8 Day Food, Wine, and Bike Tour 6 Stages in Spain
Cycling Holiday in Spain
This week's itinerary lets you discover the Empordà, one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. Thanks to the Mediterranean climate and the soil, the footsteps of the mountains surrounding the plains are a perfect terrain to produce grapes. The ancient farmers in the area decided to use the plains for planting olive trees and the slopes for planting vines on terraces separated by dry-stone walls.
Key information
- Terrain: Mostly paved roads, greenways, and coastal roads with some gentle climbs
- Trip type: Self-guided
- Lodging: Point to Point
- Starts in: Girona
- Ends in: Figueres
- Total Distance: 127 miles / 204 kilometers
- Type of bike: bike rental availability depends on Cycle Tours Catalonia
Highlights
- 6 days of cycling
- Cycle through one of the most beautiful landscapes of Catalonia: l’Empordà
- Enjoy a guided visit to an authentic winery and a picnic with exquisite local products
- Discover the local products of the region!
- Visit some local museums like the history of fishing, cork manufacturing, anchovies, an ancient flour factory, a marmalade factory, or an oil mill
- Admire the surrealist genius Salvador Dalí born in Figueres
- 7 nights accommodation
Skill level
- Intermediate
Accommodation
Stay for 7 nights accommodation in double room in B&B.
Program
Since 2005 influential wine guru Robert Parker put Empordà on the world wine-producing map. Thanks to the hard work of the wineries, this area has been certified as an Origin Designation of Empordà.
It’s an easy tour for regular cyclists, that combines half of the tour on quiet secondary roads, and half on nice and clean non paved roads. Stages are average 40 km long without big climbs.
This tour proposes a guided visit to the cellars with wine and local products tasting.
Trip Itinerary
Arrival day
Arrival in Girona. There is plenty to see and to do in this magical historical city. Spend the day visiting the Cathedral, which has the widest single nave of Gothic architecture in the world and getting lost through the narrow streets of the ancient Jewish quarter, one of the best preserved in the world. We also recommend a stroll along the Rambla or the medieval walls, which gives you a fantastic panoramic view of the city.
Stage 1: Girona – St Feliu de Guíxols (45 km / 28 mi, 280 m+ / 919 ft+)
Starting from Cycle Tours Catalonia's office, you will follow a cycle path to exit the city towards the south. The ride takes you straight to the Mediterranean Sea. This section follows the greenway called El Carrilet, passing through the towns of Quart, Cassà de la Selva, Llagostera, and Santa Cristina d’Aro. Along the route, you will always have the Gavarres Massif as a backdrop—a mountainous forest area consisting mainly of oaks, important for cork production. You will arrive in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, where your hotel will be near the beautiful beach of Sant Pol.
Stage 2: St Feliu de Guíxols – Calella de Palafrugell (30 km / 19 mi, 271 m+ / 889 ft+)
Today, you’ll ride north along the coast, combining the coastal road with front-sea boulevards while visiting the main port town of Palamós. After a few kilometers, you’ll pass the unspoiled cove of Platja de Castell, with its Iberian settlement on the left side. This is a great place to have a picnic and take a swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Later, you will arrive in the picturesque old fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, one of the pearls of the Costa Brava. The last section of the route follows the greenway called Ruta del Tren Petit.
Stage 3: Calella de Palafrugell – Torroella de Montgrí (29 km / 18 mi, 180 m+ / 591 ft+)
The route starts heading north, passing through Palafrugell, where you can explore its vibrant fish, meat, and vegetable market—a great place to learn about the local produce of the region. You can also visit the Cork Museum. After leaving Palafrugell, you will reach Pals, one of the best-preserved medieval towns. The ride continues through natural wetlands with extensive rice fields and long sandy beaches before ending in Torroella de Montgrí, at the foot of the Montgrí Massif with its impressive castle.
Stage 4: Torroella de Montgrí – Castelló d’Empúries (36 km / 22 mi, 60 m+ / 197 ft+)
The route continues north, passing the Montgrí Massif into the county of Alt Empordà. You will enter the Bay of Roses, known for its long, sandy beaches. Next to the beautiful medieval village of Sant Martí d’Empúries and right in front of the superb beach, you can visit the archaeological site of Empúries, where Greek and Roman ruins mark the gateway of classical cultures to the Iberian Peninsula. The route then continues north through the protected marshlands of Aiguamolls de l’Empordà before ending in the village of Castelló d’Empúries, known for its rich architectural heritage, including a Gothic church, the Count’s Palace, an old market building, and a historic Jewish quarter.
Stage 5: Loop Castelló d’Empúries (37 km / 23 mi, 181 m+ / 594 ft+)
This ride offers stunning views of the Pyrenees as a backdrop while cycling through 100-year-old vineyards. Today, you will have the opportunity to visit some of the most interesting wineries, mainly located in the towns of Vilajuïga and Pau. You can enjoy a wine and local product tasting at the Espelt Cellar.
Stage 6: Castelló d’Empúries – Figueres (43 km / 27 mi, 435 m+ / 1,427 ft+)
The final stage first takes you to Peralada, the capital of the DO Empordà wine region. Here, you can visit the castle and the medieval town. From there, you will cycle through the upper vineyards, passing by Garriguella, Vilamaniscle, and Rabós, home to some of the region’s oldest groves. A visit to La Vinyeta winery is highly recommended, where you can enjoy a picnic and a wine tasting with locally produced specialties. From here, the tour follows a long downhill ride until reaching your final destination—the city of Figueres. Once in Figueres, you can visit the world-famous Dalí Theatre-Museum, one of the most visited tourist attractions in Spain.
Departure Day
Departure from Figueres after breakfast.
Must-Do and Must-See
The Dalí Museum – the greatest surrealist masterpiece in the world.
Have a coffee by the sea – take a moment to relax and enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere before starting your ride
Location
During the cycling tour, you will visit Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Calella de Palafrugell, Torroella de Montgrí, Castelló d’Empúries, and Figueres, each offering its unique charm and scenic beauty.
Food
Half board supplement is 110 EUR (standard) / 143 EUR (premium) (4 dinners).
What's included
- Self-guided tours: Roadbook and maps
- Tourist information: General tourist information of the area
- 7 nights accommodation in double room in B&B
- Luggage transfer: Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
- Emergency assistance: Hotline assistance during the trip from 8 am to 8 pm
- Bike rental (optional): Bike delivery in Girona
What's not included
- Gastronomic supplements: 1 dinner in 1* Michelin Restaurant 158 EUR
- Celler visit, picnic and wine tasting 44 EUR
- Alone traveler supplement 77 EUR
- Tourist tax (adults over 16 years old) 5,00 EUR / 10,50 EUR
- Bike rental (6 days): Touring bike 130 EUR | Electric touring bike 370 EUR | Carbon gravel bike 285 EUR | Carbon full suspension gravel bike 370 EUR
- Airport transfers
- Meals
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Girona–Costa Brava Airport
10 km
Transfer not provided
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.