A wonderful two-week journal through a very beautiful country. At times the rides were strenuous. The accommodations and food were excellent. The Sri Lankan group leader, Suresh, is the absolute best.
Cycling Holidays in Italy
5 of the best places to go cycling in Italy
Lake Garda: Stowed away in northern Italy, Lake Garda is among the most sparkling settings in this beautiful part of the world. The southern part of the lake is home to diverse landscapes that weave in and around the Mincio River, making it an ideal location for your Italy cycling holiday. Think vineyards, medieval towns and a chance to explore the Sirmione peninsula and its colourful alleyways.
Puglia: Situated in the heel of Italy’s famous ‘boot’ shape, Puglia is an understated gem. It’s the perfect destination if you want coastal views of the Adriatic Sea, as well as beautiful scenery inland. You’ll pass ancient olive groves and fennel fields, stopping at quaint villages en route. Highlights in this region include the UNESCO-listed town of Matera, the historic coastal city of Monopoli, and Gallipoli with its island off the mainland.
Tuscany: Central Italy is a glorious place for a bike trip – and Tuscany’s landscape offers so much. It’s a notoriously romantic place, with olive groves, vineyards and hilltop towns scattered across the region. From Montepulciano to Siena and the Chianti hills, you can take in endless serene landscapes. You’ll also pass through the Renaissance-rich city of Florence, which holds the greatest concentration of museums, churches and artworks in the world in its city centre.
Sicily: As the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily is a playground for anyone embarking on a cycling holiday in Italy. A plethora of civilisations once settled here, including Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs and more, giving you plenty of history to take in. The southernmost part of the island will see you pedalling through Baroque marvels like Ragusa, Modica and Noto as you work through farmlands and soak up exquisite coastal scenery.
Amalfi Coast: The UNESCO-listed Amalfi Coast is growing in popularity – and for good reason. Expect a colourful array of hilltop towns as you cycle on some of the most scenic routes in Europe, passing through Positano and Amalfi as you go. With a cycling tour, you’ll have the great advantage of being able to stop by livelier destinations but still have the freedom to whizz over to more secluded spots.
Donald Stauffer Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka
daniel naftalin Cycle Namibiaa fantastic and unique way to see this fascinating country, its scenery and its wildlife
Kate Ferguson Cycle NamibiaNamibia is an amazing country with stunning scenery. We did so many new things …. One of the most brilliant things about the trip was the lack of people – for many of the activities we were the only people there, very few tourists, so for example camping in the desert surrounded only by mountains and climbing Dune 40 at sunrise we were the only people there. The people were warm and friendly, the winter daytime weather warm and cloudless once the sun came up but very cold at night. We felt safe and looked after by the great local team, and everything was well organised. The cycling in itself is not too hard in terms of elevation or distance but the road surfaces are unpaved gravel, often bumpy and uneven with loose sand and gravel so you have to concentrate very hard much of the time which makes it harder going than it might have been. We took a flight over the skeleton coast where desert meets sea, saw seals and flamingoes, had a very lucky and close encounter with 4 lions on our Etosha safari (once again there were no other vehicles around which made it more special). Campsite in Etosha had a floodlit waterhole so you could sit out at night watching groups of elephants, giraffes, rhinos coming to drink. We cycled in a private game reserve and were able to see rhinos and a group or 6 giraffes close up. We had a great smallish group of 8, great company, like minded people.
FAQs on Italy Cycling Trips
Is Italy good for a cycling holiday?
Owing to the meandering coastal paths, rolling hills and ancient villages, Italy is a fantastic country for cycling. As well as being able to cover more ground by bike, our cycling trips in Italy allow you to stop off at fascinating sites that you might otherwise miss.
When is the best time to go cycling in Italy?
We typically run our bike trips in Italy from April to November, giving you plenty of flexibility when it comes to booking.
It’s best to work with the weather during summer months, avoiding the hottest part of the day with early starts. The weather also varies regionally, with northern Italy experiencing cooler temperatures compared to southern locations.
What is the difference between a guided and non-guided bike trip in Italy?
Most of our cycling holidays in Italy are guided, which means you’ll have an expert leader showing you the way. You’ll be cycling in a group of 5-16 like-minded cyclists, and it’s a great way to meet others. However, we do offer private groups too.
If you choose a self-guided bike tour through Italy, we’ll ensure that you’re fully equipped to embark on your own adventure. You’ll get detailed route notes and the pace is completely in your hands. This means you can linger a little longer in your favourite places.
What are the best cycling tours in Italy for families?
While much of Italy would impress families, Puglia is a great choice. Carefully planned routes that wind among pretty fishing hamlets, sun-drenched beaches and rural farms provide a wonderful mix of experiences for all age groups.
If you’re looking for a self-guided family cycling trip, Italy is the perfect place to go. You’ll follow quieter routes that avoid busy roads and you’re able to go at your own pace, allowing you plenty of time for beach days along the way.
What should you pack for a cycling holiday in Italy?
Most importantly, you’ll need a helmet. And it’s also recommended that you bring bottle cages for your bike to carry two large water bottles. On top of this, it’s a good idea to bring front and rear lights, plus spare batteries.
A bike trip in Italy will likely expose you to a lot of sun, so it’s important to consider protection like SPF, sunglasses and a sun hat for when you’re not wearing your helmet.
We always recommend checking your itinerary and trip notes to get an idea of what you might need to bring.
What should you wear for a cycling holiday in Italy?
For your cycling holiday in Italy, we recommend clothing made from moisture-wicking material or breathable athletic wear. Shorts that are comfortable and loose are also recommended, as well as quick-drying compression socks. Sunglasses and hats are also highly advised.
Be prepared for surprise showers with a waterproof, and factor in cooler departures early in the morning. Short-fingered cycling gloves, arm warmers and leg warmers might be wise. You should pack a couple of pairs of shoes with cycling cleats just in case any go missing.
While it’s easy to focus on cycling attire, remember to bring plenty of ‘downtime’ clothing for eating out and exploring in too.
What accommodation can you expect during your Italy bike trip?
In between peddling and sightseeing, you can unwind at hand-picked accommodation with plenty of charming Italian hospitality. Depending on the tour you choose, you could be staying in a converted farmhouse or a hotel, some of which have swimming pools.
Is it safe to cycle in Italy?
While it’s considered safe to go on a cycling holiday in Italy, it’s important to remain diligent. Some routes can be steep and very windy, so adjusting your speed is important. If cycling on the road, stay aware of vehicles and pedestrians. Make sure you have a map or GPS device in case you get lost.
Do you offer e-bike holidays in Italy?
Yes, we do offer e-bikes on selected trips for an additional fee. However, we also offer dedicated e-bike cycling trips through Italy, where the cost of the e-bike will be included in your booking.
We understand that some people may require a little help during their Italy cycling holiday, which is why we try to make our offering more accessible.
How fit do I need to be for a bike trip to Italy?
All our Italy cycling trips have a rating and we recommend checking our activity level guidelines and fitness guides if you need more information. Generally, a ‘moderate’ rating is assigned to our bike trips in Italy. For some, an e-bike can be a good alternative to a conventional bike.
Italy Cycling Tours
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