Costa Blanca
Costa Blanca is one of Europe’s most complete road cycling destinations. You get sun, mountains, and the sea, all within easy reach. The roads are smooth, the climbs are varied, and the weather stays mild most of the year. It's no surprise that WorldTour teams use it as a winter base. From November through March, you'll see pros and amateur riders alike tackling the same climbs, café stops and coast roads. The region delivers long riding seasons with very little rain and plenty of daylight.
The terrain suits almost every type of rider. You can spin along flat coastal stretches or rack up serious climbing in the interior. The best-known climb is Coll de Rates, a classic switchback road through pine forest and limestone ridges, used by the pros for testing legs and equipment. But that’s just the beginning. Puerto de Confrides and Puerto de Tudons offer longer, steadier efforts with big views and quiet roads. Puerto de Tollos and Sa Creueta twist through the backcountry, often with little traffic and wide, open scenery. If you want to stack the elevation, you can. If you’re here to enjoy the landscape, that’s easy too.
Cycling here isn’t just about the climbs. The cafés and culture around the sport are well established. You’ll find bike-friendly stops in nearly every village, with hearty bocadillos, local pastries, and strong coffee. Santa Pola, Calpe, Dénia and Parcent each offer solid cycling infrastructure, with rentals, repair shops, and cafés where riders gather year-round. Some hotels cater specifically to cyclists, offering secure bike storage, tools and route support. Whether you want to rent a carbon road bike for the week or just tune your own, you’ll find what you need.
The region also delivers on food and atmosphere. Inland villages serve up traditional mountain dishes like grilled lamb, arroz al horno, or stews with rabbit and snails. The coast leans toward fresh seafood and rice. Off the bike, you can visit quiet mountain towns, sunny beaches, and bustling markets without having to go far. That balance makes Costa Blanca more than just a training ground. It’s a place to ride hard, rest well, and get the most out of every day on two wheels.
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Best time to ride
The best time to visit this destination depends on various factors including weather conditions, temperature ranges, and seasonal cycling conditions. Understanding the climate patterns throughout the year will help you plan your perfect cycling trip. Each month offers different advantages and challenges for cyclists looking to explore this beautiful region.
Where to stay
Base Towns
Calpe
Calpe is the main hub for road cycling on the Costa Blanca, used by pros and amateurs alike. You’re right on the coast with immediate access to climbs like Bernia, Cumbre del Sol, Coll de Rates and Vall d’Ebo. The town is packed with bike-friendly hotels, rental shops, cafés and supermarkets that open early.
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Accommodations (13)
Places in Costa Blanca that welcome you and your bike.
B&B Buena Idea
B&B Buena Idea is just outside the centre of Xaló, with easy access to the valley’s main climbs and quiet backroads. It has secure indoor bike storage, basic tools, and seven comfortable rooms set around a pool and garden. The setup is calm and practical, with enough space to unwind after big days out. You can roll into town in a few minutes for food or supplies, and ride straight from the door toward Bernia, Rates or Tarbena.
Casa Mistela
Casa Mistela is a relaxed, boutique-style B&B in the centre of Xaló with secure bike storage, a washing area, laundry service, and help planning routes. It has a small pool and peaceful courtyard, ideal for unwinding after a ride. The owners are used to cyclists and the setup works well if you want comfort without giving up practicality. Cafés and shops are just around the corner, and you’re a short warm-up ride from Coll de Rates, Bernia and the quiet roads of the Jalón valley.
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How to get there
- By car: Costa Blanca is well connected by road, with fast motorway access from anywhere in Spain. Whether you’re coming from Madrid, Valencia or Andalusia, you’ll find easy routes to the coast and into the mountains. A car also gives you the freedom to explore different cycling bases and move between valleys or coastal towns with ease.
- By train: You can reach Alicante by high-speed train (AVE) from Madrid and other major cities. From there, local trains connect to towns like Elche, Villajoyosa or Denia, though not all smaller cycling hubs are well served. If you’re bringing your bike, check Renfe’s bike policy and choose regional services when possible.
