Eight of the Best Short Break Cycling Holidays

From the sunny Algarve to the Netherlands’ tulip fields, these short cycling breaks are loved by the Freedom Treks team and customers alike. We understand the importance of making the most of a brief time away, so we’ve hand-picked short tours that combine fantastic scenery with cultural hotspots, all in just a few days.

For added convenience, these tours are all a short flight and transfer from the UK to maximise saddle time. Plus, with luggage transport included, you can pack light, ride fast, and make the most of every moment of your getaway.

These tours are all graded easy or easy-to-moderate, so they are perfect for a first cycling holiday. And after a condensed taste of all that cycling holidays can offer, you'll definitely be back for more.

Ready to ride? Speak to our friendly team for personal tips and advice on +44 (0)1273 224066 or contact us online.

It's no surprise that our Eastern Algarve Short Break Bike Tour is one of our most popular tours. After a short 20-minute private transfer from Faro Airport, you’ll cycle undulating, quiet roads through scenic coastal and inland countryside. Portugal’s Algarve region is ideal for a few days of cycling - exploring historical towns, castles, and sweeping valleys - all at your own pace!

Along the easy-to-moderate route, you’ll experience all that the Eastern Algarve coast has to offer. After cycling to the beautiful town of Tavira, you’ll pedal towards the border towns of Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo Antônio. There’s plenty to see along the way, including flamboyant flamingos!

On your third day, you’ll ride through the expansive salt flats of Ria Formosa Natural Park. And to complete your perfect trip, you’ll finish in Olhão, a bustling fishing town with Moorish-style architecture.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "What an absolute fantastic holiday. The route was picturesque, and the hotels were top quality. This was the best holiday we’ve ever had (and we have both travelled a lot) [...] Highly recommend this holiday for a short break and already planning our next Freedom Treks holiday. The support from the team in Hove was amazing, as was that from the team in Portugal, and the instructions regarding route and the electric bike were invaluable. Just an amazing holiday break, thank you, Freedom Treks" - Fionnuala Fox, UK

View Tour: Eastern Algarve Short Break Bike Tour

Umbria, the green heart of Italy, is the perfect destination for a short cycling break. This region offers something for anyone looking to recharge, with rolling hills, quiet roads, and charming hilltop towns. If you fly to Perugia, it’s just a 20-minute taxi ride to Assisi, so you can dive straight into a fun-packed few days.

Our Umbrian Escape Bike Tour is great for riders looking for views. While gentle options are available, this tour has its fair share of steeper climbs - the perfect excuse for a well-deserved meal out afterwards!

The real beauty of this tour lies in riding through picturesque villages and past vineyards and olive groves. Be sure to walk the beautiful, cobbled streets of Spello and relax in Torgiano, a peaceful wine town.

On your final day, you’ll finish in Assisi, where you can stretch your legs along the streets and walk around the pink marbled buildings in the town. To finish off a perfect three-day tour, treat yourself by tasting the fresh Italian wine and pasta in the sun. What could be more peaceful?

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This is a brilliant tour. Our first time doing a cycling holiday. Great communication from beginning to end. We loved it all [...] Thanks to Andy and Co in the UK [...] The towns we visited were all beautiful, the hotels good, and some had old-world charm to them. The routes are very well planned. [...] Now our only issue is where to go next? Umbria is beautiful with very dramatic and stunning scenery. I can highly recommend the Umbrian Escape and the team behind it. Many, many thanks" - Heather Fordham, UK

View Tour: Umbrian Escape Bike Tour

Fly to Verona and take a 1-hour 45-minute train to reach the start point of our unforgettable Bolzano to Verona Bike Tour. Cyclists will pedal from the mountains of Bolzano before touring along riverside paths and quiet country roads to the pink-hued streets of Verona.

As you cycle along the Adige River, you’ll wind past vineyards and charming Tyrolean villages that seem straight out of a painting. And if that wasn’t enough, Lake Garda’s crystal-clear waters are a beautiful sight as you journey by boat.

As soon as you arrive in Verona, you’ll feel the city’s romantic charm. If you’re a fan of Shakespeare and all things cultural, take your time exploring the famous Arena and Juliet’s balcony. And if you want to dive even deeper into the magic of Verona, why not add an extra day to truly soak it all in?

