Denmark is the closest thing to a perfect cycling country that exists in Europe — flat enough for total beginners, infrastructurally excellent, and consistently beautiful in the quiet, understated way of the Danish coast. The entire country is essentially flat — the highest point is barely 170 metres above sea level — and the national cycle route network is signed with the precision you would expect from a country where the bicycle outnumbers the car. Dedicated cycle paths connect coastal fishing villages, Bronze Age burial mounds and amber-washed beach towns across eight national routes and hundreds of regional loops. The North Sea coast of Jutland offers some of Europe's most atmospheric cycling: dune grass, wheeling seabirds, and the particular light of northern latitudes. The only adversary is the wind, which can blow with considerable force off the North Sea — but even this has its own character, and a tailwind day on the Jutland coast is one of the finest feelings in cycling.
Not sure which tour suits you? Read our guide to choosing a bike tour, or see our advice on best family bike tours in Europe.
