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Spain: Catalonia

Contrasts of Catalunya Cycling – Short Break

Trip code: C04CN

Average customer rating 4.8 / 5(9 verified reviews)

Self-Guided Cycling
4 nights hotel-to-hotel
Steady
Flights available
CO₂ rating 1/5
Headwater Navigation app

Trip highlights

Quiet country lanes, ideal for first-time or nervous cyclists

Unspoilt coastline with sandy beaches, fishing ports and villages off the tourist trail

Cooling sea breezes and comfortable temperatures, even in peak season

Charming medieval villages to discover along the route and on rest days

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Trip details

Catalonia (Catalunya) is a semi-autonomous area of Spain; steeped in culture, its traditions and
festivals date back over thousands of years. Rich in medieval villages, highlights
include prosperous Peratallada, peach-coloured Pals and fashionable Begur. The
rocky coastline is dotted with pretty fishing villages, crystal clear waters and
beautiful beaches which are perfect to explore.

What's included

Included

  • 4 nights in 3-star and 4-star accommodation
  • All breakfasts and 1 evening meals
  • Bike fitting and briefing at the start of your holiday
  • Headwater navigation app
  • Bike hire included
  • Luggage transfers between hotels

Not included

  • Flights
  • Local taxes/fees
  • Drinks and personal expenses
  • Lunches and picnics
  • Travel insurance

Your bike

Hand-picked for the route, hire included

Ghost, Square Trekking or equivalent. Your bike hire is included in the price of your holiday and comes equipped with the relevant essentials, plus rear pannier and phone holder.

Ghost Square Trekking Standard

Travel options

Flights

Our air prices include standard flights and transfers.

Itinerary

Route map, with each night's stop marked
The full route, night by night. Select the map to view it full screen.

Day 1 · —Arrive in Calella de Palafrugell

Arrive in Calella de Palafrugell

Check in at your hotel and enjoy a 5 minutes walk to the centre of town, with a wealth or restaurants to choose from. We’ve left evening meals up to you.

You stay at Hotel Garbi

HOTEL GARBI, CALELLA DE PALAFRUGELL (3 STAR)
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Hotel Garbi

Calella de Palafrugell

  • American Express
  • Bank
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Other email access
  • Swimming pool
  • Television
  • Wifi access

The Hotel Garbi is located on the hillside overlooking the fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell with its own extensive gardens, shaded by pines.

The Hotel is family-run and has a warm welcoming atmosphere where its friendly staff will do their utmost to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible.

The hotel also has a car park-for anyone who would like to drive to this hotel.

Day 2 · 33km/20.5miCalella de Palafrugell to Platja de Pals

Calella de Palafrugell to Platja de Pals

Your route today passes through the pine forests behind Calella before heading off to peach-coloured Pals, a lovely medieval town with Romanesque church affording stunning views. After lunch, head on through the pretty hamlets of Palau-Sator (where there has been a settlement since Roman times) and Fontanilles, before looping back towards the coast and a gentle downhill ride to Platja de Pals.

Elevation

Calella de Palafrugell to Platja de Pals elevation profile

You stay at Hotel Sa Punta

SPCASP - Sa Punta 7-8-15
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Hotel Sa Punta

Platja de Pals

  • Air conditioning
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Safe
  • Swimming pool
  • Tea & coffee
  • Television
  • Wifi access

The newly renovated Hotel Sa Punta, just a five minute walk to the beach is set in beautiful grounds with a lovely terrace area for afternoon drinks. The Sa Punta offers a relaxed atmosphere with a ‘Beach House’ kind of look, where visitors can relax. There is also a semi-Olympic salt water swimming pool, an outdoor bar for refreshing cocktails and access to the beautiful garden.

The renewed rooms are spacious and modern with a minimalist and intimate style, with balcony or terrace.

Evening meals are taken either at ‘Dalia at Sa Punta’, the hotel restaurant and you can indulge on light dishes and snack throughout the day at the pool bar.

Day 3 · 27km/16.8miPlatja de Pals to Casavells

Platja de Pals to Casavells

You’ll begin today cycling past rice fields before following the River Ter to Torroella de Montgri with wonderful views of the Illes Medes. Visit this lovely medieval town with its Roman defensive wall before heading inland along wonderfully quiet roads through the village of Gualta (picturesque 16th century bridge) and pretty hamlets of Fonolleres, Matajudaica to Casavells, near La Bisbal.

Elevation

Platja de Pals to Casavells elevation profile

You stay at Encis D’emporda

Encis Demporda
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Encis D’emporda

Casavells

  • Air conditioning
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Swimming pool
  • Tea & coffee
  • Television
  • Visa cards
  • Wifi access

Tucked away in the charming medieval village of Casavells, Encís d’Empordà is a beautifully restored 16th-century country house. Ideal for couples, friends, and solo travelers, it offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere for those seeking peace, nature, and authenticity.

Encís d’Empordà offers seven spacious and uniquely styled suites, each filled with natural light and sweeping views of the Empordà landscape. Warm, cozy, and thoughtfully decorated, every room invites you to unwind or soak in a classic-style bathtub.

Each suite is inspired by a different era of Empordà’s rich heritage, blending history with comfort.

Day 4 · 33km/20.5miCasavells to Calella de Palafrugell

Casavells to Calella de Palafrugell

Today offers lovely gentle cycling, stopping first at the walled village of Ullastret. The vast archaeological site here contains the remains of one of the oldest Iberian villages in Spain. Continue your journey through beautifully preserved Peratallada to the bustling market town of Palafrugell. Then back to Calella de Palafrugell for a final swim in the pool.

