Cycling guide
The best time to cycle in Costa Blanca
You can ride here almost all year. Here is what each month is like on the northern Costa Blanca, when the pros come, when it gets busy, and which months we would choose ourselves.
The short answer
October to May, with March to May the sweet spot
The cycling season on the Costa Blanca runs from autumn to late spring. Winter days are mild and bright, which is why so many professional teams hold their training camps here. Spring brings longer days and near-perfect riding temperatures. Only high summer is really difficult, and even then an early start makes it work.
The busiest months for rental bikes are February to April. If your dates fall then, book a few weeks ahead.
Why winter works
Mountains next to a warm sea
The sea keeps the coast mild through the winter, and the mountains behind Altea shelter it from the cold northern winds. Most winter days are dry, sunny and in the mid-teens on the coast. The catch is altitude: on the high passes like the Port de Tudons, at over 1,000 m, it can be several degrees colder, and early mornings in the valleys can be close to freezing.
Month by month
What to expect through the year
Typical daytime highs on the coast at Altea. Inland and higher up it is cooler: allow roughly 6 to 7 °C less for every 1,000 m of altitude.
January
15 – 17 °C
Peak training-camp season. Cool, clear mornings and bright days. Pro teams on the roads.
February
16 – 18 °C
Almond blossom in the valleys. One of the busiest months for rental bikes, so book early.
March
18 – 20 °C
Longer days and green hillsides. Easter can make the coast towns busy.
April
20 – 22 °C
Arguably the best month of the year for riding. Warm, but rarely hot.
May
23 – 25 °C
Long, warm days. Start earlier on the big routes as it warms up.
June
26 – 29 °C
Summer arrives. Ride in the morning and finish before the heat of the afternoon.
July
30 – 33 °C
Hot and busy on the coast. Start at first light and carry more water than you think.
August
30 – 33 °C
The hottest month and peak holiday season. Early starts only, and the sea afterwards.
September
27 – 29 °C
Still warm, with the sea at its warmest. Heavy autumn storms become possible.
October
22 – 25 °C
The season starts again. Warm days, quieter roads and soft light.
November
18 – 21 °C
Empty roads and mild weather. The occasional heavy downpour, usually gone by morning.
December
16 – 18 °C
The first pro team camps arrive. Short days, so plan long rides with an early start.
Temperatures are typical daytime highs on the coast and vary from year to year. Check the forecast before long mountain rides.
Things to plan around
Daylight, rain and the pros
Daylight
In December and January you have under ten hours of daylight. A 6-hour ride like Aitana needs an early start, and lights are a sensible precaution on the way home.
Rain
Most of the year's rain falls in a few heavy storms, mostly in autumn. When it rains, roads can be slippery for a day afterwards. Most of the year, a wet ride is the exception.
Pro team camps
From December to February, many professional teams train around Calpe, Altea and Dénia. You may well share the Coll de Rates with a WorldTour team.
Our recommendation
Which months would we choose?
For training: January and February. Cool enough for hard efforts, with the pros for company. For the best all-round riding: March to May, or October and November. Warm, long enough days, and quieter roads in autumn. For a holiday with some riding: June or September, with early morning rides and afternoons on the beach.
Plan your rides
Six routes from Altea
Whatever the season, our six route suggestions start and finish in Altea, from the 50 km Guadalest loop to the 127 km Aitana and Port de Tudons day. Before you go, read our short guide to the cycling rules in Spain.
Picked your dates?
Your bike can be waiting the day you arrive
The fleet is small and February to April fills early. Tell us your dates and your height, and we will confirm availability.