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Andalucia Cycling: Cordoba to Granada in 8 days

Andalucia Cycling: Cordoba to Granada in 8 days

ExperiencePlus! offers three itinerary options for your exploration of Andalucia. You can join us for this 8-day version from Cordoba to Granada, or a 7-day bike itinerary from Seville to Cordoba, or a grand tour that combines them both and has you cycling 13 days from Seville to Granada!

  • Cordoba and Granada - two of the most important historical and culturally fascinating cities in Spain.
  • Guided visits of the Alhambra and Mezquita de Cordoba.
  • Bicycle through ancient olive groves and sample some of the world's finest olive oil.
  • Unique and welcoming accommodations including restored convents, castles, renaissance palaces, and a refurbished Hacienda where you will learn about local agriculture.
May and October departures when the spring flowers and fall weather are best for cycling in Southern Spain.

Tour Dates & Prices

Date
Price
Private Room Fee
Note
May 14-21, 2024
USD$4595
USD$550
Book now and save $200 per person
Book It
Oct 8-15, 2024
USD$4595
USD$550
Book now and save $200 per person
Book It

* We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the private room charge. This charge will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available it will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.

** For information about what your tour status means please see our FAQ page.

Tour Style: Classic Hold A Space Request Private Departure Download Itinerary Tour Map
  • Trip At-A-Glance
  • Tour Summary
  • Daily Itinerary
  • Travel Information
  • Map
  • Reviews
  • Similar Tours
Trip At-A-Glance

Trip At-A-Glance

  • Length / 8 Days
  • Total Distance / 416 km (257 miles)
  • Avg. Distance / 70 km (43 miles) per riding day
  • Tour Level & Tour Style / 4.0 Classic
  • Countries / Spain
  • Begin/End / Cordoba/Granada
  • Price / From USD$4595
More Photos
Tour Summary

Tour Summary

  • Highlights
    Granada, Andalucian Villages, Guided tour of Córdoba, Alhambra, Guided visit of Sinagoga del Agua, Pottery demonstration in Úbeda, Winery visit and tasting at Benalua de Guadix

    Keep in Mind: We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.

    Though we try and arrange dinners together as early as possible in Spain this means 8:00 to 8:30 p.m.
  • Includes
    8 days, 7 nights accommodation; meals as noted in itinerary; visit to a sherry producer and pottery maker, guided visit to the Alhambra and Mezquita de Cordoba; and the usual (see below).

    Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic Tour Style page.
  • Arrive / Depart
    Seville (SVQ)/ Granada or Seville or Madrid
  • Overall Tour Level
    4.0 difficulty level 4.0

    Lots of climbing but grades are rarely above 8%.

  • Daily Ride Summary

    Day

    Distance/Gain
    mi/ftkm/m

    Terrain

    Day Level

    Notes

    1
    Test ride
    2
    77km / 1244m
    Hilly
    difficulty level 4.5
    3
    79km / 1405m
    Very hilly
    difficulty level 4.5
    4
    70km / 1338m
    Very hilly
    difficulty level 4.5
    5
    48km / 742m
    Rolling hills
    difficulty level 2.5
    Today's ride is an optional loop ride
    6
    106km / 1565m
    Hilly
    difficulty level 5.0
    7
    57km / 871m
    Hilly
    difficulty level 3.5
    8
    Last day

Terrain Legend

Gentle Gentle

Rolling hills Rolling hills

Hilly Hilly

Very hilly Very hilly

Mountainous Mountainous

Daily Itinerary
Download Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrive in Córdoba

Highlights: Visit the Mezquita and Jewish Quarter

You'll want to arrive early to join a tour of the beautiful Mesquita of Cordoba. We'll also fit your bike so you can take a test ride. Tonight we'll have a special dinner together.

DAY 2: Córdoba to Zuheros

Highlights: Hills of Andalucia, visit to an olive press

The ride has you pedaling over hills and through countless olive groves into the heart of the Córdoba province. This region produces some of the world's finest olive oils and we'll enjoy a tasting this afternoon.

