Best Cycling Tours for Summer 2021

Many of us are excited for summer 2021 and the chance to get back to cycling in Spain. With Spain officially opening borders to travelers outside the European Union as of June 7, 2021, we’re having a fabulous kick off to summer. To help you feel secure with planning, we’ve updated our cancelation policy offering the flexibility to book now and make last minute changes if necessary. On top of the exclusive discounts on 2021 travel with Bike Spain Tours. To give you some ideas for your next wanderlust, we’ve come up with our best bike tour destinations for summer 2021. 

1. 1. Tenerife –  Mild temperatures year round makes the Canary Islands a great cycling destination, even in summer. Tenerife is best known for El Teide, Spain’s highest mountain. The volcano, with its summit at 3,718m above sea level, is the main reason many cyclists head to Tenerife. Pro cyclist teams often come to train at El Teide during training camp season. It’s an authentic challenge to climb. El Teide influences Tenerife’s climate and there is a difference between the north and the south. The north is wetter and cooler. Expect to find rich, green forests with black sand beaches. Whereas in the south, it’s warmer with arid landscapes and sandy beaches. Apart from exploring the diverse landscapes, and taking on el Teide, a bike tour in Tenerife will have you pedaling through banana plantations that have been around since the 15th or 16th centuries. We recommend advanced level cyclists to start planning their summer 2021 cycling holiday here. 
   2. Lanzarote – Neighbor to Tenerife, Lanzarote is another popular destination for cyclists year round. It is most famous among triathletes due to Ironman Lanzarote. Lanzarote is one of the most unique places you will ever cycle. It is a land of volcanoes. After a series of eruptions in the 18th century, the island was left with multiple inactive volcanoes and lava flows everywhere. Lanzarote has smooth roads, bike-friendly accomodations, and little traffic. But it’s important to note that it is also notoriously windy and hilly, perfect for when you’re looking to get in a workout. 
   3. Camino de Santiago from Portugal – A perfect summer alternative to the French way. The Portuguese Camino is great for pilgrims looking to bike off the beaten path and experience stunning coastal views. Biking the Camino de Santiago from Portugal begins in Porto, takes pilgrims across medieval bridges into beautiful countryside villages, crosses into Spain’s green hills and vineyards to finally end in Santiago de Compostela.  An added bonus of our Camino de Santiago bike tour from Portugal is a day trip to the Cies Islands National Park. The islands boast crystal blue waters and panoramic views. They were a refuge for pirates back in the day, and are currently an uninhabited paradise. There are no cars, no hotels, and they restrict the number of visitors per day. Completing the Camino de Santiago by bike is rewarding no matter where you begin. 
   4. La Vuelta a Espana – This one is for our cycling enthusiasts who need to be in the center of all the excitement of a Grand Tour. La Vuelta 2021 is where it’s at this summer – three weeks of competition, 21 stages and over 3,000 kilometers of racing. Each week the tour travels through a different region in Spain. Starting the tour off is an individual time trial from the Burgos Cathedral, then the riders head south to Andalucia, and then back up north to finish off with a time trial in Santiago de Compostela. Get access to restricted areas not open to the public, meet pro riders, and ride on the official circuit of La Vuelta a few hours before the stage. Watch history at la vuelta bike race as you witness the winner of the red maillot cross the finish line in Santiago. 
   5. Basque Country: San Sebastian to Bilbao – The north of Spain doesn’t get the fame and love like Madrid, Andalucia or the islands, but don’t let that fool you. In summer, while places like Andalusia are unbearably hot, and you can’t even step outside before 6pm, the Basque Country is refreshingly cool at 22-26 °C (71-79 °F). Blue waters, endless untouched beaches, and did we mention surf championships? Yes, the Basque Country has that too. We, of course, have to mention the food. The Basque Country has the highest per capita concentration of Michelin star restaurants in the world. To be specific, the Basque Country boasts a total of 32 stars from 23 restaurants. What’s more, of Spain’s eleven restaurants with three Michelin stars, three are located in San Sebastián and the surrounding areas. Pintxos anyone? All this to say, a Basque Country cycling trip offers just as much culture, history, and possibly even better food than the rest of our lovely regions.
   6. Valencia  –  Home of paella, stunning mediterranian beaches, and flat coastal rides, Valencia is a great city to bike in Spain, especially during the summer. The city of Valencia has pushed cycling as a means of transportation, making it a very cycling friendly city with bike lanes everywhere. You could grab a bike rental and visit everything the city has to offer – green spaces, cultural points of interest, and unique architecture – or you could extend your visit into a longer cycling holiday by visiting the mountains, orange trees, and smaller villages of the interior part of the region. Either way Valencia, and its surrounding area, is a perfect summer destination for a cyclist looking for sun, flat terrain, and R&R. 
   7. Camino de Santiago from Leon + La Vuelta – Most pilgrims take off on the Camino de Santiago during summer. It can get hot, but that just means lower probability of rainfall and more time in the day. You’ll get to discover local traditions and festivals while passing through each town since they normally celebrate their patron saint festivities in July and August. What makes 2021 even more special is the celebration of Xacobeo 2021 and La Vuelta a España. This year you can bike the Camino de Santiago, celebrate the Holy Year, and witness the final time trial of the grand tour of Spain all in one cycling holiday. It’s a fully loaded bike tour that you can’t miss. 

You still can’t decide where to go, but you know you want to go somewhere? Give us a call and we’ll help you figure out where this summer will take you.