Cycling guide
Expand your pedalling parameters as you peruse our cycling holidays travel guide and discover routes that take you from Europe, to Asia, to South Africa, and beyond.
Best time to go cycling in Europe
The best time to go cycling in Europe is to head north when it's hot and south when it's not.![]()
Part of Europe’s charm is the unpredictable nature of the weather and as long as you’re equipped with suitable lightweight layers, including waterproofs, you’ll be able to hit the ground pedalling in Andalucia, Sicily and the Algarve, pretty much all-year-round. The further north you travel, or the higher the altitude, the more chance of snow and ice, with the Alps, Scandinavia and the Baltics not renowned cycling locations over the winter. Reliable advice as to the best time to go cycling in Europe is to head south during the winter and north during the summer with spring and autumn often finding the most pleasant conditions across the board. Seasonal festivals, cycling competitions (the Tour de France is in July) and cultural events can also affect when to go, with July and August school hols bumping up prices and creating congestion, especially along the coast.
Cycling in Europe region by region
Northern Europe
The warmer and lighter summer months of July and August make cycling holidays in Northern Europe a real pleasure with glistening glaciers in the north of Norway and island hopping in cycle-friendly Sweden adding to the overall enjoyment of days spent in and out of the saddle.
Eastern Europe
Either side of summer is generally considered to be the best time to go cycling in Eastern Europe with the route from Estonia to Latvia and onwards to the Curonian Spit and Trakai in Lithuania definitely advisable outside of the hotter and more crowded months of July and August.
Southern Europe
Even as early as February, March and April you’ll find good cycling conditions in Southern Europe with the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in Andalucia often flourishing in fragrant orange blossom. Other Southern European regions, such as Catalonia in Spain, the Alentejo and Algarve in Portugal and Italy’s Amalfi Coast and Etruscan hillsides, are also best cycled either side of summer with September and into October also good times to cycle alongside the fiery foliage of autumn.
Central Europe
Spring and autumn are also the best times to go cycling in Central Europe with the roads and ferries along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast often empty whilst Montenegro and Albania both boast flower-filled valleys and vast lakes leading to traditional villages and hearty local fare. Capital cities such as Vienna, Prague and Budapest are also much more appealing to cyclists outside of summer with cultural cobbles, homemade cakes and alfresco cafes providing just reward for lengthy distances.
Western Europe
Finally, France falls into several best time to go brackets with the central regions and French Alps certainly very enjoyable from May through to September. The alpine cols of the Tour de France are ideal for tackling after the event finishes at the end of July with the 21 hairpins of the Alpe d’Huez helping to provide your own grandstand finish. The further south you go the warmer it gets with Provence in July the peak season for lavender lovers looking to cycle under hot summer sunshine.
Porto to Lisbon cycling holiday, self guided
Easy flat scenic ride along beautiful coastline
From
€1019 to €1280
8 days
ex flights
Trieste to Pula cycling tour, self guided
Self-guided cycling tours through Italy, Slovenia and Croatia
From
€1020 to €1420
8 days
ex flights
Self-guided cycling Bosnia, Montenegro & Albania
Cycle the Balkans - Three country cycling adventure
From
€1270 to €1390
8 days
ex flights
Self guided cycling holiday in Croatia, Istria
Discover the sights and sounds of Parenzana by bike
From
€650 to €880
5 days
ex flights
Lofoten Islands self guided cycling holiday, Norway
Cycling vacation in Lofoten, where nature meets adventure
From
NKr25600
8 days
ex flights
Marseille to Barcelona cycling holiday
Camargue, Canal du Midi and Catalonia
From
£1695
8 days
ex flights
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Best time to go cycling in Europe
Melanie McAnaw, from our cycling holiday partner, Headwater, shares her advice on the best time to go on a cycling holiday in Europe: “No matter what the time of year, pack lightweight waterproofs that can be pulled out if needed and go for wider cycling sunglasses as they offer complete protection from ‘fly in the eye’.”
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