Cycling holidays in Italy: 10 unmissable bike tours

The extraordinary variety of landscapes offers the opportunity to spend cycling holidays in Italy exploring so many unique and magical scenarios.

From a ride immersed in the historical attractions near the heart of Rome to the enchanting landscapes of the Gulf of Naples, to the Trulli of the Itria Valley and the wild nature of the woods of Umbria. From the historic center of Florence to the ecosystem of the plain in Emilia, before reaching the Piedmontese hills, the Lombard lakes and the bike paths that run across the alpine valleys of Trentino and Friuli.

The Italian territory offers outstanding emotions and an infinite number of routes for bike lovers. Discover with us the characteristics of these 10 unmissable itineraries, traveling through the beautiful scenery of our Country.

Spend cycling holidays in Italy riding in an open-air museum, a short distance from the historic center of the magical Eternal City: our journey through the cycling routes in Italy starts right from the Capital, in particular from the Appia Antica Regional Park.

Cycling is the best way to explore its paths and discover its history and nature. Starting from the main information point of the Park, the Service Center managed by EcoBike, you can retrieve a map and rent a city bike, an e-bike or a mountain bike to visit independently archaeological attractions such as the Circus and the Villa of Maxentius, and to immerse yourself in the local biodiversity surrounded by a scenario of peace and relaxation. 

If you want to know more about the monuments of the Park, you can also decide to participate in one of the various guided tours, to ride in the company of a guide and discover every secret of the thousand-year history of this picturesque and fascinating corner of Rome. 

The Regional Park of Appia Antica will make you discover an experience in balance between nature and culture, in an authentic atmosphere and far from mass tourism, to enjoy one of the most beautiful city routes by bike.

Experience Rome with the Visit Rome Pass❯

Admiring the wonderful landscape of the Gulf of Naples is always an experience not to be missed. Even more so when you can appreciate it thanks to a guided bike tour that will allow you to totally immerse yourself in this panorama of enchanting beauty.

The route winds along the Gulf coast, starting from Lungomare Caracciolo and passing through Posillipo, the Parco Virgiliano and the mythological Lake Averno, that according to ancient legends was the entrance to the kingdom of Pluto, god of the Underworld. 

The journey continues passing by Bacoli, Lake Miseno and Mount Procida, finally ending in Torregaveta. It is a quite challenging cycling itinerary: 7 hours total and several ups and downs, especially in the final part. But the scenery pays for the effort, and those who choose to ride an e-bike can enjoy it all the way. 

The presence of a guide is perfect to discover stories and curiosities of this beautiful territory, dotted with ancient temples and amphitheaters and surrounded by wild nature.

https://www.naplespass.eu/❯

Exploring central Apulia by bike is an experience that will make you feel in a world outside of time and space. 

The itinerary starts from Locorotondo and reaches Alberobello, following quiet roads that cross the Itria Valley and pass next to the famous Trulli (the Itria Valley is also called Valle dei Trulli), the traditional conical stone constructions that characterize this region.

Traveling by bike through the cattle tracks and olive groves will give you unique sensations, and when you ride next to a Trullo you can feel its charm and its aura of tradition and mystery. 

From Alberobello the route, well marked by signs indicating the cycling routes in the area, develops in a ring returning to Locorotondo. The 25 km total follow gentle ups and downs and are quite easy to ride, making you free to appreciate the strength and energy that this beautiful corner of Puglia offers to visitors.

In a region where you can experience hundreds of cycling routes, there’s one in particular that represents the authentic and little-known Umbria.

You can start from the walls of Corciano, a charming medieval village that rises 408 meters above sea level, among castles and wooded areas that will leave you breathless in an easy path suitable for everyone.

From the walls you can see the ancient and imposing castle of Pieve del Vescovo. After cycling through fields and farmhouses, you arrive at the magnificent view of the Villa del Colle del Cardinale, before coming back to Corciano with a long ride through the town of Canneto and after taking a look at the enchanting Monte Amiata.

In the center of Corciano you can admire the tower of Porta S. Maria, Piazza Coragino with a beautiful 16th century well, the Town Hall, the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo and the Palazzo dei Priori, the parish church of S. Maria Assunta (where it’s preserved the painting of the Assumption by Perugino, dating back to 1513) and the Gonfalone by Benedetto Bonfigli painted in 1472.

Around Corciano is also worth a visit the Castle of Pieve del Vescovo, a fortified building with a quadrangular plan with an internal courtyard and four corner towers, as well as the fortified castles of San Mariano, Solomeo, Chiugiana, Mantignana, Chiugiana and Capocavallo, all a few kilometers from each other, which still retain their ancient appearance.

The bike is perfect for exploring an extraordinary art city like Florence in a relaxing and ecological way.

But if you want to try a truly unique experience, join a night bike tour of the city, to discover the wonders of the historic center away from the crowds and savoring in a different and extraordinary way the most famous monuments.

The itinerary starts in Via de' Neri, a short distance from the Uffizi Gallery, and continues along the characteristic streets of the center, passing the river Arno and reaching the terrace of Piazza Michelangelo. From here you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the illuminated city, in a special atmosphere and cradled by the gentle evening breeze.

An easy route to cycle by e-bike, perfect for those who love art cities and for those who want to discover Florence from a new, fascinating and unmissable perspective.

