Cycling is the ideal way to experience a holiday in harmony with oneself, mentally, but also with the environment that hosts us. A guest is someone who welcomes guests into their home, hotel, farmhouse, winery, or shop, as well as those who are welcomed. And, together, they are guests of the land they live in and visit. In Tuscany, the desire and commitment is to become increasingly aware and sustainable hosts, respecting nature and others, to welcome guests in an inclusive manner, to be an increasingly accessible destination, and to be visited responsibly.
Tuscany, a virtuous destination
The bicycle is an ambassador for the green holiday vocation, and Tuscany is a model region for engaging tourism operators and stakeholders in daily activities, small gestures, and important long-term initiatives, thanks also to the creation of the Charter of Values for Sustainable Tourism. The region was awarded Best Italian Green Destination by GIST for its excellence in sustainable and responsible tourism, for being the first region in Italy to ban the administration and use of single-use plastic on Tuscan beaches, parks, and protected areas. Here, the systemic contamination of the bicycle combines sustainable mobility, intermodality, and cycle tourism, with the creation of dedicated infrastructure and services, everything cycle tourists need, and a network of bike-friendly operators. Starting from the great Tuscan cycle paths such as the Sentiero della Bonifica, already part of EuroVelo 7, the Ciclovia Romea Francigena EuroVelo 5, the Ciclovia Tirrenica, or the Ciclovia dell’Arno, it branches out into countless routes throughout the region, experiencing the joy of cycling in every season: in winter, mitigated by the Tyrrhenian breezes or warmed by the warmth of the bars and village clubs as meeting places and local life, and in summer, beating the hottest days in the shade of the woods that fill Tuscany, which, with 1.2 million hectares of forest, is the region with the largest wooded area in Italy.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Discovering Heritage on Two Wheels
Tuscany is a region of extraordinary beauty, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and a UNESCO Global Geopark, each representing a unique piece of the region’s natural, cultural, artistic, and historical heritage.
Cycling through these places is a breathtaking experience, thanks to the beauty and grandeur of ancient cities, the uniqueness of small villages, and hilly landscapes where nature and man coexist in perfect harmony. Many routes lead to Tuscany’s UNESCO sites, spanning centuries of history, admiring unique works of art, architecture that speaks to the greatness of a civilization, and landscapes that have been a source of inspiration for artists and poets.
The cities of art
Florence, symbol of the Renaissance and artistic creativity, whose historic center preserves architectural and artistic masterpieces, such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Uffizi Gallery. The city is a living museum of Humanism and European economic history, and traversing it by bike is a true privilege with Discover Florence by Bike, the 22 km city tour accessible to everyone.
Pisa, with its Piazza dei Miracoli, a perfect example of Pisan Romanesque architecture, with iconic monuments such as the Leaning Tower and the Duomo. The square is also an important symbol of scientific history, being the site of Galileo Galilei’s experiments, and is the ideal starting point for reaching the sea on the Trammino Cycle Path. Siena is a medieval jewel that has retained its Gothic architecture intact. Piazza del Campo, with its shell shape, is the heart of the city, surrounded by historic buildings such as the Duomo and the Palazzo Pubblico. The city is a perfect example of historical and cultural continuity, accessible by pedaling during events such as the Eroica and Strade Bianche, or by walking your bike through the city center streets. To be completed with the Anello fuori le mura (Outside the Walls Ring) to explore the city walls.
Pienza is the ideal Renaissance city, created from the humanist dream of Pope Pius II. Its historic center, designed by the architect Alberti, is a symbol of architectural and urban perfection. It’s an ideal gastronomic stop during bike tours to recharge your batteries and savor authentic flavors. San Gimignano, with its iconic medieval towers, is known as the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages.” Also famous for its Vernaccia wine, it also invites you to pair bike and wine along the 37 km route from Colle Val d’Elsa to San Gimignano.
Nature and parks
The Medici Villas and Gardens represent the Medici family’s influence on European culture. The villas, such as Poggio a Caiano and the Ferdinanda in Artimino, are examples of princely residences surrounded by splendid gardens, often open to visitors with dedicated services and hospitality for cyclists. Cycling along the Medici Villas’ route allows you to appreciate their essence and beauty.
The Colline Metallifere Geopark is particularly suited to mountain biking and gravel riding, as well as road and e-bike riding. Saddle up and explore the diverse natural habitats and biodiversity of the Biosphere Reserves between the Tuscan Islands, the Coastal Woods, and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. The Val d’Orcia is a harmonious landscape where man and nature coexist in perfect harmony. Its villages and the Via Francigena that runs through them are symbols of slow tourism and rural beauty. Montecatini Terme is part of the transnational serial site “The Great Spa Towns of Europe” and is renowned for its historic spas and Art Nouveau architecture. It is an example of the European spa phenomenon, attracting intellectuals and artists, and today also an ideal destination for active tourism that combines outdoor activities with wellness and relaxation. Here you can start the day by bike, perhaps along the Montecatini Alto route, a panoramic terrace overlooking the Valdinievole, before enjoying a well-deserved rest.
And you can also start from Carrara, among the UNESCO creative cities, to explore the Apuan Alps Geopark.
Places and intangible heritage to be explored in the recently released guide “Tuscany World Heritage”, published by Giorgio Mondadori with the contribution of Toscana Promozione Turistica.
For all proposed itineraries and cycling experiences, we recommend consulting the Atlas of Cycling Itineraries.