The 2026 Tour de France is currently underway, featuring 184 elite cyclists competing in one of the most prestigious events in the sport. The race began on July 4 in Barcelona and is set to conclude on July 26 in Paris. This year’s route highlights a variety of landscapes across Spain and France, including sprints along the Mediterranean coast, rolling countryside, and challenging climbs through the Jura and Vosges Mountains, as well as the Pyrenees and Alps.
Beyond competitive cycling, vacationers are increasingly turning to cycling holidays as a way to experience destinations through "slow travel," allowing for immersive exploration, wellness benefits, and a sense of daily accomplishment. Several companies are offering curated tours across diverse global regions.
In Sri Lanka, a 14-day itinerary provided by Intrepid traverses from Negombo—a coastal city known for its vibrant fish market—through scenic coconut plantations and rice paddies. The route encompasses historic sites such as Lion’s Rock in Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress towering 200 meters high, and Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for hosting the world’s oldest known human-planted tree. The tour concludes along Sri Lanka’s southern coast amid palm-lined beaches.
South Africa’s famed Garden Route can be explored on two wheels as well. Exodus Adventure Travel offers a 14-day cycling expedition starting in Cape Town and ending in Knysna, a picturesque coastal town. The journey includes opportunities to visit the Cape Winelands for wine tasting, navigate mountain passes, and experience the semi-arid Little Karoo region. The trip also features a visit to Oudtshoorn, recognized as the ostrich capital of the world, and was designed in consultation with marathon mountain biker Tarryn Povey.
France, the birthplace of the Tour de France, invites riders to follow a five-day, self-guided tour organized by Headwater along the Loire à Vélo route. Cyclists travel between Blois and Nantes, stopping in towns such as Tours—with its timber-framed architecture—and Chaumont, known for its château. The tour culminates in Chinon, a medieval town celebrated for its rich red wines, offering a classic taste of the region’s viticulture.
The Balkans have also emerged as a popular cycling destination, with a multi-country tour organized by Explore Worldwide covering Croatia, Montenegro, and Albania. This route, which covers nearly 145 miles, includes coastal and mountainous terrain, with cultural highlights like Dubrovnik’s historic city center, the Bay of Kotor, the Lustica Peninsula, and Lake Skadar National Park. The tour accommodates e-bikes to enhance accessibility and supports moderate fitness levels.
In Central Asia, Uzbekistan is gaining attention as an off-the-beaten-path cycling destination. World Expeditions offers a 15-day tour featuring eight days of cycling through Silk Road cities like Bukhara and Samarkand and natural settings such as the Nuratau Mountains. Participants experience historic mud-walled neighborhoods, intricately tiled monuments, and traditional lifestyles, with overnight stays in a homestay and a yurt camp providing cultural immersion.
These international itineraries serve as examples of how cycling holidays can offer unique ways to engage with local landscapes, heritage, and communities while promoting fitness and sustainable travel.