Cycling in Italy: any length and any difficulty

It doesn't matter if you ride 15 miles every morning or haven't been on a bike in 15 years: if you want to cycle in Italy, there's a route for you. The thing to remember is this: Italy is a country of cyclists. You can cycle in the city, in the country, or on top of Roman walls. You can go for twenty minutes or a week, or anything in between. 

Here are a few of my top picks, plus resources for you to plan your own trip.

Best Overall Cycling City

This one isn't really my decision. Ferrara is officially Italy's best cycling city. But you can also cycle down the Appian Way in Rome, or take part in Turin's bike share.

Best Short and easy bike ride

Lucca is just an hour from Florence and is ringed by wide Roman walls with a park on top. Circling the walls on a rental bike takes under 30 minutes, but not of course, after you stop for that picnic and nap. 

Best 3 hour easy bike ride

This one is a trek: you'll have to go up to the Dolomites near Austria, to San Candido. The bike ride actually starts in Italy and ends in Austria, and is one-way on a paved bike path, completely downhill. Explore the lovely Austrian town of Lienz at the other end, put your bike on the train, and head back to Italy.

Best easy bike ride near a major tourist destination

Going to Venice? Rent bikes on Lido or Chioggia and cycle the islands for half a day. 

And if those Tuscan hills sound fun but you're not sure you want to do it on your own, consider a guided bike tour with a company like I Bike Tuscany, who operates private bike tours but will support your ride with a van – useful in case you get tired, lost, or don't feel like carrying that bottle of olive oil you picked up en route.

Planning your own route

Italy has so many cycling routes that you may just want to start by looking at this map and find a route of the length, difficulty and location that works for you.  

And if you happen to be cycling in Tuscany, consider this car service that will carry your luggage from A to B.

Pick a spot and do loops, however, if you like thermal waters and/or wineries, make sure they are at the end of your loop and not in the middle. It's hard to be sitting outside with a lovely glass or two of wine and have to get back on a bike; likewise getting out of that hot tub,