Cycling holidays

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9 Holidays found

Danube Waltz

Cycling along the Danube through Austria and Hungary

Highlights
  • Passau at the intersection of three rivers
  • Hungarian Danube Bend
  • The metropolises of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest
  • UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site Wachau

Danube Impressions Guided

Through Austria from Passau to Vienna and back

Highlights
  • Passau, Bavarian city of 3 rivers
  • The City of Waltz, Vienna
  • The „Great Loop“ / Schlögener Donauschlinge
  • World Cultural Heritage Site Wachau

Danube Experience Iron Gates

Cycle from Passau to Budapest through 6 countries.

Highlights
  • Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade
  • The canyons of the Iron Gates National Park
  • Novi Sad, magnificent capital of the Vojvodina
  • The Wachau region with its vineyards and castles

The Danube to Vienna

Through Austria from Engelhartszell to Vienna and back

Highlights
  • the Schloegen Danube Loop
  • Melk and Linz
  • The metropolis of Vienna
  • UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site Wachau

The Danube 3 Countries Tour

Cycle through Austria, Slovakia and Hungary

Highlights
  • the Schloegen Danube Loop
  • Hungarian Danube Bend
  • The metropolises of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest
  • UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site Wachau

Danube Impressions

Cross Austria along the Danube

Highlights
  • Passau, Bavarian city of 3 rivers
  • The cosmopolitan city of Vienna with plenty of sights
  • The „Great Loop“ / Schlögener Donauschlinge
  • World Cultural Heritage Site Wachau
  • Cultural capital Linz

Passau to Budapest

Follow the Danube through Austria and Hungary

Highlights
  • 4 countries
  • Romantic Wachau Valley
  • The Danube Auen National Park
  • Great Danube loop

Danube Experience Iron Gates Guided

Passau-Vienna-Bratislava-Budapest-Belgrade-Passau / 6 countries - 4 capital cities

Highlights
  • Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade
  • The canyons of the Iron Gates National Park
  • Novi Sad, magnificent capital of the Vojvodina
  • The Wachau region with its vineyards and castles

Vienna to Budapest

The Danube cycle path, through 3 countries

Highlights
  • 3 countries, 3 capitals
  • National park Donauauen
  • Danube bend
  • Szentendre artist town

Bicycle trips in Europe

Discover Europe at the perfect pace 

Imagine waking up in a charming European town, stepping outside after breakfast and setting off by bike with the whole day ahead of you. Quiet country lanes, picturesque vineyards, rivers and centuries-old villages. You stop for coffee on a sunny terrace, linger over a local lunch and continue whenever you feel like it. No rush. No race. That’s how a bicycle trip in Europe with Cycletours feels like. 

Today, we offer cycling holidays throughout much of Europe, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, Albania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Scotland. Choose your perfect bike holiday! 

View all our bicycle trips in Europe

Bike holidays in Europe, since 1981 

Who better to organise cycling holidays than the world’s most famous cycling country: the Netherlands? At Cycletours, we're enthusiastic cyclists ourselves, and that passion inspired us to start organising bike holidays in Europe back in 1981. Six years later we became the first tour operator to offer bike & barge holidays. Since then, our collection has grown across Europe, but our philosophy has stayed the same: carefully chosen routes, personal service and the reassurance that everything is well organised. So you can simply enjoy the ride.

The most popular cycling tours

Not sure where to start? These cycling holidays have been favourites among our travellers year after year. Think colourful tulip fields, historic cities, peaceful river valleys and vineyards stretching towards the horizon.

  • Tulip tours | Cycle and sail through the spectacular colours of the Dutch tulip fields.
  • Top of Amsterdam | Discover Volendam, Enkhuizen, the island of Texel and the wide-open landscapes of the iconic Dutch polders.
  • Amsterdam ↔ Brugge | Travel between two unforgettable cities, passing historic Ghent, peaceful rivers and the typical Dutch countryside.
  • Loire valley | Cycle between magnificent castles, rolling vineyards and charming villages beside France’s enchanting Loire River.
  • Donauvallei | Follow Europe’s second-longest river through dramatic landscapes, historic towns and timeless countryside.

