Ask for an example of a bike-friendly European city, and most people will likely suggest Amsterdam or Copenhagen as top destinations. But Budapest, Barcelona or the quaint city of Ljubljana are just a few summer destinations that pop up on your “must-visit” lists in Europe. Here are 9 places to discover by bike during your summer vacation.
Discover Budapest, the new place to go
Budapest is one of the favorite Central European cities for a weekend or longer getaway. The Hungarian capital was created in 1873 by the merger of Buda and Pest, where the Danube river splits the city into two parts. On the eastern hip flat Pest side, start your journey by renting a bike. You will rapidly discover that riding in Budapest is the most convenient way to move around the city during summer. On your way, you will spot many outdoor cafes, restaurants, and the ever-popular ‘ruin cafés’—hangouts retrofitted from abandoned and derelict buildings. To satisfy your tourist expectations, go to St. Stephen’s Basilica and be amazed by the impressive gothic architecture. Then jump on your bike to visit the House of Parliament, one of the longest buildings in Europe! At night, it is illuminated and it is even more beautiful. You can visit the Hungarian Parliament, whose interior decoration and the size of the building are breathtaking. If you like the atmosphere of the markets, go without hesitation to the central halls of Budapest. Our favorite is the Markus Kolletzky where you have to try a refreshing fröccs – a Hungarian summer drink!
Last but not least in Pest, the public baths embody the perfect activity to relax and make friends. Choose the vast complexes of the Gellért Baths (at the Gellért Hotel; the indoor baths are magnificent) or the Széchenyi Baths with huge outdoor pools, marble treatment rooms and a wide range of treatments that will keep you busy for hours. To join Buda, consider riding on the Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd) to admire the view over the river. The Buda Castle (Royal Palace) is of course not to be missed, but there is also the Fishermen’s Bastion and the view it offers on the Danube and Pest, the Matthias Church located on the Trinity Square but also many statues and buildings with beautiful architecture. In the district, it is very pleasant to come to walk there in the paved streets and to stop in a café to have a drink or to eat. Finally, if you are looking for a place to escape from the crowd, Margaret island is the perfect spot for a spontaneous picnic – except in August, whern the Sziget music festival gathers +400k people for 10 days!
Discover Amsterdam, the smooth summer capital
It’s not a secret: the Dutch capital is a pioneer in bike-friendly cities, with more than half of all urban trips made by bicycle. If you want to get into this local habit and take advantage of the 400 km of bike paths in the city to discover its canals, its coffee shops, its museums or its nightlife, renting a bike in Amsterdam is the right choice! Download the Donkey app and pay as you go or get a daily deal!
In summer, the canals of Amsterdam come alive. In August, the Grachtenfestival (Festival of the Canals) offers classical music concerts in exceptional locations along the water, including historic houses and courtyards. You could definitely spend a whole day just riding your rental bike along the city’s emblematic canals and be a happy tourist. But in case you want to make a few stops, consider these unmissable attractions: the floating Bloemenmarkt flower market, the Amsterdam Dungeon, the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, the NEMO Science Museum, and lots of Amsterdam’s typical brown cafes.
Go to the unmissable attractions such as Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum or Anne Frank house. Yes, these places are very touristy but help you understand the past of the city. Stop by the Vondelpark, the city’s largest and most famous park? The 45 hectares of parkland are sure to provide some great rides! The park hosts free concerts and children’s shows in the open-air theater from June to August. Playgrounds and rollerblade rental facilities let you blow off steam before enjoying an open-air screening at the Film Museum.
The night owls will enjoy the buzzing nightlife of Amsterdam, at Blijburg aan Zee. The venue hosts nightly bonfires, DJs and concerts, while the luxurious Supperclub Oasis, an original creation by design agency Concrete, attracts a hip crowd. The rooftop beach at the Nemo Science Center is family-friendly with sand, beanbags and views of the city. Amstelhaven bar and restaurant on the banks of the Amstel River has one of the largest floating terraces in the city.
Discover Barcelona, where farniente awaits for you
If you’re wondering what to visit in Barcelona in the middle of summer, consider that it’s a great time to enjoy the air-conditioned museums and escape the heat! Picasso in Ciutat Vella, the Fundacio Joan Miro in Sants, the MNAC in Plaça Espanya, and the CCCB in Raval are just a few examples. Not to mention the many works of art by Antoni Gaudí that give Barcelona such a special architecture as the Casa Batllo or La Pedrera.
