Amy McPherson
Barcelona’s famous Sagrada Familia was finally complete in February this year, when the glass cross, its final piece of the structure was placed atop the spire to bring Antoni Gaudí’s vision to its maximum height, just 144 years after works on the church began.
It probably took the pros less than 1.44 seconds to cross its front doors on Saturday, when the Tour de France departed from Barcelona, in the opening stage team time trial before making its way around Catalonia before climbing the Pyrenees and crossing the border into France.
What we will all get to enjoy through the Tour broadcast, is the beauty, and the dramatic changes of the Catalan landscape.
The next two stages have them racing through varied landscapes from the sea to the mountains, villages clustered with stone houses with stories buried in their walls.
From UNESCO city of Tarragona to the iconic climb of Collada de Toses towards the French Pyrenees on the third stage, a small sample of what Catalonia can offer as a cycling destination.
And did I mention Catalonia was World Region of Gastronomy in 2025? There’s food, plenty of good, local, food to fuel you post ride.
Barcelona and surrounds
This year’s Tour depart has placed all eyes on Barcelona, a city that has made tourism headlines in all the wrong ways in the recent years for its fight against mass tourism.
Don’t let this put you off visiting this beautiful city. Barcelona is famous for a reason. It is an open air art museum with interesting and iconic architectures that are full of history, pretty tree-lined streets, a vibrant café culture and cosmopolitan city vibes.
Not to mention, the variety of quality food options makes this city an all round destination.
“Everyone knows Barcelona for its fantastic city,” said Iban Vega, a co-founder of Ciclare, a local cycle tour company, who is keen to show off the beautiful roads that surrounds his city.
“From the vineyards of El Penedès to iconic peaks like Montserrat and Montseny, not forgetting that Barcelona’s reach extends right to the foothills of the Pyrenees in El Berguedà. You can ride across the stunning plains of Osona or explore extensive coastal areas between Maresme and El Garraf.”
Costa Brava
Ultimately one of the most popular road cycling destinations in Spain, Girona is Costa Brava’s most famous base as ‘the road cycling capital of Europe’.
A mix of varied surrounding terrain, mild weather (even in winter) and a café culture that is tailored for cyclists are just few of the many reasons why even the professions come here to play.
Not to mention, smooth, well maintained tarmac. Every cyclists’ dream.
From Girona, roll out and warm up the legs by riding around the serene wetlands of Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l’Emporda and check out the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes enroute, a big climb but worth the view.
From here, you can buckle up and head for the mountains to tackle the sharp climb to Coll de Banyuls of the Spanish and French border, or travel inland where you’ll find some of the lesser known villages and farms.
The Mediterranean Coast
A road hugging the rugging the coastline is as stunning as you can imagine. While the Tour will race between the city of Tarragona back into Barcelona in Stage Two, it is a little further south-west you want to go, towards edge of Catalonia where you’ll find the Ebro Delta (Delta de l’Ebre).
The area may not feature the kind of elevation gain with impressive Strava segment, but it does have an open horizon of wetlands and rich biodiversity.
Wildlife is all around, most specifically, one of Europe’s largest colony of flamingos that reside here year round. Not to mention, it is one of the lesser visited areas of Catalonia, and perfect for sampling some of the local shellfish and rice dishes.
After all, what’s a ride without some delicious fuel as a reward?
If you do want to test the legs, there is a gentle climb of 3.6% over 3.8 kilometres at Port de les Bruixes, through villages of traditional architecture and rugged arid landscape.
The Pyrenees of Catalonia
Almost half of the length of the Pyrenees border between Spain and France are with Catalonia, making the region a gateway to many of the challenging climbs in and out of this mountain range.
In winter, several passes are ski resorts, but becomes cycling paradise in summer.
And the views? Needless to say. Spectacular.
A recommendation is to head to Val d’Aran. This is true high altitude cycling and favoured by Vuelta a España route makers. Think large, towering mountain peaks and deep ravines that plunge down to gushing rivers.
There are also plenty of pretty villages along the way to distract you from the thin air and the big climbs, one of which is Port de la Bonaigua, Catalonia’s highest road pass, a 22 kilometre ascend with 1097 metres elevation gain. Not the hardest yet, not exactly a light pedal either.
Cyclists will compare the Pyrenees against the Alps on the other side of France. The thing is, it’s Spain.
The climate is much warmer in the Spanish Pyrenees which gives way to a longer cycling season. There are also, steeper and sharper climbs compared to the more steady and longer distance approach in the Alps.
It is also, just a little cheaper too.
Tour there
Ciclare, a boutique cycle touring company co-founded by locals Ibán Vega, Daniel Luque and Toni Marin has day ride and multiday touring options for those keen to test the roads in and around Barcelona, and beyond. https://ciclare.cc/
The grand tour of Catalonia gravel
Seekers of gravel will be delighted to know that there are almost 2500 kilometres of gravel roads, connected by quiet lands and roads across Catalonia, and those with enough annual leave to take can attempt the 42 stages of Grand Tour of Catalonia, a circular gravel route in and out of Barcelona through vineyards, forests and remote mountain villages.
There is an average stage length of 63 kilometres with combined elevation of 40,500 metres, it’s definitely not for the faint hearted!
Short on time? Each stage can be attempted separately so you can still get the thrill of the gravel roads without being away from home too long. Visit grandtour.catalunya.com for more information.
Amy McPherson
Amy McPherson - A London-based Aussie, Amy is a keen cyclist and runner. A highly-respected travel writer, she specialises in active travel in France and Italy.
