Whether you fancy tackling the challenging climbs of the Yorkshire Dales, taking on the French Alps or Dolomites or sampling the cycling life in Austria or Slovenia, this article will point you in the direction of the best British, French, Austrian, Slovenian, Romanian and Italian cycling holidays for summer.
While we love Mallorca, there is so much more to summer breaks on two wheels than that well-cycled island. How about cycling holidays in Austria, UK family cycling holidays or cycling holidays in Italy, for example?
From cycling in Mallorca in May to touring Romania’s hidden delights during August, there’s no better option during summer than a European cycling holiday, when the weather is at its finest.
If you fancy a spot of summer cycling during May, June, July and August, then this guide will help you find the ideal bike holiday destination to suit your cycling style, budget, preferences and timescale.
Best for staycationing cyclists
If you like challenging climbs, wild weather and getting off the beaten track, then Yorkshire could well be the best cycling destination to head for during summer. The mildest climate conditions can be expected at this time of year, and opting for this cycling holiday in the UK means you won’t even have to take your bike out of the country.
Yorkshire is at the forefront of the British cycling scene due to the events the north-eastern region hosts. Cyclists have flocked here each year for the Tour of Yorkshire and the Etape du Dales, both held during May, as well as international events.
So which parts of Yorkshire make for the best cycling breaks? Highlights for those traversing the area’s roads on two wheels include the Strines in the south, the eastern Yorkshire Wolds and Calderdale in the west, while many of Yorkshire’s the steepest hills are located in the Yorkshire Dales.
May, June, July and August are the months to visit, as the weather is more likely to be kind (although this is of course far from guaranteed)! Whether in blazing sunshine or drizzly rain, this landscape of dry stone walls, old cottages, desolate moors and rolling green hills offers some of the best cycling holidays in the UK.
For more guidance on the best cycling routes, where to find breathtaking climbs, where to hire bikes and our recommended cycling hotels, check out our complete guide to cycling in the Yorkshire Dales.
Best for ticking off Tour de France climbs
Take a short hop across the English channel and you can experience all that French cycling holidays have to offer. Completing epic climbs here is incredibly rewarding, and the summer weather is pleasant but not too hot thanks to the elevation.
Cycling holidays in France are understandably popular – not least because of the world-famous Tour de France. So of course you’ll find some of the best cycling routes in Europe here. If you love the thrill of a tough climb followed by an electrifying descent, then you have to experience a road cycling holiday here at least once.
The best cycling climbs are found throughout the north, south and central French Alps, so you can choose between skirting close to the shores of Lake Geneva, tackling the fabled Alpe d’Huez or sweeping along the roads of the Cote d’Azur and more.
If tackling 2,000 metre peaks sounds like a challenge you’re ready to take on, then France offers some of the finest cycling holidays in Europe. Add to that soaring Alpine peaks, glittering lakes and native wildlife, and you have the recipe for the cycling weekend or longer holiday of a lifetime.
You can find out more about what France has to offer the keen road cyclist in our helpful articles on Alpine cycling, the Alpe d’Huez or Col de L’Iseran regions and La Marmotte Granfondo route.
Best for mountain goats
If you’re considering Italy, then considering a Dolomites cycling holiday is a no-brainer. Majestic peaks that tower over you no matter how high you climb, an impressive road cycling heritage and arduous ascents are just some of the reasons to visit.
This area of northern Italy forms part of the Italian Alps, and lies to the north of Venice and south of the Austrian border. There are plenty of peaks with formidable gradients to tackle here, all set among an unspoiled, natural landscape dotted here and there with grazing mountain goats. This incredible landscape makes it one of the best places to cycle on earth. Did we mention that it’s a UNESCO world heritage site?!
If you time your visit carefully, you may also get to experience the Dolomites Bike Day, the Sella Ronda Bike Day or the Maratona dles Dolomites. These are annual events held during mid or late June and July respectively – in one of the best cycling countries on the planet. At any time during summer, the best routes include the Sella Ronda, the Maratona loop and the Funes Valley area.
