The Best Cities in Europe to Explore by Bike – Sweett Blog

Europe is a phenomenal mix of culture, food, art, people and experiences. Cycling is a popular choice when traveling to the continent to explore new places and enjoy the many attractions.

Would you believe that Europeans bought 22 million bicycles in 2020? The Netherlands holds the record for most bicycles per capita. With 39% of journeys to the train station made by bicycle, this is not surprising.

Why is cycling so popular in Europe?

What makes bicycles the first choice for transportation? Cycling has a positive impact on the environment, reducing pollution, health, business, mobility, energy and much more!

The total annual financial gain in Europe is equivalent to between 150 and 155 billion euros. Health is the most profitable sector with total revenues of 73 billion euros per year, followed by cycling tourism at 44 billion euros.

For tourists, cycling tours are a great way to become part of the city’s culture. A fun, affordable and easy way to see new cities is what many travelers are now choosing.

Car Free Zone

Many European cities have designated special car-free zones that encourage walking and cycling. Car-free zones are a highly proactive way to tackle the climate crisis and support public health and wellbeing.

17 of the 41 cities analyzed by Sweet Inn currently have car-free zones. Meanwhile, 14 cities are being planned or built.

Berlin plans to develop one of Europe’s largest car-free zones within the S-Bahn ring covering an area of ​​88 square kilometers. They want to offer greater comfort and security to their residents because Germany is one of the countries with the highest number of vehicles per individual, namely 574 per 1,000 people.

Cycling Path

Sweet Inn found that in the European cities assessed, there were a total of 17,231 kilometers (km) of cycling paths to explore.

Vienna leads with 1,654 km of cycling paths followed by Berlin and Helsinki each with 1,500 km per city.

Cycling is encouraged throughout Europe for its wide-ranging benefits such as improved cardiovascular fitness, increased mobility and reduced stress levels.

Average Cost of Renting a Bike Per Day

The most affordable daily bike is 3 euros in Bucharest, Romania. The average daily cost is 18.7 euros per day. 7 of our top 10 cities charge 15 euros or less, and another 3 cities charge more than the European average.

This is a far superior method to walking around and seeing the city from ground level. An immersive way to see the most local part of Europe’s great metropolis.

Cities with the Fewest Cycling Distances Between Top Tourist Attractions

Sweet Inn rated this based on Tripadvisor’s top five attractions. Glasgow has the longest distance to cover at just under 30 kilometers (km), while you can see the best sights in Zagreb in just 1.7 km.

If you’re planning to see Glasgow in a day and haven’t cycled much, it might be a good idea to do some training beforehand! However, if you visit for a few days to a week then we’re sure you’ll be able to see a lot more of the city.

Shorter distances from Zagreb include; Rome (2.9 km), Seville (3.5 km), Eindhoven (3.6 km), Ljubljana (3.9 km) and Nantes (3.9 km).

Next time you hop on a plane to one of Europe’s best cities, make sure you rent a bike and enjoy all that cycling through these cities has to offer!

Which are the Best Cities in Europe to Explore by Bike

Sweet Inn has collected data for 41 popular cities in Europe, assessing and ranking them out of 100 cities based on the following factors;

• total area
• Car free zone
• Cycling path
• Average daily bicycle rental cost
• The city with the shortest distance between major tourist attractions

Sweet Inn counts the top five cities to visit by bike as;

1. Nantes, France (80/100)

With a score of 80, Nantes ranks first on the list. The city is famous for its infrastructure for cyclists, and the average cost of renting a bicycle is around 7 euros. Located on the Loire river in upper Brittany, Nantes has an illustrious history as a thriving port and industrial center and is home to castles and cathedrals. Nantes is famous for its vineyards producing white Muscadet grapes.

Must-see attractions in this French city include; Jardin des Plantes, Les Machines de L’île, Passage Pommeraye, Château des Ducs de Bretagne and Le Voyage à Nantes which can be reached by cycling only 4 km.

2. Strasbourg, France (78/100)

Just two behind Nantes, the second most cycling-friendly city on our list is Strasbourg. Strasbourg has long been known as the capital of Christmas. Famous for its traditional architecture, rich history and classic Alsatian cuisine such as baeckeoffe, flammekueche, vol-au-vent and bretzel, the city also has 600 km of cycling trails.

When visiting this part of France, we recommend you take a 6 km cycling tour to visit La Petite France, Strasbourg Notre Dame Cathedral, Strasbourg City Centre, Parc de l’Orangerie and Barrage Vauban.

3. Antwerp, Belgium (76/100)

The diamond capital of the world, Antwerp is built around a centuries-old diamond district inhabited by thousands of diamond traders, cutters and polishers. In third place with 76, this port city is located on the river Scheldt and its Flemish architecture is characterized by the central square in the old town.

Rent a bike and visit Antwerp-Centraal, Our Lady Rubens House Cathedral, Grote Markt, Museum aan de Stroom and Rubenshuis. There is a total distance of 5.6 km between these tourist attractions. Rent a bike for 11 euros and enjoy any of the 500 km of bike paths.

