Bicycling Catalonia’s Costa Brava

Length 8 days
From USD$4950
Style/Level Classic 2.0
Countries Spain
Begin/End Girona / Figueras

Overview

Home to some of Spain’s most iconic cities and famous (and infamous) characters, Catalonia is a one of a kind destination. With a history as diverse as the territory and a cultural identity and language of its own, this Spanish community will delight and fascinate. Join us on an 8-day bicycle tour that begins in Girona, one of the most fought after towns in all of Spanish history, having been sieged over 25 times. We’ll pedal east towards the rugged Costa Brava and through the rolling hills of the Emporda’ region – dotted with Roman ruins and medieval towns. Our journey continues through hidden fishing villages and quiet towns along small roads through wine country on our way to Figueres, Salvador Dali’s birthplace. Enjoy incredible cycling through a variety of historic towns that feature a delightful mix of modern culture and cuisine.

***If this sounds great but you prefer a longer tour. Join us to Bicycle Catalonia’s Costa Brava Plus! Barcelona which extends this itinerary 4 days.***

Highlights

Girona, Figueras and Dali Museum, Medieval Villages, Costa Brava Beaches, Extraordinary food – Girona has more restaurants with Michelin stars than anywhere else in the world

Includes

8 days, 7 nights accommodation
meals as noted in itinerary
guided visit of Dali Museum
a wine tasting
boat trip
All Classic tour inclusions

Keep in mind

We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.

Though we try and arrange dinners together as early as possible in Spain this means 8:00 to 8:30 p.m.

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Dates, prices & booking

Date	Price	Private room fee	Note
May 14-21, 2025	USD$4950	USD$550	Departure confirmed to go!	Book it
Jun 4-11, 2025	USD$4950	USD$550		Book it
Sep 3-10, 2025	USD$4950	USD$550		Book it
Sep 17-24, 2025	USD$4950	USD$550		Book it

Date	May 14-21, 2025
Price	USD$4950
Private room fee	USD$550
Note	Departure confirmed to go!
	Book it

Date	Jun 4-11, 2025
Price	USD$4950
Private room fee	USD$550
Note
	Book it

Date	Sep 3-10, 2025
Price	USD$4950
Private room fee	USD$550
Note
	Book it

Date	Sep 17-24, 2025
Price	USD$4950
Private room fee	USD$550
Note
	Book it

Hold a space by penciling in on a tour

Penciling in on a tour is a great way to hold a space while you think about your travel logistics and find some friends to join you. We need a bit of information from you to get started.

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Tour name

Tour date(Required)

May 14, 2025

Jun 04, 2025

Sep 03, 2025

Sep 17, 2025

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Does anybody in your party want an e-bike?(Required)

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Please provide the first and last names of the other people you are traveling with and/or the names of those who want an e-bike.

This helps us make sure we aren’t duplicating any holds on spots on tour. If anyone you are traveling with does want an e-bike please let us know by their name.

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Itinerary

Open all days

Total distance 292 km (181 miles)
Average daily distance 49 kms (30 miles)
Tour style Classic
Tour level 2.0

Highlights: Girona, Jewish Museum and Historic Center

We meet in the medieval town of Girona today. We highly recommend coming a day or two early to explore this city and begin your exploration of the Catalan culture. We’ll fit bicycles this afternoon and recommend a test ride along the river bike path before meeting for introductions and dinner together.

Meals : Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Historic

Highlights: Cycling the Via Verde, quiet roads, beach town

Today’s ride features a gentle ascent to the highest point in the area. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts with a classic view of the Costa Brava. The van will be there to offer a lift up (or down) for those who prefer. Our descent ends at the sea and from there we’ll follow the sometimes hilly coastal road to our beach front hotel. Enjoy a dip in the Mediterranean, or some people watching this afternoon before dinner together.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Sant Pol

Highlights: Beaches, rural bicycling, castles and medieval towns

Today we’ll ride along the coast to Palamos, a great coffee stop and perfect opportunity for one last dip in the sea before we head inland over rolling hills. Many of the towns we’ll pass through on today’s ride were once fortified Roman and medieval cities, so be sure to take time to meander the tiny streets. Peratallada, our destination this evening, is perhaps the best preserved as the center is entirely pedestrian and the walls still stand. You’ll notice ruts in the stone streets which were created from centuries of horse carts moving through the narrow streets. We’ll stay just outside of town and enjoy this little corner of Catalonia for the next few days.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Aatu

Highlights: Loop ride, optional climb

We’ll take a loop ride through the gentle hills of the Baix Emporda region today. We have a special stop planned before la Bisbal d’Emporda just a few kilometers into the ride to visit a local ceramicist. La Bisbal d’Emporda is a great town to enjoy a beverage and explore the boutiques and artist stores – some of which carry traditional pieces while others have expanded into more modern ceramic art. After our visit we’ll continue our loop ride which includes the option of an 8 km (5 miles) climb for anyone wanting a little challenge.

