As the days continue to get colder, set off in search of sunshine with our selection of the best destinations to travel by bike and leave the cold behind.
Gerona, Catalonia, Spain
Home to a thousand professional cyclists, Girona offers a bit of everything. Flat roads, coastline, mountains, hills, gravel. Whatever style of cycling you prefer, this Catalan city can offer it.
For a real climbing challenge, head for Rocaborba, otherwise loop around to the Els Angels climb for a route that combines difficult climbs and fast flats.
Between Barcelona to the south and the Pyrenees to the north, Catalonia’s sunny coastline is home to a host of charming medieval villages, lush green fields and wonderfully secluded bays and beaches. Enjoy the fresh air and wide-open spaces easily explored by bike. Pedaling through picturesque villages offers gourmet interludes and the chance to taste one of their delicious local wines.
Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve, a hidden gem, is a favorite destination for cyclists thanks to its spectacular coastal roads. You’ll pass through charming fishing villages and magnificent beaches. And there are still plenty of nature-protected, peaceful and authentic routes to delight your senses.
Fine weather is almost guaranteed, with temperatures rarely dipping below double digits throughout the winter, and very little rain. Wind, however, is a major factor in this area, and you need to bear in mind that you’re likely to encounter plenty of headwinds.
As this part of the Portuguese coast is so close to the Spanish border, cyclists have the opportunity to combine two destinations in their trip. cycling tripBy crossing the border into Spain, they can enjoy tapas and local cocktails before getting back on their bikes.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Considered one of Italy’s most emblematic and spectacular coasts, Amalfi and Cilento are guaranteed to fill the winter months with color, sunshine and mouth-watering cuisine. Enjoy itineraries rich in history, nature and culture.
You will cycle along the Cilento National Parkwhose environmental and cultural qualities have been preserved to this day, making it the only Italian national park listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The famous Amalfi Coast, with its imposing cliffs and magnificent villages, is sure to take your breath away.
Majorca, Spain
This sunny Spanish island is ideal for your next winter cycling vacation, with its incredible mountain bike trails winding up to spectacular views and rewarding cyclists with exhilarating descents into the surrounding coastal landscape.
Situated in a privileged location in the Mediterranean, Mallorca, the largest island of the Balearic Islands, offers a multitude of possibilities for making the most of your cycling vacation, and is one of Europe’s most popular destinations for cycle tourists.
With its picturesque sleepy villages, vast sandy beaches with turquoise waters, citrus and olive orchards and spectacular cliffs, you won’t know where to turn in this little paradise.
Douro Valley, Portugal
If you’re planning a vacation in northern Portugal, the Douro Valley is a must. Bright blue rivers, vine-covered hills and mountainous terrain make this typical region one of the best destinations for cyclists looking for a variety of landscapes, different from the sandy shores of the Algarve.
You’ll be delighted to visit the charming villages along your route, with their rustic restaurants offering succulent, affordable dishes, and local wines that you can taste right in the vineyards, for example. To finish on a high note, why not let yourself be carried along the Douro River on a getaway a relaxing boat trip?
Andalusia, Spain
Spain’s southernmost mainland region, Andalusia is as wonderful to discover as its climate is warm. With its excellent itineraries, it is naturally one of the dream regions for cyclists looking for sun in winter. You’ll be amazed by the variety of its landscape, which allows you to go from mountain to countryside and from beach to desert in less than a day’s pedaling. Its numerous sierras alternate with mountains that are sometimes arid, sometimes covered with oak forests or olive groves.
The local culture offers a blend of Catholic, Moorish and Mediterranean influences, evident in the splendid architecture, joyous celebrations and delicious gastronomy. Between Granada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Seville with its elegant streets and warm atmosphere, and Cordoba with its famous Mezquitayou can’t fail to be amazed by the beauty of Andalusia.
