Ten of the Best Island Hopping Bike Tours

Hopping between islands is one of our favourite ways to discover new destinations - there's something truly special about cycling and exploring different islands each day, uncovering views that are nothing short of jaw-dropping.

On a Boat & Bike holiday, you simply sit back and relax as you sail between islands; perhaps grab a book, socialise or soak up the sunshine until you reach the next location to explore by bike. Your boat is your home-from-home for the entire trip, and is the reason why so many of our customers love to travel in this way.

For those of you who prefer staying on land, some of our island hopping tours are Hotel & Bike cycling holidays, where you’ll catch a ferry between islands and once you're finished in the saddle, there will be a different hotel each day waiting for you to rest any weary legs.

Four of the tours in this blog include a £100pp saving on selected departure dates - please note that the discount is not included in our website prices and will be deducted after booking. 

I've personally cycled some of these tours, as has the rest of our team, so we're on hand with personal tips and advice. You can enquire online or call our friendly team on +44 (0)1273 224066 (Monday to Friday, 9-5:30pm UK time) to find out more.

By Catherine Gray, Head of Freedom Treks

Anyone who's been to Croatia knows two things: how incredibly stunning it is, and that you need to come back and explore more as soon as possible. Each island offers its own unique landscape, with lush forests, rugged cliffs and serene sandy bays coming as standard.

The following tours are rated Moderate to Challenging, meaning there are some climbs to tackle. The extra pedal power of an e-bike is a brilliant way to give your legs a break if needed, so don't hesitate to opt for one.

I've been lucky enough to experience our South Dalmatia Boat & Bike Tour, which invites you to see beautiful South Dalmatia from all angles while staying on a spacious motor yacht. The itinerary is particularly good, allowing for what I thought was the perfect amount of time for cycling, sailing and exploring - the days just flowed so well. To find out more about my experience, read my South Dalmatia Trip Report.

The climbs on this tour are generously rewarded by panoramic views of scattered islands and golden beaches. And then you can look forward to the downhill rides towards sky-blue waters, which simply never get old.

Plus, this tour features a saving of £100pp on 2, 9 & 23 May & 20 June departures.

A few of the notable sights along the way include hilltop fortresses, pirate castles and Renaissance architecture - each island is unique and equally stunning. Cycling through the purple lavender fields of Korčula was my personal highlight of the tour.

Your floating home for the week will be the San Snova, an exquisite motor yacht with a spacious sundeck, a shaded outdoor seating area and a well-furnished saloon. Two days of full board and five days of half board are included, so look forward to a well-deserved meal after a day on the bike.

If you're looking for added luxury while still cycling the same tour, take a look at our South Dalmatia Deluxe Boat & E-Bike Tour.

View tour: South Dalmatia Boat & Bike Tour

Discover quiet coves, clear waters and verdant forests on our Kvarner Bay Deluxe Boat & E-Bike Tour, as you traverse between the islands of another stunning part of Croatia. The natural landscapes on the diverse islands of Kvarner Bay are breathtaking, especially when the crimson sunset lights up the skyline as griffon vultures fly overhead. Our team describes the spectacular cycle routes in their Kvarner Bay Trip Report, from when they cycled this tour.

Here's a snippet of their experience: "We had an absolute blast sailing and cycling around Croatia's magnificent Kvarner Bay. On our seven-day tour, we drifted from island to island aboard our luxurious boat, the Andela Lora, disembarking to cycle through breathtaking natural landscapes. We were also lucky to visit fascinating and unique towns and cities, absorbing the history and culture of Croatia as we went."

On the deluxe, e-bike version of this tour, you'll stay aboard the Andela Lora. This elegant steel motor yacht has all the features you'd expect, as well as a swimming platform at the stern of the ship. Enjoy the gentle crossings between islands as you're sprawled out on the sundeck under the glorious sunshine.

On the standard version of this tour, you'll stay on the Linda, a wooden motor yacht - see our Kvarner Bay Boat & Bike Tour for details.

View tour: Kvarner Bay Deluxe Boat & E-Bike Tour

Combine Croatia's picture-perfect coastal region with UNESCO World Heritage cities on our Dubrovnik to Split Deluxe Boat & E-Bike Tour. Starting in Dubrovnik, famous for its ancient city walls, you'll hop between six islands before ending the tour in the vibrant streets of Split.

En route, memorable moments include pedalling through the lush forests of Mljet, the charming old town of Korčula (which claims to be the birthplace of Marco Polo), and the pristine beaches of Vis. That's not all - lavender fields and local vineyards add to this charming route.

This tour is ideal for those looking for an active and rewarding holiday - made even easier with the help of e-bikes and the support of your expert local guide - where there's also plenty of time to relax as you sail between islands.

