This is one of the most beautiful bike tours I’ve ever done. The beauty of the landscapes, the bike course, and this, despite the rain of the last few days. Among other things, we experienced the general breakdown and encountered a significant subsidence of the road. But our guides, Dinis, Inês, and Filipe, were wonderful and always made our rides easier day after day. Everything was very well organized. The group meetings, the communication via WhatsApp, the photos shared by Filipe, the equipment provided (bike and handlebar bag) contributed to everything running perfectly. The choice of hotels and restaurants was perfect. The group was friendly and supportive, and I met some great people.
Bike Tours in Italy
Our Best Bike Tours in Italy
Top 5 Best Bike Trips in Italy
1. Cycling Puglia & Matera: Southern Italy’s Puglia region is known for its unique blend of rich history, stunning landscapes, and culinary excellence. With verdant olive groves, white washed trulli houses, and picturesque coastline, it is a bike rider’s dream. On this tour, you’ll cycle from the UNESCO-listed town of Matera through Italy’s heel to the baroque beauty of Lecce, sampling fine seafood and wine along the Salento coast and staying in comfortable hotels and a traditional masseria. It’s a moderate intensity six-night cycling tour with six days of riding, perfect for those seeking a balance of cultural immersion and natural beauty.
2. Cycling in Sicily: Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, boasts a tapestry of cultural influences, from Greek and Roman ruins to Arab and Norman architecture. Its diverse landscapes encompass azure coastlines, fertile plains, and the iconic Mount Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in Europe. This six-day, moderate intensity ride will take you through six UNESCO-listed baroque towns in the Val di Noto, Marzamemi, and Syracuse, with plenty of opportunities for trying the superb regional cuisine.
3. Dolomites, Lake Garda, & Venice Ride: With dramatic landscapes, towering peaks, and challenging trails, the jagged limestone Dolomites make for a memorable cycling backdrop. From the relatively easy roads and trails along the Adige River to Lake Garda, one of the most famous lakes in Italy, to the beautiful cities of Verona, Padova, and finally Venice, this unforgettable ride is filled with stunning views and incredible scenery. It’s a moderate intensity seven-night cycling tour with five days of biking.
4. Cycle Cilento & the Amalfi Coast: Discover the rugged nature of Cilento National Park and the iconic Amalfi Coast on this cycling tour that takes you to all the stunning natural and cultural treasures of Campania. From quaint fishing villages to the Greco-Roman city of Paestum through to Minori, Positano, and Amalfi, you’ll ride some of the most scenic routes in the world, and enjoy the warm hospitality and delicious cuisine of Italy along the way. It’s a seven-night tour with five days of moderate intensity cycling and plenty of opportunities to explore the wonders of this incredible region.
5. Italy Coast to Coast by E-bike: Puglia to Sorrento: Combining highlights from two of our best cycling tours in Italy, this tour takes riders across the whole of southern Italy, with the added support of an e-bike. From the coastal city of Monopoli, venture through the mountains of the Basilicata and Campania regions before making your way to Sorrento on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Along the way, explore ancient cave dwellings in Matera, picturesque Castelmezzano, and the Amalfi Coast. It’s a seven-night trip with six days on the e-bikes, or for experienced cyclists looking for an added challenge, road bikes.
Claire Piche Porto to Lisbon Atlantic Ride
Catherine Goodwin Porto to Lisbon Atlantic RideThank you Dinis, Ines and Philipe our guides and support for a great holiday. My friends and I decided to do this trip on e-bikes as we were a bit out of cycling practice to say the least. We found the e-bikes comfortable and they made getting up hills and covering ground really easy so we could concentrate on the fabulous landscapes we passed through. Half the week the weather was lovely.We encountered a May Day parade in one village and were invited us to join them but we had to press on to get to our next stop. We had too many impossible to resist pastries and Dinis guided us to some great restaurants. For those who love fish and seafood this trip is heaven. Good selection of hotels and great company, we were 16 with people from US, Canada and tbe UK. I’m trying to think of a highlight. Maybe the fish restaurant on the cliffs on the fourth night, but really so many fabulous views and interesting places and so diverse it’s hard to list them all. A few days of bad weather and the country wide power cut were quickly forgotten. All in all an unforgettable trip.
