Columbus Way (Spain, Portugal)

From the Mediterranean coast in Málaga, the route leads along winding mountain roads into the Andalusian hinterland. The route leads through the Montes de Málaga, past olive groves and white villages such as Colmenar or Alhama de Granada. A scenic route, ideal for motorcyclists who love bends and panoramic views, after around 150 kilometers you reach Granada, located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. The city impresses with its Moorish architecture, narrow streets and lively tapas culture. The highlight is the world-famous Alhambra - a must-see for every visitor.

The stage leads through the wide, hilly landscapes of Andalusia - past olive groves, fields and small villages. The tour offers relaxed sections with gentle bends and little traffic - ideal for enjoying. Our destination is Córdoba, a city steeped in history with Roman, Moorish and Christian influences. The famous Mezquita - a former mosque with a cathedral inside - is the cultural highlight. The old town with its narrow streets and flower-filled courtyards invites you to linger.

Today, the route takes you through the heart of Extremadura. The route offers quiet country roads, gentle curves and sweeping views over fields, oak groves and remote villages - ideal for relaxed cruising. When we arrive in Zafra, our destination for today, a small historic town with whitewashed houses, arcades and a picturesque old town awaits us. The highlight is the Palacio de los Duques de Feria - now a Parador hotel - as well as the Plaza Grande and Plaza Chica, which invite you to linger over tapas and coffee.

We leave Zafra and head west across the border from Spain to Portugal - through the wide, tranquil landscape of Extremadura and the Alentejo. We experience a pleasant mixture of relaxed cruising and scenic stages on country roads. Olive groves, cork oak forests and rolling hills accompany the route. A short stopover in Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city, is worthwhile for those interested in culture. Once we arrive in Lisbon, a lively, cosmopolitan city on the Atlantic awaits us.

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is picturesquely situated at the mouth of the River Tagus and boasts a unique blend of history, culture and joie de vivre. The perfect place for a well-deserved rest day.

The city is known for its narrow streets, colorful tile facades (azulejos), the legendary streetcar line 28 and its breathtaking viewpoints (miradouros). Highlights include the historic Alfama district, the imposing Castelo de São Jorge, the Torre de Belém and the Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos). In the evenings, melancholy fado singing can often be heard in the alleyways. Culinary delights include fresh fish, pastéis de nata and cozy cafés with views over the city.

Today's route is a perfect mix of coastal panoramas, varied scenery and relaxed country roads. It takes you through the hilly landscape of the Alentejo, past gentle cork oak forests and wide open fields. The roads offer numerous bends and great views that make this motorcycle ride a pleasure. Santiago do Cacém, a historic town with a well-preserved castle, narrow streets and a relaxed atmosphere, is the perfect destination to round off the tour.

The route takes you through the varied landscape of the southern Alentejo and the Algarve. The route offers a mixture of relaxed country roads, winding passages and sweeping views of olive groves, cork oak forests and small villages. The drive along the Algarve is particularly charming, where the landscape changes dramatically with the sea in the background. Once we arrive in Faro, the capital of the Algarve, historical sights and Mediterranean flair await us. The old town is surrounded by a medieval city wall and boasts narrow streets, the imposing Sé Cathedral and the archaeological museum. Faro also offers numerous cafés and restaurants serving regional specialties such as fresh fish and seafood - ideal for relaxing after an extensive motorcycle tour.

From the Portuguese Algarve, we make our way to the Andalusian capital of Seville, one of Spain's most impressive cities. The old town is one of the largest in Europe and is home to architectural highlights such as Seville Cathedral with its famous Giralda, the Moorish Alcázar Palace and the atmospheric Plaza de España. Narrow alleyways, orange trees, tapas bars and passionate flamenco make up the flair of the city - ideal for a culturally rich end to the day.

On the last day of our trip, the route leads from Seville back to the Mediterranean coast to Málaga - a worthy conclusion to a varied motorcycle tour through south-western Europe. Along the way, olive groves, chains of hills and white villages characterize the image of Andalusia. Arriving in Málaga, the tour ends where it began: with a view of the sea, warm Mediterranean air and the feeling of having experienced an impressive journey full of curves, culture and new impressions.