European Cycling Holidays - The Ultimate Guide
The best European Cycling Holidays are those that take in Europe's best cycling routes and climbs. At Love Velo, we are the experts when it comes to European road cycling holidays, as well as a variety of other flatbar biking routes.
We provide the best cycling holidays in Spain, from the Canaries to Mallorca and from the Costa Brava to the Costa Blanca as well as other amazing destinations in France, Italy and beyond. If you are researching the best cycling holidays in Europe, we have put together a guide below ordered by destination as well as the best cycling climbs in Europe. Check out each destination guide which will provide you with a variety of information including the best cycling routes, top cycling climbs as well as hints, tips and a wealth of other information.
Contents
Cycling Guides - Ordered by Destination
Our European Cycling Guide - By Destination
Click on your destination of choice to find out more about cycling in each location.
Our Guide To the Best European Climbs
We have picked some of the best cycling climbs in Europe.
European cycling climbs are revered worldwide, whether its the high Alps, short punchy climbs, or long roads up volcanoes. For those that climb, the challenge that the climbs represent and the opportunity to ride in the tyre tracks of legends are incredibly alluring. Then there are the mythical climbs like Ventoux or Alpe d'Huez which sits among the pantheon of the best cycling routes in Europe.
Whatever the reason you love cycling in the mountains, let us inspire you. We have put together our top 20 European cycling climbs below as well as a description of each climb ordered by country.
Mallorca's Best Climbs
If you’re planning a cycling holiday to Mallorca, you will probably be researching the best Mallorca cycling routes will be. From cycling out to the Cap Formentor lighthouse or taking on the famous Tramuntana climbs including Sa Calobra, Puig Major or the Coll de Soller, you can find out below what we consider to be the best routes and rides on the island. Make sure to check out the less well known climbs too, such as Port de Valldemossa, the Coll de Randa or Sobremunt, where you will find a lot less cyclists and a lot less congestion in the summer months.
The Best Climbs in The Canaries
Cycling in The Canary Islands is dominated by climbing but the amount of climbing will vary according to which island you want to explore.
The cycling climbs in Tenerife tends to be about Mt Teide. You can ride close to 50km of ascent from sea level to the top of the Volcano, and that is why so many professional teams base themselves in Tenerife. The island also offers some incredible climbs to the north of the island, and towards the sheer cliffs at Masca. Ride down to the Punta de Teno lighthouse and back up towards Santiago del Teide for more epic riding. Check out our favourite climbs on the island below.
If you want to enjoy the best climbs in Lanzarote, you will ride smaller, punchier climbs, such as Tabayesco Valley, or the lava fields in the Timanfaya National Park. We also recommend riding up to the Mirador del Rio, an incredible viewpoint in the very north of the island.
The Best Cycling Climbs in Tenerife
The Best Cycling Climbs in the Rest of the Canaries including Lanzarote & Gran Canaria
France's Best Climbs
Cycling and France are synonymous, and the climbs in France are numerous and diverse. We couldn't possibly list all the climbs in a country famed for the Tour de France, but here are our 5 favourite climbs featuring Mont Ventoux, the best of the Pyrenees and Alpe d'Huez.
Italy's Best Climbs
Italy's landscape offers diverse climbing and some of the toughest riding in Europe. Spend some time in the Italian Alps and experience riding not too dissimilar to that in the French Alps or head to the Italian Dolomites and experience riding in amongst sheer cliff walls and craggy peaks, in this stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whether you want to conquer the Stelvio, Gavia & Mortirolo, or take on the infamous 48 hairpins of the Stelvio, there's nothing quite like cycling in Italy.
