Italian cycling holidays

Bike tours in Italy

28 tours see all tours

In brief

Self-guided cycling vacations to discover Italy

We have carefully selected routes on bike paths and low-traffic back roads for your cycling vacation in Italy, with your choice of regions from north to south. Choose your itinerary, while we take care of all the logistics: comfortable hotels, luggage transport, rental bikes, an app with maps, roadbook, points of interest and GPS tracks, and a helpline at your disposal every day during the tour.

Why choose Girolibero for Italy?

Italy is where we live and work. Our headquarters are in Vicenza, and we have been organising cycling holidays across the country for over 20 years, and that experience shows in every detail — from the routes we select to the hotels and local partners we work with. These are not just suppliers: they are long-standing relationships built on trust, which means better service and a more authentic experience for you on the road.

To discover

From the Alps to the sea

From the Dolomites to the heel of the boot, Italy offers an extraordinary variety of landscapes for cycling holidays. Ride through forests and alpine meadows along the rivers of Trentino and South Tyrol along the River Adige Cycle Path, explore the Palladian villas and lagoons of the Veneto, pedal through the rolling hills of Tuscany between Pisa, Florence and Siena, or discover the whitewashed towns and olive groves of Puglia and Salento. Whatever region you choose, you’ll find that Italy rewards the slow traveller.

Not only pizza and gelato

One of the great pleasures of cycling in Italy is what awaits you at the end of each stage. A glass of local wine, a plate of fresh bigoli or orecchiette, a slice of tiramisù in a medieval piazza…the food changes with every region, and so does the experience. In Italy, the table is never just a meal: it’s part of the story.

Travel experiences to try

Some of our bike tours in Italy have become firm favourites with our guests year after year. Cycle from Mantua to Venice aboard one of our own barges on our unique bike and barge tour along the Venetian waterways. Head south to Salento for a round tour between Lecce, Otranto and the coast, one of the most loved itineraries in our catalogue. Or push beyond the Italian border on our tour from the Venetian lagoon all the way to Porec in Croatia — a journey that stays with you long after you’ve returned home.

Tours

Northern Italy (16 tours)

Admire the peaks of the Dolomites from valley-floor bike paths, pedal past Palladian villas in the Veneto, and finish the day with a glass of Amarone or a Spritz on the shores of Lake Garda. Further west, Piedmont tempts you with Barolo, truffles and the gentle hills of Langhe and Monferrato. However you slice it, northern Italy is very hard to leave.

Central Italy (7 tours)

Tuscany is a feast for the eyes and for the stomach. Ride through cypress-lined roads between Pisa, Florence and Siena, stop for a bowl of pici al ragù in a hilltop village, and let the electric bike do the talking on the steeper climbs. Just across the border, Umbria offers a quieter, greener side of central Italy: medieval villages, ancient forests and a slower rhythm that suits cycling perfectly. Further south, the Roman countryside opens up into a world of ancient roads, volcanic lakes and hilltop towns like Civita di Bagnoregio that feel completely off the tourist trail.

Southern Italy (2 tours)

Down in Puglia, the light is different, the pace is slower, and the food is extraordinary. Cycle past centuries-old olive trees and trulli in Valle d’Itria, arrive in Lecce for a plate of orecchiette alle cime di rapa, and cool off in the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic. Salento in particular has become one of our most loved destinations and once you’ve been, it’s easy to understand why.

Themes

For families (3 tours)

Our family tours follow dedicated bike paths and quiet roads, with shorter stages so little legs never feel overwhelmed. Lake Garda, the Adige cycle path through South Tyrol and the Euganean Hills are three of our most loved destinations for families: easy riding, stunning scenery and thermal baths to round off the day. Family-friendly hotels, discounts for children and teenagers, and bikes and attachments for every age mean you can focus on the fun part. Learn more about our family cycling holidays.

FAQs

Our promise to those who travel with us is this: cycle easy, travel light. These words capture the essence of what we do. Choose your favourite cycling holiday and leave the rest to us: itinerary, handpicked accommodation, luggage transfer between stops and multilingual dedicated assistance. If you choose a self-guided cycling tour, you follow the stages at your own pace with route maps; if you join a group tour, just follow your guide.

