Top 10 Places to Bike in Italy

This off the beaten track destination is a favorite of mountain bikers. Climb hills dotted with silvery olive trees into the Gran Sasso mountain range. The Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo is Italy’s oldest and will grant you incredible views across valleys, lakes and small villages.

Ride the 40 kilometers of the legendary SS163 with its numerous twists, turns and breath taking views. You can also climb the steep cliffs up from the town of Amalfi to Ravello for unbelievably scenic sights. Try the route from pastel Positano up to Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi and you can have glimpses of both the Amalfi and the Sorrentine coastlines.

20,000 meter-high peaks and silent meadows are the elements that draw serious cyclists to the Dolomites. Start at the swanky ski resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo and take your bike onto the chair lifts that will bring you high up into the mountain range for a thrilling ride back down. You can also stay in the South Tyrollean town of Bolzano and ride to the Seiser Alm, the largest Alpine meadow in Italy.

Cycle in the Dolomites on one of DuVine’s Dolomites Bike Tours.

With its relatively small land area and its multitude of bike lanes, this Renaissance city is ideal for tours on two wheels. Ride along the Arno river or head to the city’s largest park, the Parco delle Cascine. For a day trip out of Florence, you will find vineyards and rolling hills in every direction. Spend a day in Chianti, biking, eating and drinking the specialties of the region.

Ride with DuVine in Chianti on our Tuscany Bike Tour.

This world-renowned, three week long race is one the cycling world’s most important. The route changes every year but always covers great swaths of the country. Pick a section of the current or past years and test yourself against the times of some the world’s greats. The 46-kilometer Barbaresco to Barolo part of the 2014 route has gentle hills and will take you through two of Italy’s most well-known wine regions.

This gem of a Tuscan town is one of Italy’s cycling capitals. The town recently was the starting point of the Road Cycling World Championship. Steep walls from the middle ages surround Lucca and along the top of these walls is a 4.3-kilometer loop for strolling and cycling.

This region at the foothills of the Alps offers scenic vineyards, hilltop towns, fertile valleys and mountain scenery. You can climb 6,000 meter peaks or ride at a more gentle pace and stop along the way to sample wine, hearty dishes and chocolate typical of this northern region.

Ride the rolling hills of Piedmont on a DuVine Piedmont Bike Tour.

The busy capital city may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of cycling in Italy, but it’s a great way to get around town quickly while seeing the sights. The bike path along stretches of the Lungotevere are car-free, making them safe and ideal for leisurely cruising along. The ancient Appia Antiqua was once the most important road in ancient Rome, linking the city to Puglia in the far south of the country. It now happens to be a great place to go biking. Then, ride along large stones that date back over 2,000 years under green umbrella pines and see incredible archaeological sites. Between the towns of Capranica to Civitavecchia is an abandoned railway line that has a tunnel more than a kilometer long which makes for a not-too-rigorous but thrilling biking sessions in the afternoon.

The island of Sardinia’s wild interiors and spectacular coastline make it an incredible destination for a biking trip. You can choose a relaxing itinerary along the glamorous Costa Smerelda or challenge yourself with some rigorous mountain biking in the interior near the ancient mine of Sulcis.

Experience this captivating Italian island in style on DuVine’s Sardinia Bike Tour.

While riding a bike is forbidden in Venice itself, you can easily take a vaporetto to one of the islands where it’s allowed. Lido, Sant’ Erasmo or Pellestrina are all excellent choices. Out of this group, Lido is the best because you can ride safely along a 5-kilometer stone breakwater known as the Murazzi. It was built by the Venice Republic in the 13th century, making it a can’t-miss landmark if you’re looking for a full Venetian experience.

Ride with DuVine in Verona + Lake Garda and visit Venice before or after your tour!