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Best Motorcycle Tours in Europe: 15 Epic Routes for 2027
Best Motorcycle Tours in Europe: 15 Epic Routes for 2027
What makes a great motorcycle tour in Europe?
The best European motorcycle tours are not simply about covering as many kilometres as possible.
A great motorcycle tour combines:
exceptional riding roads
beautiful scenery
interesting destinations
comfortable accommodation
good local food
manageable daily distances
time to enjoy the places you visit
This is particularly important in Europe because mountain roads, coastal routes and historic towns often require more time than a map suggests.
The ideal motorcycle tour gives you enough riding to make every day exciting without turning the entire trip into a race.
15 Best Motorcycle Tours in Europe
1. The Alps — Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland
The Alps are one of the ultimate destinations for motorcycle touring in Europe.
A single Alpine motorcycle tour can take you through several countries while offering an extraordinary variety of mountain roads, passes, valleys and lakes.
Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland all bring something different to the experience.
For riders who enjoy mountain passes, technical roads and spectacular scenery, the Alps are difficult to beat.
Best for
Mountain riding, Alpine passes and multi-country touring.
Recommended season
Late spring through early autumn, depending on the altitude and individual passes.
Moto Tours Europe
Our The Best of Alps Discovery tour combines Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland over 10 days.
2. The Dolomites — Northern Italy
The Dolomites are among Europe's most spectacular motorcycle destinations.
The combination of dramatic limestone peaks, mountain passes and winding roads makes northern Italy a favourite with riders.
The Dolomites are also ideal for combining motorcycle touring with Italian food, wine and culture.
For riders who want concentrated Alpine riding without travelling enormous distances every day, this region is an excellent choice.
Best for
Mountain passes, scenery and Italian culture.
Recommended season
Summer and early autumn, depending on road and weather conditions.
Dolomites and Tuscany motorcycle tour
3. Croatia and the Adriatic Coast
Croatia offers something very different from the high Alps.
Here, mountain roads meet the Adriatic Sea.
A motorcycle tour can combine the roads of Istria and Dalmatia with islands, national parks, historic towns and spectacular coastal scenery.
The Adriatic Coastal Adventure is an 11-day motorcycle tour starting and ending in Zagreb, covering approximately 2,060 km and including destinations such as Istria, Cres, Lošinj, Plitvice Lakes, Paklenica, Krka, Dubrovnik and Pelješac.
Best for
Coastal riding, mountains, Mediterranean scenery and culture.
Recommended tour
Adriatic coast motorcycle tour
4. Croatia and Montenegro
For riders who want to combine the Adriatic with mountain roads, Croatia and Montenegro make an exceptional combination.
The Adriatic Coast, southern Croatian islands and the mountains of Montenegro create a diverse riding experience with coastal roads, mountain scenery, historic towns and Mediterranean cuisine.
Moto Tours Europe's Adriatic Coast, Southern Islands and Montenegro tour lasts 11 days and covers approximately 2,100 km. The route includes Dubrovnik, Split, Hvar, Brač, Pelješac, Korčula and Montenegro.
Best for
Coast + mountains + islands.
Recommended tour
Adriatic Coast, Southern Islands and Montenegro
5. The Balkans — Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro
The Balkans offer a different kind of European motorcycle adventure.
The region combines dramatic mountain scenery with historic towns, Mediterranean landscapes and roads that can take you well away from the traditional tourist routes.
Moto Tours Europe's West Balkan Delights tour covers Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro over 16 days and approximately 2,700 km. The route includes Istria, Plitvice Lakes, Mostar, Sarajevo, Dubrovnik and the Bay of Kotor.
Best for
Adventure, variety, culture and less conventional European touring.
Recommended tour
6. Adriatic to Greece
For riders who want a longer journey through southeastern Europe, an Adriatic-to-Greece motorcycle tour provides an opportunity to combine several countries in one adventure.
Moto Tours Europe's 2027 calendar includes a 10-day Adriatic to Greece motorcycle tour travelling through Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Greece.
This type of route is ideal for riders who want variety rather than spending an entire holiday in one country.
Best for
Multi-country adventure and Balkan exploration.
