Cycling in Italy

Italy is an ideal destination for a cycling holiday, with beautiful and varied scenery. From the alpine meadows of the Dolomites and dramatic Cilento and Amalfi coastline to the Mediterranean islands of Sicily and Sardinia, there's plenty to explore by bike. And of course there's delicious food and drink to be tasted in between the cycling!

On a small group tour you'll be led by a local tour leader and travel with an average group of 12 like-minded cyclists. Read on to find out more about the cycling trips we offer in Italy. 

Puglia
A popular area for cycling, Puglia sits in the 'heel' of Italy. The unspoiled rolling landscapes are fairly flat, allowing for relatively easy riding. On a cycling tour in Puglia you'll ride through quaint whitewashed towns with traditional and unique Trulli houses and olive groves with gnarly twisted trees. The area also features two UNESCO towns - Matera and Alberobello. Matera's Sassi area is famous for its unique cave dwellings, one of Europe's oldest inhabited towns, carved into the rocky outcrop that the town sits on.

Dolomites
Located in the north of Italy, the dramatic, glaciated valleys and alpine pastures feature flat and downhill 'Easy' grade cycle paths, with spectacular views of the mountains. At the foot of these valley systems lie a number of crystal clear lakes, the most famous of which is Lake Garda.

Sicily
Italy's largest Mediterranean island, Sicily has plenty to explore by bike. Home to highlights including fascinating ancient Greek ruins and Sicilian Baroque architecture, it also has hidden gems to discover by bike such as nature reserves, salt flats and wild beaches. And of course there is the imposing Mount Etna which we cycle around on our Cycle Sicily small group tour. 

We've answered the most commonly asked questions about our cycling holidays in Italy:

When is the best time to go on a cycling tour in Italy?
The best time to visit Italy for a cycling trip is in spring - April, May and June are good months as they are dry and pleasantly warm, the wildflowers are in bloom and it isn't too hot. Otherwise September, October or November are similar in conditions, except there can be a few rain showers at this time and the autumnal colours start to appear. 

How difficult is cycling in Italy?
This depends on the trip you choose but all of our Italy cycling tours are graded Easy, Easy to Moderate or Moderate - there is something for everyone. You can expect mostly flat and traffic-free cycling paths on our Easy grade trips, and quiet back roads with ascents and descents on the Moderate grade trips. For a breakdown of the distances and total accumulated metres ascent you'll ride each day, go to the 'Cycling information' section of the trip page.

What's the accommodation like?
All of our cycling trips in Italy use Comfortable accommodation - usually small, locally-owned hotels with en-suite rooms. We do our very best to source local hotels in the most convenient locations. Whether it's a hotel in the centre of a white-washed town next to restaurants and bakeries or a small agriturismo tucked away in a more remote location with stunning views, we'll find the best one to fit the itinerary and to show you the best of the area.

What will I eat on a cycling trip in Italy?
Italy is of course a fantastic destination for foodies, with delicious cuisine that goes far beyond pizza and pasta. And as well as the classic dishes that everyone knows, your tour leader (on small group trips) will be able to recommend restaurants where you can sample the food and drink that's local to that particular area of Italy that's less well-known. On our cycle trips in Italy we always try to include local food and drink experiences like wine tastings, cheese sampling and bakery visits. 

The number of meals included with the tour varies depending on the trip - check the trip page to find out.

Are Explore cycling tours in Italy suitable for solo travellers?
Yes, definitely. Most of our group cycling trips are perfect for solo travellers, as you'll be in a small group with other like-minded people. Your tour leader will also be with you to guide you when cycling, give information and tips and make sure everything runs smoothly and safely.