Cycling Holidays in Italy

Italy Bike Tours

Whether you’re drawn in by spectacular scenery, relish the challenge of serious mountain climbs or just want a more active and interesting way to explore the country, our cycling holidays in Italy are for you. Holidaymakers may flock to the country for its sunny climes, but you’ll be surprised how quickly you can escape the crowds on two wheels.

Within minutes, you could be cycling Tuscany’s serene countryside, delving deep into the fascinating history of the heel of Italy, or exploring the culinary identity of the dramatic Amalfi Coast. Away from the mainland, Sicily boasts miles upon miles of beautiful routes that weave through charming towns, quaint villages and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From famed food markets to cultural landmarks, you’re never far from an intriguing pit-stop on one of our cycling tours in Italy.

We offer guided and self-guided bike trips in Italy. Or, if you’d prefer, you can set off on a dedicated e-biking trip instead. Ready to book your cycling holiday in Italy? Get in touch today.

Cycling Holidays in Italy

8 Days from USD 3448

USD 2760

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Cycling

8 Days from USD 3298

USD 3150

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Cycling

7 Days from USD 1745

Self-Guided Holidays (Excl. Flights)

Cycling

8 Days from USD 2990

Self-Guided Holidays (Excl. Flights)

Cycling

8 Days from USD 3373

USD 2880

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Cycling

9 Days from USD 3425

Self-Guided Holidays (Excl. Flights)

Cycling

9 Days from USD 2645

Self-Guided Holidays (Excl. Flights)

Cycling

8 Days from USD 2180

Self-Guided Holidays (Excl. Flights)

Cycling

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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.

The accommodation we stayed in was of a high standard and the different parts we saw of Sri Lanka were very varied and I feel we saw so much of this special country during this trip.

The food was absolutely outstanding on this trip and we went to some amazing off the beaten track restaurants. One of our favorites was the ladies who cooked the vegetable curries, the dinner at a locals house, and another was the buffet at the old colonial hotel, you may burn 2000 calories cycling but you will eat 3000 calories of amazing food if you want too. Suresh has a saying ‘do maximum damage’ at the buffet and that we did! wait till you try the egg hoppers you will be hooked!

A bit of detail about the cycling: my husband and i were the youngest on the trip at 44 and 52 but we decided to go for the e bikes as it was our first cycle holiday. I highly recommend this option, whilst we had a good level of fitness, and I had trained for this trip doing 100km cycles. Even though we had done level 4 graded Exodus hiking trips before,we wanted to make sure we enjoyed the big climb days and did not slow everyone down, not that it is ever an issue with a lovely exodus group! We also didn’t know if everyone would be super amazing club cyclists and we would be the slow ones, but we had a complete mix of lovely people and we didn’t have anything to worry about. We have just booked our next Exodus cycle trip and have gone for normal bikes.

We had the e bikes turned off most of the time and actually felt after a couple of days we should of gone for normal bikes but it did mean we could enjoy the big climbs and not worry at all, but the van is close behind you on those days and very easy to jump into, so if you are worried you are not fit enough for this trip or not a super keen cyclist i highly recommend going for the ebike option as the trip is definitely worth it and an amazing experience, the ebikes were a very good standard and brand new. At the time of the trip I was a modest cyclist and cycled mainly during the summer months at home, I did properly train for the trip and made sure i had done the 100km distance on a few occasions but this was just to give myself confidence and I just wanted to make sue i was well prepared, don’t think you have to do a lot of training for this trip, the pace is good and no one was ever left behind, it is a level 4 so you do need some fitness but with a good level of fitness you could do it, if you are worried definitely go for the e bike option.

I would agree with some of the other comments that it wasn’t aways back roads and sometimes the traffic was crazy but we always felt safe with Suresh at the front another guide at the back and the bike mechanics were often following us, i really cant thank the whole crew enough just an amazing team who were brilliant and everything was seamless.

It can be hot and I recommend bringing some electrolytes with you, the crew carry more water and food than you could ever need so nothing to worry about there. Have cold gear for the mountains in the evening as it does get cold.

