Explore southern Europe by bike
Are you an adventurous traveler? Then a bike trip is just what you need! And we have gathered for you the best destinations to travel by bike in Europe. Ready for your next adventure?
1. Cycling holidays in Madeira, Portugal
The volcanic island of Madeira is becoming a hotspot for cyclists, many tour companies are even running bike tours to discover the island by bike. Although there is no dedicated path for this activity, there are safe routes you can follow by bike to explore this beautiful island, which involve rough roads and rough terrain to make it a little more interesting. Using a bicycle to discover the island is the best option, as it will allow you to fully enjoy its magnificent views, plus you are helping the environment by not using a car to travel around this island. Do you dare to try it? While biking you will also enjoy the calm bays, picturesque parks and dramatic cliffs.
And best of all: the weather is excellent all year long!
2. Cycling Holidays in Tuscany, Italy
Magnificent vineyards, dreamy olive groves and picturesque medieval villages high up in the mountains – the mountains of Tuscany have it all. Tuscany is said to be the perfect place for biking and offers one of the best conditions for biking. But also because regardless of your experience, you will be able to fully enjoy this destination by bike. More experienced riders can enjoy multi-day rides with its hilly terrain making it a bit more challenging. When the less experienced can take the bike and enjoy the beautiful views and picturesque towns in a unique way.
This makes Tuscany beautiful and daring. And don’t forget to try the Tuscan specialities: Fiorentina steak, truffle oil and Italian ice cream.
3. Cycling holidays on the Camino de Santiago, Spain
Yes, the well-known Camino de Santiago, also known as the “Camino de Santiago” is not only packed with countless pilgrims, it is also an excellent route for cyclists! People have been walking this route for over 1,000 years, and for most of that time walking was necessary, as other means of transportation were slightly more expensive. But now that bikes are available at a fair price, if you want to explore the Camino de Santiago by bike, it’s entirely possible! Biking this iconic path is said to be even better, as it saves time, is better for your legs, and allows you to explore more off-trail.
No matter where you start, reaching the famous Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is the highlight of the route, as well as meeting other travelers along the way, whether on foot, by bike or by car.
4. Cycling holidays in Croatia
Croatia is one of the best destinations for any type of cyclist, but specifically an ideal destination for mountain biking. This beautiful country is home to an incredible variety of terrians, perfect for any ability and experience level. From the Dalmatia region with more than 3,000 km of trails, to Istria with 1,000 km, you certainly won’t get bored discovering this country by bike. You can also bike in and around the city of Zagreb, which has more than 30 mountain biking trails, or in one of the country’s eight National Parks.
Ready to set out on a bike tour from the deep green of the Istrian hinterland, towards the shores of the Adriatic Sea, past historic hilltop villages and bustling harbours. Take the ferry to the island of Krk, or the so-called “happy island of Rab”, and ride a mountain bike up the rugged mountains.
Let the action-packed day end with a nice glass of wine in hand and a view of the stunning sunset over the Adriatic Sea. What could be better?
5. Cycling holidays in Slovenia
Everyone has heard of the “Tour de France”, right? But did you know that there is also a “Slovenia Tour”? Proving that Slovenia is a perfect destination for cyclists! Slovenia’s natural diversity makes it a must to discover by bike, from the beautiful alpine trails and bike parks to cycling through the vineyards of the Dolenjska and Prekmurje regions. Although Slovenia has many regions for mountain bikers, you can also enjoy a cycle path along the coast, perfect for a family holiday.
The best thing about this cycling destination is that the country is prepared to receive tourist cyclists, by having a variety of accommodations suitable for cyclists. Some of them are even certified cycling accommodation and depending on their qualifications offer different facilities and services.
As you discover this country by bike, remember to also try fresh artisan cheeses from local shepherds in the mountains and sea bass freshly caught off the coast.
6. Cycling Holidays in Piva Canyon, Montenegro
And last but not least, we have the Piva Canyon Highway in Montenegro, which is not for the faint-hearted. Even though the path is paved, it doesn’t make it much easier for cyclists, as this path has quite a few curves which makes it a bit more fun, but also going up to 220m in height. Also along the road you can find the Mratinje Dam, one of the highest dams in Europe that gives you an amazing view of Montenegro, which would make that challenging trip worth it for the view alone. The most impressive thing, apart from the view, are the 56 tunnels dug by man in the gorges.
The route stretches over 136 km. With a bike you can decide at any time how much you want to challenge yourself.
7. Tips for your bike trip
Here are 6 tips to make your bike trip as smooth as possible:
Having a map with you is useful in case your phone/GPS fails.
A cell phone (mobile device)/map mount on the handlebars can be very useful if you don’t want to ride your bike with your phone in your hand.
Make sure you have a comfortable, air-permeable helmet.
Download an app to ride a bike. There are now numerous bike apps that help with route planning.
Check that the bike is in roadworthy condition, even if you rent it on site. Check that the lights, brakes and doorbell work.
Make sure you have the necessary accessories with you, such as a bicycle pump, a repair kit, a spare bicycle tube, and a bicycle lock.
