The start of the 2023 Tour de France in the Spanish Basque Country is a major event: a first stage on the 1st of July around Bilbao, a second stage linking Vitoria-Gasteiz to San Sebastián, and a third stage that will finish in Bayonne on the French Basque coast, passing through Hondarribia. Three days of celebration for this popular sport, and three days that will make the Basque Country the centre of the sporting and cycling world!

But the party could well start earlier: the Tour de France Cyclotouriste, which allows amateurs to test themselves against the difficulties of the route reserved for professionals, will start on 11 June with a 185km loop around Bilbao!

And for all amateur cyclists with more modest sporting ambitions, what an opportunity to choose the Basque Country as a playground: between the sea and the mountains, the region offers a variety of incredible rides, with varying degrees of difficulty, but all equally enjoyable and spectacular, with sumptuous views and landscapes, places of history to discover and gourmet stages to match the effort expended!

Discover the bay of Txingudi and the slopes of Mount Jaizkibel in Fontarrabia, or the Cantabrian coast from Zarautz to Getaria and to the flysch in Zumaia, ride through Rioja Alavesa, enjoy the more than 180km of greenways reserved for cyclists along which to discover the history and nature of the region, or embark on more ambitious cycle tourism routes such as the Ignacian Way or the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela, there is no shortage of options to satisfy all tastes and desires.

The Euskadi-Turismo website for cycle tourism is sure to make you want to try your hand at cycle tourism in the Basque Country! By bicycle - Discover Basque Country by bicycle (euskadi.eus)