5 of the best self-guided bike tours in Italy 

Part 1: Five of the best self-guided bike tours in Italy

Italy is a big place, so where should you start when planning a bike tour. In Part 2 below, we share some tips, including some questions to ask yourself when picking which region you want to ride in. Here, in Part 1, we start with the fun stuff – inspiration for the kind of unforgettable self-guided cycling trip in Italy that you’ll find yourself dreaming about for years after…

In case your knowledge of Italy’s regions is uncertain, this map should help!

Veneto and Trentino

Cycling with views of Venice city in the distance (photo credit: ©wisthaler.com)

Perfect for

Cyclists that love Italian culture, food and history; and those that want to experience some of the country’s most beautiful towns and cities.

Highlights

• Views of the UNESCO protected peaks of the Dolomites National Park
• Ancient towns including Cortina d’Ampezzo, Bassano del Grappa, Asolo and Treviso.
• Venice makes a magnificent destination for your exploration of northern Italy.

Self-guided tour

FunActive offer 8 days and 7 nights between the Dolomites and Venice. The route starts in Dobbiaco, in the heart of the Dolomites. The path follows the former Dolomites Railway through the valley of the ice cream makers manufacturers, through foothills and along quiet side roads along the River Sile towards the world-famous city of Venice. More information here.

Find out more

• Cycling Friuli Venezia Giulia region
• Cycling Northeast Italy
• Easy cycling routes in the Dolomites
• Cycling the Alpe Adria cycle route
• Cycling the Parenzana cycle route

Tuscany

The iconic Tuscan landscapes are at their greenest during spring

Perfect for

Cyclists who want a taste of classic Italy and who want to visit UNESCO-listed countryside, vineyards and historic hilltop towns.

Highlights

• Ride the undulating “strade bianche” (white gravel roads) of Tuscany, including part of the internationally recognised L’Eroica course.
• Taste superb Tuscan wines from ancient cellars, from Vino Nobile di Montepulciano to Brunello di Montalcino.
• Soak in the culture of heritage towns such as San Gimignano, Lucca, Montalcino and Pienza.

Self-guided tour

Gusto Cycling offers an 8 day, 7 night itinerary that takes in the Leaning Tower of Pisa and then heads for the 15th Century walled town of Lucca. You stay in Montecatini Terme, visit the birthplace of Leonardo di Vinci and stay overnight in San Gimignano and Siena. More information here.

Find out more

• Guide to cycling Tuscany.

Puglia

Cycling through the ancient city of Matera (photo credit: Puglia Cycle Tours)

Perfect for

Those who want to experience coast, authentic countryside and cultural gems like the Trulli houses.

Highlights

• The Trulli homes of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These prehistoric homes have a distinct domed roof. Alongside around 1,500 Trulli houses located in the town of Alberobello.
• Cycling past millennia-old olive groves during the day and sampling the locally grown extra virgin olive oil and delicious local wines with your post-ride meals.
• Discovering more of the region’s famous historical wonders including the UNESCO town of Otranto, the Baroque city of Lecce (known as the Florence of the South) and Ostuni’s historic white buildings and streets.

Self-guided tour

Puglia Cycle Tours offer an 8-day self-guided Giro di Puglia tour. It starts in the town of Alberobello and finishes in the city of Lecce. This gentle route combines peaceful green countryside with the beautiful Adriatic coast and some of Puglia’s best cultural gems. More information here.

Find out more

• Guide to cycling Puglia.

Sardinia

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

Perfect for

Cyclists looking for a beautiful holiday island with a vast network of quiet secondary roads and amazing trails that are ideal for cycling.

Highlights

• White sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and turquoise seas. Whether you head to La Pelosa Beach in the Northwest, Tueredda Beach on the South Coast or somewhere else, you won’t be disappointed.
• High quality cycling with options for road, leisure, gravel and mountain bikers!
• Sardinia has several remote villages that make up one of the world’s five prestigious ‘blue zones’ (locations where there is the highest concentration of centenarians living up to and over a hundred). Come and find out what they’re doing right!

Self-guided tour

Skedaddle’s Sardinia Coastal Explorer takes in the entire length of the west coast of Sardinia. It’s a great option for relatively experienced road cyclists who want a taste of what the west coast has to offer. The route begin in the beautiful city of Alghero, hugs the coast before heading inland to the Montiferru mountains. You then ride towards the Sinis Peninsular and over to Sola di San Pietro before finishing in Pula. More information here.

Find out more

• Guide to cycling Sardinia.

