SpainBARCELONA & CAVA VINEYARDS
Guided Cycling Holiday
Spain
The route crosses the Penedás region, renowned for its cava vineyards. We will sample some of the local wine, as well as the fantastic Catalan cuisine. The cycling follows very quiet country lanes, away from traffic, and we also visit Medieval castles, ancient ruins and beautiful historic villages.
The tour is suitable for riders of all levels. Below you can find a detailed itinerary; click on the tabs to see more highlights, as well as all the practical information about the holiday.
We also run a self-guided version of this tour.
Day 1 - Sant Llorenç
We carry out the bike fitting and, depending on your arrival time, there is the possibility to do a short circular ride in the surroundings of the village.
Riding through the Cava Vineyards
Day 2 - Sant Sadurni & Cava Tasting
In the town of Sant Sadurni we visit one of the region's best known wineries for a tasting of the local Cava.
From there we continue along the ancient Via Augusta Roman road to the town of Vilafranca del Penedès, where we stop for lunch, before arriving at our stunning 5-star hotel on the edge of the town.
Cycle Route:
Shorter Route: 25km (16 miles)
Long Route: 33km+ (20 miles+)
We stop for a cava vineyard tour and tasting in Sant Sadurni
Day 3 - Penedés Region
Highlights also include visiting an impressive gorge, known for its birdlife. We enjoy a high quality lunch in a traditional Catalan restaurant, before returning to relax at our 5-star hotel in Vilafranca.
Cycle Routes:
Short Route: 25km (15 miles)
Long Route: 32km (20 miles)
The routes are on quiet lanes or well surfaced cycle routes like this - largely free from traffic!
Day 4 - Olerdola Castle & Via Augusta
A fun downhill takes us back into the Penedés wine region, where we stop for another tasting of the local cava.
The day finishes in another stunning hotel housed inside a reformed 17th century mansion.
Cycle Routes:
The Route: 25km (14 miles)
Long Route: 33km+ (19+ miles)
Day 5 - Castellet & Foix Reservoir
We finish the route by riding along the beach in Vilanova, where we stop for a delicious lunch overlooking the Mediterranean.
After lunch we continue riding either to your hotel in Vilanova or Sitges, or to the train station where you trains depart every 15 minutes into Barcelona.
No accommodation is included this day as we understand that you may prefer to book your own accommodation to spend multiple nights in Barcelona or on the beach. If you would like us to arrange this for you, please let us know and we would happily book the extra nights for you.
Cycle Routes:
Short Route: 25km (17 miles)
Long Route: Various Options
We visit the Medieval castle at Castellet
And these are just a few of the many highlights of the tour. Check out more in the photo album below:
Mastinell Winery
Our luxurious accommodation on the second and third nights - you also enjoy a wine tasting here.
Expansive Vineyards
This is real wine country! As well as cava, the region produces excellent red wines.
Calafell Castle
One of many great historic monuments dotted along the routes.
Catalan Rabbit Stew
Enjoying the Catalan cuisine is one of the highlights of the holiday. This is a traditional rabbit stew and is typical of the inland areas. If this isn't to your taste, don't worry, we're sure you will find many other dishes here that you love!
Cava Vineyards
Large parts of the routes follow quiet lanes such as this through the cava vineyards of the Penedes region.
Historic Villages
The rides pass between picturesque villages, which make for pleasant coffee stops.
Cava Wine Barrels
Cava has been made in the region since the mid 19th century. It was initially sold under the 'Champagne' label, before acquiring its own name. The word Cava literally means 'cave' and takes its name from the cavernous underground areas where the barrels are stored.
Wine Tasting
We sample some of the finest Cava at two separate tastings during the holiday.
Quiet Country Lanes
The routes on this holiday follow tranquil back roads.
El Castellet
The charming village of Castellet is dominated by its castle which dates back to over 1,000 years. It provides a glimpse into the region's history as well as offering incredible views of the surrounding area.
Gravel Road
The riding on this tour is mostly on paved roads, but there are some sections on gravel to help as avoid traffic. These are smooth and don't require and specific off-road riding skills.
Foix Reservoir
The scenic Foix Reservoir provides water for many of the vineyards and orange groves in this region.
Romanesque Church
We pass through many charming small villages on the rides.
Via Augusta
Our route often follows the Via Augusta - a Greco-Roman road which linked the Mediterranean coastal towns of ancient Iberia.
Roman Stele
This Roman road marker dates back over 2,000 years. This route is following in the footsteps of ancient historic figures such as Hannibal, Julius Caesar and Charlemagne.
Vilafranca Cathedral
Vilafranca is the largest town in the region and makes for an excellent lunch stop.
Coastal Old Town
The colorful old town of Sitges is fun to explore and an extension option.
Sagrada Familia - Barcelona
Designed by Antonà GaudÃ, this church is probably the most iconic of all Barcelona's monuments.
Barcelona Old Town
The narrow charming streets of the old town have a surprise lurking around every corner. During the Middle Ages, this claustrophobic center was one of the most powerful cities of the Mediterranean.
