When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.
These are the words of Conan Doyle about the simple pleasure of cycling.
But walking on two wheels is not only pleasant, also it has enormous benefits for your body and the environment. For example, did you know that, contrary to what is thought, cycling helps protect your knees and make them stronger? In addition, the constant pedaling helps shape your whole figure and not just the legs. It also strengthens the immune system, which protects you from benign and malignant diseases.
As if that were not enough, the use of a bicycle contributes to significantly reducing your carbon footprint. A car can be responsible for up to 40% of CO2 emissions, while the emissions of a bicycle are zero.
As you can see, with a bicycle, all are advantages. What do you expect to start pedaling? Let’s discover the 5 best Spanish cities for cycling. You no longer have an excuse to stay home!
Seville riding a bicycle
Seville is the perfect city to explore by bike. In recent years there have been installed 80 kilometers of cycle paths, which have helped to decongestion of the city and decontamination. That makes Seville in the fourth-best city in Europe for cycling. City center is closed to traffic, making it a perfect city to go on two wheels.
Do not miss: the “Sevilla on bike” route (“Sevilla en bicicleta”), which allows you to enjoy the city center and walk along the bank of the Guadalquivir river.
Helpful information: Sevici is a public bike rental service and offers you a Short Term Subscription, which gives you the possibility to also rent only for a few days.
Walking around Barcelona
Barcelona has numerous cycle paths to enjoy a different facet of the city. Thanks to public service Bicing about 15,000 citizens travel by bicycle, which has helped prevent up to 9,000 tons of CO2 emissions. In addition, good weather and beautiful architecture will have you an especially great desire to ride bikes around town.
Do not miss: the Barcelona tourist route, which follows the path from the Plaça de Catalunya, Parc de la Ciutadella, Sagrada Familia, Casa Milá, and many intermediate points. Also, if you are looking for a disconnect from the most crowded places, we suggest a route of about two hours to the beaches of Maresme.
Helpful information: Bicing service is available only to Spanish residents. To rent a bike in Barcelona there are many points to go (their prices are usually about €2 per hour, €10 per day, and €45 per week). Here we show you a map of the bike path with different bike rentals in the area.
Córdoba and the bike-sharing
This city is completely flat, facilitating the circulation on two wheels. Córdoba is the precursor ot the movement “Solidarity Bikes” (“Bicis Solidarias”) a project of bike sharing which promotes donations and private loan bicycles. Come and discover in a different way this beautiful city where the Arab, Jewish, and Christian cultures come together to offer this breathtaking city.
Do not miss: the typical Córdoba patios, courtyards full of flowers. In May, these courtyards open to the public with the “Festival of the Patios” (Festival de los Patios Cordobeses). At another time of year, you can contact the Asociación Amigos de los Patios Cordobeses (“Association Patios Friendly), offering free visits.
Bicycle throughout Vitoria-Gasteiz
With almost 135 km of cycle paths, Vitoria proudly exhibits its well-deserved title of “European Green Capital 2012”. This city keeps an active and constant battle against climate change, so much so that this year has consolidated its commitment to sustainability and the environment after receiving the Biosphere Responsible Tourism certification demonstrating its Sustainable Tourism Destination category.
Do not mis: its tasty pintxos, and its varied food and wine, which also gave him recognition as the Spanish Capital of Gastronomy in 2014.
Helpful information: Vitoria has a dense network of cycle routes outdoors, among which are the parks of Garaio and Landa or Forest of Armentia. The municipality of Vitoria has a map of different bike lanes. It also has a tracking system GEO in which a map shows you the best way to get a bike to your destination. Additionally, in this link, you will find information about bike rentals.
Zaragoza by bike
This city is ideal to explore by bicycle, because is very flat. Discover the footprint who have left Iberians, Romans, Muslims, Jews, and Christians for more than two thousand years in Zaragoza.
Do not miss Pilar Basilica, an imposing temple with an even more amazing interior: from frescoes by Goya to bombs Civil War unexploded; Leo of San Salvador, Zaragoza Cathedral, built on the Roman Forum, the Visigoth church and the Mosque Muslim.
Helpful information: Bizi Public Service is in charge of providing urban transport of bicycles in the city. The City of Zaragoza has a map that will help you move more easily.
