Italy
Italy Bike Tour: Dolomites to Venice (8 Days, Self-Guided)
8 days
Bike tours
Departure days: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday
475km
Moderate
About this cycle tour in Italy
The Dolomites to Venice bike tour is an 8-day self-guided bike tour in northern Italy. You ride about 205 miles (330 km) from Bolzano in South Tyrol, along the Adige River and past Lake Garda, through Verona, Vicenza and Padua, to Mestre next to Venice. You follow quiet bike paths and country roads, sleep in comfortable hotels and never carry your luggage. The tour suits first-time and experienced riders, and many guests choose an e-bike. See all our Italy bike tours or browse self-guided bike tours across Europe.
Tour at a glance
- Route: Bolzano to Mestre (Venice), one way
- Length: 8 days, 7 nights, 6 riding days
- Distance: about 205 miles (330 km). Shorter version: 183 miles (295 km)
- Daily rides: 22 to 43 miles (35 to 70 km)
- Level: easy to moderate, mostly flat bike paths
- Style: self-guided, with daily luggage transfer and a GPS app
- Hotels: Standard (mostly 3-star) or Comfort (mostly 4-star), breakfast included
- Season: late March to mid-October
From the Dolomites to the Venetian lagoon, every pedal brings you closer to the real Italy
Why ride from the Dolomites to Venice
- Many landscapes in one trip: Alpine valleys, vineyards, Lake Garda, the Venetian plain and the lagoon.
- Famous cities by bike: Bolzano, Trento, Verona, Vicenza and Padua.
- Tastings included: a wine and olive oil tasting near Padua and one gelato per person in Vicenza.
- A ferry across Lake Garda: from Riva del Garda to Peschiera del Garda, with your bike on board.
- Easy to shorten: you can take the train on days 2, 3, 5 and 7.
- Ride your way: touring bike, hybrid bike or e-bike.
Is this bike tour right for you?
A good fit if you:
- want a first self-guided bike tour in Europe
- are happy riding 22 to 43 miles a day, or want an e-bike to help
- like cities, food and wine as much as cycling
- travel as a couple, with friends, or with older kids
Not the best fit if you:
- want a guide or a group
- want big mountain climbs (this tour goes from the mountains down to the sea, with only short climbs)
Not sure? Ask us. You get one fixed contact person, and we answer within 2 business days.
Sights along the route
- Bolzano – Start your journey between the Alps and Italy, with colorful squares and lively cafés.
- South Tyrol Wine Route – Cycle through apple orchards and vineyards with breathtaking views of the Dolomites.
- Lake Garda – Enjoy stunning panoramas from Passo San Giovanni, followed by a relaxing boat ride.
- Verona – The city of Romeo and Juliet, featuring a Roman arena and bustling piazzas.
- Vicenza – A Renaissance gem by architect Palladio, known for its magnificent villas.
- Euganean Hills – Green hills, thermal springs, and opportunities to taste local wine and olive oil.
- Padua – A university city rich in art, history, and Italian flair.
- Brenta Canal and Venetian Villas – Cycle past elegant summer residences on your way toward Mestre.
- Venice – Conclude your adventure with the timeless magic of the city on the water.
Day to day itinerary
You ride on six days. Each ride is 22 to 43 miles (35 to 70 km), so you have time for coffee, wine tastings and sightseeing.
Bolzano is the capital of South Tyrol and the gateway to the Dolomites. Walk through the old town, visit Ötzi the Iceman at the Archaeological Museum, or sit down with a glass of local Lagrein wine. You get your route information, GPS app and luggage tags.
Follow the Adige River along the South Tyrolean Wine Route, through apple orchards and vineyards. Choose the flat river path or a slightly hillier variant by Lake Kaltern. Near Salorno, German-speaking South Tyrol meets Italian-speaking Trentino. You end in Trento, with its frescoed old town and Buonconsiglio Castle. Shorten it: take the train to Trento from Ora, Egna, Salorno or Mezzocorona.
Ride to Rovereto and its modern art museum (MART). Then climb to Passo San Giovanni for the first big view of Lake Garda. In Riva del Garda you board the ferry for a relaxed cruise of about 4.5 hours to Peschiera del Garda, a walled town on the southern shore. Shorten it: take the train from Trento to Rovereto or Mori.
This is the shortest ride. You pass vineyards and rolling hills, then reach Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet. See the Roman Arena, Piazza delle Erbe, Juliet’s House and the Church of San Zeno. Have an aperitif on the square and dinner in the old town.
Ride through the Veneto countryside to Soave, a walled wine town with a castle. Then choose the flat route past the castles of Montecchio Maggiore, or a hillier route through the Berici Hills. Vicenza is the city of the architect Andrea Palladio, whose style also inspired the White House in Washington, D.C. Shorten it: take the train from or to San Bonifacio.
Pass Villa La Rotonda, Palladio’s most famous villa, and Villa Valmarana ai Nani. Then ride into the Euganean Hills, home to Europe’s largest thermal spa area. A short detour of about 6 miles (10 km) takes you to a wine and olive oil tasting, included in your tour. Relax in the spa area after your ride.