And this is only a taste of what is possible. Across Europe, many more cycling holidays are waiting to be discovered. Use the filters on this page to search by country, region or difficulty level and find the trip that suits the way you like to travel. Your next favourite place might be just a bike ride away.

Sleeping on a ship or in a hotel? 

Would you rather unpack once and let your hotel ship travel with you, or end each cycling day in a comfortable hotel on land? With Cycletours, you can choose between bike & barge and bike & hotel holidays. But what's the difference?

  • Ship: if you choose a bike and barge holiday, you’ll be checking in on a real ship: your floating hotel! You’ll have your own cabin, complete with toilet and bathroom. Your rental (e-)bike will also be stored on board. During the day, you'll explore beautiful cycling routes, while the barge sails to the next destination with your luggage on board. And if you feel like skipping a day of cycling? Simply stay on board and enjoy the journey from the water. We work with trusted local partners to offer some of the best bicycle trips in Europe. 

Explore our bike and barge holidays

  • Hotel: prefer to sleep on land? On a bike & hotel holiday, you cycle from one carefully selected hotel to the next. After a day on the road, you can relax, enjoy a good meal and wake up ready for a new route. We offer the following services as part of your travel package: overnight stays, (e-)bike rental, route descriptions, luggage transport and a helpline. You can choose between guided or self-guided tours.

Explore our bike and hotel tours

A bike trip for everyone 

You do not need to be a seasoned cyclist to enjoy a cycling holiday in Europe. Many of our trips are designed for relaxed days in the saddle, with plenty of time to stop for a coffee, explore a village or simply enjoy the scenery. It is not about speed or performance. It is about discovering Europe at a pace that feels good to you.

Each tour clearly shows its cycling level, ranging from level 1 to level 3:

  • Levels 1 and 2 are very easy cycling holidays with mostly flat routes, covering around 35 to 60 km per day. 
  • Level 3 is designed for slightly more experienced cyclists, with more varied terrain and daily distances of up to 75 km.

Would you like a little extra help along the way? Then an e-bike is a smart choice. The electric assistance helps you enjoy your cycling days at a comfortable pace, even if the route is a bit longer or more hilly. Good to know: a helmet is always included with your rental bike, giving you extra peace of mind from the moment you set off. 

4,6 1 reviews
  • 4,6

    We did the Amsterdam to Bruges tour on the Sailing Home. When we decided to go on a CycleTours because it looked like fun and wasn't overly physically challenging. Given the cost, I was a bit concerned about the quality of the accommodations; it seemed too good to be true. It wasn't. The rooms were small but fine. The food was excellent, the tour guide beyond anything you could hope for, and the crew was lovely. Top it off with a beautiful route and a lot of extremely nice fellow travelers and you pretty much have the best vacation for the least amount of money ever.

    Amsterdam to Bruges

Guided tours vs. self-guided tours 

Would you rather cycle with a guide and a group of fellow travellers, or enjoy the freedom of setting your own pace? With Cycletours, you can choose the travel style that suits you best: guided or self-guided tours. Whichever you choose, you’ll always benefit from luggage transport and breakdown assistance along the way. And you’ll be cycling on a comfortable (e-)bike that you rent from us. That’s the advantage of booking with Cycletours!

  • Guided tours: cycle through Europe with an international group of fellow travellers and an experienced tour guide leading the way. Along the route, your guide brings the journey to life with stories, local insights and tips, while pointing out beautiful landscapes, historic towns and special places you might otherwise pass by. The daily programme follows a fairly fixed schedule, so you can simply enjoy the ride and the company. And if anything comes up along the way, help is close at hand.
  • Self-guided tours: enjoy the freedom of cycling Europe entirely at your own pace. We provide carefully planned routes and GPS tracks, so finding your way is easy and you can focus on the journey itself. Stop for coffee when a sunny terrace tempts you, linger a little longer in a beautiful village or simply take your time over lunch: you decide how the day unfolds. Meanwhile, we transport your luggage from one accommodation to the next. And if you run into any issues along the way, help is always within reach.

How about bike rental? 

No need to bring your own bike across Europe. When you book a cycling holiday with Cycletours, you can easily add a rental bike to your trip. Choose the bike that suits you best: a standard touring bike, an e-bike or a children’s bike. All rental bikes come fully equipped with gears, hand brakes, panniers, a lock, a water bottle and a helmet. So once you arrive, all that is left to do is get comfortable in the saddle and enjoy the route ahead.

