Cycling guides and maps in Italy
Prepare your cycling itinerary in Italy
Cycling through Italy is a gentle and immersive way to travel. From the Alps to the heel of your boot, through the hills of Tuscany and the hilltop villages of Umbria, the country offers a wealth of landscapes unique in Europe. Cycling allows you to savor every turn, every panorama, and every gourmet stop. Whether you’re a fan of bike touring, cycle touring in Italy, or long, sporty journeys, you’ll find Italy a varied, intense, and deeply engaging playground.
Discover Italy by bike
Cycling in Italy suits all tastes and desires. Mountain enthusiasts will head to the Alpine valleys or the Dolomites. Those who prefer gentle undulations will be captivated by the hills of Tuscany, crisscrossed by cypress trees, vineyards, and medieval villages bathed in light.
The Po Valley, with its rice paddies and long, straight roads, is ideal for more rolling stages. To the south, Campania, Puglia, and Sicily offer another side of Italy: wilder, more authentic, but just as fascinating.
Cycling in Italy also offers the discovery of exceptional heritage. Rome, Florence, Siena, Naples… so many cities of art to explore at your own pace. But it’s often in the forgotten villages, at the top of a hill or around a bend in a descent, that the true magic of the journey lies hidden. This is where cycling takes on its full meaning.
And what about gastronomy? In Tuscany, Chianti wine accompanies pici; in Puglia, you’ll be served fresh orecchiette; in Emilia-Romagna, it’s mortadella, Parmesan, and Lambrusco. Cycling in Italy is an invitation to slowness, to taste, to sharing.
The great routes for discovering Italy by bike
Italy is crossed by several major European cycle routes, which are excellent resources for planning your trip with the help of cycle guides and maps.
- EuroVelo 5 – Via Romea (Francigena): Following the route of an ancient pilgrimage route, this cycle route crosses Italy from north to south, passing through Pavia, Parma, Florence, and Rome.
- EuroVelo 7 – Route of the Sun: It connects the Brenner Pass to Sicily, passing through Tuscany. It’s an ideal route for those dreaming of cycling in Tuscany, among rolling hills, olive groves, and cities of art.
- EuroVelo 8 – Mediterranean Route: This route follows the Italian Adriatic coast, between Trieste and Calabria, passing beaches, coves, and fishing villages.
- EuroVelo 9 – From the Baltic to the Adriatic: Less well-known, this cycle route enters Italy via Trieste, an ideal starting point for exploring Friuli-Venezia Giulia or reaching Slovenia.
Maps and guides for exploring Italy by bike
Here is a selection of recommended guides and maps for cycling through Italy:
- Cinque Terre Hiking Map – Kompass : Ideal for exploring five waterfront villages and their fishing ports nestled in beautiful coves. You’ll enjoy the Mediterranean landscape and turquoise waters.
- Cycling Map of Northern Italy and Southern Italy : For those looking for a long-distance itinerary while discovering Italy, these two maps provide tourist information and city maps.
- Cycling Map of East and West Sicily – Freytag : With its surprising landscapes and unspoiled coastlines, Sicily is a true cycling paradise. This map highlights the most beautiful island routes.
Le réseau cyclable italien en pleine structuration
Le réseau cyclable italien est en constante évolution. Si certaines régions comme le Trentin-Haut-Adige ou la Lombardie proposent des infrastructures bien développées, d’autres zones plus rurales restent moins bien équipées. En revanche, l’Italie multiplie les efforts pour rattraper ce retard : le projet Bicitalia vise à connecter les grandes régions via un réseau cyclable national.
Plusieurs pistes sont remarquablement aménagées : la Ciclovia del Sole (de Vérone à Bologne), les itinéraires le long du Pô, ou encore la Via Claudia Augusta dans le Tyrol italien. Le cyclotourisme bénéficie aussi d’un soutien régional, avec de nombreuses offres intermodales train + vélo, des hébergements bike-friendly et des initiatives locales (parcs régionaux, voies vertes agricoles, etc.).
Si l’on compare à des pays comme l’Allemagne ou les Pays-Bas, l’Italie reste encore un peu en retrait sur le plan de la signalisation et de l’entretien des voies. Mais la dynamique est réelle, notamment dans les zones touristiques, et l’Italie à vélo séduit de plus en plus de cyclistes européens.