12 Best Places for Cycling in Spain

Whether you love the idea of discovering a new city on two wheels or want to get out into the countryside, Spain has no end of wonderful options for cyclists. Cycling in Spain is a national passion, and you’ll often see lycra-clad enthusiasts heading out through ravishingly beautiful landscapes on incredible rides.

Whatever your level of experience, Spain’s cities are cyclist-friendly. In dedicated bike lanes, you’ll be in like-minded company and separated from other road users. And if you need a bit of extra help, there are e-bikes available everywhere.

Pedal along the wide sweep of Palma Bay on Mallorca, explore Barcelona’s wide boulevards, or breathe in the mountain air of rural Andalucia. You’ll find fantastic cycling in Spain everywhere you go.

Ses Salines, Ibiza

Tackling Ibiza’s fortified capital on two wheels would be a challenge, as the old center, Dalt Villa, spills over a steep hilltop. But the surrounding coastal areas are a dream to explore by bike.

One of the best rides is from busy Platja d’en Bossa along the island’s southeast coast to Ses Salines Natural Park. Scrubby pine trees and shimmering salt pans reflect vast skies and flamingo-pink wisps of cloud as the day fades.

You’ll see the old Torre des Carragador, one of the stone watchtowers that once guarded the coast from pirates, before continuing to Es Cavallet, a long, sandy Ibiza beach with a couple of  toes-in-the-sand restaurants.

Make sure you’ve packed swimwear so you can take a dip in the warm Mediterranean before heading back to town—though bear in mind that Es Cavellet is a clothing-optional beach.

Montes de Málaga Natural Park, Málaga

A couple of miles north of Málaga is the rugged Montes de Málaga region, a rocky massif crisscrossed by rivers and streams. It’s popular with city dwellers for hiking and cycling. A bike ride here is undeniably hilly, so you might want to opt for an e-bike.

Delve deeper into Spain’s nature and ride with a guide who knows about the local wildlife and vegetation. You’ll pass through stands of holm oak, scented pine, wild olives, and fragrant, herby scrub of wild rosemary and thyme.

When you stop for a breather, look up at the sky, where you may see short-toed and booted eagles circling on the thermals.

Valencia

Valencia is one of the best cities for cycling in Spain. It’s flat, easy to navigate, and packed with interest.

A ribbon of green winds right through the center; this is the former bed of the Turia River, which was diverted away from the urban area because of its tendency to flood.

The riverbed has been beautifully preserved as an unusual urban park, still crossed by the original bridges. It’s always busy on fine days, which is most of them, with locals strolling, cycling, and picnicking on the grass.

A guided cycle tour of the city would take you from Paseo de la Pechina past grand buildings including the Fine Arts Museum, Trinity Convent, and the Music Hall.

You’ll pedal through the Turia Gardens to the City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia’s most famous landmark and one of the most beautiful places in Spain.

This cluster of curved, futuristic buildings shimmers, mirrored in reflecting pools, and invites exploration and a lot of photo stops. The opera house, a massive aquarium and the city’s science museum are all housed here.

If you just want a short cycle ride in Valencia and prefer to avoid traffic altogether, simply pick up a rental bike, pack a picnic of cheese, ham, bread, and fresh fruit from the market, and cycle the flower-filled trails of Turia Gardens before stopping for lunch.

Read: Best Things to Do in Valencia

Ecopista do Rio Minho, Vigo

Take a guided bike ride from Vigo and you’ll cross over the Minho River into neighboring Portugal. Here, it’s a beautiful ride along the Ecopista do Rio Minho, a riverside trail created out of an old railroad that connects Valença do Minho and Monçao.

The trail was the first of its kind in Portugal when it opened in 2004, and now it’s considered one of the most beautiful cycling routes in Europe. You’ll pass dense forest and verdant farmland with wonderful views of the river valley.

It’s gorgeous at any time of year. In spring, the leaves are a fuzzy bright green. During fall in Spain, the trees have turned a fiery orange. The trail is flat, too, so you can enjoy a workout without getting too tired or hot.

La Coruña

Historic La Coruña is one of Spain’s most pleasant cities for cycling, although it’s best to take a guided tour so that you can learn about the local history as well as admire the sights.

This beautiful Spanish city lies on a peninsula, which you’ll explore while riding along Avenida La Marina and passing the San Antón Archaeological Museum.

Your destination is the dramatic Tower of Hercules, the second tallest lighthouse in Spain built by the Romans on a grassy clifftop. This Spanish landmark is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spend some time at the lighthouse before continuing along the waterfront to the town’s Millennium Monument. Enjoy views of the long, sandy shores of one of Spain’s best beach towns.

Palma, Mallorca

The capital of Mallorca and the biggest city in the Balearic Islands, Palma sweeps around a wide bay backed by wooded hills and crammed with yachts of all sizes.

An e-bike tour is a great way to explore the city, as parts are quite hilly. With a bit of help, you can make it up the hill to Bellver Castle for one of the best views of the bay curving below.