Staying on either the Bellezza or Harmonia - two luxury boats - is the cherry on top for this fantastic tour. Once again, there's also a standard version of this tour - Dubrovnik to Split Boat & Bike Tour - where you'll stay on the premium class boat The Romantica, which I've stayed on myself and definitely advocate for!

View tour: Dubrovnik to Split Deluxe Boat & E-Bike Tour

Island hopping tours in Scandinavia provide tranquil cycling among often unknown paradises, with fewer inclines than in Croatia - tours range from Easy to Moderate rated. We have three fabulous tours to recommend in Scandinavia, two Hotel & Bike and one Boat & Bike - the choice is yours!

This endless archipelago in Sweden makes for an adventure by itself, while exploring the cobbled streets of Stockholm’s Old Town makes for an unforgettable experience on our Stockholm Archipelago Bike Tour. You'll set off from Sweden's buzzing and colourful capital, Stockholm, a city built on 14 islands and connected by 57 bridges. I would recommend an extra night or two here - it's a brilliant city to stay in.

As this is a Hotel & Bike tour, ferries are the transport of choice as you hop from island to island (fun fact: thousands of islands were formed in the Ice Age, creating this amazing part of Sweden!).

This is another tour I've cycled myself - you can check out my Sweden Archipelago Photo Blog to see some of the sights.

Passing through strikingly green forests, filled with birdsong, was a highlight of this trip for me. Being a self-guided tour, it worked well for my family - we took detours through the pretty trees to find secluded spots by the sea for picnics and to dip our toes! There are hidden gems left, right and centre in this region - my only tip is to explore until your heart's content.

View tour: Stockholm Archipelago Bike Tour

Fresh Baltic air, idyllic cycling and sunny days make our Finland's Turku Archipelago Bike Tour perfect for a summer cycle tour. Departing in June, July, and August, this is the perfect tour to combine the summer sunshine with some time in the saddle, exploring an incredible part of the world.

The holiday begins in Turku, Finland's oldest city. Stroll along the Aura River between the cathedral and castle, stopping off at waterside cafés and riverboat restaurants. On Day 6 there's a shorter cycle day to allow for more time in the city.

The cycling is easy-going, and the route takes you on a loop past the 20,000 small islands that stretch out across the calm sea waters. You'll be ferried - quite literally - to four unique islands, where you'll rest up in a hotel each night.

Scenic transfers, blue skies, stunning islands, comfortable accommodation and peaceful cycling - this tour is a cracking way to try island hopping.

View tour: Finland's Turku Archipelago Bike Tour

If spending a week sleeping on a three-masted sailing ship and cycling the islands of the strait which separates Denmark and Sweden sounds tempting, then our Denmark and Sweden Boat & Bike Tour could be the one for you. This tour explores fewer islands than the others in this blog, instead taking you to historic cities and towns, alongside the island of Ven.

Visit 70-million-year-old white cliffs, a 13th century church, defiant castles, Denmark’s second-largest lake, and Hamlet’s castle - Denmark and Sweden are two countries bound by a rich history.

This is a 7-night, Moderate-rated tour, with generally easy-going cycling - the cities of Copenhagen and Malmö are two of the most bike-friendly in Europe - and some short challenging sections. It's an excellent tour for anyone who likes to find out more about the place they're visiting - or in this case, places!

An added bonus to this tour is your unique accommodation for the week - a tall ship! You can't help but feel the heritage of being on such a traditional vessel. There's also the option to become part of the crew and help out, whether it's hoisting the sails or aiding with navigation.

Whether you're travelling on the 14-sailed Atlantis, or staying in one of the 16 air-conditioned guest cabins aboard the Antigua, both boats have been renovated and finished to a high standard, and are a great place to rest your head at night and relax during the day.

View tour: Denmark and Sweden Boat & Bike Tour

A cycling holiday to Japan isn't just a holiday - it's an experience! Our Shikoku and the Shimanami Kaido Bike Tour takes you along the spectacular Shimanami Kaido cycling route, uncovering what coastal Japan has to offer (spoiler: a lot!).

The packed itinerary begins in Onomichi, before spending the first couple of days cycling quiet roads and cycle paths towards the historic onsen town of Matsuyama. From there, you'll venture inland on undulating roads in a region rarely explored by Western tourists, visiting artisan temples on the renowned Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage route. The tour concludes in Kochi, where you'll enjoy a final feast and toast to the good times with a glass of sake.

If you're looking to extend your time in Japan (who isn't!?), there's an optional two-night extension in Hiroshima before the tour. Also, Kyoto - which shares an urban sprawl with Osaka - can be added to the end of your tour.

