Guided Tours · Spain
By Triumph Adventure Spain · 7 min read · Spain, Morocco, Pyrenees
Spain is one of the top motorcycle touring destinations in Europe — and for good reason. Over 3,000 hours of sun per year in the south, mountain roads with virtually no traffic, the Pyrenees on one end and Morocco on the other. If you are based in the UK or mainland Europe and you have been thinking about bringing your motorcycle to Spain for a proper guided tour, this guide covers exactly what you need to know.
At Triumph Adventure Experience Spain, our base is in Málaga — 15 minutes from the airport. Our guided tours cover three destinations that riders from the UK consistently request: Andalusia, the Pyrenees and Morocco on-road. On all three, you are welcome to ride your own motorcycle.
📍 Our base: Alhaurín de la Torre, Málaga · 15 min from Málaga Airport · Tours available year-round
Getting to Spain
How to get your motorcycle to Spain from the UK or Europe
Most of our clients from the UK and northern Europe fly to Málaga and ride one of our Triumph motorcycles. However, if you want to bring your own bike, there are two main options depending on where you are coming from.
From the UK
The most common route is the ferry from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander or Bilbao — a direct crossing to northern Spain that takes between 24 and 32 hours depending on the service. Brittany Ferries operates both routes and accepts motorcycles as standard. From Santander or Bilbao, Málaga is approximately 900 kilometres south — a full day’s ride in itself, or a two-day journey if you want to stop along the way.
The alternative is crossing to France via Dover–Calais or the Channel Tunnel, then riding south through France and crossing the Pyrenees into Spain. This adds two to three days of riding each way but turns the journey itself into part of the adventure.
🚢 Portsmouth/Plymouth → Santander/Bilbao · Brittany Ferries · 24–32h · Motorcycles accepted
From mainland Europe
For riders based in France, Germany, the Netherlands or Belgium, the most direct route is through France and over the Pyrenees — the Col du Portalet, the Col du Puymorens or the Col du Somport are all paved border crossings. From the French border to Málaga is approximately 1,000 to 1,200 kilometres depending on your entry point. Many European riders combine the crossing with our Transpyrenean Tour, which starts in Barcelona and works perfectly as an extension of a ride down from northern Europe.
Documentation
What documents do you need to ride your own motorcycle in Spain
Spain is part of the Schengen Area, which simplifies entry for most European riders. For UK riders post-Brexit, the requirements are straightforward but worth confirming before you travel.
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UK riders Valid UK passport, full motorcycle licence (A or A2), V5C logbook, valid MOT, UK motor insurance with European cover confirmed in writing by your insurer, and a GB sticker or number plate identifier. A Green Card is no longer mandatory but recommended as proof of insurance at borders. |
EU riders National ID card or passport, EU motorcycle licence, vehicle registration document, and proof of motor insurance valid in Spain. No additional documentation required within the Schengen Area. |
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For Morocco If you plan to join our Morocco on-road tour with your own motorcycle, you will also need a Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) — a customs document that guarantees your bike will leave Morocco. UK and EU riders can obtain this through their national motorcycle association. Allow several weeks for processing. |
Recommended gear Spain requires a helmet, reflective vest (to be worn outside the vehicle in case of breakdown), and warns against riding in sandals or without gloves. Full protective gear is mandatory on our tours regardless of local law. |
Own bike vs rental
Bringing your own motorcycle or renting one of ours
This is the question we get asked most often by riders coming from the UK. The honest answer is: both work, and the right choice depends on what matters most to you.
Riding your own motorcycle has an obvious appeal — you know the bike, you trust it, and there is something deeply satisfying about covering the miles from home to Málaga on the same machine you will ride through Andalusia or Morocco. However, when you factor in the ferry cost, fuel for the journey, wear on your tyres and chain, and the time spent riding to and from Spain, the total cost is often comparable to renting one of our Triumph Tigers or Scramblers — which leave our garage with under six months of use and are maintained to factory standard.
Our recommendation is always to consider the full picture before deciding. But the choice is entirely yours, and we are happy to accommodate either.
“I rode down from the UK on my own Tiger 900 for the Transpyrenean Tour. The crossing and the ride south added two days each way but I wouldn’t change it — the whole trip felt like one continuous adventure from my front door.”
— Client, Triumph Transpyrenean Tour
The tours
Three guided tours in Spain and Morocco where you can ride your own motorcycle
On our on-road guided tours, you are welcome to join on your own motorcycle. Our Triumph-certified guides lead the group, a support van follows every kilometre, and groups are kept to a maximum of 12 riders. The only tours that require our fleet are the off-road and enduro experiences, where the terrain and Triumph factory protocol make it necessary to ride specific models.
