Fancy cycling EuroVelo 8, but time-crunched and want to ride a road bike?
How about this EuroVelo 8 route alternative?! 1,854 kilometres from Venice in Italy to Corfu in Greece.
Edinburgh-based cyclist, Andrew Norris, did just this. In this article he tells us all about his Balkans cycling adventure during which he spent 16 days riding through eight countries (Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Greece), with 99 hours in the saddle and burning a whopping 47,000 calories!
We loved hearing all about Andrew’s incredible road bikepacking adventure and can’t wait to share his route with you. Read on and be inspired!
This article includes details of products and/or services that we have used ourselves or which we would consider using. Some are paid features or include affiliate links where if you click on a link and make a booking or buy something, we may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please read our disclosure policy for further information.
All metrics in this article are approximate.
Where did the idea to cycle Venice (Italy) to Corfu (Greece) come from?
I have always wanted to cycle across Europe. This route is part of a longer-term plan to do just that.
A few years ago I cycled from Edinburgh to Nice. I still need to cycle from Nice, over the Alps, and into Italy. But mid spring is a bit too early to cycle across the Alps! So I have parked that stage of my European puzzle to come back to at another point.
The basic idea of this trip was to ride from the end of the Alps and follow the Adriatic coastline south. I wanted to include both the mountains and coastline and get a flavour of what the Balkan countries are really like.
This Mediterranean cycling route in the Balkans was definitely the best option for the time of year I was cycling.
Why did you create an alternative to EuroVelo 8?
I knew that there was already a dedicated EuroVelo 8 route that connected Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Greece.
However, EuroVelo 8 hasn’t been designed for road cyclists. It includes a mix of cycle paths and gravel roads that just aren’t suitable for the bike I was riding. The route is also longer than I had annual leave for!
So, while my route does incorporate some of EuroVelo 8, this is more by accident than design.
![Andrew Norris cycling from Venice to Corfu](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-Snapshot_202405124_180550-1024x576.jpg)
Andrew in Greece at the end of the trip
How did you create a EuroVelo 8 route suitable for a road bike?
When developing the route, I started with airports and flights.
Trieste or Venice would both have been a good starting point for this route, but Venice flights worked out best.
Corfu seemed like a lovely place to end the trip. Its well-connected airport also made it easy for me to return to Edinburgh.
With the basic EuroVelo 8 Mediterranean route in mind, I then used a mixture of tools like Google Street View and Strava to help me build out my own road cycling route.
Top tip! This route was designed for road cyclists, but there would be more options available to take if you had a bit more time and ability to go off road with a gravel bike. Then you could incorporate some more of the EuroVelo 8 and add in some road sections too if you wanted to make up time in places.
This article contains useful tips for cycling route planning.
Why cycle Venice to Corfu?
This is a varied place to place cycling journey that is rich in scenery, history and some truly epic climbs.
The following were some of the main highlights of the route for me:
- Variety. The opportunity to experience everything from Mediterranean coast and islands to mountains and lakes. You also visit impressive medieval cities and towns, including Dubrovnik and Kotor.
- The turquoise hues of the Adriatic coastline in Italy, Croatia and Bosnia were mind-blowing. Think classic Mediterranean cycling at its absolute best.
- You get deep into the heart of the rural Balkans interior, visiting remote corners that feel far from the popular tourist destinations.
- I loved cycling the enormous Lake Skadar in Montenegro. This is the largest freshwater lake in the Balkan Peninsula and home to thousands of water lilies and abundant birdlife (including some of Europe’s last known pelicans).
- The challenging mountain days were tough but memorable. There were many impressive climbs and descents along the route but the legendary 16-hairpins of the Kotor Serpentine in Montenegro were one of the stand-outs. The crossing between Bosnia and Croatia was also unexpectedly beautiful.
Venice to Corfu cycling route itinerary
Below I share my cycling itinerary. I spent a lot of time planning it, but of course it may not be perfect or suitable for your needs. And roads do change from time to time, so please do your own research before using my routes. In particular, and as mentioned below, the route into Tirana needs refining.
Also worth noting is that these are the actual routes I rode, so they may need a little tidying up for diversions into coffee shops etc!
