Most romantic cycling cities for couples

Jan 22, 2024 6 min

Most romantic cycling cities for couples

Perfect destinations to discover the city on two wheels with your partner

Love is in the air, and there's no better way to explore it than cycling through a new city with your loved one on Valentine's Day! Whether pedaling through ancient streets or coasting along scenic paths, cycling with your partner is a unique, romantic experience that enhances your relationship while providing a sense of adventure and excitement. But with so many charming cities worldwide, where should you and your partner cycle to first?

To help you plan your next romantic trip that allows you and your love to discover the charm of the city while cycling together, team buycycle has put together a list of the 150 most romantic cities, analyzed the data for their cycling infrastructures, activities available in the city, and number of cycling routes. In this way, we created a list of cities ideally suited for couples looking for an unforgettable vacation that blends beauty and cyclist-friendly features.

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1. Paris, France

48k cycling routes | 8k+ city activities | 83 cycling infrastructure score

Paris, the City of Love, takes the top spot on our list of romantic cycling cities. Whether exploring hidden streets near the Eiffel Tower or experiencing the French Renaissance style, Paris offers a captivating experience for couples seeking a blend of romance, culture, and cycling adventure. With an impressive cycling infrastructure score of 83, Paris boasts an extensive network of bike paths around the city with more than 48,000 cycling routes.

This makes exploring Parisian beauty on two wheels easy and a delightful experience for couples. Ranked second for its diverse array of activities, Paris invites couples to pedal beside the river Seine, explore through the charming streets of Montmartre, and cycle in the shade of the Eiffel Tower.

2. Amsterdam, Netherlands

10k cycling routes | 3k+ city activities | 82 cycling infrastructure score

Amsterdam, known as the Venice of the North, is the second most romantic cycling city for couples. With its quaint bridges and colorful row houses, it merges scenic beauty, rich history, and a cycling-friendly atmosphere. The Netherlands' vibrant capital is famous not just for its cultural heritage but also for its exceptional cycling infrastructure, boasting a score of 82 and having over 10,000 cycling routes. It is heaven for those couples seeking adventure and romance on their cycling journey.

Whether it's a romantic sunset pedal along the Amstel River or a cultural tour through the Museumplein, Amsterdam offers a blend of history, art, and romance, all accessible by bike. The city's 3,000 attractions listed offer endless opportunities for exploration. From the historic Narrow Houses of Damrak to the lively Jordaan neighborhood, there's always something new to discover for those who want to fall in love with the city.

3. Barcelona, Spain

8k cycling routes | 5k+ city activities | 74 cycling infrastructure score

Up next on our list, with an impressive 5,000+ activities, is Barcelona, an adventurer's dream come true, blending Mediterranean charm and vibrant culture. With an outstanding cycling infrastructure score of 74, Barcelona invites cyclist couples to indulge in its vibrant streets, explore architectural marvels like the Sagrada Família, or unwind on sun-kissed beaches. Another impressive factor would be the variety of cycling paths. With 8,000 routes, Barcelona offers numerous paths around the city that blend urban and natural scenery.

One thing that should not be overlooked is the mild February temperature, which can reach 15°C, making the city an ideal destination for romantic getaways, especially for couples who love warmer weather. Discovering Barcelona on two wheels is like walking in a museum. Imagine cycling through the narrow streets, pausing to admire Gaudí's architectural masterpieces, and then venturing to Park Güell for a breathtaking city view. Who wouldn’t love it?

4. London, England

49k cycling routes | 9k+ city activities | 37 cycling infrastructure score

London, the fourth most romantic cycling city, offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern vibrancy, making it a dream destination for bike-loving couples. With its developed cycling infrastructure, it should not be surprising that London is at the top of two main rankings. With an impressive 49,000 cycling routes mapped across the city, it stands proudly as the top destination, heaven for cycling enthusiasts.

With over 9,000 activities, including a leisurely ride through the lush landscapes of Hyde Park, cultural journeys past the majestic Buckingham Palace, or a sunset cycle across the iconic Tower Bridge, London promises a beautifully romantic backdrop for every moment spent on two wheels.

The city's digital popularity among cyclists shines with more than 86,000 Instagram posts, showing once again that London is not just about cycling near the London Eye—it's a hub of romance and excitement. - Alice Huot @ buycycle

5. Budapest, Hungary

24k cycling routes | 2k+ city activities | 91 cycling infrastructure score

Budapest is a well-known city for its beautiful combination of history, culture, and cycling charm, which ranks fifth among the most romantic cycling cities. Despite chilly February weather, Budapest has top-rated cycling infrastructure with a score of 91, and over 24,000 routes make it a perfect destination for those seeking safe and well-maintained paths.

To discover Budapest's authentic culture, you must ride under the majestic Buda Castle or alongside the sparkling Danube, while the city's famous bridges create a stunning view. Ranked fourth for city activities, Budapest offers over 2,000 experiences, ensuring couples have various options for their trip.

Enjoy leisurely rides through authentic streets like Andrássy Avenue, relax in open thermal baths, or explore vibrant ruin bars in the Jewish Quarter. With such diverse activities, there's always something thrilling to discover in Budapest with your partner, especially at night when the city transforms into an illuminated wonderland. As seen from Gellert Hill, it is perfect for a romantic evening cycle.

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Who rounds out the top 10?6. Vienna, Austria• 44k cycling routes | 2k+ city activities | 80 cycling infrastructure7. New York City, USA • 8k cycling routes | 6k+ city activities | 55 cycling infrastructure 8. Lisbon, Portugal• 4k cycling routes | 3k+ city activities | 64 cycling infrastructure 9. Madrid, Spain• 5k cycling routes | 3k+ city activities | 59 cycling infrastructure10. Rome, Italy• 8k cycling routes | 6k+ city activities | 50 cycling infrastructure

Methodology

The ranking was created by buycycle, the leading marketplace for high-value, pre-owned bikes, by analyzing 6 data points for over 150 of the most romantic cities in the world. buycycle collected data on cycling infrastructure score, number of activities, number of cycling routes, amount of cycling-related Instagram hashtags, city infrastructure quality, and temperature consideration (as of January 2023).

For a city to be considered, it had to have more than 1000 cycling routes ranging from 0 to 100 km long and varying elevations between 0 and 1000 meters, as listed on bikemap.com. Additionally, cities had a minimum of 1000 activities requirement, as per Tripadvisor. Destinations that were deemed too cold or warm for ideal cycling conditions (below 5°C and above 25°C) were excluded from the ranking.

All these data points were then combined to reveal which city scored the highest for the best romantic cycling city.

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