Girona has become one of southern Europe’s cycling capitals, and there is one event that confirms it every year: the Shimano Sea Otter Europe Costa Brava-Girona by Garmin. In 2026, the festival celebrates its tenth edition from 18 to 20 September, with the expo area, competitions and recreational rides all taking place around the Pavelló Municipal de Fontajau in Girona. To enjoy those three days without logistical hassles, get a good night’s sleep and head out for a ride along the coast, choosing where to stay makes all the difference.
In this guide, we tell you what to expect at Sea Otter Europe 2026 and which GHT Hotels are designed with cyclists in mind: with bike storage, a workshop and a great base from which to combine the festival with cycling routes along the Costa Brava and the Maresme.
What to expect at Sea Otter Europe 2026
The festival works as two events in one: a major industry trade fair and a huge sporting programme for all levels. Over the weekend, Girona and the Costa Brava fill with people on two wheels. Here is what you can expect:
- ● Expo area and test bikes: Hundreds of international brands showcase their latest road, mountain, gravel and e-bike products, and many can be tested on specially prepared circuits. General admission is free, although you need to obtain your ticket in advance to access the venue.
- ● Competitions for everyone: The 2026 programme combines world-class events —including two World Cups and the gravel world series— with recreational rides such as the road Ciclobrava, which connects Girona with the Costa Brava, as well as gravel, XCO, XCM, trials, downhill and children’s events.
- ● International cycling atmosphere: A meeting point where you can share routes and conversations with enthusiasts and professionals from many different countries, with a food area, talks and demonstrations.
Where to stay: GHT bases by the sea, made for cycling
Girona city fills up during the festival, so many cyclists choose to stay on the coast: it allows you to combine the atmosphere of the trade fair with training rides by the sea and a more peaceful place to rest. These are the destinations connected with the GHT Hotels Group that offer accommodation prepared for cyclists and visitors.
1. Calella: GHT Hotels’ cycling destination, well connected to Girona
Calella, on the Barcelona-Maresme Coast, is cycling territory par excellence (with road, mountain and leisure cycling routes) and a convenient base thanks to its railway station with connections to Girona (changing at Maçanet-Massanes), an alternative worth considering during the festival. GHT Hotels has two very different options here:
- ● GHT Balmes Hotel, Aparthotel & Splash 3*: This is the flexible, family-friendly choice, with bike storage and indoor parking, a Splash area with water games and the option of staying in studios or apartments with a kitchen if you are travelling in a group. It is affiliated with several cycling brands and initiatives, including Cycling in Catalonia, Calella Cycling Experience and Calella Territori Triatló, and it also welcomes dogs.
- ● Hotel GHT Marítim 4*: This option is more geared towards couples and adults: it is right on Garbí Beach, with a spa area featuring a heated pool, sauna and gym, as well as an adults-only rooftop terrace with a hydromassage pool. It also offers bike storage and cycling certifications.
2. Lloret de Mar: sports facilities and connectivity
Lloret de Mar combines a strategic road location for reaching Girona with a long tradition of sports tourism and options for all types of trip:
- GHT Miratge Adults Only +18 4*Sup: An ideal option for adults looking for maximum peace and quiet and sea views after a day of cycling or visiting the festival.
- GHT Aquarium & SPA 4*Sup: A perfect hotel for combining rest and recovery in its wellness and spa area after a day of physical activity.
- GHT Oasis Park & SPA 4*: A very complete hotel, perfect for groups or families, with excellent relaxation and wellness facilities.
3. Platja d’Aro and S’Agaró – Sant Feliu de Guíxols: relaxation above the beach and central comfort
For anyone who wants to cycle in the morning and properly switch off in the afternoon, right in the heart of the Costa Brava:
- Hotel GHT S’Agaró Mar 4*: A fantastic option located literally above Sant Pol Beach, among pine trees, with bike storage, a relaxation area and spa, an all-inclusive option and a very family-friendly atmosphere. In 2026, it unveils 59 renovated rooms.
- GHT Xaloc 3*: A charming hotel in Platja d’Aro, perfect for those looking for a more intimate, relaxed stay close to the sea after busy days at the trade fair.
4. Tossa de Mar: bike storage, workshop and medieval charm
If you are looking to stay closer to the festival while adding a holiday with plenty of character, Tossa de Mar is a great base: you can cycle along the winding road that skirts the cliffs of the Costa Brava and return to a town with medieval walls and a beach. It is also the destination with the largest GHT Hotels presence:
- ● Hotel GHT Neptuno Tossa & VENUS SPA 3*: This is the most cycling-oriented hotel in the group: it has a workshop and bike storage, Cycling Friendly certification and an adults-only spa (with a supplement); it also welcomes small dogs.
- ● Hotel GHT Oasis Tossa & Spa 4*: It also offers a bike area, spa and family-friendly atmosphere, with all rooms renovated in 2026.
- ● Hotel GHT Sa Riera 4*: It provides a secure, enclosed space for bicycles in a peaceful setting in the centre of Tossa.
- ● Hotel GHT Costa Brava & SPA 3*: A classic option equipped with a spa area and facilities designed for the comfort of sportspeople and their companions.
- ● Hotel GHT Simeón: A comfortable and independent option, ideal for those looking for flexibility during the sporting weekend.
- ● Apart-Hotel GHT Tossa Park 3*: An excellent option combining the advantages of an aparthotel with a garden area and swimming pool, ideal for those looking for more space and independence.
Practical note: Car access to Tossa’s historic area is restricted. If you are staying near the old town (as at the Neptuno) and arriving by car, it is advisable to provide your number plate to the hotel when booking or during online check-in.
Practical tips for the festival
- Sign up for the events early: If you want to take part in any of the rides or competitions, places usually sell out in advance. Check the schedule and conditions on the festival’s official website.
- Get your ticket in advance: General admission is free, but you must obtain a ticket through the festival website to enter the venue: do it before you travel.
- Organise bike transport: If you are travelling with your bicycle, make sure your bike rack complies with regulations. And check with your GHT Hotels hotel about the availability and use of its bike storage or workshop before you arrive.
- Make the most of cycling in the area: The Costa Brava and the Maresme have some of the country’s best coastal climbs and gravel routes. Mornings for cycling, afternoons for the expo.
- Book your accommodation early: Demand across the province soars during those days. By booking on the official GHT Hotels website, you can secure availability, the best price guaranteed and free cancellation depending on the rate.
Get your bike ready and choose your base
Sea Otter Europe 2026 is one of the biggest dates on the cycling calendar, and combining it with the roads of the Costa Brava and a hotel with bike storage is one of the easiest ways to enjoy it. Choose your destination within the GHT Hotels Group —Calella, Lloret de Mar, Platja d’Aro, S’Agaró or Tossa de Mar—, get your bike ready and book your stay on the official GHT Hotels website. See you on the trails and roads of the Costa Brava!
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