I felt there was also a good amount of things organised outside of the cycling and it felt we always had plenty of things organised in and out of the saddle, the tea plantation visits were amazing also the jewelry factory, the visit to the gardens in Kandy also really great mix of things to see and do outside of the saddle. Finishing the trip at the beach was fabulous as well, there are so many different sides to Sri Lanka I felt we saw them all.

We had a totally amazing group of people in the group who shared this adventure with us, and we all got on so well it was wonderful to get to know them all, we have always had great groups with Exodus. but this was the best group yet, so thank you also to all of them who made the trip so memorable.

Sara Mitchell Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka

We added this trip as an extension to the Discover Sri Lanka trip which was fabulous and we highly recommend. Unfortunately
this trip for us fell far short of the standard we have come to expect from Exodus. I write this as a qualified ride leader with over 40 years of experience in bike maintenance.

Our bikes had multiple problems including excessive play in the rear wheel, unreliable gears, poorly adjusted headsets and badly set up brakes all which affected bike handling and created unnecessary risk. Having discussed this with Exodus they have assured us that changes will be made to the servicing of the bikes and that the ride leader will test ride every bike before handing it to a client.

Generally it is easy cycling on flat roads with a few minor hills on the last day. A lot of the roads are fairly busy, the Indian drivers like to toot so you know they are there, so it is also very noisy. The backwater roads are lovely but views of the sea can be limited because of the coastal defences. There is also a lot of litter and some unwelcome smells due to the lack of sanitation. The locals are generally very welcoming and friendly, plenty of smiles particularly from the children.

Linda Hamilton Cycle the Coast of Kerala

One of my best ever cycling holidays lead by a brilliant local team (Vini and Arun) headed up by the amazing Safi. It was good to experience the chaos of a city in Mysore with crazy traffic and cows in the road. Fort Kochi, which is a world heritage site, was laid back with lots of interesting things to see on our day off the saddle and lovely boutique shops where there was no hassle from vendors! The night on the converted rice barge was lovely and relaxing and so nice to float past everyday life on the river. Cycling along the coast, it was good to see fishermen hauling in their catch and to paddle in those warm waters.
I particularly loved waving at friendly locals as we cycled by (and them waving back) and the school children so excited to see us and practice their English.
Apart from the climb up to Ooty which is optional, I felt this holiday should be rated a difficulty level of 3 rather than 4. Once you’ve finished the Western Ghats, the cycling is very flat.
Added to all that, we had a truly lovely group of fellow cyclists on the holiday who all helped make this such a pleasurable trip.

Alison Stent Cycle Kerala & Tropical India

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Planning your cycling holiday to Italy?

Our experts have provided advice and tips to answer the most common questions cycling holidays in Italy. Get in touch if you need any more information.

What makes your cycling holidays in Italy unique?

Our expert local guides know the scenic backroads, the best viewpoints, and the quieter ways into even the busiest spots. With perfectly paced routes and charming stays, this is Italy by bike as few ever experience it. We know just where to pause for the best view of the rolling lemon groves and glittering bays – and the perfect photo stops with friends, old and new.

Are there small group cycling tours available in Italy?

Yes. All our Italian cycling trips are small group tours with 5 to 16 people , so you’ll enjoy a sociable yet personal feel throughout. Whether you choose an e-bike adventure or a traditional road cycling trip, our guides know how to adjust a derailleur, recommend the best post-ride spritz, and explain the history of a ruined monastery – in one breath.

What is the activity level required for your cycling holidays in Italy?

Most of our cycling holidays in Italy are graded Moderate (Activity Level 3), ideal for those with a decent base fitness. Expect a mix of flat, hilly, and occasionally demanding terrain, with distances averaging 30 to 37 miles (50 to 60km) per day. For example:

Cycling Puglia & Matera: Mostly paved roads with two hilly days, plus time to explore UNESCO-listed towns like Matera and Alberobello.
Cycling in Sicily: Rolling countryside, coastal climbs and flat stages, plus optional dips in the sea to cool off.
Cycling in Sardinia: A blend of scenic coastlines and inland hills, with some gravel and sandy sections to keep things interesting.
Cycle Cilento & Amalfi Coast: Undulating routes, longer climbs, and thrilling descents, with views that reward every uphill.

