal options. La Taberna Santos (open from 10am Mon – Fri and from 11am Sat/Sun), located directly in front of the mezquita, is very well-known for its enormous tortillas de patatas, served in small portions known as pinchos. Other recommended options to try traditional cordobés fare are Taberna Casa Pepe Salinas (open Thu – Tue 12:30pm – 4pm/8pm – 12am, closed Sunday afternoons) and Casa Pepe de la Judería (open daily 1pm – 4pm/7:30pm – 11pm).

For a more formal meal, we recommend Ermita de la Candelaria (open Tue – Sun 1:30pm – 4:30pm/8:30pm –12am, closed Sunday afternoons) or Restaurante El Churrasco (open daily 1pm – 4pm/8pm – 11:30pm).

Friday May 16: Lucena
Arrival Day
Accommodation: Hotel Santo Domingo
Hotel services: laundry, restaurant, bar
Meals included: dinner

Welcome to Andalusia and the start of an amazing tour!

You will all be picked up at 13h/1pm at your hotel in Cordoba for a transfer to Lucena. You can have lunch, typical Spanish style, upon arrival. At 15.30h/3.30pm you’ll meet Sergio, in the hotel, for the bike fitting. 

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. Please advise reception of your preferred dinner time upon arrival.

At leisure in Lucena

Click here for our Google Maps list of recommendations!

  • El Moral Castle, once the prison of the Moorish king Boabdil and now home to Archaeological-Ethnographical Museum of Lucena (open Mon – Sun, 10am – 6pm).
  • Palacio de los Condes de Santa Ana, a beautiful example of 18th century Andalusian civil architecture (open Tue – Sat, 10am – 2pm/5pm – 8pm and Sun, 10am – 2pm).
  • Church of San Mateo, a striking 15th century Gothic building, with one of the most beautiful Baroque sacrariums in Andalusia (open Mon – Sun, 8:30am – 1:30pm/6pm – 8:30pm). 
  • Jewish Necropolis. During the first few centiuries of its existence, Lucena was an entirely Jewish city, and was known as the Pearl of Sepharad. The Necropolis, discovered in 2006, is considered to be one of the most important Jewish cemeteries in Spain, and contians information panels offering a valuable insights into Jewish history in the country.

Saturday May 17: Lucena – Zuheros
Route: 38 km/23.9 miles
Elevation: +690 m/2264 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Zuhayra
Hotel services: laundry, restaurant
Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Please leave your luggage in the hotel reception each morning (around 9am) so that it can be transferred to your next hotel

Now, it’s (finally) time to start cycling! Enjoy a beautiful route 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 greenway biking path, 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.

As you enter the town of Cabra, you have an optional ascent to the Hermitage of La Virgen de la Sierra, from where you can enjoy fabulous views (700m/2300ft over 12km/7.5 miles!)

Once in Cabra, you can decide whether you would like to go directly to Zuheros or ride an extra loop through the Protected Designation of Origin wine region of Montilla-Monriles, where you can visit Bodega Rockera (open Mon – Fri, 7am – 3pm) and/or one of the traditional lagares (wineries/olivepresses) We recommend La Primilla (open Mon – Fri 9am – 2pm / 5pm – 8pm, Sat/Sun: 10am – 2pm) or Los Raigones (open Mon – Fri: 9am – 2pm, Sat/Sun: 10:30am – 2pm).

Zuheros retains the traditional architectural style of white houses with ochre roofs, and is set at the foot of a historic Moorish castle.

Tonight’s dinner at the hotel is included in your tour package. Please advise reception of your preferred dinner time upon arrival.

Bike shops

  • Lucena: Kyclos. (+34) 957 05 20 76. Open Mon – Fri 10am –2pm/5pm – 8:30pm, Sat 10am – 2pm
  • Cabra: Luymabike. (+34) 647 42 69 12. Open Mon – Fri 10am –2pm/5pm – 8:30pm, Sat 10am – 2pm
  • Doña Mencía: Centro Cicloturista Subbética. (+34) 691 84 35 32. Open Mon – Thu 10am –2pm, Fri – Sun 10am – 7pm

Cycle route 1: Lucena-Zuheros

At leisure in Zuheros

Click here for our google maps list of recommendations!

  • Zuheros Castle: Dating back to the 9th century, this imposing castle once protected around 30 homes. Nowadays, it houses the Municipal Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Popular Arts and Cultures (open Tue – Sun, 10am – 2pm/4pm – 6pm in winter and 5pm – 7pm in summer).
  • Cueva de los Murciélagos: Zuheros’ very own bat cave! This mountainside cave was inhabited as far back as the Neolithic period and is located 4km uphill from town. Apart from the cave paintings inside, there is also a stunning view of the surrounding countryside from the entrance (open Wed – Fri, 12:30pm – 1:30pm/4:30pm – 5:30pm, Sat/Sun 11am – 12:30pm/4:30pm – 5:30pm). There is also a dedicated museum near to the cave entrance (open Wed – Fri, 9am – 12:30pm/4:30pm – 5:30pm, Sat/Sun 10am – 2pm/4pm – 5pm).

