Cycling Girona and the Catalan Coast
Cycling Girona and the Catalan Coast
Cycling Girona and the Catalan Coast
7 Days Starting in Barcelona and ending in Besalu
Visiting: Spain
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MEQ
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans
Tour operated in:
EnglishActivities:
Tour Overview
Cycling pros rate Girona and the coast in Catalonia among the best destinations on the planet. Find out why on this exciting two-wheel adventure. Led by an expert guide, we pedal between historic villages via disused railway lines, quiet small roads and coastal paths, while also challenging ourselves against some climbs. To break up the journeys – and to learn more about the local culture and history – we also enjoy guided tours around medieval towns and even stop at a local wine estate for a memorable tasting session.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Barcelona
We start the trip in Barcelona, a captivating city of quirky landmarks and excellent cuisine. Our cycling starts tomorrow but the adventure begins immediately as we take advantage of our time here with a guided walking tour. Stops include La Rambla, La Boqueria Market, the Christopher Columbus statue, Barcelona Cathedral and the Gothic Quarter. After, we get to know each other a little better with a trip briefing and our first meal as a group.
Accommodation: Catalonia Sagrada Familia (or similar)
Day 2 : Transfer To Olot; Cycle To Girona; Afternoon Walking Tour
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we have a transfer (approximately two hours) to Olot where we fine tune our bikes before we start cycling in Garrotxa National Park. This is the perfect place to get used to our bikes as we follow The Carrilet, a car-free path reserved for cyclists and walkers that follows a disused narrow-gauge railway. Today's route includes some easy gradual climbing during the first 7.5mi (12km) and then a long gentle descent through the countryside until we reach the medieval town of Girona, a hotspot for cycling pros for more than two decades. This evening, we have a guided walking tour of the town, visiting the old quarter and the Jewish quarter, before ending in La Rambla de la Llibertat, the culture-soaked main street in Girona, where we find somewhere for dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Gran Ultonia (or similar)
Day 3 : Cycle To Sant Feliu De Guixols; Transfer To Calella De Palagrugell
Meals Included: Breakfast
We continue cycling along the car-free Carrilet until we reach the Mediterranean Sea in Sant Feliu de Guixols. We start with a short uphill section to reach Llagostera, where we stop for refreshments, and then enjoy an easy long descent to the Costa Brava coast. We stop for lunch before boarding the bus for a transfer (approximately 30 minutes) to our destination for the next two nights, Calella de Palafrugell. Our hotel is within walking distance of the coast, so take the chance for a swim at one of the nearby beaches.
Accommodation: Hotel Alga (or similar)
Day 4 : Loop Ride To Palafrugell And Palamos; Wine Tasting And Back To Calella
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today's ride follows a circular route south of Calella to Palamos and back. During our journey to Palamos, we travel through the colourful market town of Palafrugell, where we stop to check out the local produce and enjoy a coffee while watching the market in action. After, we cycle using another disused railway to the fishing town of Palamos and visit the unspoiled sandy beach of Castell. This afternoon, we cycle back to Calella, stopping at a winery to sample their produce.
Accommodation: Hotel Alga (or similar)
Day 5 : Cycle To Torroella De Montgri
Meals Included: Breakfast
We start cycling after breakfast, leaving the coast behind and travelling inland to the walled medieval town of Begur. Today is one of the most scenic days as we cycle past farmlands, sunflower fields and through the gothic walled towns of Begur and Pals. We have a chance to jump off our bikes to explore both towns, and for lunch we can sample the local paella recipe in Pals. This afternoon, we have a mainly flat route on quiet roads and gravel tracks that will take us through various villages until we reach our hotel in the town of Torroella de Montgri.
Accommodation: Hotel Moli del Mig (or similar)
Day 6 : Cycle To Banyoles; Transfer To Besalu
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our final day of cycling will be our most challenging, as we travel the longest distance and have the biggest accumulated climb, but it is also one of the most picturesque as we travel through Catalan countryside using a combination of quieter backroads and gravel tracks. Our first stop is the town of Púbol, where artist Salvador Dalí bought a castle for his wife Gala. We then stop in San Esteban de Guialbes, where we have lunch and the opportunity to try the Catalan dish of snails and butifarra (a type of pork sausage). After, we ride to the town of Banyoles where our cycling ends. We then have a transfer (approximately 30 minutes) to our final destination, Besalu. After we check into our hotel and have had a chance to shower, we enjoy a walking guided tour of this medieval town. We will visit the 12th-century bridge, the Sant Pere Monastery and Saint Vincent Church. After, we enjoy our last group meal together and reflect on an incredible week of cycling.
Accommodation: Els Jardins De La Martana (or similar)
Day 7 : End Besalu; Transfer To Barcelona Airport
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our adventure ends with a transfer from Besalu to Barcelona airport. If you’ve still got the appetite for a bit more exploration, speak to your sales representative to book further nights in our Barcelona hotel.
What's Included
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All breakfasts
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All accommodation
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Airport transfers
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Local bike hire
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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E-bike hire
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Local taxes
Food
All breakfasts are included and will be continental with cold cheese, meats and bread, plus pastries, tea and coffee.
Vegetarians: While a meat-and-fish diet is the norm in Spain, many vegetarians have not experienced any problems here. However, please note the choice of vegetarian and vegan meals may not be as extensive as you are used to.
Mealtimes in Spain are later than in many other countries; dinner is usually taken between 9pm and 9.30pm.
Accommodation
Spend six nights in three to four-star hotels, each chosen for their comfort and location. Some hotels have a swimming pool and/or a sea view.
Barcelona: Hotel Catalonia Sagrada Familia
Begin the adventure at this contemporary hotel, just a 15-minute walk from Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia – an icon of the city. If the sun is shining, head to the solarium/pool area for a dip and to make use of the loungers. The hotel also has a gym plus a gastro-bar serving international and Mediterranean dishes, cocktails and more.
Girona: Hotel Gran Ultonia
With a spot in the heart of the city, this 71-room hotel has an ideal location. Post ride, there’s no better spot to relax than the rooftop cocktail bar, which has views of the Old Town, cathedral and, they say, the best sunset in Girona. The next morning, fuel up with the buffet breakfast, which includes local produce.
Calella de Palafrugell: Hotel Alga
Enjoy a post-cycle dip in the pool or relax on a sun lounger when you arrive at the Hotel Alga. Elsewhere, El Càntir restaurant, helmed by chef Pere Malagelada, serves a selection of Mediterranean dishes made with seasonal local produce, plus there’s a snack bar by the pool serving coffee, tea and cocktails.
Torroella de Montgri: Hotel Moli del Mig
Stay in a 15th-century mill revamped and restored into a modern hotel by architect Josep M. Deulofeu. The 32 rooms have been designed to embrace the natural beauty of the rural landscape, while the restaurant makes use of the local produce. Additionally, the hotel has a swimming pool, wellness hub and padel courts.
Besalú: Els Jardins De La Martana
End the trip with a stay at this 11-room hotel, which sits right next to the medieval bridge of Besalú. You can gather as a group to recount your adventures together in the living room or unwind in the wood-paneled library. There’s also a private jacuzzi available to rent (€20 per hour).
Check out our Q&As
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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