Andalusia at its Finest: Exploring White Villages on Greenways
There's no doubt about it: Andalusia is the most exotic region in Europe! Since the Romantic era, Andalusia has been the land of beautiful, passionate women, proud men, seducers, brave bullfighters, and flamenco-singing and dancing gypsies. A land where honorable men roam the mountains as bandits and nobility is still a virtue. You'll feel as if you've traveled to an Arabian empire when we lead you through the narrow streets of Córdoba to the massive walls and gates of the Mezquita. Like a wonder of the world, the mighty battlements of one of the most important mosques in the Arab world rise before you.
Andalusia: A Cycling Adventure: Combine history, culture, and nature on our exciting cycling tour. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Mezquita in Córdoba, wander through the charming streets of Seville and Granada, and cycle through dramatic landscapes on peaceful "Vías Verdes" (Greenways).
________________________________________________________________________
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Granada
Your guide will meet you at 7:30 PM in the lobby of your hotel on the Alhambra Hill (transfer from Malaga available upon request). The Alhambra Palace Hotel is perched high above the city, adjacent to the ancient Arab royal palace. Known as "Al-hambra," or "The Red," for its reddish-brown brickwork, it stands majestically above Granada against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada, a mountain range soaring over 3,000 meters. The snow-capped peaks seem to float on the horizon above the city. In the evening, you'll stroll to a romantic restaurant overlooking the old city. 1st night Alhambra Palace****/Granada.
Day 2: Enchanting Granada | 27 k (17 mi), moderate
In the morning, you'll transfer to the Sierra Huétor Natural Park north of the city (50 km, approximately 45 minutes). Here, you'll mount your bikes and embark on a journey through a wild, pristine mountain landscape, following secondary roads, initially on forest paths and gravel tracks. On a clear day, you'll have breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada peaks. As you approach Granada, the final kilometers are mostly downhill.
Afterwards, you'll wander through the Arab quarter of the Albaicín, exploring its narrow alleyways and reaching a picturesque viewpoint. Below, the enchanting Alhambra and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada form a mesmerizing sight. The rest of the afternoon and evening is at your leisure (dinner not included). The Albaicín offers numerous tapas bars inviting you to indulge in local cuisine.
We highly recommend visiting the Alhambra! Due to recent restrictions on ticket access, it's nearly impossible to secure group tickets for the same time slot. Therefore, we kindly ask you to book your tickets individually online (tickets.alhambra-patronato.es/en). Please reserve an afternoon time slot (after 4 PM) to ensure you can participate in the cycling tour. Tickets can be booked two months in advance. If you provide us with your passport details and ticket preferences, we can assist you in booking time slots for a fee of €22 per person. In Granada's old town, you can explore the monumental cathedral and the Royal Chapel, the final resting place of the Catholic Monarchs. 2nd night Alhambra Palace****/Granada.
Day 3: White Villages and the "Via Verde" | 41 k (26 mi), easy
In the morning, you'll be transferred by bus (95 km, approximately 85 minutes) to the rugged mountain landscape of the Sierra Subética. Here, water and wind erosion have shaped the limestone mountains. White rock formations rise from green oak forests, and the landscape is dotted with dense mastic shrubs, providing shelter for a variety of protected and rare animals. The village of Zuheros, nestled on a hilltop, is a photographer's dream. Its tightly packed white houses and towering castle evoke the atmosphere of medieval Spain.
You'll follow a disused railway line, transformed into a "Via Verde" (Greenway), offering a gentle and traffic-free cycling experience through this stunning landscape. The route takes you past old viaducts and tunnels, with minimal uphill and downhill sections. The vast olive groves, stretching as far as the eye can see, are a testament to the region's agricultural heritage. Many villages are crowned by Moorish castle ruins, adding to the picturesque charm of Andalusia.
The Via Verde ends in Cabra, from where you'll be transferred by bus to the white city of Antequera (64 km, approximately 50 minutes). Antequera lies at the foot of a dramatic, barren mountain range. Your 4-star Parador hotel offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The city's historic skyline is dominated by an ancient castle and numerous church towers. Dinner and 1 night Parador de Antequera****/Antequera.