You can also cycle all along the waterfront, gazing at the yachts and the magnificent Gothic cathedral that dominates the bay. Park your bicycle and peek inside at the incredible riches, and head into the tangle of streets of the Gothic Quarter behind the cathedral.

Here, grand old mansions line narrow alleys, some surrounding flower-filled patios in the old Moorish style. Inviting little tapas bars, some in cool cellars, beckon for a lunchtime snack.

Carry on beyond the cathedral, following the coast, and you’ll come to the long, sandy strip of Platja de Can Pere Antoni for a well-deserved swimming stop.

Read: Best Beaches in Mallorca

Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is craggy and mountainous, with some spectacular climbs up to jaw-dropping views.

If this is less appealing on two wheels, opt for a cycle ride around the elegant capital, Las Palmas, instead. The best way to do this is with a guide, who can enlighten you on the history of this underrated city.

In the old center, Vegueta, cobblestone alleys are lined with whitewashed houses, their facades adorned with traditional wooden balconies, elaborately carved and enclosed in the Canarian style.

You’ll see the house where Christopher Columbus is believed to have stayed before embarking on his historic Atlantic crossing to the New World in 1492.

You’ll cycle along one of Spain’s finest beaches, Las Canteras, and through the elegant Triana neighborhood, one of the oldest on the island, packed with independent shops and welcoming cafés.

La Rioja, near Bilbao

An enjoyable way to tour the undulating vineyards of the Rioja region, near Bilbao, is on two wheels.

You’ll need an e-bike as the distances are quite long for a day trip and there are hills involved, but the scenery is magnificent. Marvel at the olive groves and medieval villages against a backdrop of the craggy Cantabria Mountains.

You can also visit the ancient hilltop town of Laguardia, which is often regarded as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain.

Stop for tastings and tours at the cellar doors to learn about viticulture in this region, which dates back 2,000 years—but do remember that you have to ride back to the city!

Cap de Formentor, Mallorca

Cap Formentor, a craggy cape extending into the blue Mediterranean from Mallorca’s northeast coast, is a challenging route regarded as one of the best places to cycle in Spain.

Unless you’re extremely fit, though, consider an e-bike for this one. You’ll need a head for heights, too.

The recommended ride extends some 25 miles, but you don’t have to tackle the entire route. Even if you just do a section, you’ll be astonished by sheer cliffs plunging into the aquamarine sea and hair-raising roads that snake over the mountains.

Looking back, you’ll be able to see the wide sweep of Puerto Pollensa’s golden sands and the hazy Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, home to some of the best hiking in Spain.

The ultimate goal is the Formentor Lighthouse, right at the point; on a clear day, you can see all the way to neighboring Menorca from here. There’s a real sensation of being suspended over the sparkling Mediterranean, with water on three sides.

Read: Best Things to Do in Mallorca

Barcelona

Barcelona is one of Spain’s most cyclist-friendly cities, with some 160 miles of dedicated bike paths. It’s also mainly flat and is ideal for less-experienced cyclists.

The best way to explore is to join a guided cycling tour, which will take you along the famous Las Ramblas boulevard through the tangled, shady streets of the Gothic Quarter, along the waterfront to Barceloneta.

Pedal around leafy Ciutadella Park to the fashionable Olympic Port, lined with restaurants. Bike along the broad boulevards of the Eixample, the city’s Art Nouveau area, where you’ll see most of Gaudí’s most famous colorful, organic buildings.

If you’re fit and looking for more of a challenge, you can cycle up steep Montjuic, overlooking the city from the south. It’s here where some of the venues from the 1992 Olympic Games are located, with jaw-dropping views over the city and the coast.

Read: Best Places to Visit in Spain for First-Timers

Seville

Seville in Southern Spain is another wonderful city for cycling. Here, you’ll find a range of guided tours and a public bike rental service, SEVici, with some 250 stations around the city.

Dedicated cycle lanes mean it’s safer for cyclists, and the flat terrain is welcome. Always protect yourself from the sun in Seville, as the heat in summer is intense.

A guided cycle tour of the city takes in all the main sights, like the old tobacco factory in Triana, the workplace of the gypsy girl, Carmen, heroine of Bizet’s opera.

You’ll also see the spectacular Cathedral, the glorious Real Alcázar palace, the Giralda Tower, and the ornate Plaza de España.

If you’re finding your own way around, stop for a while in Barrio de Santa Cruz for tapas and ice-cold drinks, the rhythms of flamenco music drifting on the summer breeze.

Bilbao

Bilbao really lends itself to exploration on two wheels as it has cycle lanes and quiet back streets away from the traffic.

The city is mainly flat and is peppered with interesting sights, from the futuristic San Mamés football stadium to the gleaming, wavy form of the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum, one of Spain’s best museums.

Slow down for the ride through the narrow streets of the atmospheric Casco Viejo, the historic center, as the streets are narrow. Take in the architecture along the Nervión River, which snakes through the city center.

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