by Peter Illés on December 25th, 2025
For cyclists willing to look beyond the usual destinations, Eastern Europe offers some of the most memorable multi-day bike tours in Europe. Routes often link distinct cultural regions, pairing strong riding with local food, history, and landscapes that still feel largely undiscovered.
From medieval Transylvanian towns to Adriatic coastlines and remote Balkan valleys, we put together the most rewarding cycling holiday routes in the region.
Sibiu → Biertan → Sighișoara → Viscri → Sibiu
This classic Transylvanian itinerary links some of the most beautiful Saxon villages in Romania using a mix of quiet tarmac and gravel backroads. Starting and finishing in Sibiu, the route strings together UNESCO World Heritage sites, fortified churches, rolling farmland, and wooded hills before reaching Sighișoara, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval citadels. A gravel-heavy section toward Viscri adds a sense of remoteness and exploration before the loop closes with a fantastic ride along the Făgăraș Mountains.
Daily distances are moderate, terrain is mostly rolling, and the experience is strongly food- and culture-led. Family-run guesthouses, traditional meals, and slow village rhythms make this itinerary ideal for riders who value atmosphere over speed. It’s one of the best introductions to multi-day cycling in Eastern Europe.
Don’t miss:
For those who prefer a deeper, more seamless experience, we offer a guided version of the Saxon Heritage Loop. It combines lesser-known trails with local knowledge, from hidden food stops and photo locations to the stories and legends behind Transylvania’s medieval past.
Riga → Kandava → Kuldīga → Liepāja → Klaipėda → Curonian Spit
The Baltic Seaside itinerary is a long, gently paced coastal journey linking historic towns, pine forests, and wide sandy beaches. Beginning in Riga, the route heads west through Kuldīga, known for its waterfalls and wooden architecture, before reaching the coast at Liepāja. Crossing into Lithuania, it continues south toward Klaipėda and the unique landscapes of the Curonian Spit.
The riding is predominantly flat to gently rolling, making this itinerary accessible to a wide range of cyclists. What it lacks in climbing, it makes up for in quiet roads. Long days in the saddle, fresh seafood, and a calm, meditative riding rhythm define this route.
Don’t miss:
Plovdiv → Panagyurishte → Koprivshtitsa → Starosel → Hisarya → Kazanlak
This Bulgarian itinerary combines history, wine, and rolling mountain terrain in one compact route. Starting from Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, the route flows around the Sredna Gora mountains, passing through towns closely tied to Bulgaria’s revolutionary past such as Panagyurishte or Koprivshtitsa.
The second half of the route flows through the Thracian Valley, with stops near ancient burial mounds, vineyards, and spa towns like Hisarya. Terrain is hilly but manageable, food is generous, and cultural density is high. If you arrive in late May to mid-June, you'll be able to ride through gorgeous rose fields. This itinerary suits cyclists who enjoy steady climbing paired with history, wine, and relaxed evenings.
Don’t miss:
Šćepan Polje → Shkodër
The full Trans Dinarica stretches over 3,400 kilometres across the Balkans, but our favourite section runs from the Tara Canyon to Shkodër. This segment captures everything that makes Balkan cycling exceptional: deep river canyons, high mountain plateaus, remote border regions, and long stretches without traffic.
The riding is demanding, with sustained climbs and rugged terrain, but the sense of scale and isolation is unmatched. Kosovo’s mountain routes and the Bitola–Ohrid section are also standouts, offering a slightly more cultural and food-forward experience alongside the physical challenge.
Don’t miss:
Mostar → Trebinje → Dubrovnik
The Ćiro Trail follows the route of a historic narrow-gauge railway through Herzegovina, linking Mostar with the Adriatic coast. The trail rolls through karst landscapes, old railway tunnels, vineyards, and small stone villages to the walled-town of Trebinje, before descending toward Dubrovnik.
Gradients are generally manageable, the surface is mostly tarmac with short gravel sections, and the cultural payoff is high. This itinerary is ideal for cyclists looking to combine inland riding with a dramatic coastal finish, strong regional cuisine, and a clear historical narrative along the route.
Don’t miss:
What unites these itineraries is not just terrain, but contrast. In Eastern Europe, multi-day routes often cross distinct cultural zones rather than repeating similar landscapes. Changes in architecture, language, food, and rhythm reinforce the feeling of real travel rather than staged tourism.
For cyclists willing to look beyond the most established destinations, Eastern Europe offers some of the most memorable multi-day bike tours on the continent. Journeys defined by discovery, hospitality, and routes that feel steeped in history.
