Europe is a perfect blend of culture, food, art, people and experiences. Cycling is a popular option for traveling around the continent to explore new places and see a variety of attractions.
Can you believe Europeans bought 22 million bikes in 2020? The Netherlands holds the record for the most bicycles per capita. It’s no surprise that 39% of journeys to train stations are made by bicycle.
Why is cycling so popular in Europe?
What makes bicycles the preferred mode of transportation? Cycling has a positive impact on the environment, reducing pollution, health, business, transportation, energy, and more!
The total annual economic benefits in Europe are equivalent to 15 to 155 billion euros. Healthcare is the most profitable, totaling 73 billion euros per year, followed by cycling tourism with 44 billion euros per year.
For tourists, cycling tours are a great way to become part of a city’s culture. Many tourists are now choosing a fun, affordable and easy way to see a new city.
car-free zone
Many European cities have established specific car-free zones to promote walking and cycling. Car-free zones are a very positive way to tackle the climate crisis and support people’s health and wellbeing.
Currently, 17 of the 41 cities analyzed by Sweet Inn have established car-free zones. Development projects are currently planned or under construction in 14 cities.
Berlin plans to develop one of Europe’s largest car-free zones within the 88-square-kilometre S-Bahn ring. They are keen to provide residents with greater comfort and security, as Germany has one of the highest numbers of cars per capita, with 574 cars per 1,000 people.
bike path
Sweet Inn found that there were a total of 17,231 kilometers of cycle paths to explore in the European cities assessed.
Vienna leads the way with 1,654 kilometers of bike lanes, followed by Berlin and Helsinki, each with 1,500 kilometers of bike lanes.
Cycling is encouraged across Europe for its wide-ranging benefits including enhanced cardiovascular fitness, improved mobility and reduced stress levels.
Average cost per day to rent a bike
In Bucharest, Romania, the cheapest daily bike is 3 euros. The average daily cost is 18.7 euros per day. Seven of the top 10 cities charge €15 or less, with the remaining three charging above the European average.
This is a far superior way to tour and explore the city on the ground. Visit the most local parts of Europe’s metropolises in an immersive way.
The city with the shortest cycling distance between popular attractions
Sweet Inn is judged based on the top five attractions on Tripadvisor. The largest distance in Glasgow is less than 30 kilometers (km), while the best attractions in Zagreb are only 1.7 kilometers away.
If you’re planning on visiting Glasgow in a day and haven’t done much cycling yet, it might be worth doing some training beforehand! However, if you visit for a few days to a week, then we are sure you will be able to see much 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 fly to one of the best cities in Europe, be sure to rent a bike and enjoy everything that cycling through these cities has to offer!
What are the best cities in Europe to explore by bike?
Sweet Inn collected data on 41 popular cities in Europe, scored and ranked them out of 100 cities based on the following factors:
- total area
- car-free zone
- bike path
- Average cost per day to rent a bike
- The city with the shortest distance between popular attractions
Sweet Inn calculated the top five cities for biking to be:
1. Nantes, France (80/100)
Nantes tops the list with 80 points. The city is famous for its bicycle infrastructure, and the average cost to rent a bicycle is about 7 euros. Located on the Loire River in upper Brittany, Nantes has a glorious history as a port and a thriving industrial center, and is home to a castle and cathedral. Nantes is famous for its vineyards that produce Muscadet white wine.
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, all just 4 kilometers away by bike.
2. Strasbourg, France (78 / 100)
Strasbourg is the second most bike-friendly city on our list, just two places behind Nantes. Strasbourg has long been known as the Christmas capital. The city is memorable for its traditional architecture, rich history and classic Alsatian cuisine such as baeckeoffe, flammekueche, vol-au-vent and bretzel, and it also has 600 kilometers of cycle paths.
When visiting this part of France, we recommend a 6km bike ride to visit Petite France, Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, the center of Strasbourg, the Parc de l’Orangerie and the Vauban Embankment.
3. Antwerp, Belgium (76 / 100)
Antwerp is the diamond capital of the world, built around the centuries-old Diamond District, home to thousands of diamond traders, cutters and polishers. The port city, ranked third with 76 points, sits on the Scheldt River and is characterized by Flemish architecture and the central square of the old town.
