From Gibraltar airport, you´ll be transferred to the ancient fishing port of Tarifa, home to Skedaddle España for the past 20 years! As the southernmost point of mainland Europe, Tarifa has a fascinating and turbulent history, owing to its strategic position on the western edge of the Strait of Gibraltar. Originally Phoenician, the town boasts a rich heritage, with influences from the Romans, and architecture, culture, and design shaped by the Moors. Today, it is a lively and vibrant destination. Beyond the ancient walled medina, you’ll find unspoilt white Atlantic beaches stretching into the distance, alongside an eclectic maze of bars and restaurants to explore at your leisure.

We’d always recommend adding an extra day before your cycling adventure begins to take a day trip to explore Tangier in Morocco, enjoy a whale-watching excursion in the Strait of Gibraltar, or simply relax on the beaches and wander through the alleyways to uncover hidden gastronomic delights.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 380 Metres Approx.

Your first day riding is a cycling fiesta along the fabulous Coast of Light. Riding is along local cyclepaths and small tracks and roads and it won’t be long before your first stop at the huge migrating sand dune of Punta Paloma, which offers incredible views back to Tarifa and across to the Rif mountains in Morocco.

A recently built cycle path, connecting to the EuroVelo 8 route, winds through umbrella pines and coastal dunes along the wild Atlantic to reach Bolonia’s stunning crescent-shaped beach, a frequent winner of the ‘Best Beach in Spain’ award. This small settlement is perfect for enjoying tapas with locals or picking up supplies for a beach picnic.

Before leaving Bolonia, a visit to the beautifully located Baelo Claudia Roman site is a must. The museum offers fascinating insights into Roman Iberia, and the impressively preserved town, once famed for producing the fish sauce garum, is a highlight.

Climbing out of Bolonia bay the rugged cliffs of the Sierra de la Plata loom above, home to many Griffon Vultures and Paleolithic paintings of Cueva de Moro. The trail descends on smooth gravel, high above pine-clad dunes and pristine coves, before reaching the infamous bay of Atlanterra, dotted with luxurious mansions reminiscent of Beverly Hills.

A few easy coastal kilometers bring you to your home for the evening, Zahara de los Atunes, a tiny fishing village, famed for its ancient tuna market. Here, traditional Bluefin Tuna fishing still uses the ancient Phoenician method of Almadraba, ensuring sustainable catches. Zahara is a food lover’s paradise, offering an excellent selection of restaurants.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 455 Metres Approx.

This morning you’ll leave Zahara and head along the EuroVelo 8 cycle route behind the wild coastline of the Atlantic. One of the reasons the coast of light is so unspoilt is because much of the coastline was military land due to the strategic location close to the Straits of Gibraltar – perfect for us to now enjoy peacefully by bike. Cycling along this stretch of coast is a great opportunity to take a morning swim on your own private beach. What a privilege!

After passing miles of quiet beaches, you’ll enter Barbate by crossing its river and riding along the seafront promenade. Barbate is an authentic fishing town, home to a large Almadraba fleet, with more Andalusian character than tourist appeal. It’s a great spot to enjoy a snack at a beachfront bar or buy supplies while watching the locals go about their day. A stroll around the harbour is fascinating, especially to see the hundreds of large anchors used in the Almadraba.

The climb from the harbour is worth it for the dramatic cliff-top views from the Torre del Tajo watchtower. Along your route, you’ll pass other watchtowers, each visible to the next down the coast, forming an ancient defensive warning system.

Straying away from the coast, your route heads into the Natural Park of La Breña, characterised by rolling hills clad with umbrella pines. You may see locals, bravely harvesting the pine cones that will be dried to extract tender pine nuts. The forest tracks will lead you past the fascinating El Palomar de la Breña, which houses a large dovecot used to collect guano for producing saltpetre, once vital for making gunpowder to defend the ships of the conquistadors.

The final kilometres of today’s ride climb to the hilltop town of Vejer de la Frontera, a gem of the region’s ancient past. The old quarter, a beautifully preserved Moorish medina, is a delight to explore, with artisan boutiques, stunning views, historic architecture, and plenty of inviting bars and eateries.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 230 Metres Approx.