  • Distance: 77km (48mi)
  • Gain: 1244m (4080ft)
  • Terrain: Hilly
  • Day Level: difficulty level 4.5
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 3: Zuheros to Jaén

Highlights: Rolling Hills of Andalucia, Jaén and its olive groves, visits of Cathedral and Arab baths

We'll start the ride out on the same rails to trails path we came in on yesterday. After just a few miles you'll be back on the road and enjoying vistas of an endless sea of olive groves. You are now in one of Europe's largest olive growing regions - some estimate that there are over 150 million olive trees in this province.

  • Distance: 79km (49mi)
  • Gain: 1405m (4608ft)
  • Terrain: Very hilly
  • Day Level: difficulty level 4.5
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 4: Jaén to Úbeda

Highlights: Renaissance town of Úbeda

The ride today takes us through beautiful countryside from Jaén to the monumental city of Úbeda, our home for the next two days. Úbeda was a wealthy Renaissance town and it retains that character particularly in the old quarter. This afternoon we'll visit a synagogue which was recently discovered during restoration work and is nearly completely intact. Take time to join the locals for a café con leche at an outdoor café. Our hotel this evening is a remodeled Renaissance Palace and truly fit for royalty.

  • Distance: 70km (44mi)
  • Gain: 1338m (4389ft)
  • Terrain: Very hilly
  • Day Level: difficulty level 4.5
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 5: Rest day in Úbeda, with optional ride

Highlights: Discover the UNESCO sites of Renaissance Architecture of Úbeda and Baeza with an enjoyable ride into the hills

This is a free day to enjoy the intriguing city of Úbeda though we do encourage you to join us for visit a famous local ceramics studio and enjoy an artist's demonstration this morning. The rest of the day is yours to walk through the historic Renaissance district or consider cycling into the hills to Baeza, another prominent Renaissance town. The ensemble of Renaissance monuments of Úbeda and Baeza are on UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites and should not be missed.

  • Distance: 48km (30mi)
  • Gain: 742m (2434ft)
  • Terrain: Rolling hills
  • Day Level: difficulty level 2.5
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Lodging:

DAY 6: Úbeda to Benalúa de Guadix

Highlights: Ride towards the Sierra Nevada, "cave" winery visit

We head south today on our way to Benalúa de Guadix and towards the hills of the Sierra Nevada. Enjoy a change of scenery as you enter the "southwest" of Spain. You'll cross the Sierra Magina on your route and then head down towards the clay formations of Guadix. It is easy to imagine how for the past 500 years most houses of the villages in this valley were built as caves inside clay mounds. Even today about a third of the towns here are built in caves! Tonight we'll visit a cave winery close to our hotel.

DAY 7: Benalúa de Guadix to Granada

Highlights: Views of the Sierra Nevada, Tapeo experience in Granada

Today we ride to Granada situated in the shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Enjoy a fun downhill stretch and pedal past fields of asparagus and tobacco as olives and grapes give way to more diverse crops. Our destination is the glorious city of Granada, home of the Alhambra (the 13th and 14th century complex of buildings representing the finest example of Moorish architecture left in Spain). On the way you'll pass by the famous village of Purullena, known for its ceramics. We'll have a final dinner together.

  • Distance: 57km (36mi)
  • Gain: 871m (2857ft)
  • Terrain: Hilly
  • Day Level: difficulty level 3.5
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 8: Explore Granada, Spain

Highlights: Guided tour of the Alhambra

Stick around this morning for our guided tour of the Alhambra. This city has so much more to offer we recommend an extra night here to explore the beautiful old quarter and tea houses. Granada is also known for its fabulous tapas. If you must depart today be sure to schedule flights after 3:00 p.m.

  • Meals: Breakfast
Travel Information

Travel Information

Day 1: Arrival Information

Arrive in Córdoba

Meeting time 2 p.m. - on Day 1, meet your fellow cyclists and Tour Leaders at the Day 1 Hotel specified on the itinerary.

Note: As you are planning, remember that the hotels listed in our itineraries are our primary hotels and are - in rare cases - subject to change. Before you make arrangements, check with us if your tour departure is guaranteed. If your tour departure is out further than 6 months, please also check with us as there might be slight changes to the itinerary.