Rent a bike and explore the center of Antwerp, the Cathedral of Madame Rubens, the Grote Markt, the Riverside Museum and the Rubens House. The total distance between these attractions is 5.6 kilometers. Rent a bike for 11 euros and enjoy 500 kilometers of bike paths.
4. Zagreb, Croatia (75 / 100)
The Croatian capital, ranked fourth with 75 points, offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Austro-Hungarian architectural style of the 18th and 19th centuries. The city center is home to the twin-spire Zagreb Cathedral, and nearby is the walkable Tkalčićeva Street, filled with outdoor cafes. The main square is in the lower town, where you can find shops, museums and parks. There are 270 kilometers of bike paths to explore, with a minimum distance of 1.7 kilometers between attractions!
Receive a bicycle for 13 euros per day and visit popular attractions; Tkalčićeva Street, Gornji Grad, St. Mark’s Basilica, Museum of Lost Love and Museum of Illusions.
5. Ljubljana, Slovenia (74 / 100)
The city, known for its universities and beautiful green spaces, scored 74 points. Ljubljana’s old town and commercial center are separated by the Ljubljana River, which is lined with quaint cafes. The green capital of a green country is distinguished by its picturesque bridges and central market designed by architect Jože Plečnik. There’s a car-free zone, 300 kilometers of cycle paths and an affordable bike rental of €10 a day!
In addition to Ljubljana Old Town, you should also find time during your stay to cycle to Tromostovje (Triple Bridge), Tivoli Gardens, Preseren Square and Union Experience. These are only 3.9 kilometers apart and can easily be completed in a day, including stops at various cafes.
The full list of remaining cities in Sweet Inn’s “Best Cities to Explore by Bike” 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. Malmö, Denmark (53 / 100)
18. Warsaw, Poland (53 / 100)
19. Eindhoven, Netherlands (52 / 100)
= London, UK(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)
= Seville, Spain(47 / 100)
24. Budapest, Hungary (43 / 100)
25. Milan, Italy (42 / 100)
26. Athens, Greece (41 / 100)
27. Glasgow, UK (40 / 100)
= Hamburg, Germany (40 / 100)
28. Edinburgh, UK (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 European cycling cities
Paris
Paris is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world and has many attractions. We recommend exploring the city by bike and sampling delicious food in the gorgeous cafes. Popular attractions include: Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle, Palais Garnier and the Eiffel Tower.
Milan
Milan is located in the Lombardy region of northern Italy; the global fashion and design capital. This financial center is famous for its luxurious restaurants and shops. Part of your exploration of Milan will include admiring art, culture and rich history through spectacular landmarks.
You can explore by bike within 3.4 kilometers; Milan Cathedral, The Last Supper, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Sforzesco Castle and Brera Gallery.
brussels
This is the perfect place to let your stomach lead the way through the city. Brussels is famous for its local waffles, chocolate, French fries and different types of beer. Some of the city’s historical and architectural landmarks are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Brussels is quintessentially Belgian, full of Art Deco bistros, unique Flemish art, guild houses and impressive Gothic cathedrals.
When you’re not feasting, hop on your bike and visit; Ixelles Museum of Fine Arts, Constantin Meunier Museum, Happy Days Art & Live and World of Trains.
barcelona
The cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, Barcelona is particularly special due to its football team, architecture, thriving nightlife, perfect beaches and mouth-watering cuisine. Enjoy traditional dishes such as paella, croquettes, mashed potatoes, Iberian ham, gazpacho and more.
Rent a bike for 16.50 euros per day and visit the Sagrada Familia, Gothic Quarter, Casa Batlló, Palazzo della Musica Catalunya and La Pedrera – La Pedrera.
vienna
Vienna is a leading bicycle-friendly city with 1,654 kilometers of bicycle paths. This beautiful city is famous for its fine arts, classical music, museums, architecture and cafés. In the centuries after composers such as Mozart and Strauss played her, she became world-famous as a capital of classical music.
Some of the popular attractions in this Austrian destination include: Schönbrunn Palace, Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Vienna Historic Center, Schönbrunn Tiergarten-Vienna Zoo and the Alberta.