Best (and Worst) Countries for Cycling Around the World

Last Updated on 26 January 2026 by Cycloscope

Our experience cycling around the world: the best (and worst) countries we rode, with tips on routes, traffic, and where cycling was a joy—or a challenge.

It might not be a widely shared opinion, but we don’t judge how “cycling-friendly” a country is based on how many bike lanes or designated routes it has.

In Europe, more than once we’ve followed EuroVelo routes that turned out to be little more than short stretches of bike path alongside busy roads—or simply the roadway itself. Other times, a country was officially labeled “bicycle-friendly,” but the people were less so. For example, in Norway, we had to place a stick on the rear panniers, sticking out toward the road, just to stop cars from overtaking us within a few centimeters.

We believe that every country is good for cycling if you know how to plan your route—and every country also has parts that are not so friendly. We’ve met many cyclists around the world complaining about how dangerous the roads were, yet they were riding only on main roads. If you do that, you’ll find traffic even in the Namibian desert.

Of course, there are countries where the road network is more extensive and offers many more alternatives. We often check satellite images of our route (for example, to see whether the road has a wide shoulder or none at all), and then use Komoot, which often helps us find alternative back roads—though it’s always a good idea to double-check the surface on satellite view, especially if you don’t want to ride on dirt roads.

That said, we’ve selected some of the countries we’ve cycled through, grouped by continent: Europe, Asia, and Africa. Ah, spoiler alert (not really): the least cycling-friendly country we’ve been to is India—by far. But, to confirm the rule, even India has remote areas that are perfect for cycling in peace, above all, Ladakh, Spiti Valley, and Uttarakhand.

Europe

• The Netherlands
• Albania
• Macedonia
• Norway
• Poland
• Estonia
• Italy

The Netherlands

Very good, very fast, a bit boring

If you’re looking for a relaxed, effortless, flat holiday that can be done with beginners and/or children, the Netherlands is definitely the best country.

That said, we have to admit that we were in Amsterdam this year and the situation was quite chaotic compared to the past.

The number of huge electric bikes is impressive—and their speed even more so: they’re basically mopeds racing along city bike lanes at 50 km/h. So, keep your eyes open in cities. Outside urban areas, of course, the situation is very different.

Albania

Perfect Autumn Cycling

We cycled through Albania in autumn, when the Alps were showing their best fall colors. During this season, we encountered very little traffic, and even in sections with few road options—such as from the Macedonian border to Berat—we almost always found alternative country roads to avoid the main highways.

We rode the coast from Vlorë down to Greece: a beautiful seaside bike path takes you out of the city, and after that, the traffic quickly disappears. The situation may change during the peak summer season. The main cities have a well-developed cycling infrastructure, especially Tirana.

Macedonia

A cycling surprise

North Macedonia also turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Only a couple of roads were unavoidable and heavily trafficked—about 50 kilometers in total.

Apart from that, you’ll mostly find peace, starting with the fantastic bike path that follows the river out of the beautiful capital, Skopje, and continuing along roads by lakes and rivers all the way to the UNESCO-listed town of Ohrid, on the lake of the same name.

We cycled here in autumn as well. Especially around the lake, you may encounter much more traffic during the high season, which is summer. Last year, temperatures reached 43°C in August, so we wouldn’t recommend cycling at that time—traffic or not.

Norway

Bring a bike mirror with you

As mentioned in the introduction, despite several drivers telling us to get out of the way, we still cycled from Oslo to Tromsø. There are areas where, during the summer months—or rather the summer month, since summer is short, especially in the north—you’ll encounter many camper vans.

Other than that, Norway is one of the most beautiful countries we’ve ever cycled through. The landscapes are stunning, and you can camp freely almost anywhere. There are also plenty of campsites available at reasonable prices.

Poland

2.000 km of cycling route

Poland has been investing in cycling infrastructure for years. Many international EuroVelo routes pass through the country, while the entirely Polish Green Velo crosses the nation from north to south. Apart from the small mountainous area along the border with Slovakia, the Podhale region is mostly flat, making it ideal for cycling at any level and for families.

Cities are beautiful, and accommodation and food are inexpensive compared to many other European countries. We were there after the end of summer as well, and many campsites were already closed.

Estonia

With Love Boat

We arrived by ferry from Helsinki, Finland, to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, and cycled along the Baltic coast in the north before heading south into neighboring Latvia.

Estonia is a small, flat country—an ideal first destination for bike touring beginners, a family cycling holiday, or simply for spending a few days or weeks relaxing without the need for any particular physical training.

Italy

You need to choose the right itinerary + the right season

Italy is a country where you can find both incredibly beautiful, peaceful places to cycle and absolute chaos.

If you’ve never cycled in Italy and don’t enjoy mountains, we recommend the Adriatic Cycle Route, especially the section in Puglia. Absolutely not in summer, and especially not in August, when the entire country is on holiday.

If, on the other hand, you enjoy mountains, you can check out our itinerary through central Italy, from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Adriatic, or explore the Alpine routes, one of the many bike paths converted from old railway tracks.

