9 Best Cycling Destinations in Europe

Tuscany is among Italy’s quintessential cycling destinations. Whether a seasoned rider or an amateur, cycling in the region unveils the beauty of the landscape and connects you to charming medieval towns resting atop the rolling hills.

Travel along picturesque coastline, explore countryside in which terraced vineyards fade into emerald grass, ride alongside rows of towering cypress trees, or challenge yourself to ascend steep mountain slopes. Tuscany has it all for cyclists, while simultaneously demonstrating the beauty for which Italy is celebrated.

Learn more: Italy Tours & Vacations • Italy Travel Guide • Tuscany Tours & Vacations

The natural beauty of Provence promises marvelous cycling routes lined with lavender fields, vineyards, and lush hillsides. Provence is a feast for your senses when cycling, with roads and trails that connect sleepy villages with olive groves, vineyards with riverbanks, and foothills with medieval towns.

The combination of scenic trails and historical sights brings a delightful ambiance to every route as you uncover limestone cliffs or the cultural beauty of cobbled streets.

Learn more: FranceTours & Vacations • France Travel Guide

Well-marked cycling paths and flat landscapes create a fabulous experience in the Netherlands, accentuated by blossoming tulip fields in spring. The flat landscape makes the entire country accessible by bike and has resulted in nearly 23,000 miles of trails with safe and updated infrastructure.

Cycling has become such an everyday part of life across the country that the Netherlands is the safest place in the world to cycle, its trails taking you through farmland and dykes lining canals or meadows, or beneath an antique skyline or preserved ramparts.

The cycling culture in Copenhagen supports cycling streets that lead to elegant bridges, serene beaches, and modern architecture.

As part of daily culture, cycling has led to an extensive network of safe and modern lanes and highways across the country.

Whether cycling between cities or traversing the Baltic Sea Route, you can explore the cliffs and islands, stop to sample oysters, or travel the far stretches of the fjords to capture the natural and cultural spirit of Denmark.

Learn more: Best Scandinavia Tours and Vacations 

Cycling feels like a natural way to explore the Amalfi Coast. The scenery along the hidden coves and historic seaside towns is approximately 34 miles and connects Naples to Salerno. Inland villages wedge into the towering cliffs or climb up the nearly 500-feet-tall coastal bluffs, leading to ancient treasures like paper mills, panoramas, and ruins.

Colorful and brimming with small nature reserves or fishermen's homes or quiet streets, the Amalfi Coast does not necessarily have the most challenging routes, but it does have some of the most scenic.

Learn more: Amalfi Coast Tours • Italy Travel Guide

Andalucia celebrates cycling, with locals often on the roads in the morning or at weekends enjoying the weather and scenery. The cities and villages in the region have opened their streets to bicycles, making connections between places easy as you explore the wide variety of routes.

With vibrant culture, architecture steeped in history, and centuries of treasures shaped by the countryside, you can cycle beneath Granada’s legendary Alhambra, travel along Cordoba’s riverside, view the whitewashed walls of Ronda, or stop to sample the regional cuisine and wine for which it is famous.

Learn more: Spain Tours & Vacations • Spain Travel Guide • Tours of Southern Spain

The Algarve in Portugal is famous for its sunshine and beaches, but also hosts cycling routes that take advantage of the seemingly endless combination of sun and shore. While small, cycling the Algarve is rewarding due to the combination of flat and hilly landscape, with an altitude reaching nearly 985 feet above sea level.

Nestled between the Spanish border to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, you can travel in the warm climate to find rolling coastal edges, mountain foothills, the walls of medieval strongholds, and limestone grottoes. No matter your level of riding experience, the Algarve is exciting to explore and captures the best of Portugal.

Learn more: Portugal Tours & Vacations • Portugal Travel Guide

Distinctive, atmospheric, and luxurious, the Loire Valley is one of France’s most surprising places for cycling, with routes that follow the glassy river to mountainous scenery. Miles of vineyards and staggering chateaux epitomize winding routes best suited for intermediate to advanced cyclists due to the higher elevation around the river.

For lovers of nature and those interested in heritage, the cycling lanes can cover nearly 560 miles, decorated with historic ramparts and royal towers, greenways and fairytale gardens. Cycling the Loire Valley can feel like an immersion into the opulence of Renaissance France.

Learn more: FranceTours & Vacations • France Travel Guide

The little-known Julian Alps in Slovenia are unforgettable for non-European cyclists. A dream for enthusiasts and a welcome invitation for novices, cyclists can find quiet roads, cobbled lanes adding to sharp ascents, and views that spread from dramatic mountaintops to glistening glacial lakes.

The region is unspoiled and inviting, with passes lined with trees. Overshadowed by its neighbors Switzerland, Italy, and Austria, the Julian Alps can provide a rewarding challenge against an impressive backdrop of soaring rocky cliffs and meadows of wildflowers.

Learn more: Slovenia Tours

Europe is exciting, highlighting the beauty of the natural world. Civilizations have trodden trails for millennia to cross mountains, reach the sea, or connect with neighboring towns. The results are an endless selection of trails to discover by bike.

Find inspiration for your trip with sample itineraries on our Best Europe Tours & Vacations to create your perfect Europe trip. You can also use the information found in our Europe Travel Guide to learn more about where to go, when to go, and what to do before speaking with a local travel specialist.