Embark Day – Barcelona Old Town

Santana’s Barcelona to Lisbon Cycling Cruise starts in Barcelona, everyone’s favorite Mediterranean City. With archeological finds dating back to 5,000 B.C., this perfectly-sited city was never abandoned. Instead, it became the centerpiece of the Catalonian empire.

More recently, this gracious city was home to Gaudi and his signature architecture. Transformed to host the 1992 Olympics, the Mediterranean’s “greenest” metropolis has wide avenues, parkways, and over a hundred miles of bike lanes.

The embark-day shuttle from Barcelona’s BCN Airport will take you to our luxurious yacht-sized cruise ship, which will embark only steps away from Las Ramblas and the city’s Gothic Quarter.

Day 2 – The Majestic Island of Mallorca

Every year millions of European tourists flock to Spain’s Balearic Islands, a place that’s largely unvisited by Americans.

For over 25 years, the #1 destination of European cyclists who fly to a bicycling holiday is the island of Mallorca, where our small ship will make port in the city of Palma.

Now a favorite of European visitors, the narrow streets of Palma reflect over 2,000 years of influence from occupying Greeks, Pheonicians, Carpathians, Romans, Vandals, Aragons, Moors, Byzantines and Catalans.

Pedaling a coastal route with breathtaking views of the crystal blue waters of Mallorca, we’ll make our way to the loveliest little port in the Mediterranean. The longer routes will climb through vineyard laden foothills, remote summits of Tramuntana, and a traditional ochre-colored village nestled amongst the almond and carob trees.

Circling back to Palma, we’ll have ample time to explore the exotic walkways of a vibrant city before our Barcelona to Lisbon Cycling Cruise traverses back to the mainland.

Day 3 – Castellón de la Plana to Valencia

On all four of Santana’s previous Barcelona to Lisbon Cycling Cruises (only 1 of which was able to include Mallorca due to the speed of the older ships), a favorite day starts in Castellón de la Plana and cycles the coast to Valencia.

This day’s ride features an eclectic mix of white sand beaches, small villages, rice paddies, and a coastal rail trail.

In Valencia we will again hire a team of local experts (who are also cyclists) to guide small group rides that pause to reveal and explain the innovative aspects of the city’s famous collection of avant-garde architecture.

Day 4 – Cartagena to Garrucha

One of the reasons we hadn’t returned to our favorite region until 2023, was the shortage of petite cruise ships that can comfortably manage Santana’s expansive itinerary. Following a six year search, the launch of an ultra-capable new ship finally made Santana’s return visits possible. To reach Cartagena from Valencia, for instance, our yacht will travel 150 miles while we relax, dine, and sleep aboard our luxurious cruise ship.

Additionally, this is yet another day where the ship drops us off in the morning before racing along the coast to retrieve us at a second port that afternoon. In both cases, the port at one end of the ride has berths too small for a normal cruise ship.

Another difference of Santana’s offerings is our ability to satisfy the desires of a wider range of cyclists. On this day, for example, we’ll support a century ride for high-achieving cyclists who want to celebrate a time of year when most will reach peak fitness. The less energetic among us will enjoy a morning bus-and-truck shuttle to an intermediate high-point. The easiest option, less than 40 miles long, warms up with a gradual 10-mile descent before tracing a mild section of low-traffic coastline.

On the first of four days that cycle Andalusia, one of today’s highlights is Mojácar, a whitewashed moorish village perched atop a rocky outcropping to protect it from pirates.

A second highlight is Batería de Castillitos, a 20th century fortress built to protect the port of Cartagena. While the objective of the fort is made quite clear by the massive 17-meter guns, the Spanish military designed the facade of the fort like a medieval castle.

Day 5 – Málaga, Costa del Sol, & Granada

On a day our ship remains in Malaga, the largest and trendiest of Spain’s seaside resort towns along Spain’s Costa del Sol, many will choose to take a break from cycling.

While exploring a town famous for museums, galleries and shopping is entirely free, a pair of reasonably-priced options are a visit to a winemaker’s hacienda for guided horseback rides, or a coach shuttle that allows you to reach Granada and explore the Alhambra.

With over 7,000 years of history, Granada is a fascinating conglomeration of Spanish and Moorish architecture and culture. Between the Alhambra, Royal Chapel, Cathedral, market district, and sidewalk cafes — there is no shortage of fun to be had in Granada.

Avid cyclists will climb into Andalusia on a beautifully-graded truck route built nearly a century ago. Bypassed fifty years later, this favorite training ride for local roadies includes amazing views and a legendary pair of corkscrew turns.

Instead of retracing the same route for a pre-noon return to Malaga, those who prefer a full-day of epic pedaling will continue through badlands to find lunch at a remote cantina. From there, a third segment of low-traffic pavement returns to the coast by way of a deep gorge.

