For decades, La Vuelta a España has traditionally rolled to a close in Madrid. But in 2026, one of Spain’s most iconic sporting events will finish in Andalucia.
Granada has been chosen as the host city for the final stage of the cycling event, with the race set to conclude against the backdrop of the Alhambra, one of Europe’s most iconic landmarks.
The three-week race will begin on August 22 in Monaco and finish on September 13 in Andalucia, marking one of the most geographically and visually ambitious editions of the Vuelta in recent memory.
What makes the 2026 route particularly significant is that three stages will both start and finish within Granada province – stages 13, 20 and 21.
According to organisers, this is the first time in the race’s modern history that a single province has hosted the departure and arrival of three stages in the same edition.
A major boost for Granada’s international profile
Local authorities say the decision places Granada firmly on the global cycling map, with millions of viewers expected to watch the race worldwide.
Granada’s mayor has described the designation as a major opportunity to showcase the city’s capacity to host large-scale international events, while provincial officials point to the tourism, economic and promotional impact of hosting the Vuelta’s decisive stages.
From the coast to the mountains
The first Granadan stage, Stage 13, will bring the race inland from the Costa Tropical, starting in Almuñecar before winding through rural towns, valleys and hilltop villages on its way to Loja. The route has been designed to highlight lesser-known parts of the province alongside more familiar beauty spots.
Two days later, the penultimate stage (Stage 20) will deliver a far sterner challenge, taking riders from the Castle of La Calahorra deep into the province’s mountainous interior before finishing at the Collado del Alguacil, a climb expected to play a decisive role in the overall classification.
A city-centre showdown at the Alhambra
The final stage, on September 13, will be unlike the traditional ceremonial laps seen in Madrid. Instead, riders will face a technical urban and metropolitan circuit through Granada and surrounding municipalities, repeatedly passing through the historic heart of the city.
The race will loop through the capital and nearby towns before culminating in a finish near the Alhambra, with cyclists riding past the UNESCO World Heritage site several times – a move expected to create one of the most visually striking finales in the Vuelta’s history.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