Via Francigena

All roads lead to Rome on the Via Francigena

Perfect for

Cyclists looking to ride an iconic long-distance cycling route through Italy. The full route spans more than 1,000 kilometres within Italy, from the Great Saint Bernard Pass to Rome.

Highlights

• Ride through UNESCO-listed landscapes, including the iconic Val d’Orcia and the historic city of Siena.
• Discover hidden gems such as the mountaintop fortress of Radicofani and the striking palace of Viterbo.
• Finish your journey in style with a scenic ride along the River Tiber and an unforgettable arrival at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

Self-guided tour

SloWays offer a self-guided tour along the Siena to Rome section of the Via Francigena. More information here.

Find out more

• Guide to cycling the Via Francigena.

Part 2: Practical things to know about self-guided bike tours in Italy

Is a self-guided bike tour for you?

If you’re interested in an Italian cycling vacation but find guided tours too expensive and going alone too risky, you might consider a self-guided tour.

Self-guided cycling holidays can generally be selected from a menu of tours that the company offers. These come with pre-planned routes and designated hotel stops. The tour company will handle booking your hotels and transferring your luggage between hotels. They can also arrange bike hire for you if you need it.

You will receive a detailed packet at the outset, containing daily route maps, usually in digital format but many companies can also provide physical copies for the old-school cyclists out there. These maps include clear turn-by-turn instructions, elevation profiles, and overall maps. Additionally, you can request GPX digital files for each day’s route if you prefer using a Garmin for navigation.

With the right operator, the routes will be well-thought out and designed to take in the best of the region. Choosing a local Italian operator for your bike tour in Italy helps you enjoy an authentic experience and uncover hidden gems with ease.

Things to love about a self-guided bike tour

1. All the admin hassle of hotel bookings and luggage transfer is dealt by someone else. You can also save time on route planning – which is particularly handy in Italy.
2. There’s usually much more flexibility with start dates and some companies will even tailor the routes to your requirements, for example providing extensions or shortcuts depending on how long you want to ride each day.
3. You don’t need to wait for the group; you can ride to your speed and stop when you want
4. If you have a problem, companies usually offer 24/7 telephone support.
5. If you pick a local company, you can get the local’s experience. The company should have personally tested the services, to create the best possible cycling routes and travel experience. Make sure the company you pick includes some truly memorable local experiences for you.
6. By choosing a local operator, you’re supporting the local economy and encouraging sustainable tourism practices. It’s a way to ensure your travel has a positive impact on the regions you visit.

Key things to be aware of

1. You won’t have a guide on hand, so you’ll need to be happy following a GPS route yourself and will be self-sufficient for sourcing meals and coffee stops. Normally, however, if you want suggestions, your tour company can share some favourite restaurants and coffee shops with you.
2. You won’t have a support van accompanying you. This means that it’s up to you to reach the next hotel each day, regardless of whether you encounter unfavourable weather or run out of energy/inclination to ride. That said, self-guided tour companies will provide an emergency hotline, and in this case the tour company will assist you as much as they can. For example if you encounter bad weather or run out of energy, they may be able to suggest public transportation or organise a private taxi to pick you up.
3. You’ll be expected to be able to do basic bike maintenance such as changing punctures.
4. Self-guided tours usually have a minimum of just two travellers. This means that you probably won’t be riding in a group. So self-guided tours are great if you like independence and freedom but not so good if you’re looking for group camaraderie.

Planning your self-guided bike tour in Italy

Select the right region for you

Italy is a beautiful country full of stunning regions and fantastic food, but you’re going to need to select a particular region to visit. Here are some questions that should help you narrow down the choices.

1. What kind of terrain are you looking for? Flat and gentle or hilly and mountainous?
2. Do you prefer beautiful coastline and coastal towns or immersing yourself in the mountains?
3. Are you a food enthusiast looking to visit a pasta region or do you want to explore a wine region?
4. Are you looking to experience culture and history?
5. Are natural landscapes your priority or do you prefer urban life?
6. Are you after charming villages, picturesque towns or vibrant cities?
7. What level of accommodation do you like? Family-run B&Bs, boutique hotels or luxury hotels?

Best time to visit for cycling holidays in Italy

It’s very possible to cycle somewhere in Italy at any time of year. However, the best time to visit Italy is during spring and autumn. During these seasons, the temperatures are normally not too hot or too cold, the scenery is vibrant and (with a bit of luck) the weather should be ideal for cycling. 

