We love to keep up with the photos and videos of your fabulous cycling tour!
Follow us on Instagram at @bikespaintours and on Facebook at BikeSpainTours, and tag us in the posts from your trip.
Don’t forget to join our Strava club, so we can give you kudos for all your amazing bike rides!
Please leave your luggage in the hotel reception each morning (by 9am at the latest) so that it can be transferred to your next hotel. Make sure that your luggage is clearly labelled with the nametag provided.
Your bike fitting is scheduled for Sunday May 3 at ??? at your hotel in Ronda. In case of any issue please contact Aviva at +34 657 770 884.
Call the Bike Spain Tours office on +34 915 590 653, or out of office hours call +34 677 356 586. We will get you where you need to be and get you the help you need.
Please be aware that Spaniards follow a very particular routine in terms of their daily meals, and this is often strictly enforced by restaurant opening hours, especially in small towns!
You can expect restaurants to be open for lunch from approximately 1:30pm – 4pm. Many places will offer a menú del día: a set menu with 2/3 options for each course, usually including a drink, bread and dessert or coffee. Remember that lunch is the main meal of the day in Spain.
Dinnertime in Spain is any time from 8pm onwards. Dinner in Spain is typically a lighter meal.
Andalucía, a vibrant region in southern Spain, is renowned for its rich culinary heritage and diverse flavors. The cuisine here is a delightful blend of Mediterranean influences, local ingredients, and traditional recipes that have been passed down through generations.
One of the most iconic dishes is gazpacho, a refreshing cold soup made from ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, garlic, and olive oil, perfect for hot summer days. Another must-try is salmorejo, a thicker version of gazpacho, often garnished with hard-boiled eggs and jamón (cured ham).
Seafood lovers will be in heaven with dishes like fried fish (pescaíto frito) and grilled sardines (espetos), especially along the coast. Andalucía is also famous for its tapas culture. Small plates of delicious bites, such as patatas bravas (spicy potatoes), croquetas (fried dough filled with various ingredients), and jamón ibérico (Iberian ham), are perfect for sharing with friends over a drink.
Speaking of drinks, you can’t visit Andalucía without trying sherry (vino de Jerez), a fortified wine that comes in various styles, from dry to sweet. Another popular beverage is tinto de verano, a refreshing mix of red wine and lemonade, ideal for cooling off in the sun.
For dessert, indulge in flan or rice pudding (arroz con leche)!
In summary, the food and drinks of Andalucía offer a delightful journey through flavors and traditions, making it a must-visit destination for any food lover! Enjoy your culinary adventure!
Click here for our packing suggestions for a self-guided bike tour.
Click here for our recommendations for cycling safely and legally in Spain.
Click here for our recommendations on what to do if you experience mechanical issues with your bike during your tour.
Sunday May 3: Ronda
Arrival Day
Accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria
Hotel services: laundry, restaurant, bar
Meals included: dinner
______________________
Welcome to Ronda and the start of an amazing tour!
Arrival at leisure in Ronda. Here’s the website for the bus tickets from Malaga to Ronda. We recommend reserving in advance as this is the end of a long holiday weekend.
Your bike-fitting is scheduled in the afternoon, at your hotel. The time will be confirmed with Aviva. You can contact her at +34 657770884 with any last-minute questions.
At leisure in Ronda
Sunday night isn’t the most popular night for eating out, but you’ll never go hungry (nor thirsty) in Spain. Here are a few of our choices:
For a fine dining experience, with great views, we highly recommend Arrabal Restaurante. We recommend reserving prior to arrival.
Casa Ortega is another favorite in Ronda, relaxed tapas in a great square. There are lots of places around this square. Sit down, do some people watching and enjoy the food!
Monday May 4: Ronda to Ardales
Route: 48km
Elevation: +811m
Accommodation: Ardales Loft
Meals included: breakfast
______________________
Please leave your luggage in the hotel reception each morning (around 9am) so that it can be transferred to your next hotel.
This stage takes you from the high plateau of Ronda into the heart of the Sierra de las Nieves mountains. The initial segment features a steady climb out of the city, followed by a long, winding descent through limestone peaks and pine forests toward the village of El Burgo. The roads are well-paved and peaceful, offering a technical but manageable ride through a rugged, Mediterranean landscape.
