La Vuelta a España: final week travel guide

The final week of Spain's version of the Tour de France takes you on an immersive, hypnotising journey through the country's central region from Castile-La Mancha, Castile and Leon, and Madrid that's only a little bit about cycling.

The final week of Spain's version of the Tour de France takes you through the country's central region that's only a little bit about cycling (Getty) Source: Getty

Sit back and enjoy the best mountains, rivers and medieval sites the central region of Spain has to offer without leaving your couch.

Tonight's spectacular mountain views in Asturias (completed)

You'll want to stick to the end of this one to enjoy the views at the finish atop La Cubilla. But on the way, the peloton must also traverse Puerto de San Lorenzo and La Cobertoria amid the notable architecture and lush, fertile land of the Asturias. 

Catch up with the highlights:

Wednesday 11 September - Castile and León to Castilla–La Mancha

Even under a dramatic stormy sky the Henares River in Guadalajara, Castille La Mancha is beautiful (Getty) Source: Getty

The peloton travels from Aranda de Duero a province of Burgos (Castile and León) to the city of Guadalajara in the province of the same name in Castilla–La Mancha. 

Numerous wineries and Gothic architecture dot this part of the Burgos region as we head inland back towards Madrid to Guadalajara which straddles the Henares River in a region steeped in ancient Roman and medieval history. 

Watch live from 11.15pm AEST via SBS Viceland or streaming to Cycling Central and SBS OnDemand. 

Thursday 12 September - back in the mountains, this time the Sierra de Guadarrama

Photo taken in Becerril De La Sierra, Spain (Getty) Source: Getty

This stage features four climbs in the Sierra de Guadarrama, a mountain range close to Madrid descending the Puerto de Cotos into the finish in Becerril de la Sierra.  

Catch the start in Comunidad de Madrid. Colmenar Viejo live from 8.15pm AEST on the livestream to our Cycling Central website and SBS On Demand. Otherwise, watch the rest of the stage live on SBS Viceland from 11.05pm AEST. 

Friday 13 September - more medieval municipalities

Toledo, Spain old town skyline. Source: Getty

From Avila in Castile and León with its 12th-century ramparts to the cobbled finish in Toledo, it's another stage lined with rich tradition and history from various eras.  

Watch live from 11pm AEST on SBS Viceland and streaming to Cycling Central and SBS OnDemand. 

Saturday 14 September - the final five mountains of the race

Sierra de Gredos, Spain Source: Getty

The final five mountain passes of the 2019 Vuelta a España should serve up something special landscape wise as the race visits the Sierra de Gredos mountain range. 

Catch the start in Arenas de San Pedro with more medieval presence including the Puente Aquelcabos spanning the Riveral Arenal, dating back to the 14th century, live from 7.50pm AEST on the livestream to our Cycling Central website and SBS On Demand. Otherwise, watch the rest of the stage live on SBS Viceland from 10.30pm AEST. 

Monday 16 September - enjoy a party in Madrid

Aerial view and skyline of Madrid at dusk (Getty) Source: Getty

The men's race finishes with an evening procession around Madrid culminating in a sprint finish which means lots of views of the Madrid skyline for the viewer on the couch. 

Watch live from 2am AEST on SBS Viceland and streaming to Cycling Central and SBS OnDemand. 

Before that, catch the women's professional cycling peloton taking to the streets of Spain's capital for a special one-day race streaming to Cycling Central and SBS OnDemand from Sunday, 9.20pm AEST.

Catch up with some of the scenery from the first week of the Vuelta: