The Italian peninsula and its islands is one of the most desired vacation destinations of travelers – and there’s no guessing why. Italy offers some of the most diverse landscapes - tropical coastlines with crystal clear waters on the Mediterranean, snow-capped mountains in the Alps, monumental active volcanoes on the island of Sicily, and rolling hills in the timeless countryside of Tuscany. Why not experience all of the country has to offer from a unique perspective? By unique perspective, we mean from a good old-fashioned bicycle!
Italy is home to the oldest cycling company, Eduardo Bianchi, founded in 1885, and the second oldest, Wilier Triestina, founded in 1906. The legendary Giro d’Italia courses through Italy’s veins every May. Cycling is deeply rooted in Italian culture. Whether you’re looking for a high-elevation training ride, or you want to have a relaxing cruise with your family, the Bel Paese has it all. America Domani has created a shortlist of six gorgeous areas to explore by bicycle and to add to your cycling itinerary:
Tuscany
If you love wine, cheese, and olive oil, the Italian region of Tuscany is the place for you. It’s not difficult to ride, eat and drink your way through this popular region. The rich agriculture allows you to make stops on your cycling itinerary to enjoy a fresh farm-to-table lunch snack or meal. While not known for its famous climbs, Tuscany offers picturesque rolling hills through its rural countryside. It is the birthplace of the famous bike race “Strade Bianche”.
The Dolomites
If you’re looking for an invigorating challenge in northern Italy, the Dolomites is just your speed. Road cycling in the Dolomites is unlike cycling anywhere else in the world. The imposing limestone peaks rise up vertically around you, with the roads weaving their way through the steep-sided valleys. While the distances of some climbs might not seem easy and family friendly, conquering a 2.7 km stretch of the Passo Fedaia with a 10-15% gradient will feel like a pretty huge feat. If you’re fit and can climb, you need to visit.
Lake Como
Lake Como is the perfect place for cycling family fun with plenty of activities on this stunning body of water. You may face some hills on cycling routes, with the most notable climb to the chapel of Madonna del Ghisallo, the patron saint of cycling. Cyclists all over the world are known to go on a pilgrimage to Madonna del Ghisallo. This site has been made popular by the Giro d’Italia as one of the exciting race routes.
Sardinia
Located off the west coast of Italy and bordering the Tyrrhenian Sea, Sardinia is one of Italy’s most untouched and wild areas. Central Sardinia is a mountainous region, making mountain biking very popular on the island. You can ride up, down and through canyons to see spectacular rock formations. The island is rich with wildlife, too, so you might see goats, pigs, and sheep grazing on your cycling adventure. Sardinia offers plenty of road riding with views making it impossible not to enjoy the crystal blue sea.
The Amalfi Coast
Famously nestled into the cliffs of southern Italy is the spectacular Amalfi Coast. You can enjoy an awe-inspiring ride along Amalfi Drive - officially Strade Statale 163, or SS 163 - extending nearly 50 miles along the coast. You can take off on a scenic ride through the iconic village of Positano to Vietri sul Mare. If a leisure ride is more your pace, you can take a rest along the way for photo stops and try out the local cuisine.
Sicily
Mount Etna, one of the world’s active volcanoes, sits on the east coast of Sicily. Many cyclists enjoy riding around Mount Etna, making it popular along the Giro d’Italia race. The nearby city of Taormina is a favorite for visitors offering them glamorous beaches along the Ionian Sea. You can enjoy mellow cycling on the flatter roads, but there is still a significant amount of hills with an average elevation of 1,600 feet – certainly not as much as the Dolomites, but enough to keep the ride interesting.
Michaela Lawlor
Michaela Lawlor received her MFA in Creative and Professional Writing from Western Connecticut State University. She is an adjunct writing instructor at WCSU and works as a freelance writer. In her free time, she enjoys mountain biking, gravel biking, bikepacking, and serves on the board of the Fairfield County Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association.