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.
Starting in Matera, the city of 'Sassi' and a UNESCO world heritage site, and through the local canyons, the 'gravine', you will enter Puglia, a unique landscape sandwiched between the Adriatic and Ionian seas.
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.
This was our first trip with Exodus and will not be our last! This company is very organized down to every detail. The description of the itinerary is very accurate, the hotels very nice , the Trek bikes were great and each bike had a handlebar bag for phones, sunscreen, snacks etc.
Our leader João was superb and made each participant feel welcomed, and cared for no matter the skill level.
João stopped to show us things of interest along the way each day, giving us the history and facts of which we would not have learned if we had travelled on our own.
João did briefings each day, so we knew exactly what to expect and a debrief at end of each day with a well organized power-point presentation.
He helped with dinner suggestions and even made the reservations for us.
His enthusiasm and love of his job made it a very enjoyable experience.
Also, Ricardo who was our other Exodus support person was superb! He cycled at the end of the group providing encouragement and support! Ricardo was always smiling and always available for our needs as well. He was a fabulous back up for any individual who needed help. We cannot say enough about Ricardo and how he helped to make this such a great experience for us!
The third Exodus support person was Toni! He was so kind and thoughtful and made the most elaborate picnics for us. He drove the van and met us at various check points so we had access to our belongings if we needed anything. He had water to fill our water bottles and was available incase someone needed to have a van drive if they weren’t able to bike any portions of the day.
These 3 individuals made the trip so wonderful for us!
The itinerary is accurate in that the description of the steep hills toward the end of day 3 , really were steep! Also the long steep hills on day 6 were as described.
We used pedal bikes and managed fine, we are mid 60’s but we are runners and in good shape. The first two days were flat and very easy for any skill level. The steep hills on day three at end of day were challenging on a pedal bikes, despite our good fitness level. However, we would do pedal bikes again despite the steep hills, it gave us a sense of accomplishment! E-bikes are available to people to sign up for prior to the trip.
The views were stunning along the ocean.
We were so impressed by this company, their attention to detail , their efforts to decrease their carbon footprint and we highly recommend Exodus to anyone.
We are already looking at idea for our next Exodus trip !
The Team of Joao, Ricardo and Tony provided great support on this trip. There were some beautiful coastal views, lovely boardwalk cycles through nature reserves and the excitement of short ferry rides across estuaries. With the exception of Porto, Lisbon and Obidos, the places we stayed overnight and where we had coffee stops felt like the ‘real’ Portugal as there were no other British tourists. Joao’s restaurant recommendations were very good – I had a week of delicious fish and seafood (meet and veggie options also available). The Pastel de Nata at the coffee stops and at some breakfasts were also delicious!
This was our 6th Exodus cycling trip. Portugal is a lovely country with very friendly people and excellent food and wine. Porto was great for 3 nights – have a Port tasting (included) and don’t miss the Station and Time Out Market for a wonderful lunch, take a boat ride on the Douro too. The ride starts flat and follows the coast south, lots of cycle ways, wonderful beaches, great lunches and very good hotels – the waves were huge so swimming is difficult but a splash is refreshing! The second part of the ride is more hilly and interesting venturing inland for a while before joining the coast again – again very good and safe cycle ways. The last day is the best in terms of views and terrain but it is quite tough (but OK for a 72 year old mountain biker). Then we arrived at Obidos the final riding destination – beautiful walled town. Our guide/leader Dinis was superb. The Portuguese people were friendly and really seem to like us Brits, coffees out of the main cities are excellent and about £1 as are the bottles of ‘Super Bock’ beer ( much more in Porto and Lisbon!). If you like fish you will eat well – the restaurant Salgáboca in Praia de Mira is excellent and not that expensive, not to be missed, and watch the beach fishermen landing their morning catch around 9.00am before you set off the next morning
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.
Why choose an Italy cycling tour from Exodus?
AWARD WINNING ADVENTURES
Voted Best Tour Operator by Nat Geo and the British Travel Awards 2023.
INCREDIBLE ITINERARIES
We take you beyond the guidebook, so every day is full of “wow” moments.
OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE
With 24/7 support, you can expect great service at every touchpoint in your journey.
A FORCE FOR GOOD
As a certified B-Corp, our foundation strives to supports nature and local communities.