E-bike options are available on many tours for those wanting extra support. Read more about our activity levels for cycling trips.

Can I join a cycling holiday in Italy as a solo traveller?

Absolutely. Many of our cyclists travel solo, and our small group format is ideal for sharing the road and the ride with like-minded people.

What are the highlights of your cycling tours in Italy?

Cycling in Italy is a carefully designed blend of landscape, culture and connection. Some favourites include cycling from Puglia to Amalfi Coast on an e-bike,
crossing the country from the cave dwellings of Matera to the clifftop villages of Amalfi. Cycling in Sardinia leads you past flamingo-filled wetlands, ancient Phoenician ruins, and gleaming beaches like Portixeddu. On Cycle Cilento & Amalfi Coast, you’ll ride to 2,500-year-old Paestum and follow one of the world’s most scenic coastal roads. Cycling in Sicily takes you through the baroque jewels of the Val di Noto, past citrus groves and canyon landscapes. But the real highlights happen apres-cycle: the shared dinners and drinks, the sneaky ocean dips and the swopping of numbers of new friends from all over the world.

Do your cycling holidays in Italy include cultural or culinary experiences?

Always. We like to think they’re baked in like a good focaccia. You might wander the whitewashed alleys of Ostuni before dinner, visit an olive oil mill in Puglia, or stand among ancient Greek columns at Paestum. Local cuisine, family-run wineries, and traditional cooking (or chocolate tastings in Modica) form the heart of each day. One traveller shared: “The cave room, the trulli stay, the Masseria with its own wine and oil, the morning swim in Otranto — every stop had a story.”

Which regions and landmarks are visited on your cycling tours in Italy?

We carefully choose each route for its wow-factor – and some surprises along the way. Our tours explore a mix of Italy’s most spectacular and lesser-known regions, from the heel to the toe, the coast to the hills. In southern Italy, you might ride across Puglia, with its trulli-roofed villages like Alberobello and stone city of Matera. On the island of Sicily, you’ll pedal through the baroque towns of Modica and Noto, with ample photo stops among the citrus groves. In the southwest corner, Sardinia’s Costa Verde offers a wild landscape of dunes, Phoenician ruins and sea breezes. Meanwhile, the Cilento and Amalfi Coast, south of Naples, rewards riders with more than just great drinks spots – vineyard-covered hills, sparkling bays and ancient temples.

What type of accommodation is included in your cycling holidays in Italy?

We choose stays that add local flavour to every ride – and not just at mealtimes. In Puglia, Masseria Bosco offers vaulted ceilings, a cooling pool and olive grove views, while Sicily’s Feudo Bauly surrounds you with heritage and home-cooked dishes from the Corsino family. On the Cilento Coast, Agriturismo Zio Cristoforo serves up rustic charm and in Palinuro, you might check in at Santa Caterina – home to the town’s oldest ice cream shop. It’s rest, reward and regional flair – rolled into one.

Are e-bikes available for your cycling holidays in Italy?

Yes, and they’re a game-changer. Our Italy Coast to Coast by E-bike tour lets you cross from the Adriatic to the Tyrrhenian without breaking a sweat (unless you want to). You’ll still earn your views – like the cinematic arrival in Sorrento – but with a little extra power on the climbs. Prefer pedal power? Ask our team about standard road bikes.

What is the best time of year for cycling holidays in Italy?

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are ideal. You’ll enjoy warm temperatures, quiet roads, and landscapes in full bloom or golden glow. Summer brings the heat, great for coastal dips and longer days, but perhaps a little sweatier inland. Whatever the season, we’ve timed our cycling tours to make the most of it.