Day 1: Venice Airport to Latisana (Italy)
Key statistics
79 kilometres
99 metres elevation gain
Summary
The main objective of day one was escaping the airport and getting out on the open road!
Notes
The geography of this region is typified by a network of waterways, home to lots of canals, dykes and boats. These landscapes are incredibly flat. Despite cycling so near to the city of Venice, the scenery is quite agricultural and quiet.
It reminded me a lot of the Netherlands. The route is so flat it only has 99 metres of elevation in total.
Navigating these expansive waterways by road bike is a little tricky. It means you do unfortunately end up on some stretches of the (slightly unpleasant) SS14 road, which I tried to avoid as much as possible. That said, I feel like I found the best option for road cyclists which takes you on as many quieter roads as possible. There would be plenty of alternate options if you were cycling this on a gravel bike.
Points of interest
- Latisana is a lovely typical Italian town home to many places you can grab a post-ride gelato.
Where I stayed in Latisana
![View of buildings in Italy](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_9060-1024x576.jpg)
Trieste, Italy
Day 2: Latisana to Buzet (Italy, Slovenia, Croatia)
Key statistics
140 kilometres
836 metres elevation gain
Summary
This route takes you through three countries in one day. You experience huge contrasts in the landscapes, from flatlands and coast in the morning, to mountains in the afternoon.
Notes
The first part of the day was similar to the previous, with more navigating of flat waterways. You then hit the stunning coastline above the historic port city of Trieste and are treated to incredible clifftop views of the Adriatic Sea.
Be aware! The road that gently descends into the centre of Trieste is typically ‘Italian’. By that I mean brace yourself for traffic and interesting driving. The nature of the steep mountains here means there are no alternatives other than MTB trails or rough gravel paths.
The good news is that once you are out of Trieste, the peninsula should become much quieter. It’s also beautiful. The route briefly dips into Slovenia, cycling through stunning forested hills for about 40 kilometres. Finally, there is a long climb up and over into Croatia. Then a nice descent down towards the hilltop village of Buzet, where a final short climb topped off the day.
Points of interest
- Cycling the Adriatic coastline on the clifftops above Trieste.
- Cycling the peaceful forested mountains of Slovenia.
Where I stayed in Buzet
This hotel has a great indoor pool. The views were amazing. You’re in truffle country so the food and wine here are taken seriously; everything I ate was delicious.
![Cyclist by Slovenia sign](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_9064-1024x576.jpg)
On the Italy-Slovenia border
Day 3: Buzet to Crikvenica (Croatia)
Key statistics
109 kilometres
2,056 metres elevation gain
Summary
Prepare for a big day of elevation with 2,056 metres of climbing in total.
Notes
The first part of the day was rural and mountainous. There was a particularly hard Alpine-style climb to tackle early on, with some spicy 18% gradients.
The reward was a lengthy downhill to sea level. It’s a lovely quiet road of approximately 23 kilometres with relatively gentle 6% gradients.
After navigating a few busier roads and towns, you’re onto another beautiful road by the coast. The final stretch heads slightly inland and is rural. A lovely downhill takes you into Crikvenica.
Points of interest
- Incredible sea views and a lovely, sweeping descent to the coast.
- The coastal town of Crikvenica, overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
Where I stayed in Crikvenika
We had stunning sea views from this accommodation. It’s a really gorgeous stop.
![View from a bike down to a harbour in Croatia](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eurovelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-bike-tour-IMG_9099-1024x576.jpg)
Descending to the sea
Day 4: Crikvenica to Gospic (Croatia)
Key statistics
118 kilometres
1,521 metres elevation gain
Summary
Impressive coastline turns inland into the heart of rural Croatia.
Notes
The day started off along the stunning coastline.
There was a challenging climb that takes you inland into the mountains, on a very quiet road.
You then drop down into a beautiful valley with magnificent landscapes, cycling through farmland and extensive forests.
These landscapes are dotted with small towns and many ruined buildings. There is lots of evidence of destruction from the war. It’s a bit like cycling back in time.
Gospic is a fairly low key town. There were a few supermarkets and shops to restock supplies.
Points of interest
- The coastal road with views out towards Croatian islands.
- The contrasting landscapes of the rugged coast and the rural countryside of the interior.
