3 of the best bike tours in Italy

1. Tuscany with Gusto Cycling

Best for rolling vineyard roads and classic Italian cycling culture with great food and wine.

Cycling near Pienza – same section as filmed in the scene used in the Gladiator film (photo credit: Gusto Cycling)

Key information

Route: Best known for rides through Chianti, Siena and Val d’Orcia, with gentler options around Lucca and the coast.

Terrain: Mostly rolling, with constant ups and downs; some flatter areas in the north and near the coast.

Difficulty: Moderate overall, not high mountains, but plenty of climbing through repeated hills.

Highlights: Hilltop towns, vineyard views, cypress-lined roads, white gravel routes, and standout food and wine.

Logistics: Florence and Pisa are the main airport gateways; where you stay makes a big difference to the riding style.

Best time to visit: Spring and early autumn are best; summer can be very hot and busy.

The riding

Tuscany is all about rolling roads, vineyard-clad hills and one beautiful hill town after another. This is not the place for huge Alpine passes, but do not underestimate it: the constant ups and downs soon add up, and the riding often feels tougher than the profile suggests.

Around Chianti, Siena and Val d’Orcia, expect quiet rural lanes, cypress-lined roads, big views and regular glimpses of the white roads that have made Strade Bianche famous. These strade bianche add a distinctive Tuscan flavour and a strong connection to the region’s deep cycling heritage, which also includes L’Eroica and generations of Italian pros.

Terrain is generally moderate rather than extreme, with gentler options around Lucca and the coast for those after easier miles. Florence and Pisa make straightforward gateways, while your base has a big influence on the style of riding – from classic inland hill routes to flatter northern or coastal spins.

What we love

Tuscany delivers that rare mix of iconic scenery and genuine cycling substance. We love that it is not just beautiful, but steeped in bike culture too – from the legacy of Strade Bianche and L’Eroica to the sense that these roads are part of Italy’s racing story.

Add in medieval towns, superb food, excellent wine and routes that reward as much for the café stop as the climb, and it is easy to see the appeal.

What else they offer

Gusto Cycling specialises in tailor-made cycling holidays in Tuscany, built around riders’ budgets, interests and preferred pace, with a strong emphasis on enjoyment over endurance. They also offer event-focused packages for bucket-list rides including Maratona dles Dolomites, L’Eroica and Strade Bianche, combining deep local knowledge with personalised planning and trusted on-the-ground support.

More information

• Cycling in Tuscany, including more tips from Gusto Cycling on your options in the region.
• Gusto Cycling’s website, with details on the tours and event packages you can book.

2. Italian Lakes with Italy Bike Tours

Best for mixing easy lakeside rides with iconic climbs and big mountain scenery in one trip.

Breathtaking lake view ride (photo credit: Italy Bike Tours)

Key information

Route: Lake Garda, Lake Como and Lake Iseo, with options ranging from easy lakeside spins to classic climbs like Madonna del Ghisallo and quieter vineyard routes in Franciacorta.

Terrain: Mixed. Around the lakes and southern shores it is often flat to rolling; further north it becomes more mountainous and climbing-focused.

Difficulty: Varies a lot. It can suit leisure riders and e-bikers, but also road cyclists looking for long climbs and more demanding Alpine-style roads.

Highlights: Lake views, dramatic mountain backdrops, the cycling heritage of Madonna del Ghisallo, traffic-free stretches near Limone sul Garda, and vineyard riding around Franciacorta.

Logistics: Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate and Bergamo are the main airport gateways. Main lakes are usually around 1 to 2 hours away by car, and train connections are good.

Best time to visit: April to June and September to October are usually best. July and August are hotter and busier, while winter is cooler and some hotels close.

The riding

The Italian Lakes offer a wonderfully varied style of riding, from easy lakeside spins to proper mountain-style climbs. Around the southern shores of Lake Garda and Lake Iseo, the terrain is often flat to rolling, with vineyard roads and gentler routes that work well for leisure riders and e-bikers.

Head further north and the mood changes fast: roads rise into the pre-Alps, gradients steepen and the riding becomes much more climbing-focused. Lake Como is the obvious draw for road cyclists, thanks to the Madonna del Ghisallo and its deep cycling heritage, while Franciacorta near Lake Iseo adds quieter vineyard lanes and gravel-friendly options.

Highlights include dramatic lake views, traffic-free stretches such as the path near Limone sul Garda, and the constant contrast between elegant lakeside towns and rugged mountain backdrops. With good airport access from Milan and Bergamo, it is a flexible region that can be as relaxed or as challenging as you want.