Meals : Breakfast
Lodging : Hotel Aatu

Highlights: Remote fishing village, stunning views of the sea

We’ll head north and inland today through gentle hills and reclaimed marshes that are now the center for the agricultural economy in the area. We’ll suggest a lunch stop in one of these small but historic towns. There is a significant climb to the hotel so anyone who prefers to rest their legs can meet at a café to regroup and shuttle. Everyone else can join local cyclists to conquer the hill that creates a natural barrier and makes this Eastern most peninsula in Spain such a unique natural and geological formation.

The September 18th, 2024 departure will stay at the Hotel Sol Ixent.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Playa Sol , Hotel Sol Ixent

Highlights: Dali’s home, beach front rambla, and optional rest day

Today you have the option to take a day off the bike, or bicycle to the stunning Cap de Creus – the most easterly point of the Iberian Peninsula. It’s a short but hilly ride out and back. For those who prefer a day off the bike, Cadaques has been inspirational to many great artists, including Dali, Miro, Duchamp and Picasso. Find a spot and explore your inner artist, or simply enjoy a day relaxing by the pool.

The September 18th, 2024 departure will stay at the Hotel Sol Ixent

Meals : Breakfast
Lodging : Hotel Playa Sol , Hotel Sol Ixent

Highlights: Scenic Coast Boat ride, Dali Museum

We start our day with a chartered boat ride as we leave Cadaques and navigate around the rocky coastline that isolates the Cap de Creus Natural Park from the rest of the Costa Brava. Once we land in Roses we’ll pedal to Figueres, birthplace of Salvador Dali. We’ll plan a guided tour of the museum this afternoon.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Pirineos

Highlights: Bon viatge

Our tour ends this morning after breakfast. We hope you have enjoyed your ride through this unique corner of Spain. Trains head straight to France or to Barcelona from here – whatever you decide to do, bon viatge. ***If this sounds great but you prefer a longer tour. Join us to Bicycle Catalonia’s Costa Brava Plus! Barcelona which extends this itinerary 4 days.***

Meals : Breakfast

Visit our Tour Level page to learn more about terrain levels and how we determine day and tour levels.

Bikes

Premium road bike

Frame : Titanium with Carbon Fork
Type : Premium Road
Premium hybrid bike

Frame : Titanium with Carbon Fork
Type : Premium Hybrid
Premium mixte step-through hybrid

Frame : Titanium with Carbon Fork
Type : Premium Hybrid Mixte
Co-Motion or Cannondale tandem

Frame : Steel / Aluminum
Type : Tandem
E-hybrid bike

Surcharge: for 6 to 8 day tours the fee is $250 and for tours that are 9-15 days the fee is $300.
Frame : Aluminum frame with front suspension
Type : E-Hybrid
E-road bike – limited availability

Surcharge: for 6-8 day tours the fee is $300 and for tours that are 9-15 days the fee is $375.
Frame : Alloy with carbon fork
Type : E-Road

Plan your trip

Meeting time 2 p.m. – on Day 1, meet your fellow cyclists and Tour Leaders at the Day 1 Hotel specified on the itinerary.

Note: As you are planning, remember that the hotels listed in our itineraries are our primary hotels and are – in rare cases – subject to change. Before you make arrangements, check with us if your tour departure is guaranteed. If your tour departure is out further than 6 months, please also check with us as there might be slight changes to the itinerary.

The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.

Airports: We recommend flying into Girona (GRO) or Barcelona El Prat (BCN).

