A friend once told me that they don’t count a visit to a new city unless they do a walking tour. While some visitors may eagerly cross off a visit to Germany just because of a layover in Frankfurt (a purchased souvenir proves it, right?), this individual could stay a week and still wouldn’t consider themselves to have traveled there until that dang walking tour. Somehow this makes sense to me, and it’s why I prioritized biking in Italy.
Though I was traveling through the lesser-known towns of Italy for over six months, I only truly felt acclimated after I started exploring on my own two feet (or two wheels). Adventuring this way creates an intimacy with a place that a tour bus or a metro train can’t replicate.
Slower methods of transportation bring you into the nooks and crannies of a city, so there aren’t many better ways to introduce yourself to a new destination than by foot or by bike. While exploring northern Italy, I came across an amazing trail that connects Peschiera del Garda and Mantua. On that trail is Borghetto sul Mincio, a tiny hamlet that was recently rated as the most romantic town in all of Italy.
An Overview of Biking in Italy
I wasn’t sure what to expect about cycling culture in Italy, but I found that it’s one of the best ways to get around the country. For example, you’ll find the busiest travel season is the summer, but it’s not the best time to visit Italy.
The buses and subways are jam-packed with tourists, usually with no AC, and there are pickpockets in the busiest of cities. Locals know better than to subject themselves to public transportation if they can avoid it.
Rentable Bikes and Scooters
You can find rentable bikes and scooters (even though there’s no Uber in Italy, there is Lime, a constituent of the company) in the cities for an easy and cheap alternative to the subways.
Other cities like Florence and Milan have other rental companies. It’s usually quite easy to find a kiosk and pay by tapping your phone or swiping your credit card on the spot.
While biking from Peschiera del Garda to Borghetto sul Mincio, I found a bike rental company called Garda South Cycling. The guys working there were super friendly and accommodating despite my broken Italian. They rent bikes (both standard and e-bikes) by the hour or full day. The cost of an eight-hour rental was just over 10 euros.
Always Wear a Helmet
Although I was biking in Italy on a singular path that cut through scenic farm lands and was just about completely secluded from cars, I have strong feelings about wearing a helmet.
Especially if you’re biking in major cities like Rome or Milan, a helmet is a must. A study by ScienceDirect found there were over 2,300 bike-related accidents in Rome in 2023.
Get Familiar with Local Street Laws
However, you need to be familiar with local laws before you hop on a bike. For example, cycling in Venice, Italy, is illegal because the canals are way too narrow for bikes.
The country’s antiquated charm is not always a good combination with biking in Italy. Some places (like Venice) flat-out ban biking, whereas more modernized cities (like Milan) are set up with biking lanes that are separate from the general traffic.
Biking in Italy from Peschiera del Garda to Mantua
It’s not all about saving time as you get from landmark A to landmark B. I’m an adventurer who loves to embrace the slow life, and usually find it in the countryside.
Cycling in Italy is an opportunity to see some of those nooks and crannies beyond the tourist zones. To connect with nature and earn a local perspective. That’s why so many travelers are now choosing farm stays and other agritourism experiences in Italy, rather than your typical international hotel chain.
Little known beyond local cycling enthusiasts is a 43.5-kilometer (27-mile) trail that connects the lakeside town of Peschiera del Garda to Mantua, and is truly one of the most beautiful bike paths in Italy. It follows the Mincio River and offers sights of some of northern Italy’s best-kept secrets.
Notable Sights on the Mincio Bike Path
While I only made it as far as Borghetto sul Mincio, there are a ton of beautiful sights all along this trail. If you want to take a self-guided approach to cycling holidays in Italy, follow the Mincio bike path. It’s a paved path along smooth, flat terrain: perfect for families or a leisurely afternoon spin!
Biking in Italy: Peschiera del Garda
As your starting point, you could easily spend a morning exploring the downtown area of Peschiera del Garda. This little town is built on rolling hills next to the lake. Make sure to visit the fortress of Peschiera del Garda, a Venetian fortress that juts into the water and is a UNESCO-protected site.
Peschiera del Garda is delightfully bike-friendly, with tons of routes separate from the automobile roads. You can easily spend an entire day (or weekend) exploring the lakeside towns by bike, so naturally, you’ll also find bike rentals everywhere you turn.
Ponti sul Mincio
The sub-alpine landscape with rocky hills and sulfuric green rivers is unlike the typical picture you’d imagine for the Mediterranean. The endless stretches of corn fields segmented by apple orchards reminded me more of fall in New England than they did of my Italian ancestral roots.
This little commune is a short distance from Peschiera del Garda and is famed for its Scalinger Castle and Ardietti Fort.
Monzambano
While biking on the trail, you’ll see a large tower in the distance. This is the church of San Michele, set in the center of this hillside town.
Valeggio sul Mincio
A village recognized by the Touring Club Italiano, a national organization promoting bike tourism and culture. Its quaint, narrow streets are perfect for a little detour.
Borghetto sul Mincio
While it was my final stop on the Mincio bike path, this hamlet was one of the most picturesque areas of Italy I had the pleasure of witnessing. It’s set right on top of the Mincio River and still has operating watermills. If not to take pictures, this is a great spot to stop for lunch.
Eating in Borghetto Sul Mincio
Although Borghetto sul Mincio was recently titled the most romantic city in Italy, it’s still a relatively undiscovered town. My guess is that you can only reach it by renting a car or by biking in Italy. There are no convenient public transportation options to the town, which makes it a little less accessible.
Borghetto sul Mincio is a true scenic backdrop for small-town Italian charm. It took me about two hours of leisure, slow-paced biking to arrive, and by that point, I was ready for lunch.
Osteria al Volto Bistrot had a delicious charcuterie board of mixed nuts, cheese, salami, and local honey. For lunch, I had a stuffed pasta (not quite tortellini but close) and a coffee to give me some much-needed energy for my return to Peschiera del Garda.
How to Get to Peschiera del Garda
The best way to get to Peschiera del Garda is by public transportation. There’s a major train station with multiple lines crossing through it, only fifteen minutes away from the town center. You can take trains directly from most major cities nearby, so it’s also a great day trip from Milan or Venice.
Thousands of visitors come by train since the lake is so popular, and there’s also a theme park called Gardaland, where tons of families and teens escape the summer heat.