How to mention Barcelona without talking about its beaches? At this time of the year, the straw huts (called xiringuitos) flourish along the beaches. To avoid – a bit – the crowd, head to Bogatell beach or Nova Mar Bella beach. Even better if you can, take the train from Sants station and go to Castelldefels beach. Check also the cultural program, since a hot summer night is a great time to watch an outdoor movie on the big screen with your feet in the sand! At the beach, in the gardens of an old castle, in a park… the options are many! You can even discover three impressive panorama points in one tour: Park Güell, Torre de Collserola and Montjuïc. No wonder it made it to the best bike tours on our list. The magnificent views down to the city and the ocean are worth the effort of climbing almost 500 meters with your bike. Also, it’s a great opportunity to get out of the city for a few hours, enjoy nature and take your time to relax.
For shopping lovers, the district of Gracia will seduce you. This neighborhood is full of beautiful, trendy and unusual stores, as well as small, environmentally friendly businesses. And at nightfall, go to neighborhoods such as el Born or Barceloneta and sit on one of the many terraces to enjoy delicious Catalan cuisine! Or just have a drink at El Jardi in the Raval for its sangria. Fans of festivals will find what they are looking for in the Cruilla in July, DGTL festival in August and we can also talk about the Sonar Festival.
Discover Copenhagen, the vibrant bike-friendly city
Copenhagen is laid out brilliantly for cyclists, who often have right of way over cars. With more than 400 km of bicycle paths, Copenhagen is one of the most bicycle-friendly capitals in Europe.
You can start your day on the island of Christianshavn by walking along the canals, admiring the colorful facades, the old warehouses, and the moored boats. Like a little bit of Amsterdam. Climb to the bell tower of Vor Frelsers Kirke by its spiral staircase to enjoy the breathtaking view over the city. If you want to get some height, take a detour to Copenhill, a factory that transforms waste into district heating (see our article on this project) and whose roof was designed like a ski slope. The view is breathtaking on Copenhagen and its bay, in the distance you can see Sweden. You will then reach Reffen appreciated by Copenhageners for its underground atmosphere, its street art and its food court open from April to October.
Then go back to the center and have a drink under the plane tree of the Gråbrødretorv. Stroll through the streets before reaching the Glyptotek, a beautiful museum that traces all eras. You can then go to the Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world. A must-see in Copenhagen. If however, you prefer a less magical alternative, you can decide to go and discover the very lively Meat Packing District / Kodbyen, the old slaughterhouses of the city which are home to many bars and restaurants. Finally, we invite you to leave the Vesterbro district to reach Nørrebro, along the lakes. Nørrebro was recently voted the coolest district of the year and is easily discovered by bike. This lively district, awake day and night, will amaze your eyes and your taste buds. Then head to Blågårdsgade, always lively in the evening and very pleasant during the day. You can have a coffee/brunch break here (at Harbo Bar, Arabica or Props Coffee Shop). Then go around Blågårdsgade square, past Folkets park towards Assistens. Famous people, such as the writer Hans Christian Andersen, are buried here. You can walk through the lively streets of Fælledvej / Ravnsborggade / Sankt Hans Gade / Nørrebrogade, with its second-hand stores, wine shops, theaters and many bars. Ideal for a drink and food from around the world.
Discover Antwerp, the romantic medieval city
Antwerp is a little jewel in the kingdom in Belgium, a beautiful city, historical but also lifestyle and trendy. The second biggest city of Belgium is packed with beautiful architecture, concept stores, cafes, reputed restaurants and is fairly alive during the night.
During your visit, you will discover medieval buildings that are truly romantic places to have a romantic rendezvous. Visit the house of Rubens, the famous Flemish painter, before going to the Plantin Moretus museum. Pay tribute to the Cathedral, an important building for Antwerpeners located in the heart of the historical center. Finally, the Conscienceplein, a peaceful square paved with old-fashioned cobblestones, together with the city’s heritage library and the Gothic church of St. Carolus Borromeus, create a fascinating, picturesque setting. But you shouldn’t reduce Antwerp to its city center. If you look for hidden gems, ride to the Zurenborg district is an unknown but very unusual and interesting district. It gathers 170 houses classified as historical monuments. On the way to Het Eilandje, which used to be the old port district of Antwerp, it is hard not to notice the Museum aan de Stroom, MAS for short. The district is full of refurbished warehouses, a street art trail, and animations. Give a chance to The Red Star Line museum, an amazing museum on the port dedicated to the history of immigration in the 19th century. Both a ship and a big diamond, it gathers the symbols of Antwerp.
