World Bicycle Day: 5 top European destinations best explored on two wheels

While there’s no denying that certain countries like the Netherlands are miles ahead when it comes to cycling infrastructure, plenty of destinations are catching on that making a city bike-friendly makes it people-friendly, and all around more attractive to visitors (and residents).

This World Bicycle Day, we thought it was time to highlight some brilliant European destinations that are best explored on two wheels. Whether you’re a total beginner or were screaming ‘look mum no hands!’ at a young age, you’ll be totally at ease in these countries and cities.

London may have its Boris Bikes, and New York has its Citi Bikes, but in Antwerp, it’s all about Velo. The iconic red bikes first made their way onto streets in 2011, and tourists and residents alike use them to whizz around the city for less – in fact, 34% of commuters in the city cycle or walk to work.

The addition of bicycle streets – where cyclists have priority – since 2020 has taken cycling to the next level, and Antwerp was even named the third most bicycle-friendly city in the world by the Global Bicycle Cities Index in 2022. You can find a selection of routes taking in the main sights on the Visit Antwerp website, but you can also use Smart Ways to Antwerp website to plan your route, with the ability to filter by shortest route, the smoothest route (which follows the city and provinces’ cycle network as much as possible), the most comfortable route (which avoids cobblestones and unpaved bike paths), and the junction route (which takes you along the nicest cycle paths).

Read next: Short break: Antwerp and Doel, Belgium

Valencia, thanks to its flatness and 200 km of cycle paths, is the kind of city that could convert even the biggest cycling sceptic. Don’t believe us? Our very own Regional Editor Laura Field wrote this after a visit last year, “My least favourite way of exploring a city? Until January, I’d have told you it was cycling. Then I visited Valencia. When I found myself pedalling through the centre and not actively disliking it, I knew there had to be something special about this city.”

The Spanish city, like Antwerp, has its own public bike hire scheme, Valenbisi, with more than 300 stations dotted around. Simply unlock a bike and explore. You can find several routes taking in the sights on the Visit Valencia website, or book on for a guided tour with an expert.

Read next: A sustainable city escape to Valencia, the European Green Capital for 2024

One thing that struck me about visiting Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana is just how alive it felt. Its city centre has been given back to people, having been pedestrianised way back in 2007. Now, aside from footsteps, chatter and music, the only vehicular noise you’ll hear is a ding of a bike bell. The city is compact enough to explore on two wheels, and you’ll find BicikeLJ bikes available to rent all over.

Outside of the capital, the Julian Alps made it onto our Travel Green List 2025 in part for its commitment to cycling and dedicated routes, which you can find on the Julian Alps website. You can filter between difficulties, and choose scenic or family-friendly routes. For more experienced cyclists, you can also take on the 290 km Juliana Bike Mountain Biking Loop, which is split into seven stages.

Read next: A first-time guide to the Julian Alps, Slovenia

A recurring theme on this list is that many of these cities have served as European Green Capital (Ljubljana in 2016, and Valencia in 2024), and the current holder of that title is Vilnius. The Lithuanian capital has embodied the green spirit, quite literally, with some 70% of the municipal area covered in green spaces. These green spaces are connected by 140 km of bike lanes, which you can explore on a Cyclocity bike.

Outside of the city, three EuroVelo routes pass through Lithuania: The Baltic Sea Cycle Route and the Iron Curtain Trail, which hugs the coastline, as well as the East Europe Route, which takes you through Labanoras Regional Park to visit some of the country’s 6,000 lakes.

Read next: 6 ways to experience Karaim culture in Lithuania

Luxembourg may be a small country, but it has more than enough variety to offer cyclists. Luxembourg City has 139 km of bike lanes, and you can visit the picturesque Grund, the Adolphe Bridge and the Notre-Dame cathedral on your vel’OH! bike.

The country is also home to 700 km of mountain bike trails, and you can explore the hilly region of Éislek in the north. Our favourite part to cycle, however, has to be the banks of the Moselle in the country’s wine region.

Read next: Travel guide: Explore the historic and cultural highlights of Luxembourg City