Spring

In spring, many parts of the country start to warm up, ranging from around 15°C to 23°C . It’s still probably not short sleeves weather until at least late April. Around Easter, Italy gets busier, and prices increase. Be aware that in the high mountains in the north of Italy, many passes will still be covered by snow; often until mid-June. By that time though, much of the south will be gloriously warm. 

Summer

During the summer months, particularly July and August, temperatures are high, usually around 27°C, but often reaching over 31°C during the hottest part of the day. Visitor numbers are at their peak during this time and it’s worth noting that many Italians take the entire month of August off work. As a result, many businesses close, making the cities quieter.   

Autumn

Autumn brings a gradual cool down in temperatures. September is very pleasant (and popular!), with average temperatures around 25°C. October is also still popular in most parts of the country. You can expect autumnal colours and some sunny days, but also be prepared for wet weather. Towards the end of October, the season ends in many parts of the country, so be aware you may encounter closures.  

Winter

In winter, the temperatures in the south of Italy usually stay mild. However, northern Italy is typically wet and cold. Many of the mountain passes become blocked by snow and are best avoided.

Choose the duration of your trip

Those looking for a beginner cycling tour often start out with a cycling holiday that’s just a few days of cycling; perhaps 3-4 days. When you aren’t used to multiple days in the saddle, it’s a great idea to start out with this kind of length.

Once you’ve been bitten by the cycling bug, have done a weekend cycling trip and are eagerly planning your next cycling holiday, it’s time to look for something a bit longer. 7 day cycling holidays are probably the most popular length trips.

From there, the world is your oyster and many tour companies happily cater for 10 day, 14 day and even longer cycling tours and holidays throughout Italy.

If you’re looking for a group departure, you then need to find a company with dates to match. Or an operator that offers private departures.

Consider your fitness level and experience

When considering the length of your cycling tour and region you’re going to ride in, it’s important to also consider your fitness level.

Italy’s terrain varies enormously, from huge mountains to rolling hills, hilltop villages, dramatic coastline and easy-going riverside cycle routes. Your legs and lungs need to be up to the challenge if you’re going to take on the more vertical of these options!

During a guided bike tour, you can join the support van or shorten the ride, but on a self-guided bike tour this is usually not possible. To prepare, it’s a good idea to try riding on consecutive days and practice on the same type of bike you’ll be using during the tour. There are significant differences between riding mountain bikes, road bikes, and hybrid bikes.

Bear in mind the average distance and elevation gain you’ll encounter on the tour itinerary, and make sure to experience riding a similar distance before joining the tour.

Research cycling routes and itineraries

One of the great things about asking a local Italian company to plan your cycling holiday is that they are the experts on the routes in their area. They know them like the back of their hand and so can suggest routes that fit what you’re looking to achieve from your trip.

If you are looking for a DIY tour in Italy, then it’s time to block out some time and dig into the detail in order to avoid the crowded towns and find the quiet roads and beautiful points of interest along your route. There are lots of route planning sites out there and we always suggest checking resources like Google Street View too. You can find more tips here.

You’ll also need to think about whether you’re going to carry your own luggage or arranging luggage transport.

Highway code and travel information

As ever, it’s a good idea to check current travel information before you book and travel. For UK visitors, the UK government travel information pages for Italy are here. You should also read and follow Italy’s highway code.

Tips for going on a self-guided tour in Italy

• Make time for more than just the riding. Pause for cultural sights, long lunches, and local wines — after all, this is Italy!

• Check the difficulty level of the tour carefully and ask detailed questions about the bikes. A comfortable ride on a quality bike can make all the difference.

• Look beyond the famous spots. Italy is full of lesser-known gems that often offer the most memorable moments.

• Find out who is running the show. Is your tour operator actually based in Italy, or just reselling someone else’s trip? A local team often means deeper knowledge and better support.

• Research the accommodation. A small, family-run hotel might offer more charm and local flavour than a larger, star-rated chain.

• Approach your days in a relaxed and flexible way. One of the joys of a self-guided tour is stopping when you want — whether for a perfect espresso or a panoramic photo.

• Learn a few basic Italian phrases. A little effort with the language goes a long way when chatting with locals or ordering your post-ride gelato.

And finally!

We hope you have a wonderful time riding in Italy. In the comments below, do share your tips for cycling trips in Italy – and also if you’ve travelled with any of the operators mentioned above.

Looking for more info?

• Our pick of the best cycling tours in Italy (many of these are guided not self-guided)
• Overview of Italy’s best cycling regions
• Cycling the Via Francigena
• 12 best Italy bike hotels
• Best cycling hotels in Europe

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.