From El Burgo, the terrain shifts to a series of rolling hills as you head northeast. The route provides open views of the surrounding olive groves and the high-altitude reservoirs near the end of the leg. As you approach Ardales, the gradient levels out, leading you directly into the center of this traditional white village. It is a balanced ride that combines significant elevation changes with fast, open stretches.
Castillo de la Peña: The ruins of this 9th-century fortress sit on a massive limestone crag overlooking the town. It offers the best panoramic views of the surrounding valley and is the town’s most iconic historical landmark.
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios: Located right next to the castle, this 15th-century church was built over a former mosque. It features a striking Mudejar bell tower and a beautiful Baroque facade.
Ardales Museum (Prehistory Center): Situated at the entrance of the town, this modern museum houses over 800 artifacts from the local area. It is particularly famous for its life-sized replicas of the Paleolithic cave paintings found nearby.
Plaza de la Constitución: The heart of the village, perfect for a coffee or a glass of local wine. It is surrounded by traditional whitewashed houses and narrow, sloping streets that are characteristic of the region.
Convento de los Capuchinos: Found in the lower part of town, this 17th-century convent features a unique belfry with battlements and is located near the quiet Plaza de San Isidro.
Monday night isn’t the easiest night for dining out, however, we have a few suggestions:
Restaurante Alternativa 2.0
Bar El Mellizo
Tuesday May 5: Ardales – Antequera
Route: 46km
Elevation: +1035m
Accommodation: Parador de Antequera
Meals included: breakfast
______________________
This stage of the tour transitions from the lake district of Ardales into the rolling agricultural heartland of Málaga, culminating in the historic city of Antequera. The ride begins with a dramatic approach toward the Guadalhorce reservoirs, where the road skirts high limestone cliffs and provides glimpses of the famous Caminito del Rey. As you head toward Valle de Abdalajís, you will navigate a series of steady climbs and technical descents set against the backdrop of the Sierra de la Camorra, a landscape defined by its stark white rock formations and olive-covered slopes. If you’re hungry, thirsty or want a break this is the spot to stop, have a drink and relax before continuing on to Antequera.
The second part of today’s route takes you from Valle de Abdalajís to Antequera with a shift in scenery as the mountains give way to the vast, fertile plain known as the Vega. The terrain becomes more open and rolling, allowing for a faster pace as you approach the city. The ride is marked by the constant presence of the “Peña de los Enamorados” (The Lovers’ Rock) on the horizon, a distinctive mountain that signals your arrival. This section provides a perfect balance of challenging elevation in the first half and a scenic, expansive finish into one of Andalusia’s most architecturally rich crossroads.
Click here for our google maps recommendations!
Dinner tonight is not included. The restaurant at the hilltop Parador de Antequera offers delicious local gastronomy with fabulous views; if you would prefer to eat out in the city, we recommend Restaurant Mar de Gloria (open Mon – Sat 7:30pm – 11pm).
Wednesday May 6: Antequera (day off)
Accommodation: Parador de Antequera
Meals included: breakfast
______________________
Take the day off, relax, visit Antequera or take a ride up to El Torcal to visit the beautiful rock formations. If you want more info, or routes, please let us know and we will be happy to assist you.
Thursday May 7: Antequera to Viñuela
Route: 74km
Elevation: 1620m
Accommodation: B Bou Hotel Viñuela and Spa
Meals included: breakfast
______________________
This stage is one of the most diverse of the tour, taking you from the limestone heights of Antequera through a string of traditional mountain villages to the shores of Lake Viñuela. Leaving Antequera, you’ll climb toward Villanueva de la Concepción, navigating the southern foothills of the dramatic Torcal mountain range. The road then winds through the quiet hamlets of Villanueva de Cauche and Colmenar, where the landscape opens up into high-altitude plateaus and almond groves. This section offers a mix of steady ascents and flowing descents with expansive views of the Axarquía mountains.