Where I stayed in Gospic
Timeless apartment on AirBnB.
![Road cycling through a pretty port town in croatia](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_9117-1024x576.jpg)
Senj, Croatia
Day 5: Gospic to Zadar (Croatia)
Key statistics
125 kilometres
1,024 metres elevation gain
Summary
The route through inland Croatia turns coastwards again.
Notes
After more cycling in the same valley as the previous day, there was a small climb followed by a fun downhill of approximately 14 kilometres.
The views of the coast returned, and the rest of the day was mainly on quiet, rural roads.
Be aware! The final stretch into Zadar is on busy roads, but unfortunately I couldn’t find a way to avoid them.
Points of interest
- The fun descent back to the coast.
- The buzzing, fortified town of Zadar home to a beautiful old town and handy bike shops (if you’re in need of anything!).
Where I stayed in Zadar
2R AirBnB Apartment
![Road cycling from Venice to Corfu](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_9137-1024x576.jpg)
Mel on the approach to Zadar
Day 6: Zadar to Trogir (Croatia)
Key statistics
139 kilometres
1,000 metres elevation gain
Summary
A day cycling Croatia’s Adriatic coastline.
Notes
Top tip! If you have time, you can also catch the ferry from Zadar and cycle along the closest neighbouring island. This will avoid the busy roads heading out of the city.
I didn’t have time to on this occasion and therefore found that the first part of the day was on very busy roads.
You’ll follow the south coast around a rocky peninsula. The roads here gradually get quieter, and the scenery is beautiful.
Points of interest
- Cycling the route around the beautiful, rocky peninsula.
- The historic town of Trogir is a UNESCO world heritage site with plenty to see off the bike.
Where to stay in Trogir
![A picturesue harbour on the Adriatic coastline](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_9185-1024x576.jpg)
Bilo on the approach to Trogir
Day 7: Trogir to Drvenik (Croatia)
Key statistics
89 kilometres
928 metres elevation gain
Summary
This stretch takes in one of Croatia’s best loved islands, Hvar.
Notes
After cycling to Split, I caught a short ferry ride across to the island. I then cycled to the east end of the Hvar to catch the ferry from Sucaraj to Dvrenik.
The roads on Hvar were generally blissfully quiet and mainly hugged the spine of the island.
If you’ve got more time, indulging in a spot of island-hopping is always a great idea! More inspiration in this article.
Points of interest
- If you have time for a quick pit stop the beautiful, sleepy town of Stari Grad offers a glimpse into Croatia’s historic past. It’s one of the oldest towns in Europe.
Where I stayed in Dvrenik
Apartments on the Beach-Dvrenik
![Croatian coastline taken on a bike tour through Croatia](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eurovelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-bike-tour-IMG_9199-1024x576.jpg)
Croatia day 7
Day 8: Drvenik to Dubrovnik (Croatia, Bosnia, Croatia)
Key statistics
127 kilometres
1,334 metres elevation gain
Summary
A gorgeous coastal route from Croatia to Bosnia to Croatia.
Notes
The first part of this 127-kilometre day follows quiet coastal roads with stunning scenery. It also takes you past the lakes of Ploče.
After Ploče, several roads converged and the route got busier. After passing the bridge at Komarna, I found the traffic dropped off again and I had an attractive stretch of coastline to savour, as well as a road almost to myself for much of the rest of the day.
You briefly sample cycling in Bosnia, before jumping back into Croatia en route to Dubrovnik.
The last leg of the route gets noticeably busier again as you head into the city. This is also part of the EuroVelo 8 Croatia route.
Points of interest
- The whole coastal road is beautiful to ride and generally quiet.
- Dubrovnik Old Town and its impressive medieval walls.
Where to stay in Dubrovnik
This was a lovely, high-quality apartment based right in the heart of the charming Old Town.
![Mountains on the Adriatic in Croatia](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eurovelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-IMG_9210-1024x576.jpg)
Back on Croatia’s breathtaking coastline
Day 9: Dubrovnik to Cetinje (Croatia, Montenegro)
Key statistics
134 kilometres
1,994 metres elevation gain
Summary
Today you say goodbye to cycling in Croatia and tackle a long ride into Montenegro, punctuated with some seriously impressive scenery.
