Rating the Cities I Stopped At Along EuroVelo 6

The EuroVelo 6 is a 4,448km long bike route that crosses the entire European continent, from France to Romania. On its way, it crosses 10 countries and follows major rivers like the Loire, Rhine, and Danube. One thing about rivers is that they often feed urban centres, so this route is a great way to see some of Europe’s most famous cities. Vienna and Budapest, for example, sit directly on the route and are bucket-list destinations for many. If you enjoy city-hopping, EV6 makes it incredibly easy.

I cycled the EuroVelo 6 from Besançon in France to Vidin in Bulgaria, as part of my ride from London to Istanbul. Along the way, I passed through dozens of major towns and cities, and I thought it would be fun to rate them. Hopefully, it will help you decide which cities to spend time in during your own EV6 ride.

Before you read on, I should confess that I’m not a huge city person at the best of times, so I dipped in and out of most places quite quickly. Because of that, you should take my ratings with a pinch of salt. Still, here’s my honest take on each one: how easy they are to reach from the bike path, what there is to do, and how I personally felt about them as a cyclist passing through.

Besançon, France
★★★★☆

Besançon ended up being one of the longest city stays of my whole ride. My boyfriend came out to visit, so I spent nearly a week here and got a proper feel for the place. The city sits in a natural river loop, which gives it a relaxed, tucked-away feel. It’s not huge — feels more like a large town — and the pace is slow with that quintessential French vibe.

Getting to the centre from EV6:
Very easy. The river path practically funnels you straight into the heart of the old town with no stressful navigation. There are plenty of bike racks around the centre, and the city feels very comfortable to cycle through.

What to do in Besançon:

• Climb to the Citadel of Besançon, which I highly recommend
• Wander the old town’s cafes, bakeries, and quiet streets
• Check out the cathedral and the Astronomical Clock

My thoughts:
I really liked the atmosphere in Besançon. It had a gentle, lived-in charm, and some great food spots. I would recommend taking a rest day here to see the citadel, the old town, and enjoy some of its many cafes and bakeries.

Mulhouse, France
★★★★☆

I spent only a couple of hours in Mulhouse, but even with such a short visit, it left a very good impression. It’s a colourful, slightly quirky city with a gorgeous old town and a lively central square filled with cafes, brightly coloured façades, and people milling about. Even in a short window of time, it felt welcoming and easy to explore.

Getting to the centre from EV6:
Very straightforward. EV6 skirts the edge of the city, and you only need to peel off briefly to reach the centre. The signage is clear, and the roads are easy to navigate. You’re in the main square within a few minutes of leaving the bike path.

What to do in Mulhouse:

• Wander the historic centre
• Visit the Automobile Museum
• Stop for a coffee in the central square

My thoughts:
Mulhouse is charming and well worth stopping for an extended lunch or coffee break. It’s not a destination city in the same way as places like Vienna, and it doesn’t have a long list of things to do, but it’s colourful, easy-going and definitely worth a short visit.

Basel, Switzerland
★★★☆☆

Basel was one of my more social stops on EuroVelo 6. A friend from school came up from CERN to meet me for the day, and another friend from university happened to be in the city at the same time. Because of that, Basel became less about sightseeing and more about catching up, which definitely coloured my experience in a positive way.

Getting to the centre from EV6:
Very easy. The EuroVelo 6 follows the Rhine as you approach Basel, and the riverside cycling is smooth, flat, and well signposted. You simply stay by the water until the city appears around you. Basel is extremely bike-friendly, so navigating once you’re in the centre is simple, and there are plenty of bike racks.

What to do in Basel:

• Walk along the Rhine embankments
• Visit Basel Minster
• Explore the museums (there are many)
• Wander the old town

My thoughts:
Basel is clean, scenic, and organised. To be honest, it almost borders on clinical, and it’s not exactly overflowing with character or surprises. But I liked it. My friend and I visited a couple of art museums, strolled around, and visited a lot of cafes, which felt about right for Basel’s pace. I don’t know if I’d really recommend Basel as a destination in its own right, but it deserves half a day or so to explore.

Ulm, Germany
★★★☆☆

Ulm was a short but surprisingly satisfying stop for me. I had pitched my tent at a canoe club on the river, and then pedalled in to check it out for the late afternoon and evening. The city sits right on the Danube, and its compact centre makes it pleasant to wander around. The star of the show is, of course, Ulm Minster, the tallest church spire in the world. It’s visible from far outside the city, making it impossible to miss as you cycle in.

Getting to the centre from EV6:
Very easy. The EV6 hugs the river as you approach Ulm, and a short ride over one of the bridges takes you straight into the heart of the city. The cycling infrastructure is good, the roads are manageable, and the route feels smooth and intuitive.