As you head toward Riogordo and Periana, the route becomes more rugged and panoramic. You’ll cycle through deep river valleys and climb toward Periana, known as the “balcony of the Axarquía” for its commanding views over the valley below. The final stretch is a long, rewarding descent toward the turquoise waters of the Embalse de la Viñuela. The ride concludes at the B-Bou Hotel La Viñuela, a peaceful lakeside retreat that offers a stark, lush contrast to the rocky mountain passes you’ve conquered throughout the day.
After today’s ride we recommend having dinner at the hotel.
Friday May 8: Viñuela to Alhama de Granada
Route: 31km
Elevation: +1043m
Accommodation: Hospederia La Seguiriya
Meals included: breakfast
______________________
Starting from the shores of Embalse de La Viñuela, the route begins with a steady, rhythmic climb until you arrive in Ventas de Zafarraya. This massive limestone cleft acts as a natural gateway, offering spectacular views back toward the turquoise reservoir as you ascend into the mountains. Passing through this notch marks a sharp transition from the subtropical Axarquía into the cooler, high-altitude plains of Granada.
Once through the pass, the terrain flattens into the expansive fields around Ventas de Zafarraya. This fertile, area is a good spot to speed down the road with great scenery framed by jagged grey peaks. The air here is noticeably crisper, offering a welcome reprieve after the initial ascent as the road cuts a straight line toward the provincial border.
The final leg shifts into rolling hills and gentle descents through a golden, rugged landscape of clay ravines. As you approach Alhama de Granada, the town appears perched precariously on the edge of its famous sheer gorge. A final short kick uphill brings you into the historic center, completing a ride defined by its dramatic geological shifts and rewarding alpine atmosphere.
Saturday May 9: Alhama de Granada to Granada city
Route: 55km
Elevation: +780m
Accommodation: Hotel Macia Five Senses
Meals included: breakfast
______________________
Leaving the gorge of Alhama de Granada, the route transitions into the undulating high plateau that surrounds Granada. You’ll head east toward Agrón across a landscape defined by rolling fields of grain and ancient olive groves, where the road offers wide-open horizons and steady, manageable gradients. This section is remarkably quiet, characterized by the “badlands” geography of red clay earth and deep seasonal gullies, providing a rhythmic ride through a sparsely populated, sun-drenched landscape that feels worlds away from the coast.
As you pass through Agrón and continue toward Ventas de Huelma, the Sierra Nevada (the local mountains) begins to dominate the skyline, its snow-capped peaks providing a dramatic backdrop to the descent. The terrain remains fast and flowing as you approach La Malahá, a village famous for its ancient salt pans. Here, the road drops more significantly, and the temperature typically rises as you leave the higher plains behind. The industrial remnants of the salt works provide a unique, slightly surreal visual marker before you begin the final approach into the Granada basin.
The final stretch from La Malahá into Granada is a swift, descending run that brings you toward the city’s edge. The rural peace gives way to a more urban buzz as the road levels out, leading you directly toward the heart of the city with the Alhambra looming on the hill ahead. This leg completes the journey from the rugged isolation of the mountain gorges to the historic center of the provincial capital, offering a great final route with the possibility of high-speed descents and panoramic mountain views.
Congrats–you’ve made it through this challenging, rewarding and exciting week! Enjoy Granada: the tapas, the Alhambra and the Spanish sun !
Arriving into Granada is like stepping into another country; Granada was the capital of the Spanish Caliphate for two and a half centuries, and the Moorish influence is still very noticeable in the architecture, gastronomy, and culture of the area.
Granada is famous at the international level for its tapas: small plates that are provided free of charge to accompany a drink. Typically, these improve in quality and quantity with each round of drinks!
Some of our favourite tapas spots include Taberna La Tana, Bodegas Castañeda, Los Manueles, Bar Aliatar Los Caracoles (to try snails!), Bar Los Diamantes and Restaurante Casa Torcuato.
Sunday May 10: Granada
Accommodation: Hotel Macia Five Senses Meals included: breakfast
______________________
Free day in Granada!
As I’ve mentioned previously, if you want to visit the Alhambra we HIGHLY recommend that you book these tickets well in advance. If you need help, let us know.
Monday May 11: Granada
Meals included: breakfast
______________________
After breakfast our services will have concluded. Please return the bikes in the morning to Nevada Bike and enjoy the rest of your holiday!