Discover Florence and experience it in an authentic way❯

Emilia Romagna is one of the most suitable regions to accommodate cycling lovers. Among the hundreds of proposals, including for example the famous bike path of Rimini, our itinerary develops in a fairly atypical territory.
In fact it starts from Bologna, from where through the Navile Canal you can reach in little more than 50 km the Oasis La Rizza, a former rice field redeveloped in order to recreate the typical aquatic environments of the plain. An ecosystem where multiple species of wild birds liver together: from the kingfisher to the grey heron, from the mallard to the majestic white stork.
The Navile Canal is the main evidence of the artificial water system that has crossed Bologna for centuries. Along the very picturesque route you can see the old locks called "Sostegni", used in the past to make the canal navigable. The lock of Battiferro, according to some, is attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. In addition, water was used as a source of energy for the operation of numerous mills, move people and goods and irrigate the land. 
At the 'Sostegno' of Castelmaggiore you leave the left bank of the Navile and continue on secondary roads to S. Marino up to Bentivoglio, where you will find a magnificent historical complex and its castle, the hunting and leisure residence of Giovanni II di Bentivoglio. Continue on the right bank of the Navile to reach La Rizza Nature Oasis, where after centuries the beautiful white stork has returned to nest.
On the way back, you pass through Castagnolo, Funo di Argelato and Trebbo di Reno, to conclude a route perfect to admire by bike and which offers wonderful glimpses of nature and history.

Piedmont is a land of cycling. Road cycling can be practiced with great fun almost all over the region.

Cycling slowly along the paths, the streams and in the green valleys, surrounded by the thousand rustles and colors of a land pulsating with life and intoxicated by the scents of a rare flora, will be a pleasure that will remain in your memory for a long time. Of course, when you cycle between the Langhe and the Roero, forget the plain: it’s either uphill or downhill! 

A very advantageous aspect of the territory around the beautiful city of Alba is the low traffic that, together with an asphalt surface generally in excellent condition, offers the possibility of looking around and particularly appreciate certain routes and unique views. 

Among the nature, food and wine trails that can be covered by mountain bike in the Langhe, we point out:

- On the roads of Barolo with Rossi, La Morra, Alba

- On the borders of the Alta Langa with Sinio and Montelupo

- Along the river Tanaro, towards the lands of Barbaresco with Alba, Altavilla and Barbaresco

While cycling along these roads, you can admire how nature, food and wine are in perfect symbiosis, offering you unique and exciting experiences. The itineraries are really very interesting, even if they are more suitable for cycling experts than for beginners, who can still appreciate this extraordinary territory, obviously using an e-bike!

Do not miss one of the most beautiful cycling routes in Italy: "Garda by Bike", a 140 km long bike path around Lake Garda.  

This path has breathtaking views of Lake Garda: an exclusive trail that runs along the lake and offers the opportunity to admire a unique panorama.

It partially runs parallel to the main road, but in the tunnels area it continues at different points and for several kilometers, when there are tunnels, the track instead continues overhanging the lake.

The cycle path is wide and suitable for families, without steep climbs and with clearly marked bridges. The route with a wooden traffic island is suitable for all types of bicycle. In addition to cyclists, pedestrians will also enjoy the beautiful landscape and elegant architecture, for an itinerary that can not help but impress anyone who has the opportunity to explore it.

Live authentic experiences on the beautiful Lake Garda❯

An itinerary that starts from the hamlet of Mostizzolo, in the municipality of Cis, and goes into a beautiful valley surrounded by high Alpine ranges, going up the course of the Noce stream for about 34 km until the hamlet of Peio, in the upper valley.

Despite the conformation of the territory, the route is not particularly challenging: obviously you go over 1000 meters, but in a rather sweet way, with a few climbs in the final part. Those who are not particularly trained can use an e-bike, or opt for the reverse path, going down to the valley quickly and easily.

Along the way there are several refreshment points, perfect for short stops that will allow you to relax, recover energy and immerse yourself in this fantastic mountain scenery. 

In addition to the natural beauty, you can also stop to admire historical places such as Castel Caldes or the Rocca di Samoclevo; or you can discover the secrets of local culture at the Museo della Civiltà Soliandra in Malè.

The Ciclovia Alpe Adria is a fascinating itinerary that crosses the most suggestive places of Friuli.

It’s part of a cross-border cooperation project for the development of sustainable mobility and it develops from the common will of the three participating regions (Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Land Salzburg and Land Carinthia) to identify a cross-border cycling route that connects Salzburg with Villach, Udine, Aquileia and Grado, crossing the physical border of the Alps and creating a direct link between the central European cycling network and the Adriatic Sea. 

The route in Friuli can be completed in a week, starting from Coccau to reach Grado after 175 km. You travel over bridges, mountains and hills in the extraordinary nature of Friuli Venezia Giulia. You can stop in small towns like Venzone or Gemona to taste typical products and enjoy a moment of relaxation in the small villages.

Udine is also a beautiful city with wonderful monuments to visit, such as the Castle and the Cathedral, the Palazzo Patriarcale and the Museo Diocesano, not to mention the Parco del Cormor, a very special botanical park.

Other possible stops along the route are the Strassoldo Castle and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Aquileia and Palmanova, before reaching the sea of the beautiful Grado and thus complete our itineraries for cycling holidays in Italy.