2023
Bike tour along the Atlantic Coast in Spain

Bike Tour along the Atlantic coast in Spain

On the Road in Cantabria and Asturias

  Santander – Santillana del Mar – Ribadesella – Gijón

  • Medieval towns, fishing villages, sandy beaches
  • Cave of Altamira, Oyambre nature park, Costa Verde
  • Daily routes ●●○○○
  • Altitude profil ●●●●● 

days
8

km / day avg.
45

Our bike tour along the Atlantic coast in Spain takes you to a very special bike holiday adventure. The North of the Iberian Peninsula will surprise you, because it does not correspond with the current ideas, that you are probably having from Spain. Deep green landscapes, varied coasts with steep cliffs, long stretched beaches and fascinating mountain regions characterize the image of our bike tour along Atlantic coast in Spain. You start in Santander. On small land roads, that wind between the extensions of the Cantabrian mountain range and near the Atlantic coast through the regions Cantabria and Asturias, you cycle to your destination Gijón at the Costa Verde. If you want to discover the North of Spain away from the tourist flow, avoid too much heat and are not afraid to pedal strongly the one or the other time, our bike tour along the Atlantic coast in Spain is perfect for you. You will find culinary strengthening in the traditional Cantabrian and Asturian kitchen. If fresh fish, sea food, hearty cheese, hearty stews or tasty cider, spoil your gums and enjoy the regional specialties and delicacies.

Itinerary

  • Booking Code
    ES-SPSG7
  • Start / Destination
    Santander / Gijón
  • Duration
    8 days / 7 nights
  • Length
    approx. 260 km
    Daily routes ●●○○○
    between 30 and 50 km, Ø 45 km
    Altitude profile ●●●●●
Map of Bike tour along the Atlantic Coast in Spain

Day 1: Individual arrival in Santander

Your bike tour along the Atlantic coast in Spain starts in Santander, the elegant capital of the Spanish region Cantabria. Take your bike after the check-in at the hotel and explore the city. Visit the futuristic-looking Centro Botín, one of the most popular museums for modern art worldwide. Or what about a detour to one of the numerous sand beaches and a boat trip through the cove of Santander?

Santander

Santander

Day 2: Santander – Santillana del Mar, approx. 50 km

Along the coast, you cycle to Santillana del Mar. Especially a long walk through the centuries-old old town with its medieval palaces and picturesque squares is worthwile. The Colegiata de Santillana del Mar is especially worth seeing here. The name of the city derives from the Holy Juliana, whose remains are preserved in the Roman collegiate church. A bit outside of the city, there is the cave of Altamira. The prehistoric rock paintings there achieved world fame due to their uniqueness. A faithful replica of the cave can be visited in the museum nearby.

Santillana del Mar

Santillana del Mar

Day 3: Santillana del Mar – San Vicente de la Barquera, approx. 30 km

Today your first cycle on small roads to Comillas. The small coastal town is ideal to dare a refreshing jump into the sea. Treat yourself with a break at the beach, before you make a short detour to the city center characterized by old and modern buildings. Back on your bike, it goes through the Oyambre nature park to your stage destination San Vicente de la Barquera. The old fishing village has a remarkable Gothic church, a castle and remains of a city wall. Enjoy the end of the day with a walk at one of the beaches of the town.

San Vicente de la Barquera

San Vicente de la Barquera

Day 4: San Vicente de la Barquera – Llanes, approx. 50 km

Today you cycle to the region Asturias and the Costa Verde. The Costa Verde, the green coast, belongs to the most beautiful coastal regions in Spain. Due to its heavy rainfalls, it presents a greener landscape than other parts of Spain. With Llanes, you reach today’s destination. The fishing town is located directly at the coast and at the feet of the mountain range Sierra de Cuera. Treat yourself at the end of this bike day in Llanes with typical Asturian specialties like a Fabada, a hearty bean stew or a refreshing cider. It is said, that the Sidra was drunk by the people in Asturias already more than 2000 years ago.

