Itinerary Duero River from Spain to Portugal Bike Tour (Bestwick)

Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia, is renowned for its unique blend of modernist architecture, rich cultural heritage, and Mediterranean charm. Whether you’re wandering through its historic streets, marveling at Gaudí’s masterpieces, or indulging in its culinary delights, Barcelona offers an unforgettable experience.

Top of your list should be the Sagrada Familia (open Mon – Fri 9am – 8pm, Sat 9am – 6pm, Sun 10:30 – 8pm, prior booking recommended). Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished basilica is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of Barcelona. The basilica is due to be finally completed in 2026, so now could be your last chance to see it in its famously unfinished state!

Continue your Gaudí tour with a walk around the Eixample neighbourhood, where you can admire the modernist Casa Batlló (open daily 8:30am – 10pm) and Casa Milà (open daily 9am – 6:30pm/7pm-11pm)

Head north to visit another Gaudí highlight: the iconic gingerbread houses of Park Güell (open daily 9:30 – 5:30, prior booking highly recommended).

Take a stroll down La Rambla, Barcelona’s vibrant artery. Just under a mile long, this famous street is always buzzing with locals, tourists and street performers. Don’t miss the popular Mercado de la Boquería, an enormous food and drink market dating back almost 200 years!

Head to Montjuïc to admire some modern art at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (open Tue – Sat 10am – 6pm, Sun 10am – 3pm) and the Fundació Joan Miró (open Tue – Sun 10am – 7pm), soak up some history and admire the views from the Castell de Montjuïc (open daily 10am – 6pm), or catch the nightly light and music shows at the Montjuïc Magic Fountain!

Explore Barcelona’s atmospheric Gothic Quarter, built over the original ancient Roman settlement of Barcino. Don’t miss the magnificent Gothic Cathedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia, which dates back to the 15th century (open Mon – Fri 10am – 6:30pm, Sat 9:30am – 5:15pm and Sun 2pm – 5pm).

For an immersive historical experience, enjoy lunch or dinner at Els 4Gats (open Tue – Sat 11am – 11pm. Sun 11am – 4pm), which was the hub of Barcelona’s modernist movement at the turn of the 20th century.

Treat yourself to a double Michelin star meal at Cinc Sentits, which serves up a modern take on traditional Catalan cuisine.

For fabulous seafood in the trendy Eixample neighbourhood, check out Batea (open Tue – Sat, 1pm – 3:30pm/7:30pm – 10:30pm).

Enjoy a paella by the beach at Maná 75 (open daily 12:45pm – 10:45pm), an elegant option popular with locals and tourists alike.

For an authentic experience, head down to the historic fisherman’s quarter near La Barceloneta beach for a tapas crawl. Some of our favourite bars are Can Paixano, Cervecería Vaso de Oro and Can Ros, as well as the Mercado de la Barceloneta!

A very popular breakfast in Catalonia is pan amb tomaquet: toasted bread, rubbed with tomato and topped with olive oil, and sometimes also jamón and other cured meats. Considered by many locals to be the best Catalan invention of all time, pan amb tomàquet is often served in its component parts so that you can put your own personal twist on it!

As you explore the Costa Brava, you’ll have the opportunity to try some of the region’s very best seafood! One traditional option is esqueixada de bacallà, a salad made with shredded sald cod, with red peppers, tomatoes, onions, olives and a good amount of olive oil. Another popular dish is bacallà amb samfaina: salted cod served over a tomato and vegetable sauce similar to ratatouille.

Continuing the seafood theme, make sure you try the Catalan take on Valencian paella: arròs negre. The black colour of this squid and rice dish comes from squid ink, and you’ll traditionally find it served with alioli garlic sauce.

Mar i muntanya (surf & turf) is a cornerstone of Catalan cuisine, and nowhere is this better demonstrated than in mandonguilles amb sípia: meatballs and cuttlefish served with a thick gravy sauce. Another popular variation is pollastre amb llagosta, which is made with roasted chicken and lobster.

Meatlovers are sure to come across botifarra, either as an ingredient or served as a dish in itself. Often made with apple, this Catalan sausage is used to make faves a la Catalana (a stew of beans and meat), or served with a side of haricot beans as botifarra amb mongetes.

Another traditional Catalan meat dish is cargols a la llauna: barbecued snails!

Round off your Catalan gastronomic experience with a delicious crema catalana: the region’s take on creme brulée!

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!

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.

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.

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).

Click here for our Google Maps list of recommendations in Madrid.

Visit one of the galleries that make up Madrid’s “Golden Triangle of Art”: the classical Prado (open Mon – Sat 10am – 8pm, and Sun 10am – 7pm), the modernist Reina Sofia (open Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri and Sat 10am – 9pm and Sun 10am – 2:30pm), or the Thyssen-Bornemisza, a former former private collection (open Tue – Sun 10am – 7pm and Mon 12pm – 4pm).

