Italy has long reigned supreme as one of the top European travel destinations for a multitude of reasons. Whilst many travellers are drawn to Italy for its fantastic cuisine, high fashion and fascinating cities, many forget just how exceptionally beautiful this country is. The picturesque rolling hills, stunning coastlines and favourable year-round weather make cycling in Italy the ideal getaway.
Whether you are a born cyclist, a fairweather peddler or a complete novice, Italy is a very welcoming destination to explore on two wheels. From peddling from one vineyard to the next to scaling up spectacular mountains, there is something for cyclists of all levels.
But how do you decide where to go cycling in Italy?
With hundreds of kilometres of roads to roll over as well as so many interesting places to see, choosing a destination to go cycling in Italy can be a little daunting. Don’t worry, we’ve done half the work for you (sorry, we can’t do the peddling for you).
With help from our Local Designers, we’ve put together a list of the best destinations for cycling holidays in Italy as well as a heap of useful tips!
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Cycling in Italy Tips
When’s the Best Time for Cycling in Italy?
Here, we’ll give you an overview of the weather you can expect in Italy year-round, however, if you’re looking for a more in-depth introduction to all things Italy, check out our Italy travel guide!
If cycling around Italy in a short-sleeve jersey and shorts is your style, then April/May to September/October will suit you. However, you’ll find that aside from the high mountains that are not best attempted in winter, most regions are suitable for year-round Italy bike tours.
With the exception of July and August when temperatures soar up to 38 degrees celsius (cycling holidays in Italy’s Dolomites should be your go-to during these months if you don’t cope well with the heat), it’s wise to pack a light rain jacket. Its weather can be as dramatic as its scenery, so when it rains, it pours! Don’t get caught out.
Anything to be aware of when planning cycling in Italy tours?
Mid-August each year, on the 15th to be precise, the whole of Italy (with the exception of businesses in tourism) takes a week off, sometimes longer. Most locals tend to head to the mountains or to the coast, with the latter being the most popular. During this time, coastal routes are best avoided on bike such as cycling in Sicily. However, much of the rest of the country is very relaxed – this period is a great time for a Tuscany bike tour!
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Is Cycling in Italy Safe?
For the most part, yes.
Locals are very used to either travelling by bicycle or looking out for bicycles when driving because Italy is so popular for cycling tours. Your biggest risk comes when tourism peaks between July and August and there is an influx of non-local drivers on the roads, often driving on a non-familiar side of the road, possibly map-reading at the same time.
Like anywhere in the world, you should practice caution when cycling on narrower roads and make sure you are always highly visible with your clothing.
Get your Body, Bike and Backpack Ready
Body
Whilst you can tailor your Italy cycling tour to your ability, inclines are difficult to avoid and will inevitably be a part of your route wherever you choose. Make sure you get plenty of miles in before your holiday so that you are at a level of fitness that makes the ride both enjoyable but still a little challenging. The Dolomites will be particularly unforgiving for an Italy bike tour so you’ll want to do some hill training beforehand.
Bike
When it comes to choosing the right bike, that is your preference. Italian road bikes are very high quality and can be hired in conjunction with your tour; our Local Designers can arrange this for you as part of designing your Italy trip. However, if you want to take your own bike with you then make sure it is a good match for the difficulty of the route you choose.
Backpack
You’ll find that most cyclists in Italy carry just one water bottle, with the other carrier being used for a tool kit. In every city, town and village, you’ll find fresh water fountains on every corner to refill your bottle so there’s no need to carry extra weight in your backpack.
Fuel
Another thing that’s great about cycling around Italy – carb loading! You’ll have no trouble fuelling up the night before a long ride or at the end of a challenging day with the mountains of wonderful Italian food on offer in every region! Yum.
Want to read more about what to eat when you’re in Italy? Check out our must-try food in Italy blog!
Planning your trip can be a little overwhelming, especially when you want to make sure it’s perfect. Our trusted Local Designers use their travel planning expertise, local insight and destination knowledge to design extraordinary travel experiences, every time. Browse our Italy tours and connect with one of our Local Designers to get started!
