Why cycling holidays are becoming so popular (and how to start one)

Published: 29 December 2025
Read the full article in The Explorer magazine

Cycling holidays allow you to see the world at handlebar height. Travellers are finding new ways to explore new destinations; they might be visiting the same places, but this time it's from a fresh perspective. Others want to see the breadth of a destination in one go, but going by foot just won't pack in as much as this increasingly popular method.

So what's making these experiences truly special? Small group cycling trips. They strike the perfect balance: pre-planned routes, optional excursions, expert guides to lead the way and shared camaraderie and support.

Plus, it's not just all about the ride – all of our cycling holiday itineraries include hand-picked accommodation in scenic regions, immersive experiences and, in most cases, a choice between standard and e-bikes as well as support vehicles for those tougher sections.

Caitlin Overend

Thinking about first-time cycling holidays? Caitlin recently joined our Cycle Marseille to Barcelona trip, an ideal cycling tour for beginners:

"Setting off on my very first small group cycling holiday, I was nervous about keeping up, fitting in, and whether I’d chosen the right adventure – I didn’t know yet that sharing handlebars and hills with strangers would be an amazing experience.

There’s something magical about the rhythm of riding through a new landscape. We’d naturally fall into comfortable clusters, chatting easily during gentle stretches, then spreading out to energetic climbs at our own pace. Nobody was left behind and our Tour Leader, Peter, always ensured everyone felt supported and celebrated, plus there were plenty of rest stops and picturesque towns to check out on the way.

One of my favourite cycling routes was in France. We were biking through the protected wetlands of the Camargue, far removed from any traffic and surrounded by nature. We saw lots of flamingos, too – it felt very magical!

The beauty of cycling holidays isn’t just the destinations; it’s the shared journey that bonds you. One of my fondest memories from the trip was at our family-owned hotel in Figueres. The on-site restaurant was absolutely incredible – hands down some of the best food of the trip.

We all loved the staff so much that the entire group chose to gather there for dinner together. They arranged a large circular table so we could all chat easily, and we spent hours eating, laughing, and sharing plates of incredible seafood, meats, and pastas."

Group cycling tours are an ideal way to explore more places and feel the benefit of the great outdoors 

Diane Ballon

Diana went on her first bike holiday a couple of years ago and hasn’t looked back since. She shares her experiences of exploring the world on two wheels, one pedal stroke at a time:

"After a knee injury left me unable to run long distances, I took up cycling. While it started mainly as a way to reduce commute time at home in Toronto, and get some exercise, it soon morphed into my favourite form of travel outside of Canada, and particularly in Europe. I wanted to not just arrive at a destination, but to savour the journey, experience the shifting landscapes, and watch scenery gradually unfold.

I decided to heed my neighbour’s advice, to “make the trip part of the trip.” In the olden days, transatlantic travel meant boarding a ship and passing days at sea, watching the clouds change shape, the water and sky shifting between shades of blue and grey, the horizon stretching endlessly before you as you contemplate your destination ahead.

Cycling offers that same slow-paced, gradual way to enjoy the in-between places. Without a pane of glass between you and your environment, you are part of the landscape. You can move through it, without harming or polluting or altering the terrain. Cycling is also a great way to get exercise, without the impact on body parts like knees, hips and ankles. Since the pandemic, I have cycled in France, Spain, Greece, Portugal and the Baltics as part of small group trips. I am a serious convert. In fact, I am not just a convert, I’m a poster child for group cycling.

Sometimes I’ve booked with a girlfriend. Other times I’ve gone on my own. Regardless, I’ve made friends along the way, and continue to stay connected with at least a couple from every trip I’ve taken. Maybe that’s because intense bonding happens with a form of exercise that doesn’t involve competition, and when you are sharing an experience that for many of you may be a bucket list trip.

It’s now been six weeks since my last cycling trip, and I’m already surfing the net looking for my next destination. Scandinavia? Mongolia? Albania? No destination is off limits."

Some of the world's best cycling routes will challenge you – but don't let that put you off