The cycle tourism it is a form of travel that has gained increasing popularity in recent years, but perhaps you wouldn’t expect Italy to be the most popular country in the world for this type of holiday. According to a recent survey entitled State of the Cycling Tour Operators Industry 2024, conducted by the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and CycleSummit, precisely theItaly was at the top of global preferences. A record that might surprise some, but which is the direct consequence of a unique combination of history, art, nature and a deep-rooted culture of hospitality.
The research involved 245 international tour operators, of which 69% from Europe, who organize cycling trips. Among these, a significant percentage declared that their customers wish to explore the Bel Paese on two wheels: in the ranking of cycling tourism destinations, Italy has overtaken countries such as France, which came second, and Germany, ranked third, historically more structured realities since point of view of cycling infrastructure.
The growth of cycle tourism: an expanding phenomenon
It’s no secret that cycle tourism is booming, and the data presented during the TTG Travel Experience fair in Rimini confirm this trend. The Italian Environment and Bicycle Federation (FIAB) and Active Italy, a network of companies that promote sustainable tourism, have underlined how the cycle tourism market saw a significant increase in turnover in 2024. And the prospects for the future are even brighter : 68% of tour operators expect an increase in revenue for next year too.
Italy has such a combination of art cities, historic villages, mountains, hills and coasts that it naturally represents a perfect destination for anyone who wishes to explore the area by cycling. Each region offers different experiences, with Tuscany leading the way in terms of attractiveness, even if less well-known regions, such as the Aosta Valley or Puglia, are emerging as increasingly popular destinations thanks to a rich offer of cycle routes immersed in nature.
The charm of slowness and authenticity
Traveling by bicycle means following a lifestyle, a travel philosophy linked to concepts such as relaxation and contemplation, where slowness becomes a quality to be savored, away from mass tourist routes. By bike you can explore unexplored routes, discover secret places and deepen your knowledge and contact with local communities. Far from traffic and chaos, when traveling by bicycle time seems to expand, leaving room for reflection and appreciation of every single detail: the scent of aromatic herbs, the rustle of leaves under the wheels, the silence interrupted only by singing of birds.
And it is precisely this authenticity that makes cycle tourism so fascinating. Unlike traditional holidays, in which you go from one place to another by car, train or plane, a bicycle trip is a complete immersion in the area, in which every kilometer traveled becomes an opportunity to discover something again: a hidden Romanesque church, an ancient village or a field of sunflowers that extends as far as the eye can see.
The new cycle route from the Alps to the sea
To strengthen Italy’s primacy as a cycling tourism destination, there is also the announcement of a new itinerary ready to join the European EuroVelo network, the network of cycle routes that crosses the entire continent. This is the Cycle Route from the Alps to the Sea, a route of approximately 1800 kilometres, of which 1150 in Italian territory, which connects the Alps to the Adriatic coast.
The route starts from Germany, passes through Austria and winds through some of the most beautiful cities in Italy: Bolzano, Trento, Padua, Venice, Rimini, until it reaches the southern coasts, passing through Bari and ending in Lecce. A route that combines the harshness of the mountains with the sweetness of the plains and coasts, offering a landscape variety unique in the world. Much of the route uses already existing routes, in particular along the Adriatic coast, which connects the North and South of the country, which makes the journey even more accessible and sustainable.