Top 10 Cycling Destinations in Italy

Italy is one of the most well-known cycling destinations in Europe. It is rich in cycling history, romance, myths, and legends. The country's incredible and varied geography lends itself to cycling trips and tours, from the soaring spires of the Dolomites to the mountainous shores of the Italian Lakes, rolling hills of Tuscany and the Adriatic Coast, and finally, the amazing coastlines of the deep south and the volcanic island of Sicily. Continue reading because, in this blog, you will find the top 10 cycling destinations in Italy, plus recommended campsites, to help you plan your next camping and cycling holiday. 

The Dolomites are unique on almost every level: the cycling, the landscape, the hospitality, the people. it is a region that offers cycling holidays as well as family adventures. The area is filled with amazing cycling paths, combined into loops, ranging from 50-60km to whatever you can handle. The sole disadvantage is that once in the middle of the Alta Badia, there are few flat valley roads. However, most settlements have shops and cafes, and nearly every street has a café, so there are plenty of places to rest and take in the breathtaking landscape. The list of Passo within a 100 km radius is incredible; Pordoi, Campolongo, Sella, Gardena, Valparola, Falzarego, Giau, San Pellegrino, Alpe d'siusi, Pinei. The list goes on and on, especially if you have a car and can drive to Cortina d'Ampezzo for extra adventure. 

Stay at Camping Seiseralm or Camping Vidor. 

The spectacular Stelvio has made the Lombardy region famous and mythical in the cycling community. The area surrounding Bormio contains some of Italy's most difficult cycling climbs, making it one of the top cycling tours in Europe. The most famous is, of course, the Stelvio, which rises to a dizzying height of 2,758 metres and runs straight up for 22 kilometres from Bormio. The Bormio side is less well-known, yet it is no less difficult to climb. The Mortirolo, by far the most difficult climb in the Stelvio region, is another legend. Climb it from Mazzo to truly appreciate the 12km at an average of 11%. It is a winding, tight road made famous by the Giro. The Gavia is also located just outside of Bormio and can easily be combined with the Mortirolo to create a challenging day. Foscagno is a lesser-known but spectacular ascent from Bormio that takes you up over 2,200 metres once again. There are a handful of minor climbs around Bormio that are perfect for acclimating before taking on the monsters; one is Cancano, which leads to Livigno, where you will be rewarded with spectacular views.

Stay at Camping Kiefernhain or Camping Residence Sägemühle.

From Lake Orta in the west to the world-famous Garda in the east, this section of Italy offers some wonderful cycling options. There are some beautiful cycle routes around the eight lakes. Whether you want to put your skills to the test on some of the most famous climbs, or the Lombardia, or simply enjoy lakeside pedalling from town to hamlet, the Italian Lakes have everything. There are some extremely well-known climbs accessible from Lake Como, although they are vastly different in terms of design and attractiveness. The Madonna del Ghisallo, for example, has appeared in numerous Giros and is inscribed in Italian cycling history. The surrounding area of Como has something for everyone and would be an excellent spot for a family cycling vacation in Italy. However, avoid August as much as possible because the entire country of Italy flocks here for vacation and the main roads become a nightmare. Another thing to keep in mind is to double-check the map to see how the 3 km into town looks. You can easily get off the damaged path (or onto a crazy hill), which is not much fun at the start or the end of a ride.

Stay at Camping Spiaggia. 

The Emilia-Romagna region has become well-known among Italian cyclists. Famous hills and towns are right here (San Marino, Carpegna, Monte Nero), as well as Cesenatico. As you travel into the heart of Italy, you may try a little bit of everything on good quiet roads away from the main routes, and appreciate truly being away from it all. If guided tours are not for you, it is extremely easy to discover on your own, and the area is highly popular with cyclists, who are always willing to help. The Nove Colli Granfondo is a big granfondo that takes place here every year (the 9 hills). With about 8,000 bikers expected to take on the challenging terrain, this could be even bigger than the Maratona. 

Stay at Camping Riccione.

Most Tuscans appear to regard Tuscany as a true Italy - and, while being a massive cliché, this is not far from the truth! Cycling is deeply engrained in Tuscany's culture, even by Italian standards. Famous cyclists from Tuscany include Paolo Bettini, Alberto Bettoil, Andrea Tafi, and Gino Bartali, and the region is now famous for its race, the Strade Bianche. Because it is so easy to get away from it all and into the quiet countryside while still being close to some of Europe's most culturally rich cities, Tuscany bike tours have a mix of everything (Florence, Siena, Pisa). The area also has a beautiful seashore. There are calm roads that will take you cycling through Tuscany to the coast - for example, along the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas as far as the Cinque Terre - or interior to rolling hills and hilltop towns and villages of the Apennines. For every sort of cyclist, there is something to love. This is also a gastronomically rich area, there is plenty of 'agriturismo' to visit and savour the great produce of the magnificent Tuscan countryside. 

Stay at Camping Le Capanne.

The Amalfi Coast is probably the most well-known location in southern Italy. This is the option for mountain lovers. Winding clifftop roads, olive fields, and the most magnificent lemons you will ever see…The coastal road near Sorrento is widely recognised as Italy's most gorgeous coastal road, and this is not an exaggeration. Positano, on the other side of the peninsula, is also a must-see. Two words of caution, though: the roads are steep and quite busy around Easter and summer. 

Stay at Villaggio Camping Nettuno or Camping Beata Solitudo.

Apulia, on the east coast, offers a very distinct experience. It will take you through vineyards, coves, and a magnificent coastline. Because the area is more diversified and populated than the west coast, cycling vacations here are more varied, with some seaside rides (Lecce, Gallipoli) and the chance to admire the rolling hills (don't miss Matera's cave town). You can start in the port city of Bari, the region’s capital and go south through lush olive groves and vineyards via Lecce – the ‘Florence of the South’. 

Stay at Camping Resort Baia Di Gallipoli or Camping Santa Maria di Leuca.

The Italian Riviera is one of Italy's most popular cycling destinations. The Cycling Riviera in Liguria is a new cycleway that follows the ancient coastal railway route, making it the ideal location for people seeking beautiful views of the sea. The paths are easy to navigate here. The entire Ligurian coast has a 342-kilometre cycle tour that takes you along the whole Italian Riviera, from glitzy beach resorts to Genoa's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From here, you can also drive to Cinque Terre, a collection of colourful villages clinging to the shore and terraced hillsides carved out over years. 

Stay at Camping Delle Rose or Camping Dei Fiori.

Sardinia is an excellent choice for more experienced bikers seeking a challenge. While the island's shoreline is one of the best in the Mediterranean, the interior is wild, rough, and mountainous. The mountains in the north are ideal for those who want to explore, whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll along the coast or a more demanding ride through the island's wild, mountainous interior. It lays out five distinct routes that cover most of the island, complete with distances and time estimates.

Stay at Camping Village Laguna Blu or Villagio Camping Capo Ferrato. 

The Italian Lakes have some of the country's most beautiful landscapes, with views of snow-capped mountains, gorgeous lakeside towns, and, of course, deep, sparkling waters. Lake Garda, nestled between the Alps and Dolomites, boasts a diverse landscape that runs from low-lying plains in the south to pine-covered cliffs in the north. There are many easy bike trails around the lake, as well as more difficult ones as you get closer to the mountains. The beautiful Dolomites that overlook the lake are a must-see for hill riders. A variation of the Dolomites (West-East) cycle route includes a length along Lake Garda, which includes a breathtaking descent on the historic Strada del Ponale.

Stay at hu Altomincio Village or Camping Le Palme.

The biggest pro cycling event in Italy is, of course, the Giro d’Italia (read more: Giro d'Italia & camping) followed by the Strade Bianche, Milan Sanremo and Il Lombardia. But, there are also some other big events: 

June: Stelvio Santini (various distances)

July: Maratona dles Dolomites (138km)

November: L’Eroica (209km).