Sevilla to Granada Cycling Tour

Discover Andalucía on this self-guided cycling tour from Sevilla to Córdoba and Granada

Imagine pedaling through the heart of Andalucía, where golden olive groves stretch to the horizon, whitewashed villages perch on sun-drenched hills, and centuries of history unfold beneath your wheels. A self-guided cycling tour from Sevilla to Córdoba and Granada is not just a ride - it’s an unforgettable adventure through Spain’s most captivating landscapes and cultural treasures.

Our Andalucian cycling tour routes always take the less-travelled path. We avoid the easy-to-find roads in favour of more scenic, lesser-known minor roads and country tracks, to give you a truly unique experience of the real Spain.

(Are you looking for a shorter trip? Browse our full selection of Day Tours from Ronda.)

Overview

 

START:  Sevilla     FINISH:  Granada

Price	From €1680 p.p. based on 2 people sharing a double or twin room with breakfast
Duration	10 days	9 nights	6 cycling days
Distance	367 km total	61 km daily avg     ( max 68km - min 51km )
Difficulty	Moderately Challenging - This tour has been designed to follow the 'less travelled path' cycling on a mix of quiet roads, unsurfaced tracks on trekking bikes (e-bikes also available). The route keeps riders away from traffic as far as possible. There are hills throughout the region but this tour is aimed at leisure cyclists who are used to riding in hilly terrain.
Availability	March - June | Sep - November  Choose the dates which suit you. Start on any day of the week. Note: Supplements may apply during Easter week due to inflated accommodation prices.

 

Seville to Granada Cycling Tour Highlights

Culture & History  Seville’s Historic and Cultural Wonders – Start your journey in the vibrant capital of Andalusia, home to the majestic Alcázar, the iconic Giralda, and lively tapas bars. Carmona’s Historic Charm – A picturesque town with Roman and Moorish influences, offering breathtaking views from the Parador and charming, narrow streets. Andalusian Olive Groves – Ride through endless olive groves and rolling countryside, experiencing the heart of Spain’s olive oil region. Alcalá la Real and La Mota Fortress – A historic hilltop town dominated by the impressive Fortaleza de la Mota, offering panoramic views and a glimpse into Spain’s medieval past. Granada and the Alhambra – The journey ends in Granada, where you can explore the Alhambra, the Albaicín district, and soak in the city’s vibrant atmosphere. This route beautifully combines Andalusia’s rich history, culture, and landscapes, making for an unforgettable cycling adventure!

Cycling Highlights Ride along converted railways, quiet roads and unsurfaced tracks, away from traffic Take less-travelled routes, that tourists rarely discover 3 Via Verdes (converted railway lines) for traffic free riding Historical hilltop forts & towns Carmona - Parador Hotel in the castle

Itinerary

 

Arrival Day in Sevilla

Extra sightseeing days can be added throughout this tour on request

Check in to your hotel in Sevilla and enjoy the sights and sounds of the beautiful city. 

Sevilla (Seville), is a city full of passion, history, and stunning architecture. The Alcázar of Seville, a dazzling Moorish palace, showcases intricate tilework and lush gardens. The Giralda and Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, houses Christopher Columbus' tomb. The Plaza de España, with its grand semi-circular design and colourful ceramic tiles, is a must-see. Seville is also the birthplace of flamenco, and you can experience its soulful performances in the historic Triana district. With its lively tapas bars, charming streets, and warm atmosphere, Seville is an unforgettable destination.

NOTE: Briefing and bike set-up will take place on your first evening.

 

Cycling Day 1 - Sevilla to Carmona

51km +504m

Leaving Sevilla via the Plaza de Espana built to celebrate the different provinces of Spain during the World's Fair of 1929. The ride out of the city is all on cycle-ways until you reach the Rio Guadaira and ride along its banks to Alcala de Guadaira and the Serpent Bridge.  From Alcala, you join the Via Verde de los Alcores which runs along the old mythical Tren de los Panadores (Bakers Train), for 25km to Carmona.  The final few kilometres bring you up to the hilltop town of Carmona.

