TYPES OF CYCLING HOLIDAYS IN ITALY
Cycling vacations in Italy will place you in some of the country’s best loved regions where ancient towns and agricultural landscapes can be appreciated on two wheels as well as on foot. Choosing a tour should suit your cultural and gastronomic expectations as well as your fitness levels; there’s no point undertaking a challenging tour of the South Tyrolean Alps if you’d far prefer a pootle past the sunflowers and vineyards of Umbria and Tuscany. Are you looking for a leisurely break by bike or a testing experience over tough ascents? Do you want a small group guided tour or would you prefer to pedal independently on a tailor made vacation? Both options will include luggage transfers if you’re cycling from place to place, as well as road transfers to the start of trails, so you can make the most of those all-important views as soon as you start to cycle. The best advice is to be honest with yourself and your tour company when it comes to choosing the right route for you. Below are just some of the types of cycling vacations in Italy that we offer.
Our Italy cycling Vacations
Cilento and Amalfi Coast cycling vacation, Italy
Rocky ridges set between small picturesque inlets
From
US $1985 to US $2405
8 days
ex flights
Cycling tours in Italy, Dolomites, Lake Garda & Venice
One of Europe's unique mountain landscapes
From
US $1855 to US $1935
8 days
ex flights
Matera to Puglia cycle in Italy
Nestled between the Adriatic and Ionian seas
From
US $1785 to US $1935
8 days
ex flights
Dolomites winter activity vacation in Italy
Ride across the boot of Italy
From
US $2405 to US $2605
8 days
ex flights
Sicily cycling vacation in Italy
Ride through Sicily's UNESCO sites of Siracusa, Noto, Modica and Ragusa
From
US $1825 to US $2015
8 days
ex flights
Italy biking and food vacation, Abruzzo
Experience the ultimate gourmet and cycling adventure
From
€985
6 days
ex flights
Cycling vacation in Umbria, Italy
The peace of Tuscany & Umbria by bicycle
From
US $1549
8 days
ex flights
Tuscany biking vacation through Siena & Chianti, Italy
Cycle the most evocative and romantic landscapes
From
US $1785 to US $1825
8 days
ex flights
Italy cycling vacation, Venice & Veneto
Wonderfully easy cycling route exploring the pretty villages
From
£1349 to £1479
9 days
inc UK flights
Italy cycling vacation, Matera to Lecce
Discover the jewels of Southern Italy from Matera to Lecce
From
€690 to €1660
8 days
ex flights
Alpine Cols of the Tour de France
Spectacular cycling route through the Italian and French Alps
From
US $1675 to US $1705
8 days
ex flights
Puglia cycling tour
Reasonable easy cycling. Excellent bikes. Good weather.
From
£1609 to £1739
8 days
inc UK flights
Sardinia cycling vacation in Italy
Cycle past abandoned mines and gleaming white beaches
From
US $1985 to US $2245
8 days
ex flights
Cycling vacation in the Prosecco Hills, Italy
A great variety of scenic roads and picturesque rolling hills
From
US $1785 to US $1935
8 days
ex flights
Italy biking vacation, Piedmont region
Cycle at a slow pace in the birthplace of slow food
From
€685
7 days
ex flights
Trieste to Pula cycling tour, self guided
From Trieste to Pula wonderful bike expercience
From
€590 to €760
8 days
ex flights
Self guided Puglia biking vacation
Cycle the heel of Italy in the sun drenched region of Puglia
From
US $1640 to US $1700
1 days
ex flights
Umbria self guided biking vacation, Italy
Easy cycling across ancient towns and vineyards
From
€690 to €950
7 days
ex flights
Dolomites cycling vacation in Italy
The Dolomites, while avoiding the need to ride up any long climbs
From
US $1785 to US $1935
8 days
ex flights
Pisa to Florence biking vacation, Italy
The highlights of beautiful Tuscany by bike
From
US $1160 to US $1330
8 days
ex flights
Florence to Pisa cycling vacation,
Fall in love with provincial Italy on this cycling adventure
From
US $1965 to US $2160
8 days
ex flights
Biking vacation in Italy and Switzerland
Cycling with the spectacular scenery of the Italian Lakes
From
US $2405 to US $2555
8 days
ex flights
Easy cycling
Easy cycling
Packing a Pecorino picnic in your panniers is what makes pedalling in Italy an absolute pleasure. Our easy, introductory cycling vacations will take you over smooth tarmac roads with just a few undulations to ensure you get to enjoy views from the top of a hillside, but without getting too out of puff. Puglia is particularly easygoing, as are some sections of Tuscany, Umbria and even the Dolomites, especially around the lakes. Be honest with yourself: if you’re looking for lazy lunches, afternoons by the beach, or lay-ins after vineyard afternoons - choose an introductory itinerary with distances and gradients to suit.
Moderate cycling
Moderate cycling
There are plenty of cycling vacations in Italy that require a moderate level of fitness. Be honest about what you can cope with and don’t opt for a trip with long daily distances (50km) or Tyrolean mountain ascents unless you’re willing and fit enough to push muscles and mind that little bit more strenuously. Moderate cycling tours in Italy are for those who like a challenge, but don’t want to go too far over the top. The route from the South Tyrolean town of Bolzano to the canals of Venice, for instance, includes several challenging climbs around the Berici Hills as well as flat routes along the Bacchiglione River en route to Padova. Just make sure you’re ready for a bit more than a pootle through the park.