Sunday May 18: Zuheros – Priego de Córdoba
Route: 49.1 km/30.5 miles
Elevation: +863 m/2844 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Patria Chica
Hotel services: laundry, restaurant, massages
Meals included: breakfast

Today, you will enjoy a day of cycling through dramatic landscapes, passing by the traditional Andalusian white village of Carcabuey on your way to your next destination: Priego de Córdoba.

As you leave Zuheros, you can decide whether to take an optional extra loop up to the hilltop town of Baena, protected by a 9th-century Moorish fortress, and surrounded by a sea of olive groves. On the way back to Zuheros, you’ll climb up to the hilltop town of Doña Mencía, from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding area: olive groves, the Sierra Subbética and medieval foretresses. Here, we recommend brunch of lunch at Restaurante La Paloma 1976 (open Tue – Sun 11am – 6pm).

In the afternoon, take some time to wander the streets of this romantic Andalusian white village, surrounded by the mountains of the Natural Park of Las Sierras Subbéticas. This is one of the key stops on the Route of the Caliphate between Córdoba and Granada, recognised as an official Cultural Route by the European Council.

Optional: Reward yourself after your days of cycling with a traditional Arab bath and massage at Casa Baños de la Villa (open 10am – 12pm/6pm – 8pm).

Bike shops

  • Priego de Córdoba: On bike. (+34) 957 54 07 00. Open Mon – Fri 10am – 2pm/5pm – 8:30pm

Cycle route 2: Zuheros a Priego de Cordoba

At leisure in Priego de Cordoba

Click here for our google maps recommendations!

  • Barrio de la Villa and Balcón de Adarve: Explore the winding cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings and flowery patios of Priego’s Moorish old quarter, located right behind your hotel. Don’t miss sunset at Balcón de Adarve!
  • Priego de Córdoba Castle: This imposing military fortress was originally built by the Moors, but was reconstructed in the 13th century by the Christian conquerers (open Sun/Mon 11am – 2pm and Tue – Sat 11am – 2pm/4pm – 6pm).
  • Municipal History Museum: Discover the history of Priego de Córdoba, from the Paleolithic through to the Middle Ages (open Mon 6pm – 8:30pm, Tue – Fri 10am – 2pm/6pm – 8:30pm, Sat 10am – 1:30pm/5pm – 7pm, Sun 10am – 1:30pm)
  • Carnicerías Reales and Lavadero Público: – Gain an insight into how people traditionally lived in Priego de Córdoba with a visit to the well-preserved 16th-century meat market and public wash house.

Eating and drinking in Priego de Cordoba

Tonight, dinner is not included. The hotel restaurant is excellent; however, if you would prefer to explore the town further we recommend Asador La Muralla (open Tue – Sat, 8pm – 12am), located close to the hotel. Priego’s cuisine, made with olive oil with its very own Protected Denomination of Origin, completes this perfect day.

Monday May 19: Priego de Córdoba – La Bobadilla
Route: 49.3 km/32 miles
Elevation: +886 m/2906ft 
Hotel: La Bobadilla  
Hotel services: laundry, restaurants, bar, 4 pools, massage and spa
Meals included: breakfast

Today you will enjoy a beautiful cycle route through the Natural Park of Sierra Subbética, riding through endless olive trees and along quiet roads that curve through the mountains as you bike south towards the valley of the river Genil. Your destination for today, Iznájar, is a gem of traditional Andalusian architecture: a maze of narrow streets and whitewashed buildings, winding their way up a hill overlooking the impressive reservoir of the same name. The Moors called the town Hins Ashar (stone castle), after the 8th century castle that keeps watch over the area from the top of the hill.

Our route takes us up into the town to explore the winding streets and enjoy the fabulous views, before heading down to the reservoir.

After Iznajar you will continue pedaling 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 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.

Cycle route 3: Priego de Cordoba to Hotel La Bobadilla

At leisure at Hotel La Bobadilla

Enjoy the facilities: the swimming pools, the spa, take a walk in the woods…

Eating and drinking in La Bobadilla

Tonight, dinner is not included: you can choose between La Bobadilla’s three in-house restaurants, one of which – La Finca – has been awarded a Michelin star.

Tuesday May 20: Daytrip to El Torcal
Accommodation: Parador of Antequera
Hotel services: laundry, restaurant, bar, swimming pool
Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Your taxi will pick you, and your luggage, up at 10am. You will be driven to El Torcal, a unique spot perched high up! Bring an extra jumper or coat as it can be windy at the top. With a clear day you’ll be able to see the sea from up above. There are various walking paths around the area surrounded by great rock formations. The restaurant is fine, nothing special, but serves up hearty lunches and snacks!