Before leaving Vejer, be sure to visit the Alcázar, the charming Plaza de España, and enjoy a morning coffee on the Corredera, offering stunning views of the sun rising over Africa.

Leaving the town via the Poniente ridge, dotted with ancient windmills, you’ll look over the La Janda farmlands and Atlantic coast before an exhilarating descent through the pine forest to the beautiful cape of Trafalgar. This historic site is worth exploring to reflect on its past and enjoy the beaches, wild ocean, and the cafés and restaurants of picturesque Caños de Meca.

Following cycle paths, you´ll ride through the beach settlement of El Palmar, famed for its surf, before pedalling on a beachside track to your destination for the evening, Conil de la Frontera. Conil is a popular holiday destination for Spaniards due to the incredible beaches, attractive old quarter and abundance of excellent restaurants.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 350 Metres Approx.

A fabulous start to the day takes you from Conil along dramatic cliff-top tracks above Fuente de Gallo Beach and the Cove of Aciete. Winding through pines, you’ll pass the small fishing port of Conil before climbing past the Cape and lighthouse of Roche. The ride offers stunning views and opportunities to explore secluded beaches on foot.

Your route crosses the resort of Sancti Petri, using newly built cycle paths through forests, away from traffic. After passing the centre of Chiclana, the route enters the Natural Park of the Bay of Cádiz, a maze of wetlands. You’ll cross bridges and pass the Chiclana salt pans, which date back to the 5th century when the Phoenicians settled here. A visit to the salt museum or lunch at the restaurant is well worth it in this unique environment.

The day ends with a beachside ride along a spit of land to the island of Cádiz, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. Circumnavigating the island on cycle paths is a great way to explore, passing the golden-domed cathedral and Castillo de San Sebastián at Caleta Beach, before meandering through narrow lanes to your hotel. Cádiz is a wonderful place to explore in the evening, with a vibrant food and flamenco scene.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 225 Metres Approx.

The day begins with a short ferry ride across Cádiz Bay to the charming fishing town of Rota, once a key trading post with North Africa. Enjoy a coffee at the harbour before cycling past the Castillo de Luna, the long stretch of Costilla Beach, and the Corales de Rota, a scenic reserve with ancient sandstone fish corrals that trap marine life as the tide recedes.

The route follows the Via Verde Entre Ríos, once part of an industrial rail network now transformed into a cycle path to the beach town of Chipiona. It’s a great stop to enjoy fabulous seafood and visit the Museo de Moscatel.

The afternoon ride is a leisurely journey along another Via Verde, through cultivated lands, to your enchanting base for the night, Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Located on the left bank of the River Guadalquivir, Sanlúcar is part of the ‘Sherry Triangle’ and home to the famous Manzanilla wine. Opposite Doñana National Park, one of Europe’s most important wetlands, Sanlúcar is a perfect stop for its rich cuisine, focused on fish and seafood, and abundant bodegas.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 295 Metres Approx.

Your final ride today, in this enticing corner of Andalucia, takes you from Sanlúcar along the Guadalquivir estuary, with views over Doñana National Park, a haven for birdlife, including pink flamingos.

The route will take you through cultivated farmlands, passing paddy fields, salt flats and marshes and through the pretty pine forest of the Pinar de Monte Algaida. At the Hermitage of Carmen, your route swings south-east, leaving the coast behind to ride along smooth asphalt through vast vineyards and renowned sherry bodegas.

Jerez is your final destination on this journey. To celebrate, you’ll enjoy a tour of a world-famous sherry bodega, followed by time to explore the enticing bars and restaurants, and discover the beautiful old quarter and imposing cathedral.

• Meals: Breakfast

Unfortunately, it’s time to leave this beautiful region and travel home. Depending on flight times, you may have time to spend the morning exploring Jerez, before we transfer you back to Jerez airport for flights home.

If you’d prefer to fly from Gibraltar or Malaga we can also arrange this – please contact us for a quote.