Day 4: Lagoons, Bullfighting, and the Ronda Gorge | 36 k (23 mi), moderate
A few miles outside Antequera, you'll pick up your bikes again. Your cycling route takes you through the rural hinterland of the Costa del Sol. Once known for its numerous lagoons, attracting flocks of flamingos, the landscape has been affected by prolonged drought. Nevertheless, the natural beauty remains captivating, with hills bathed in hues of ochre and green, and the air filled with the scent of thyme and oregano.
You'll cycle past grand country estates, known as "cortijos," through a rolling landscape marked by agriculture. A short hike to a hilltop offers panoramic views of a dramatic landscape, where reservoirs have flooded canyon-like valleys, creating a network of interconnected lakes. The cycling route winds through a rocky wonderland and along a river valley lined with orange trees.
A bus transfer takes you over the steep mountain pass of Puerto de las Palomas, offering breathtaking views of the rugged landscape. The town of Ronda, perched atop two steep rock formations, has been considered impregnable since prehistoric times. The steep cliffs plunge into a deep gorge, carved by a river. Daring bridges connect the two parts of the city. Houses and gardens cling to the edge of the abyss.
Dinner and 1st night Hotel Catalonia Ronda****/ Ronda.
Day 5: In the Land of the "Bandoleros" | 35 k (22 mi), easy
Today, you'll explore the wild and romantic Sierra Grazalema. White villages, resembling dollhouses, dot the mountain slopes. Zahara de la Sierra clings to a steep rock face, crowned by an ancient castle. Below the village, a deep blue lake invites you to cycle along its shores.
A scenic bus ride takes you over the Puerto de las Palomas pass, offering breathtaking views of the soaring cliffs and circling vultures. This protected natural park is a haven for endangered species, including the griffon vulture. The descent by bike on a well-paved road rewards you with panoramic views of the mountain landscape. After visiting the charming mountain village of Grazalema, you'll cycle back towards Ronda. In the late afternoon, you'll discover why Ronda has captivated writers and poets for centuries. The city is divided by a deep gorge, with houses and gardens daringly built on the edge of the precipice.
Dinner in the old town of Ronda and 2nd night Hotel Catalonia Ronda****/ Ronda.
Day 6: The "Via Verde de la Sierra" and Seville | 35 k (22 mi), very easy
Olvera, 45 km from Ronda, impresses with its picturesque silhouette. Nestled in a gentle, hilly landscape dotted with olive groves, the village lies at the foot of the Sierra Grazalema. This region is renowned for its excellent olive oil.
Here, you'll embark on the "Via Verde de la Sierra," a former railway line transformed into a leisurely cycling path. The gentle downhill route, with its old viaducts and tunnels, offers a traffic-free journey through the serene landscape. You'll reach the old train station of Puerto Serrano, now a café for cyclists and hikers.
After a lunch break, you'll be transferred by bus to Seville, the capital of Andalusia, the home of Carmen and Don Juan (74 km, approximately 80 minutes). Seville is a breathtaking city, a treasure trove of stone and light, with its cathedrals, palaces, Baroque churches, and golden towers. In the afternoon, you'll visit the magnificent Royal Palace, the Alcázar of Seville, a masterpiece of Moorish architecture. Its intricate tilework, ornate stuccowork, and colorful rooms are a testament to the city's rich Islamic heritage.
Your hotel is located in the atmospheric Santa Cruz district, with its narrow streets and hidden patios. Many houses conceal beautiful courtyards filled with ivy, ferns, and roses, adorned with marble fountains and mosaic floors. The evening is yours to explore the charming neighborhood, sample tapas and wine in the numerous bars and restaurants.
1 night at the Hotel Ferdinand III.****/Seville.
