Andalusian pueblos blancos. 7 towns and villages you must see
The famous pueblos blancos are white villages and towns that are one of Andalusia's most distinctive features. The lime-painted facades, surrounded by floral decorations…
Fuengirola, a town in the central Costa del Sol, has been chosen to host one of the most prestigious motorbike events in the world. It was here that the international premiere presentation of Harley Davidson models took place. This shows what an important and interesting region Andalusia is for motorbike fans.
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International presentation of Harley-Davidson motorbikes in Fuengirola
Fuengirola has been chosen as the venue for the international presentation of Harley-Davidson motorbikes. The event took place from 16-27 February at the IPV Palace Hotel, bringing together nearly 400 journalists and brand dealers from Spain, Germany, Portugal, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Italy, the Middle East and Asia.
Local councillors stressed the importance of the event for Fuengirola and the region as a whole, representing the promotion of Andalusia as an ideal destination for motorbike tours. This, in turn, increases tourist interest – even outside the summer season. In addition, the decision of the Harley-Davidson brand confirms the city’s willingness to host the largest and most prestigious events with an international reputation.
Motorbiking along the Costa del Sol: why is it worth it?
The southern part of Spain, and in particular the regions of Andalusia and Murcia, are renowned for their interesting terrain, excellent road infrastructure and perfect weather, which are key assets for fans of motorbike tours. Routes range from steep limestone mountain slopes, through dense forests and mountain passes to azure coastlines and incredible views of the Alboran Sea. The good weather on the Costa del Sol lasts all year round, and the best season for motorbike tours is from September to November and from February to May.
Motorbike fans who choose to explore Andalusia in this way do not need to come to Spain with their equipment – there are motorbike shops and rental shops in every major city. You’ll find everything from a full outfit and accessories to small gadgets and the possibility of… buying a motorbike.
The largest and best-known motorbike shop is the Motos Garrido shop, located in Alhaurín de la Torre, which is 12 km from Malaga airport. It is usually at the airports themselves that there are rental shops where you can easily and safely rent a motorbike for the duration of your stay.
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Fly&Ride from Poland straight to the Costa del Sol
If, on the other hand, you want to explore the south of Spain on your motorbike, there are also companies offering the Fly&Ride formula, providing safe transportation of your equipment to selected destinations in Spain – including the Costa del Sol. This is also a convenient option for those who have limited time for a holiday and want to spend as much time as possible exploring Andalusia, which is one of the top destinations for motorbike tours.
Depending on your preferences, you can go on an expedition individually, in your own group, or take advantage of the offers of organised motorbike tours, which bring together enthusiasts of this form of transport and provide full organisation of the trip.
The most interesting and recommended motorbike routes in Andalusia
The Iberian Peninsula, especially the south of Spain, is a popular destination for motorbike tours. It offers a variety of routes, of which we present 5 popular routes.
White Towns Trail (Cadiz) – Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos
The route passes through the towns: Arcos de la Frontera – El Bosque – Zahara de la Sierra – Grazalema – Benaocaz – Ubrique – Villaluenga del Rosario – return to Arcos.
Characteristics: the route is rated at a medium level of difficulty. It runs through the Sierra de Grazalema, with numerous twists and turns and some steep climbs, making some sections a little more technically demanding. However, the incredible views that can be enjoyed along the entire route compensate for the hardships.
Worth a visit en route:
In El Bosque, visit one of the most famous and award-winning cheese factories in Spain – Quesos El Bosqueño and their cheese museum. There you will taste the finest goat and sheep cheeses, sourced from Payoya goats and Grazalemeña merino sheep.
If stopping for a longer meal, it is worth visiting the Tabanco de El Bosque restaurant, which serves local delicacies.
Sierra de Aracena (Huelva)
The route passes through the towns of: Aracena – Fuenteheridos – Alájar – Linares de la Sierra – Jabugo – Castaño del Robledo – Cortegana – return via Galaroza.
Characteristics: difficulty level rated medium, towards high. It takes about 2 hours to complete the route without stops and is approximately 160 km long. The road is quite winding and narrow, but has a well-paved surface. The route leads through the mountains. Along the way you pass forests and small villages. There is little traffic on the road, as the road is mainly used by residents of the surrounding villages.
Worth a visit en route:
It is definitely worth stopping for a while in one of the smaller towns, such as Linares, a village where time has stood still, or Jabugo, which is known for its jamón ibérico de bellota (a variety of popular Spanish ham).
If you would like to stretch your legs, take a walk along the Alájar trails and visit the Peña de Arias Montano viewpoint.
You can also visit the Cave of Wonders(Gruta de las Maravillas) in Aracena. You can cool off there during the hot weather, while learning about the history of the cave and seeing the breathtaking underground lakes.
Sierra Morena (Córdoba)
The route passes through the towns of: Córdoba – Almodóvar del Río – Posadas – Villaviciosa de Córdoba – Hornachuelos – Sierra de Hornachuelos Nature Park – return via Palma del Río.
Characteristics: the difficulty level of the route is estimated to be medium, towards high. A long route of around 200 km. It should take around 5 hours to drive the whole without stops, so it is worth setting aside a full day for this trip. Between Villaviciosa de Córdoba and Hornachuelos there are mountainous sections with tight bends, high altitudes and narrow lanes of roadway. It is advisable to have a better driving technique before choosing this variant of the route. The rest of the route is less demanding and great for quietly enjoying the views as you drive.
Worth a visit en route:
Almodóvar del Río is home to the iconic castle made famous by 'Game of Thrones’, which is sure to appeal to fans of the series.
It is worth staying longer in Córdoba itself, as in addition to its amazing climate, the city has interesting architecture – such as the romantic bridge, the Jewish quarter and the Mezquita mosque-cathedral.
Sierra Nevada and La Alpujarra (Granada)
The route passes through the towns of: Lanjarón – Órgiva – Pampaneira – Bubión – Capileira – Trevélez – Mecina Bombarón – Cádiar – return via the A-348 motorway.
Characteristics: the difficulty level of the route is rated as advanced plus and the whole route is about 175 km long. The route is made up of many narrow roads, sharp bends and high altitudes – often these areas are not protected by barriers. It is a good idea to check the weather before you go, as it can be windy and slippery in the higher elevations and there can be fog on the route. Undoubtedly, the route is full of beautiful views as it runs along cliffs overlooking green valleys with small white houses and the Sierra Nevada mountains. However, you need to be very careful and already have higher riding skills.
Worth a visit en route:
In Pórtugos there is the well-known Fuente Agria, the so-called Acid Spring.
It’s worth stopping in Lanjarón to sample water from the local springs or coffee from local cafes.
In Trevélez, it’s worth making a longer, lunchtime stop to sample local specialities – ham, potaje alpujarreño or migas.
Costa del Sol (Málaga)
The route passes through the towns of: Nerja – Torrox – Vélez-Málaga – Málaga – Benalmádena – Fuengirola – Marbella – Estepona.
Characteristics: Level of difficulty rated as easy. The route follows the motorway along the coast. It can be negotiated in two ways – the free motorway and the toll motorway. The free section has beautiful views but is quite dangerous as there is no shoulder. The toll section is definitely safer for motorcyclists.
Worth a visit en route:
It is worth driving down towards Benahavís, at the height of Cancelada, to stretch your legs and take a two-hour walk along the coast.
There is a Polish restaurant in Fuengirola where you can stop for lunch. If you fancy yam fritters or a burger, it’s worth making a stop in Benalmádena, in Puerto Marina, and visiting the Jacks pub.