Make a selfie stop at some of Madrid’s most legendary landmarks: Plaza Mayor, the elegant arcaded square that has been at the centre of madrileño life for centuries; Plaza del Sol, where you can visit the iconic bear and strawberry tree statue and the Km 0 plaque, the origin of all Spain’s roads and the exact geographic centre of Spain; Gran Vía, Madrid’s buzzing central street, full of shops and theatres; and the imposing Puerta de Alcalá, which once marked the entrance to the city.

Explore the Royal Palace, the biggest in Europe, built by a  (open Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm and Sun 10am – 4pm).

Next door, visit Madrid’s unique cathedral (open daily 10am – 8:30pm), whose construction spanned more than a century and was only completed in 1993!

Take a stroll in the elegant Parque del Retiro, Madrid’s answer to Central Park. Catch at art exhibition at the striking Crystal Palace, rent a rowboat for a romantic cruise on the lake, or visit the peacocks in the “secret garden” named after architect Cecilio Rodriguez.

Watch the sunset from the Círculo de Bellas Artes rooftop bar and restaurant (open Tue – Sun, 11am – 2pm/5pm – 9pm).

Discover Madrid’s very own Egyptian temple! Dating back to the 2nd century BC, the Temple of Debod was transferred to Madrid, brick by brick in the 1970s.

If you happen to be in Madrid on a Sunday morning, we recommend a trip to El Rastro market (open Sun 9am – 3pm) to hunt for treasures and soak up the lively atmosphere!

Enjoy a Spanish-style tapas crawl at one of the local hotspots: laid-back Calle Cava Baja in La Latina, Calle de las Huertas in the historic Barrio de las Letras, or trendy Calle Ponzano in Chamberí.

For a fun local experience, grab lunch or dinner at one of Madrid’s renovated gastromarkets. The elegant Mercado San Miguel, which is located right by Plaza Mayor, is the most famous, and we also recommend Mercado Ildefonso, Mercado San Antón or Mercado Anton Martín.

Try traditional Castilian fare at the oldest restaurant in the world! Sobrino de Botín has been in continuous operation since 1725 (open daily 1pm – 4pm/8pm – 11:30pm).

Sample excellent fusion cooking in a laid-back, traditional setting at La Castela (open Mon – Sat 12:30pm – 5pm/8pm – 12:30am).

Enjoy excellent seafood at Pescadería & Club Fisherman’s, located in the trendy Ibiza district.

Treat yourself to an unforgettable meal at one of Madrid’s 27 Michelin star restaurants.

Visit one of Madrid’s “tabernas centenarias”: the title awarded to restaurants and taverns that have been in continuous operation for at least a century, and often two! Some of our favourites are Bodega La Ardosa, Casa Alberto and Casa del Abuelo. For a sweet treat, visit La Mallorquina, a bakery that dates back to 1894!

For an immersive historical experience, visit La Venencia, a unique bar that only serves sherry, where the waiters will likely write your order on the bar in chalk and where cameras are banned: a tradition dating back to the bar’s popularity with spies during the Spanish Civil War!

Ranked multiple times among the best bars in the world, modern cocktail spot Salmon Guru is a great place to celebrate your bike trip with an amazingly creative concoction!

As a land-locked city, Madrid has for centuries prided itself on its ability to obtain top-quality seafood through sheer purchasing power! To this day, fresh seafood is auctioned in coastal cities in the very early hours of the morning and rushed to Madrid to be sold in markets and served in bars and restaurants. For this reason, one of Madrid’s signature dishes is the bocadillo de calamares (squid sandwich). Try this madrileño staple at one of the famous bars near Plaza Mayor (we like Bar Postas and La Campana), or at Bar El Brillante near the Reina Sofia Museum.

One of Spain’s most cherished traditions (and particularly in Madrid) is la hora del vermut: vermouth o’clock! Traditionally, Spaniards enjoy their vermouth pre-lunch, between 12pm and 2pm, although in recent years la hora del vermut has extended to most of the day. Our favourite spot to indulge in this tradition is at Casa Labra near Sol, where vermouth is paired with delicious cod, served in croquetas and as deep-fried bites. Don’t be afraid of the frequently long queues, they move quickly!

When visiting Madrid in winter, you can’t miss one of the city’s most traditional comfort dishes: cocido a la madrileña. Every madrileño has fond memories of their grandmother cooking this hearty stew of vegetables, chickpeas, chorizo and pork, which is traditionally served as two or three courses: first the broth, then the vegetables and then the meat. Two of our favourite spots to try cocido are Taberna Malacatín and Taberna La Bola, both family-run establishments that have been in operation for over two centuries.

For the most daring, a very traditional side to madrileño cuisine is casquería: offal! These dishes date back to the hard times in Madrid’s history, and one of the most popular variations is callos: a stew of strips of tripe,chorizo and morcilla (blood sausage). For a really authentic experience, try callos along with caracoles (snails) at Restaurante Casa Amadeo Los Caracoles.