Adriatic to Greece motorcycle tour
7. Tuscany — Italy
Tuscany is ideal for riders who want to combine enjoyable roads with food, wine, architecture and Italian culture.
Instead of focusing exclusively on mountain passes, Tuscany offers flowing roads through rolling countryside and historic landscapes.
It is also an excellent starting point for a longer Italian motorcycle adventure.
8. Sardinia and Corsica
Sardinia and Corsica offer a completely different motorcycle touring experience.
Island roads combine mountains, coastline and small communities, with frequent changes in scenery.
Moto Tours Europe's Tuscany Sardinia and Corsica tour combines Italy and France over 16 days. The current 2027 calendar includes departures beginning in April.
Best for
Mediterranean riding, islands and scenic roads.
Tuscany Sardinia and Corsica motorcycle tour
9. Southern Spain and Andalusia
Andalusia is one of Europe's great destinations for riders looking for warmer-weather touring.
Mountain roads, white villages, historic cities and Mediterranean landscapes make southern Spain particularly attractive outside the hottest summer months.
Moto Tours Europe currently offers a 10-day Southern Spain Andalusia motorcycle tour, with 2027 dates in April.
Best for
Spring and autumn riding, mountains and Mediterranean scenery.
Southern Spain Andalusia motorcycle tour
10. Spain and Portugal
For a longer Iberian adventure, Spain and Portugal can be combined into one motorcycle tour.
This gives riders the opportunity to experience mountain roads, coastal landscapes, historic cities and two distinct cultures.
Moto Tours Europe's 2027 calendar includes 16-day The Best of Spain & Portugal tours.
Best for
Longer touring seasons and multi-country riding.
11. Morocco
Although technically outside Europe, Morocco is one of the most exciting extensions of a European motorcycle touring itinerary.
Its proximity to southern Spain makes it possible to combine European and North African riding in a single adventure.
Moto Tours Europe currently lists The Best of Morocco as a 10-day motorcycle tour beginning in Spain and continuing into Morocco, with a March 2027 departure listed on the tour calendar.
Best for
Adventure, cultural contrast and riding outside the European mainland.
12. Switzerland
Switzerland offers some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Europe.
For riders who enjoy Alpine passes, mountain valleys and beautifully maintained roads, Switzerland can be combined with Austria, northern Italy and Germany to create a multi-country motorcycle adventure.
It is particularly effective as part of a larger Alpine itinerary.
13. Austria
Austria is another essential destination for European motorcycle touring.
The Austrian Alps offer mountain passes, lakes and spectacular roads while providing easy connections to Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Slovenia.
Austrian roads work particularly well in a multi-country motorcycle tour because riders can cross borders and experience a completely different landscape within the same day.
14. Eastern Europe and the Carpathians
Eastern Europe offers riders a different type of motorcycle adventure.
The Carpathian region provides mountain scenery, historic towns and long-distance routes through countries including Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland.
For riders who have already explored the traditional Alpine routes, Eastern Europe can provide a refreshing alternative.
Moto Tours Europe currently lists an Eastern European Explorer covering Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Romania.
15. Custom European Motorcycle Tours
Sometimes the best motorcycle tour is one designed specifically around your group.
Moto Tours Europe offers custom guided tours where the route, accommodation, motorcycles and other elements can be tailored to the group's preferences.
Custom tours can be built around particular regions of Europe or combined into a completely different itinerary.
Best for
Private groups, special occasions and riders who want a completely personalized itinerary.
Custom Motorcycle Tours Europe
Which European motorcycle tour is right for you?
The best destination depends on what kind of riding experience you want.
If you want Alpine mountain roads
Choose:
Alps / Dolomites / Austria / Switzerland
If you want coastline and mountains
Choose:
Croatia / Montenegro / Adriatic
If you want adventure and cultural variety
Choose:
Balkans / Albania / Bosnia and Herzegovina / Montenegro
If you want Mediterranean riding
Choose:
Spain / Portugal / Sardinia / Corsica / Sicily
If you want a long multi-country adventure
Choose:
Adriatic to Greece / Spain & Portugal / Alps
If you want something completely personalized
Consider a:
Custom Motorcycle Tour
When is the best time for motorcycle touring in Europe?
There is no single best month for every European destination.
