Spain : Andalucia

Cycling in Andalucia: Seville to Cadiz

Trip code: C06AD 4.3 (12 reviews)

Self-guided cycling

6 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 3
Stretching

12.0Kg CO2e

Headwater
Navigation App

Optional
e-bike hire

SUMMARY

  • Striking Moorish architecture, historic hilltop towns and sizzling local tapas
  • Authentic accommodation in Parador hotels and an Andalucian hacienda
  • Tapas and traditional flamenco in the streets of Jerez
  • Spectacular sandy beaches of Cadiz
  • Exhilarating cycles on undulating terrain that follow the river Guadalete

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

  • 6 nights accommodation
  • All breakfasts
  • Bike fitting at the start of your holiday
  • Headwater navigation app
  • Bike hire included

TRIP DESCRIPTION

It could be argued that Andalucia is the most quintessentially Spanish part of the Iberian Peninsula. Defined by its Moorish architecture this land of contrasts boasts fertile land, historic hilltop towns, stunning beaches and excellent local food. This self-guided cycle takes you from the magical city of Seville, along small country roads and through Mediterranean woodland to the town of Arcos, one of Andalucia's most dramatically positioned pueblos blancos (white villages). From here you take a journey into the heart of the Flamenco traditions of Jerez - famous for its sherry wines, before ending in Cadiz; thought to be the oldest city in western Europe. The accommodation is in spectacular traditional and modern hotels of the region, and the food is plentiful, fresh and delicious.

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DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

 

Day 1: Arrive Seville

Make your own way to Seville. We recommend arriving early or arranging extra nights to ensure you spend as much time as possible in this magical city of international fame. Its culture, history and folklore make this an exceptional tourist destination. Legend tells us that the city was founded by Hercules and its origins are linked with the Tartessian civilisation. Now it is the capital of the Andalucian region and most widely known for its ornate Alcazar castle complex, built during the Moorish Almohad dynasty, and its 18th Century Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza bullring. The Gothic cathedral is home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus and a famous belltower; the Giralda. The birthplace of Flamenco is generally accepted to be this area of Andalucia, and Seville is the perfect place to enjoy an evening show alongside your traditional cuisine.

You stay at Hotel Fernando III.

hotel details

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Hotel Fernando III, Seville

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Aircon
Tea/coffee


A classic and distinguished hotel in the heart of Seville,in the iconic neighbourhood of Santa Cruz, the city’s former Jewish Quarter. The streets are a maze, with elegant villas and jasmine-scented courtyards. Just a leisurely five-minute stroll away is the historic complex of the Cathedral-Giralda, as well as many other famous landmarks.

The hotel offers free Wi-Fi, a roof terrace with city views and a seasonal swimming pool, open from June to September. The hotel’s restaurant serves both Andalusian dishes and European cuisine, in additional to traditional tapas and wines.

Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Day 2: Carmona (50km/31.1mi)

Leave the city using its extensive network of cycle tracks. Head north-east to reach a dedicated cycle route on a good dirt road beside the river Guadaira. Cycle amongst flat landscapes of cereals and sunflower plantations, you will pass several small towns before you reach the historic walled town of Carmona, which boasts several churches, palaces, and an imposing Arab fortress.

elevation

You stay at Parador de Carmona.

hotel details

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Parador de Carmona, Carmona

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon
Safe
Tea/coffee


Once a 14th-century Moorish fortress, this Parador Hotel offers spectacular views over the countryside and the Corbones River. The Parador de Carmona boasts beautiful design details including a central courtyard, vaulted ceilings, original stonework and spacious terraces.

The large bright bedrooms enjoy exquisite classic décor which, alongside the Sevillian tiling, enhance the 14th-century citadels original features. Tapestries and antique furniture compliment the history of the building.

The Turismo de Carmona's dining room serves partridge-based dishes, organic vegetables grown from the garden, and delectable pastries.

Day 3: To Montellano (68km/42.3mi)

Leaving picturesque Carmona you ride south, a delightful route along quaint country lanes overlooked by sunflowers and olive groves. Today's ride takes you through several small, traditional towns where you can enjoy a refreshing drink in one of the many bars along your route. Finish in the small town of Montellano with its pink marble buildings and natural monuments; perfect for an evening of relaxation.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Andalou.

hotel details

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Hotel Andalou, Montellano

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
Aircon
Safe


Located in Montellano, one of the White towns of Andalusia. A postcard-perfect location of Spain. The whitewashed walls and tiled roofs history goes back hundreds of years.

