Recently updated on June 9th, 2020 at 03:44 pm
Being on two wheels in the fresh air is one of the best ways to explore a new city. You’ll get a different perspective on your destination while soaking up the sights on a bike, gliding through parks and blending in with the locals. Saddle up and join us as we tour around the best cities to cycle in Europe.
Amsterdam
Of course, Amsterdam is synonymous with cycling; who could forget those iconic images of bikes along picturesque canal bridges? Being pancake flat, it lends itself to a fabulous cycling infrastructure that began in the 1970s. Even the Mayor cycles! Amsterdam has 400km of cycle paths across the city and bike hire is available almost everywhere you look. Being Europe’s busiest cycle city there’s plenty of competition in the cycle lanes, so keep your wits about you as you ride.
Copenhagen
A third of the Danish capital’s residents commute by bike thanks to a cycle-friendly culture and abundance of lanes around its pretty waterways. Exploring its irresistibly Scandi streets is a must-do when visiting. You can hire bikes by the day or week, or one of the best ways is Copenhagan’s Bycyklen (City Bike) scheme. These public bikes can be hired by the hour and even come with touchscreen tablets to help you navigate around the city.
Bordeaux
If you’re looking for bucolic charm, the quaint city of Bordeaux makes the ideal escape. Bursting with French beauty, it’s the fourth most cycle-friendly city in the world and best seen from atop a saddle. Over 1,500 shared bikes are scattered about the city, so hop on one and peddle along the chic Cours de l’Intendance, taking in Bordeaux’s stunning 18th century architecture as you go.
Seville
Move over, Amsterdam, there’s a new kid in town. In only a few short years, the popularity of cycling in Seville has increased 11-fold. A vast network of cycleways protected with kerbs and fences have made it a go-to method of transport. When visiting, you can take advantage of Seville’s public SEVici bike scheme and pootle along the Spanish city’s elegant alleyways and gorgeous Andalusian avenues. It’s truly one of the best cities to cycle in Europe.
Berlin
With wide streets and a rapidly developing infrastructure (cycle lanes are built into many pathways) Berlin is a brilliant city to jump on a bike. Pick up a bicycle at one of the German capital’s readily available hire points and pedal round the Berliner Mauerweg, an essential circular cycle trail that will lead you around the course of the former East German border. Here you can witness key sights like Checkpoint Charlie.
Inspired to take to two wheels and visit one of these cycle-friendly cities in Europe? Click here to discover a captivating Trafalgar trip.
Image Credits: Lead image © iStock/Manuel F O. Amsterdam © iStock/AleksandarNakic. Copenhagen © iStock/AleksandarNakic. Bordeaux © iStock/mikedabell. Seville © Turismo de Sevilla.