The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.

We recommend flying into Seville (SVQ) or Madrid (MAD).

Flying into SVQ:

  1. Bus "EA" from the Seville Airport to Estación de Santa Justa (25-30 min intervals, tickets purchased on board) (30 min/EUR 4) Or Taxi (15 min/EUR 25)
  2. Train from Sevilla Santa Justa to Cordoba Central (45 min/fares vary) 
  3. Taxi from Cordoba train station to the Day 1 Hotel (10 min/EUR 15)

Flying into MAD:

  1. Metro to Madrid Atocha train station (50 min/EUR 5) or taxi (25 min/EUR 30)
  2. Train from Madrid Atocha to Cordoba Central station (2 hours/fares vary)
  3. Taxi from Cordoba train station to the day 1 hotel (10 min/EUR 15)

Look up Spanish train schedules at Renfe.com or Trainline.eu. Questions? See our information on taking trains in Europe here or ask us.

Day 8: Departure Information

Explore Granada, Spain

Your trip ends after a guided tour of the Alhambra so be sure to schedule flights after 3:00 p.m.

The below information will help you plan your departure. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio.

Flying out of Granada Airport (GRX):

  • Taxi from the ending hotel (30 min/EUR 20-25)

Estimated train travel times from Granada to other destinations in Spain:

  • Madrid 4 hours
  • Seville 3 hours 15 min

Look up Spanish train schedules at Renfe.com or Trainline.eu. Questions? See our information on taking trains in Europe here or ask us.

Keep in Mind

We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.

Though we try and arrange dinners together as early as possible in Spain this means 8:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Pre-Trip Planning Checklist

To do right after you booked!

6 to 3 Months Prior to Tour Start Date

  • Refer to your Tour Packet/Itinerary to see step-by-step arrival and departure information for your tour, meeting place and time, if a reservation on a complimentary ExperiencePlus! Shuttle (if applicable) is required, and other important information to help you plan your arrival and departure.
  • Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed.
  • Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights.
  • Begin your chosen training program.
  • Final payment is due 90 days (120 days for Bike &Barge/Boat tours) prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail we send 10 days prior to the due date for detailed instructions.

6 to 2 Weeks Prior to Tour Start Date

  • Start reading one of the books or watching one of the movies from our Reading and Movie Lists: https://www.experienceplus.com/blog/travel-planning/
  • Plan what you are going to pack and start packing! Refer to the Packing Lists on our website at https://www.experienceplus.com/blog/travel-planning/packing/.
  • We'll email you your access code to Digital Daysheets, Hotel Itinerary, Participant Roster, names and contact information of your Tour Leaders, emergency phone numbers, and other important departure information about 2 weeks prior to your tour start date. All this will be provided to you via a feature called Experiences via the RideWithGPS App (tracks available but not necessary for navigation on Classic, Expedition and Bike & Boat tours).

Day of Your Flight

Get as much sleep on the plane as you can. Pack your one day of cycling gear in your carry-on. See you soon!

What to Expect on Tour

Classic Tour Style

Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic page.

Map

Map

Reviews

Reviews

  • What was your favorite experience on this trip? Just one???? 1) All of the arranged tours. I love history. It teaches us so much about our present state..... 2) Exciting gateway cities of Cordoba and Granada - I wish I could have done the longer ride and seen Seville. 3) The arrows - after fighting with maps attached to my handlebars and expensive equipment that can lead one astray, I am a believer. I saw more of the countryside than any previous bike ride. Never get rid of this unique attribute of your tours.

    Jennifer P., Park City, UT - October 2018

  • Everything was top notch. The hotels were splendid, the breakfasts and dinners we shared with the group were fantastic. The after ride tours were educational and the rides were challenging but well organized and I loved the day sheets provided.

    Tracey Y., Falls Church, VA

  • Fantastic. The perfect active vacation. Everything was so good I have nothing to suggest!!

    Lauren F., San Francisco, CA

  • Of the more than 15 professionally led bike tours I''ve taken, this was the best supported trip I''ve been on and one of the very best cycling and cultural experiences I''ve had.