Notes
Top tip! Set off early to avoid the worst of the Dubrovnik traffic, and to make sure there is enough time to complete the mileage. I was on my bike by 6am.
As you cross the border into Montenegro the landscape fills with rolling hills and forests.
There was a relatively flat section, before the stunning Bay of Kotor.
After cycling around the inlet, Kotor is a great place to refuel. Next up is the biggest climb of the route so far, the infamous Kotor Serpentine (with 16 hairpin bends in very close succession) followed by a few more hairpin bends, before you get to the top!
On the way up, there are incredible views over the bay.
A nice long descent takes you down into Cetinje.
Points of interest
- The Old Town of Kotor for a refreshing pit stop before the big climb!
- The 16-hairpin bends of the legendary Kotor Serpentine.
- The charming, historic town of Cetinje.
Where I stayed in Cetinje
![An impressive castle in Croatia](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_9253-1024x576.jpg)
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Day 10: Cetinje to Shkonder (Montenegro, Albania)
Key statistics
113 kilometres
1,653 metres elevation gain
Summary
Get ready for (possibly) the best day of the route!
Notes
This is a hilly, rolling day on the bikes, featuring 1,653 metres of climbing.
Be aware! This stretch features some very rough asphalt roads and I found it fairly slow going.
You leave Cetinje on a quiet downhill road. Afterwards, you will be on a small, almost traffic-free road that follows the vast Shkodra Lake (also known as Lake Skadar).
The lake borders Albania. It’s time to leave road cycling in Montenegro behind you as the last leg of the day brings us to Albania, the sixth country of the trip.
Note that the main road into Shkoder gets a little busy.
Points of interest
- Soaking up the stunning never-ending views of Lake Skadar.
Where I stayed in Shkonder
![Lake Skadar in Montenegro](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_9355-1024x576.jpg)
Lake Skadar, Montenegro
Day 11: Shkoder to Tirana (Albania)
Key statistics
103 kilometres
308 metres elevation gain
Summary
Today’s route feels fairly flat with just 308 metres of ascent to tackle into the capital of Albania.
Notes
The first section tracks through quiet farmland on quiet, rural roads. You’ll then encounter more rural villages and small towns and farmland on quiet rural roads.
The final leg into the city of Tirana is much busier. There is lots going on here, so keep your wits about you. I suspect there might have been a better way into Tirana than the one I took, so it would be worth doing some more investigation here to see if you can find a better alternative.
Points of interest
- Watching local Albanian life as you head in the city of Tirana.
Where I stayed in Tirana:
![Flat road cycling in the Balkans](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_9406-1024x576.jpg)
Through farming areas on route to Tirana, Albania
Day 12: Tirana to Elbasan (Albania)
Key statistics
62 kilometres
957 metres elevation gain
Summary
A relaxing, short day with a pleasant climb to tackle.
Notes
You first navigate out of the city on a quiet route alongside Tirana Park and through the suburbs.
The route then heads up an old mountain road that’s lovely and quiet. This is a decent climb with gradients ranging from 3% up to 11%. You’ll be rewarded with great views at the top and another amazing descent.
The last stretch takes you on a quiet back road into the small regional town of Elbasan.
Points of interest
- Fantastically quiet mountain climb and descent with wonderful views.
Where I stayed in Elbasan
This is nice hotel beside the central park. It was a great place to soak up the local atmosphere.
![Mountain road in Albania with far-reaching views](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eurovelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-IMG_9434-1024x576.jpg)
Mountain road between Tirana and Elbasan, Albania
Day 13: Elbasan to Ohrid (Albania, North Macedonia)
Key statistics
91 kilometres
1,254 metres elevation gain
Summary
Today the route crosses over the border into North Macedonia.
Notes
The roads are a bit busier than in previous days, so brace yourself for cycling alongside some big trucks. The road is a gentle, long climb up through the valley. You continue climbing to the high border crossing.
The reward is a lovely, fast descent down to the flatlands of beautiful Lake Ohrid and onto the city of Ohrid.
Points of interest
- Cycling alongside the scenic lake Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Where I stayed in Ohrid
The historic Old Town of Ohrid is a great part of the town to be based for the evening. There’s a lovely square right outside of the apartment where you can easily find somewhere to eat.