Ride to Padua, a university city with the Basilica of St. Anthony, Prato della Valle and the historic Caffè Pedrocchi. Then follow the Brenta Canal, lined with Venetian villas such as Villa Pisani, Villa Foscarini Rossi and Villa Widmann. You end in Mestre, on the edge of the Venetian lagoon. Shorten it: take the train from the Euganean spa area to Padua, or from Padua to Mestre.
After breakfast, return your bike. Venice is a short train or bus ride from Mestre, so plan time for St. Mark’s Square, the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge. To go back to Bolzano, take the train or book a private transfer.
Sights along the route
Lago di Garda
Lake Garda is a standout highlight on this cycling holiday in Italy. During the ferry ride from Riva del Garda to Peschiera, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of mountain slopes, olive groves, and colorful villages such as Limone and Malcesine. The sparkling waters and Mediterranean atmosphere make this lake a perfect stop, offering both relaxation and stunning scenery.
Verona
The romantic city of Verona is a must-see during your Dolomites to Venice cycling holiday. Visit the Roman Arena, Juliet’s balcony, and wander through charming streets full of history. At Piazza delle Erbe, experience the lively Italian atmosphere with cafés, markets, and music. Verona combines culture, romance, and elegance, perfect for an evening stroll after a day on the bike.
Vicenza
Vicenza enchants with its Renaissance splendor and the masterpieces of architect Andrea Palladio. Visit Villa La Rotonda, the Teatro Olimpico, and the Basilica Palladiana in the heart of the city. The elegant atmosphere, stylish shops, and cozy wine bars make Vicenza one of the cultural highlights of this self-guided cycling holiday through Italy.
Venice
The iconic city of Venice marks the impressive end of this cycling holiday from the Dolomites to Venice. Be enchanted by the Grand Canal, St. Mark’s Square, and the Rialto Bridge. Wander through narrow streets, visit a glassblowing workshop on the island of Murano, or enjoy a gondola ride at sunset. Venice is a masterpiece of water and culture — an unforgettable conclusion to your cycling holiday in Italy.
Prices & departure dates
2027
Departure Days: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Departure dates for 2027:
- Saturdays and Sundays: March 27 – October 16, 2027
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays: April 13 – September 29, 2027
Double Room (2 people)
| Period | Silver – Double | Gold – Double |
|---|---|---|
| April 17 – May 7, 2027 | €1,020 | €1,170 |
| May 8 – September 3, 2027 | €1,270 | €1,420 |
| September 4 – September 24, 2027 | €1,220 | €1,370 |
Single Room
| Period | Silver – Single | Gold – Single |
|---|---|---|
| April 17 – May 7, 2027 | €1,400 | €1,650 |
| May 8 – September 3, 2027 | €1,600 | €1,850 |
| September 4 – September 24, 2027 | €1,600 | €1,850 |
Special departures: Available upon request for groups of 6 or more.
Included
- 7 nights in selected 3- or 4-star hotels
- Daily breakfast (Italian or continental)
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel (1 piece per person, max. 20 kg)
- Ferry crossing from Riva del Garda to Peschiera del Garda
- Wine and olive oil tasting near Padua
- Gelato tasting in Vicenza
- Detailed travel information and vouchers
- App with GPS routes, maps, and points of interest
- Emergency assistance phone number
Not included
- Travel to/from Bolzano and Venice
- Additional meals and drinks
- Tourist tax (approx. €15–€20 per person)
- Entrance fees to Venice historic city center
- Tips and personal expenses
- Travel and cancellation insurance
Optional extras
Prices are per person, including VAT.
| Service / Extra | Price per Person | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Standard touring bike (non-electric) | €120 per week | 27 gears, unisex frame, including panniers |
| Hybrid bike | €175 per week | Sportier model, 27 gears, aluminium frame |
| E-bike (electric bike) | €320 per week | Pedal-assist, 9 gears, unisex frame |
| Helmet rental | €17 per week | Adjustable helmet, CE-certified |
| Extra night in Bolzano | €145 (double) / €220 (single) | Bed & breakfast, start location of the tour |
| Extra night in Mestre (Venice) | €95 (double) / €155 (single) | Bed & breakfast, ideal for extending your stay in Venice |
| Private transfer Mestre → Bolzano | €115 p.p. (without bike) / €165 p.p. (with bike) | Minimum 2 persons, available on Sat/Sun/Tue |
| Travel and cancellation insurance | On request | Recommended for peace of mind in case of cancellation or mishaps |
| Child discount | –50% (ages 4 – 11.99) | When sharing a room with parents (subject to availability) |
Practical information
- Tour type: Self-guided cycling holiday
- Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
- Distance: 35–70 km per day (approx. 335 km total)
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate, mostly flat terrain
- Start and finish: Bolzano / Mestre (Venice)
- Accommodation: Comfortable 3- and 4-star hotels with breakfast
- Luggage: Daily transfer included
- Navigation: App with GPS tracks and offline maps
- Departure: Weekly from April to October
- Train options: Possibility to shorten stages on various days
- Recommended: Bring your own water bottle, phone holder, and power bank.
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