Italy has a wealth of places to explore by bike, from north to south. In the north, the Adige cycle path from the Dolomites to Lake Garda is one of the most scenic and well-loved routes in the country, and the Veneto region offers a world of its own: Palladian villas, the Euganean Hills, the Venice lagoon and a network of quiet roads that reward slow exploration. Tuscany offers iconic landscapes between Pisa, Florence and Siena, while Umbria delivers a quieter, greener alternative with medieval villages and ancient forests. Down south, Puglia and Salento are hard to beat for atmosphere, food and the colour of the sea. And if you want to combine cycling with a bit of sailing, our bike and barge tour from Mantua to Venice is in a category of its own. For those who love to travel through taste as much as through landscapes, Piedmont is another perfect fit. We’ve gathered in this article the best food to try while cycling in Piermont

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are ideal almost everywhere in Italy: pleasant temperatures, beautiful light and fewer crowds. Summer is perfectly manageable in the north and along the Adriatic coast, where sea breezes keep things comfortable, but can be demanding in Tuscany and central Italy if you are not used to the heat.

July can also be a special time to travel if you enjoy local traditions and lively atmospheres: cities and towns come alive with festivals and events, such as the Festa del Redentore in Venice, with its spectacular fireworks over the lagoon.

Puglia and Salento are wonderful in May, June and September. If you are flexible, avoiding August is a good idea.

On self-guided bike tours, we provide everything you need to find your way: detailed maps and route descriptions, in printed or digital format depending on the trip. Some trips also include the Ride with GPS app, with GPS tracks and route content, available offline too. On guided group tours, your guide takes care of everything — you just follow along.

You can rent the bike that suits you best — it will be ready and waiting at your starting point. You can choose between an e-bike and a standard bike and, if you’re travelling with family, there are plenty of accessories for children of all ages, from child seats to bike trailers. On some trips you can also bring your own bicycle. Check the trip page for full details on available bikes.

We offer self-guided tours that are perfect for cycling at your own pace and in total freedom. We provide all the necessary information, materials, maps, and route descriptions. All you have to do is pedal! If you prefer to ride within a group and follow the tour leader, check out our bike and boat tour from Mantua to Venice.

Yes, on almost all our trips you can rent an electric bike — a great help when the stages are hilly or when the heat kicks in. If you want to find out more before deciding, our blog has everything you need to know about e-bikes: how they work and why you might want to choose one.

Wearing a helmet while cycling is not required by law. For your safety, we always recommend wearing one, so make sure to bring yours.

Every morning you leave your luggage at the reception desk and we take care of transporting it to your next accommodation. We will provide you with luggage labels and drop-off times. During the day, you can carry your essentials in the side bag provided with your rental bike. The service is always included in the price. Cycling light makes all the difference.

Accommodation varies depending on the trip. It can range from hotels and guesthouses to B&Bs and private rooms, or even boats if you choose a bike and barge tour. We handpick every property with care, favouring those conveniently located along the route. Breakfast is always included. For full details, check the “Comfort” section on the trip page.

Every bike tour includes: handpicked accommodation with breakfast, luggage transfer, route materials and multilingual assistance. Depending on the trip, you can add extra services to your quote, such as bike rental, meals, extra nights and transfers.

Yes, and that’s one of the best things about self-guided tours. You pick the date that suits you, within the tour’s season (usually April to October). A few tours have fixed start days for logistical reasons — this is always flagged on the tour page.

We strongly recommend it. A good policy should cover medical expenses, trip cancellation and cycling-specific incidents. Travel insurance is not included in the tour price and must be arranged independently before your trip.

It is simple: select your trip, get your quote, and book directly online by filling in the required details and paying a deposit by credit card or bank transfer. Within 3 working days we will send you a confirmation email or an update. If you have any questions or doubts, get in touch. We are available by phone or email.

Assistance

Luggage transportation
Traveling light makes all the difference! All travel itineraries come with our signature luggage transport service: simply leave your bags at the front desk each morning and we’ll drop them off at your next lodging.

 

Tour information
We’ll send you all the tour information before you set off on your adventure. It contains practical information, instructions on how to reach the starting point, a list of hotels, and answers to frequently asked questions. For our self-guided tours, we’ll also hand over detailed maps and roadbooks, in either physical or digital format, so you can follow the route on your own.
No need to worry about figuring out which turn to take if you opted for one of our group trips; in this case, your chaperone will gladly tell you where to go next!

 

Need help?
We plan your trip carefully to prevent any mishaps, but in case you need assistance, we’re available for support 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Discover more

Girolibero cycling holidays

Holidays on cycle paths and the best cycle tourism routes in Italy and Europe, featuring accommodation in selected facilities, luggage transport services, informational materials, bike rentals, and dedicated assistance.

Discover all bike tours

Travelers’ tips and stories

Get inspired before your trip with advice and travel tales from fellow adventurers on our blog

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