Tour de France 2026: Catalonia & the Grand Départ

Your Tour de France adventure begins—in Spain! Board your overnight flight to Barcelona, where you’ll soon be riding legendary Catalan roads and witnessing cycling history at the 2026 Grand Départ.

¡Bienvenidos a España! You’ll touch down in Barcelona, then transfer to Girona, just 90 minutes north. This medieval city on the banks of the River Onyar has become the adopted home of professional cyclists from around the world—and once you experience the riding here, you’ll understand why. You’ll be in the Catalonia region throughout this trip, which has two official languages: Spanish and Catalan.

Girona is a cycling mecca. Riders flock here for the diversity of terrains, the supportive community, and the cycling culture that permeates every corner of the city—something you’ll experience firsthand starting today. Your morning ride takes you from Girona’s northern outskirts through quiet lanes and sun-dappled forests, weaving past picturesque towns and stone farmhouses (known as masias) as you ascend toward Canet d’Adri. After your ride, you'll refuel at a local cyclist café—the kind of place where riders gather after morning training rides, where the walls are lined with race jerseys and the conversations revolve around gradients and gear ratios. From there, you’ll visit the EF Pro Cycling Service Course—the team’s warehouse and operations hub where the professional race fleet is maintained. This behind-the-scenes look reveals the precision and passion that goes into competing at cycling’s highest level, from mechanics fine-tuning race bikes to staff coordinating logistics across grand tours. Then it’s time to explore Girona on foot, discovering the well-preserved Jewish Quarter, the impressive Gothic Cathedral that towers over the old town, and the row of colorful houses reflected in the river below.

You have three options for riding today, all beginning with the morning ride to Lake Banyoles—one of the largest natural lakes in Spain and the site of rowing events during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Rolling out from Girona, the city’s medieval walls and lively plazas quickly give way to the tranquil rhythm of the Catalan countryside. As you approach Lake Banyoles, the landscape opens up, revealing the lake’s wide expanse framed by forested hills. After circling the lake, you’ll have time to relax, grab lunch, and take in the scenery. From here, you decide: take a taxi back to the hotel, continue riding through oak forests to the base of Mare de Déu del Mont, or tackle the longest route that climbs to the summit. This tough ascent twists and turns for nearly 12 miles with gradients that test even seasoned riders, but the reward is profound: at over 3,600 feet, the sanctuary of Mare de Déu del Mont offers panoramic views stretching from the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean.

Today is all about you, your bike, and the open road—with a surrealist twist. The adventure begins with the epic ascent of Els Àngels, a climb beloved by pros and amateurs alike. The road winds upward through pine forests and rocky outcrops, each switchback revealing wider views of Girona and the rolling hills beyond. After reaching the summit, you’ll descend into the Empordà, a region of vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages. In the town of Púbol, you’ll visit the Gala Dalí Castle—the medieval residence that Salvador Dalí restored and transformed into a surrealist sanctuary for his muse and wife, Gala. Wander through the whimsical rooms adorned with Dalí’s paintings, explore the gardens, and discover the rooftop where sculpted elephants overlook the countryside. From here, you head to your new hotel in the L’Escala region by taxi,  or continue cycling through quiet country lanes and forests until you reach the turquoise Mediterranean. As the sun begins to set, you can join the optional boat cruise along the coast or simply relax at your hotel.

Costa Brava is paradise on a bike, offering rolling hills and scenic coastal roads for days. Starting from Sant Feliu de Guíxols, today’s adventure takes you to Tossa de Mar, a medieval coastal village crowned by its iconic walled old town, the Vila Vella, with ancient stone towers rising above the turquoise bay. The ride begins with one of the most spectacular stretches of coastal road in all of Spain—a ribbon of tarmac that clings to the cliffs, revealing hidden coves at every turn. Once you arrive in Tossa de Mar, you’ll have free time to explore the cobbled streets, golden beaches, and castle walls offering sweeping views of Costa Brava. From here, you can take the support van back to Sant Feliu de Guíxols, retrace your coastal route back on two wheels, or add the challenging Sant Grau climb—a local favorite with quiet, shaded switchbacks that lead to a hermitage at the summit—before returning to Sant Feliu de Guíxols.

Today offers a gentle optional sunrise ride for early risers, followed by a journey inland to a stunning winery tucked among the rolling hills of Costa Brava. If you choose the morning ride, you’ll set out along quiet coastal lanes, weaving through sleepy Empordà villages with stone houses, golden fields, and riverside paths before reaching Sant Pere Pescador. From here, you’ll pedal your way back to the hotel. Whether you ride or sleep in, everyone will visit Bell-Lloc Winery for a tour of its remarkable underground cellar—an architectural masterpiece built into the landscape using recycled Corten steel from old cargo ships. The tour is followed by a three-course lunch paired with organic wines from the estate. Each course is paired thoughtfully—crisp whites with delicate starters, robust reds with hearty Catalan dishes, and a sweet finale. Afterward, you’ll head to Barcelona, where tomorrow’s Tour de France excitement awaits.

It's the moment you've been waiting for: the Grand Départ of the 2026 Tour de France. But first, you'll join a local guide to explore Barcelona's historic core, wandering through the Gothic Quarter's medieval streets and the creative Born District before making your way to Port Fòrum for the main event. Your exclusive access to the Grand Départ Starting Village goes beyond a typical stage start—this is cycling's biggest opening ceremony, with heightened energy, pageantry, and global media coverage as the race officially begins. Your VIP pass gives you access to the signature podium and the riders' paddock—essentially the "pit lane" for cyclists, where teams make final adjustments and riders warm up for the season's most important race. As an EF Adventures traveler, you'll also get an exclusive tour of the EF Pro Cycling Team bus, an experience unavailable to other Starting Village visitors and your direct connection to the athletes competing in the race. Then, you'll watch on big screens as the peloton departs Barcelona in a spectacle of color and speed, officially launching the 2026 Tour de France. After the festivities, you'll meet with EF Pro Cycling team staff for an insider's perspective on what it takes to compete at this level.

You’ve ridden some incredible roads this week, but today will be something truly special. You’ll ascend Montjuïc, Barcelona’s iconic hill, tracing the very path that will challenge riders during Stage 2 of the Tour de France. This 568-foot hill overlooking Barcelona hosted events during the 1992 Olympics and has become legendary in cycling circles. Your journey begins riding through downtown Barcelona toward the coast for some flat riding before the epic ascent. From the base of Montjuïc, you’ll join the official racecourse—the road closed to vehicle traffic and reserved exclusively for cyclists and fans from around the world, their cheers and banners creating an electric atmosphere. The final miles will test your will and spirit as you conquer the flamme rouge (final kilometer) and cross the actual Stage 2 finish line, where you’ll take victory photos on the official podium. Then, you’ll settle into VIP seating at the Montjuïc Grandstand to watch Stage 2’s dramatic finale unfold. Tonight, you’ll gather with your fellow riders for a Farewell Dinner—a final chance to relive the week’s best moments, from Girona’s legendary climbs to Costa Brava’s coastal roads, and of course, these two unforgettable days at the Grand Départ.

After riding some of Catalonia’s most iconic roads and experiencing the Tour de France Grand Départ, it’s time to bid Barcelona adéu. Transfer 20–30 minutes to the Barcelona airport for your international flight home, carrying memories of epic climbs, coastal rides, and cycling history witnessed firsthand.