There is a pool with beautiful views of the countryside, open from May to October, an on-site bar and a terrace to enjoy on your stay.

The rooms come with air conditioning, private bath or shower, and a balcony. Some of the rooms have Wi-fi access. The colours throughout the hotel are vibrant and playful.

Day 4: To Arcos de la Frontera (60km/37.3mi)

From Montellano you can see the mountains of Grazalema far in the distance. Today you will experience some hills, but not mountains, as the cycle takes you into pristine Mediterranean forest. Most of the cycling is along very quiet country roads, except for a section (about 8km) along a 'Via Verde' (a disused railway line now used as a cycle lane). You will cycle past the typically Andalucian town of Puerto Serrano; a good place to stop for lunch. You end in Arcos de la Frontera; one of Andalucia's most dramatically positioned pueblos blancos (white villages).

elevation

You stay at Parador de Arcos de la Fontera.

hotel details

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Parador de Arcos de la Fontera, Arcos de la Frontera

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon
Safe


For lovers of good food and wine, rural tourism, castles and white-washed Spanish town charm. The Arcos de la Frontera Parador sits high above the town of Cadiz. Cobbled streets lead into the old town below, declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument and considered one of the most beautiful in Andalusia. Wine permeates the region and there are several vineyards to enjoy in the area.

The hotel has traditional Andalusian décor and an interior courtyard to keep cool. The rooms are beautiful and compliment the grand location as you enjoy panoramic views from this gorgeous hotel.

Day 5: Follow the river Guadalete (56km/34.8mi)

From Arcos you pedal across undulating terrain, following the river Guadalete downstream along quiet country roads. Mediterranean woodland and agricultural land characterise the landscape. There are many small villages to stop along the way for a welcome break! The town of Jerez holds worldwide acclaim for its sherry and brandy production, but is equally famous for its fine horses and Flamenco music and dance.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Villa Jerez.

hotel details

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Hotel Villa Jerez, Jerez de la Fontera

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Pool
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon


The Hotel Villa Jerez is an old Jerez mansion refurbished as a boutique hotel in the city centre of Jerez de la Frontera. The hotel has 18 rooms, 14 superior doubles and 4 Junior Suites, all facing outdoors with views of the garden or swimming pool. The hotel is surrounded by 4,000 m² of gardens to enjoy.

Here you are surrounded by a rich heritage and Jerez is mainly famous for 3 things: horses, flamenco and wine!

Day 6: To Cadiz (62km/38.5mi)

Heading south today, you reach the sea and the ancient city of Cadiz. The ride will take you into the stunning small town of El Puerto de Santa Maria, where there are many restaurants tempting you with the fish catch of the day. Cadiz is the oldest city in western Europe, with monuments such as the grandiose structure of the Cathedral Nueva, and the red brick building of the Gran Teatro, along with the stunning beaches are enough to encourage any visitor to fall in love with it. Your ride will end along the beach cycle paths, and lead you to your last Parador for one final night of luxury.

elevation

You stay at Parador de Cadiz.

hotel details

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Parador de Cadiz, Cadiz

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon
Safe


For design lovers, the Parador de Cadiz will fascinate you. From the contemporary hotel there are impressive views of the bay. There is a pool with stunning sea views, Turkish bar and wellness spa to indulge in.

Offering a terrace with sea or city views, each bright, air-conditioned room at this hotel comes with modern, cosy furnishings. They all feature a satellite TV, minibar and a private bathroom.

Cádiz Parador is just 5 minutes’ walk from La Caleta Beach and is an excellent base to explore the enchanting nearby fishing villages. You can walk to San Sebastián Castle in 15 minutes.

Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Day 7: End Cadiz

You trip ends after breakfast in Cadiz. If you have time it is possible to arrange additional nights here, or there are regular trains back to Seville taking around 1h 35mins.

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These tour only prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from AU$640.

These flight inclusive prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from AU$640.

OPTIONAL UPGRADES
  • Alternative flights, including regional departures
  • Electric bikes
TRAVEL DETAILS

Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.

