WHY THIS CHORE
SHOW UP READY.
You don't have to race to make this worth the trip — test-ride next year's bikes, watch elite gravel/MTB racing, and spend the rest of the weekend riding Girona itself. Festival entry is free; each race has its own separate registration and fee.
WHAT TO EXPECT
VERIFIED EVENT DETAILS · DAILY CHORE EDITORIAL COMMENTARY
Europe's biggest bike festival between expo, racing and Costa Brava lifestyle
From September 18–20, 2026, Girona becomes the center of European bike culture — the 10th anniversary edition of Sea Otter Europe combines a huge bike expo with international racing, free bike demos, product launches, and Costa Brava lifestyle. The grounds at Pavelló Municipal Girona-Fontajau are open to everyone — racers, gravel riders, roadies, mountain bikers, families and curious newcomers.
Opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Friday, September 18 | 10:00–19:30 |
| Saturday, September 19 | 09:00–19:30 |
| Sunday, September 20 | 09:00–14:30 |
Festival entry is free, but requires a pre-booked, free visitor pass. Race entry runs separately through each event's own registration page.
More than a bike expo
Across roughly 44,000 m², brands showcase gravel, road and mountain bikes, e-bikes, apparel, components, GPS tech, bikepacking gear and more. In 2025, the organizer reported around 74,000 visitors, 507 brands, and 6,124 sport participants.
Demo bikes: test-ride your next bike
One of the festival's strongest features — test rides on current models along signed routes around Girona, booked through the festival platform. Popular bikes and time slots fill up fast, so reserve early.
The key races in 2026
- 226ERS UCI Gravel World Series — September 19, Gravel, can qualify for the Gravel World Championships
- UCI Marathon World Cup — September 20, MTB Marathon
- La Tramun Sea Otter Europe — September 20, technically demanding MTB marathon
- La Ciclobrava by Lapierre — September 20, big road ride through the Costa Brava
- Continental Gravel Ride Tour — September 20, a less competitive gravel option
Plus more: Shimano Super Cup Massi Girona, SCOTT Marathon BTT Girona, Spanish XCE Championship, MTB Classic, Super Cup Youth, Copa Girona Trial, Mini DH Kids Cup, XCE/XCC World Series.
Visitor program (included for free)
Expo access, publicly visible races, product showcases, demo bike area (reservation required), kids' activities, workshops, live music, food trucks, free bike parking. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed.
What does Sea Otter Europe cost?
General admission is free (registration required). Costs arise for: entry to individual races, travel/accommodation, food, purchases from exhibitors. Since each race has its own registration, there's no unified race pass.
Girona as a cycling destination
Girona is a major hub for ambitious cyclists — quiet backroads, demanding climbs, gravel tracks, mild climate, a strong café and bike-shop culture. Plan extra time for your own rides.
Getting there
Pavelló Municipal Girona-Fontajau, Av. del President Josep Tarradellas i Joan 22, 17007 Girona. Well connected to Barcelona by train/road, Girona has its own airport, with more international options via Barcelona-El Prat.
Who is the festival for?
Perfect for: gravel, road and MTB riders, anyone wanting to test multiple bikes before buying, racers and age-group athletes, families, content creators, bike brands.
Less suited for: anyone looking for a small, quiet community event, anyone wanting to avoid large crowds, anyone expecting just one clearly defined race, spontaneous bike testers without reserved time slots.
WHO IT'S FOR
KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SIGNING UP FOR.
- DIFFICULTY
- Beginner
- FIRST-TIMERS
- Suitable for a first attempt at this format.
- BEGINNER FIT
- 3/5
DAILY CHORE TAKE
OUR TAKE, OUT OF 10.
THESE ARE OUR OWN EDITORIAL ASSESSMENTS, NOT OFFICIAL RATINGS.