Asia

• Japan
• Indonesia
• Nepal
• Sri Lanka
• Taiwan

Japan

Cute

Japan is one of those countries that has stayed in our hearts—we spent nearly three months cycling there. We arrived by ferry from Korea and explored the Pacific side of Shikoku, where traffic is light, and drivers are very respectful. Keep in mind that they drive on the left, so be careful to look in the right direction when crossing the street. Japan is also a paradise for wild camping.

Indonesia

Go to remote islands or go to hell

Indonesia is a very large country, made up of many islands, each different from the others, including in terms of traffic. From the areas we cycled, we would recommend avoiding Java: park your bikes and rent a motorbike instead.

We had a fantastic time cycling (apart from the climbs) on Flores, Lombok, Bali, Sumba, and Sumbawa Islands. In our opinion, Indonesia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and it’s absolutely worth trying to explore as much of it as possible.

Nepal

No asphalt, no traffic

We spent about two months in Nepal, from mid-February to mid-April. The season is excellent for cycling, as it’s not too hot in the lowlands and not too cold in the mountains.

However, the views, especially in the more touristy areas, are not the best if the day is too polluted. Pokhara and Kathmandu are among the most polluted cities in the world, and we had to give up on some hikes in the surroundings due to the lack of visibility.

October and November, after the rains, are supposed to be better periods. We traveled bikepacking without a tent and had no problems, as guesthouses are easy to find, very affordable, and the temperature drops quite a bit in the evenings during this season. We followed the Pushpalal Road, entering from Uttarakhand, in India, to Pokhara.

Sri Lanka

Cobra country

Sri Lanka is an easy cycling destination; we cycled the island by ourselves, after buying two second-hand MTBs in Colombo, the country’s capital.

We had no camping equipment or cooking gear with us: you can find a room for as cheap as 5 USD, and it is quite hot and humid, so we decided, for the first time in our 10 years of cycling the world, to go light, and we actually liked it a lot.

We dodged a lot of famous super touristy places and just enjoyed the beautiful small roads that looked out of a fairy tale. Although the rainforest is very small compared to the past, Sri Lanka is probably the greenest country we have visited.

Taiwan East Coast

Cycling is a big thing in Taiwan

There’s no other Asian country where cycling and cycle touring are so widespread and even institutionalized. Everything in Taiwan is focused on cycling, and bicycles are almost worshipped as the prime means of exploring the island, as well as by the government and tourism board.

There are plenty of cycling paths, dedicated cycling lanes almost everywhere, and several routes to cycle all around the island and even across its mountainous interiors.

Africa

• Malawi
• Namibia
• Zambia
• Lesotho
• Morocco

Malawi

The warm heart of Arica

We cycled almost everywhere in Malawi, we lived in Malawi for more than 2 years. Relatively small in size, but with many scenic roads and a high density of tourist attractions, cycling in Malawi is a great experience. The pristine waters of one of the biggest lakes in the world, its lively beaches, its lush mountains and plateaus, and its ancestral and fascinating culture.

Namibia

Sand, washboard, and beauty

Cycling in Namibia isn’t easy. Roads can be sandy, the climate can be either too hot or too cold, and many kilometers separate one village from the next. Water can be scarce. But there are also many positives: Namibia is a stunning country, and there are no major climbs.

It’s among the top three least densely populated countries in the world, yet it’s home to rich and diverse ancestral cultures, incredible vegetation, and a constantly changing landscape.

Zambia

The bush and the Falls

Zambia is a huge country, bordering eight nations. If you’re bikepacking in Africa, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself cycling through Zambia at some point. We rode the Great East Road, Zambia’s main highway connecting Chipata and the border with Malawi, all the way to the end of the Caprivi Strip in Namibia.

The landscape doesn’t change dramatically, but there are some highlights along this long, flat road—first and foremost, Victoria Falls. The national parks are also incredible, though you obviously can’t cycle through them, but they absolutely deserve a visit. We went on a safari in South Luangwa National Park.

Lesotho

Not friendly on your legs

Lesotho, the Mountain Kingdom, a place often overlooked by tourism, is a small enclave state within South Africa that holds some of the most well-kept secrets in the African continent, and some of the most beautiful landscapes we have seen so far. Lesotho is the only country in the world that lies completely above 1000 meters in altitude.

Famous for its shepherds who always wear colorful wool cloaks regardless of the temperature (they were used in the film Black Panther by Ryan Coogler). Many roads in Lesotho have been renovated. If mountains don’t scare you, you can cycle on quiet, well-paved roads—provided you don’t want to get lost on more adventurous routes, which are also plentiful.

Morocco

Morocco is a gorgeous country, incredibly diverse and full of natural and cultural attractions. The Atlantic coast with its waves and cliffs, the Mediterranean with its secluded coves, the High Atlas with its wild peaks, the Anti-Atlas with its otherworldly landscapes… and then the desert, the imperial cities, the hills covered in olive and argan trees.

Cycling in Morocco, however, requires a minimum level of fitness. The country is very hilly almost everywhere, and the heat can be disheartening even in the middle of winter. That said, the people of Morocco are among the most hospitable we’ve ever met, and they will certainly help you with anything you need—except for a mechanic, who you’ll only find in the cities.