Spring
Spring is particularly attractive for southern destinations such as Spain, Portugal, Morocco and parts of the Mediterranean.
Summer
Summer is the classic season for the Alps and high mountain passes, although conditions vary by altitude.
Autumn
Autumn can be excellent for Croatia, the Balkans, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
The ideal time depends on the destination, altitude and specific route.
Always check current road and weather conditions before setting out.
How many days do you need for a motorcycle tour in Europe?
For a first European motorcycle tour, around 7–10 riding days provides a good balance.
Shorter tours can focus on one region.
Longer tours make more sense when several countries are combined.
The important point is not simply the number of kilometres.
A 250-kilometre day on winding mountain roads can feel completely different from 250 kilometres of motorway.
Good motorcycle tour planning leaves enough time to enjoy the road rather than simply reach the next hotel.
Guided vs self-guided motorcycle tours
There are two main approaches to motorcycle touring in Europe.
Guided motorcycle tours
With a guided tour, an experienced guide leads the group and much of the logistics are organized in advance.
This can be ideal if you want to concentrate on riding rather than navigation and trip planning.
Moto Tours Europe offers guided motorcycle tours across a range of European destinations.
Self-guided motorcycle tours
Self-guided tours provide greater independence.
You ride at your own pace and with your own group while using professionally prepared routes and tour arrangements.
Moto Tours Europe currently offers self-guided motorcycle tours in Europe, including Adriatic and Western Balkan routes.
What motorcycle is best for touring Europe?
There is no single perfect motorcycle for every rider.
For long-distance European touring, many riders prefer comfortable touring or adventure motorcycles with:
comfortable ergonomics
sufficient luggage capacity
good range
effective suspension
strong road performance
The right motorcycle ultimately depends on the rider, route and riding style.
Moto Tours Europe currently offers motorcycles including BMW GS models and Honda Africa Twin on selected tours and booking options.
What should you pack for a European motorcycle tour?
A good motorcycle touring packing list should include:
motorcycle jacket and trousers
riding boots
gloves
waterproof layer
casual clothing
travel documents
phone and charging equipment
navigation equipment
personal medication
travel and motorcycle insurance information
Avoid overpacking.
You will appreciate having less luggage once you are riding mountain roads every day.
Why ride Europe with Moto Tours Europe?
A European motorcycle tour should be about more than simply following a GPS route.
Moto Tours Europe provides premium motorcycle touring, client focused approach and authentic experience.
The company currently offers guided, self-guided and customized motorcycle tours across destinations including the Alps, Adriatic, Balkans, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Eastern Europe.
The calendar already includes tours across several of these regions, giving riders a range of dates and destinations to choose from.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best motorcycle tours in Europe?
Some of the strongest destinations include the Alps, Dolomites, Croatia, Montenegro, the Balkans, Tuscany, Sardinia, Corsica, Spain and Portugal.
The best choice depends on the type of riding and scenery you prefer.
What is the best country in Europe for motorcycle touring?
There is no single answer.
Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Croatia, Spain and Montenegro all offer very different motorcycle experiences.
What is the best time for a motorcycle tour in Europe?
For the Alps, summer is generally the key season for high mountain routes. Southern Europe can offer excellent riding in spring and autumn.
Are guided motorcycle tours worth it?
Guided tours can be particularly valuable if you want professionally planned routes, accommodation and local support without handling all the logistics yourself.
Can I take a self-guided motorcycle tour?
Yes. Self-guided tours are an excellent option for riders who prefer to ride independently while using professionally prepared routes and arrangements.
How long should a European motorcycle tour be?
Seven to ten days is a good starting point. Longer trips are ideal when combining several countries.
Start Planning Your European Motorcycle Adventure
Europe offers an extraordinary variety of motorcycle experiences.
From the high passes of the Alps to the blue waters of the Adriatic, the mountains of the Balkans, the roads of Italy and the landscapes of Spain and Portugal, there is always another road to discover.
The best motorcycle tour is the one that matches the way you want to ride.
Explore the Moto Tours Europe motorcycle tour collection and find your next European adventure.
For riders planning longer motorcycle journeys, Horizons Unlimited is also a useful resource for motorcycle travel information, routes and rider experiences.
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