Bike Touring in Andalucía, Spain: From Seville to Cádiz

Looking for a new way to see Spain? A bike touring trip through the Andalucía region is a marvellous method for exploring the southern reaches of the country. This 5-day itinerary starts and ends in Seville, the perfect hub for exploring the region. Cycle through hills and open farmland, experiencing the best of local life, before spending a final night in Cádiz on the coast. With each day’s ride no more than 50.0 km, it’s a very manageable bike tour even for those with less experience. There’s no better way to see the real Andalucía!

Seville

Group cycling in Spain

Day 1: Cycling to the town of Montellano

From Seville, hop on the C1 train south to Utrera. You can disembark at an earlier stop if you’d like to extend the day’s cycle; from Utrera, it’s around 40 kilometres to your destination of Montellano. If you have an extra day to spare, we recommend cycling from Seville east to Carmona, then riding south to Montellano the following day. The terrain is very open, without forest cover for most of the day - don’t skimp on the sun protection! It’s a very gradual ascent for almost the whole route, until the final push into the village which is noticeably steeper. Reward your efforts with a delicious tapas meal, a much-deserved celebration to mark the start of your bike tour.

Recommended Accommodation in Montellano

The Hotel Andalou is a convenient option at the north end of the city centre. The central Plaza Andalucía is a 5-minute stroll away, and the outdoor pool is perfect for cooling down on a summer day. If you’re looking to splurge a little, Hacienda la Morena is located a few kilometres southeast of the centre, offering plenty of privacy and Andalucian style.

Enjoying the view in Cadiz

Cycling in Seville

Day 2: Biking to the beautiful village of Arcos de la Frontera

Leave the pink marble buildings of Montellano behind as you set off for your next destination. The village of Arcos de la Frontera awaits, roughly 40.0 km away. This is a classic example of the gleaming white hilltop settlements scattered across Andalucia. As you cycle, the scenery grows more lush and verdant, trees lining the nearby Bornos Reservoir. You may need to put your route-finding skills to use in spots, as some navigational apps will present interesting choices for getting you into the village. Once you’ve made it to Arcos de la Frontera, plenty of hidden gems await within. Dine on the regional speciality of salmorejo (chilled tomato soup topped with hard-boiled egg and Spanish ham), then watch the sun go down from a perch atop the sandstone ridge on which the village is built.

Recommended Accommodation in Arcos

Casa Campana is an excellent B&B-style property, complete with a rooftop terrace offering fantastic views. The Hotel El Convento is another great pick, with vistas of the surrounding hills and farmland unfolding below you.

Cycling through Carmona

Cycling in Cadiz

Day 3: Arcos to Jerez de la Frontera

Your route takes on an eastward bearing as you strike out for Jerez de la Frontera. It’s a fairly steep descent as you exit Arcos, which soon levels out for a pleasant stretch of cycling. A slight final ascent brings you into Jerez. This city is much larger than your previous two stops, providing plenty of opportunities for exploration. Check out the central Puerta de Jerez Square, from which many of the city’s most notable sights can be accessed. There’s plenty of history here: the old quarter dates back to medieval times, and the city claims the first recorded instance of flamenco singing. Jerez is widely renowned as the global capital of sherry wine, so don’t leave without trying a glass from one of the many bodegas!

Recommended Accommodation in Jerez

Jerez offers plenty of options for a lovely stay. For a B&B-style hotel, try La Fonda Barranco, where a tight-knit team provides a warm welcome with plenty of tips on the best local sherries. If you want to indulge, book a stay at the Casa Palacio Maria Luisa, an elegant property with all the trimmings.

Cycle touring through Zuheros

Cycling in Carmona

Day 4: Jerez to Cádiz

It’s time to head for the coast. There are several routes out of Jerez; each requires you to cycle south before looping around to the east to reach Cádiz. The city lies at the end of a long peninsula, and can be accessed quite directly by car over two bridges from Puerto Real. On the bike, you’ll have to take the longer route - but what a route it is! As you approach San Fernando, the road curves through the Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park, full of marshland and sand dunes. Passing through town, you come to a gravel track dedicated for cycling. This leads you all the way along the peninsula, with water on both sides as you approach Cádiz. It’s a gorgeous finishing stretch to enjoy. Once you arrive in Cádiz, it’s difficult to tear yourself away from the ocean, and there’s really no need to. Find a seaside restaurant and enjoy some tapas by the beach, an unbroken Atlantic sunset rewarding your efforts. It doesn’t get much better than this!

Recommended Accommodation in Cádiz

Your final evening in Cádiz calls for a hotel with ocean views. The Parador de Cádiz is a fantastic modern option with panoramic views over the Atlantic. For something a little more budget-friendly, try the Senator Cádiz Spa Hotel, located on the other side of the peninsula but still very central.

Cycling in Cadiz

Cyclin galong water in Cadiz

Day 5: Taking a train to Seville

After a morning of exploring Cádiz, it’s finally time to return to Seville. The MD (Media Distancia) train will take you there, but loading your bikes involves an extra wrinkle. You’ll have to book a second “seat” for your bike - it’s only a few Euros, but certainly something to keep in mind. Spots for bikes are also quite limited, so an early arrival is recommended. They’ll be hung on hooks in the train for stability. A little under two hours later, and you’re back in Seville! Enjoy an evening in this historic city before saying goodbye to the magical region of Andalucía.