Istria has officially claimed the throne of European cycle tourism! According to the Global Cycle Tourism Index (CTI), presented at the prestigious Cycle Tourism Fair in Padua (Fiera del Cicloturismo) held from March 27 to 29, Istria has been named the best cycling tourism region in Europe for 2025. 

A historic triumph for Istrian cycling tourism:
Istria is number one in Europe! 
The analysis, conducted by the Komoot platform and the Bikenomist agency, was based on data tracking the movement and preferences of more than 50 million users, as well as rankings among the TOP 30 cycling destinations worldwide. With an outstanding score of 71.12 points, Istria secured the top position, reaffirming its status as a global leader in this fast-growing tourism segment.

King of Summer
As part of the study, Istria was also awarded the prestigious King of Summer title, achieving an index score of 72.45. The findings further highlight that Istria is no longer just a seasonal destination. Alongside the Balearic and Canary Islands, it now ranks among Europe’s leading year-round cycling destinations:

      •    Spring and Autumn: 
            Ranked 2nd in Europe, earning the titlea: Queen of Spring and Queen of Autumn
      •    Winter:
            An impressive 3rd place in Europe, with the title King of Winter,
marks a remarkable achievement for a region without a tropical climate, yet one that offers exceptional infrastructure and high-quality content. 


The Global Cycle Tourism Index (CTI) is the most authoritative market research on cycle tourism in Europe. It is based on a “big data” analysis of the Komoot platform (50M+ users), evaluating destinations according to actual cyclist behavior rather than relying solely on promotional activities. The index measures four key pillars: 
     •     destination popularity
     •     quality and density of route networks
     •     safety and
     •     development of cyclist-oriented services (bike-friendly services).

High scores across all categories demonstrate that years of investment in related projects, events, and the development of gourmet and outdoor offerings have led to a leading position on the global cycling map.

The most valuable assessment comes directly from users, who ranked Istria as the top destination compared to others. This recognition is driven by its well-maintained and technically diverse trails, high-quality accommodation infrastructure (such as Bed & Bike hotels), an extensive network of e-bike charging stations, and a wide range of sporting events.

Croatia as the Most Desirable Cycling Tourism Destination

Croatia, led by Istria, has emerged as Europe’s most desirable cycling macro-region. In addition to Istria, all Croatian coastal regions have been ranked among the TOP 10 European regions - Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Lika-Senj, Zadar, Šibenik-Knin, Split-Dalmatia, and Dubrovnik-Neretva. This recognition effectively positions the entire Adriatic as a global hub for cycling tourism. 

“The recognition received in Padua confirms that Istria is setting trends and shows that our guests truly value the authenticity, quality, and effort invested in every kilometer of Istrian trails. It also provides the strongest possible incentive to continue building Istria’s reputation as a premier cycling destination,” said Denis Ivošević, Director of the Istria Tourist Board.

These awards also provide strong momentum for major events such as UCI Istria Gran Fondo,
Eroica Istria - Truffle Tour, CRO Race, Istria 300, and IRONMAN 70.3, further reinforcing Istria’s status as a must-visit destination for both road and gravel cycling enthusiasts.

Congratulations to everyone who has contributed their knowledge and effort to creating this outstanding tourism product in Istria! This achievement reflects the dedication of many individuals, each excelling in their respective roles.

You can view the research results here: Cycling Tourism Report [pdf]

[March 2026]