Llanes

Llanes

Day 5: Llanes – Ribadesella, approx. 40 km

At today’s stage of your bike tour along the Atlantic coast in Spain you cycle not far from the coast and through small picturesque towns and get to know the town Ribadesella. At the confluence of the river Sella, the small town owns an old fishing port and an old town characterized by numerous trading houses and palaces. After your arrival, visit the stalactite cave of Tito Bustillo, that is known for its Neolithic cave paintings or treat yourself with a long afternoon break in one of the many romantic street cafés. Beach lovers can have a good time at the Playa de Santa Marina.

Ribadesella

Ribadesella

Day 6: Ribadesella – Villaviciosa, approx. 45 km

Today, you cycle not far from the saurian coast. Saurian coast? The coastal stretch between Ribadesella and Villaviciosa hides fossils from the time of the dinosaurs of more than 150 million years ago. Dinosaurs of different sizes left their traces and footprints, that are preserved visibly until today. The traces at the beach of La Griega belong to the biggest prints worldwide. Your stage destination Villaviciosa is considered the birthplace of the cider. Taste and enjoy the fermented apple juice in one of the Sidrerías, where the waiter pours it in in a characteristic way with its raised arm to decant it.

Playa de la Griega, Villaviciosa

Playa de la Griega, Villaviciosa

Day 7: Villaviciosa – Gijón, approx. 45 km

Your last stage of your bike tour along the Atlantic coast in Spain leads you not far from the coast again to your destination Gijón. The biggest town of Asturias looks back to a long industrial past, that you can still notice in many places today. However, Gijón developed to a city with varied cultural activities and a vivid bar and restaurant scene. Worth seeing is the Cimavilla, the oldest part of the city. There are ruins of an old Roman settlement. Do you want to go to the beach again at the end of your journey? No problem. The Playa de San Lorenzo is just a stone’s throw away.

Gijón

Gijón

Day 8: Individual departure

Your bike tour along the Atlantic coast in Spain already ends after breakfast. With pleasure we extend your stay in Santiago or de Compostela for an additional night. Simply contact us if you are interested.

Gijón

Gijón

Dates / prices / services

Season times and prices 2023

Arrival daily from 01.04.2023 to 31.10.2023

Bookable dates are shown in the booking form. The season is dictated by the arrival date.

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Season A
01.04. - 30.06.
16.09. - 31.10.
from999 €
Season B
01.07. - 15.09.

from1289 €

All prices per person in a double room

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Services

  • 7 nights incl. breakfast, national 3*-level
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel to Gijon, no limit on the number of pieces, max. 20 kg / piece
  • Cycle route description in english with maps (1 x per room)
  • Service-Hotline (7 days, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

Minimum number of participants: 2 people

Not inlcuded is the city or visitor's tax (if payable).

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For our younger cyclists

Due to the altitude profile we don't recommend this tour for children.

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Additional Services

Additional bookable services

Additional fee single room, season A

229 €

Additional fee single room, season B

299 €

All prices are per person

Rental Bikes

Rental Bikes

Mietrad
Mietrad
99 €
E-Bike
E-Bike
179 €

Types of rental bikes

  • 24-gear unisex bike
  • Electric bike
Fittings

Pannier, map holder, water bottle holder, milometer, bike lock, pump, repair kit, luggage rack, spare inner tube, multi-tool and rental helmet

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Unisex bicycles, 24 gear

99 €

E-bike

179 €

All prices are per person

Brief Information

  • Booking Code
    ES-SPSG7
  • Start / Destination
    Santander / Gijón
  • Duration
    8 days / 7 nights
  • Length
    approx. 260 km
    Daily routes ●●○○○
    between 30 and 50 km, Ø 45 km
    Altitude profile ●●●●●
  • Route condition
    You mainly cycle on small land roads, that are mostly asphalted.
  • Note
    In Spain, helmets are compulsory for cyclists outside built-up areas. The helmet requirement does not apply on long climbs, in extreme heat or if you are medically instructed to do so. Please also note that this rule is interpreted differently from region to region.
  • Returning to Santander
    Optional with a minibus from Gijón, duration approx. 2 hours. Price on request.
  • Minimum number of participants
    2 people
  • Tour operated by
    Local cooperation partner
  • Mobility note
    This holiday is suitable to only a limited extent for people with restricted mobility.
    Please contact us if you have individual requirements.
  • Print version PDF

days
8

km / day avg.
45