Horse holidays abroad · Spain
Horse Riding Holidays in Spain: Andalucia, the Alpujarras and the Coast
Horse riding holidays in Spain are mostly in Andalucia, as mountain trails in the Alpujarras or weeks based at one hacienda or villa, on trips of 3 to 7 nights.
- Best monthsMar to May, Sep to Nov
- Level
Novice to experienced - Typical trip3 to 7 nights
- Price guide
Moderate to higher
At a glance
What does a riding holiday in Spain involve?
- Best monthsMarch to May and September to November; some centres open all year
- Riding level
Beginners at a hacienda; confident at walk, trot and canter for trails - Hours in the saddle1 to 3 hours at a hacienda; 4 to 6 hours on a mountain trail
- Typical trip3 to 7 nights, with 3 to 6 riding days
- Weight limit80 to 90kg on most rides
- Group sizeUp to 8 or 10 riders on most rides
- HorsesAndalusians (PRE), Andalusian crosses and Hispano Arabs
- TackEnglish or endurance saddles on most rides; Spanish trekking saddles on some
- AccommodationA hacienda or villa for the week, or village hotels and guest houses on a trail
- Price guide
Moderate to higher for this kind of holiday, per person, before flights
The riding
What is horse riding in Spain like?
Horse riding in Spain takes two forms: a trail through the mountains, moving between villages, or a week at one hacienda with lessons and rides out.
In the Alpujarras, on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, you ride steep mule tracks between white villages. On the steepest descents you get off and lead your horse.
At a hacienda you ride out in the morning and often have a lesson as well, with the group split by ability.
On the Atlantic coast near Vejer, the riding runs through the pine forest of La Breña park and onto the beaches below it.
The Alpujarras
Inland Andalucia
The Atlantic coast
When to go
When is the best time to ride in Spain?
The best time to ride in Spain is March to May and September to November, when the days are warm but not hot.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
The Sierra Nevada trails run from March to November. The hacienda near Antequera and the villa on the Atlantic coast stay open all year.
In July and August you ride early, from about 8am, and rest through the afternoon heat.
Your level
What riding level do you need for Spain?
You need to be confident at walk, trot and canter for a mountain or coastal trail, while a hacienda week takes riders from beginner upwards.
Novice
Intermediate
Experienced
It suits you if
- You want lessons in the morning and a ride out in the afternoon
- You are fit enough to lead your horse down a steep path
- You want a short flight and a riding week in spring or autumn
It is not for you if
- You weigh more than 90kg
- You want to ride through the middle of a summer day
- You want long flat gallops every day
The mountain trails ask for good balance and fitness, because you ride 4 to 6 hours a day on steep, stony ground. On the coast the horses are forward going and you need to be secure at every pace.
On the Sierra Nevada rides you help untack and groom your horse at the end of each day.
Weight limits run from 80 to 90kg on most rides. In the Alpujarras the limit falls to 80kg for novices and 75kg for beginners.
The horses
What are the horses and tack like in Spain?
Most horses on a Spanish riding holiday are Andalusians, also called Pura Raza Española or PRE, or crosses of that breed.
Grey is the most common colour, and a stallion stands about 15.1hh. The breed is known for being intelligent and sensitive, and it is used for dressage as well as stock work.
Trail strings also include Hispano Arabs and Andalusian crosses, chosen for sure feet on mountain tracks. Most rides use English or endurance saddles, and some mountain trails use Spanish trekking saddles.
Where you stay
Where do you stay on a riding holiday in Spain?
You stay either at one hacienda or villa for the whole week, or in village hotels and guest houses along a trail.
The hacienda has en-suite rooms and apartments, and the coastal villa has a pool and a garden. In the Alpujarras you move between small family-run hotels and mountain cottages, with a twin room each night.
At the coastal villa your meals and drinks are included, and a seven-night stay adds a visit to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez.
The cost
How much does a riding holiday in Spain cost?
A riding holiday in Spain is a moderate price for a short mountain trail, or a higher price, like most riding weeks, for a week at a hacienda, both before flights.
Alpujarras mountain trail, 3 nights
Price guide
Moderate
Sierra Nevada trail, Poqueira
Price guide
Moderate
Andalucian hacienda week, low season
Price guide
Higher
Alpujarras full trail, 7 nights
Price guide
Higher
Rides we can arrange
Which rides do we recommend in Spain?
We know horses, and we know the people who run these rides. Tell us how you ride and where you want to go, and we will put you with the right one.
Andalucian hacienda week
A hacienda near Antequera with about 30 Andalusian and crossbred horses, English tack, lessons and rides out, open all year.
Alpujarras full trail
Six riding days through the Alpujarras on Andalusian and Andalusian cross horses, staying in guest houses, mountain cottages and a town hotel.
Sierra Nevada trail
Mountain trails of 4 to 6 hours a day between village hotels in Bubion and Trevelez, open March to November.
Atlantic coast ride at La Breña
A villa with a pool on the Atlantic coast at La Breña park, riding forest and beach for 3 to 4 hours a day.
Common questions
Spain riding questions
Can beginners go on a riding holiday in Spain?
Yes. Hacienda weeks in Andalucia take riders from beginner upwards and teach in small groups split by ability.
What is the weight limit for riding in Spain?
Most rides set a limit of 80 to 90kg. Some coastal horses carry experienced riders up to 100kg if agreed in advance.
What is a PRE horse?
PRE stands for Pura Raza Española, the Spanish name for the Andalusian. The Spanish breed registry uses PRE rather than Andalusian.
Is Spain too hot for riding in summer?
July and August are hot inland, so rides start at about 8am and stop before the afternoon. Spring and autumn are cooler.
Which airport do you fly to for a riding holiday in Spain?
The coastal villa near Vejer uses Malaga or Gibraltar. The hacienda near Antequera is under an hour from Seville, Cordoba and Granada.
Do Spanish riding holidays use English saddles?
Most do, with English or endurance saddles. Some mountain trails in the Alpujarras use Spanish trekking saddles.
Where to go next
Nearby, and next
Tell us how you ride
Tell us your level, your dates and the country you have in mind, and we will point you to the ride that fits.