Travelling with children? You can also hire useful extras such as a bike trailer or child seat, making it easy for the whole family to join the adventure.

Check our rental bikes

Get in touch 

Ready to start planning your cycling holiday in Europe, but not quite sure which trip suits you best? Our cycling specialists are happy to help you find the right route, destination and travel style. Whether you have a practical question or would simply like some personal advice, get in touch with us. With more than 40 years of experience in cycling holidays, we know Europe by bike and are happy to point you in the right direction.

FAQ

  • What are the most bike-friendly countries in Europe?

    The Netherlands is one of the most bike-friendly countries in Europe, and for good reason. Its extensive network of high-quality cycle paths, clear signage and mostly flat terrain make exploring by bike wonderfully easy. Cycling is simply part of everyday life here. Germany and Belgium are excellent choices too, with well-developed cycling infrastructure and plenty of scenic routes through river valleys, countryside and historic towns. 

    Looking for a little more variety in the landscape? Austria, Switzerland and France combine beautiful cycling routes with rolling hills, mountains and dramatic scenery. And if you prefer to cycle with a little more sunshine on your face, Greece, Italy and Croatia offer warm climates, Mediterranean landscapes and plenty of character along the way. Discover our full range of bicycle vacations in Europe on this page.

     

  • In which countries do you offer cycling holidays?

    At Cycletours, we offer the best cycling trips in European countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain and France. Each country offers its own character, scenery and cycling experience. So whether you prefer easy-going routes, historic towns, vineyards, mountains or Mediterranean landscapes, there is plenty to discover by bike. 

    Is my luggage transported?

    Yes. Your luggage is taken care of throughout your cycling holiday, so there is no need to ride with heavy bags. 

    • On a bike & hotel holiday, your luggage is transported from one accommodation to the next each day. By the time you arrive after your ride, your bags will be waiting for you.
    • On a bike & barge holiday, it is even simpler: your luggage stays on board while you head out for the day. Your floating hotel travels with you to the next destination.

    All you need to carry on your bike are your daily essentials in the provided Cycletours bike bags. That leaves you free to enjoy the scenery, the stops along the way and, most importantly, the ride.

  • Are meals included?

    Yes, meals are included on most of our cycling holidays. In many cases, you can count on three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

    Start the day with breakfast at your hotel or on board the ship. You will usually also have the option to prepare a packed lunch to take with you, perfect for a relaxed stop somewhere along the route. On bike & barge holidays, dinner is typically served on board in the evening. After a day in the saddle, all you need to do is freshen up, take a seat and enjoy the meal while the day’s impressions sink in. 

    What is included can vary per tour, so always check the specific trip details before booking.

  • Are these group tours or individual tours?

    We offer both group tours and individual tours, so you can choose which suits you best. If you opt for a group tour (guided), you’ll cycle with a group, accompanied by a guide. If you choose an individual trip (self-guided), you’ll cycle on your own or with your partner, family or friends, without a guide. We’ll take care of the accommodation, luggage transport, breakdown assistance and route descriptions.

  • What kind of travellers book Cycletours?

    Cycletours welcomes travellers from all over the world, with many of our guests coming from the United States and Canada. We also regularly welcome cyclists from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia and New Zealand. English is the main language spoken on our bike tours, making it easy to connect with fellow travellers along the way.

    Our guests are of all ages, but they tend to have one thing in common: they love being active without turning their holiday into a race. They enjoy beautiful scenery, historic towns, local encounters and the freedom of travelling by bike at a comfortable pace.

     

  • Is my luggage transported?

    Yes. Your luggage is taken care of throughout your cycling holiday, so there is no need to ride with heavy bags. 

    • On a bike & hotel holiday, your luggage is transported from one accommodation to the next each day. By the time you arrive after your ride, your bags will be waiting for you.
    • On a bike & barge holiday, it is even simpler: your luggage stays on board while you head out for the day. Your floating hotel travels with you to the next destination.

    All you need to carry on your bike are your daily essentials in the provided Cycletours bike bags. That leaves you free to enjoy the scenery, the stops along the way and, most importantly, the ride.