No trip to Spain would be complete without churros con chocolate! The most traditional spot for churros in Madrid is at Chocolatería San Ginés, which has been serving up churros (thin deep-fried dough) and porras (fat deep-fried dough) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, since 1894!

One of the most unique snack experiences in Madrid is buying cookies from an “invisible” nun! For centuries, Spain’s cloistered monasteries and convents have funded themselves by selling baked goods, a tradition that still persists today. Ring the bell at the Convento Carboneras (located right behind the Bike Spain Tours office!) between the hours of 9:30am – 1pm/4:30pm – 6:30pm, and place cash on the torno (rotating wall) to buy cookies baked by the nuns themselves!

As early as the 12th century, the Cistercian monks discovered water-bearing rock deep below the surface, whose mineral-medicinal waters were used to irrigate their countryside and vineyards. Almost ten centuries later, the hotel continues to employ these thermal waters in their in-house spa. Please let us know in advance if you would like us to book any treatments for you.

The Vila Galé Douro Vineyards is set in a spectacular location in the historic Quinta do Val Moreira wine estate, in the heart of the Douro wine region.

Spend some time walking around the vineyards surrounding the hotel and admiring the fabulous views from one of the many viewpoints.

Visit one of the nearby wineries: Niepoort or Quinta do Tedo (here you can have lunch at Bistro Terrace, which is run by the Michelin-starred Gaedas brothers).

Click here for our Google Maps recommendations in Porto!

The city of Porto, built along the hillsides overlooking the mouth of the Douro river, is an outstanding urban landscape with a 2,000-year history. The historic centre, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar, are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Take the funicular up to the Batalha (old town) and explore the narrow streets and colourful buildings. Don’t miss the Sé, Porto’s fortress-like hilltop Cathedral (open daily 9am – 6:30pm).

Hop over the river to Vila Nova de Gaia and visit one of the myriad of port wine cellars to discover the secrets of the regional vintage. Popular options include Sandeman’s, Taylor’s and Cockburn’s. 

Pay a visit to Livraria Lello, widely considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores (open daily 9am – 7:30pm), or climb the 225 steps of the nearby Clérigos tower (open daily 9am – 7pm) for fabulous views over the city.

Estação de São Bento: Porto’s train station is so much more than a transport hub! This former convent combines a Belle Epoque facade with an iconic interior decorated with 20,000 painted tiles.

Take a walk (or a tram) up to Foz de Douro, and enjoy an afternoon on the beach! This seaside district is full of fabulous restaurants serving up the freshest grilled seafood: try Restaurante Pedro Lemos for a Michelin star option (open Tues – Thu 7pm – 11pm and Fri and Sat 12:30pm – 3pm/7pm – 11pm) or Casa Vasco (open Tue – Sun 12:30pm – 3:30pm/7pm – 10:30pm).

Watch one of Europe’s most spectacular sunsets from one of Porto’s many miradouros (viewpoints). Popular options include Miradouro das Virtudes, Jardim do Morro and the Luis I bridge.

Set in the hilltop old town, Patio 44 serves up high-quality traditional Portuguese cuisine (open Tue – Sat 7pm – 11pm).

Visit Brasão Coliseu (open daily 12pm – 3pm/7pm – 11:30pm)  to try a traditional Porto francesinha: an enormous sandwich made with a variety of meats and melted cheese!

Local favourite Restaurante Roma (open Mon – Sat 12pm – 3pm/7pm – 10pm) is a down-to-earth option where the daily menu is determined by the catch of the day.

Family-run Casa Expresso (open Mon – Sat 8:30am – 10:30pm) serves timeless Portuguese fare in a no-frills setting.

Porto classic Adega São Nicolau serves up delicious fresh seafood in the colourful riverfront district (open Mon – Sat 12pm – 1:30pm, prior reservation recommended).

Treat yourself to a special dinner at one of Porto’s seven Michelin star restaurants.

Carb-load after your bike tour with a traditional francesinha: Porto’s famous sandwich made with layers of cured meats, steak, melted cheese, and a rich beer-based sauce. Our favourite place in Porto for a francesinha is Brasão Coliseu.

Portuguese cuisine is famous for its cod. One of the standout dishes is bacalhau à brás: a classic recipe of shredded cod with eggs, onions, and thin potato fries.

Citizens of Porto are nicknamed tripeiros because of their love of dishes made from tripe and offal! If you’re feeling brave, try tripas à moda do Porto: a traditional tripe stew with beans and sausage.

Although pastéis de nata are traditionally linked with the Belem district of Lisbon, these delicious custard tarts are enjoyed all over Portugal! Enjoy one or two with a cup of coffee for breakfast or a mid-morning snack.

Of course, you can’t leave Porto without trying some of the city’s famous port wine! Take a tour at one of the wineries in Vila Nova de Gaia, or ask for vinho do porto at one of the city’s many bars. Port wine is a sweet dessert wine, and the three main types are ruby, tawny and white.