For beginner or leisurely cyclists looking to explore this part of Japan, e-bikes are available for that extra boost up those steeper inclines, and a support van is on hand at all times with cold drinks and snacks.

Aside from the incredible Japanese sights and the varied cycling, a further highlight of this tour is the accommodation. Enjoy a mix of modern boutique hotels as well as traditional Ryokan inns with onsen baths.

Most meals are included, meaning you can sample the best cuisine Japan has to offer. Your guide will also always be happy to assist with selecting the local specialities to help immerse you into the culture.

View tour: Shikoku and the Shimanami Kaido Bike Tour

Cycle past unspoilt sandy beaches, pristine mudflat nature reserves, sand dunes and wetlands, as you island hop in one of the world's most cycle-friendly countries on Holland’s Northern Coast Boat & Bike Tour. Holland's gentle coast treats you to flat cycling on well-marked cycle paths, as you explore the windswept archipelago of the Frisian Islands.

Pedal along the shores of IJsselmeer, the largest lake in the Netherlands, stopping at charming harbour towns, where you’ll visit a working windmill and try fresh fish and sauerkraut.

Enjoy empty and traffic-free cycling along quiet paths on Vlieland Island. If you need a break while cycling, there's an abundance of interesting places to stop off - don't miss the traditional brewery on Day 3 in Texel Island.

On the boat, kick back and relax as you sail on your floating home, looking out for seals on the sandbar and spotting black-winged stilts, spoonbills and black-backed gulls.

Your boat will be one of these premium class options: The Leafde fan Fryslân, Mare fan Fryslan or the Wapen fan Fryslan, three options that are sure to deliver a sailing experience to remember.

View tour: Holland’s Northern Coast Boat & Bike Tour

Two Moderate to Challenging tours in Greece round off my recommendations. With both being Boat & Bike holidays, you can look forward to a well-earned rest cruising in the calming Greek waters after a day's cycling. Island Hopping in Greece is a rewarding experience both on and off the bike.

Our Greece's Coast & Islands Deluxe Boat & E-Bike Tour is the perfect way to experience over 5,000 years of Greek culture across the Peloponnese & Saronic Islands. Benefitting from an e-bike and cycling on quiet roads, explore the wealth of history in this region - the island of Hydra is car-free, with donkeys the only means of transport.

On Day 7, you'll ride up to the ruins of a Doric temple, built in the 5th century BC and dedicated to the Ancient goddess Aphaia.

Every day brings a different story, delving into the depths of each island's rich past. Plus, there's still time to relax on Greece’s glistening beaches and swim in its crystal-clear waters, stroll the picturesque streets of its charming towns and enjoy meals aboard your boat as it sails from island to island.

The cycling itself averages out to 27.5km per day, with some shorter days (17km) and a couple of longer days (40km). An e-bike helps ease the load, with some inclines in the mix.

The different islands on this tour offer a variety of landscapes and terrain, making the island-hopping adventure all the more exciting.

A superior-class motor yacht comes as standard with this deluxe tour, and cabins come with a private shower and WC.

This is a superb tour for confident cyclists looking to unearth Greece's hidden gems - plus it benefits from £100pp savings (on 18 & 25 April & 20 June departures)!

View tour: Greece's Coast & Islands Deluxe Boat & E-Bike Tour

Last but certainly not least, prepare to be blown away by the beautiful coastal sights of the Ionian Islands on The Ionian Islands Boat & Bike Tour. Highlights from your saddle include the islands of Ithaca, famous for being home to Odysseus, and Kefalonia, the setting of Captain Corelli's Mandolin. The trip comes to an end on the smaller islands of Meganisi and Paxos, where you get a true feel for Greek island life.

The tour starts and finishes on the popular island of Corfu. As well as getting to explore this cultural hotspot, this is also where you will enjoy dinner with the group to celebrate your week.

An English-speaking tour guide is on hand to ensure you maximise your time in the islands, and entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites are included in the price for group visits too.

You'll hop islands from the comfort of a traditional Greek wooden boat, the Panagiota. Enjoy free rein of the swimming ladder when the boat is anchored in a bay to enjoy the sunshine and glistening waters. The boat features a saloon, a bright restaurant, a shaded aft deck and a large sundeck with cushions for you to relax in the sun.

And that's not all - this tour is another one where you can save £100p on 25 April, 13 & 20 June departures!

View tour: The Ionian Islands Boat & Bike Tour

Feeling inspired? If you think this type of cycling holiday could be for you, we're always happy to chat and talk you through some options using our first-hand experience. You can speak to our knowledgeable team on +44 (0)1273 224066 (Monday to Friday, 9-5:30pm UK time) or enquire online.

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