Published 01 September 2026 | Events

TL;DR: La Vuelta Ciclista a Espana returns to Almeria on 3 September for a demanding 167-kilometre stage from Vera to Calar Alto , with hotels and restaurants along the route already reporting a sharp rise in bookings.

Bookings rise along the route

Almeria is preparing for one of the biggest sporting events to reach the province this year. On 3 September, the 12th stage of La Vuelta Ciclista a Espana 2026 will start in Vera and finish at Calar Alto after 167 kilometres of racing, four mountain passes and more than 4,500 metres of accumulated climbing.

The route will cross around twenty municipalities, including Antas, Zurgena, Arboleas, Albox, Cantoria, Albanchez, Cobdar, Benitagla, Alcudia de Monteagud, Chercos, Macael, Tahal, Senes, Tabernas, Castro de Filabres, Velefique, Bacares and Olula de Castro.

The peloton has not yet reached the provincial roads, but the event is already affecting local businesses. Hotels in towns along the route are reporting that available rooms are becoming increasingly limited, with expected occupancy close to 100% around the days before and after the stage.

Bookings rise along the route

The arrival of the race caravan is a major reason for the extra demand. More than 3,000 people are expected to travel with La Vuelta, including riders, teams, organisers, journalists and technical staff. Restaurants in several of the municipalities are also seeing more bookings as the stage approaches.

For hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses, the race arrives during the final part of the summer season and brings an additional flow of visitors to inland towns as well as Vera. Based on the organisation’s usual estimates, the direct economic return of a stage with a start or finish in a province is between 400,000 and 500,000 euros. Spending by the travelling race caravan comes on top of that figure.

The impact will not be limited to the day itself. The roads and climbs shown on television can later attract cycling enthusiasts who return to ride them independently. Bacares and Velefique, both close to Calar Alto and the Alto de Velefique, already welcome amateur riders and are used by professional cyclists for training during parts of the year.

A demanding mountain finish

Calar Alto will provide the stage’s main sporting challenge. The finish is located above 2,100 metres, making it the highest summit used for a stage finish in the 2026 edition, according to the provincial authorities. The climb is expected to place the interior of Almeria at the centre of attention when the race reaches its decisive moments.

Bacares is the closest municipality to the Calar Alto pass on the route and is expected to be one of the notable places for following the stage. In Velefique, caravans carrying tourists, fans and holidaymakers have already been parked for days at the Alto de Velefique, where some spectators are seeking a good position to watch the riders.

The finish also brings back memories of the last time La Vuelta ended at Calar Alto, beside the Astronomical Observatory. That was the 11th stage on 30 August 2017, when the Sierra de Los Filabres was seen by cycling fans and television audiences around the world.

From coast to high mountains

For Almeria, the stage offers more than a demanding day of racing. The television coverage will show the changing landscapes between Vera and Calar Alto, from the coast to the high mountain areas of the province. Places that sit outside the region’s main tourist circuits will receive international exposure as part of the race route.

José Antonio García Alcaina, president of the Diputación Provincial de Almeria, has described the stage as an opportunity to present the province as a destination for cycling and active tourism throughout the year. He also highlighted the Costa de Almeria’s hotel network and road infrastructure.

The stage will mark La Vuelta’s return to Almeria four years after its previous visit in 2022. Its start in Vera is particularly significant for the town. Mayor Alfonso García called it the first occasion on which the city has hosted the beginning of a La Vuelta stage and said it would bring both economic and promotional benefits.

Towns ready for race day

Mayors in the municipalities directly crossed by the riders are encouraging visitors to explore their towns before or after the event, including their food, heritage, culture and local character.

In Zurgena, the race will provide a sporting finale to the town’s patron saint celebrations. Mayor Domingo Trabalón said the municipality had already noticed international visitors during the festivities and suggested that some may have been drawn by La Vuelta.

As hotels fill and restaurants prepare for increased demand, the stage is already changing the atmosphere in the towns between Vera and Calar Alto. The race itself will last only a few hours, but its images and the challenge of its climbs could continue drawing cyclists to this part of Almeria well beyond September.

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