Day 7: From Seville to the Caliphate City of Córdoba | 41 k (26 mi), moderate
In the morning we drive you by bus (54miles/ approx. 80 min) out of the greater Seville area into the valley of the Guadalquivir, the largest river in Andalusia. Its plain is the “grain and vegetable chamber” of southern Spain. North of this plain lies the charming Sierra del Norte: In the mountain town of Constantina we begin our cycle route through a beautiful, typically Andalusian landscape: You cycle mainly downhill through cork and holm oak forests, past the fighting bull pastures (Dehesas) of large "Haciendas" to the shore of a lonely located reservoir. After a lunch break you reach the great plain of the Guadalquivir near Palma del Río. We cover the last busy section in the direction of Córdoba by bus (55 km / approx. 50 min).
Cordoba was once the capital of an Islamic empire that stretched as far as the Pyrenees. In the Middle Ages, all of Europe looked in admiration at this city, which only Baghdad and Damascus could match in splendor. The high walls of the Mezquita (Mosque) and the spiers of many churches tower over the city and still give it a fairytale appearance. We stay with you in a riverside hotel in an ideal location! The hotel is located directly opposite the old town on the river bank by the Roman Bridge, which leads directly to the Mezquita.
In the evening, our tour guides offer you a first foray into the narrow streets of the old town and walk with you to an atmospheric restaurant, where we celebrate the end of the trip with a last excursion into Andalusian cuisine. 1 night Hotel Hesperia****/Cordoba (Tour 1 (april): Parador de Córdoba****)
Day 8: The Mosque of Córdoba and Farewell to Andalusia
In the morning, you'll witness one of the highlights of the trip: the interior of the Mezquita of Córdoba.
"It seems as if one is walking not in a building, but in a covered forest. Wherever you turn, your gaze is lost in the endless colonnades, intersecting and disappearing into the distance; it's like a marble vegetation that has sprung up spontaneously from the ground." - Théophile Gautier
The French Romantic writer described this masterpiece of Moorish architecture, arguably the most beautiful mosque ever built. Its 856 columns of marble, granite, and jasper support magnificent horseshoe arches, creating a forest of stone. The intricate interplay of slender alabaster columns is a testament to the beauty of Islamic architecture.
Depending on your flight time, you'll either be transferred by bus to Malaga or take the high-speed AVE train to Malaga. The train ticket is included in the tour price. If you have an earlier flight, we will book an earlier train connection for you. In Malaga, you can take a taxi from the train station to the airport (7.5 km, taxi fare not included) or use the airport train (8 minutes, departs every 20 minutes).
Most flights from Malaga depart in the afternoon.
_________________________________________________________________
STRAIGHT TALK
You won't find landscapes as magnificent as those in Andalusia anywhere else in Europe! Given the vastness of Andalusia and the fact that the most scenic cycling routes wind through mountainous regions, bus transfers are simply unavoidable. These transfers allow us to skip busy urban areas and focus on the natural beauty of the Sierras. We've timed these transfers to minimize disruptions to your cycling days. Many tour operators, driven by cost concerns, avoid these transfers, meaning their guests spend days cycling through monotonous plains. We believe you'll agree that our approach, while involving some travel time, offers a much richer and more rewarding experience.
_________________________________________________________________
Route rating / Difficulty level: Covering a total of 215 km by bike and on foot, this tour offers a diverse range of experiences. Days 3 and 6 are particularly enjoyable, as they follow converted railway lines, now transformed into smooth and scenic bike paths. The remaining days take you through rolling hills, with more downhill than uphill sections, on quiet country roads.
_________________________________________________________________
Buckle Up and Helmet Up
As a reminder, seatbelts are mandatory in Spain, including in our minibus. Failure to comply will result in a fine of €100. Helmets are also mandatory for cyclists. While we provide rental helmets for €10, please reserve yours in advance (2-3 weeks before departure) to ensure we have enough for everyone.
_________________________________________________________________
Dining in Spain
If you're accustomed to dining early, be prepared to adjust to Spanish mealtimes. Dinner typically begins around 9 pm and can last until 10:30 pm or later. We've carefully selected local restaurants for our dinners, ensuring an authentic dining experience. However, please note that most Spanish restaurants don't open until 8:30 pm.
