As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, we’re well and truly entering peak riding season.

If you want to spend the summer experiencing new places and challenging rides, look no further than Europe. There’s brilliant riding all around us from stunning mountain ranges to dramatic, wind-swept coastlines.

But where to start? With so many great options out there, it can be hard to know what the right tour for you is, which is why we’ve put together this list of our top ten personal favourites. This list ranges from a couple of days to a few weeks of riding, meaning that there’s something in it for everyone. 

To ride your bike abroad, you will need:

• Original vehicle registration certificate or letter of permission from the registered owner. 
• Insurance certificate. 
• A valid passport.
• A UK sticker, displayed clearly on the rear of your vehicle.
• Valid tax and MOT.
• European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
• European breakdown cover policy documents. 

For a more comprehensive look into preparing for an overseas trip, read our guide to European motorcycle touring holidays. 

Before travelling abroad with your motorbike, it’s important to check your insurance policy. 

Most comprehensive motorbike insurance policies will provide a basic level of coverage for Europe. If your policy does not cover you for European travel, or you want to enhance your coverage, contact your insurer as this can typically be added for a small fee.  

If you do have European cover, take note of how many days you’re covered for and your level of coverage. If you want more security or flexibility when it comes to travelling abroad, get in touch with your insurance provider.

Make sure to let your insurance provider know if you plan to go to the EU for a few days to ensure you have the appropriate coverage.

Although travel insurance isn’t a legal requirement when going on a touring holiday, we do recommend it.

Travel insurance can help to cover emergency medical treatment, theft or damage to your motorbike gear and repatriation back to the UK, depending on the policy you take out. 

Any one of these incidents can be costly without insurance, so when planning your trip be sure to take your own attitude towards risk into consideration and protect yourself in the way that will leave you feeling secure and ready for your touring holiday. 

It’s easy to see why so many riders flock to Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. 

As one of the longest coastal touring routes in the world, this is a brilliant ride with long miles of spectacular riding.

Starting in the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal and finishing up at Kinsale in County Cork, the Wild Atlantic Way has 157 discovery points and over 1000 attractions across its route – making it impossible to see everything. However, the route is divided into 14 stages, so riders have the freedom to choose if they want to cover the trip in one go or take it stage by stage.

The Wild Atlantic Way – with its dramatic coastlines and sweeping views – is perfect for a rider looking for a challenging and rewarding adventure.

Distance: Over 1600 miles

Best time of year to visit: June-August (but if you don’t mind the more temperamental weather, going in April-May or September-October will give you a quieter experience.)

How long will it take? A minimum of 3-5 days, but we recommend taking a week or two to fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery.

• Speed limits in Northern Ireland are in mph, but once you get into the Republic of Ireland this will change to KM/hr.
• The weather in Ireland can be unpredictable, so keep an eye on the forecast and make sure you’ve packed everything you need!
• You can bring your motorbike with you on the ferry, which typically takes around 2-8 hours depending on your starting point. We recommend taking the ferry from the Scottish village of Cairnryan to Belfast, which takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes. From there, it’s a 2 hour ride to the starting point of Inishowen.

Starting in Cornwall’s Land’s End and finishing up in John o’Groats in Caithness, this route covers the greatest distance between two inhabited points on mainland UK. 

There are a few different ways you can complete this route. The shortest journey between the two points is 874 miles, but as this involves a lot of motorways and busy roads, we personally recommend taking a more scenic route, as this will be a much more interesting ride. 

Distance: 938 miles

Best time of year to visit: Between May and June

How long will it take? 3-5 days 

• In Scotland, riding scrambler bikes or other off-road motorcycles on private land without the landowner’s permission is illegal.
• Scotland has a ban on parking motorcycles on pavements, with a fine of £100 for violations.

If you’re just looking to get into international touring, this route is a great starting point.

You’ll start in Rouen, capital of the northern French region of Normandy, and travel through some of the most historically significant beaches and memorials of the Second World War.