What we love

What makes the Italian Lakes so appealing is the sheer range packed into one region. You can ride beside the water in the morning, climb into the mountains later in the day and still be back in time for a lakeside aperitivo.

We also love the mix of iconic names and lesser-known gems – from Madonna del Ghisallo and Lake Como to the quieter charm of Lake Iseo and the vineyard roads of Franciacorta.

What else they offer

Italy Bike Tours runs a wide range of guided cycling holidays across Italy, from relaxed lake and wellness trips to demanding Alpine challenges and event-based packages such as the Giro d’Italia and Strade Bianche. They also offer selected tours beyond Italy, including routes that cross into France, Austria and Slovenia, combining their Italian expertise with broader European riding experiences.

More information

• Cycling the Italian Lakes, an insider’s look at the best cycling routes, where to base yourself and everything else you need to know.
• Italy Bike Tours’ website, which lists every tour they offer and has information on what’s included.

3. Sardinia with Saddle Skedaddle

Best for quiet, rugged riding with wild coastal views and a more adventurous, off-the-beaten-track feel.

The coast near Buggerru on the Costa Verde (photo credit: Lighttrapper Photography via Saddle Skedaddle)

Key information

Route: Best known for rides around Alghero and Bosa on the west coast, the Sinis Peninsula and Costa Verde, plus the east coast around Costa Smeralda, Santa Maria Navarrese and Cala Gonone.

Terrain: Mixed, there are flatter areas on the Campidano Plain, around the Sinis Peninsula and north of Alghero, but much of the island is rolling, hilly or mountainous.

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging overall. There are no huge Alpine giants, but there are demanding routes, and inland roads and passes can still be hard work.

Highlights: Quiet secondary roads, wild coastline, turquoise water, the rugged interior, villages, archaeological sites and strong food culture all add to the appeal.

Logistics: Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero are the main airport gateways, and ferries from mainland Italy, Corsica and Sicily are another option.

Best time to visit: April to June and September to October are the best months for riding; July and August are often very hot, regularly over 30°C.

The riding

Sardinia offers a more rugged, remote feel than many cycling destinations in mainland Italy, with quiet roads, wild scenery and a strong sense of space. The riding is mixed: there are flatter pockets on the Campidano Plain, around the Sinis Peninsula and north of Alghero, but much of the island is rolling, hilly or mountainous.

Some of the best-known routes combine sweeping coastal roads with tougher inland climbs, especially on the west coast around Alghero and Bosa or on the east around Santa Maria Navarrese and Cala Gonone. For road cyclists, the appeal lies in quiet secondary roads, dramatic coastlines and long, demanding days without the pressure of Alpine giants.

Gravel riders are equally well served, with tracks through the island’s rugged interior and less developed southwest. It is a destination for riders who enjoy variety, scenery and a little adventure, with Alghero, Cagliari and Olbia offering the main gateways.

What we love

Sardinia feels wild in the best possible way. We love the contrast between turquoise coastal roads and the island’s quieter interior, where tiny villages, archaeological sites and a slower lifestyle make the riding feel genuinely immersive. Add in the strong food culture, low-traffic roads and the choice between scenic road riding and more adventurous gravel routes, and it offers a memorable mix of beauty and authenticity.

What else they offer

Saddle Skedaddle offers cycling holidays across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, with a programme that ranges from classic road tours to gravel, leisure, mountain bike, family and adventure-focused trips. They run small group departures as well as tailor-made holidays for private groups, drawing on more than 25 years of experience to match riders with trips that suit different interests, styles and ability levels.

More information

• Cycling Sardinia, our full guide to the region with tips from Saddle Skedaddle on where and when to travel.
• Saddle Skedaddle’s website, which lists their tours across the world with details on how to book.

What’s next?

• Cycling Italy, our central hub where you can find all our Italy cycling guides.
• 12 best Italy bike hotels, our pick of where to stay when planning your trip to Italy.
• Cycling in the Alps, an overview of the best Alpine cycling destinations.
• 9 of the best cycling holidays in Europe, if you want alternatives to Italy (which does still feature in this guide)
• 15 of the best European cycling routes, with details on the Via Francigena cycle route from Switzerland into Italy.

Clare Dewey is a cyclist with a passion for travel. She set up epicroadrides.com in 2018 to help make it easy for cyclists to explore the world by bike. Today her mission is still inspiring cyclists to discover new places on two wheels - and doing what she can to make sure they have the best possible time while they're there. Clare has visited 50+ destinations around the world, many of them by bike.

Want to connect with Clare? Find her over on LinkedIn.