Deep Andalucia - Malaga

Reception of the participants at the airport and transfer to the hotel by Aventura Motorcycle Tours staff, welcome drink, dinner and tour presentation.

We begin our journey leaving Málaga to ride into the mountains of the Montes de Malaga Natural Park, on an old and twisty access road that will give us some of the best views of the whole city. We will return to the coast for more fun riding alongside the beaches, before going back to the mountains, this time on the ‘Carretera de La Cabra’, one of the most challenging roads in Andalusia. Our destination for this first day on the road is a hidden gem of a hotel in the countryside near Villamena for a well-deserved Andalucian dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Today we will tour the Alpujarras, at the foot of the highest mountain in the Iberian Peninsula. This area is famous for its high-quality 'jamóns' (dry-cured hams), and we will surely stop at least once to check how delicious they are.  Leaving the mountains and heading back to the coastline, we will visit the ‘Cabo de Gata’ and its lighthouse, in Almeria. This arid zone of Andalusia will be a constant in the afternoon while we enjoy riding on amusing stretches of secondary roads until we end the day near Mojácar, an indescribable beautiful white town on a hill.

A day of contrasts awaits us: we will ride through Tabernas, the only desert in Europe the filming location of many feature films and TV series, and then climb to the ‘Alto de Velefique’, a beautiful mountain pass. The magnificent roads full of perfect curves will take us up north to Baza, and from there we will start heading southwest to the magic city of Granada through secondary mountain roads that are guaranteed to take your breath away.

The first rest day on our trip, and Granada has plenty to show us. We can marvel at the Alhambra and its architectural complex, enjoy a walk through the Historical Centre, visit its Jewish quarter, and also the city's famous cathedral. Granada is also the place where the famous ‘Tapa’ was born, and we will have a good time trying to decide which ones of these regional delicacies will end up being our favorites.

The first part of the day is a ride on the highest road in the Iberian Peninsula, up to the ‘Pico de Veleta’. Get ready for countless curves and switchbacks, and mesmerizing views along the way. We will then return to the valley and cross endless fields of olive trees. Spain's precious ‘Oro Verde’, considered by many as the best olive oil in the world, comes from this very region. Before arriving at our hotel in charming Antequera, we will pass through ‘El Torcal’, a nature reserve in the Sierra del Torcal mountain range, known for its whimsical karst landscapes and unusual landforms. 

Leaving Antequera on our way to Córdoba, we will enjoy a relaxed day riding through some lovely countryside roads. On our first stop, we will visit the ‘Fuente de Piedra’ lagoon with its magnificent pink flamingos – if it is the right season. We move along A-318 heading north, and before we arrive in Córdoba, we will make another interesting pause in Baena, home to the Olive Oil Museum. There is no better place to understand the whole process behind extracting olive oil, and it will be a visit to open our appetites for a tasty dinner later!

We will have the whole day to tour Córdoba and walk on the narrow streets of the well-preserved Jewish quarter, visit the Andalusian patios so famous for their beauty, and of course, see the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, regarded as one of the most accomplished monuments of Moorish architecture. The Great Mosque was built in 784, and after Córdoba returned to Christian rule in 1236, the building was converted to a Catholic church. Get the camera ready for some of the best photo opportunities on our trip!

A beautiful route through the Sierra Norte awaits our group today, as we leave Córdoba behind to move west on A-8202, following its winding path and hiding under the trees on both sides of the way. We will see very little traffic, and experience unlimited pleasure on two wheels!

Our stop for the night is Aracena, near the Tinto River, a region which is famous for its ancient iron mines. The red and orange waters of the Tinto recently attracted the interest of astrobiologists, due to its acidic characteristics, and the whole area is also known for its unique 'lunar' landscapes.

We start this day surrounded by the pines of the ‘Sierra de Huelva’, but soon we will have reached the coast once again. Palos de la Frontera is the place where Christopher Columbus left to discover America, more than 500 years ago. We will be able to see the replicas of the three ships that changed the world: Niña, Santa Maria, and Pinta. We will travel along the coast past beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and golden sand beaches until we reach the Doñana National Park, a reserve of countless species of animals and birds. After a brief stop in the village of El Rocio for the Virgin to bless our journey, we will continue to Seville, where a world of wonderful emotions awaits us.

The final full rest day on our route will be dedicated to exploring Sevilla, Spain's 4th largest city, and home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Alcázar palace complex, the Cathedral (second largest in the world), and the General Archive of the Indies. We will have a good time visiting the 'Plaza de España', built in 1929 for the Ibero-American Exposition; the 'Torre del Oro'; the plaza bullring of La Maestranza, the 'Reales Alcaceres' (where Game of Thrones was filmed); 'La Giralda' and its views from the bell tower; and the Setas de la 'Plaza de Encarnación' in ultramodern style and offering incredible views... Many different attractions to choose from, but we will take it easy and have a few breaks along the day to enjoy great local food, excellent wines, and comforting coffee in traditional taverns.

It's time to be back on the saddle! The plan for today is to head south to the coast once again, reaching Sanlúcar de Barrameda, internationally renowned for beach horse racing and flamenco music. We will then cross the modern Constitution of 1812 Bridge (Puente de La Pepa) and stop for lunch in Cádiz, one of the oldest and most beautiful towns in the Spanish Mediterranean.

In the afternoon, our route takes us alongside endless beaches, and we will visit the Cape of Trafalgar and the sand dunes close to Tarifa, where a dinner of the best tuna in the world marks the end of a yet another great day.

Today we ride back inland and up north on roads with endless thrilling curves that will lead us to beautiful Ronda for the night. On our way, we will stop to visit another landmark on our journey around Andalucia: Gibraltar, the famous British territory on Spanish soil. It’s a small place, but it offers a different ride and amazing views of the Straight.

As we get closer to Ronda, the ‘Sierra de Grazalema’ and its mountain passes, such as ‘Las Palomas’, will offer us stunning and unforgettable moments on our motorcycles. This is truly one of the highlights of our journey, and we guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

Our last day on the road for this tour, and we will ride on more exciting twisty roads through different landscapes. Our route will have us stopping at ‘Setenil de las Bodegas’ and its town built under the rocks, and at El Chorro and its canyon ‘Los Gaitanes’, a most impressive natural wonder that will leave us speechless.

Once back in Málaga, a fabulous dinner will mark the end of our fantastic journey through Andalucia. It's time to share memories and experiences, and perhaps start to plan our next adventure together.

After a well-deserved night's rest and breakfast at the hotel, we will say goodbye to our new friends, and Aventura Motorcycle Tours will provide transfer to the airport.