There’s something for every type of biker in Italy, from quiet cycling paths to thrilling MTB trails. This tour from Lake Garda to Venice is ideal for those yearning for a holiday filled with superb views, incredible food, and historic towns. You’ll be pedaling at your own, easy-going pace through a rich tapestry of landscapes, including sweet-scented peach orchards, idyllic vineyards, lakeside Roman resorts, pastoral countryside, and so much more. This part of Italy between Garda and Venice is a true feast for the senses—including, of course, taste—the food and drinks you’ll be having on this adventure are beyond divine. Your next vacation could be under the Italian sun, sampling the very best of this charming area and the bel paese!
Spend your next vacation in Italy and let this self-guided tour from Lake Garda to Venice take you through the region’s best-ofs! Over the course of 8 days, you’ll set out for exciting tours and pedal your way from Italy’s largest lake to a world-famous city. The best thing about this adventure is that most things are arranged for you, meaning that it’s as carefree and as simple as possible—airport and luggage transfers, hotels, breakfasts, detailed route maps, all of that is taken care of. Take your time discovering this region’s gems, stop for pics whenever you feel like it, and enjoy your time in Italy to the max!
Following your arrival into Verona (VRN) airport, you will be transferred (approximately 1 hour) to your delightful accommodation in the town of Garda, on the southeast shores of Lake Garda. Make sure to stroll through this charming town and get ready for tomorrow, as that’s when you start cycling!
Accommodation: Three-star hotel
Today you’ll ease into your cycling tour, enjoying the delights of Lake Garda and its surrounding countryside. Ideally located on the south-east shores, the area features a network of cycle routes leading you into the countryside full of vineyards over gentle hills. Cycle routes will take you through quaint little villages just below the Mt Baldo range, and then back to the shores of the lake, where you can enjoy the lake-front vibrant life of Lazise and Garda itself. In the evening, Garda (your home for the night) becomes full of life, with plenty of little restaurants and Italian trattorias to choose from.
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling: 25-32 miles / 40-50 km
Elevation gain: 1,640-2,135 ft / 500-650 m
Accommodation: Three-star hotel
Kick off the day with a short cruise across the lake to Sirmione. From the boat you can admire the eastern shore of the lake, dominated by the long ridge of Mt Baldo, rising over 2,000 m / 6,561 ft above the lake. Sirmione was once a famous Roman spa and still attracts visitors for the healing waters and charming character. In Roman times villas were built here, including that of the poet Catullus who wrote of the beauty of the lake. Sirmione is also full of art treasures and history, starting with the Castle through which one must pass to reach the old center.
From Sirmione, you’ll ride south following quiet country lanes, through vineyards, peach orchards and kiwi plantations, in the rolling hills of the region known as Le Colline Moreniche. You’ll pass near San Martino di Battaglia, with its museum of armaments. Heading back to Lake Garda, the final section will see you riding along the Mincio cyclepath into the fortified walls of Peschiera, your destination for the night.
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling: 14-28 miles / 25-45 km
Elevation gain: 490-985 ft / 150-300 m
Accommodation: Three-star hotel
Your destination today is Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, with its Renaissance palaces, the Roman arena and many cozy corners. Setting off from Peschiera, you’ll start today’s ride, cycling north along the east side of the lake. Heading inland, rolling hills of kiwi, peach plantations, and olive groves will follow you along the way. The last section is a ride along the Adige cycle path, leading you into Verona.
You’ll have enough time to enjoy a stroll through this remarkable Renaissance city, recently named a World Heritage Site. Verona has delighted painters, poets, and travelers for centuries now. After settling into the hotel, you’ll have an evening to explore Verona and try out one of the many quality restaurants in town.
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling: 20 miles / 35 km
Elevation gain: 820 ft / 250 m
Accommodation: Three-star hotel
Leave Verona in the morning, riding mostly on cycle paths along the banks of the Adige river. This interesting route, mostly on dirt roads and canal embankments surrounded by nature, is a relaxing and serene ride, allowing you to explore the plains south of Verona, characterized by expanses of orchards and vineyards which extend to the foot of the Euganean Hills.
Riding on flat routes, you will reach the medieval town of Montagnana. Montagnana is a peaceful town, universally famous for its beautiful, and perfectly preserved, medieval city walls. Time permitting, you may have the opportunity to visit some of the ancient walls. There’s nothing better after a day on the bikes than sitting on the main square during aperitivo hour with the locals, watching Italian life go by.
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling: 37 miles / 60 km
Elevation gain: 495 ft / 150 m
Accommodation: Three-star hotel
Today you will be riding along quiet country roads with charming natural features and the typical landscape of the Veneto countryside. Arriving in Este, you will see the tower of the castle and part of the ruins, dating back to the eleventh century. They are the only remaining artifacts of the five castles, built on the banks on the outskirts of the city to defend the strategic river accesses. This part of the route is mostly along the banks of the canals that surround the isolated group of hills. You’ll ride along the banks of the River Bacchiglione taking a network of cycle paths.
Finally you will reach Padova, a city characterized by complex town planning, a result of 2,500 years of history. The city houses some world-famous works of art; from the traces of the Roman Age splendor to the masterpieces of the Middle Ages.
