Are you looking for your next adventure? Whether you’re on the hunt for your next family trip, couples holiday or solo venture, a cycling tour could be the answer! And what better place than the home of rich culture, fascinating landmarks and delicious food? Cycling in Italy offers a once in a lifetime experience for anyone! From beautiful cycling tours in Tuscany to Lake Garda cycling routes, there is so much to explore in this beautiful country.
Our blog explores some of the best reasons for planning to go cycling through Italy on your next holiday! To find out more, keep on reading!
What’s So Great About Cycling Holidays In Italy?
Buried in the heart of the Mediterranean, Italy has so much to offer. Cycling and hiking holidays are becoming more and more popular in this beautiful country, drawing in people from all over the globe, and for good reason! Read below to discover our favourite reasons why you should consider cycling in Italy!
Cycling Routes
It goes without saying that the cycling routes in Italy are excellent. Many cities are extremely bike friendly, and the rural countryside makes for some great travelling too. With such a vast range of areas to cycle through, Italy offers a great cycling trip, allowing you to explore so many different regions in this beautiful country.
Another great thing about these cycling routes, is that they are catered for anyone! Whether it’s your first cycling trip, or you’re a seasoned professional, cycling in Italy is a great experience for anyone at any level!
Scenery
It goes without saying that the scenery in Italy is utterly wonderful. The breathtaking scenes and unmatched beauty are definitely something worth experiencing with a cycling holiday. Cycling routes can take you all over Italy, allowing you to experience a range of sights and scenery.
From the Tuscan hills to the beautiful Florence skyline, from the Dolomites to The Amalfi Coast, the views and range of terrain is spectacular, and something you definitely don’t want to miss out on!
The most challenging cycle routes are often based on terrain. Puglia is a great beginner area, moving up to Tuscany and then to the Dolomites.
The Food
It’s no secret that Italy offers delicious cuisine. From authentic Italian pizzas to rich and delicious pasta dishes, Italy’s food is unbeatable. Not to mention the creamy gelato, tiramisu or the amazing quality of coffee! Each region of Italy has its specialities, and a cycling tour can help you explore all of these wonderful places in one trip! And if you’re a wine lover, you’re also in luck! So whether you’re an espresso fanatic, ice-cream lover or just a general foodie, Italy will definitely not disappoint you.
Famous Cities
Italy is full of famous cities, each one offering a unique experience. On your typical holiday, seeing all these wonderful cities in one go can be tricky, but a cycling tour allows you to travel from place to place and maximise your sight seeing! Some key places to visit in Italy are:
- Florence – This narrow cobble stoned city offers beautiful views and ascents, as well as iconic historical landmarks and beautiful surrounding countryside.
- The Amalfi Coast – The Amalfi Coast is a gorgeous part of Italy, and welcomes cyclists! The coastal views and landscapes are unmatched in this part of the country.
- Lake Garda – Another beautiful area to visit, Lake Garda offers peaceful and serene landscapes, with quaint towns and great wines!
- Tuscany – The rolling hills of Tuscany are definitely something to experience on your cycling tour and enjoy the rich cuisine along your way!
- Bologna – Bologna offers excellent history and culture with its markets and authentic food. With beautiful Medieval castles and architecture to explore, Bologna is definitely something worth visiting on your cycling trip!
Art, History & Culture
Italy is full of rich heritage, art and history. The country’s culture is definitely something to indulge in while you’re there. Aside from the beautiful museums, Vatican City and world famous masterpieces, there is still more to discover! The Sistine Chapel and Michaelaneglo’s David are definitely worth checking off your bucket list. The hills of Tuscany, Mount Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii are also excellent places to visit while cycling through Italy.
Famous Landmarks & Architecture
There are a plethora of famous landmarks and brilliant architecture to experience while in Italy. Embracing these rich historical landmarks is definitely something to include in your cycling tour. A few places to add to your list might be:
- The Colosseum – Nestled in the heart of Rome, the Colosseum is not something to miss out on! And if you’re in the area, the Trevi Fountain is another iconic and beautiful piece of architecture to go and visit.
- The Leaning Tower Of Pisa – Another world famous landmark, the tower’s iconic tilt is a must see!
- Florence’s Duomo – An iconic piece of history, and a huge landmark in Florence is the Duomo, representing an iconic piece of renaissance architecture.
- Venice – The beautiful bridges of Venice and hidden gems are definitely worth seeing if you find yourself in this area.
Rural Towns
Alongside your big, famous cities, Italy also has plentiful rural villages. These quaint areas are much more quiet, often embedded in the rural countryside. It’s likely that you’ll find authentic restaurants and wonderful cafe’s in these rural villages. The architecture in these quiet towns can be utterly beautiful, allowing you to embrace the heritage of this wonderful country.
If you happen to be cycling through or past a rural village along your way, take some time to explore! You never know what hidden gems and experiences might be waiting for you!
Beautiful Weather
Italy boasts beautiful weather for a majority of the year, so if you’re looking to top up that tan while cycling through this beautiful country, you certainly won’t be disappointed. The summer months in Italy can be pretty hot, so the ideal time for a cycling tour would be during the springtime (April or May) or the early autumn (September or October). These times of the year allow you to get the most of the sunshine and heat at a comfortable level. This is important for cycling trips, as you will be outdoors and pretty active a lot of the time. No matter what time of year you visit, it’s important to stay well-hydrated and protected from the sun with SPF.
Travel To Other Countries
With Italy being in the heart of the Mediterranean, you are surrounded by other beautiful countries that are also great to explore by bike! Many travellers love cycling through Italy because it is a great starting and finishing point for cycle tours to venture into other countries!
Many people cross the Northern Coast of Italy and venture into Slovenia, even travelling into Croatia. The possibilities are endless when it comes to cycling in Italy, and you will be completely spoiled for choice in all aspects!
Hooked On Cycling & Walking: Bike Tours In Italy & More
Here at Hooked On Cycling & Walking, we have a wide range of cycling and walking holidays on offer, to take you all over Europe From beginner to advanced, you can find your ideal route on our website, incorporating your sight seeing and getting the most out of your trip! You can use our pre-planned tours to help you see the beautiful sights of Italy whilst enjoying your cycle route!
You can also see our selection of other European destinations on our website, from Denmark to Scotland, we offer a vast range of destinations for you to enjoy. You can head to our website to start planning your next adventure today! Alternatively, for more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