Carmona is considered one of the most important tourist destinations in Spain. From a distance, the visitor is impressed by the Roman ramparts, which enclose a large number of interesting monuments, such as the Roman necropolis, the Alcázares, the church of San Felipe, the Church of Santa Marí­a, the Puerto de Sevilla, the Puerta de Cordoba, along with many other civilian and religious buildings. It is a truly monumental city and one of the most important historical and cultural centres of Andalucí­a.  You will spend the night in the Hotel Parador de Carmona which occupies the Mudejar palace of Pedro I of Castile, built on the old Moslem castle.

Cycing Day 2 - Carmona to Ecija

71km +413m

Your day begins by descending from Carmona and riding through the fertile valley of the Corbones River to Marchena a town founded by the Romans, in the centre of the Campiña region. The "Bella desconocida" (beautiful stranger) comprises a beautiful group of monuments, streets and noble residencies in which artists, folklore and gastronomy are of great importance. From Marchena you ride for 45km along the Via Verde de Campina, following part of the old reconditioned Córdoba–Marchena railway lines, that stopped operating in the 70s, through fields of sunflowers and cereal crops among olive groves, which are especially beautiful in spring when they contrast their colours in the different fields that cover the landscape. The Via Verde de Campina takes you into Ecija.

Ecija is a city dominated by its magnificent baroque towers and domes. This monumental area invites visitors to stroll through its streets and squares, and enter their palaces, churches, monasteries, ... to admire one of the most important artistic centers of Andalusia.

Cycling Day 3 - Ecija to Cordoba

58km +494m

From the outskirts of Ecija, you will rejoin the Via Verde de Campina for 47km bringing you close to the outskirts of Cordoba. Riding along the banks of the Rio Guadalquivir you will be looking across to the magnificent city of Cordoba and eventually cross the river into the city using the Puente Roman, a magnificent bridge composed of 16 arches, believed to have been built by Emperor Augustus. 

Sightseeing Day - Cordoba

Relax with a day off the bikes to visit the many interesting sites in Cordoba. Cordoba today is a city of immense monumental wealth, having been declared a part of Humanity's Heritage in 1994, with art and history to be found in every alleyway, patio and square. 

Cordoba is best known for its Mosque, the 'Mezquita', a unique building which tells of the splendour of this one-time Caliphate, though we must not forget the Cathedral, the Fortress of the Christian Monarchs (Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos), the Roman Bridge and the Albolafia, La Calahorra Tower,  the Jewish Quarter, the patios, El Potro Square and the myriad of other charms and locations that this, one of Andalucias most interesting and beautiful cities to visit.

Cycling Day 4 - Cordoba to Dona Mencia (or Zuheros)

68km + 1278m (73km +1355m)

Today's ride takes you into the heart of olive-growing country and eventually to the foothills of the Subbetica Mountains.  The ride is along old roads and tracks amongst miles of open country, barely passing towns or villages, giving you a day where you can truly disconnect from modern-day living. As you approach Dona Mencia you will witness the contrasting change in landscape between the olive grove-covered hills and the forbidding and impregnable mountains of the Sierras Subbeticas creating a landscape of immense beauty, in the midst of which lies the town itself, a mass of blue and white, clean and quiet with an air of antiquity, at the foot of El Laderon hill; within the labyrinth of narrow, winding streets stand the ruins of the castle which gave rise to the village. 

NOTE: The night stay in Dona Mencia can be changed to staying in Zuheros. Zuheros is a beautiful location, its different elements blending together perfectly: limestone mountains, huge olive groves and whitewashed houses. The village itself is particularly attractive, lying at the foot of the mountains with its clean, narrow, secluded streets lined with houses which exude tradition and history, all watched over by an impressive Castle standing atop a rock. This option will increase the day's ride to 73km with 1355m ascent.

