The Costa Brava covers the northeasternmost 200 kilometres of the Spanish coast. The area starts at the French border and runs through to popular coastal resort Blanes. It also includes cycling city Girona (30 kilometres inland) within the Costa Blanca region. In late spring and summer, destinations such as Blanes and Lloret de Mar attract many tourists. Although these holiday destinations mainly evoke the image of a beach and sun holiday, the Costa Brava really has much more to offer. Indeed, from autumn to the first weeks of spring, the region attracts a very different crowd: cyclists!
Thanks to its fine, mild climate, the Costa Brava is a popular destination to train in the winter months. Hotels during this period are nicely priced and often equipped for cyclists. The scenery invites you to take beautiful rides, whether you bring your road bike or gravel bike.
The Costa Brava has a huge amount to offer for cyclists. Girona in particular is considered a real cycling hotspot and attracts a lot of cycling tourism every year. Not surprisingly, as Girona is a good starting point for various road and gravel routes and the Mediterranean climate makes for ideal cycling weather. Many professional riders have settled in the city or train there regularly. As a result, there is now a real cycling atmosphere in the city centre, with cycling cafes, bike shops and always groups of cyclists in the streets gathering for a social ride.
Not only Girona is a fine cycling destination. You can also take fantastic rides from coastal towns like Platja d'Aro. Here you are at the foot of the Massís de les Gavarres. But beware: most roads in this area are gravel roads. This makes it a fantastic gravel destination, but for road routes, you have more route choices from more centrally located Girona.
The mild Mediterranean climate on the Costa Brava makes the region attractive for cycling all year round, but the best period for a cycling holiday is between October and April. In autumn, the forests turn beautiful orange autumn colours and it is still warm enough for short-short cycling. Even the sea water can still be up to temperature for a refreshing swim, while the busy tourism season is already coming to an end.
In winter, temperatures in Girona and along the coast are often between 12 and 15 degrees, with relatively few rainy days. In winter and early spring, the Costa Brava attracts the most cycling tourism.
Summer temperatures on the Costa Brava are usually between 28 and 32 degrees. In July and August, on peak days, it can head towards the 35 degrees go, especially inland around Girona.
The Costa Brava attracts many professional cyclists for a reason! These are the most popular climbs from the region:
Els Àngels - 11 kilometres with 434 metres altitude
This is the popular training ride from Girona. The climb owes its name to Santuario dels Àngels, a small monastery at the top. Cultural fact: world-famous artist Dalí was married here. Be sure to take a look here, or enjoy a coffee at the adjacent café. The climb is winding and not too steep, making it a perfect training climb for many cyclists.
Rocacorba - 2.3 kilometres with 797 metres altitude
You must have done the Rocacorba climb. The road dead-ends at the top and the road surface gets worse and worse on the final kilometres. So what makes the climb so popular? Former pro rider David Millar named his training club after the climb. Nowadays, it is the climb where many a rider tests his form.
Sant Grau - 6.2 kilometres with 471 metres altitude
Located on the coast, this climb is perhaps one of the most beautiful climbs in the region. With an average gradient of 5.7%, it's a tough climb, but the views of the clear blue sea and rocky coastline offer a good distraction while reeling.
Would you like to stay on the coast? Staying in Platje d'Aro is an excellent choice if you want to cycle during the day, and enjoy a relaxed coastal atmosphere and dinners on the promenade in the evening. Stay, for example, in one of the Htophotels, where there are special facilities for cyclists. So you can be sure that your bike is safe and there is a workshop set up to properly maintain or repair it. How convenient!
Stay in Girona at the Best Western hotel, which also has all kinds of cycling facilities.
Tip: On websites like Booking.com, you will also find many flats or holiday homes. The winter months are low season on the Costa Brava. Many holiday homes are lower priced then, so a cottage does not have to cost much more than a hotel room.
Especially outside the tourist season, you will discover the real Costa Brava. The bicycle is a perfect means of transport to get you from place to place. For example, try cycling the route to Cadaqués on the Cap de Creus Peninsula; an old fishing town where artists like Dalí and Picasso used to live and work. Incidentally, this peninsula also lends itself to a good gravel adventure!
There are many ancient villages and towns to discover on the Costa Blanca. Especially in the interior of the region - away from mass tourism - it seems as if time has stood still. Besalú is one of Catalonia's best-preserved medieval villages and is definitely worth a coffee stop. You visit Girona both for its historical charm and its vibrant cycling culture. Together they form a special mix that many a cyclist falls for.
After a day full of climbs and winding descents, Costa Brava food tastes extra good. Start with “pa amb tomàquet”, a simple yet delicious bread with tomato and olive oil, or enjoy fresh seafood such as fideos de mariscos, a noodle paella with shrimp and mussels. Finish with a glass of Empordà wine. Eating here is truly a time to share, relax and feel the life of the region.
Of course, the Costa Brava has some unmissable cycling routes. We have posted some of them on our Komoot page (see below).
