GRANADA RIDE GUIDE

The main question: bring your own bike or hire one?

While bringing your own bike is always an option, renting a bike can save you the hassle of transport and assembly. At Cycle Sierra Nevada, we offer premium rental bikes from BMC. Cycle Sierra Nevada offer delivery to Granada city for as little as 20€, making it easy and affordable to enjoy top-quality cycling during your stay.

Essentials include:

• A range of kit: It can be warm at lower altitudes but much cooler in the mountains, so bring arm warmers, a gilet, and a packable jacket.

• Lights: Some rides include tunnels, so a front and rear light are recommended.

• Compact gearing: The Sierra Nevada features long, steady climbs, so a compact chainset (or at least a 32T cassette) will make your rides more enjoyable.

Where you base yourself will shape your riding experience.

• Granada City: Perfect for those who want a mix of culture and cycling. You can ride straight from your accommodation into the mountains and enjoy tapas and Alhambra views in the evenings.

• Costa Tropical (Almuñécar, or Gualchos): If you prefer coastal rides and warmer temperatures, the Costa Tropical provides fantastic riding with stunning Mediterranean views. Don’t miss the cycling hotel of La Ventera, a cyclist-friendly hotel in Gualchos.

• Lecrin Valley: A quieter alternative to Granada, this area offers rolling terrain, olive groves, and stunning views of the Sierra Nevada.

• Lanjarón or Órgiva (Alpujarras region): These charming villages offer access to rolling terrain, quiet roads, and breathtaking scenery. A great choice for those wanting a mix of climbing and more relaxed rides. We would recommend the Hotel Alcadima mail directly to book

While the city of Granada offers a cultural hub, many cyclists prefer to stay in Vélez de Benaudalla. This picturesque town provides immediate access to the best cycling areas, including the Costa Tropical, the Alpujarras, and the Lecrín Valley. The climate here is more temperate than in Granada city, with cooler summers and milder winters, making it an excellent all-year-round destination.

1. Granada Airport has good connections with other Spanish cities like Madrid, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca but there are very few direct international flights. The Airport is 20 km from Granada Centro, timings coincide with flight arrivals/departures.

2. Malaga Airport has a much better range of international flight destinations.

3. Train: visitors can reach Granada by train from Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, or other cities in Spain. Granada has no high-speed rail but has long distance lines. Check the Renfe website.

4. Bus: It takes approximately 5 hours by bus from Madrid to Granada. Buses from Malaga to Granada run every one to two hours and take only 1.5 hours. You can buy a ticket from Malaga to Granada at alsa.es.

Granada enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters, making it an ideal year-round cycling destination. However, the best months to visit are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October), when temperatures range from 15 to 25°C, perfect for long days in the saddle.

• Summer (June to August): While Granada can get too warm for cycling during peak summer, the Costa Tropical and Vélez de Benaudalla offer cooler coastal breezes and more comfortable riding conditions.

• Winter (December to February): Granada’s higher altitudes can be cold, but the Costa Tropical and Vélez de Benaudalla remain mild, making them excellent options for winter cycling.

For those looking to combine their trip with an event, check out the Gran Fondo Sierra Nevada Límite, a challenging sportive that takes in some of the region’s best climbs.