Europe’s 10 Greenest Cities for Cycling Among the Blossoms this Spring

Spring is here—or at least, it’s close enough that you can start dreaming about warm breezes, pink petals, and the quiet whirr of bike tires on sun-dappled trails. And while just about any city feels more alive this time of year, some places truly stand out for cyclists wanting a front-row seat to nature’s grand reawakening.

European pre-owned bike site buycycle.com dove into the data—tree cover, number of parks, climate, bike infrastructure—and came up with a list of the best spring cycling destinations across Europe. Think more nature, less noise. More blossoms, less bus traffic.

Here’s a look at the top 10 cities where you can greet the season the way it was meant to be: in motion, outdoors, and surrounded by green.

1. Berlin, Germany

It may be better known for its gritty nightlife and graffiti-covered walls, but Berlin is also surprisingly lush—and number one on this list for good reason. With a staggering 7,993 km² of tree cover and 2,670 leisure parks, this city is made for spring cycling. Whether you’re cruising the shaded paths of Tiergarten, looping around the airfield at Tempelhofer Feld, or tracing the Spree River through Treptower Park, Berlin somehow balances its bold urban identity with abundant greenery.

Factor in a solid cycling infrastructure score of 78 and average spring temps around 13°C (55°F), and you’ve got a perfect excuse to swap the U-Bahn for a bike.

2. Copenhagen, Denmark

It’s no surprise Copenhagen is near the top. The city’s cycling infrastructure score of 90 is the highest on this list, and its flat terrain and thousands of kilometers of designated bike routes make it a cyclist’s paradise year-round. But in spring? It’s downright dreamy.

Picture gliding past blossoming trees in Kongens Have, weaving through Botanisk Have, or relaxing under the first signs of green in Fælledparken. With nearly 1,900 parks and 742 km² of tree cover, Copenhagen proves that great urban planning and natural beauty don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Copenhagen

3. Munich, Germany

Munich might be famous for Oktoberfest, but come spring, it trades beer steins for blooming trees—and plenty of cycling bliss. With nearly 19,000 routes to explore and a respectable 83 infrastructure score, Munich blends efficiency with aesthetics. Pedal through the vast Englischer Garten, cruise along the Isar River, or zip past the bustling outdoor cafés that line the city’s leafy boulevards. It’s the kind of place where even a detour feels like part of the plan.

Munich

4. Vienna, Austria

Vienna might not be the first place you associate with bike culture, but come spring, it transforms into a vibrant patchwork of green. Thanks to 2,479 km² of tree cover, more than 1,000 parks, and a robust network of bike routes (over 43,900, to be exact), the Austrian capital is an under-the-radar gem for two-wheeled explorers.

Coast through the Prater under a canopy of flowering trees, or head out to the Danube Island for peaceful, riverside cruising. Bonus: Spring temps average around 15°C (59°F)—ideal for soaking in the city without breaking a sweat.

5. Paris, France

Sure, Paris is a romantic cliché, but if you’ve ever biked along the Seine in spring, you know it earns the hype. With nearly 3,500 km² of tree cover and a jaw-dropping 48,200 cycling routes, the French capital has become increasingly bike-friendly in recent years.

Start your ride at Bois de Vincennes, drift past Martin Luther King Park, or meander through the historic heart of the city—Montmartre, Avenue Montaigne, and yes, even past the Eiffel Tower. Paris in spring is less about speed and more about soaking in the sights (and smells of fresh baguettes).

Cycling in Paris near the Arc de Triomphe

6–10: Where Else Should You Roll?

6. Stockholm, Sweden – One of the greenest cities on the list, with 4,578 km² of tree cover, though its cycling infrastructure score of 54 holds it back a bit.

7. Budapest, Hungary – With more than 1,200 parks and a scenic ride along the Danube, this vibrant city is catching up fast.

8. Amsterdam, Netherlands – A cycling icon, of course, but its relatively modest 910 km² of tree cover knocks it down a few notches for springtime green.

9. Oslo, Norway – With the most tree cover of all (5,186 km²), Oslo is a forest city, but cooler spring temps and infrastructure limitations land it lower on the list.

10. Bordeaux, France – A charming surprise to round out the top 10, Bordeaux boasts 767 parks, beautiful riverside rides, and a solid infrastructure score of 80.

How the Ranking Was Built

Data was pulled from more than 70 green cities in Europe, scoring them based on tree cover, park count, cycling infrastructure, number of routes, and optimal spring weather conditions (think: 5–25°C, not too wet, not too dry). Only the top two cities from each country were considered to keep things fresh and diverse.