The Best Bike Tours in Italy

It’s a country the Freedom Treks team knows from top to bottom.  Not only have we enjoyed pedalling in the north, south and centre of Italy over the past ten years, we also have a resident Italian Sales Consultant - Arianna. Using our first-hand knowledge, we have narrowed down the best tour in each of Italy’s famous regions to help you discover which would suit you most.

For personal advice about seeing this beautiful country from the saddle, call our friendly team of cyclists on +44(0)1273 224066 or enquire online.

South Tyrol is a region blessed with a dynamic blend of rugged mountain scenery (courtesy of the Dolomites) and shimmering lakes which extend to the horizon. The Austrian influence has added a unique splash of colour to the buildings across the region's historic villages, making your cycling backdrops even more breathtaking.

The ultimate way to immerse yourself in the panoramic mountain views and fine Austrian architecture is on our Bolzano Bike Tour From One Hotel. Using the beautiful mountain city of Bolzano as your base, you'll pedal through the city's narrow streets past colourful buildings before venturing further into South Tyrol's vineyards and apple orchards. Despite being in the heart of the Dolomites, there are only a few climbs, making the route reasonably easy-going.

For a more challenging ride, pedalling from one picturesque lakeside town to another, our Around Lake Garda Bike Tour would certainly fit the bill. Although the climbs are by no means easy, exquisite local food and long swims in the lake are your reward after an enjoyable cycle. The seven-day route is self-guided and follows the lake's dazzling shoreline through the Lugana wine region to fortified towns and historic landmarks, while always keeping the spectacular mountain scenery in view.

Like the sound of both Bolzano and Lake Garda? Why not combine them on our Bolzano to Lake Garda Leisurely Bike Tour, which follows the Adige River that runs between the two. You’ll cycle through magnificent valleys with immense mountain backdrops, past grand castles, through fragrant vineyards and stop in delightful Alpine towns - all on easy rides along dedicated cycle paths. It's the best of both worlds, and with cycle rides between 15-28 miles (25-45km), you’re free to ride at your own pace and take time to explore the charms of north-east Italy.

Want to cover more distance in a shorter time? In just five days, you can cycle from Bolzano to Verona. The longer daily distances - still on flat, easy-to-follow cycle paths - mean you reach and sail across Lake Garda (seeing its glistening waters from the middle of the lake is truly something to behold), before cycling onwards to Verona.

Looking to cycle a similar route but carry on towards Venice? Our Bolzano to Venice Bike Tour is the one for you! This tour includes all the highlights of the above tour, but extends over 7 nights to end in the canal-lined streets of Venice. With the chance to see five UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the way, this tour is a great way to see the best of Northern Italy.

The three tours we've picked from central Italy swap the rugged mountain scenery found in the north for peaceful adventures through rolling hills, olive groves and quiet countryside. But what sets them apart from each other?

History and art enthusiasts will want to head west to Pisa for a week of pleasant pedalling through gentle Tuscan terrain towards Florence. As well as laying eyes on some of the world's most famous works of art in Florence, the relaxing Tuscany - Pisa to Florence Bike Tour takes you to the birthplace of da Vinci and historic farmlands in the countryside.

Umbria is one of our favourite areas for an authentic Italian experience. The rustic hilltop towns bursting with culture, fresh Italian produce and wine make it a wonderful region to explore on two wheels. The Umbria Discovery Bike Tour is a delightful showcase of all of the above. The rolling terrain through Italy's 'green heart' is best suited to confident cyclists and the views after completing the gentle inclines make the effort well worth it. Bright orange sunsets bounce off the lake below, plus you'll be at the perfect vantage point to view the palaces, theatres and mountain monasteries nestled in the green valleys.

If you're struggling to choose between cycling Tuscany or Umbria, our Florence to Rome Bike Tour could be a welcome solution. Starting in the capital of Tuscany, you'll hop on a train to Arezzo before cycling south through Umbria towards Calvi and concluding in the iconic city of Rome. Autumn is a wonderful time for a two-wheeled traveller to soak up the beautiful valleys, cobbled hill towns and rolling countryside found between two magnificent cities.

This tour is a hit amongst our customers and staff. Sales Consultant Andy joined Marketing Manager Craig in October 2022 to embark on the Florence to Rome Bike Tour and they had the time of their lives pedalling through Italy's green heart. Read their trip report for a better understanding of the tour.

If you've been inspired by the above regions and can't decide between them, you don't have to! Our Venice to Rome Bike Tour has an excellent 14-night itinerary.

Starting in the magical city of Venice, you'll cycle south along the beautiful Adriatic coast. In the first week, look forward to flamingos and unique plant life in the Delta del Po nature reserve, riding with a backdrop of neat vineyards and sunflower fields. Following the Adige and Po rivers, you’ll pedal through authentic fishing villages that hold unique charm, and of course, you can expect delightful Italian food and wine. At the end of the first week, arrive in Florence, Tuscany’s history-charged capital, where you have a free day to explore.

During your second week, you'll discover Italy’s quieter side as you skirt the Apennine Mountains and tour through Umbria’s green heart. You’ll pass raging rivers, plunging gorges and roaming wildlife. Peaceful pedalling takes you past the soft hills surrounding Lake Trasimeno and the tranquillity of traditional Umbrian villages. Each historic town and astounding ancient ruin make this a memorable second half of the tour. The world-famous pilgrimage city of Assisi is another highlight, Spello’s streets are some of the prettiest in Italy, and ending your holiday in Rome is the perfect way to top off an unforgettable fortnight in the saddle.

Puglia's pristine coastline helps form the heel of Italy's "boot" and is the perfect destination for those aiming to strike a balance between cycling beside sun-drenched olive groves and crystal clear waters lapping sandy beaches.

See the best that South East Italy has to offer on our Puglia Bike Tour as you spend seven nights residing in unique coastal villages. The beginning of the week is a tranquil ride south through rural countryside, stopping off in small, off-the-beaten-track towns for midday cappuccinos. In contrast, your designated stops in the second half of the week are for cooling dips in the Ionian Sea and to admire iconic coastal landmarks like the Aragonese Castle.

To better understand the route, you can read my first-hand account of our Puglia Bike Tour from when I visited in 2014.

Although Italy's mainland is full of charm, the surrounding islands are a treat for nature and history buffs. Sicily's Baroque Routes Bike Tour will immediately expose you to a region of outstanding natural beauty. You'll arrive in the UNESCO city of Ragusa on your first day before pedalling to your next UNESCO site, the villages of Buccheri. The leisurely tracks will also lead you to white sands, pink flamingos and beautiful gorges. As you would expect on a coastal island, the seafood is spectacular and pairs beautifully with a splash of local white wine.

For those who want to get away from it all and cycle quiet coastal roads next to shimmering turquoise waters, there's Sardinia, which is perfect for doing just that. The Sardinia Leisurely Bike Tour allows you to revel in the relaxed pace of island life by rolling to world-class vineyards, Nora's pre-Roman ruins and deserted white sandy beaches which look like they belong on a postcard. Our favourite stretch of beach comes on day eight at Costa del Sud, boasting gleaming white sand, unspoilt natural landscapes and imposing cliffs. You finish most days by tasting the local wine and freshly caught seafood whilst watching the sun slowly dip into the horizon.

For active families who are experienced in the saddle and want to combine cycling with days spent exploring the golden beaches, our Family Sardinia Bike Tour is a brilliant option.

If you would like to learn more about the delights of Italian cycling, enquire online or speak to one of our team on +44 (0) 1273 224066. These tours are some of our favourites, but we have another 30 or so for you to choose from!

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