Elevation

Casavells to Calella de Palafrugell elevation profile

You stay at Hotel Garbi

HOTEL GARBI, CALELLA DE PALAFRUGELL (3 STAR)
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Hotel Garbi

Calella de Palafrugell

  • American Express
  • Bank
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Other email access
  • Swimming pool
  • Television
  • Wifi access

The Hotel Garbi is located on the hillside overlooking the fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell with its own extensive gardens, shaded by pines.

The Hotel is family-run and has a warm welcoming atmosphere where its friendly staff will do their utmost to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible.

The hotel also has a car park-for anyone who would like to drive to this hotel.

Day 5 · —Leave Calella de Palafrugell

Leave Calella de Palafrugell

Extending your holiday

Hotel Ciutat de Girona
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Hotel Ciutat de Girona

Girona

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • ATM
  • Bank
  • Hairdryers
  • Market
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Other email access
  • Safe

The Hotel Ciutat de Girona is located in the historic centre and the beating heart of Girona and is just a 10 minute walk from the train station. The majestic Girona cathedral with the widest nave in the world is only 2 minutes walk from the hotel. The hotel has been decorated with iconic images of Girona’s past, the historic pictures sit well with the modern decor of the hotel. The restaurant of the hotel if you decide to eat there prides itself on serving food using local products all of which come from a 62.1 mile radius.

To access the bike storage, you will need to use a lift, and your bike must be placed in a vertical position. If you need any assistance, the hotel staff will be happy to help.

SPCASP - Sa Punta 7-8-15
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Hotel Sa Punta

Platja de Pals

  • Air conditioning
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Safe
  • Swimming pool
  • Tea & coffee
  • Television
  • Wifi access

The newly renovated Hotel Sa Punta, just a five minute walk to the beach is set in beautiful grounds with a lovely terrace area for afternoon drinks. The Sa Punta offers a relaxed atmosphere with a ‘Beach House’ kind of look, where visitors can relax. There is also a semi-Olympic salt water swimming pool, an outdoor bar for refreshing cocktails and access to the beautiful garden.

The renewed rooms are spacious and modern with a minimalist and intimate style, with balcony or terrace.

Evening meals are taken either at ‘Dalia at Sa Punta’, the hotel restaurant and you can indulge on light dishes and snack throughout the day at the pool bar.

What our travellers say

From our wonderful rep Greg to our amazing accommodation, great bikes and well thought out routes – it was an amazing holiday. Everything ran smoothly. Cycling through scenic countryside and ending the cycle with a dip in the clear sea followed by a jug of sangria in the sun – pure bliss. Can’t wait until next year!

Ms Ui Bhroin

A thoroughly enjoyable 3 days cycling with my daughter on (predominantly) designated cycle paths and quiet country roads in beautiful and unspoilt Catalonian countryside. We had a warm welcome wherever we went and found 3-4 hours in the saddle each day suited us perfectly. Easy to reach beaches enhanced our holiday and we’d both like to repeat it all.

Mrs Henley

Beautiful cycling through varied landscape. Wonderful wild flowers and bird life. Gorgeous villages and friendly people. Definite things to improve: a lot of transfers required to get to the first hotel (3x train then pick up); the app is pretty good but could have a bit more navigation description; bikes should be fitted with cradles for phones (or recommend that clients bring one) so that you can track the map while also listening to directions. There seemed to be many different itineraries and guides emailed (plus links embedded) that it is difficult to be sure you’ve got all the right info. A printed pack in the post would still be the most useful thing. Final small point – there is a killer climb on the last day which isn’t mentioned anywhere. There is an easy detour to avoid it though. Maybe worth giving this option in the notes?

Mr Riviere

This was a great tour (our third with Headwater and our first in Spain). Our hosts were good and friendly and we enjoyed every moment, the hotels chosen were excellent. The ride was beautiful, flat and interesting. The only downside was that the contracted person taking us to the rail station on our return got us there too late. We didn’t mind too much, but it caused us an extra hour. Overall this short Catalunya ride was perfect for us (in our late 50s). Please Headwater, can you add some more short break rides!

Mrs White

I think I was caught in a handover between Toni and Stephanie. Nonetheless, the booking and queries were dealt with quickly and always in a friendly way : )
The last day of our trip has a steep climb followed by some undulation which isn’t highlighted perhaps as much as it could be. For my daughter and I we were fine with this but I think it could be a shock for anyone expecting ‘leisurely’!

Emma Trotman

From the first enquiry to the final drop off for our homeward journey everything went smoothly and exactly as we expected.

Mrs Newman

Our holiday aligned very well with our style of traveling (some structure, but a lot of opportunity for exploration along the way), and the Headwater staff we worked with (especially Helen and Stephanie) were wonderful. When we had to adjust our travel plans unexpectedly (due to a stolen passport on Day #1), Stephanie was able to re-rack our holiday so that we still got to enjoy as much of the experience as possible.

A Valued Customer

Great cycles, fantastic routes, every hotel excellent and in great locations. Support of booking team and local support was excellent. This was a really lovely and memorable holiday thank you

Ms Johnson

Excellent support, personal approach
great routes and app

Mrs Dalton
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Positive impact

Carbon score for this trip

12.0

Kg CO₂e

per person, per night

Relative to other Headwater trips

We measure emissions from the parts of the holiday we organise — including accommodation, in-trip transport, meals and activities — and express them as CO₂e per person, per night. Our label doesn’t include your travel to and from the start of the trip. As a Certified B Corp, Headwater is committed to reducing this figure and to positively impacting local communities, the local environment and our staff. Learn more

From the journal

From£909per person