FollowEurope boasts a plethora of cities where cycling isn’t just a mode of transportation but a way of life. From the charming canals of Amsterdam to the rolling hills of Tuscany, each destination offers unique experiences for cyclists of all levels. Le Vélo voyageur specializes in crafting unforgettable cycling adventures, guiding enthusiasts through some of Europe’s most picturesque landscapes. Let’s embark on a journey to discover the top cycling cities in Europe where Le Vélo voyageur leads the way.
1. The Netherlands
The Hague, Almere, Utrecht, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Groningen, Zwolle, Rotterdam, Enschede… On the list of peopleforbikes.org, 10 of the 50 best cycling cities worldwide are Dutch. The Dutch have a long history of cycling. By the 1940’s, about 50% of the Dutch owned a bicycle. After WWII, cycling became less and less important. The outskirts of Amsterdam started to modernize with big access roads. Thousands died in traffic. The population started to protest and that had a huge impact on legislation. Today cycling is considered a top priority in the Netherlands with strict rules and regulations for everything bicycle-related.
Our recommendation: Amsterdam and around the IJssel lake on a bicycle
2. Flanders
Brussels, Leuven, Ghent, Bruges, Kortrijk and Antwerp are all considered great cycling cities. Belgium has the fiercest and most bonkers cycling enthusiasts in the world. Watch the Tour of Flanders and you’ll see an estimate of one million spectators along the parcours, for a population of 6 million… Cycling is a religion in Flanders and Eddy Merckx is a god.
Our recommendation: The Tour of Flanders on a bicycle in 7 dayh
3. Alsace (France)
With Strasbourg as the undisputed number 1 bicycle city in France, rising star Colmar and no less than 2500 km of bicycle paths in the region, Alsace is among the top of the world when it comes to cycling destinations. The region is magnificent and the food delicious.
Our recommendation: A cycling week in Alsace from Strasbourg to Colmar
4. Southwest France
Another French top city is Bordeaux. The town center is largely designed for cyclists. The city is the starting point of many of our holidays. With Bordeaux, Toulouse and Montpellierhigh up many rankings, the Canal of two seas (Canal latéral de la Garonne and Canal du Midi) seems the obvious choice. Don’t rule out Nouvelle Aquitaine and Les Landes however. This region has always been a great destination for cyclists with hundreds of kilometers of bicycle paths through forests and along the coast.
Our recommendation: 4 days from Bordeaux to Arcachon along the Atlantic coast
5. Opal coast (France)
The Opal coast is wonderful. Boulogne, Calais, Dunkirk and the Vélomaritime cycling route connecting them in all safety. The roads are well paved and usually quite flat. The cities have a well laid out bicycle infrastructure. Moreover, the region is full of history and the coast is glorious. Admittedly, it can rain sometimes, but to use a quip : there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
Our recommendation: Cycling the Opal Coast from Le Touquet to Dunkirk
Rising star : Slovenia
It just didn’t make our top 5, but we had to add Ljubljana to the list. The city wriggled itself up many lists by investing massively in cycling infrastructure. They did everything according to the rules and Ljubljana/Slovenia is ready to become a grand cycling region.
Our recommendation: 8 days in Slovenia : cycle around lake Bled
Cities that are missing from our catalog, but might be added in the future : Copenhagen, Malmö, Berlin, Oslo, Helsinki, Barcelona, and many many others. The future of cities lies within their cycling infrastructure. The better the infrastructure, the happier the people living there are!