Whether you are stopping for a few days in Geneva or pootling around Copenhagen’s Langelinie harbour, these European bike trails will fascinate your senses and inspire your next trip.
Biking is, by all means, a great way to explore towns and cities. European cities have long embraced cyclists offering them great opportunities to explore the best trails with the perfect setting for a mesmerizing and scenic trip like no other. Consider a few European bike route excursions and let your dreams take flight.
Geneva
A quirky way to explore Geneva is to rent a bike from Cornavin train station. Head north to the heart of Geneva’s international district from the station, but not before exploring the Mont Blanc bridge and the nearby Lake Geneva. Once you are here, take in your surroundings and glimpse the several geese and swans gracing Lake Geneva. You will also come across the renowned Flower Clock in the famous Jardin Anglais, the English gardens. From there, continue cycling along the jet d Eau- Geneva’s striking water fountain and the city’s major landmark, shooting more than 400 feet into the air.
Park your bike for a while as you take the plunge in Bains des Paquis, joining summer revelers from around the world. For the trip’s final leg, head to the old town as you cross paths with Plain de Plainpalais, where you can see several shops and antique stores, along with an outdoor market on weekends.
Where to relax? For a quick bite, stop at the Buvettes des Bains at bains des paquis for a taste of the traditional Swiss fondue and other savoury bites.
Milan
While Italy’s cobblestone roads might deter cyclists from biking through its trails, Milan has some of the most stunning bike routes worth exploring. To start your ride in Milan, hop on your bike from Piazza Duomo Milan’s largest cathedral and wander around the nooks and crannies surrounding the cathedral. Along your path, you will come across several designer shops and eateries; Milan’s most stunning and favorite biking spot is the famous Navigli canal. Renowned for its family-oriented atmosphere, the long cycling lane will bring you close to Milan’s colorful houses, fields, churches, and farms. Park your bike and hop on one of the tour boats for 15 Euros to explore them all.
Where to relax? Enjoy an afternoon aperttevo and unwind as the sun sets over Italy’s skyline. When the sun sets, head back and explore the open air restaurants and cafes around the Navigili canals.
Paris
Paris has always been a romantic city; exploring the “city of lights” on a bike is one of the most mesmerizing experiences. From place de la Republique, follow the Saint Martin canal north; an early morning ride is the best as the bike lane is often empty. A short bike ride will lead you to Bassin de la Villette, with plentiful playgrounds and parks.
During the summer, the area buzzes with activity; continue your ride to Rue Amelot in the 11th Arrondissement; the quiet and serene side street will lead you to Place de la Bastille. The roundabout can be challenging to explore for first-timers; nevertheless, you will come across stunning views of Notre Dame and the Eiffel tower along the way. Cycling along the river Seine is a mesmerizing experience. After crossing the path with Pont de iena, your route winds down to old Parisian buildings and infrastructures. The bike route crosses paths with the Left Bank, bringing you close to the Luxembourg Gardens; from here, the trail rejoins the Seine river again to the Eiffel tower.
Where to relax? Along the way, you will come across Bois de Boulogne, a park as large and grand as Central Park, providing you with the perfect setting to unwind and relax while enjoying traditional French Baguettes from Passy Passion.
Copenhagen
The brightly colored Danish houses gracing Copenhagen’s old harbour provide the perfect setting for relaxing with a cold beer, especially on a humid summer. Start your biking expedition from the Little Mermaid; the mesmerizing statue gracing Langelinie harbour has crowds around it all year round. Head south along the cobblestone roads to Amlienborg Royal Palace and continue your bike ride to Nyhavn.
Continue your bike ride to Royal Library, the chunky architecture which houses the Danish Design Center. From here, you can turn left to Lille Langebro, the city’s most recent bicycle bridge. Bike across Cykleslangen; once here, you will come across the harbourfront neighbourhood of Islands known as Brygge; the swimming area is a favorite hotspot for winter and summer swimming. After all, Copenhagen is a bike friendly city. From here, cycle your way to the Opera House, which has long fascinated Copenhageners; with a total of 41,000 square meters, it can seat more than 1,400 people.
Where to relax? Stop at the nearby Hart Bakery for some tasty Danish pastries, commonly called weinerbrod or Vienna bread, an umbrella term used to classify all flaky sweet pastries in Danish.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is renowned as the bike capital of Europe; the city is bike friendly and has some of the best scenic routes in Europe. Thanks to its beautiful parks and canals, meandering through Amsterdam is an exciting experience. Outside Amsterdam, you will encounter interesting bike routes, quaint towns, and countryside villages with dotted windmills. The Amstel bike route for example provides one of the best experiences. Crisscross your way through the Amstel river for 30 minutes until you reach Amstel Park.
Although bikes are not allowed in Amstel Park itself, the large park provides several attractions for the young and old alike and is well maintained. Some interesting spots you will come across include a sheep and goat farm and pony rides for young children.
Once you pass Amstel park, turn inland for 15 minutes until you reach the Amsterdam Bos wooded area. The densely forested area provides the perfect backdrop to see the Dutch windmills. The serene setting with plenty of open space and trees provides the best surroundings for a breath of fresh air. On a bright day, families gather around for picnics and horse rides. Schiphol airport is within spotting distance.
After unwinding, head back to the center the same way you came or go along the boring side road for 15 minutes until you reach Vondelpark, another attractive hotspot. Once you are here, you can explore the area and choose from various shopping and sightseeing expeditions.
Where to relax? A brief stop at Amstel Park is undoubtedly worthwhile; pack a few bites for lunch.
