Going on a cycling holiday doesn’t mean you have to rough it. You don't have to camp (though it can be fun) and you don't have to finish each day feeling like your legs are about to fall off. Why not dine on local delicacies and take the time to explore off the bike as well? The best cycling holidays in Europe get you properly out into the wild, but also allow you to recover at night. We love to cycle - but we also love stopping for coffee.
You can take in a whole lot of beautiful scenery while avoiding dehydrated food packets - and feasting on fine local produce each night instead.
Picture it. You could be climbing a hairpin bend in the Albanian mountains, with views of the Adriatic on one side and the Accursed Mountains on the other. You could be riding dusty trails on the southwest coast of Portugal on an e-bike, nibbling pastéis de nata as you go. Or, you could be jumping on a fat bike and riding through snow in the Arctic Circle, wrapped up all warm.
Whatever your preferred choice of scenery; there's something for you in this showcase of the best cycling holidays in Europe. Of course, what is 'best' is in the eye of the beholder - but these beauties are sure to inspire your travels.
What Makes a Cycling Holiday the Best?
The best cycling holidays combine rolling, winding and weaving roads, gravel and off-road routes with the best local cuisine a place has to offer. They let you recover from your time in the saddle with a comfy bed at the end of the day.
The list below is not a list of the best cycling trails in Europe - it's a list of the best cycling holidays. It's about the all-round experience, not just the riding.
Heck, there might even be a bit of hiking or canoeing involved in the trip too.
These cycling holidays are led by expert local guides, to keep you safe and talk you through the flora, fauna and folklore of wherever you're riding through.
1. Cycle the Backroads of Albania
- Number of nights: 8
- Best for: Mixing rugged mountains and scenic coast
- Cheeky extras: Farm-to-table food in rural villages
- Top treat: The Benje hot springs
- Where you’ll sleep: Small, locally-owned guesthouses and hotels
Take in scenic lakes, glimmering coastline and the rugged mountain passes of Albania - pedalling past horse-drawn carts and traditional villages.
“We start at Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO site,” says Endrit Shima, a guide on this adventure through Albania. “The rest is quite remote, in southeast Albania. There are mountain roads with almost no cars, small villages and towns bordering Greece with a lot of greenery and high mountains - and the Vjosa River."
There are mountain roads with almost no cars, small villages and towns...
The most notable climb is the Llogora Pass. You'll reach 1,600m of elevation as you climb on the hairpins, with views over the Ionian Sea. Off the saddle, soak in the Benje hot springs, and dip in the sea. Eat farm-to-table food in scenic, rural villages and stay at small guesthouses, on the shore or in the mountains.
2. Arctic Circle Fat Bike Expedition
- Number of nights: 5
- Best for: Combining ride time with the northern lights
- Cheeky extras: Sauna time
- Top treat: Sleeping beneath the skies - in a see-through dome
- Where you’ll sleep: In mountain refuges and dreamy domes
Most people don't expect to see snow on a cycling holiday. But, as long as you've got a fat bike - winter is fair game on two wheels. On this trip, you'll cycle across Norway's Finnmarksvidda plateau, sleep in remote huts and relax in saunas.
On the bike, expect to see reindeer and forests weighed down by the snow.
The Aurora Canvas Domes are perhaps the highlight of this trip, though. When night falls, you can fall asleep in a cosy bed in a private dome with a see-through roof, allowing you to see the stars. Or if you're really lucky - the northern lights.
3. Cycle the Backroads of Sicily
- Number of nights: 6
- Best for: Foodies
- Cheeky extras: Trattoria dinners and gelato stops
- Top treat: Chocolate tasting in Modica
- Where you’ll sleep: Quiet B&Bs and small hotels
The cycling in Sicily is stunning - along pristine coastlines, into some of Europe's deepest canyons, and along hairpin views with remarkable views of the coast.
But let's face it, cycling can only ever be one part of an exploration of Sicily. A lot of that is going to have to take place in the historic towns and, yes, on the plate.
You'll hope off your bike for lunch in Ragusa Ibla, a hilltop town renowned for its baroque beauty, and ride to Modica, where you'll indulge in a chocolate tasting led by locals who have making for generations. The next day, cycle on to Pozzallo on the coast. You're never far away from a snack - whether it's gelato or cannoli.