Finally, you’ll finish the route in Mont Saint-Michel, having the opportunity to see the incredible monastery, which was founded in 966. This is a great route for anyone interested in history, as well as being a straightforward trip for a novice rider. 

Distance: 340 miles

Best time of year to visit: Between April and October

How long will it take? 1-3 days, depending on how much you want to explore the history of the area.

• As of January 2025, traffic filtering is now legal in France for bikes, subject to specific terms. 
• If travelling through a Low Emission Mobility Zone, you'll need a Crit'Air sticker, which shows your bikes emissions and restricts higher pollutants from some areas. These currently cost €4.51 including postage to the UK, but failure to display could leave you vulnerable to a €180 fine! You can apply for a Crit’Air sticker on the French Government Website. 

The Dolomites are widely beloved by motorcyclists around the world with their breath-taking views, green forested slopes and perfect blue skies. 

You can carve your way through the landscape by riding along the Grande Strada delle Dolomiti, which takes you across three great passes  – including Pordoi, the highest in the Dolomites.
 
Surrounded by so many amazing roads and incredible scenery, this is a must-see route for anyone looking for a beautiful and exciting ride.  

Distance: 68 miles

Best time of year to visit: May-September (but bear in mind that August is often the busiest month)

How long will it take? 1-2 days to complete

• You're required to wear reflective gear when riding at night in Italy.
• If you've had your motorbike license for less than three years or are under 21, the blood alcohol limit is 0.00%
• Italy has significantly more speed cameras than the UK, so keep an eye out! 

With diverse riding experiences alongside stunning scenery, the Iceland Ring Road is a great insight into Iceland and an exciting touring route all in one. 

Along this loop of the island, you’ll have the opportunity to see some of Iceland’s stunning volcanoes, glaciers and waterfalls. Covering the whole stretch of the country also means you get to see a mix of tourist-heavy areas and the relatively uninhabited highlands. 

While the majority of this route is paved there are some gravelly sections of the ring road – meaning that you may want to use an adventure bike suited to the varied terrain. 

Distance: 828 miles

Best time of year to visit: July-September

How long will it take? 7-14 days at least, although you’ll probably want to allow more time to take a few detours!

• With such unpredictable weather, waterproof clothing is a must for this route. Read our blog post on motorcycle gear for cold weather rides to make sure you're keeping yourself as warm as possible. 
• Many petrol stations are unmanned, and will require either a credit card or a prepaid fuel card. 
• Parking in popular areas is often free for motorbikes, with this map highlighting where that parking is available. 

An ideal route if you love a sharp bend, this motorbike tour takes a scenic route through the German Black Forest and France’s Vosges Mountains – widely considered to be two of Europe’s best riding areas.

This route gives you the chance on the B500, which, with its sweeping bends and incredible views through the heart of the Black Forest, features on many rider’s bucket list.  

Meanwhile, the Vosges mountains are known for their hairpin bends, stunning views and relatively quiet roads (unless you visit during peak season!) which make them incredible to ride.

Overall, this route is a great opportunity to test out a real mix of riding styles while taking in some beautiful scenery. 

Distance: 1200 miles

Best time of year to visit: May-September (but avoid August if you’re looking for a more relaxed ride, as this is generally the busiest month)

How long will it take? Around one week

• There are sections of road in Germany called Streckensperrungen (route closures). These are closures prohibiting bikes being ridden along these roads for hours, days or even months at a time. For more information, take a look at the official map of the Streckensperrungen roads. 
• This route crosses between France and Germany. As we mentioned earlier, lane splitting is legal in France with restrictions, but remains strictly illegal in Germany. 

Covering an area of more than 80,000 square miles, there are many motorcycle routes you can take across the Alps. One of our personal favourites is the Great Alpine Road, which was constructed in 1911 as a tourist route – designed to show off the beauty of the area. 

