The Christmas holidays are the perfect opportunity to discover mild climates on your bike. Cycling remains an ideal way to explore cities of art, scenic roads, and routes surrounded by nature, even in the middle of winter.
Traveling by bike in winter is not just for the daredevils: just choose mild destinations, in Italy or abroad. The Cycle Tourism Fair brings together over 100 cycling destinations around the world: here are a few where cycling is easy and enjoyable even in the colder months.
5 perfect destinations for winter cycling
1. Sicily – Sun, coastline, and nature
Sicily in winter offers routes for everyone: quiet coastal roads, dirt tracks, and iconic itineraries such as the “Via dei Tramonti” from Palermo to Agrigento. You can discover cities, historic villages, and diverse natural landscapes within a few kilometers, from the sea to the highlands.
The “Sicily Divide,” a 2,500 km cycling network, allows you to explore the island independently or with organized tours. Winter offers sunshine and mild temperatures, ideal for cycling slowly and enjoying every detail. Even small islands such as Favignana offer picturesque day trips.
2. Portugal – The Algarviana Way
A 300 km route through the Algarve hinterland, from the Spanish border to Cape St. Vincent. Along the way, you will pass through medieval villages, plains, and hills, with rural scenery and historical monuments.
The coastal Ecovia and the routes linked to the Camino de Santiago offer scenic and peaceful alternatives. The landscape varies between valleys, rivers, and UNESCO sites such as Évora, making the trip rich in culture. Perfect for those who love to combine nature, history, and peaceful cycling.
3. Turkey – Antalya: cycling, skiing, and the sea
Antalya combines a mild climate, sea, and mountains: you can cycle along the coast, ski on the slopes of Saklikent, and end the day with a swim in the sea. The roads are scenic, with gentle ups and downs and spectacular views of the Mediterranean.
The area, which hosts international events such as the UCI Gran Fondo World Series, is attractive to cyclists of all levels. The unique combination of sporting experiences and relaxation makes Antalya a surprising destination: perfect for those seeking variety and breathtaking landscapes in a single region.
4. Greece – Greek Islands
From the Ionian Islands to Crete, from Lesbos to Kos, from Samos to Rhodes, each Greek island offers different routes: scenic coastlines, verdant inland areas, and traditional villages. You can combine cycling with ferries between the islands, exploring multiple areas in a single trip.
Crete offers challenging routes through mountains and valleys, while Kos is ideal for everyday cycling and peaceful trails. Lesbos and Samos offer a variety of routes, from easy to challenging for mountain bikes, while Rhodes, with its inland roads and cycling tradition, completes the Greek offering.
Spain – Andalusia and Catalonia
The Spanish regions offer a mild climate and a wide variety of routes: plains, valleys, hills, and mountains. The Vie Verdes, over 3,500 km of disused railways, allow you to cycle surrounded by nature.
Iconic routes include the Camino de Santiago, the Silver Route, and the TransAndalus mountain bike trail. Andalusia and Catalonia combine culture, history, and sport, with cities such as Granada, Seville, and Cordoba as ideal bases. Perfect for both leisurely rides and those seeking more challenging routes amid spectacular scenery.
