More and more parents are taking toddlers on overseas bicycle tours. Ever-better equipment makes towing or carrying kids easier than ever, and European cycling tends to be very family friendly.
We’ve picked tours we feel are especially appropriate–with shorter daily distances, mostly flat terrain and either dedicated bicycle paths and greenways (car-free) or quiet backroads (low-traffic).
“I was looking for a relatively easy ride for a group that included two grandchildren. This was perfect. The equipment (trailer and tag along) were just right, and the easy paved course let everyone enjoy the scenery.”–David M.
Traveling with kids that are a little older? Check out the best family-friendly trips for teens and pre-teens!
Both toddlers AND older kids? Check out top tours for families with teens AND toddlers.
Is this your first family bike your? Read the 10 reasons your next family vacation should be by bike and our post on tips to get you ready.
Check out all family-friendly bike tours.
There’s so much to see on this tour– it’s the perfect trip for the inquisitive, eye-spying toddler. The short daily rides with frequent stops will give you plenty of opportunities to change up the activity and keep your toddler occupied. The adults on the trip will love the gothic-style cathedral in Überlingen and the Bavarian town of Lindau.
With dedicated bike paths the entire trip, and the option to hop on board a train or barge to forego a bit of the day’s riding, the Danube Family Tour will make parents of toddlers feel entertained and at ease. In Mitterkirchen, the little ones will get the chance to feed some farm animals on your overnight stay, and in Durnstein, you’ll get to relax by the pool and at the spa.
Why not bring the kiddos along to experience the beautiful “Paris of the East?” Easily cycle on bike paths and country roads through the “Great Loop” Donauschlinge and the beautiful Budapest. If you need a rest day, or afternoon, the “floating hotel” provides the perfect place to regroup with the kids. Try out the pool on the sundeck as you make your way downstream!
While we are big proponents of traveling with kids of all ages, we understand that it does take a bit of extra energy and planning. This tour rewards your adventurous days with overnight stays at exclusive hotels and spas. The route runs along paved, well-marked roads, through the beautiful countrysides of Germany.
Beaches and water galore make this trip ideal for youngsters. Ride through the olive groves and get up close and personal with Greecian waterfalls, or spend the day relaxing on board the two-masted wooden motor yacht. The tour also offers children’s seats and trailer bike to accommodate any riding style.
With lots of activities for kids and centrally-located hotels (most of which accommodate families of four in one room!), this made-for-families-tour is an entertaining adventure for all. If your toddler has discovered sugar, satisfy their sweet tooth with a stop at the cookie and chocolate factory! Or take some time to play at the beach at Bergen aan Zee. Whatever you do, you’ll be strolling along flat paved routes and bike paths, with the chance to cut out some riding by traveling by train.
This tour showcases the best of Northeast Zealand. You will bike along lovely beaches, pass charming marinas, and visit important royal cities like Hillerød and Roskilde. Sand, sea, culture, and history combined with a lively, charming modern capital-–this tour has it all.
Low daily mileage and lots to see on this tour of Connemara. The “lazy” pace is perfect for those with toddlers in tow, and the low-traffic back-roads are the ideal route to take you from breathtaking view to breathtaking view: Killary Fjord, Connemara National Park, and Kylemore Abbey and Gardens, just to name a few.
Now you might be saying that toddlers and wine don’t mix, but while this Burgundy trip gives ample opportunities for the adults to enjoy the local vintages, the route is nearly flat and car-free, and the settings are ideal for all ages. Enjoy the castles, canals, and Roman architecture that accompany you on this trip.
Still trying to decide? Check out our post on how to choose the best family bike vacation, and then take a look at our top 10 family-friendly bike tours for 2018.
Family friendly, Top tours, Burgundy, Mosel, Lake Constance, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Ireland, Danube