Where can I cycle in Italy?
Italy boasts diverse and breathtaking landscapes, each offering a unique and captivating experience. Tuscany, famous for its rolling hills and vineyards, invites bikers to explore charming medieval towns along scenic routes. The Amalfi Coast features coastal paths, offering panoramic sea views, postcard-perfect villages, and lush terraced hillsides.In Puglia, you’ll cycle through towns of fairytale-like houses, picturesque farmland, and quaint villages, while Sardinia is one of the wildest and most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean. The Dolomites are renowned for their towering peaks and dramatic landscapes, making for excellent views for intrepid cyclists. From alpine adventures to seaside pedals, Italy offers plenty of excellent places to cycle.
Is biking in Italy difficult?
Italian cycling routes range in difficulty, accommodating both novice and experienced bikers. When you select the Exodus tour that is the best fit for you, take note of the activity level rating. These ratings range from leisurely to tough and take into account the length of the ride, trail conditions, level of support, altitude, and more.
Many of our Italian destinations offer tours at different activity levels, so that no matter your experience or fitness level, there is a trip that is perfect for you. By selecting the tour that aligns with your fitness level, you’ll ensure that your Italian biking vacation is just the right amount of a challenge, and isn’t too difficult to manage.
FAQs on Bike Trips in Italy
When is the best time to cycle in Italy?
Cycling tours in Italy are available from April to November, and the best season to cycle depends on your personal preferences. The spring and fall months are usually the most comfortable for cycling, while in the summer, it’s best to depart early in the morning to avoid riding in the hottest part of the day. The weather also varies regionally, with northern Italy experiencing cooler temperatures compared to southern locations.
How should I prepare for my biking tour in Italy?
To ensure that you have the best time on your tour, review your specific tour’s trip notes for lots of details about essential equipment, joining instructions, the typical weather in the region, and more. You’ll also find information on the activity rating, which you can use to guide your fitness preparations. It’s important to begin a regular exercise routine leading up to your trip, focusing on cardiovascular fitness to increase your endurance and spending as much time on a bike as possible. Check out our cycling fitness guide for more advice on how to prepare physically for your trip.
Is the Amalfi Coast good for cycling?
The Amalfi Coast is one of the most stunning coastal routes in the world, and a popular destination for hikers and cyclists alike. With narrow, winding roads, steep climbs, and occasional heavy traffic, it can be a challenging but rewarding route. Our guides are experts in the area, carefully planning the itineraries to ensure excellent rides that include scenic views while maintaining your safety and well being.
Are e-bikes available in Italy?
E-bikes, or electric bikes, offer added assistance, making cycling more accessible to a broader range of individuals and allowing for longer distances and varied terrains with less physical effort. It can be a great option to make a specific trip more suitable for friends or partners with different fitness or experience, or make a tougher route a more realistic proposition. We offer the option to upgrade to an e-bike on many of our trips for an added fee, as well as e-bike tours of Italy, including our coast-to-coast ride.
Can you cycle Tuscany?
The vibrant vineyards and charming medieval towns of Tuscany offer a picturesque journey for cyclists of all fitness levels. The region offers a perfect blend of challenging climbs and leisurely rides, allowing cyclists to explore the timeless landscapes that have inspired artists for centuries. With its winding roads, iconic cypress trees, and vineyard-covered hills, Tuscany provides a captivating backdrop for cyclists seeking both a physical challenge and an immersion into the rich cultural tapestry of the Italian countryside.
The Adventure Begins Here
Get regular inspiration straight to your inbox from Exodus’ experts.