Day 1 - Tarifa to Vejer de la Frontera - Traversing the Iberian Peninsula from South to North

April 23, 2023

Day 1 - Tarifa to Vejer de la Frontera

We made our way out of Tarifa along with our fellow tourers in the morning sunshine with a cool breeze. It feels great to finally be riding the tandem after about a week off the bikes. The wildflowers are in abundance, but I’m dazzled by the ocean. About 20 minutes into our ride we came across the Santuario de Nuestra Senora de la Luz and wandered about.

The sun emerging from behind the sanctuary.

An amazing lily (I’ve been corrected - it’s an amaryllis).

A couple of new friends and an old friend …

We peadaled along the edge of a cork forest. I wasn’t aware that the cork tree was a member of the oak family! We learned about Osbourne sherry and their mascot, the black bull, and Tio Pepe (another sherry). Spanish billboards cannot advertise alcohol when placed alongside the roadways, but generic billboards are allowed.

It appears that Mother Nature has wreaked havoc with the bull sign.

Tio Pepe. Photo courtesy of Mike M. because we missed it due to a bit of traffic.

The road led us away from the cork forest and back up over some hills to the coast. Once again we were dazzled by the beautiful colors of the Atlantic Ocean.

At the top of the climb back to the coastline we came across this sign for the Alamo.

A sweet Canadian took our photo in Bolonia

Baelo Claudia was an ancient Roman town settled about 2000 years ago. In the background you will see one of the tallest sand dunes in Europe (so we’ve been told).

We had about 1.5 kilometers of hardpack road on today’s route - all downhill.

A lighthouse we found at the end of the dirt path.

Looking west of the lighthouse and the direction which we are riding.

A special glimpse through the pine trees.

We stopped in Trafalgar at this funky little cafe. We couldn’t resist stopping in for some tapas: goat cheese with raspberries and a tomato purée with hard boiled eggs and ham. Delicious!

After another 20 kms or so, we arrived in Vejer which was on a hilltop. The sun was downright hot by now and we can honestly say it was the hottest day we’ve experienced this year. (I guess that isn’t saying much since it’s only April.)

Bike parking at the Convent of San Francisco, our hotel for tonight.

After a light dinner of Moroccan influenced tapas, we took a short walk along the old town wall and witnessed a lovely sunset.

One of the few gates in the old city wall that was constructed around the 10th century

A close up of the tile work on the fountain

Sunset from the town wall of Vejer de la Frontera

It was a fantastic first day to our trip. We’re looking forward to seeing more of the pretty white villages of Andalusia.

Today's ride: 88 km (55 miles)
Total: 2,210 km (1,372 miles)

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