Best bike tours in Florence, cycling routes and itineraries
Cycling is a great way to explore Florence and its surroundings! Just like many other florentines, I love riding my bike on the cobblestone covered alleys and on the hills that are embracing the city. If you are thinking about taking one of the many guided bike tours in Florence… well, let me tell you that’s a good idea!
There are so many different options! Regular or electric bike? Stay in the city or escape in the countryside? How long the tour should last? This is the reason why I thought about writing a post that could help you choosing the best bike tour in Florence for your holiday.
The bicycle tours I selected are given by reliable companies that I know and trust and are led by licensed, professional, local tour guides. Booking your tours on Viator guarantees you maximum reliability and flexibility: most tours have a free cancellation policy.
Best bike and e-bike guided tours in Florence
In my opinion, those two ones are the best bike tours in Florence for small groups, with the best value for money. During the tour you will have a licensed tour guide, who will explain the places you will visit. Your guide also know all the cycling routes in Florence, and will guide you through the streets and squares of the city.
The same Florence bike rental company is giving two different versions of the same tour: with and without piazzale Michelangelo. The bike tour without piazzale Michelangelo is super easy, takes place in the historic center and is within everyone’s reach, you won’t have to ride in busy streets or uphill, the city is flat!
Piazzale Michelangelo is on the top of a small hill facing the city and offering a stunning view of Florence, but consider that you’ll have to ride uphill for about 10-15 minutes to get there.
You can take the tour at three different times of the day: morning, afternoon or evening.
Florence bicycle tour with gelato tasting
After cycling through the city streets, there is nothing better than a refreshing gelato. If you like the idea you have two options:
- Regular bike tour with gelato tasting (2.5 hours)
- Electric bike tour with gelato tasting (2 hours)
The difference between the two tours is that with the regular bike you will stay inside the historic centre, where there are few cars and no slopes. With the e-bike, however, you can also add Piazzale Michelangelo to your itinerary, which is located on a hill, and admire the view of Florence from above.
By the way, discover the best views in Florence
Florence electric bike evening tour
This Florence bike evening tour with wine tasting is perfect for escaping the summer heat and daytime crowds. Also at night there’s very little or no traffic, so your bike ride is even easier.
With your bike you can easily reach Piazzale Michelangelo and admire the skyline of the city. You’ll also see piazza della Signoria, piazza Santa Croce, the Duomo and many other iconic places under the sunset light.
The tour starts at 6.00 pm, lasts two hours, and includes a stop to enjoy a glass of wine with a view on the city. If you are taking this tour in summer, be aware that the sun will set after 8.00 pm (so after the ending time tour). In early may the sun will set around 8.00 pm. In late june will set around 9.00 pm or so.
Tuscany e-bike tour from Florence with lunch and wine tasting
This full-day bicycle tour is the perfect opportunity to discover the Tuscan countryside by bike, effortlessly and also enjoying the excellent local food and wines.
You will have an electric bike and an expert guide who knows the best itineraries. Your guide will take you around the cycling routes of Chianti, where you will stop in two different wineries to taste local wines, cheese, salami, olive oil and more. A full lunch also is included. Talking about winey things, discover all the different wine tours in Florence.
I have personally done this tour on a beautiful ,sunny, late-spring day. The experience was fantastic, but it was pretty hot and I sweated a lot! So be sure to bring an extra t-shirt and to stay hydrated.
2 days Chianti e-bike adventure from Florence
If you love cycling long distances this is the tour for you. This two-day e-bike tour departs from Florence and travels through the Chianti countryside, with several stops along the way to visit traditional villages and to taste local wines and food.
The electric bike is great and minimizes fatigue, even uphill. So even if you are not an experienced athlete you can do it!
The tour includes all the meals (two lunches, one breakfast and one dinner) and accommodation in a pool villa.
Some tips for cycling in Florence
Take a bike tour only if you are at least an occasional biker. Which means you must have a certain experience and you can safely ride a bike.
The historic centre wasn’t made for bikes! Cobblestone is charming but is driving cyclists mad, pay attention to it.
Also, in the city centre, pay attention to the hundreds of pedestrians walking in the middle of the street and watching the sky. Don’t be afraid to ring your bell.
Be prepared to ride in public roads at times. Cycling paths are never enough.
Wearing a helmet for riding a bike in Italy is mandatory only for children under 14. But you can still wear it for your safety even if you’re older! All the tours mentioned in this post are providing free helmets.
