For travelling cyclists, Austria and the Czech Republic offer something for everyone. Austria’s bike-friendly Danube cycle path is paved and well marked, winding trails through the mountains offer a challenge to fit cyclists, the breathtaking architecture and scenery provides a memorable backdrop for tourists, and of course, beer to quench your thirst after a day in the saddle. If you’re planning a self-guided cycling trip to Austria or the Czech Republic, Pure Adventures suggests checking out these bike trails and brew pubs.
České Budějovice
Did you know that České Budějovice is home to the original Budweiser, having been brewed here for more than 700 years? There are a handful of brewpubs in this small city and two breweries, Měšťanský Pivovar and Budějovický Budvar. Calling their beers The Original Budweiser, Budějovický Budvar is a state-owned brewery with it’s drafts available in all the local pubs. Budvarka Pivnice is regularly packed with locals, but for a trendy European style experience, you may want to head to Potrefená Husa. The city also boasts nine paved and well marked paths which take you through picturesque parks and across bridges. All the bike paths in České Budějovice are interconnected, so zipping through the city to shop or dine is a breeze.
Linz
The historic city of Linz is undergoing a transformation and has come a long way since the Iron Curtain was lifted 25 years ago. Festivals, food and of course cycling, have helped Linz flourish. The Schwemmland – the wetland around Linz harbor – are a hidden gems for nature lovers. Klosterhof is by far the largest pub in Linz, but centuries old Wirt auf der Wies deserves a visit as well.
Vienna
Vienna is a vibrant, beautiful city with many things to do including seeing the cathedral and the amazingly designed Hundertwasser House, designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser in 1985. There are 745 miles of bike baths throughout Vienna, including the Ringstrasse, a paved route circling the city and taking in its most beloved sights. Most hotels are famously bike-friendly as are the public trains. Vienna’s lively beer scene offers everything from Irish-style pubs with extensive whisky selections (Bockshorn Irish Pub), Fischer Bräu which was recently named Austria’s best brewpub and 1516 Brewing Company, which boasts two of Austria’s best beers and their burgers were named among the best in the world by Matador.
Salzburg
This impressive town, situated on the banks of the Salzach River, is where the composer Mozart was born and raised. With Pure Adventures, you spend a day riding along along the Mozart cycling path, winding through beautiful Alpine countryside, the Salzkammergut, along the Mondsee and Wolfgangsee lakes to St. Gilgen. Within Salzburg’s city center, there are over 105 kilometers bike paths with 900 signs, 23 scenic bicycle routes, ingenious self-service stations offering free tools, bike stands, lubricating oil and compressed air for emergencies and a website dedicated to helping you find the most direct cycling route through Salzburg. No wonder it’s Austria’s number 1 cycle city! As for beer and brewpubs, numerous options await in this regions, which has been producing beer for more than 500 years. Stiegl, Austria’s leading family-owned brewery can be found in Salzburg, produces more than 20 varieties in their state-of-the-art facility. Augustiner Braustubl is a hidden gem of adored by locals. Awarded a Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor, it’s also ranked the best brew pub by tourists for its food, atmosphere and of course, beer.
Pure Adventures offers three unique self-guided cycling vacations in Austria. Starting at € 1051 Euros, our self-guided bicycle tours include hybrid bike rental, flexible start dates, accommodations, route maps, daily breakfasts, luggage transfers and local support. Contact us for more information or for your free Austria destination guide.