- By plain: Alicante–Elche Airport (ALC) is the main gateway to the region, with direct flights from across Europe. It’s about 30 minutes from Santa Pola, under an hour from Calpe and well connected by motorway. Valencia Airport (VLC) is another option, around 90 minutes north by car. Both airports allow bikes as checked baggage with most airlines.
Bike Rentals (11)
53.eleven
Bike brands: BMC, Giant
53.eleven is a cycling hub with premium kit, top-tier rentals, and espresso all under one roof. They carry brands like POC, Maap, and Pas Normal Studios, and rent carbon road bikes ready for the local climbs. Every Saturday at 10 a.m., a group ride rolls out from the shop, making it a solid spot to gear up, grab a coffee, and ride.
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Shops (8)
Cronobike
CronoBike is all about road cycling and the gear that keeps you rolling. Their workshop can sort you out with anything from a quick tune-up to a full overhaul. They’ve got a solid range of parts, accessories, and sport nutrition from well known brands.
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Cafes & bars (16)
53.eleven
53.eleven is a cycling hub with premium kit, top-tier rentals, and espresso all under one roof. They carry brands like POC, Maap, and Pas Normal Studios, and rent carbon road bikes ready for the local climbs. Every Saturday at 10 a.m., a group ride rolls out from the shop, making it a solid spot to gear up, grab a coffee, and ride.
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Popular Climbs (15)
Altet del Canonge
5.04km | 396m | 7.9%
Altet del Canonge is one of those climbs your riding buddy throws in with a casual “let’s take this shortcut I know.” It’s short, brutally steep, and ramps up fast with pitches from 14 to 18 percent, so heads up.
It links the CV 755 near Callosa d'en Sarrià to the main road between Benidorm and Alcoy. And it doesn’t stop there. The climb keeps going on toward Benimantell, but you can swing a left on the CV-70 if you’re heading for Benidorm.
Alto de Xorret de Cati
3.67km | 417m | 11.4%
As you pass through the town of Castelle and follow the CV-817, you’ll come up on Xorret de Catí. It’s a short, steep climb that hits hard. The warning signs showing 20% gradients give you a heads-up. The road winds between pine trees, and after a few corners, the steepest part kicks in.
You’ll see names of riders and words of encouragement painted on the tarmac. The Vuelta has tackled this climb several times, and for good reason. The last was in 2023, when Primož Roglič took the stage win by reaching the top first.
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Cycling Routes (13)
Loop Sa Creueta and Bernia
97km | 1617m
This route delivers two beautiful climbs, starting with an easy roll out of Calpe through Callosa and Bolulla. The first test is the climb up Sa Creueta. After that, enjoy the long descent. You might want to stop for a coffee somewhere on this section.
Continue towards Xaló, where the climb to the top of the Bernia begins. From the summit, soak in the coastal views before the smooth descent back into Calpe.
Puerto de Bernia from Calpe
80.1km | 1157m
From Calpe, the route rolls inland past views of the Peñón de Ifach before soft climbs lead to Jalón, where the main ascent begins. Puerto de Bernia is one of the iconic climbs of the Costa Blanca, a narrow road that twists up the ridge with stone guardrails, hairpins, and wide views. At the top, the landscape opens fully to the sea and the mountains behind. The descent through Pinos is smooth and quiet, dropping between terraces and limestone slopes before returning steadily to Benissa and back to the coast.
Puerto de Tárbena from Calpe
73.7km | 1219m
The ride from Calpe starts along the coast before heading inland toward Callosa d’en Sarrià, where the climb to Puerto de Tárbena begins. It’s a well-known ascent in the region, winding through pine-covered hills and switchbacks with open views toward the coast. From the summit, the route drops down Coll de Rates, a classic among many pros, fast and flowing with big mountain views. The road then eases through the Jalón Valley, passing Parcent, Alcalalí, Jalón and Llíber, all good spots to stop for a coffee. The final stretch returns to the coast along a scenic road with wide views of the sea and the Peñón de Ifach.
Loop du France
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