EuroVelo 6 - Top Sights & What to Expect

August 2023 marked two big events in my life. Firstly, I celebrated my 30th birthday, and secondly, Beau and I set off on our biggest cycle tour yet! Beginning in Udine, Italy we rode 3,000km across Europe. We cycled through Slovenia (now one of my favourite countries in Europe), Hungary and Slovakia before following the EuroVelo 6 through Austria, Germany and France. This article covers everything you need to know about cycling the EuroVelo 6 through Austria, Germany and France. Let's jump in. -- About the route

The EuroVelo 6 Atlantic - Black Sea (EV6) route is one of the most popular cycling routes within the EuroVelo network. The famous sections along the Danube River and Loire Valley are renowned for their beauty and known to cycle enthusiasts around the world.

The flat topography, well-built infrastructure and amazing scenery make this path a great choice for both new and seasoned cycle tourists. Each day you will find yourself cycling along beautiful rivers or through wide open meadows. Imagine gazing up at up at centuries-old castles and historic monuments as you make your way between some of Europe's quaintest villages.

I remember passing a giant statue of Marcus Aurelius along the Danube River in Austria where the Roman Emperor waged war against Germanic tribes. Encounters with historical sights and monuments often inspired us to watch a documentary to learn more about these significant historic leaders and landmarks. We loved imagining significant events of world history unfolding as we rode past on our bicycles.

Riding the total length of the Eurovelo 6 involves cycling 4,700km through 10 countries, along 6 European rivers and past 11 UNESCO heritage sights. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to cycle the whole route (bummer!). Instead, we opted to join the EV6 in Bratislava and cycle west to the small French town Dijon, passing through Austria and Germany along the way. Next time we would certainly love to finish the remaining French part of the EV6, as it is renowned for being one of the most beautiful cycle regions in Europe.

Top Sights

You can access an interactive map of the EuroVelo 6 route on the EuroVelo website. This map shows you interesting historical sights you might be interested in stopping at on your trip. Here are our top 5 sights from our journey through Austria, Germany and France.

1. Lake Constance (Bodensee), Germany

2. Linz, Austria

3. Passau, Germany

4. Ulm, Germany

5. Mulhouse, France

Lake Constance, Germany

Lake Constance (or Bodensee in German) is one of the largest lakes in Central Europe. It borders Germany, Switzerland and France and is known for its unique blend of historic charm, natural beauty and cultural experiences. We stayed in Lake Constance for two nights and highly recommend it to any cycle tourist interested in a beautiful location with plenty of outdoor activities.

We caught a ferry across to Insel Reichenau - a small island in the middle of the lake. We had a beer and jumped into the lake off a jetty while we waited for the ferry to pick us up. It was magic.

The island itself was small and relaxing. The campground where we stayed on the island was packed with European tourists enjoying their summer holidays. The sunsets were stunning and it was a great place to unwind for a few days before cycling into France.

Linz, Austria

I remember being surprised by how industrial Linz looked as we rode alongside the main road leading into the city. We passed by huge industrial sites before arriving in Linz old town which was full of life, culture and beautiful architecture. Linz makes our list due to the very cool combination of a cool and thriving old town located within such a large industrial business centre.

I recommend checking out a live music event or one of the towns many hipster cafes.

Passau, Germany

Passau is a stunning German town located on the Austrian border. The town derives much of its natural beauty from the three rivers that join at the town - the Danube, Inn & Ilz. Passau's beautiful old town is known for its stunning baroque architecture which is overlooked by a large 13th century hilltop fortress.

Further, Passau is a student town which gives it a fun a lively atmosphere. I recommend sitting outside a local bar in the town and watching everyday life go by.

Ulm, Germany

Ulm is a beautiful historic town located in Southern Germany along the Danube River by the border with Bavaria. The town is full of beautiful buildings including the Ulm Minster - the world's largest church tower. We were captivated by this charming town and recommend it to anyone interested in history and beautiful architecture.

Mulhouse, France

Mulhouse is a former industrial town that has reinvested itself into a hub of shopping, art and culture, making it an interesting place to visit. From street art to boutique shopping and its many interesting museums, Mulhouse has something for everyone. I recommend staying here for a night or two on your cycling holiday to check out the world's biggest car museum or to wander the streets admiring the interesting architecture and street art.

Although these were some of our favourite locations, the total experience of cycle touring in general is what makes this type of holiday amazing. When you see and experience places by bike you can't help but take in all the sights and smells, and you stop in small towns you would simply skip if you were travelling by car or train. It's these factors that make cycle touring the best holiday for me - and nothing beats it!

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If you enjoyed this article and would like to view more specific information on riding the EuroVelo 6 in Austria or Germany you can check out my guides and other articles here. Or, if you would like a glimpse into the daily life of cycling the EuroVelo 6, you can read "An Average Day Cycle Touring in Europe".