Spain by Bike: Barcelona to Málaga | Coastal Cycling Voyage

In 2021, I set out on a bicycle journey across the Iberian Peninsula, starting from the iconic city of Barcelona and following the sun-drenched Mediterranean coast all the way to Málaga. The route took me through a remarkable variety of landscapes and towns: from the busy streets and historic landmarks of Barcelona, across Tarragona and L'Ampolla, through Benicarló, Castellón and Valencia, and onwards through Gandía and Alcoy. From there, the landscape gradually changed as I headed south towards Alicante and La Zenia. The Costa del Sol brought a completely different atmosphere, with visits to Cartagena, Águilas, Carboneras and Almería before continuing through La Mamola, Nerja and finally Málaga. This journey was a fascinating contrast between Spain's major cities, historic inland towns and the spectacular Mediterranean coast. Along the way there were mountain roads, busy towns, quiet rural landscapes, ancient ruins, traditional architecture and long stretches of beautiful coastline. But Málaga was not the end of the cycling journey. From there, I took a flight to Tenerife, where I continued the adventure by bicycle and spent time cycling around the island. Tenerife offered a completely different cycling experience, with dramatic volcanic landscapes, steep mountain roads, rugged coastlines and towns shaped by the island's unique history and geography. The journey took me through spectacular places including Los Gigantes, famous for its enormous cliffs rising dramatically from the Atlantic Ocean, as well as La Laguna, the historic city whose old town is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I also cycled through Tenerife's spectacular national park landscapes, including Teide National Park, home to Mount Teide and some of the most extraordinary volcanic scenery in the Canary Islands. The contrast between the dry coastal areas, lush mountain landscapes, pine forests and high-altitude volcanic terrain made cycling around Tenerife a remarkable continuation of the journey. Unlike a conventional holiday, travelling by bicycle gives a very different perspective. Distances are covered slowly, the landscape changes gradually, and towns and villages become part of the experience rather than simply places to pass through.