From the Girona airport to the Day 1 hotel

Taxi(20 min/EUR 20)

From the Barcelona airport to the Day 1 hotel

Bus: Sagales Bus from Barcelona Airport Terminal 1 or 2 to Girona Estacio d’Autobuses. (2.5 hr/EUR 19)
Taxi: From the Bus station to the starting hotel (10 min/EUR 10)

Train: R2 Nord from the Barcelona airport to the Barcelona Sants station (25 min / EUR 4.20)
*Train: From Barcelona Sants to Girona/Gerona (40 min/ Fares vary).
Taxi: From the Girona/Gerona train station to the Day 1 Hotel. (10 min/EUR 10)

*Note: The train connection from Barcelona to Girona/Gerona is a busy but frequent line. If you are staying in Barcelona, you may purchase tickets for this train leg in advance. If you arrive by plane the same day, you should purchase them at the Sants train station though you might opt to skip a train departure if it is already full.

Look up Spanish train schedules at Renfe.com or Trainline. Questions? See our information on taking trains in Europe or ask us.

Drinking water: We recommend not drinking the tap water in Girona. While tap water in Europe is generally safe to drink (see information about meals and drinks on tour), Girona is an old city with old pipes. We will provide bottled water on tour in the Girona area. If you arrive early, we recommend you drink bottled water also.

Pre-trip planning checklist

Spain travel planning page

Photos

See all trip photos

Reviews

Great ride, hotels, and food. Felt very safe!
Ellen M., Erie, CO – September 2021
The overall experience of cycling through the countrysides, the Mediterranean seaside areas, the larger towns and the medieval villages The diversity of the tour was incredible. This was our first tour with ExperiencePlus. I’m simply not sure how it could have been any better. We are already looking at our options for 2020.
Mike R., Denver, CO – Sept 2019
One of our very best. Beautiful country, great food and lodging
Burt S., Fairhope, CT – Sept 2019
ExperiencePlus is an understatement!
Esta R., Denver, CO – September 2019
A great company to travel with. With 11 trips we have had so many wonderful experiences and seen the countries we have visited in a personal way that other tours just don”t provide.
Larry B., New Hartford, NY – September 2018
Trip of a lifetime! Would highly recommend ExperiencePlus! THANK YOU!!! You are doing good things and we so appreciated all that your company did to make sure our vacation (and our 50th birthday celebration) was AMAZING! We will be back!
Julie G., Boulder, CO – September 2018
How would you describe this tour to a friend? Great combination of culture, scenery, beach and food. Excellent trip.
Wendy K., Lafayette, CO – September 2017
The tour leaders were fantastic. Our connection with them felt genuine. I felt that they were taking care of us and concerned for us. Their knowledge about bikes, routes, culture was outstanding. Everything was wonderful.
Clare S., Boulder, CO – September 2017
Awesome!
Katy L., Waterford, NY
WE will be back for more 🙂
Sam and Rebecca E., Denver, CO
A great mix of seaside and small inland towns. Challenging climbs and lovely views. A very well supported experience. Great guides and a fun group of riders to share it with.
Jane T., Milwaukee, WI
The Costa Brava covers almost every kind of terrain and the art, architecture, and cuisine are amazing. Our guides were superlative! This was our fifth tour with ExperiencePlus! and certainly won”t be our last!
Ford H., Raleigh, NC
Thanks for the best vacation time of my life, so far. First class experience from start to finish.
Scott M., San Ramon
The food and hotels were phenomenal! Very scenic, comfortable riding each day, great guides.
Sheila M., Boston, MA
This was one of our favorite ExperiencePlus! trips. Even though the geographic area we covered was not that big, we weaved in, out and around, to see the mountains, the sea, the medieval villages, the Greek and Roman ruins, and the history and culture of Catalonia.
Sari R., Glastonbury, CT
Good riding, varied scenery, interesting culture, wonderful food and outstanding leaders. Learned so much about the Catalan people, their history and culture. So much to see in Barcelona.
Linda M., Livermore, CA
is a great trip in a beautiful and interesting part of Spain. This was our 15 ExperiencePlus! trip. Enough said.
Dave M., Livermore, CA
How would you describe this tour to a friend? That they have to experience for themselves. Excellent and memorable.
Ward S., Kanata, Ontario
I had a great time, seeing and experiencing Spain like I would not have on a normal trip.
Paul L., Sebastopol, CA

Bicycling Catalonia’s Costa Brava

Overview

Highlights

Includes

Keep in mind

Dates, prices & booking

Download Itinerary

Hold a space by penciling in on a tour

Private Departure Request

Ready to organize a private departure?

Itinerary

Bikes

Premium road bike

Premium hybrid bike

Premium mixte step-through hybrid

Co-Motion or Cannondale tandem

E-hybrid bike

E-road bike – limited availability

Plan your trip

Photos

Reviews

Bicycling Catalonia’s Costa Brava