4. Cycle the Atlantic Coast of Portugal
- Number of nights: 6
- Best for: Mixing seafood and cycling
- Cheeky extras: Stops for pastéis de nata custard tarts
- Top treat: A sunset swim beneath Atlantic cliffs
- Where you’ll sleep: Comfy hotels and beachfront stays
Pedal through relaxed Portuguese villages, montado cork forests and along the dramatic cliffs of Cabo Sardão - on the Rota Vicentina 'Fisherman's Trail'.
You'll ride along some of the Algarve’s most remote and pristine beaches, stopping at golden sand beaches and finishing at Cape St. Vincent, Europe's most southwesternmost point. On the plate? Local seafood, olive oil and fresh bread.
We look for the guy or woman who produces cheese and bread in their courtyard, or who has some bees and lovely honey...
"We look for the guy or woman who produces cheese and bread in their courtyard, or who has some bees and lovely honey," says guide Luis Coelho. Oh, and there's also an e-bike version of this cycle on the Atlantic Coast trip, too.
5. Hike, E-Bike and Wine in Italy's Prosecco Hills
- Number of nights: 5
- Best for: Prosecco lovers, of course
- Cheeky extras: Three wine tastings
- Top treat: An indulgent tasting at the Pietrovecchio Winery
- Where you’ll sleep: Traditional agriturismos
The UNESCO-protected Prosecco Hills are not far from Venice, but they are far from the tourist gaze. Picture green, agricultural terraces and quiet, rollings hills.
“There's a mix of nature tourism, quiet hiking and cycling trails, and of course there’s the wine and the sumptuous food," explains local Vania De Paoli.
Leaving the door of your agriturismo, you'll ride to the 16th-century mill of Molinetto della Croda. You'll climb up to the hamlet of Rolle (with power-assist help) and freewheel down to Revine Lake for a picnic and a swim.
The gastronomy is the key pull here, though - fresh produce, all farm to table.
6. Hike, E-Bike and Canoe in the Dolomites
- Number of nights: 5
- Best for: Those craving spiky mountains
- Cheeky extras: Delicious dinners with Dolomite specialities
- Top treat: Cycling up Monte Fertazza
- Where you’ll sleep: Quaint hotels and agriturismo
The Dolomites are a place of legend; where high, limestone mountains stretch up and pierce the sky - and turquoise lakes glimmer beneath lush green valleys.
The beauty of this holiday is the variety. Head to the Dolomites and you can get your cycling fix; ascending Monte Fertazza (2,080m/6,824ft) on two wheels for remarkable views of the most famous mountain spires in Europe.
After that you can get out on the hiking trails - take on the Cinque Torri trail and the Mondeval high plateau. Canoe in the waters of Lago del Mis, and at the end of each day? Kick back in a four-star mountain spa hotel and agriturismo.
7. Intro to Off-Road Riding in the UK
- Number of nights: 2
- Best for: Your first off-road cycling adventure
- Cheeky extras: Basecamp campfire and home-cooked meals
- Top treat: The climb to Ivinghoe Beacon (or at least, the view at the top)!
- Where you’ll sleep: A big, beautiful bell tent
This adventure starts at Tring Train Station, which is reachable from Euston in the centre of London in under an hour. It's a dreamy trip which combines off-road riding on chalk paths and the green, rolling hills in the Chilterns.
Think bell tents, campfires, good food and starry skies.
You'll pedal the Ridgeway, a famous, scenic trail which often cited as Britain's oldest road, and you'll learn all the techniques you need to know for off-road cycling with expert guides. Each evening, you'll return back to bed down at a cosy base camp. Think bell tents, campfires, good food and starry skies.
8. Hike, E-Bike and Wine in Spain's Basque Country
- Number of nights: 5
- Best for: Rocky cliffs, red wine and nibbles
- Cheeky extras: Hot spring, anyone?
- Top treat: Sampling wines on-site at Eguren Ugarte
- Where you’ll sleep: a rather remarkable hotel and winery
A dream on the saddle, and in the glass. Head to Rioja Alavesa in the Rioja wine region for your first glimpse of the many vineyards here. Eguren Ugarte (above), is your accommodation, a hotel and winery set amongst greenery and high cliffs.