You will have about 3h to explore the surroundings and then you’ll be taken down the serpentine hill to your beautiful hotel for the night.

You have a dinner reservation in the Parador at 20.30h/8:30pm. Dinner has been paid for, just enjoy the feast!

At leisure in Antequera

Click here for our google maps recommendations!

  • Alcazaba: The Monumental Complex of the Alcazaba de Antequera occupies the entire hilltop, and encloses what was once the Moorish medina. The majority of the monument was built in the early 14th century, using materials from earlier Roman constructions, a style commonly seen throughout the city (open Mon – Sun, 10am – 6pm)
  • Real Colegiata de Santa María: Constructed between 1514 and 1550, the royal collegiate church was the first Renaissance-style building to be erected in Andalucía. Its Gothic façade is considered to be one of the finest in Antequera (open Mon – Sun, 9am – 3pm).
  • Museo de la Ciudad de Antequera: The City Archaeological Museum houses an impressive collection of local findings dating back to Roman times (open Tue – Fri 10am-2pm/4:30pm – 6:30pm, Sat 9:30am – 2pm/4:30pm – 6:30pm, Sun 9:30am – 2pm).
  • Antequera Dolmens: The city’s very own UNESCO World Heritage Site! The Dolmens of Antequera are considered to be one of Europe’s best-preserved megalithic complexes (open Tue – Sat 9am – 6pm and Sun 9am – 3pm).

 

Wednesday 21 May – Friday 23 May: Granada
Hotel: Washington Irving
Meals included: breakfast

After breakfast, our tour will come to an end.We hope you had a great time discovering the traditional white villages of Andalusia.

Now, you’re all off to Granada! You have some important plans in Granada. 

We recommend a sunset walk around the Mirador de San Nicolas where you can likely find people playing flamenco guitar! 

On Thursday May 22 you have a guided Alhambra private tour for 8 people. You will meet at Hotel Alixares at 10am with your guide. IMPORTANT: EVERYONE MUST BRING THEIR ORIGINAL PASSPORT (NO PHOTOCOPIES). This tour has been reserved with Granada Travel Center, your reference number is #GTC – 122850. 

Then, for a typical Andalucian farewell event,  you have a dinner for 6 people at 20h/8pm with a flamenco show at 21h/9pm in La Venta del Gallo! 

At leisure in Granada

Arriving into Granada is like stepping into another country; Granada was the capital of the Spanish Caliphate for two and a half centuries, and the Moorish influence is still very noticeable in the architecture, gastronomy, and culture of the area.

  • The star attraction of Granada is of course the Alhambra, a spectacular Moorish palace dating back to the 9th century, highly decorated in traditional Nasrid style and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Alhambra is one of the most popular attractions in Spain, and so prior booking is essential; consult us for further details.
  • If the Alhambra represents the magnificence of Nasrid Granada, the city’s monumental Cathedral (open Mon – Sat 10am – 6:15, Sun 3pm – 6:15) symbolises the triumph of the Catholic Monarchs, who conquered it in 1492, ultimately uniting Spain under one banner, and are buried in the Royal Chapel (open Mon – Sat 10am – 6:30pm, Sun 11am – 6pm).
  • Take a stroll around the enchanting Albaicín, Granada’s oldest neighbourhood, established by the Moors in the 10th century on a hill facing the Alhambra and included with the Alhambra as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t miss sunset from Mirador San Nicolás! At the foot of the Albaicín, you’ll find Carrera del Darro, one of the most beautiful walks in the city. Calle Caldrería Nueva is famous for its many Moorish teashops, while Calle Elvira is one of the most popular places to go out for tapas.
  • Put on some comfortable shoes and climb up to the picturesque Sacromonte neighbourhood, whose ancient whitewashed caves were the original birthplace of flamenco. Those interested in the history of this unique barrio can visit the Sacromonte Caves Museum (open daily 10am – 6pm)

If you’re in need of some R&R after all that exploring, book a spa treatment at the Al-Andalus Hammam (prior booking required; please consult us if you need assistance), a modern-day spa built inside an original Moorish baths complex!

Eating and drinking in Granada

Granada is famous at the international level for its tapas: small plates that are provided free of charge to accompany a drink. Typically, these improve in quality and quantity with each round of drinks!

Some of our favourite tapas spots include Taberna La Tana, Bodegas Castañeda, Los Manueles, Bar Aliatar Los Caracoles (to try snails!), Bar Los Diamantes and Restaurante Casa Torcuato.

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Bike Spain Tours > Itinerary > Ruth and family’s bike itinerary for Andalucia*

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