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling: 38 miles / 60 km
Elevation gain: 1,315 ft / 400 m
Accommodation: Three-star hotel
Following a mixture of country lanes and cycle paths, you’ll ride past regal mansions, following canals and natural reserves until you reach Mestre train station. From here, you can take one of the regular trains to Venezia St Lucia, only a 12-minute journey, to avoid the last section between Mestre and the Liberty Bridge. Alternatively, you can ride the new cycle lane over the Liberty Bridge, arriving in Piazzale Roma.
In Venice, you’ll have time to stop and lock up your bikes for a few hours, allowing time to visit one of the famous Venetian Palaces and explore the city on foot. In the afternoon, jump on the ferry to Lido and then to Pellestrina Island. The Lido di Chioggia are long strips of land that divide the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea and goes from Venice to Chioggia, broken only by a few channels. One more ferry will take you to Chioggia, a miniature version of Venice, with characteristic narrow streets known as calli. Chioggia has several medieval churches, which were renovated during the 16th and 17th centuries, a period of great prosperity in the area.
Note: You may need to pay the Venice Access Fee for the day you’re traveling there, it can be done via this link. Please check if you need to pay this fee before you arrive in Venice.
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling: 44-47 miles / 70-75 km
Elevation gain: 660 ft / 200 m
Accommodation: Three-star hotel
Time to say goodbye to this gorgeous part of Italy as your guides come to pick you up and transfer you (approximately 2 hours) back to the airport for your return flight home. Let us know if you’d like to stay longer in the area, we’d love to give you recommendations!
Meals: Breakfast
Please note that accommodations are subject to availability and it may not be possible to book the exact accommodations listed day-by-day in the itinerary (in case there is a detailed list).
Also note that your chosen dates for the tour are not guaranteed until confirmed by the guide. If the guide is unable to secure your preferred dates/accommodation, you’ll get a full refund!
Stress free. Excellent hotels, good service by Skedaddle, interesting cycling and places to visit. We really enjoyed the hotel in Verona, but all the hotels provided an excellent service. All the breakfasts were very good. The ride up the valley was fantastic, with the treat of a new ‘Bike and Wine’ cafe on route which was in our route notes. We had rain on two days, but we still enjoyed all the days. The bikes provided were in good condition (nearly new), very reliable and perfect for the type of riding we were doing.
We loved our holiday. The route was great and we really enjoyed the rural countryside . the app worked well although it sometimes took a while to update and tell us that we had gone off route. The staff at the bike shop in Verona where we got our bikes were fabulous.
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*Please note that accommodations are subject to availability and it may not be possible to book the exact accommodations listed day-by-day in the itinerary (in case there is a detailed list).
Fitness and experience
This cycling vacation from Lake Garda to Venice is ideal for those looking for an easy-going route, mostly on flat ground. There will be some undulations and the odd cheeky challenge, but other than that, it’s all breezy. So if you recently got into cycling and would like to do more over consecutive days, or you’re looking for a more active alternative to your usual vacation, this tour is for you.
Terrain and roads
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
If you don’t own a suitable bike or would prefer to avoid bringing your own, your guides have bikes available to rent. These bikes are typically Velo de Ville hybrid/touring bikes for $315. Depending on the size needed, the bikes may have a cross bar, or have a step through frame (usually the smaller models). If a smaller frame is required, occasionally a mountain bike with semi-slick tyres adapted for road use may also be provided. E-bikes are available on request for $545 and it may take a day or two for your guides to confirm.
Rental bikes will be provided with a pannier rack and 1 bag, a tool kit, a spare inner tube, a bike lock, a bike pump, and a phone mount.
If you choose to bring your own e-bike, on any of departures, please contact us so we can discuss the bike specification and ensure it is suitable for the tour.
Helmets can be provided locally on request. If you would like us to organise this please request a helmet at the time of booking.
A self-guided tour is an independent exploration without a formal guide leading the way. Instead of being part of a group with a tour leader, you will navigate the tour yourself, using resources provided by the operator, such as maps, guidebooks, audio guides, or digital apps.
By going on this cycling vacation from Lake Garda to Venice, you’ll have lots of things arranged for you, making your cycling experience a lot less stressful and a lot more enjoyable:
After you get transferred to Garda and once you’ve talked to a local representative, the self-guided tour starts! Keep in mind that your guides offer support along the way should you need anything.
Group sizes and pricing
Cycling vacations from Lake Garda to Venice can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has riders under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to your cycling vacation from Lake Garda to Venice, first you’ll land in Verona Airport (VRN). Transfer from the airport to the town of Garda is included in the price of the tour—aim to arrive between 9 am and 4 pm, and depart between noon and 7 pm.
Make sure your tour is confirmed and ready to go before making any travel arrangements. Please note that if you make travel arrangements outside the time windows above, there may be an additional charge for your transfers.
Medical and travel protection are mandatory on this adventure. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
A non-refundable $250 deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 2 months (60 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
If you need to cancel the trip, please contact us in writing. If you wish to transfer a booking to another person, please write to us at least seven (7) days before your trip. Administration charges may arise.
The overall trip was fabulous! Lake Guarda was a highlight – the whole time there. The last day cycling to Venice and Chioggia was also a favourite day. The overall trip was fabulous. Incredible scenery, great hotels, friendly people, a wonderful experience. Our Skedaddle representative was brilliant. Great riding advice and great restaurant recommendations. Friendly, funny and helpful.