The best bike tours in Europe
Discover spectacular cycle routes to suit your vacation—no matter where in Europe you want to go.
10 min read
If you love a vacation that combines active exercise with a cultural deep-dive, then bike tours might just be the thing for you. There’s a perfect bicycling trip out there for everybody, whether you’re a beginner or a bicycling pro. Traveling Europe on two wheels lets you discover new landscapes and experience local history and culinary specialties in a whole new way. Here are our top recommendations for bike tours in Europe, plus preparation tips for your trip.The beauty of starting a bike tour in your home country is that you don’t have to take a flight and you can decide how far you want to ride. Along the Elbe bicycle route, for instance, you can ride specific sections of the route, such as Magdeburg to Hamburg or Dresden to Prague. This makes planning easier and is perfect for those with less experience or a smaller budget for their summer vacation. Let’s take a look at a few of our favorite bike tours in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.There are few things to plan before getting onto your bike. Choosing a destination can actually be one of the biggest challenges. That’s why we’ve put together a list of our recommendations for the best countries and routes for your bicycling vacation.When it comes to planning a successful bike tour, planning and preparation are crucial. The questions below should help you get ready for your trip:The first thing you should think about is whether you prefer to go on a guided tour or go solo. Individual tours let you set your own pace and take your time to do some sightseeing. It will just be you, and you should be comfortable discovering new places on your own. Guided tours, on the other hand, are better if you want to be in a group and have a local tour guide. You’ll have a little less flexibility, but you’ll be able to socialize more easily. The choice of renting a bike or bringing your own depends on various factors such as logistics, costs, and personal preferences. Many guided tours include bike rental in the package.If you want to take your bike with you on a flight, you need a specially sized box or bag. There are also certain providers, such as Pamyra, who can organize transportation for you for a fee. If you prefer to save yourself the transportation expense and rent a bike, do some research on local providers to compare prices and availability. The next step is to organize the basic equipment for your bike tour. This checklist will see you safely on your way:It’s time to swap the screens for fresh air and nature! A bicycling vacation is a great way to get your kids outside and to spend time together as a family. Vacations abroad also give even young kids a taste of foreign languages, cuisine, and cultures.If you’re planning your first family bicycling vacation, make sure to choose easy terrain and shorter routes. Don’t forget to give yourself plenty of time for breaks and a variety of different stops. If you want a challenge but other members of your family don’t, you can organize e-bikes for those who are less enthusiastic about cycling. That way, you can all tackle those trickier routes together.And don’t forget about travel insurance. Having the right travel health insurance will take a lot of the potential stress out of a family vacation.Group bicycling vacations are great for getting together with your friends or meeting new people who share your interests. There’s something for everyone, too: Tours are offered all over Europe, so you can get to know your companions better over regional delicacies and a glass of wine after a day’s ride.There are various websites that let you enter specific information and destinations to find the right trip options for you. We recommend the route planner Komoot, which also has an app for when you’re out on the road.It’s always worth having bike insurance in Europe if you’re using your own bike. It’s frustrating enough if your bike gets stolen, damaged, or lost. But if you’re left covering the costs, then it can really ruin your perfect bicycling vacation. Not sure where to get bike insurance? N26 Insurance lets you protect what’s important to you. Simply open the N26 app, go to the Explore tab, and choose the insurance that’s right for you.References:(1) https://www.dutch-biketours.com/cycling-holiday-bruges-amsterdam(2) https://www.cycle-sos.co.uk/10-most-beautiful-cycle-routes-in-europe/(3) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/articles/italy-cycling-the-via-francigena/(4) https://www.thegonegoat.com/inspiration-and-tips/travel-bicycle-start-bike-touringWe understand that your bank account is more than just a place to keep your money. With N26, you’ll benefit from smart features like Statistics and MoneyBeam—and get access to on-demand coverage in seconds with N26 Insurance. Simply open your app and choose the policies that suit you best. Setting out on your next adventure? Stay protected with travel, pandemic, and mobile phone insurance with N26 Metal. Ready to experience next level banking? Compare plans today to find the account that suits you best.
The best destinations for bike tours in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
- Germany: Berlin to Copenhagen
- Germany: Munich to Lake Garda
- Austria: Vienna to Budapest
- Austria: Graz to Maribor
- Switzerland: Andermatt to Konstanz
Germany: Berlin to Copenhagen
- Duration: 9 days
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: The Berlin Wall Trail and the ferry crossing to Denmark
Germany: Munich to Lake Garda
- Duration: 8 days
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Highlights: Ötzi the Iceman at the South Tyrol Museum of Archeology in Bolzano and Buonconsiglio Castle in Trento
Austria: Vienna to Budapest
- Duration: 7–8 days
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Highlights: Žitný ostrov, the Roman fort Celamantia and Esztergom Basilica
Austria: Graz to Maribor
- Duration: 3–5 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Steirisches Vulkanland and Ptuj, the oldest city in Slovenia
Switzerland: Andermatt to Konstanz
- Duration: 5–6 days
- Difficulty: Very challenging
- Highlights: Chur Old Town and the Rhine Delta
The best destinations for bike tours in Europe
- Croatia: Split to Dubrovnik
- France: Champagne
- Belgium: Bruges to Amsterdam
- Italy: Pisa to Rome
- Greece: Athens and the Peloponnese
Croatia: Split to Dubrovnik
- Duration: 7–8 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: The islands of Hvar and Korčula
France: Champagne
- Duration: 6 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Routes along the Marne River and the Moët & Chandon wine cellars
Belgium: Bruges to Amsterdam
- Duration: 5–6 days
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: Kinderdijk with its 19 majestic windmills
Italy: Pisa to Rome
- Duration: 7–9 days
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Highlights: The Via Francigena and the medieval city of Montalcino
Greece: Athens and the Peloponnese
- Duration: 7–8 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Poros and the Aegean Sea
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Discover sub-accountsHow to plan a bike tour in Europe
Do I want to do a guided bike tour or an individual one?
Will I be taking my own bike or will I rent one?
What should I bring on a bike tour?
- Bicycle luggage rack
- Handlebar bag
- Rain protection
- Front and rear lights
- Reflective vest
- Bicycle lock
- Bicycle repair kit
- Bicycle bags, including refillable water bottles
How to plan a bicycling vacation with the family
How to plan a bicycling vacation in a group
Do I need insurance for a bicycling vacation?
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- How do I plan a bike tour overseas?
- How do I plan a day bike trip?
- How far should I cycle daily on a bike tour?
- How should I train for a cycling holiday?
- How can N26 help me prepare for my bike tour?
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