![Road cycling in Albania](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_9498-1024x576.jpg)
Looking back at Prrenjas in Albania, the final town before the North Macedonian border
Day 14: Ohrid to Erseke (North Macedonia, Albania)
Key statistics
115 kilometres
1,413 metres elevation gain
Summary
Highest point on the route and a return to Albania.
Notes
Leaving the city of Ohrid, you cycle the east side of Lake Ohrid. I left early to enjoy quieter roads.
There’s a big climb to tackle early on, of approximately 800 metres. The gradients are generally quite gentle, and take you to the highest point on the trip (approximately 1,590 metres above sea level).
This whole stretch was on low traffic, quiet roads and takes you through the National Park Galicia.
A fantastic long descent awaits with beautiful scenery, including views of Lake Prespa.
More quiet roads and climbing take you through Prespa National Park and across the border back into Albania. You drop back into civilisation and onto busier, flat roads.
After a while, the hills begin again. The road was pretty new to begin with, but then you take on an old road which is a little slower going. The surface is quite rough and very winding. This is a very rural area that feels wild and remote.
Finally, Erseke comes into view. This is a small town surrounded by mountains that sits 1,000 metres above sea level. This feels world’s away from the sparkling shores of the Adriatic.
Points of interest
- Cycling through two beautiful national parks.
- Experiencing Albania’s expansive backcountry, far away from the tourist crowds.
Where I stayed in Erseke
Make sure you have some Albanian Lek with you. There are a few small grocery stores to top up on supplies, but not many restaurants. However, there are places to grab a good espresso.
![A lake in Albania](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_9578-1024x576.jpg)
Lake Prespa, Albania
Day 15: Erseke to Ioannina (Albania, Greece)
Key statistics
119 kilometres
1,638 metres elevation gain
Summary
A hilly route from Albania to Greece.
Notes
The day started with a newly asphalted road through mountainous forests. Be aware! Despite being so new, there were already a few potholes to navigate.
After about 80 kilometres, a huge descent awaits and the border with Greece.
The first section of road cycling in Greece was fairly quiet, through rolling forested hills. But this gradually got busier, especially as I headed into the old Greek town of Ioannina.
Points of interest
- Stunning forested hills of Alban.
Where I stayed in Ioannia
There were lots of places to get food and despite lots of graffiti I found this a pleasant old town. Don’t forget to make the most of the internet signal and book your ferry across to Corfu!
![Big mountain scenery cycling from Venice to Corfu](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_9626-1024x576.jpg)
Final down hill in Albania – Greece’s hills are in the distance
Day 16: Ioannina to Corfu (Greece)
Key statistics
88 kilometres
1,347 metres elevation gain
Summary
The final day of cycling awaits…
Notes
The bulk of the day’s riding was on quiet, mountain roads through rural Greece.
Be aware! I came across a few large packs of aggressive looking dogs in this region, so take care. I find it is generally best to stop cycling, take off your helmet and glasses, wait and act uninterested. They usually get bored of you fairly quickly and you can then safely move on.
After hopping on a ferry and landing in the south of Corfu, the route incorporates a wonderful 40 kilometre road, that I found generally quite quiet. This cycle ride makes use of a pedestrian bridge that helps you avoid lots of traffic and takes you right down into Corfu Old Town.
Congrats – you’ve made it!
Points of Interest
- Cycling into the Old Town of Corfu and enjoying a well-earned post ride dip in the alluring Adriatic Sea.
Where I stayed in Corfu
Air BNB in the Old Town.
![A greek flag flapping in the wind](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_9655-1024x576.jpg)
Final hill before the Greek coast
Tips for an Adriatic / Balkans cycling tour
Best time of year to cycle the route
We cycled this route in early May and the weather was generally pleasant, with warm temperatures that were perfect for cycling.
At times, it was quite cold, especially at elevation. We also hit a couple of storms, so be prepared with a protective waterproof jacket.
It was also hot at times, so packing for this is also important!
Be aware! The coastal, bura winds can be strong along sections of the route in Croatia at this time of year. On day 4 we encountered a particularly howling wind, which is typical of the area in spring. This katabatic wind can be extremely challenging to cycle against. Take care.