REVIEWS

Excellent holiday - cycling was challenging but not hard and good to get off early to avoid the heat arriving at destination for lunch and relaxing / visiting. We took our own gravel bikes which were perfect for the terrain. All the hotels were excellent and very accommodating and welcoming

James Perryer, 8 Sep 2023

 

Really challenging cycle ride with excellent stopovers and luggage carrying

Mr Gray, 16 Apr 2023

 

My husband and I had always wanted to go to Sevilla and Cadiz and as we like cycling it seemed an ideal thing to do, to cycle from one to the other, however, although the villages and towns along the way were well worth visiting the cycle each day was pretty uninspiring and just a means to the end. I enjoyed the holiday but not sure I would actually recommend this particular journey. There was another person who mentioned the uninteresting cycle routes, but we chose to ignore it! The Paradores are fabulous to stay at but our hotel in Jerez was a complete come down and should not be on their list of places to stay.

STABLES, 16 Apr 2023

 

A great way to see Andalucia. Seville and Cadiz are spectacular and extra days at each end are recommended. Excellent hotels in good locations. The ride through the hills around Montellano was lovely and the disused railway track to Arcos was a gem. Everything was well organised by Headwater and went to plan. Recommended to anyone wanting to sample Andalucia.

Mr Thorpe, 24 Mar 2023

 

Wonderful accommodation linked by average itineraries and heavy clunky bikes

Mr POULTER, 26 Oct 2022

 

Absolutely super trip - fab hotels and very well organised. Definitely an extra day in Seville to sight see and in Cadiz if you can. The cycling is probably easy for experienced riders but would feel quite hardcore for recreational cyclists (we are the latter!). One day is 70KMs and over 700m ascent with most of the ascent at the end of the day. A lot on lovely quiet country lanes but also need to be confident on main roads in towns with traffic. Is about 30% off road which is a nice change but the bikes are road bikes so lack suspension so be prepared for some bone rattling riding along the way. We loved the challenge and every aspect of the holiday. The Parador hotels are fabulous. Very much recommend. Thank you Headwater for another great holiday.

Ms Turner, 22 Oct 2022

 

Great to visit Seville, Carmona, Jerez & Cadiz but as a cycling holiday this was less interesting than other more rural Headwater holidays we have done. Long stretches of monotonous agricultural scenery on the Andalusian plains with little shade & few villages to stop in. Also a lot of heavy going off road cycling. But it is level 3 & early September very hot. Glad we had EBikes!

Mrs Hoare, 4 Sep 2022

 

Superb accommodations, excellent app guide, interesting cities but a misconceived holiday. Cycling into and out of big cities through the inevitable busy and sometimes scrappy outskirts is not enjoyable. Most of the tracks were difficult and uncomfortable apart from the Via Verde. Our advice is to go for a city break to visit cities and stay for a few nights then go for a cycling holiday in more interesting and scenic countryside. Senderos y Pueblos fine, Senderos y Ciudads not good.

Mrs Murdoch, 14 May 2022

 

Excellent organisation and support, all hotels were fantastic in superb locations, navigation app was brilliant. Would definitely recommend this holiday.

Mrs Reilly, 22 Apr 2022

 

The Seville - Cadiz route provides a great cycle through this part of Spain. Not to hilly and last couple of days pretty flat. Lunches can be a bit basic, but evening meals were excellent with a bit of searching and waiting until 8pm. Seville, Carmona, Arcos, Jerez and Cadiz all have lots to offer.

Mr Ford, 25 Mar 2022

 

N.B. Will send this separately. Thanks.

Mrs Bowring, 17 Sep 2019

 

Interesting location and places stayed. Parador hotels in particular fabulous character and hilltop locations gave spectacular views. Bikes good quality which was just as well as note of caution some of the off road tracks very rough sharp stones potholes. The first day while shorter mainly off road so took a lot longer and left us exhausted luckily roads better after this.

Ms Bailey, 9 Sep 2019

 


Self-guided cycling

6 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 3
Stretching

12.0Kg CO2e

Headwater
Navigation App

Optional
e-bike hire

6 nights from AU$3240

CHOOSE A DEPARTURE

Call: +44 1606 720199