Granada is the city of the Alhambra, the Moorish palace complex perched atop the Sabika Hill. Not a bad place, the organisers must have thought, to stage the finish of the Vuelta a España — so close to one of the world’s most visited tourist landmarks. There was also a practical reason to steer clear of Madrid, with the Formula One circus arriving there the same weekend. As a result, the Alhambra will feature prominently on screen as the peloton sweeps past.
The stage begins with a 65-kilometre loop to the west of Granada, allowing for the traditional end-of-Grand-Tour celebrations. The calm lasts for around 60 kilometres, before the finale is sparked by five short, sharp ramps spread across as many laps, designed to tear the peloton apart. It is a short and sharp ramp at the foot of the Alhambra, comparable to the repeated ascent of Montmartre in the Tour de France finale.
There is, however, one key difference. While the Tour finishes on the flat of the Champs-Élysées, the winner in Granada will need far more explosive qualities. This is a finale that demands a powerful kick, capable of carrying a rider over the rising finish line.
Fancy riding the route yourself? Download GPX 21st stage 2026 Vuelta a España.
Vuelta a España 2026 stage 21: route, profile, videos
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