Orthodox Easter in Greece is a great experience. If you happen to be travelling here at this time you will encounter lots of local traditions and a real buzz in built up places, especially Corfu Old Town. While I was there, there were throngs of people, water being sprinkled on crowds and pots being thrown out of windows. Quite an experience! However, accommodation prices are higher.
![Easter celebrations in Corfu Old Town](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_9756-1024x576.jpg)
Orthodox Easter in Corfu Old Town can be “a little” hectic
Getting to Venice and back from Corfu
I flew from Edinburgh directly into Venice with Easyjet. I took my road bike with me, rather than renting one for the trip. I broke this down and placed it in a cardboard box that I got from a local bike shop.
As for getting back from Corfu, I flew back to Edinburgh with Easyjet. There is a great bike shop called Bike N Roll that helped me sort out the logistics. I simply dropped my bike off with them and they boxed it up, and dropped me off with it at the airport. It made things very simple at the end of the trip.
Alternatively, Mel (who joined me for the first part of the trip) flew home from Split in Croatia. She posted a bike box out to her hotel, who kindly accepted this for her so she could pack up her bike before travelling home.
Accommodation
I found booking.com really helpful on this trip for a few reasons
- It has lots of choice and includes self-catering apartments as well as hotels.
- You can generally change the dates on the places you book until the last minute. On this trip I was meant to have a rest day in Tirana, but actually I ended up riding two short days – it’s helpful to be able to make these kind of changes on a bike tour and not get charged.
- All the booking reservations and communications with hosts are in one place.
![Accomodation in Buzet, Croatia whilst road cycling the EuroVelo 8](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_9072-1024x576.jpg)
Accommodation in Buzet, Croatia
Food and drink
Greek food was a real highlight of the entire journey. The bakeries here are particularly amazing and worth a pit stop for a cycling snack.
The food in other Balkan countries is also tasty. Italy, Croatia and Montenegro’s coastal landscapes mean you will find some great fresh fish dishes on this cycle route, as well as plenty of locally produced meats and cheeses.
I found there were lots of places to refuel along the way and in most overnight stops there were places to grab food easily. Don’t expect to be able to get your “usual” food though – so if you have particular nutrition requirements you may need to plan ahead and even consider taking some of your own.
Weekends
Be aware! Watch out for Sundays to get your provisions. A lot of places tend to be shut in more rural places. In some places, they may shut as early as Saturday lunchtime, so plan ahead accordingly.
Water
I drank the tap water everywhere on this route except Albania.
I found cafes and restaurants along the way happy to help refill my water bottle.
![A delicious meal cycling from Venice to Corfu](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_9296-1024x576.jpg)
Great food in Montenegro
Language
English is widely spoken along the route.
The only exception I found to this was in rural Albania, where you may find it a little tricky to speak with locals.
Google translate is always a good option to fall back on; make sure you have the app so you can use the camera functionality, it’s brilliant for reading menus!
Mobile data and wifi
I found I had mobile data almost everywhere I went; I made sure my mobile package included free access in European countries and then just paid extra for daily access to data in Albania. It worked really well.
All the places I stayed had free access to wifi.
![Road cycling alongside Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_9551-1024x576.jpg)
Bring gears and leave your aero wheels at home! This is National Park Galicia, looking down on Lake Ohrid.
Gear
With limited space for luggage, packing light is essential.
Check out our touring packing list for more details.
Clothes
I went really light for this trip. Just one set of cycling clothes (the ones I was wearing!) and a set of comfortable, lightweight clothes for the evening. I did also have a rain jacket and down gilet too: a protective lightweight waterproof jacket is also a must, especially for taking on some of the high mountain passes.
Things get warm on the Adriatic coast in spring, so don’t forget some sunscreen and your sunglasses.
Be aware! Locals living in particularly rural areas will be less familiar with seeing roadies rock up to their villages and towns in lycra. So you may well attract a few funny looks.
Kit
A travel washing gel is essential for keeping the minimal gear you have feeling clean over the course of the cycle trip.
Having a small bike lock with me was extremely useful; in some places I had to keep my bike out on a balcony and while a small lock might only be a small deterrent, it gives some peace of mind.