Cycling Day 5 - Dona Mencia to Alcala la Real

61km + 1028m

Dona Mencia sits adjacent to the Via Verde del Aceite which you join for the first part of today's riding. Skirting around the edge of the mountains above the vast Olive groves you will pass just below the charming white village of Zuheros. Continuing along the Via Verde for 25km before changing direction to the southeast. Following quiet roads and Caminos you will pass 2 hilltop towns, Alcaudete, which forms a ring around the hillside, embracing its two most distinctive buildings: the Church of Santa María la Mayor and the Calatravo Castle and then the village of Castillo de Locubin surrounded by a rugged landscape dedicated to olive groves and cereals. In the beautiful village centre, there is the Castle of la Villeta and the Church of San Pedro. As you ride through and exit the village you climb high into the mountains enjoying long views over the whole region.  Once you pass over the mountains you will descend towards Alcala la Real, visible from miles away as the city extends at the foot of the famous Castle of La Mota and its surrounding walls. 

The noble and loyal city of Alcalá la Real, as its title reads is a city with an urban design of arab origin, its steep streets full of houses, bursting with surprises, palatial houses, churches and architectural details, examples of its splendour and rich historical past. The churches of Consolación, Santo Domingo, Nuestra Señora de las Angustias, San Juan Bautista, the Abbot's palace, the Town Hall and the Fountain of Pilar de los Álamos are examples of this. From the mirador (lookout) of San Juan Tadeo, in the Las Cruces quarter, the visitor can enjoy a marvellous view of Alcala la Real and its Castle.

Cycling Day 6 - Alcala la Real to Granada

58km + 739m

Starting today ride southeast into open country, olive groves and farmlands, along quiet roads and caminos, passing very few villages until you ride up into Moclin, a small village located on a steep slope overlooked by the outline of its Moorish castle, listed as a National Monument, with a front wall where the Church of the Santo Cristo del Paño can be found.  From Moclin you descend into the valley of the Rio Genil and ride along the river banks on tracks and cycleways right into the city and to your hotel a 10-minute walk from the Cathedral of Granada.

Sightseeing Day - Granada

After 6 great days of riding you can put away the bikes and enjoy the sights and sounds of Granada. Granada is a city where Moorish heritage meets Spanish culture. Its crown jewel is the Alhambra, a breathtaking palace-fortress with intricate Islamic architecture and stunning gardens. The Albaicín district, a maze of whitewashed houses and narrow streets, offers spectacular views of the Alhambra. Sacromonte is famous for its cave houses and authentic flamenco performances. The city also boasts a vibrant tapas culture—many bars serve free tapas with drinks. Nestled at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, Granada provides access to both skiing and Mediterranean beaches within a short drive, making it a diverse and unforgettable destination.

NOTE: Buying tickets to visit to the Alhambra well in advance is necessary if visiting Granada.  Tickets are sold out very quickly and on the day ticket purchasing is nigh on impossible.

Departure Day

Extra sightseeing days can be added on request. 

N.B. If you wish to visit the Alhambra, please make sure you book your entry tickets well in advance, as it gets extremely booked up.

Check out from your hotel and have a safe trip home or to your next destination.

We can provide transfers to your next destination or airports of Sevilla or Malaga. POA

We hope to see you again in the future.

What's Included

 

WHAT'S INCLUDED 9 nights accommodation on a B&B basis  Luggage transfers Quality trekking bike (or e-bike, supplement applies)  Optional pannier bag and/or handlebar bag for your daily needs (we recommend travelling light) Helmet & water bottle (or bring your own) Toolkit (multi-tool, chain tool and speed links, tyre levers, inner tube, pump, puncture repair aerosol) Overnight lock Route GPS (phone App with daily routes, profiles and maps, no Data-usage required) or GPX files Handlebar phone mount (normally 1 per couple/family) Annotated route maps  Briefing Pack, incl tips, advice and day-by-day route notes Briefing meeting on arrival   Bike collection from Granada

ACCOMMODATION This tour goes through a mix of large and small towns and more rural areas, so the accommodation style and standard varies but we have personally selected every overnight venue. We select the best available options in the smaller towns and villages and base our choices on clean and comfortable accommodation (if sometimes quite simple), bike storage, friendly owners, welcoming staff and, where possible, a swimming pool.

ROUTE NAVIGATION For self-guided cycling, we provide a GPS application on your mobile phone.  We give free access to the application which can be used in offline mode for each day's ride.  The app. shows maps and the route in great detail. We supply a quality phone holder on the bike to keep your phone safe. We also provide a large-scale, annotated map, designed specifically for your tour by Hike and Bike, giving you a perspective of where you are at all times.

 

FAQs

 

IS THERE A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON THE ROUTE?

All our Leisure Cycling Tours are designed to follow the ‘less travelled path'. The routes avoid traffic as much as possible, cycling on a mix of quiet country roads and unsurfaced tracks, so are perfect for cyclists on our trekking bikes (or e-bikes). This tour particularly covers a few Via Verdes which are old railway lines converted into cycleways. Drivers in Andalucia are generally very considerate to cyclists.

 

HOW FIT DO I NEED TO BE?

This Leisure Cycling Tours is graded at a ‘Moderately Challenging’ with daily distance averages at 61km. The region is hilly on some days so the ascent is considerable over the day. This tour is designed for leisure cyclists who are reasonably fit and happy to be on a bike for 5-6 hours a day. Check the individual tour Itinerary for a daily breakdown of distance and ascent. Dont forget, we have e-bikes as an option.

 

WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE?

Our cycling and walking tours run from March through to November, with the best weather from March to June and from September to November. Most routes are also possible during the summer months but we recommend an earlier start to beat the main heat of the day, and don’t forget to carry plenty of water.

 

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY LUGGAGE?

We transfer all your main luggage for you. We provide a rear seat trunk bag or small side pannier and a handlebar bag (per couple) to carry a few essential items with you each day e.g. water, snacks, sunscreen, but we recommend you travel light.

 

HOW DO I NAVIGATE EACH DAY?

Navigation on this tour is very easy with our phone app. RidewithGPS. We provide personalised daily routes from door-to-door of each day’s accommodation. The app shows maps and daily routes in great detail, with distances and route profiles, so you always know what is coming up. The app is used in offline mode so you do not need to use Data on your phone and can still navigate in areas where there is no phone signal.

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE A PUNCTURE OR PROBLEM WITH MY BIKE?

On this self-guided tour we provide all the necessary kit on your bikes for you to fix your own flat tyres or deal with minor mechanical issues (e.g. broken chain). If you do not know how, ask a bike mechanic at home to show you before your holiday or check our Bike Repair notes at the bottom of every webage. If you need our assistance, you can call us on the number provided and we will help as much as possible on the phone; we may be able to attend minor mechanical issues but this may be subject to a charge. In the case of a more major mechanical issue, we we will come to repair the bike or bring a replacement.

 

WHAT MEALS ARE INCLUDED?

All accommodation includes breakfast (unless specifically stated). Lunch and dinner are not included, so you are free to eat when and where you wish. We mark up your map with suggested lunch locations. Your hosts can recommend dining options, or sometimes they will serve dinner – this information will be included in your daily route notes.

 

IS THIS TOUR AVAILABLE WITH A GUIDE / SUPPORT?

We can offer a guided version of this tour with qualified guides and support vehicles or a semi-supported version with a support vehicle and driver/mechanic. There is a minimum requirement of 6 people to be able to provide this service. Please do not hesitate to enquire about price and availability.

 

WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL OR CHANGE MY BOOKING?

If you need to cancel or change the dates of a booking, we have a scaled set of charges based on the work already completed and any costs already incurred which we cannot get back. If you re-book a holiday with us within 12 months of a cancellation which has incurred charges, we will credit up to 50% of the retained amount to the new holiday. Our full cancellation policy can be found here