Included
- ✔ Four Nights Accommodation in luxury boutique hotels (see the Hotels section for more details)
- ✔ Four breakfasts and four lunches included (usually a three course meal in a good local restaurant with drinks inlcuded)
- ✔ Bicycle Hire (Hybrid, e-bike recommended)
- ✔ Arrival transfer from Barcelona airport
- ✔ Luggage transferred between hotels
- ✔ Vehicle Support on the routes
- ✔ Two Cava Wine Tastings
- ✔ Experienced guide cycling the routes and explaining places of interest
- ✔ Detailed information pack
Not Included:
- ❌ Flights
- ❌ Tour Extensions (optional extra)
- ❌ Travel Insurance
Bicycles
More details about our bikes can be found on our bicycles page. All of our bikes come with helmets and handlebar bags if required, as well as a Cycle Fiesta water bottle.
Difficulty Level & Roads
We are not in a rush during the tour so you will always be able to get into a nice rhythm and ride at your own pace. We believe that this is perfectly suitable for a first time cycling holiday, and also a good option for more experienced riders who want a rounded holiday, with things to do both on and off the bike.
The longer routes are available for those of you who wish to cycle further. These also tend to be rolling rather than hilly, and you can choose on any given day whether to do the longer or shorter route.
The routes are on a combination of quiet country roads and cycling paths. Most of the route is paved, but there are some gravel sections at times, such as through some of the vineyards. These can be avoided though if you wish to do the tour on a road bike.
Find out more about our tour difficulty levels.
Arrival and Departure
It also has regular train connections to most of Spain and France, as well as ferries to Mallorca, Sardinia and Civitavecchia (Rome).
We will pick you up from Barcelona airport and transfer you to the hotel.
The departure point is Vilanova. This is an excellent place to spend a couple of nights relaxing by the beach. It also has trains running every 15 minutes to Barcelona. The ride on the last day can finish either at your hotel in Vilanova or nearby Sitges, or at the train station if you wish to continue into Barcelona. Please contact us if you would like any advice or more information about the options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please browse through some of the frequently asked questions about this cycling tour. If you have any further questions, or would like any more information, please contact us and we will answer by email.
What is the weather like?
The Barcelona region is mostly dry and sunny throughout the year, with little rain. This tour is enjoyable year round, although temperatures can be a bit too hot at times in July and August, and it can
also get a bit chilly in January.
So we generally run the guided tour in Spring and Autumn (Fall), when the vineyards are out and the weather is often perfect for cycling.
There is always the possibility of getting caught in a shower though, so we recommend to bring a rain jacket, just in case.
Can I extend the tour?
Yes, we would be happy to arrange any tour extensions for you. The most popular option is to spend extra nights in
Barcelona.
But we can also help you to extend the trip if you wish to visit Madrid,
Valencia, the Costa Brava, or elsewhere.
Can non-cyclists come on the trip?
Absolutely! Non-cyclists are more than welcome.
Although cycling is a big part of the holiday, we also do a lot off the bike. Usually non-cyclists ride in the support vehicle and can explore the various towns and villages along the route.
How big are the groups on your tour?
We usually limit the groups to a maximum of 10 people. We find that if there are many more than that, it can become a bit unwieldly. We think that smaller groups also provide for a more personal experience, as well as enabling to book more easily in some of our favourite restaurants.
Who is leading the tour?
All of our guided tours are led personally by the founders of Cycle Fiesta - Ian & Lucia.
See our about us page for more information.
Can I do this as a private guided tour?
Yes, we can run this as a private tour for groups of six or more people. Please get in contact with us to discuss dates and any changes you would like to make
What do the meals consist of on this tour?
Lunches are taken in local restaurants and consists of three course menus or a selection of tapas. The menu normally has three or four options for each course (including at least one vegetarian option) and is food typical of Catalonia and the rest of Spain.
The evening meals are a combination of traditional tapas (lots of small plates of various cooked dishes, as well as local cheeses, hams, salads etc..
In Tarragona we go for a multi course tasting menu in one of the best restaurants.
Drinks are included (water, soft drinks, beer, wine) with all meals.
What is your cancellation policy?
The full cancellation policy can be found in our terms and conditions.
Why book with us?
We are a small and independent company who are locally based, which offers several advantages:
- We have a lot personal experience of all of our tours, which have been refined over many years. We believe we are genuine experts in the regions where we run tours, and we are also close at hand to offer support and a personalized service.
- We are flexible and can tailor our itineraries to suit your requirements.
- We have low overheads. We don't spend money on advertising and don't use third party agents. We only sell our tours through this website.
By cutting out the middle man, you can be sure that more of what you pay is
being spent on the important things: like hotels, equipment and other services.
- We are a registered and fully bonded tour operator in accordance with EU regulations.
Where can I find more information about the region?
We have more detailed information on the website.
Check out our page on Barcelona for more information about the city itself.
Hotel Can Canyes
Hotel Mastinell
It is a great place to relax at the end of a day's riding.
Bolet Casa Modernista
The hotel counts on a large pool and gardens, as well as offering its own cava tasting.
| Date | Price (per person)¹ | Single Supplement | Bike Hire | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Tour (Groups of 8+) | €1,490 EUR | €440 EUR | Included |
To reserve a place on the tour, click the button above and complete the reservation form. We will then get back to you within 24 hours to confirm the reservation, and to arrange for payment of the deposit.
For more details on the booking process, please check out our Reservations page.
²Other Dates
Groups of eight people or more contact us to arrange a private guided tour starting on any date.
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