Andalusia — Guided Motorcycle Tour
Eight days through the best on-road riding in southern Spain. The A-397 between San Pedro and Ronda with its 365 documented corners. The Sierra de Grazalema. The roads of the Sierra Nevada climbing to 2,500 metres — the highest paved road in Europe. Based in Málaga, so the logistics for riders arriving by plane or by their own motorcycle are straightforward.
🏍️ 8 days · 100% on-road · Base Málaga · Own motorcycle welcome · Max 12 riders
Transpyrenean Tour — Barcelona Loop
Six days, 960 kilometres, 100% on-road through the Pyrenees. Starts and finishes in Barcelona, which makes it ideal for European riders who want to ride south from their home country and join the tour without backtracking. The Col du Tourmalet, the Port de la Bonaigua, the Puerto de Portalet — the full range of Pyrenean mountain passes on the best tarmac in the range.
🏍️ 6 days · 960km · 100% on-road · Base Barcelona · Own motorcycle welcome · Max 12 riders
Morocco On-Road Motorcycle Tour
Eight days through Morocco on tarmac — from the ferry crossing at Tarifa or Algeciras to the Atlas mountains, the desert roads of the south and Marrakech. If you are bringing your own motorcycle, allow extra time to arrange your Carnet de Passages en Douane before travel. Our team can advise on the process when you book.
🏍️ 8 days · On-road · Ferry from Tarifa/Algeciras included · Own motorcycle welcome · CPD required · Max 12 riders
When to go
Best time to ride in Spain and Morocco
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Andalusia October to May. Temperatures of 15–22°C, clear roads and virtually no tourist traffic on mountain routes. July and August are possible on the coast but hot inland — over 40°C in some areas. |
Pyrenees May to October. High passes close in winter due to snow. September is the ideal month — no crowds, autumn colours and empty roads. July and August are busier but the mountain temperatures remain comfortable at 15–22°C. |
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Morocco October to April. The Atlas mountain passes can be cold in winter but are rideable. Spring brings wildflowers and ideal temperatures. Summer in the south exceeds 45°C — not recommended for riding in full gear. |
Combined trips Spring (April–June) is the sweet spot for combining Andalusia and Morocco in one trip. The south of Spain is at its best and Morocco is comfortable before the summer heat sets in. |
Guided Tours · Spain, Pyrenees & Morocco
Ready to ride? Your own bike is welcome.
Triumph-certified guides · Support van every kilometre · Max 12 riders · 15 years of experience
FAQ
Common questions about motorbike tours to Spain
Can I bring my own motorcycle on a guided tour in Spain?
Yes, on all our on-road guided tours — the Andalusia tour, the Transpyrenean Tour and the Morocco on-road tour. Off-road and enduro experiences require riding our fleet for safety and Triumph factory protocol reasons. If you are unsure which category your preferred tour falls into, contact us at [email protected] before booking.
How do I get my motorcycle from the UK to Spain?
The most direct option is the ferry from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander or Bilbao, operated by Brittany Ferries. Crossings take 24–32 hours and motorcycles are accepted as standard. From Santander or Bilbao, Málaga is approximately 900km south. Alternatively, you can cross to France via Dover–Calais or the Channel Tunnel and ride south through France into Spain.
What documents do UK riders need to ride in Spain post-Brexit?
You need a valid UK passport, full motorcycle licence, V5C logbook, valid MOT, and motor insurance with confirmed European cover. A GB identifier on your number plate is required. A Green Card is no longer mandatory but is recommended as proof of insurance. Check with your insurer before travelling, as not all policies automatically include European cover.
Do I need special documentation to take my motorcycle to Morocco?
Yes. In addition to standard travel documents, you will need a Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) — a customs document that guarantees your motorcycle will be re-exported from Morocco. UK riders can obtain this through the RAC or similar motoring organisations. EU riders should contact their national automobile club. Allow several weeks for processing and factor in the cost when comparing own-bike vs rental.
Is it cheaper to bring my own motorcycle or rent one with Triumph Adventure Spain?
It depends on your starting point and how you account for your time. When you factor in the ferry crossing from the UK (typically £200–£400 return for a motorcycle), fuel for the journey, tyre and chain wear, and the time spent riding to and from Spain, the total cost is often comparable to renting one of our Triumphs — which have under six months of use and are maintained to factory standard. We are happy to discuss the options when you enquire.
What is the best time of year for a motorbike tour in Spain?
For Andalusia and Morocco, October to May is the optimal window — temperatures of 15–22°C and clear mountain roads. For the Pyrenees, May to October, with September being the quietest and most scenic month. July and August are rideable but busier, particularly on popular routes near the coast.
How do I book a guided motorcycle tour in Spain with my own bike?
Contact us at [email protected] or through the booking page for your preferred tour. Let us know you plan to bring your own motorcycle so we can confirm any specific requirements — particularly for the Morocco tour, where CPD documentation is needed in advance.
