Cycling holidays in Summer:
the best places to cycle

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1. Switzerland

Best for idyllic summer scenery

Switzerland is known for its challenging climbs, stunning mountain scenery and perfectly smooth roads. Its idyllic scenery is best explored by bike during the summer months, when temperatures are warm and the forests, meadows and vineyards are full of life and colour.

One of the best destinations for cyclists is just twenty minutes outside Geneva, in the stunning Romandie region of Switzerland. From here you have easy access to a wide variety of routes on both sides of the Swiss/French border, including iconic climbs, rolling vineyards and flatter lake rides featured in both the Tour of Romandie and Tour de France.

You’ll enjoy cycling with a constant backdrop of the French Alps including the snowy peaks of Mont Blanc.

More information

SunVelo’s Swiss cycling experience includes accommodation in a 4* Half-Board hotel situated in Romandie. Your trip also includes expert guided cycling with professional guides on a mixture of routes including rolling roads through lush vineyards, flat countryside roads close to Lac Leman and challenging climbs from the Jura mountains and French Alps.

SunVelo pride themselves on offering a memorable social experience. You ride as a team with a friendly, encouraging atmosphere, on quiet roads and visiting local cafés to fuel your adventure. Everyone is welcome!

Head to SunVelo's website for more information about their Switzerland cycling holidays.

2. Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy

Best for exploring a quieter corner of Italy

Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) is one of Italy’s best-kept cycling secrets. Tucked away in the far northeast, it borders Austria, Slovenia, and the Adriatic Sea, offering a unique mix of mountain climbs, rolling vineyards, and gorgeous coastal rides.

For road cyclists, the region is home to legendary climbs like Monte Zoncolan and Passo della Forcella, both Giro d’Italia highlights. The Alpe Adria Cycle Path and Parenzana bike trail also provide scenic, long-distance options for cycle touring. Families and leisure cyclists will particularly love the flat routes along the Adriatic and through historic towns such as Trieste and Aquileia.

Friuli Venezia Giulia’s compact size makes it relatively easy to explore. In a single day, you can cycle from mountain villages like Gemona del Friuli down to the beaches of Grado. Along the way, stop in charming, historic towns, such as the Cividale del Friuli a UNESCO-listed site. You can also enjoy delicious local food and wine.

The region is cycling-friendly, with well-marked bike routes, dedicated services, and rental shops in key towns. It regularly hosts stages of the Giro d’Italia and offers challenging gran fondos, such as the Gran Fondo Friuli and Ciclovia Alpe Adria Gran Fondo which both take place in June! For a quieter experience, the backroads of Collio’s vineyards offer lovely scenery to cycle.

More information

You can discover more about this region of Italy in this in-depth guide to Friuli Venezia Giulia.

A guide to the Alpe Adria cycle route.

A guide to the Parenzana bike trail.

Find out more about cycling in Northeast Italy with this useful guide.

A vineyard landscape in the rural Collio region

3. Yorkshire, UK

Best for staycationing cyclists

If you like challenging climbs, wild weather and getting off the beaten track, then Yorkshire could well be the best cycling destination to head for during summer. The mildest climate conditions can be expected at this time of year, and opting for this cycling holiday in the UK means you won’t even have to take your bike out of the country.

Yorkshire is at the forefront of the British cycling scene due to the events the north-eastern region hosts. Cyclists have flocked here each year for the Tour of Yorkshire and the Etape du Dales, both held during May, as well as international events.

So which parts of Yorkshire make for the best cycling breaks? Highlights for those traversing the area’s roads on two wheels include the Strines in the south, the eastern Yorkshire Wolds and Calderdale in the west, while many of Yorkshire’s the steepest hills are located in the Yorkshire Dales.

May, June, July and August are the months to visit, as the weather is more likely to be kind (although this is of course far from guaranteed)! Whether in blazing sunshine or drizzly rain, this landscape of dry stone walls, old cottages, desolate moors and rolling green hills offers some of the best cycling holidays in the UK.

More information

For more guidance on the best cycling routes, where to find breathtaking climbs, where to hire bikes and our recommended cycling hotels, check out our complete guide to cycling in the Yorkshire Dales.

Descending Buttertubs Pass

4. French Alps

Best for ticking off Tour de France climbs

Take a short hop across the English channel and you can experience all that French cycling holidays have to offer. Completing epic climbs here is incredibly rewarding, and the summer weather is pleasant but not too hot thanks to the elevation.

Cycling holidays in France are understandably popular – not least because of the world-famous Tour de France. So of course you’ll find some of the best cycling routes in Europe here. If you love the thrill of a tough climb followed by an electrifying descent, then you have to experience a road cycling holiday here at least once.

The best cycling climbs are found throughout the north, south and central French Alps, so you can choose between skirting close to the shores of Lake Geneva, tackling the fabled Alpe d’Huez or sweeping along the roads of the Cote d’Azur and more.

If tackling 2,000 metre peaks sounds like a challenge you’re ready to take on, then France offers some of the finest cycling holidays in Europe. Add to that soaring Alpine peaks, glittering lakes and native wildlife, and you have the recipe for the cycling weekend or longer holiday of a lifetime.

More information

You can find out more about what France has to offer the keen road cyclist in our helpful articles on Alpine cycling, the Alpe d’Huez or Col de L’Iseran regions and La Marmotte Granfondo route.

