Islands offer space to breathe. Roads are quieter, life moves slower, and scenery changes quickly. One minute you’re by the sea. The next, you’re climbing a hill with a view over the water. It’s the kind of riding that feels less like a workout and more like a real journey.
Some tours take you from island to island on a boat. Others stick to one island and let you dig in deep. Either way, you’ll be riding through landscapes most travelers miss.
This guide covers 7 island-based tours, each one offering something different. Some are guided. Some self-guided. Some move by boat. Some stay in hotels. All of them make space for both movement and rest.
Tour: National Parks of Dalmatia by Bike/E-bike and Boat
Type: Guided | Active | Bike & Boat
This tour covers a lot in seven days, but never feels rushed. You’ll cycle through Krka National Park, visit the UNESCO-listed St. James Cathedral in Šibenik, and stop at Telašćica Nature Park, known for its cliffs and salt lake. One day, you’re biking on Dugi Otok, one of the most peaceful islands in Dalmatia. The next, you're walking Zadar’s old Roman streets.
You stay aboard the Magellan, a modern boat with private cabins and a sundeck. The boat moves while you ride, so you never backtrack. There’s time for swimming right off the deck. You’ll cover 20 to 30 miles a day, often on quiet roads and gentle hills. E-bikes make the climbs easier, but strong legs work fine too.
This is a good pick if you want both nature and culture, and you like the idea of not unpacking every night.
Tour: Island Hopping in the South Greek Aegean Sea
Type: Guided | Leisure | Bike & Boat
This one starts in Bodrum, Turkey, and moves through the Dodecanese islands in Greece. You’ll bike on Kos, ride up to a volcanic crater on Nisyros, and roll through quiet farmland on Tilos. The roads are empty. The hills are steady but manageable with an e-bike. You’ll also visit Chalki and Symi, two of the prettiest ports in the Aegean.
The days are balanced: ride in the morning, swim in the afternoon, explore town at night. You sleep on a comfortable boat, and meals are served onboard. Highlights include the Asclepion ruins on Kos, the crater rim village of Nikia, and views from the Datça Peninsula.
If you're more interested in slow days, easy rides, and warm island light, this tour fits well.
Tour: Sicily's Aeolian Islands by E-Bike & Boat
Type: Guided | Recreational | Bike & Boat
This one feels different. It's volcanic. Raw. You’ll sail from island to island on a traditional wooden boat, the Sundial, and ride or hike through rocky landscapes shaped by lava and sea.
You’ll walk to the rim of Stromboli, an active volcano. Bike through vineyards on Salina. Swim in warm coastal pools on Vulcano. And cycle short routes (usually under 13 miles) with longer stops for walking, tasting local foods, or just looking around. The pace is slower, and most days combine riding with hiking or swimming.
If you’re drawn to raw landscapes, open water, and a mix of activity, this trip offers more variety than most.
Tour: Southern Fyn: A Tour Around Denmark’s Fairytale Island
Type: Self-guided | Active | Bike & Hotel
This tour doesn’t bounce between big-name sights. Instead, it shows you what everyday life in a Danish island town looks like. You’ll start in Odense, the hometown of Hans Christian Andersen, and cycle south toward the coast. Days are filled with small ferries, apple orchards, and stops in towns like Faaborg and Svendborg.
You can take optional side trips to tiny nearby islands like Bjørnø, Lyø, and Avernakø, or just stay on Fyn and enjoy the views. The ride across to Ærø, with its cobblestone streets in Ærøskøbing, is a highlight.
The riding is steady with some rolling hills. Most days are under 30 miles, with ferries providing a break in the rhythm. If you prefer to explore without a guide and don’t mind a bit of route planning, this is a peaceful choice.
Tour: Majorca: A Loop Tour of the Beautiful Balearic Island
Type: Self-guided | Active | Bike & Hotel
Majorca is often misunderstood. People think of crowds and resorts. But this tour skips that. You’ll cycle from Playa de Palma in a loop around the island, passing through quiet fishing towns, hilltop monasteries, and citrus groves.
You’ll stop at the Dragon Caves in Porto Cristo, roll into Alcúdia, the oldest town on the island, and take a bus ride into the Tramuntana Mountains for a scenic downhill ride into Sóller. Most days cover 30 to 40 miles, but you’ll have support and clear maps to help guide you.
This is one of the more physically challenging tours, but the rewards are big. Views over the sea, smooth tarmac roads, and constant changes in terrain make this a top pick for riders who want a complete island experience.
Tour: Aegean Discovery: Cycling through Eastern Crete
Type: Self-guided | Recreational | Bike & Hotel
Crete is a big island. This tour focuses on the eastern half, which is quieter and more traditional. You’ll cycle between mountain villages and coastal towns, with optional stops at Knossos, Spinalonga, and the Vassilakis Olive Estate.
You’ll spend time in Agios Nikolaos, Lerapetra, and Rethymno, all different in style but relaxed in pace. The riding is moderate, mostly under 30 miles a day, and includes cultural stops and beach time.
It’s not a loop, but the route is linear, with transfers built in. This tour is a fit for those who want to mix a bit of history with beach time and local food.
Tour: Vietnamese Voyage by Bike & Boat
Type: Guided | Leisure | Bike & Boat
This is the only tour on the list outside Europe, but it deserves a spot. It combines biking with kayaking, boat travel, and cultural stops through places like Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba Island, and the Mekong Delta. You’ll visit Hue, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City, all by bike, boat, or local transport.
It’s a two-week trip that offers a wider range of activities, not just cycling. But the biking is still central. You’ll pedal through rice fields, coastlines, and floating markets. It’s a mix of rural and urban, all stitched together by rivers and coastlines.
If you’re open to long-haul travel and want to see island-style Asia from the saddle, this one offers something different.
All of these tours offer a slower, more connected way to travel. You’re not rushing to tick off sights. You’re moving at the pace of a bike, stopping when you want, and seeing places most people miss.
If you like the idea of sleeping on a boat and waking up in a new harbor, go with a bike and boat tour in Croatia, Greece, or Sicily. If you’d rather stay on land and explore one island more deeply, the hotel-based tours in Majorca, Crete, and Denmark offer that kind of freedom.
Some tours are better for independent travelers. Others are ideal if you want a guide to handle the details. There’s no wrong choice, just different ways to experience the same joy of riding in beautiful places.
Every one of these tours includes what matters most: quiet roads, good food, fresh air, and time to look around.
Explore the full collection of island-based tours on BikeTours.com and start planning your ride.