This route covers some of the greatest landscapes in Europe, stringing together 15 memorable passes – including Col de l’lseran, the highest pass in Europe. With so many great roads in the French Alps, it’s possible to do several variations on the route, making the Great Alpine Road a trip that can be done again and again without ever losing its impact.

Distance: 435 miles

Best time of year to visit: From late June to mid-September

How long will it take? Allow at least 2-3 days

• Be prepared for snow, even in the height of summer.
• The roads can be challenging if you're not used to sharp bends, so make sure you know the route well and feel comfortable riding it.
• Some mountain passes may close unexpectedly due to poor weather, so make sure you research your route before travelling. 

Switzerland is well known for its jaw-dropping scenery, which is one of the many reasons why this route has become such a popular way to tour through the Alps.

The ‘Three Passes’ refers to the Susten, Grimsel and Furka passes, which each offer a unique riding experience.

The Furka Pass features sharp turns and narrow and bumpy roads, the Grimsel Pass offers rocky landscapes and waterfalls and the Susten Pass, with its stretches of greenery, vertical drops and smooth corners, has become a firm favourite for many riders. 

This route is varied and exciting for the rider who’s looking for something new at every mile. 

Distance: 80 miles

Best time of year to visit: June-September

How long will it take? 1-2 days

• To travel on any motorways or semi-motorways in Switzerland, you'll need a Swiss motorway vignette. These are readily available at border crossings, petrol stations, post offices or online at the Swiss Post Office.
• Motorcycles must have their headlights on even during the day.
• Be careful! Speed limits can change frequently in Switzerland, so be prepared to adjust your speed or be at risk of paying a hefty fine. 

Despite only having been an official motorbike touring route since 2015, the North Coast 500 is a route well loved by riders – and it’s easy to see why. 

The combination of wide-open spaces, fabulous corners and a lack of traffic in Scotland makes it an excellent place to ride, and the North Coast 500 takes full advantage of these features. 

Starting in Inverness, you can travel the circular route in either direction, although we recommend travelling clockwise to cover the more demanding portion of the route first. 

As you travel along the route, you’ll pass through historic towns, stunning peninsulas and jaw-dropping coastal scenery. With so many potential detours available, you’re sure to return for a second tour. 

Distance: 500 miles

Best time of year to visit: June-September

How long will it take? 5-7 days

• Make sure you plan your fuel stops in advance, as there can be long stretches in remote areas without a petrol station. To find your nearest petrol station, you can use Esso's Service Finder, Via Michelin, PetrolPrices or Google Maps.
• Scotland's legal limit for drink driving is lower than England's (0.05% in Scotland vs 0.08% in England.)
• Road tolls were abolished in Scotland in 2008, meaning that you don't need to pay to use any roads or bridges.

Vast mountains, deep fjords, the salt-scented breeze of the ocean and endless sunshine – touring Norway in the summer is an experience like no other. 

The landscape on this long-distance trip is genuinely incredible, and the riding is equally spectacular. Even in the summer, Norway’s weather can throw anything at you the further you head north, from brilliant sun to pelting snow. 

But there’s absolutely no doubt that this tour is worth it. The riding, the landscape and the incredible sense of achievement are on a completely different scale to anything else you can get in Europe. 

Distance: 3800 miles

Best time of year to go: June-August

How long will it take? 22 days

• Norway is one of the safest countries in the world when it comes to traffic. However, that means it's notoriously strict with its traffic safety rules, so stay vigilant to avoid fines.
• Moose can unexpectedly appear on the roads, so keep an eye out for signs indicating a high risk of encountering wildlife. 
• Typically, motorbikes do not pay tolls on Norwegian roads. 

So, there you have it! Whether you’re interested in a few days of riding in a new environment or a three-week adventure, there’s a motorcycle tour in Europe for you. 

Last but not least, if you have your very own motorcycle at home, be sure to get a motorbike insurance quote directly with Lexham!