Finally, pay tribute to the Belgian reputation and join a beer culture tour or visit the De Koninck brewery. And if you want to feel and act like a local, rent a Donkey bike. In Antwerp, cycling accounts for 30% of all trips.
Discover Konstanz Lake, the summer outdoor perfect escape
For an active week-long vacation, there is nothing better than Lake Constance, a pearl located in three countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland). Right in the heart of the Alps, the route offers breathtaking landscapes and picturesque villages on the famous cycle path around the lake. In a week you can do the whole round of the lake, without getting too tired: the path is always flat and it doesn’t have any particular difficulties, so it’s appropriate even for the less trained bikers, for families and for those who don’t want to tire during the holidays! The journey is completely customizable, you can easily choose where to stop or to shorten the path with the boats that link the edges of the lake. 
Sounds too sporty to you? Don’t worry, the city of Konstanz is a lively college town that has yet kept its old soul: it’s not difficult to find signs of its glorious past. It actually preserves many monuments and corners to discover, such as the historic neighborhood of Niederburg, where there are ancient houses and an old Cathedral which date back to the XIII century. Near Konstanz, you’ll find the fascinating Reicheanau island, made a Unesco World Heritage Site for its importance in the monastic environment, where you can relax between its beautiful churches, gardens and vineyards.
Discover Ljubljana, the Slovenian green paradise
Slovenia has slowly become one of the trendiest summer destinations in Europe. Not only thanks to its magnificent lakes like Bled, but also with the charm of its human-sized capital Ljubljana. Stroll with your nose in the air in the historical center, on both sides of the Ljubljanica river, like the castle. It is impossible to come to Ljubljana without going up to the castle. It houses a small museum that you can take a look at, but above all, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city from its tower. at the restaurant Gostilna na Gradu: the location is perfect and the cuisine is tasty, based on fresh local products. Very good for tasting good Slovenian specialties! the Dragon Bridge (the dragon being the symbol of the city) or the Triple Bridge (Tromostovje), but the main thing is to enjoy the beauty and the atmosphere of the city. 
For museum addicts, Ljubljana is the best to be. Choose between the Museum of Puppetry, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (+MSUM) or the Tivoli Gallery (international center of graphic arts, different from Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen!) Rent a bike and explore the area around Stari Trg square. You’ll discover a colorful and atypical district where an alternative and artistic culture reigns positively. It is undoubtedly one of the most lively in the city, especially in the evening when the numerous bars and discotheques wake up. The architecture is really interesting to observe too, with a nice mix of art nouveau and baroque and various influences. Don’t forget to check out the buzzing nightlife in Ljubljana like K4 or Cirkus Club; the younger generations love to party in these nightclubs. And for a day trip in the countryside, consider cycling south to the primeval forest of Kočevje. You will ride in the shadow of the UNESCO Heritage site the Krokar virgin forest, a 75-hectare beech copse that survived the ice age. The area is one of the last places in Europe where bears, wolves, and lynx roam in the wild.
Discover Bordeaux, the trendy French capital of wine
Ah, Bordeaux… this beautiful city where life is good! Very trendy in the last few years, Bordeaux is a great destination to spend a weekend in France. You’ll find everything you need in Bordeaux: excellent terroir, beautiful architecture, designer and artisanal stores, and beautiful surroundings. Discover downtown Bordeaux. Bordeaux is a very nice city to walk around. There are many places you can go to such as the Place des Quinconces with its Monument to the Girondins, the Allées de Tourny, the Place de la Comédie with the Grand Théâtre and the Galerie Bordelaise, the Place de la Bourse, the Place Saint-Pierre, the Cathedral Saint-André de Bordeaux or the Grosse Cloche. You can go further to discover the Capucins-Victoire district but also on the quays to see the Porte de Bourgogne, the Porte Cailhau and the Pont de
Pierre.
Stroll to Darwin Eco System. The project is very cool, it is a renovated urban wasteland into a trendy space with many quality restaurants and stores as well as a wide choice of activities. Les Chartrons is the trendy bobo district of Bordeaux. You’ll find nice little stores, lots of restaurants, cafes and bars. What I liked in the Chartrons district is the village atmosphere in the heart of the city. It’s a bit far from the center of Bordeaux but I really recommend you to go there by bike. Last but not least, Bordeaux is known worldwide as the wine capital and you should visit the Cité du Vin. You can visit the permanent and temporary exhibitions, but also attend wine tasting workshops. There are many options to visit vineyards around Bordeaux. Off the beaten path tours to discover incredible vineyards and, of course, to taste their wines! Not only will you learn about the wine culture, but you will also see beautiful landscapes.
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