Day 6 – Gibraltar to Old Tangier

We start at dawn by climbing aboard a fleet of sure-footed mini-buses. Shifting into their lowest gear, they’ll climb up into the namesake national park an hour before the normal opening time. Gibraltar’s resident apes, curious about the early arrival of multiple buses, will arrive to join us atop “The Rock,” where our buses stop for amazing views.

After a tour of a World War II fortress, guns and underground hospital, we return to the ship for a ride that can’t be duplicated anywhere on earth.

Just two miles from the ship is an international airport (and fighter squadron airfield) that stretches across the isthmus separating two proud nations. The only way for cyclists to reach Spain is to wait for a break between arriving and departing jets. When the gates lift up, you follow the painted bike lane across the wide runway to reach the Spanish border.

Have you ever ridden a bike through three countries in one day? How about a bike ride that links two continents? Two of today’s ride choices allow Santana’s participants to achieve this amazing accomplishment. From Gibraltar, today’s medium and long rides continue along the Spanish Coast for 12 miles to reach a ferry port.

The long ride uses a fast hydrofoil to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, a little-known portion of Spain that, for over 350 years, has clung to the coast of Africa. Directly opposite Gibraltar, Ceuta’s tall peak is the other half of the fabled Pillars of Hercules—an ancient landmark that warned sailors of the point of no return.

Too small for an airport, Ceuta is a fascinating destination for any worldly traveler. Two miles from the ferry port is one of our planet’s most tightly-regulated border crossings. In a setting that’s incredibly foreign and frightening, Santana’s special emissary will meet riders to guide them through a clearance process that allows them to cycle into Morocco. After a fabulous twenty-mile segment through the Rif Mountains, the ride returns to the coast at Tangier Med, the ferry port used by medium riders (which flattens, shortens, and simplifies a transcontinental ride linking 3-countries).

Both routes share a stretch of coastline to reach the harbor at Old Tangier, where less-energetic cyclists will enter Morocco after transiting the Strait of Gibraltar aboard our chartered cruise ship. The short ride will be hosted by the expert guide who stars in the Rick Steves’ episode that also features Gibraltar and Cadiz.

Our favorite local ambassador will again hop on the back of one of our tandems to provide a multi-stop highlights tour of modern Tangier. At an oasis shared by all of today’s riders, don’t remove your helmet before climbing aboard a camel caravan for a short jaunt through coastal dunes.

On a day filled with never-to-be-forgotten sights and activities we’ve saved the best for last—a guided small-group walking tour that explores Tangier’s exotic walled casbah before climbing to a rooftop as the sun sets to sip sweetened tea and savor a fresh-baked Moroccan delicacy while being serenaded by the evening’s call to prayer.

Day 7 – Cádiz & Andalusia

Crossing back to Spain, we’ll arrive in Cádiz. At this UNESCO Heritage City our ship will tie up within the same small harbor where the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria departed for their famous voyage of discovery.

A circuit of the old city finds a delightful shoreline exit for an easy ride to the similarly-historic town of Jerez.

Our interlude to Jerez enjoys a mid-ride lunch and tasting at a classic Bodega that has roduced the finest sherry in the region for nearly 200 years.

Following a dramatic demonstration of Andalusian horses and horsemanship, a shorter return uses a ferry to cross the broad bay.

Day 8 – Algarve to Portimão

Portugal’s riviera is the Algarve, a south-facing region with delightful beaches and small towns.

Those content with a short day can depart from our Portimão tie-up for a coastal boardwalk and bike path that has dozens of places to stop, shop or relax.

The medium ride passes through the once-sinister slaving-port of Lagos, with its restored auction house, to turn around at the beachfront village of Luz—a favorite hangout of Rick Steves.

Those who really want to stretch their legs will continue to the lighthouse and cliffside fortress on the Cape of Sagres, where you can take in a spectacular view of the Portuguese coast as you stand side by side with 500 year old cannons. This is the famous jumping-off spot where Prince Henry founded his university of navigation and exploration.

After one of the school’s Italian-born instructors was passed over for opportunities provided to Portuguese, Professor Columbus and his Portuguese wife moved to Spain, where Chris convinced King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to bankroll his exploits.

Disembark Day – Lisbon

Santana’s Barcelona to Lisbon Cycling Cruise ends in the beautiful city of Lisbon. To reach Lisbon we’ll cruise up the Tagus River past Belém and beneath the towering bridge commemorating their day of liberation, to dock adjacent to Lisbon’s famed Alfama district (Old Town), where our disembark shuttle can reach Lisbon’s LIS airport in 15 minutes.

Instead of boarding a transatlantic flight that same day, many will opt to spend an extra night or two in Portugal’s capital city, where a few thousand years of history and culture are certain to keep you entertained.

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