May or June are great months to visit the Dolomites if you can, as you’ll avoid the Italian school holidays held in July and August.
You can discover more about the Italian Dolomites region or the Maratona dles Dolomites course in our dedicated articles.
Best for varied terrain
If you’re keen on tackling a range of terrain during a cycle holiday, then an Austrian cycling holiday could be perfect for you.
In contrast to other mountain cycle holidays in Europe, Austria isn’t just about the steepest gradients. While there is an abundance of mountains to climb here, it’s also ideal for those seeking cycling holidays for beginners.
The 2018 Innsbruck World Championships plunged Austria into the road cycling spotlight, and what’s great is that you can access a range of cycling destinations within a relatively small country. There are lofty peaks in the west to rival Europe’s finest, and flatter terrain in the east that’s well suited to family cycling holidays.
Austria’s best-known cycling challenge is the Grossglockner climb, while the vast majority of locations lying to the east of Salzburg are a lot flatter. The tarmac here tends to be slick and well-maintained, and there’s a thriving cycling scene with plenty of bike shops.
Whether the vineyards of the Bucklige Welt area, the lakes around Salzburg, the flora and fauna of Bregenz Forest or classic Alpine scenery appeals most, this compact country offers Austria cycling holidays to suit everyone.
For the ultimate guide to cycling in Austria, take a look at our guide.
This article shares John Vincent’s cycling tour of the Salzkammergut region, east of Salzburg.
Best for eco tourism
If you like to tread – or wheel – gently over the earth’s surface, then Slovenia offers some of the best cycle routes in Europe for eco-conscious riders. This is a country well set-up for Europe cycling holidays, as it’s a pursuit actively encouraged by the government – as well as something of a hotbed for talented pro cyclists.
Another factor in favour of Slovenia is that there’s a good variety of terrain, and you can see a range of landscapes during Slovenia cycling holidays too. The Julian Alps also tick the challenging ascents box that’s so important to some riders.
Other cycling highlights of Slovenia include the undulating hills and flat terrain of the Alpine foothills, the eastern plains and vineyards, and the gravel tracks of Mediterranean Slovenia.
If it’s cycling family holidays you want and other aspects of Slovenia such as lush green valleys, clear blue lakes and the Mediterranean coastline appeal as much as the Alpine climbs, then cycling holidays in Slovenia could be the ideal choice.
Explore the basics of cycling in Slovenia in this guide and read more about the Julian Alps and Vipava Valley in our in-depth guides.
Best for hidden gem lovers
Another option for those looking beyond UK cycling holidays or the usual destinations is Romania. Some of the best cycling in Europe can be found here, and it’s a welcoming and very affordable place to spend time in (as long as you’re happy with the risk from bears and dogs).
Epic cycle rides found in Romania include the Transfagarasan Highway, an uncommonly switchback filled route. Those who make the climb on the northern side are rewarded with heart-stopping views from various parts of the uppermost sections. To the south, you can take on the challenging climb that commences from Vidraru Dam and passes the magnificent lake of the same name.
The TransAlpina Highway is Romania’s other hidden gem. Set out from Tau Bistra to experience a legendary ascent to a summit more than 2,000 metres above sea level. En route you can also encounter emerald forests, vast swathes of meadow and even enjoy authentic Romanian hospitality while taking a refreshment stop.
Other hot tips for those taking self-guided cycling holidays in Romania include the Drumul Vinului Race and the Sultanu climb. Due to more favourable weather conditions, summer is the best time to take these bike riding trips in Romania.
If you do go, just make sure you’re ready with the bear spray – it could come in useful for Romania’s notorious dogs too!
Find our cycling destination guide to Romania here.
There is so much more to summer bike rides in Europe than cycling holidays in Mallorca – though of course they are also one of the top options around!
Don’t forget to check out some of our other posts while you’re here, such as our pick of the best French Alps cycle tours, the top Italian cycling destinations and the finest routes in the UK and Ireland.
If you liked this guide or would like to share one of your own summer cycling secrets with us, please do let us know via the comments section below.
