Along for the ride: 6 cycling experts share their favourite destinations in Europe

17.01.2024 - 09:03 / nationalgeographic.com

With its myriad health benefits and thrilling sense of freedom, cycling is a great way to get out and explore, be it on a slow-paced ride through a city or a challenging climb through hilly terrain. Fortunately, Europe is crisscrossed with scenic routes to explore, from cycling through olive groves in Italy to pedalling past Portugal’s golden beaches and taking on Spain’s legendary Camino de Santiago. Here, five experts reveal where to go and why.

1. Italy
Best for: cultural highlights

Puglia, the heel of the Italian boot between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, is a fine region to explore on two wheels. Here, cobbled streets wind their way through baroque towns and the salty tang of the sea lingers in the air. For a window into the area’s most impressive sights, embark on a moderately challenging trail from UNESCO-listed Matera all the way to the city of Lecce. The route, which covers 218 miles over six days, weaves through the countryside taking in olive groves, limestone cliffs, honey-hued cave dwellings in the city of Matera, whitewashed trulli (dry-stone huts) in Alberobello and the maze of narrow, stone alleyways in Ostuni.

"There are few places in the world where you have the chance to see the landscape and the architecture change so dramatically in such a short distance," says cycling guide Paolo Maragliulo. "I've cycled extensively throughout the region, but what I loved about this specific adventure is that there are no transfers; every day you have to travel from place to place using your bike. It isn’t just a selection of nice places, but a complete immersion in the culture and the spirit of Southern Italy."

2. The Baltics
Best for: tranquil moments 

For a journey weaving together serene national parks, enchanting cities and coastal paths skirting inky blue waters, cyclists can combine all three of the Baltics — Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — on a nine-day trip. Starting in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, where red-tiled roofs sit close to fairytale spires, the 246-mile trail loops through the marshes and meadows of Lahemaa National Park, popping out from pine forests to wind towards Riga, the capital of Latvia. Bikers will discover the lesser-known beaches of Jūrmala and the Curonian Spit of Lithuania, whose golden dunes tumble towards the Baltic Sea, before the penultimate day, gliding along the banks of the Nemunas River towards Kaunas. 

“This is my favourite day,” says cycling guide Andrius Mažrimas. “We skirt Nemunas River from a gothic church, looping around the old town of Lithuania’s once provisional capital and continue towards the majestic baroque monastery of Pažaislis.”

3. Croatia
Best for: crystal-clear coasts

With frequent ferries gliding between the islands, Croatia is an