4. Zagreb, Croatia (75/100)

Ranked fourth with a score of 75, the Croatian capital offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in 18th and 19th century Austro-Hungarian architecture. Right in the center you’ll find Zagreb Cathedral with its twin towers, and nearby is pedestrian-friendly Tkalčićeva Street filled with outdoor cafes. The main square is located in the lower town where you will find shops, museums and parks. There are 270 km of bicycle paths that can be explored and the smallest distance between attractions is 1.7 km!

Take a bike for 13 euros per day to see the main attractions; Tkalčićeva Street, Gornji Grad, Church of St. Mark, Museum of Broken Relationships, and Museum of Illusions.

5. Ljubljana, Slovenia (74/100)

Known for its university and beautiful green spaces, the city received a score of 74. The old town and commercial center of Ljubljana are separated by the Ljubljanica River which is flanked by quaint cafes. Unique as the green capital of a green country, the beautiful bridge and central market have their own distinct characteristics thanks to architect Jože Plečnik. There are car-free zones, 300 km of bike paths and an affordable daily bike rental rate of 10 euros!

In addition to Ljubljana’s old town, you should make time during your stay to cycle to Tromostovje (triple bridge), Tivoli gardens, Preseren square and the Union Experience. The distance between the two is only 3.9 km, easily done in a day including stops at various cafes.

The full list of remaining cities in Sweet Inn’s ‘best cities to explore in a cycle’ ranking includes;

6. Bordeaux, France (73/100)

7. Bremen, Germany (67/100)

8. Helsinki, Finland (65/100)

9. Rome, Italy (64/100)

= Vienna, Austria (64/100)

10. Berlin, Germany (63/100)

11. Amsterdam, Netherlands (61/100)

12. Madrid, Spain (60/100)

13. Utrecht, Netherlands (58/100)

14. Bucharest, Romania (57/100)

15. Stockholm, Sweden (56/100)

16. Prague, Czech Republic (55/100)

17. Malmo, Denmark (53/100)

18. Warsaw, Poland (53/100)

19. Eindhoven, Netherlands (52/100)

= London, England (52/100)

20. Geneva, Switzerland (51/100)

= Porto, Portugal (51/100)

21. Paris, France (50/100)

22. Belgrade, Serbia (48/100)

23. Barcelona, ​​Spain (47/100)

= Munich, Germany (47/100)

= Sevilla, Spain (47/100)

24. Budapest, Hungary (43/100)

25. Milan, Italy (42/100)

26. Athens, Greece (41/100)

27. Glasgow, England (40/100)

= Hamburg, Germany (40/100)

28. Edinburgh, England (39/100)

= Oslo, Norway (39/100)

29. Copenhagen, Denmark (38/100)

30. Dublin, Ireland (34/100)

31. Brussels, Belgium (33/100)

32. Lisbon, Portugal (26/100)

33. Zurich, Switzerland (25/100)

34. Bratislava, Slovakia (19/100)

Our Favorite Cycling Cities in Europe

Paris

Known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Paris has a lot to offer. We recommend touring the city by bicycle and enjoying the gastronomic delights you find in the pretty cafes. Key attractions include; Musée d’Orsay, Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, Sainte-Chapelle, Palais Garnier and Eiffel Tower.

Milan

In Italy’s northern Lombardy region you’ll find Milan; the global capital of fashion and design. This financial center is famous for its luxury restaurants and shops. Part of your exploration of Milan will include art, culture and rich history through its spectacular majestic landmarks.

Within 3.4 km you can cycle; Milan Cathedral, Last Supper, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Castello Sforzesco and Pinacoteca di Brera.

Brussels

The perfect place for your stomach to lead the way across town. Brussels is famous for its local waffles, chocolate, French fries and various types of beer. Some of the city’s historical and architectural landmarks are listed as UNESCO world heritage sites. Brussels is quintessential Belgium, full of art deco bars, unique Flemish art, guild houses and impressive Gothic cathedrals.

When you’re not sampling gastronomic delights, hop on your bike and visit; Musée des Beaux-Arts d’Ixelles, Musee Constantin Meunier, Happy Day Art & Live and World Train.

Barcelona

The cosmopolitan capital of the Catalonia region of Spain, Barcelona is special for its football team, architecture, thriving nightlife, perfect beaches and mouth-watering food. Enjoy traditional favorites such as Paella, Croquettes, Patatas Bravas, Jamon Iberico and Gazpacho.

Rent a bike for 16.5 euros per day and see the Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, Barri Gotic, Casa Batllo, Palace of Catalan Music and Casa Milà – La Pedrera.

Vienna
Vienna is a leading bicycle-friendly city with 1,654 kilometers of cycling paths. This beautiful city is famous for its fine arts, classical music, museums, architecture and coffee shops. World famous as the capital of classical music centuries after composers such as Mozart and Strauss performed it.

Some of the top attractions in this Austrian destination include; Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna Historical Center, Tiergarten Schoenbrunn – Vienna and Albertia Zoo.