Climbing up the legendary Alpe D’Huez

5. Dolomites, Italy

Best for mountain goats

If you’re considering Italy, then considering a Dolomites cycling holiday is a no-brainer. Majestic peaks that tower over you no matter how high you climb, an impressive road cycling heritage and arduous ascents are just some of the reasons to visit.

This area of northern Italy forms part of the Italian Alps, and lies to the north of Venice and south of the Austrian border. There are plenty of peaks with formidable gradients to tackle here, all set among an unspoiled, natural landscape dotted here and there with grazing mountain goats. This incredible landscape makes it one of the best places to cycle on earth. Did we mention that it’s a UNESCO world heritage site?!

If you time your visit carefully, you may also get to experience the Dolomites Bike Day, the Sella Ronda Bike Day or the Maratona dles Dolomites. These are annual events held during mid or late June and July respectively – in one of the best cycling countries on the planet. At any time during summer, the best routes include the Sella Ronda, the Maratona loop and the Funes Valley area.

May or June are great months to visit the Dolomites if you can, as you’ll avoid the Italian school holidays held in July and August.

More information

You can discover more about the Italian Dolomites region or the Maratona dles Dolomites course in our dedicated articles.

Take a look at these 4 best cycling routes in the Dolomites for more ideas.

Climbing up Passo Fedaia

6. Austria

Best for varied terrain

If you’re keen on tackling a range of terrain during a cycle holiday, then an Austrian cycling holiday could be perfect for you.

In contrast to other mountain cycle holidays in Europe, Austria isn’t just about the steepest gradients. While there is an abundance of mountains to climb here, it’s also ideal for those seeking cycling holidays for beginners.

The 2018 Innsbruck World Championships plunged Austria into the road cycling spotlight, and what’s great is that you can access a range of cycling destinations within a relatively small country. There are lofty peaks in the west to rival Europe’s finest, and flatter terrain in the east that’s well suited to family cycling holidays.

Austria’s best-known cycling challenge is the Grossglockner climb, while the vast majority of locations lying to the east of Salzburg are a lot flatter. The tarmac here tends to be slick and well-maintained, and there’s a thriving cycling scene with plenty of bike shops.

Whether the vineyards of the Bucklige Welt area, the lakes around Salzburg, the flora and fauna of Bregenz Forest or classic Alpine scenery appeals most, this compact country offers Austria cycling holidays to suit everyone.

More information

For the ultimate guide to cycling in Austria, take a look at our guide.

This article shares John Vincent’s cycling tour of the Salzkammergut region, east of Salzburg.

Großglockner (photo credit: Pinzgau_Heiko Mandl)

7. Slovenia

Best for eco tourism

If you like to tread – or wheel – gently over the earth’s surface, then Slovenia offers some of the best cycle routes in Europe for eco-conscious riders. This is a country well set-up for Europe cycling holidays, as it’s a pursuit actively encouraged by the government – as well as something of a hotbed for talented pro cyclists.

Another factor in favour of Slovenia is that there’s a good variety of terrain, and you can see a range of landscapes during Slovenia cycling holidays too. The Julian Alps also tick the challenging ascents box that’s so important to some riders.

Other cycling highlights of Slovenia include the undulating hills and flat terrain of the Alpine foothills, the eastern plains and vineyards, and the gravel tracks of Mediterranean Slovenia.

If it’s cycling family holidays you want and other aspects of Slovenia such as lush green valleys, clear blue lakes and the Mediterranean coastline appeal as much as the Alpine climbs, then cycling holidays in Slovenia could be the ideal choice.

More information

Explore the basics of cycling in Slovenia in this guide and read more about the Julian Alps and Vipava Valley in our in-depth guides. This multi-day bike tour of the Slovenian Alps and Triglav National Park, also makes useful reading.

The Mangat Saddle Pass

8. Romania

Best for hidden gem lovers

Another option for those looking beyond UK cycling holidays or the usual destinations is Romania. Some of the best cycling in Europe can be found here, and it’s a welcoming and very affordable place to spend time in (as long as you’re happy with the risk from bears and dogs).

Epic cycle rides found in Romania include the Transfagarasan Highway, an uncommonly switchback filled route. Those who make the climb on the northern side are rewarded with heart-stopping views from various parts of the uppermost sections. To the south, you can take on the challenging climb that commences from Vidraru Dam and passes the magnificent lake of the same name.

The TransAlpina Highway is Romania’s other hidden gem. Set out from Tau Bistra to experience a legendary ascent to a summit more than 2,000 metres above sea level. En route you can also encounter emerald forests, vast swathes of meadow and even enjoy authentic Romanian hospitality while taking a refreshment stop.

Other hot tips for those taking self-guided cycling holidays in Romania include the Drumul Vinului Race and the Sultanu climb. Due to more favourable weather conditions, summer is the best time to take these bike riding trips in Romania.

If you do go, just make sure you’re ready with the bear spray – it could come in useful for Romania’s notorious dogs too!

More information

Find our cycling destination guide to Romania here. Get tips on planning a bike trip to Romania here.

Transfagarasan and Balea Lake aerial view

Where’s your favourite place to cycle in summer?

There is so much more to summer bike rides in Europe than cycling holidays in Mallorca – though of course they are also one of the top options around!

Don’t forget to check out some of our other posts while you’re here, such as our pick of the best French Alps cycle tours, the top Italian cycling destinations and the finest routes in the UK and Ireland.

If you liked this guide or would like to share one of your own summer cycling secrets with us, please do let us know via the comments section below.

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.