    Jeff A., Portland, OR

  • Challenging cycling but rewarding. Very interesting places and towns to visit - Cordoba and Granada were both fascinating cities to get to spend time in. The guided tours in each city were both nicely done and most interesting. Beautiful countryside. All around was a great tour.

    Cliff M., Knoxville, TN

  • Beautiful cities and countryside - had visited Seville and Granada before and always wanted to return. Had never been to Cordoba or Ubeda and they were stunning.

    Heather and Ian B., Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland

  • A great trip. Good balance between sightseeing and riding. Look forward to traveling with ExperiencePlus! again soon.

    Susan C., Berkeley, CA

  • Like all ExperiencePlus Tours -- excellent, well planned and supported, definitely the way to go.

    Guy C., Vallejo, CA

  • Super trip. Everybody should do both the Camino de Santiago and the Andalucia trip. They complement each other nicely.

    Manfred K., NY, NY

  • Amazing tour! Had a great time!

    Brice P., Calgary, Canada

  • Really great trip, impressed with the hotels and meals. Leaders were outstanding! I was surprised how majestic and beautiful Spain was - my first visit, but not my last!

    Joan K., Palatine, IL

  • Great tour. Planning on doing Camino de Santiago bicycle tour across northern Spain in August next year.

    Bob L., Fort Collins, CO

  • It was wonderful.

    Chuck and Jacque W., San Luis Obispo, CA

  • This was a wonderfully conceived trip... the cycling was great; the lodgings were wonderful; the new bicycles were a real treat... a great trip!

    Ed R., Palmyra, PA

  • Super trip. Everybody should do both the Camino and the Andalucia trip. They complement each other nicely.

    Manfred K., New York, NY

  • This was a wonderful trip! Beautiful area of the world to bike. The marriage of Islamic and Christian cultures and architectures was fascinating. Food was excellent. Tour leaders were superb. And...the local people were incredibly friendly.

    James B.
    Incline Village, NV

  • Our favorite bike touring company! Chalk arrows (really sets XPlus apart), amount/level of biking, limited van shuttles, enthusiasm, knowledge and teamwork of leaders. Also, food and wine and local "feel" of trips. These are some of the things we really value.

    Deena B.
    Incline Village, NV

  • [My favorite part?] Miles and miles (or kilometers) of great cycling on rural roads! Topped off by great dinners with the group.

    Gregg M.
    Littleton, CO

  • [My favorite parts were] The Moorish buildings of Cordoba and Granada, and the foothills of the Sierra Morena (great countryside and roads)

    Richard R.
    Charles Town, WV

  • You are loved, and most appreciated for such trips of such quality.

    George & Jane N.
    Columbus, IN

  • We have always loved the ExperiencePlus! trips on a Bicycle. Great food, wine and hotels, also a good bike to ride all those hills. We are forever grateful for such a wonderful sojourn in other countries.

    George & Jane N.
    Columbus, IN

  • I loved the people and the tours in town -olive oil factory, pottery, alhambra etc

    Ivy D.
    Denver, CO

  • Great touring company! the hat cambio is a great idea to force your clients to reach out to others ... My tour was nearly perfect. I loved the trip. I couldn't pick a single moment [ that was best ].

    Diane C.
    Boulder, CO

  • [My favorite part was ]the scenery in the last 40Km from Ubeda to Guadix. Overall, the trip exceeded my expectations. The diversity of towns and scenery was very pleasing. The accommodations and meals were excellent. The guides were tirelessly patient and informative.

    Sara G.
    Portland, OR

  • Loreto, Maria Elena and Claudio were just wonderful leaders! They were so competent, helpful and knowledgeable. Really, they are what made the trip so enjoyable. It was hard to pick just one [ favorite part]. There were many. I loved riding through the Sierra Nevada on the last day with fall color and beautiful scenery. I think the Mezquita was the most unique cultural sight. I enjoyed all aspects of this tour. It was another wonderfully planned and executed Experience Plus! tour.

    Linda M.
    Livermore, CA

  • These have been my favorite vacations ever! [ My favorite part was ]the biking to one interesting town after another. Regional food was great. Local guides for tours were great.

    Jack I.
    Boulder, CO
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