Everyone knows the Canary Islands, everyone knows Calpe. But what if you don't want to be on a postage stamp with too many people? And just want to enjoy a cycling adventure? Here we give you some cycling destinations that you might not immediately think about, but which guarantee great weather, challenging routes and beautiful views. If you're lucky, you can also sip on a nice glass of wine, a delicious cocktail or just lovely clear fresh water. Which winter destination do you think we should still include?
Cyprus
One of the destinations that always seems to be forgotten is Cyprus. You can cycle beautiful routes in many different places here. You have the combination of the beach and a beautiful coastal route with the challenge of climbing The Olympus. It is a destination that is not just around the corner, it is a bit of a flight, but if you bring your own bike, you can leave in no time. Otherwise, you can also use the services of, say, INEX Club in Limassol. There Wouter already a guest and that has been good. For gravel riders, we don't know enough yet. You'll probably be busy with road bikes for a while!
Sardinia
Sardinia is Italy's best-kept cycling secret: vast, quiet roads with surprisingly good tarmac quality, rolling to mountainous terrain and a climate that invites year-round riding. From Cagliari, Olbia or Alghero, you are soon in a setting of wind-sculpted mountains, deep gorges and coastlines where you can twist and turn endlessly. For the road bike you will find Dolomite-like climbs without traffic jams and villages where you can still find an influencer-free coffee bar; for the gravelers lie miles of quiet, unpaved links through rugged inland areas. Low population density means little traffic and plenty of freedom, while hotspots like the Maglia Nera cycling café stop give your ride a stylish anchor point. In short: plan your adventure inland for altimeters or combine coast and inland for variety. Sardinia always delivers, away from mass tourism. Just bear in mind that there is a bit more rain in November and early December. Also read our page here
Turkey: Antalya and environs
Resorts, street vendors and Corendon crowds? No ya, Antalya and the surrounding area is a wonderful cycling destination. What's hot. Here in the area, you can go he-all-out. there is a ski resort nearby, which means you can find plenty of altimeters. If you still haven't found enough of a challenge, you can ALWAYS conquer Turkey's most brutal climb, the Babadağ. Almost 19 kilometres with 10.8% average. The Mortirolo could learn a thing or two from that. Closer to Antalya, you will also find an Olympus climb, a popular mountain name in this region (see Greece and Cyprus). Here's another great route from Kemer, nearby
Crete
Crete is your Mediterranean climbing paradise: quiet coastal roads, rugged mountain massifs and village squares where you score your espresso after the last hairpin. Racing cyclists come here for long, steady climbs towards the Skinakas Observatory and play with the 27 hairpins of Kallikratis; to the west, the White Mountains await with panoramas up to 2,400m high. Gravelers find in the Amari Valley and around the Lassíthi plateau a mix of quiet tarmac lanes and sturdy cart tracks among olive groves and limestone cliffs. Direct do: fly into Chania (for coast + Lefka Ori) or Heraklion (central climbing), fill your water bottles well, and plan one queen's ride to Skinakas. Then have a delicious iced coffee and in the evening enjoy Greek cuisine with a good glass of wine. Happy days.
Costa Tropical
Spain is big. That sounds like an open door, but it is good to remember. While everyone would love to cycle alongside Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar, that urge also comes with an unwanted side effect. The growth of hipster coffee shops, crowding on the roads, higher prices and an updated offer, relegating classic Spain to the background.
We have a solution for that: the Costa Tropical in Andalusia is your perfect winter cycling destination. Lovely weather, enough variety of roads to keep you busy for a week and still that classic Spanish culture. Ok, fair is fair, you do see some tourism influences, but in Nerja, Almuñecar and Salobreña you can still find that real culture, where you can still find tasty 'pan con tomate', grilled or fried fish and albondigas, where you feel like grandma still made them.
Looking for 'cycling friendly' accommodation? Then go to Helios Hotel or in the beautiful Playa Granada Gold in Motril.