The Via Verde del Cidacos cycling trail is a gravel route past lush groves, farmland, olive orchards and riverbanks.
There's hiking here, notably on the storied Wine and Fish Route, but also superb cycling. The Via Verde del Cidacos trail is a gravel route past lush groves, farmland, olive orchards and riverbanks. Cycle the Cidacos River Valley, and at Arnedillo, on the banks of the Cidacos, revitalise in natural hot springs.
9. Hike, E-Bike and Feast in Italy's Puglia and Matera
- Number of nights: 5
- Best for: An active foodie adventure
- Cheeky extras: An abundance of meals. Some big, some small. All delicious
- Top treat: The cheeses? Focaccia? Pasta? Take your pick
- Where you’ll sleep: A cave hotel and a glorious agriturismo
Matera is the city of stone; a mish-mash of Italian architecture, in the Basilicata region in southern Italy. There are UNESCO-protected caves here dating back to the Paleolithic era, and boutique hotels nestled in the stonework.
Leave Matera on a bike and head into the rolling hills. You'll find peaceful, deserted country lanes, head along San Guiliano Lake and stop at the Crypt of the Original Sin, a cave known as the 'Sistine Chapel of rock art' for its frescoes.
Stop at bakers. Nibble on local olives, ride along old aqueducts and enjoy homemade cheeses and orecchiette (an Apulian pasta). This is a trip for those who like to see the sights on the bike and gorge on local goods after.
10. Hike, E-Bike and Wine in Tuscany
- Number of nights: 5
- Best for: Living the Tuscan dream
- Cheeky extras: Farm-to-table lunches with local produce tastings
- Top treat: How does an Etruscan cave spa sound?
- Where you’ll sleep: A spa hotel
Pedalling through the iconic, rolling hills of Tuscany is... well, exactly what you imagine it is. Picture cypress trees rising up on either side of gravel paths. Picture hilltop towns, with ancient towers rising up and providing a focal point on the horizon. And picture Val d'Orcia vineyards on terraced hills, green and bright.
This is an active take on the Italian dream – combining all that beauty with Tuscan feasts along the way, in towns like Pienza and Montepulciano. Specialities in this area include cured meats, olive oils, juicy tomatoes, handmade pasta and world-class wines like Brunello di Montalcino.
11. Hike, E-Bike and Canoe in Abruzzo
- Number of nights: 4
- Best for: A multi-activity adventure in Italy
- Cheeky extras: Traditional breakfasts and dinners, Italian style
- Top treat: Riding across the remote Campo Imperatore plateau
- Where you’ll sleep: Hotels and lodges in tiny villages
The Central Appenines are Italy's great wilderness; the "green lung of Europe".
Just a few hours drive from Rome you'll find Roccamorice, a remarkable ancient, stone village set on a high plateau in the lush Maiella National Park. Head to Gran Sasso - one of the largest protected areas in Europe - and ride across the remote Campo Imperatore plateau, known as "Little Tibet" for its beauty.
When you're not on the bike, explore local mountains and ruins. You can climb to the fortified hamlet of Rocca Calascio to see an ancient castle, and will reach the high point of your trip on the summit of Corno Grande at 2,912m (9,553ft).
This trip is a true mix of activities too - there's also canoeing on the Tirino River.
12. Hike, E-Bike and Feast in Greece's Peloponnese Peninsula
- Number of nights: 5
- Best for: A Greek odyssey
- Cheeky extras: Olive oil tasting!
- Top treat: Snorkelling about a sunken city in the Aegean Sea
- Where you’ll sleep: Brilliant boutique Greek hotels
Ride out of Dimitsana, a Greek village above the Lousios Gorge, and take to the Menalon Trail. You'll roll past sleepy villages, shady forests and sun-dappled hills. Afterwards, try Greece's most famous red wine - the storied Agiorgitiko.
Back on land, there's olive oil tasting to be done and mezze to devour.
Beyond the cycling trails, grab a canoe and paddle out into the calm waters around Epidaurus. Snorkel above ancient stone walls and columns, which sit just beneath the surface of the Mediterranean waters. Back on land, there's olive oil tasting to be done and mezze to devour.