Take the Hassle Out of Planning Your Italy Trip!
Why You Should Plan Your Italy Tour with a Local
Four wonderful things about designing your tour with our Local Designers in Italy;
- Our Local Designers will use their local insight and expert destination knowledge to plan all of your stops for you
- They’ll help decide distances based on your preferences and activity level
- They’ll make all your reservations and book beautiful accommodation
- Private transfers, domestic flights and luggage transfers will be taken care of
- Plus, our Local Designers are the best at planning unique activities on your non-cycling days!
Cycling Around Italy – Pick Your Region Out of Our Top Six
Before you set out on any route, it’s important to make sure you have reviewed it properly. Think about where you will stop to refuel, how long the climbs may take and when you expect to arrive at your destination – being prepared is being wise.
Without further ado, let’s get stuck into the best cycling destinations in Italy!
Cycling in Tuscany
Best for: Those that want to indulge and take it easy
Difficulty level: Easy to Medium
Best time to visit: May to October
The poster child for Italy; when you think of Tuscany, a scene of picturesque vineyard-covered hills, cypress-tree-lined roads and charming hilltop towns springs to mind. All of these elements make for an idyllic experience.
Biking in Tuscany is particularly friendly to those looking for a leisurely cycling tour, one where wine tasting, boutique farmhouse stays and truffle hunting in the woods take priority over the leg workout. Many of the small towns, such as Lucca, ban cars so the roads are safe and quiet.
Fear not, mountain bikers and experienced cyclists can head to the Apuane Mountains for a challenging series of steep hills and valleys.
Trips to inspire your Tuscany cycling tour;
Cycling in the Dolomites
Best for: Serious hill cyclists
Difficulty level: Hard
Best time to visit: June to October
Achingly beautiful and achingly difficult; cycling in the Dolomites of Italy takes no prisoners. Along the spine of the Dolomites range, you’ll meet jagged peaks, endless switchbacks and some gruelling climbs. Yet, the outstanding natural scenery and comradery of fellow cyclists attempting the same routes make you (almost) forget about the extreme leg and lung workout.
For a challenge, the three famous Dolomites passes of Passo Sella, Passo delle Erbe and Passa Fedaia should be your go-to. In some areas of the Dolomites, you can also take your bike on a chair lift for an exhilarating ride back down.
To experience the sheer beauty of this region with a lot less work, Lake Garda and its low-lying surrounding region which sits between the Alps and the Dolomites make for easy cycling in Italy.
Trips to inspire your cycling tour of Italy’s Dolomites;
Cycling the Italian Lakes
Best for: Leisurely cyclists looking for postcard-perfect scenery
Difficulty level: Easy to medium
Best time to visit: June to September
Easily accessible from the fashion capital, Milan, the Italian lakes offer some of the prettiest scenery in Europe. The dazzling deep waters, snow-capped mountain ranges and charming lakeside towns make for one of the best cycling locations in Italy. Whilst the scenery is diverse, many of the routes occupy the low-lying regions so cycling Italy’s lake region means gentle, flat trails between lakeside towns.
For a challenge, the Dolomites and the Alps sandwich Lake Garda so keen hill cyclists will want to include some of these routes. Without heading too far, you can also encounter the Muro di Sormano (Wall of Sormano), a cycling route so steep it was once removed from the Tour of Lombardy! With a gradient of 25% in parts, this is one of the best cycling climbs in Northern Italy – a challenge that is not for the faint of heart.
For the most part, cycling in Northern Italy can be as leisurely or as testing as you like.
Trips to inspire cycling in Northern Italy;
- 25-Day Best of Italy
- 15-Day Best of Italy from North to South
- 11-Day Tour from Rome to Italy’s Lakes
Cycling in Puglia
Best for: Recreational cyclists that love to explore
Difficulty level: Easy
Best time to visit: June to September
With vineyard-hopping trails, hills worthy of a challenge if you go looking and charming whitewashed coastal towns, Puglia offers a peaceful alternative to some of the other best places for cycling in Italy. The southern heel of Italy is becoming ever-popular with cyclists in recent years; yet, it still remains largely untouched with vast swathes of unspoilt countryside to admire.