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Clare Dewey is a cyclist with a passion for travel. She set up epicroadrides.com in 2018 to help make it easy for cyclists to explore the world by bike. Today her mission is still inspiring cyclists to discover new places on two wheels – and doing what she can to make sure they have the best possible time while they’re there. Clare has visited 50+ destinations around the world, many of them by bike.
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Nine of the 10 of the world’s best cities for cyclists are in Europe, and they're not necessarily the ones you'd think of.
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Cycling lovers know how liberating it can feel to zip along a bike path, taking in the charm of a city without the downsides of crammed public transport or traffic jams.
And as governments worldwide try to cut carbon emissions, more and more cities are encouraging people to ditch cars and making it easier for them to hop on bikes instead.
But which are the most bike-friendly cities out there? They’re overwhelmingly in Europe, according to the latest Global Bicycle Cities Index.
Digital insurance company Luko looked at 90 cities around the world and ranked them based on six main parameters: the percentage of bicycle users, weather conditions, crime and safety (such as accidents and bike theft rates), infrastructure, bike-sharing opportunities and special events such as "no car days".
The final results are presented on a scale from 0 to 100, where the higher the score, the more bike-friendly the city.
European cities topped the list, mainly thanks to quality cycle paths and weather conditions that include a high number of "cyclable" days.
No city in the United States made it to the top 10, or even the top 20, but some did feature among the 90 on the list: San Francisco (ranked 39th), Portland (41), Seattle (50), Washington DC (53), Los Angeles (57), Boston (61 - interestingly one spot ahead of London), New York (67), Chicago (71), and Detroit (72).
Here’s a look at the top 10 best cities in the world for cyclists:
The German city in Lower Saxony has splendid parks, so what better way to go check them out than by bike? Hannover made it into the top tier of this year’s ranking thanks to its quality infrastructure and events promoting cycling, including "no car days".
Bremen is another popular city for bike lovers in Germany, with very flat terrain and cycle paths that criss-cross the city and connect it to other towns nearby. Bremen is also the first German city to be home to an entire "bicycle zone" in the Neustadt district – a neighbourhood with a speed limit of 30 km/h, where bicycles have priority, and where side-by-side cycling is allowed.
According to the index, the Swiss capital has invested a lot in quality cycling infrastructure, scores particularly high on bike sharing, and regularly organises "no car days". The city also has a very low fatality rate among cyclists.
Here’s an unexpected appearance in the top 10: the Chinese city of Hangzhou, the only non-European city in the top tier of the ranking, has 30 per cent of cyclists among its population and scores higher than most rivals when it comes to bike sharing.
The Swedish city of Malmö has an especially low fatality rate among cyclists, thanks to quality infrastructure and regular events promoting bike riding.
Perhaps you expected the Dutch capital to top this ranking, but its safety score may be what’s holding it back: Amsterdam is home to over 1,000 accidents per 100,000 cyclists. That’s nearly five times more than its closest rival, Copenhagen.
Not only is the Danish capital safer for cyclists, but it’s also safer for bikes thanks to a low theft rate and "no car days". The city is investing a lot in cycling infrastructure, and most residents who cycle continue to do so throughout the long and tough Danish winter.
The Belgian port city doesn’t score strongly on dedicated cycle paths, but a strong bike-sharing system and "car-free Sunday" events have made it indisputably friendly to cyclists.
The German city has a low rate of cycling fatalities, even though more than 39 per cent of residents use bikes on a daily basis. Munster also regularly hosts events promoting cycling.
Topping this year’s ranking is the Dutch city of Utrecht. The city boasts high scores for its cycling infrastructure and weather conditions, and more than half of its population (51 per cent) uses a bicycle in everyday life.
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The highest ranking of a UK city in the list is Bristol which ranked number 15 in the list with a score of 43.76, marked highly for low theft and good infrastructure. After that, the next British entry is Edinburgh, ranking 54 out of 90.
While France didn't make it into the top 10, two cities narrowly missed out with Strasbourg ranking 11 and Bordeaux 12.