Freedom Treks Project Manager Saul completed this tour back in 2016. Read his Bolzano to Verona trip report to find out more about this beautiful destination.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I was exhilarated as I rode towards the Verona Arena. I felt like a Roman General on my chariot, the trusty bike. The last 3 days of cycling have been amazing. From the stunning jagged Dolomites, to following the mighty meltwater of the Adige river, the tranquil vineyards and orchards, beautiful Renaissance towns and the magical evening cruise across Lake Garda, this cycling trip has it all. Its memories will enrich me forever." - Paul Weiss, UK

View Tour: Bolzano to Verona Bike Tour

Start your Lake Bled to Ljubljana Bike Tour after flying to Ljubljana and taking a quick 2-hour transfer to Bled. From this picturesque lakeside town, you’ll cycle through alpine meadows and past wooden chalets. As you head toward Lake Bohinj, you’ll find a charming stone bridge and a 14th-century church - an ideal spot to stop for a picnic or to rest your legs.

Next, you’ll pedal along the river across the flat valley floor before slowly climbing up through the forest to the Jelovica high plateau. If you’d rather an easier ride, fear not! You can catch a lift up and take in the views as you go. After that, the fun begins with a downhill ride through a forested valley, passing quiet hamlets and tiny churches along the way.

Your destination will be Škofja Loka, one of Slovenia’s preserved medieval towns, where you can stretch your legs wandering through quiet cobbled streets that are undiscovered by many tourists.

You’ll then continue through forests and farmland, cycling along quiet village paths until you reach Ljubljana. Here, you’ll have plenty of time to unwind and explore the streets and castle of Slovenia’s lively capital.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Cycling Lake Bled to Ljubljana with Freedom Treks was a wonderful experience. Everything went to plan perfectly [...] Each day following the clear instructions, we could not believe the incredible vistas of farms, hills, villages, and castles. Swimming in the Lakes was an absolute highlight, and we loved it all. Thank you, Freedom Treks, we are now looking at the next tour and love the 4-day length, which we believe is just perfect to experience another side of Europe." - Katrina Collard, Australia

View Tour: Lake Bled to Ljubljana Bike Tour

Our Holland's Tulips, Windmills and Historic Cities Bike Tour is a fantastic way to see the Netherlands’ tulip fields and local culture in a few days. With Amsterdam just a one-hour flight from the UK and only a 20-minute train ride to the city centre, this tour offers a quick and effortless way to get in the saddle in no time. Better yet, the cycling is flat, well-marked, and easy to follow, making it perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy the scenery without concentrating on tricky terrain.

Starting and ending in Amsterdam, this tour takes you along peaceful paths to explore charming Dutch cities. You’ll ride to the historic city of Haarlem, known for its stunning churches, museums, and ‘Hofjes’ - small almshouses with pretty courtyards.

Next, you’ll head to Leiden, the birthplace of Rembrandt, where you can admire beautiful 17th-century buildings and canals.

If you have the time, consider adding an extra day to visit the world-famous Keukenhof flower garden. Remember your camera for this trip, you won’t want to miss this opportunity!

Please note that all 2025 dates are now sold out. If you like the look of this tour, contact us and we'll be in touch when 2026 departures are live.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Our tour to the Netherlands was fantastic! It was great fun following the routes through a variety of towns and villages, and we got a real "feel" of life in this amazing country. Cycling alongside the many fields of flowers and other produce was an unforgettable experience. The entire tour was trouble-free. Bikes were ready and waiting when we arrived, and the hotels were also helpful and welcoming. Look out, Netherlands! We'll be back!" - Linda Davies, UK

View Tour: Holland's Tulips, Windmills and Historic Cities Bike Tour

Our Stockholm Archipelago Bike Tour is all about slowing down and taking it all in. Whether it’s your first visit to Sweden or you're just looking to escape the busy cities, you’ll enjoy exploring quiet islands and small villages in the fresh sea air. It’s the kind of short break that makes you wonder why you ever thought holidays had to be hectic.

After a short flight and a 45-minute airport transfer, this trip starts in Stockholm, a city built across 14 islands and connected by 57 bridges. Its pretty streets, waterfront views, and relaxed cafés make it a great place to begin. From Stockholm, you’ll head out into the archipelago, taking ferries between islands and cycling through peaceful countryside. Colourful wooden houses and old churches make for photographic stops along the way.