A titanium spork, for meals on the go, was the only thing I wish I had taken.
Wheels
Top tip! Despite sticking to the roads, there are some long, rough road sections to navigate. This is especially so in more rural inland Balkan countries, like Albania. You might want to consider changing your fast, light aero wheels for something a little sturdier that can handle this terrain. Bike shops were few and far between on this route, and you don’t want a broken spoke to be a big issue.
Gears
Think about your gearing before you leave home. This is a hilly, and in place mountainous, route and having enough gears will make it more enjoyable!
![Packing essentials for road cycling from Venice (Italy) to Corfu (Greece)](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_8999-1024x576.jpg)
Kit ready for packing – I travelled light!
How much time do you need?
I completed this route in 16 days of cycling, with no rest days.
There’s no getting around the fact that you need a decent level of fitness to cover these kind of daily distances and elevation in this time.
If you have a little more time, you could break up sections to make certain days a little more manageable. Or choose to extend your stay at the beginning, or end, and make the most of the great bases in Venice and Corfu.
There’s more tips for preparing for long distance cycling in this article.
Crossing borders
You cross a total of nine borders cycling from Venice to Corfu.
A couple of the countries you cycle through are in the Schengen Area, including: Slovenia and Croatia. So, if you have a British EU passport, you can simply cycle straight through these with no stopping at all.
When crossing into Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Greece, your passport will get stamped.
Top tip! As a cyclist you are considered a pedestrian. So, if there are queues of traffic you can cycle straight past them to get to the front quickly.
Dogs
Note the comments above about dogs in Greece; I don’t think my experience was uncommon, so do be prepared if you come across dogs. There are more tips here.
Ferries
There were several ferries on this cycle route from Italy to Greece.
Some were an essential part of my route – as described above.
If you have more time, you could take additional ferries, to avoid busier roads.
Top tip! The internet is generally good along the route so booking ferries is easy to do (when you know your rough times of arrival).
![Catching the ferrry to Corfu](https://epicroadrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EuroVelo-8-cycling-Adriatic-Coast-IMG_9658-1024x576.jpg)
The ferry to Corfu
Currency and budget
Most of the countries on this route accept euros and I found that contactless payments were generally widely available.
Rural Albania was the only place in which I really needed cash in the local currency in order to pay for accommodation and food.
Compared with other countries in the region, I found Albania very inexpensive, with accommodation ranging from £15 to £50 a night.
Highway code and travel information
It’s always a good idea to check current travel information before you book and travel. For UK visitors, the UK government travel information pages for the eight countries can be found here:
You should also read and follow each of the country’s highway codes.
A huge thank you to Andrew Norris for sharing his epic road cycling journey from Venice to Corfu. We hope you find this alternative EuroVelo 8 route useful and are excited to get plotting your own cycle ride from Venice to Corfu. We are certainly feeling incredibly inspired to take on our own cycling adventure through these Balkan and Mediterranean countries!
Want more information on Italy, Slovenia and Croatia? Head to our hub pages: Italy, Slovenia and Croatia.
Looking for other multi-day cycling trips? Head to our multi-day cycling route hub page, which includes everything from Spain’s Camino de Santiago routes to a route around Triglav National Park and the Route des Grandes Alpes from Geneva to Nice.
Please support Epic Road Rides
A huge amount of time and effort goes into the article you’ve just read, all with the aim of helping you!
If you found what you’ve read useful, I’d really appreciate it if you dropped something in the tip jar here.
It’s a way you can say thank you and help us carry on creating top quality content with no annoying ads and no pay wall.
Looking for an organised cycling trip?
If you want someone to help you plan and book your cycling holiday, fill out this form. We aren’t a tour operator/agent but we work with lots of people who are and will do our best to put you in touch with someone that can help (within 24 hours wherever possible)!
The contents of this website are provided for general information purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on it. You should carry out your own due diligence and risk assessments and take professional advice. Views expressed by interviewees or other users of this website do not necessarily represent our views. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content on our website is accurate, complete or up to date. If you use any information or content on this website, download from, or otherwise obtain content or services through our website, it is entirely at your own discretion and risk. Epic Road Rides Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the information and content on this website. Find out more here.