Cycling in Spain: Girona and the Costa Brava, 5 Things To Know Before Your Bike Tour

You might be asking yourself, "Where is Girona, the Costa Brava and Catalonia and why are so many cyclists talking about it?" Well Girona is located roughly half way between the bustling city of Barcelona and the French border to the north. The Costa Brava is the name given to the coastal region that stretches along the Mediterranean for a similar distance. Both are located within Catalonia.

For the last decade Girona has truly started to emerge out of the shadow of its larger sibling to the south, Barcelona. Retaining a smaller town vibe and delighting the visitor with both its historic old town center and its gastronomic choices, Girona is a must-see destination for today's traveler. For those seeking a bike tour in Spain, Girona also acts as the perfect base from which to explore. Here are five things to know before you arrive:

Catalonia (aka, Catalunya) is an autonomous, self-governing community within Spain. The Catalan Parliament is one of the oldest in Europe with its origins dating back to 1283, well before the modern Spanish State.
Catalan, along with Spanish, is the official language here. While a romance language like Spanish, French, Italian, etc., it is distinctly different. As a distinction for English speakers, it's good to know that the Spanish language is often referred to as "Castellano" and not "Español".
Catalan cuisine follows many of the traditions of Spanish cooking, but has a unique sensibility all its own. The focus is often on simple, fresh ingredients that may sound straightforward (ex. "pa amb tomàquet", literally "bread with tomato"), but are filled with flavor and are definitely not to be missed during your visit!
Girona has become the home to many non-European pro cyclists, looking for the perfect location on the continent in which to train when they are not racing. It's not uncommon to see pros gathering a cafe pre/post ride or out on the routes that have made Girona so famous as a cycling destination.
Location, Location, Location. Beyond the picturesque cobblestone streets and ancient walls that Girona is often known for, it is also a town in the perfect location for cycling. The terrain is moderately rolling, the Mediterranean coast is less than 20 miles away to the east and foothills to the Pyrenees are about 30 miles to the northwest. It benefits from a true Mediterranean climate. And located just 60 miles to the south, Barcelona offers not only a world class cosmopolitan experience, but acts as an easy gateway for North American flights.

Jace Gifford is the founder of In Situ Travel, LLC. In Situ offers bike tours in Europe for the avid cyclist.

Have you always wanted to challenge yourself on some of Europe's most famous cycling routes in France, Italy, Spain and Germany? Would you like to take a bike tour in Girona and the Costa Brava? Jace invites you to explore In Situ's Bike Tours in Europe to find the trip that's right for you.

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