Romantic rides: Cities to explore whilst travelling on a tandem bike
Does it get any more romantic than travelling around a picturesque city on a tandem bike with the one you love?
The Cycle Cities Report from the personal finance experts at money.co.uk analyses global data to reveal the safest, most accommodating, and most affordable cities to rent bikes in around the world.
To coincide with the launch of the report, money.co.uk looked at 6 romantic cities where you can enjoy a romantic tandem bike ride whilst on holiday and on a budget.
So, if you’re looking to explore a new city by tandem bike with your other half, and want to make the journey extra memorable, some of the most romantic attractions and charming spots each city has to offer have been compiled below:
Porto, Portugal € 22.00/ £18.73
The stunning coastal city of Porto offers a budget-friendly atmosphere to enjoy a tandem bike ride for two, with bike rentals from Bim Bim Bikes costing just €22.00 for 24 hours.
The charming Portuguese city, with its colourful houses overlooking the Douro River, is a picturesque place to explore with your loved one.
Take a sunset cycle over the Ponte de Dom Luís I bridge for 360° views of the spectacular city and the river below. When exploring the city, consider locking up your tandem during a stop at one of Porto’s many wine cellars, like Graham’s Port Lodge, where you can enjoy a guided tour, and a taste of the locally produced port.
Prague, Czech Republic €27.11/ £23.08 / 690 CZK
Next up, is the Czech Republic’s capital, Prague, with a daily rental cost of €27.11 at Praha Bike.
Romance is bound to be in the air when cycling around a city as beautiful as Prague. With an average annual temperature of 9.8°C, you can comfortably enjoy exploring such mesmerising medieval buildings as the Prague Castle or Astronomical Clock before heading out to one of the city's many restaurants or bars after a day of cycling.
Those looking for a picturesque route around Prague to follow with their partner can take the A2 Braník to Vrané nad Vltavou route. The 13.5km journey offers up unforgettable views, as well as plenty of spots to stop off for a coffee and a slice of Makowiec, a traditional Czech cake.
Amsterdam, Netherlands €25.20 / £21.48
Famous for its love of cycling, Amsterdam is perfect for couples who want to explore a city in unison, with tandem bike rental costing just €25.20 a day from Rentabike.
The scenic city has plenty to discover with your better half, from charming canals and 120 acres of greenery at Vondelpark, to the breathtaking views of Amsterdam from the A’DAM Lookout (where there’s plenty of space to lock up your bike for an hour or two).
The city also has many world-renowned cycle routes to explore, and once an appetite has been worked up, couples can treat themselves to a romantic candlelit dinner at the De Silveren Spiegel, for some fine-dining and local delicacies.
Barcelona, Spain €35.00 / £29.83
Those wishing to explore the stunning architecture displayed around Barcelona can hire a tandem bike for the price of €35.00 from Bike Rental Barcelona.
With just 614mm of average annual rainfall and an average annual temperature of 15.5°C, the city boasts the ideal climate for a leisurely cycle exploring the city's spectacular structures. From the La Sagrada Familia and Casa Batllo to Barcelona Cathedral, taking in the breathtaking architecture is an experience that is perfect to share with a special someone by your side.
Finish off a day of cycling with a dinner at La Alcoba Azul, where you can indulge in a bottle of Cava and some delicious tapas in the dimly lit and romantic ambience.
Rome, Italy €35.00 / £29.86
The hugely romantic and historical city of Rome can be explored by tandem bike for €35 from Top Bike Rental.
The spectacular Italian city is home to stunning architecture, like the Colosseum, Pantheon and even the globally popular proposal hotspot, Trevi Fountain. An unforgettable trip is guaranteed in Rome, especially as you take in the awe-inspiring sights with the person you hold dearest.
Rome also boasts one of the most scenic canal paths to cycle down in Europe; running straight through the heart of the city along the River Tiber, this is a route not to be missed on your trip!
Paris, France €60.00 / £51.09
Who wouldn’t want to explore the quintessential city of love on a bicycle made for two? Couples exploring the French capital can hire a tandem bike for €60.00 from Parisavelo.
On a tour of the city of amour, there’s a variety of magical attractions to take in, whether it’s a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower, a visit to the stunning Notre-Dame Cathedral or admiring art at the Louvre Museum.
The trip wouldn’t be complete without a bike ride to The Wall of Love (Le Mur Des Je t’aime) in the Jehan Rictus garden square. The mural was created by artists Fédéric Baron and Claire Kito in 2000 and has ‘I Love You’ adorning it in 250 different languages - what a way to feel the love in Paris.
