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- Advice
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Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and this year it falls on a Friday: the perfect opportunity to take a day off and treat yourself to a long weekend dedicated to your partner and... your bike, of course! Because let’s face it, for us enthusiasts, it’s hard to resist cycling when planning a getaway.
Combining both romantic passion and a love for biking, we’ve selected 3 Italian routes that are perfect for blending sport, nature, and special moments to share as a couple: breathtaking landscapes, charming villages to explore, and food and wine stops await you. Get your bikes ready, let’s go!
In Gradara, the Village of Lovers
Gradara is known as the "village of lovers" for being, according to tradition, the setting of the tragic love story between Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini, immortalized by Dante Alighieri in the Fifth Canto of Inferno in The Divine Comedy. The Malatesta Castle, the medieval fortress that dominates the village, is said to be the place where the two lovers lived their forbidden passion, tragically ending with their murder by Gianciotto Malatesta, Francesca’s husband and Paolo’s brother.
Paolo and Francesca have become symbols of passion, and their story has bestowed a romantic aura on Gradara, attracting couples and visitors fascinated by the tale of the two lovers. The village celebrates this legacy with events and initiatives dedicated to love, such as “Gradara d’Amare,” an annual event held in February for Valentine’s Day. Strolling through the medieval streets of Gradara, walking the Lovers' Path around the castle, exploring the trails of the Paolo and Francesca Forest surrounding the hill, and visiting the Rocca are evocative experiences that bring to life an atmosphere from another time.
Gradara is not only a romantic village rich in history but also a place surrounded by beautiful hills perfect for cycling. Gradara and its surroundings offer many cycling routes that allow you to explore scenic landscapes between the sea and hills.
For example, you can start from Cattolica, pass through the village of Gradara, and continue along the Panoramic Adriatic Road in the San Bartolo Park. We’ve found a 42 km route that alternates paved and unpaved stretches, with moderate climbs and descents, perfect for off-road enthusiasts who don’t want to skip a little sport even on Valentine’s Day.
If you’re looking to truly challenge yourself and have the entire weekend available, you can head towards the Malatesta fortresses along this approximately 94 km route, ideal for experienced cyclists. The route starts in Rimini and, with a significant elevation gain, passes through several historic towns, including Santarcangelo di Romagna, Verucchio, Montefiore Conca, Mondaino, Montegridolfo, and Gradara, offering stunning views of the rolling hills of Romagna.
In Cinque Terre, with a stop at the Via dell’Amore
If there’s one romantic route par excellence, it’s La Via dell’Amore, the famous panoramic path connecting Riomaggiore to Manarola in the Cinque Terre. Currently, this trail is closed due to a landslide, but the reopening is scheduled for none other than... February 14, 2025!
Once reopened, access to the trail will be allowed through mandatory reservation, with entry from Riomaggiore and a one-way path towards Manarola. Tickets will be available online at the official website www.viadellamore.info and at the Info Points of the Cinque Terre National Park. For updates and further information, we recommend checking the official website of the Cinque Terre National Park.
Of course, La Via dell’Amore is only accessible on foot since the path is narrow and panoramic, with stretches that cling to cliffs overlooking the sea. However, the Cinque Terre area is rich in breathtaking natural routes that can also be explored by bike and offers a mild climate, perfect for a weekend in February. However, be aware: the Cinque Terre is a destination suitable only for experienced cyclists. We recommend this location only if you want to venture on the more rugged natural trails, avoiding the narrow and winding, yet traffic-heavy roads.
If you’re traveling with your MTB, you can choose from several routes, such as the Alta Via delle Cinque Terre, a dirt trail that crosses the hilly ridges of the National Park. The AV5T trail offers technical sections and unique views, but it requires good physical preparation and skill in handling rough terrain. It’s important to check trail conditions and signage at the Park’s offices before embarking on this route.
If you're looking for an easy route suitable for everyone, the Levanto-Bonassola-Framura cycle path is ideal, a flat route of about 5.5 km that follows the track of an old railway, passing through historic tunnels and offering spectacular views of the sea. It’s perfect for a relaxing ride and can also be done by renting bikes in Levanto.
If the Mediterranean climate of Liguria has inspired you, but you prefer not to go to the Cinque Terre, you can find another route in Liguria in our article, dedicated to cyclotourism routes to explore in winter.
For a romantic getaway of a couple of days on the bike, what better destination than Verona, the city where Shakespeare set the story of Juliet and Romeo? Literary emotions and picturesque landscapes make this cycling route a perfect experience to share as a couple, in a land that also offers the opportunity to sip a glass of local wine together.
The recommended itinerary, 163 km of moderate difficulty, starts at the famous Juliet’s house in Verona, where a stop under the balcony of the lovers is a must. Verona is a beautiful city, rich in history and culture, and deserves an in-depth visit.
Leaving the city, you cycle south through the Veronese countryside, where fields of fruit and vegetables create a picturesque and peaceful atmosphere. Crossing the apple orchards of Zevio and Belfiore, you reach Soave, with its medieval walls and the majestic Scaligero Castle. Here, couples can taste the fine local white wine during a romantic dinner at one of the town’s typical taverns.
The journey continues through gentle hills to Montecchio Maggiore, home to the evocative Castelli della Bellaguardia and Villa, known as the castles of Juliet and Romeo, set in a legendary backdrop that inspired Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. From the hills of Montecchio, the panoramic view embraces a fascinating landscape.
Finally, the route ends in Vicenza, passing through roads lined with Venetian villas and architectural masterpieces, such as Villa Pisani Bonetti and Rocca Pisana, which can be visited by reservation. Entering Vicenza from Monte Berico offers a poetic view of the city, with Basilica Palladiana and the splendid Teatro Olimpico completing the enchantment.
After completing the Strada di Giulietta e Romeo route up to Vicenza, you have several options to continue your cycling journey, exploring further the beauty of the Vicenza area and its surroundings. One option is the Vicenza-Padua Cycle Path, a 35 km route connecting the two cities, partly following the course of the Bacchiglione River. The route is mostly flat, alternating sections on dedicated bike paths with low-traffic roads, passing through river landscapes and rural areas.
Alternatively, if you want to head north, the Brenta Cycle Path connects Vicenza to Bassano del Grappa, following the course of the Brenta River. The route is about 40 km long and offers enchanting river landscapes, with the chance to visit the beautiful Venetian town, famous for its Ponte degli Alpini designed by Andrea Palladio and its grappa production.
These three routes offer the opportunity to share unforgettable moments as a couple, between historic villages, art, culture, and stunning natural landscapes, all while indulging in a beautiful cycling experience. Have you already chosen your destination for a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend?