Spain is the country of choice for professional cyclists to train in the winter months. Mallorca and Tenerife are two
of the most popular spots; largely due to their mild weather, excellent road surface and abundance of mountainous terrain.
However, the Almería region is another great option for a winter getaway, particularly if you would like the sun and tranquil scenery of Mallorca or Tenerife, but without
the challenging climbs.
The Almería Region
Almería is the most south-eastern province on the Iberian Peninsula, and is one of eight provinces that make up the region of Andalucia. It has a low population density, with the capital (also called Almería) the only
city of note.
The region is known for the diversity of its scenery - ranging from the numerous isolated beaches that line the coastline, to the vast natural parks inland. Almería is also home
to the only desert in Europe. The Tabernas Desert is a truly unique place to stumble across in Europe, and is a popular filming location for many Hollywood scripts - including The Good the Bad and the Ugly
and Lawrence of Arabia.
Not surprisingly for a region containing a desert, Almería is also the driest part of mainland Europe, with rain falling on average only 25 days each year. This is excellent news for cycling, particularly during the winter
months; as is the average daytime temperature which usually hovers between 16 and 22 degrees celsius in winter.
Cycling in Almería
Almería gets pretty hot in the summer, but makes for pleasant cycling from around October to May each year. With routes along the coast, through the Cabo de Gata Natural Park and also around the edge of the Tabernas desert, there
is a real diversity of scenery, with a range of flat and more mountainous options.
Our Cabo de Gata cycling holiday is designed for its tranquility. The routes pass
through isolated, peaceful areas, with superb natural scenery, as well as visiting some of the beautiful towns and villages that have been influenced by long periods of
Roman and Muslim rule.
Check out details of the holiday below, or return to our Guides & Articles if you wish to browse further and learn more about our destinations.
Spain