One of the most distinctive features of this region are the cone-shaped, whitewashed houses known as trulli. Mediterranean-style villages filled with these charming little houses make for the perfect overnight stop on Puglia bike tours. Add to that the dazzling turquoise waters, deliciously fresh seafood and more UNESCO-listed gems than you can ring your bell at and you have the best Italian cycling destination.
Those up for a challenge can take on the Grand Tour of Puglia which covers every place worth visiting in Italy’s heel!
Trips to inspire cycling in Southern Italy;
- 9-Day Hidden Jewels of Southern Italy Trip
- 11-Day Florence to Puglia
- 8-Day Puglia and Basilicata Discovery
Cycling in Sicily
Best for: Those that love coastal cycling
Difficulty level: Medium
Best time to visit: May to December (except July and August)
Cycling Sicily will be accompanied by the salty, fresh air, splendid 17th and 18th-century architecture and beautiful fishing villages. Be prepared for plenty of delicious seafood!
With its year-round sunshine, the Sicilian weather lends itself to cycling tours at almost any time of the year; avoiding the harsher winter months in January and February and the peak of crowds in July and August.
Offering hilly landscapes, mountains and endless coastal roads, Sicily cycling tours deliver exceptional scenery. The towns of Balestrate, Castellammare del Golfo, Alcamo Marina and Trappeto punctuate the coastline making perfect stops on your route.
Trips to inspire cycling in Sicily;
Cycling in Rome
Best for: Those that want to see the sights in a unique way
Difficulty level: Easy
Best time to visit: October to April (to avoid crowds)
When you first think of cycling in Italy, navigating the stone streets of the busy capital may not be the first place that springs to mind. However, Rome bike tours are one of the best ways to get around the city easily and quickly. Especially, if ticking off the must-see sights is top of your list.
One of the main draws of cyclists to Rome is the ancient Via Appia. Once the most important road in the ancient city of Rome, it linked the capital to the heel of Italy. Passing the archaeological beauties of the Caffarella Valley, you can cover as little or as much of this iconic cycling route as you wish.
Trips to inspire biking in Rome;
How to Plan Your Italy Cycling Tour
Hopefully, this guide to everything you need to know about cycling in Italy has given you a great introduction and armed you with some useful tips. Besides training for the trip, especially if you have your eye on a particularly challenging region, you’ll need to get your Italy cycling tour planned including accommodation, distances and stops. That’s where Designer Journeys come in!
How to Plan Your Cycling Tour in Italy with Designer Journeys
Our Local Designers go through a rigorous selection process to ensure they can deliver extraordinary travel filled with unique, authentic experiences.
By designing your trip with one of our Local Designers, you can take all of the stress of planning and hassle of booking different parts of your trip in several different places, away! Here’s how;
- Explore our gallery of cycling tours (if you’re open to anywhere) or Italy tours (if you have your heart set on one of the best cycling destinations in the world). All of our trips are fully customisable so if you find one you like, hit ‘customise’ and answer a few simple questions.
- Alternatively, you can design your own Italy trip from scratch by entering your desired travel dates, budget, preferred activities and more.
- Next, you’ll hear from our friendly Travel Concierge team who will chat to you about the details of your trip and give you some ideas.
- You’ll then be connected with a Local Designer in Italy who will work with you to design, build and deliver your perfect trip!
- You’ll get your personalised itinerary that you can share with friends and family that you’re travelling with to start getting everyone excited for your trip!
- Then, it will be time to hop on a plane! You’ll be able to relax and thoroughly enjoy the experience knowing that everything has been taken care of for you!
So, what are you waiting for? Plan your dream Italy trip now!
Explore our range of fully customisable Italy tours today or design your own Italy trip from scratch with the help of one of our Local Designers. Using their local insight, expert knowledge and travel planning skills, our trusted Local Designers will be able to build a trip filled with experiences you won’t find anywhere else! Tap the button below to get started.
Let Designer Journeys Plan Your Dream Italy Cycling Trip!