Challenging cycling
Challenging cycling
Lombardy, in particular, has lots of lovely ups and downs with iconic climbs on Monte Baldo and Monte Grappa just as challenging as the not so well known ascents over the hillsides of Padova and Vicenza. A challenging cycling tour in Italy is for those who want to tackle the Madonna del Ghisallo and the Muro di Sormano - where metres above sea level are marked on the road and the sweat of contestants in the Giro di Lombardia has been burned into the tarmac.
Our top Italy cycling Vacation
Cilento and Amalfi Coast cycling vacation, Italy
Rocky ridges set between small picturesque inlets
From
US $1985 to US $2405
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 30 Mar, 20 Apr, 4 May, 11 May, 18 May, 25 May, 8 Jun, 22 Jun, 20 Jul, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 12 Oct, 19 Oct
2019: 30 Mar, 20 Apr, 4 May, 11 May, 18 May, 25 May, 8 Jun, 22 Jun, 20 Jul, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 12 Oct, 19 Oct
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about Italy cycling or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
Point to point or centre
Point to point or centre based
Our cycling vacations in Italy can either be undertaken as part of a small group or on a tailor made and self guided basis. Both options use locally owned accommodation, and the next day’s route will begin from the guesthouse front door or after a short road transfer to the trailhead.
Point to point cycling vacations involve cycling from one place to the next so you’ll be unpacking and packing, but getting to experience different places. Luggage will be transferred for you, so don’t worry about stuffing it all into your panniers. Popular point to point cycling routes include Cabras to Cagliari along the Costa Verde in Sardinia, and Cilento to Minori along the Amalfi Coast.
Point to point cycling vacations involve cycling from one place to the next so you’ll be unpacking and packing, but getting to experience different places. Luggage will be transferred for you, so don’t worry about stuffing it all into your panniers. Popular point to point cycling routes include Cabras to Cagliari along the Costa Verde in Sardinia, and Cilento to Minori along the Amalfi Coast.
Centre based cycling vacations in Italy allow you to settle into a hotel or guesthouse and undertake circular routes or trails close to your accommodation. These sorts of trips can be really relaxing and allow you to get comfortable in one place as well as having the chance to duck out of a day’s activities if you just fancy a rest by the pool. Villabassa and Lake Como in the Lombardy region make for great bases if you’ve got plans to cycle in the Dolomites. Surrounded by both flat lakeside trails and challenging climbs, these locations offer great adventures for any cyclist looking to get unpacked, get orientated and wake up in the same bed each morning.
History, culture & food
Historical, cultural & foodie cycling vacations
Southeast Sicily sings to cyclists seeking the ancient sites of Syracuse as well as Baroque beauty in the towns of Ragusa Ibla and Modica. Opt for a cycling tour in Tuscany and no end of walled hilltop towns and medieval heritage comes to the fore, with the undulating route from Pisa to Florence littered with cultural delights amongst swathes of sunflowers and crumbling farmsteads. Abruzzo offers a feast of locally caught and cooked culinary delights to complement easy going itineraries. Think: olive oil tasting, Chieti wine paths and hearty homemade evening meals. Any cycling tour in Italy will place you in close proximity to no end of vintage villages, verdant vineyards and world famous towns; it’s up to you to decide how much time to spend in the saddle, and how much strolling over cobbled piazzas and tucking into tasty treats
Electric?
Are friends electric?
Lots of our small group and tailor made cycling vacations in Italy allow you to hire an electric bike in place of a regular push bike. If you’ve never tried an electric bicycle before then do consider giving it a go. They are really easy to get the hang of, and take a fair amount of effort out of an uphill climb. It’s a bit like getting an extra push. You still use your leg muscles but you also get to enjoy the scenery and not feel too out of puff at the end, when you’re enjoying a coffee and cornetti at a cafe. For more details, see our electric bikes travel guide.
More about Italy cycling
The best time to go on a cycling vacation in Italy is May or September although the further south you cycle the longer the season extends.
Cycling and Italy have been linked long before Signore Wiggo took to his trike and if you’re looking to find out more then read our Italy cycling vacations travel guide and really put your pedals through their paces.
If you’ve always fancied a cycling vacation in Italy but didn’t know where to start then don’t panic! Our Italy cycling vacations map and highlights page has destination and bike route information from the lagoons of Venice to the glittering Amalfi Coast.
Although Italy’s Amalfi Coast has long been a haven for glitz and glamour, it’s also provided cyclists with some of the world’s most scenic coastal rides.
Cycling in Puglia has a lot to recommend it: the heel of Italy’s boot is flat, as well as dry and sunny.
Find out what our Italian cycling experts have to say about where to ride, what to pack and why preparation is the key to successful cycling vacations, in our Italy cycling advice.
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: ickick] [Intro: Matt Watkins]
[Easy cycling: Michela Simoncini]
[Moderate cycling: Winniepix]
[Challenging cycling: Sjaak Kempe]
[Point to point or centre based 1: John Spooner]
[Point to point or centre based 2: Michael Costa]
[Historical, cultural & foodie : .sighele]
[Are friends electric?: Ciclismo Italia]
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