You’ll have the chance to cycle through forest paths, along quiet roads, and beside stretches of coastline. There’s time to picnic by the water or just enjoy the hush of a nature reserve. The pace and terrain? Relaxed and kind to the legs. Bear in mind that this tour does not offer bikes for children.

See Catherine’s Sweden Archipelago photo blog for a first-hand account of the tour.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "As an introduction to the country, this is a fantastic tour, and one of the best cycling holidays we've ever done. It's really well organised, and the Stockholm Archipelago is just an absolute joy to island hop through [...] For us, the absolute highlight of the tour was the island of Utö, where, in July, we were amongst the very few non-Swedes enjoying what is just an absolute gem of a summer holiday destination for the locals  [...] Arriving in Stockholm by sea is a fascinating experience, and truly one of the most impressive entrances you can possibly make to a capital city. It's impossible not to fall in love with Sweden and its people after this short, but very sweet, tour." - Steve Watson, UK

View Tour: Stockholm Archipelago Bike Tour

Our Istrian Coast - Trieste to Porec Short Break Bike Tour blends the breathtaking scenery of three unforgettable countries - Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. All while hugging the beautiful Adriatic coast.

It all begins with a flight to Trieste and a short transfer to your hotel in Muggia, a colourful port town on Trieste’s southern outskirts. On your first day, you can choose between exploring Muggia or taking a boat back to Trieste to enjoy strolling the historic streets of the "coffee capital" of Italy.

On day two, you’ll head south from Muggia on quiet roads and gentle gravel paths, passing fishing villages, vineyards, and rolling hills, with plenty of chances to stop for a coffee or local food, or just to take in the view.

Slovenia's coastline is short but sweet, perfect for exploring by bike. And then it’s on to Croatia, with peaceful countryside and stunning coastal undulations. Expect hilltop villages, saltpans, and old towns with heaps of charm.

At the end of this short tour, you’ll end the ride in Poreč, a laid-back seaside town. With a pretty waterfront and a UNESCO-listed basilica, Poreč is the perfect destination to explore and relax after a day of cycling.

Our Istrian Coast - Trieste to Poreč Short Break Bike Tour is one that really makes the most of every mile. Perfect if you want to get away, see something new, and come home feeling refreshed.

If you have more time, take a look at our 7 night Istrian Coast - Trieste to Pula tour, which you can also read more about in Richard’s Istrian Coast trip report.

View Tour: Istrian Coast - Trieste to Porec Short Break Bike Tour

Our Green Heart of Holland Bike Tour is the perfect reset button - flat, scenic, and all things Dutch. We're talking peaceful bike paths weaving through riverside routes and pretty towns. With smooth, well-signposted paths and zero hills (seriously, it's as flat as a pancake), it’s ideal for casual riders and seasoned cyclists alike.

For this tour, you’ll fly or Eurostar to Amsterdam, followed by a 30-minute train to Utrecht. Day one will start with a gentle ride along the River Amstel before arriving in Amsterdam late afternoon. Spend your evening wandering the canals, stopping for a drink in the city’s countless bars, or pausing for a coffee in late-opening cafés.

You’ll then follow the elegant River Vecht. Cycling past historic buildings, peaceful gardens, and then into open countryside, where life slows down a little. Think quaint windmills, cows, and tiny villages.

You'll spend your evenings in lively spots like Gouda and Utrecht. Give yourself time to explore local markets and wander through historic centres. Daily rides are easy-going, with a chance to stop for a stroopwafel or just to admire the view.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "We have just finished the Heart of Holland cycle tour and would highly recommend it. It was such a well-organised trip and included beautiful scenery and interesting places to visit. Communication from the UK team was very good, and the routes were all well planned and easy to follow on our Garmin GPS… From booking to luggage transfers, everything went really smoothly, and we really enjoyed the whole experience." - Julie Royle, UK

View Tour: Green Heart of Holland Bike Tour

Now you know - it’s possible to explore enough culture, countryside, and breathtaking views in just a few days by bike.

Don't hesitate to reach out to our team for honest advice and friendly service, backed by over a decade of first-hand experience. Call us on +44 (0)1273 224066 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5:30pm UK time) or contact us online.

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