Top 10 Cycling Cities in Europe

Combine your love for cycling with the perfect city break with our list of the best European cities for cycling. From exploring hidden areas with ease to choosing a more sustainable way to get around, there are plenty of reasons to take your bike on a European adventure.

Planning the perfect cycling holiday is easy with DFDS. Begin your trip with one of our quick and convenient ferries to Europe and unlock an endless list of exhilarating cycling destinations across France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany.

Ready to discover Europe on your bike? We've put together a list of the best cities in Europe for a cycling holiday. Prepare to be inspired by iconic European cities, reimagined as bike-friendly destinations you're sure to love.

1. Paris, France

Paris ranks number one as our best city for cycling in Europe. The City of Love is a popular destination for cyclists, boasting a comprehensive network of over 1,000km of cycling lanes that make getting around on a bike easy. With world-famous landmarks around every corner, choosing a bike as your main mode of transport lets you see the sights quickly and safely.

Soak in the culture by cycling along the city's storied streets, retreat into nature at Bois de Boulogne, or explore the French countryside on a cycling route outside Paris. Learn everything you need to know about taking your bike to France before you embark on your Parisian adventure.

2. Munich, Germany

Bring your bike on the ferry to France and road trip your way to get started with a cycling holiday in Munich. Cycling is one of the best ways to see the city's historic landmarks, either on your own or as part of a guided tour. The narrow streets of the cobbled Aldstadt are perfect for traversing on a bike!

Several cycling routes start in the centre of Munich and take you out of the city to explore some of Bavaria's incredible natural beauty. Try the picturesque Isar Cycle Path along the River Isar, or have a day out cycling along the M-Wasserweg to Lake Tegernsee.

3. Helsinki, Finland

Ever wanted to experience a cycling holiday in Finland? Helsinki is made for cyclists, with a wide network of cycling paths that make it easy to get around on two wheels. You can also cycle on marked routes in parks and nature reserves to escape the city during your trip.

The bike centre in Töölönlahdenpuisto Park offers maintenance and advice about cycling in Helsinki. During winter months, cycling paths are cleared regularly, so don't be put off by bringing your bike for a snowy trip to Helsinki.

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is famous around the world for its cycling culture, and it's one of the most well-known places for cycling in Holland. Amsterdam's extensive network of cycling paths allows you to explore parks and canals with ease and blend in with locals who love cycling around this beautiful, bike-friendly city.

There are 400km of cycling paths in the City Centre and beyond, so you'll never run out of places to explore when cycling in Amsterdam. Visit the Rustic North to discover some peace away from the bustle of the city, or cycle to IJburg to see the unique island neighbourhood by the coast.

5. Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg is the most cycling-friendly city in France, with 600km of cycle paths covering the city. Over the years, Strasbourg has seen a shift from cars and buses to more active forms of transport, creating a peaceful environment that favours bikes.

From tranquil routes along the Bruche Canal cycle path to the Au Detour de l'Ill-Rhin loop, showcasing the city's major attractions, there's plenty of choice for cyclists in Strasbourg. It also serves as a gateway to the picturesque Alsace region of France, where you can enjoy a range of riverside rides in untouched countryside.

6. Frankfurt, Germany

Frankfurt has one of the most sophisticated cycling networks in Europe. Bike riding is popular among locals for commuting and leisure, and the city boasts a mix of functional cycling lanes and green paths that take you around the city's Grüngürtel (Green Belt) and the Frankfurter Stadtwald (City Forest).

You can also book a bike tour of Frankfurt to see the sights, from trendy neighbourhoods like Sachsenhausen to waterside rides along the banks of the River Main.

7. Lyon, France

Lyon boasts 870km of cycling lanes in and around the city, so it's the perfect place to explore on your bike. Get lost in the hidden traboules of Lyon's small historic neighbourhoods or visit Lyon's famous Parc de la Tête d'Or to enjoy stunning scenery. While you're in the park, join a guided tour or stop to visit the zoo or botanical gardens!

If you aren't travelling with your bike, there are plenty of places to rent one. Visit La Maison du Vélo Lyon for more information about cycling in the city and extra help with bike maintenance.

8. Stockholm, Sweden

Cycling in Stockholm is a must for anyone who wants to enjoy a mix of city buzz, waterside views and historic buildings. Explore the city with over 1000km of cycle lanes or join a guided tour around Riddarfjärden to take in the sights in the heart of the city.

Djurgården is a large park in the centre of Stockholm where cyclists can enjoy a low-traffic, peaceful ride in nature without leaving the city. See Stockholm from a new perspective when you take your bike on the ferry to Skeppsholmen, a unique island park with unbeatable waterside views.

9. Ghent, Belgium

Ghent is one of Belgium's quirkiest cities, offering cyclists a fun blend of old and new. Many locals choose cycling as their primary mode of transportation, making the city well-suited for bikes. It also boasts the largest low-traffic pedestrian zone in Europe and an extensive network of cycle lanes, so it's a safe city to visit with the family.

Enjoy a leisurely cycle through the city's charming, cobbled streets to explore cafés and shops under your own steam, or join a cycling tour to discover Ghent with the help of a guide. The city’s most famous cycling route is the Gentse Fietsen Route, which stretches 37km in a loop around the city. Many of Ghent's parks and green spaces also feature purpose-built bike lanes.

10. Lille, France

Lille offers a mix of city-centre routes and trails into the local countryside. Cycling in Lille is a convenient way to get around, and it also offers a great opportunity to see the main attractions from street level. The city has even been accredited with an Accueil Vélo label, which means it's particularly bike-friendly and welcoming to cyclists.

The iconic Véloroute de la Lys that joins Lisbourg and Ghent passes around the outskirts of Lille. Get out of the city to join this picturesque greenway along the banks of the River Lys at any point to enjoy one of the most beautiful cycling routes in northern France.

Ranked Cycling Conditions of Major European Cities

Whether you're new to cycling or very experienced, it's important to know what to expect when you're prepping for your European cycling trip. We created a ranking based on cycling infrastructure, public interest, topography and weather data to find the most popular cities in Europe with the best cycling conditions.

The Internet's Favourite Cycling Cities

If you still need inspiration for your next cycling break, we've put together a list of the most popular cycling cities according to you! Here are the top five cities with the most searches for all things cycling:

Methodology This study evaluates the cycling conditions of major European cities using a composite score derived from infrastructure, terrain, weather, and interest metrics.

Cycling Infrastructure: Total cycling infrastructure (km) was collected through desk research from official city sources and normalized per 10,000 residents to reflect accessibility. Public bike hire availability and pricing were also recorded from operator websites and city transport platforms.

Public Interest: Average monthly search volume for cycling-related terms in each city was obtained via Google Keyword Planner as a proxy for public interest and engagement.

Flatness Score: Terrain flatness was calculated using elevation data from the Google Elevation API. For each city, three nearby coordinates were sampled to compute elevation standard deviation and range. These were scaled into a flatness score from 0 (hilly) to 10 (flat).

Weather: Two years of historical daily weather data were sourced via the Open-Meteo API to calculate average daily precipitation (mm) and average daily max wind speed (km/h), reflecting cycling suitability.

Scoring: All variables were normalized using min-max scaling. The final Weighted Rank was computed using the following weights: 40% total cycling infrastructure, 40% flatness score, and 10% each for precipitation and wind speed.