13. Canyons to Coast Adventure in Northern Spain
- Number of nights: 6
- Best for: Adventure tapas
- Cheeky extras: Local delicacies, from fabada and chorizo to Asturian cider
- Top treat: Cycling the Camino along the cliffs
- Where you’ll sleep: A hotel in the coastal town of Llanes
Asturias is the wild heart of Spain, still far from the radar of mass tourism. To some that's because of the coastal SUP. To others, the 13th-century architecture. Then there's the enthralment of the canyoning, the circling Griffon vultures, and dreamy hiking like the Ruta del Cares canyon walk.
Perhaps the activity which remains further from the tourist gaze here is cycling - but there's plenty to be done, whether that's on the Camino de Santiago, on the coast, through the rolling farmlands just in-land or in the mountains beyond.
If you want to sample the Camino, head to the coast. You'll ride by clifftop lookouts and may even see the Bufones de Pria - a phenomenon where seawater erupts up from the holes and cracks in the limestone cliffs, like volcanic geysers.
14. SUP, E-Bike and Wild Swim in Finland
- Number of nights: 4
- Best for: A real relaxing getaway
- Cheeky extras: A wood-fired hot tub
- Top treat: Daily saunas and constant views
- Where you’ll sleep: A wilderness cabin, in amongst the trees
The Saimaa Arcipelago Route is a 95 mile (154km) cycling tour through the southern Saimaa region of Finland - defined by water, forests and islands.
Along the way are historical attractions including several Saimaa Geopark sites. Dine on local delicacies like freshly-caught salmon, or potatoes and dill, and stay in a remote (but comfy) cabin with a sauna and a hot-tub, just next to the water.
When you've completed the cycle, there's still more to explore. Walk the ancient forests of the Orrainpolku Trail, SUP and kayak on Lake Saimaa and keep your eyes open for rare Saimaa ringed seals, which are endemic to the area.
15. Cycle the Ciro Trail in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Number of nights: 7
- Best for: Balkan exploration
- Cheeky extras: Strong coffee and flaky burek
- Top treat: Big viewpoints over Svitava Lake
- Where you’ll sleep: Refuges and guesthouses
This 90-mile (150km) route runs from Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina to Dubrovnik in Croatia, along the abandoned route of an old narrow-gauge railway which was discontinued in 1976. Today, the Ćiro Trail is all about bicycles.
This 90-mile (150km) route runs from Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina to Dubrovnik in Croatia.
Leaving the famous Old Bridge of Mostar, you'll pass through old, traditional villages where traffic is a foreign concept. You'll ride by the sprawling Svitavsko Lake and take in far-reaching viewpoints, looking out over valleys, agricultural land and forests. Then you'll pedal into Zavala and head on to Dubrovnik.
This is a sublime route connecting two great European cities.
16. Cycle the Islands and Highlands of Croatia
- Number of nights: 7
- Best for: The full Croatian experience
- Cheeky extras: Paski cheese, fresh seafood and Dalmatian olive oil!
- Top treat: Panoramic views of the Velebit mountains
- Where you’ll sleep: Comfy hotels along the way
Arrive into Split and depart from nearby Trogir, a charming town renowned for its UNESCO-listed old town. From here, you're off to see Croatia.
You'll go ferry hopping, cycling across the islands of Pasman, Ugljan and Pag...
Winding alleys, medieval stone buildings and craggy coastline lie beyond on the EuroVelo 8 - Croatia’s Mediterranean cycling route. You'll go ferry hopping, cycling across the islands of Pasman, Ugljan and Pag, exploring secluded beaches, olive groves and traditional fishing villages.
Back on the mainland, climb into the Velebit Mountains, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, for sweeping views of these rugged mountains, and finish your trip with a dramatic descent into the Zrmanja River Canyon before returning to Split.
Guided vs. Self-Guided Hiking Holidays
The choice between whether to go guided or self-guided on a cycling holiday is a big one. While riding solo might appeal to experienced riders, a guided trip offers serious piece of mind to those who haven't taken on such an adventure before.
For a start, you've got someone on hand to fix your bike or flat tyre if you have a mechanical. But a guide also adds so much more - from a deep knowledge of the area you're passing through to route-finding skills en route.
Your local guide is a bridge to the culture of the place you're visiting. If you're after a hassle-free, immersive adventure, a guide is hard to beat.
Inspired? Then check out our Hiking Adventures in Europe.