Posted on Tuesday, 12 April 2022

With beautiful scenery, an emphasis on road safety and some of the best-maintained bike routes in the world, Europe has long been a favourite among cyclists.

But if you're planning a pedalling sabbatical soon, which country should you choose for your European cycling holiday?

In this article we'll examine European destinations with exceptional reputations for two-wheeled getaways.

Cycling holidays in Girona, Spain

It's little wonder so many professional cyclists live in Girona: it almost seems built for peddlers. Girona's wide range of cycling routes are easily accessible, with quieter Catalonian roads making for a low-stress cycle trip.

Its proximity to the challenging cycle routes of the Pyrenees also add to its allure. No wonder Lance Armstrong and many other pedalling pros made it their home!

The city itself also boasts numerous great restaurants and a laid-back cafe culture.

For pedestrian excursions the city is a delight to explore, with narrow winding alleys and one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in the world.

Cycling holidays in Mallorca, Spain

Over the last few decades Mallorca has gone from strength to strength, developing an offer that delights regular tourists and a number of more specific demographics - particularly cyclists.

Illustrating Mallorca's prominence in the cycling community, Team Sky (now Team Ineos) and Movistar now use the destination for their regular training camps.

Despite there being no UCI WorldTour stages held on the island, Mallorca is hugely popular among cyclists, a situation no doubt helped by the fact it has 300 days of sunshine a year. It has also a great mix of terrain, with the Tramuntana mountain range to the west and plenty of level roads in the south and east.

The moderately steep Sa Calobra and Puig Major offer challenging climbs for the cycling enthusiasts - which can get busy in summer.

 

Cycling holidays in Austria

Cyclists really began to notice Austria as a biking destination during the Innsbruck Road World Championships in 2018.

Breathtaking views together with changing gradients have made Austria an all-round winner for a cycling getaway.

The west offers more mountains, while the east presents flatter terrain and warmer temperatures.

If you're looking to arrange a cycling holiday in Austria, visit between June and September to avoid roads being closed due to snow.

Cycling holidays in the Algarve, Portugal

With sunny weather, diverse terrain and low-traffic roads, the Algarve is understandably popular among cyclists.

With WorldTour and Proteam both using the region as training camps, its reputation is growing by the year.

Located on the Atlantic, the Algarve has a pleasantly warm climate year-round, although summers can get rather hot. In July and August, ‘early-riser’ riders will find temperatures of 20C+ at sun-up - which is perhaps one of the area’s few downsides for cyclists looking for the ideal destination for a cycling holiday. Visits in spring or autumn are probably better for cycle trips - and traffic is reduced in these shoulder seasons.

High profile climbs include the Foia climb in the Serra de Monchique. The region often plays host to a stage of the Volta ao Algarve each year.

Cycling holidays in Bormio, Italy

If you fancy some big climbs on your cycling holiday, Bormio could be for you - after all, it's a popular ski resort in winter months. But in spring and summer, the place is hugely popular among riders.

It is also close to the border with Switzerland, so it's straightforward to nip over and enjoy those smooth Swiss roads (although for a longer trip it will be considerably pricier than Italy!).

The stunning Passo dello Stelvio is one of the highlights - 21.5km long with five tunnels and a zenith of 1,541m.

 

Cycling holidays in Nice, France

Way back in 1906 the Tour de France visited Nice in the Côte d’Azur, so the city has a serious form in the world of cycling.

Highlights for cyclists on a cycling holiday to Nice, include a fabulous coastal route from Nice's port to Antibes, and some challenging climbs in the Parc Naturel Régional des Préalpes d’Azur - with the 19km ascent of the Col de Vence being best known.

Head towards Monaco for gentler, undulating terrain - perhaps stopping off in the picturesque seaside town of Menton.

Cycling holidays in the French Alps

While the French Alps have always held great appeal to cyclists, the area has enjoyed even more popularity in recent years thanks to the Tour de France and a general rise in the sport's popularity. Riders are willing to spend more on top-end frames - and more willing to punish themselves on the Alps' demanding routes.

And the authorities are working hard to make the area even more appealing to cyclists, with the ‘Via 3 Vallées’ project which intends to link three large ski resorts with cycle routes: Courchevel, Méribel and Val Thorens.

Right now you can ride on a new 6km road from Courchevel (2,000m) across the Col de la Loze. There's also a fantastic 7.5km 'cyclist only' route near Meribel.

Cycling holidays in Slovenia

As part of its reputation for excellence in the realm of sustainability, Slovenia has really embraced cycling.

Whether for work or play, you'll find Slovenians pedalling around, nationwide.

This heavy focus on cycling has helped develop some top names in the sport, including Tadej Pogačar and Primož Roglič.

Summer time cycling trips offer dedicated cycle paths and delectable scenery such as Lake Bled - famed for its blue-green lagoons and quaint castles. For more challenging gradients the Julain Alps is sure to delight.

Cycling holidays in Cyprus

The sun-drenched island-state of Cyprus has been encouraging its citizens to take to two-wheels for some time - and the cycling culture has blossomed as a result.

An exciting range of terrains await cyclists embarking on a cycling holiday to Cyprus, with undulating routes in the south and flatter zones to the east. Climb-enthusiasts can get their teeth into the testing Troodos mountain range.

Along with 326 days of sunshine per year, there’s also very little wind to inhibit your progress, making Cyprus the ideal destination for a cycling holiday.

Bike rental shops are located everywhere from Larnaca to Paphos - but there's much else to enjoy besides cycling. Superb archaeological sites such as the ancient city of Salamis, fantastic beaches, and excellent, low-cost restaurants are among the many other highlights of Cyprus.

 

Cycling holidays in Costa Almeria

Located on Spain's southern coast between the more touristy regions of the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol, the Costa Almeria enjoys its own microclimate of 16-22 degrees in winter - making it a year-round destination for holidays - including the cycling variety!

Hemmed in by the Sierra Filabres mountain range and located by the sea near Parque Natural del Cabo de Gata-Níjar, the region boasts an excellent choice of terrain, along with a variety of hotels, shops and restaurants.

Climbers on a cycling holiday in Costa Almeria, will love the Sierra Bedar and the Puerto de la Virgen (popular among some pros), not to mention the 30km-ascent to the observatories of Calar Alto.

Many spaghetti westerns were filmed in the area - so it's a must for Clint Eastwood fans. Indeed, you'll be able to see the kind of wild, sparsely-populated scenes that filled those magical movies as you cycle around.

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