Top 5 Cycling Tours in Europe

1. Land’s End to John O’ Groats, UK

Cycle the length of Britain on this tour from the sandy surf beaches of Cornwall to the far north of Scotland via Dartmoor, the Lake District, Loch Lomond and Glencoe. This two-week tour is guided by Nick Mitchell, a passionate long-distance cyclist and author of the Cicerone guidebook LEJOG (Land’s End to John O’ Groats, to those in the know). Accommodation is comfy and the camaraderie is even better – especially when freewheeling downhill after a challenging climb.

When to go: June and September
Our top selling trip: Land’s End to John O’ Groats cycling trip
See all our trips: Cycling tours in Europe holidays

2. Trieste to Pula

Get ready to ride the legendary Parenzana railway – or what’s left of it. The historic narrow-gauge line, which once connected the former Habsburg Empire, is reborn as a cycle path that delves deep into Croatia’s Istrian peninsula. Starting in Italy, you’ll steam through Slovenia, past an untouched scenery of salt pans, fortified hilltop towns, rolling vineyards and olive groves, finally tucking into truffles in the port town of Pula.

When to go: April to September
Our top selling trip: Trieste to Pula cycling tour
See all our trips: Cycling tours in Europe holidays
Read more: Croatia travel guide and Slovenia travel guide

3. Porto to Lisbon

The road to Lisbon is paved in gold – golden sand and sunshine. This sublimely wild, coastal landscape sweeps lazily south past idyllic fishing villages, where you can pause for flame grilled fish and custard tarts, through pine trees and emerald lagoons. Peaceful pristine beaches at Figueira da Foz give way to the record-smashing waves of Nazaré, promising magnificent views of the mighty Atlantic Ocean on this family-friendly ride.

When to go: April to October
Our top selling trip: Porto to Lisbon cycling holiday
See all our trips: Cycling holidays in Portugal
Read more: Portugal travel guide and Self guided cycling travel guide

4. Tallinn to Vilnius

Crossing the most scenic route across the Baltics in 11 days, this is a three-country cycling tour over varied but mostly flat terrain. You’ll start with the woods and waterfalls of Lahemaa National Park in Estonia, roll along the Russian border to Lake Peipsi, go to the Gauja Valley in Latvia, and finish off with the Hill of Witches sculpture park in Lithuania. Your efforts are rewarded by views of the Baltics’ prettiest villages, national parks and seaside towns.

When to go: May to August
Our top selling trip: Baltics cycling tour from Tallinn
See all our trips: Baltics holidays
Read more: Baltics cycling guide

5. Prague to Budapest

A cross-border nine-day journey of seemingly epic proportions, traversing 800km and four European capitals, the route from Prague to Budapest is nonetheless helped along by fairly flat terrain, shady trails and a good few four wheel transfers. An ever-changing backdrop of medieval castles, impenetrable forests and the meandering River Danube is punctuated by the cobbled charms of Cesky Krumlov, Vienna’s parks and palaces, and dumplings in Bratislava.

When to go: May to October
Our top selling trip: Prague to Budapest cycling holiday
See all our trips: Cycling tours in Europe holidays
Written by Bryony Cottam
Photo credits: [Page banner: Jeff Holker Photography] [1. Land’s End to John O’ Groats, UK: Peakpx] [3. Porto to Lisbon: Marien van Os] [5. Prague to Budapest: Jorge Franganillo]