What to do in Ulm:

• Visit Ulm Minster, home to the tallest church spire in the world
• Wander the Fischerviertel, the old fisherman’s quarter
• Stroll through the colourful old town

My thoughts:
I enjoyed Ulm more than I expected. The minster alone is worth the stop — it’s genuinely impressive — and the Fischerviertel gives the city real character. While I wouldn’t necessarily spend a full day or rest stop here, it’s absolutely worth rolling in for a wander before carrying on along the EV6.

Ingolstadt, Germany
★★★★☆

This was supposed to be nothing more than a quick lunch stop for me, but the moment I rolled into the old town, Ingolstadt sucked me in. It’s absolutely beautiful, with bright façades and elegant squares that feel both historic and lived-in. There’s something very “Bavarian summer afternoon” about Ingolstadt: people relaxing outside cafes with cyclists weaving through the streets. For a place I knew nothing about before arriving, it completely exceeded expectations.

Getting to the centre from EV6:
Getting into Ingolstadt requires a small detour from the main EuroVelo 6 path, but it’s flat, simple, and well worth the extra few minutes of riding. The roads are easy to navigate, and the cycling infrastructure is good. In no time at all, you’re crossing into the old town and surrounded by pretty buildings.

What to do in Ingolstadt:

• Wander the old town and admire the pretty colours
• Visit the fortifications
• Enjoy lunch in the square

My thoughts:
Ingolstadt really took me by surprise. Even though I didn’t spend long here, I found myself wishing I’d had more time. It’s not a major tourist city, but that’s part of what makes it so enjoyable. It feels local, relaxed, and incredibly pleasant to wander. For anyone cycling EuroVelo 6, Ingolstadt is absolutely worth a little detour and a slow lunch in the sunshine.

Regensburg, Germany
★★★★☆

I spent two nights in Regensburg, as I was on a rest day. The city greeted me with a wall of heat — something like 38 Celsius — which meant my visit involved a lot of time spent in air-conditioned cafes. Despite this, the city really stood out to me. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was lovely to explore: cobblestones, colourful townhouses, ancient towers, and a maze-like network of alleys.

Getting to the centre from EV6:
Super easy. EuroVelo 6 runs along the river and carries you right to the edge of the old town. You simply cross one of the bridges, and you’re in the heart of Regensburg in minutes. Navigation is simple, and there are plenty of places to lock your bike.

What to do in Regensburg:

• Visit St. Peter’s Cathedral
• Explore the medieval alleys
• Check out the pretty squares

My thoughts:
Even in suffocating heat, Regensburg charmed me straight away. It’s beautiful, lively, and absolutely packed with history, yet it still feels relaxed and enjoyable to explore on foot. I’d love to see it again on a cooler day. If you’re cycling EV6 and want a city with real character and plenty to see, Regensburg is a standout stop.

Passau, Germany
★★☆☆☆

Passau is one of those cities that shows up in almost every EuroVelo 6 itinerary, often positioned as a highlight thanks to its location at the meeting point of three rivers: the Danube, Inn, and Ilz. Because of that, I arrived with high expectations. And to be fair, Passau is undeniably beautiful at first glance. But once I started exploring, the city felt more tourist-oriented than I expected. A lot of the streets had the same repeating pattern of souvenir shops, tour-group clusters, and cafes catered to the river cruise crowd.

Getting to the centre from EV6:
As effortless as it gets. EV6 runs directly along the river, and the old town is just a quick roll off the path. You can lock your bike by the water and walk straight into the centre within minutes.

What to do in Passau:

• Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral
• Walk the riverbanks
• Explore the old town

My thoughts:
Passau didn’t wow me. The tourist shops everywhere made it hard to connect with the place, and I struggled to find much depth or atmosphere. For a quick wander, it’s absolutely fine, but it wasn’t somewhere I felt the need to spend any length of time.

Linz, Austria
★★★★☆

Linz was a very unexpectedly enjoyable stop. It doesn’t have the same international reputation as other Austrian cities like Vienna or Salzburg, so I rolled in with fairly neutral expectations. However, the city turned out to be modern, creative, and scenic. I stayed in Linz for two nights as I was spending a rest day here, and I’m so glad I did.

Getting to the centre from EV6:
Very simple. EV6 follows the Danube straight into Linz, and the path runs right past the ARS Electronica Center. From there, it’s only a short ride across one of the bridges to reach the old town. Navigation is easy, and the cycle lanes make everything feel safe and intuitive. It’s one of the more straightforward city entries on the route.

What to do in Linz:

• Visit the ARS Electronica Center
• Enjoy the old town and cafes
• Visit the Pöstlingberg hill – very scenic

My thoughts:
I’d definitely recommend Linz for a rest day if you want a bit of culture, some good food, and a relaxed urban atmosphere. It’s a genuinely pleasant place to take a breather: wide streets, nice cafes, cool museums, and plenty of parks.

Melk, Austria
★★★★★

Okay, Melk technically isn’t a city. It’s more of a large town, but I had to include it because it’s one of the most unmissable stops on the entire EuroVelo 6 route. Even if you’re speeding through Austria, Melk deserves a proper look, and the reason is simple: Melk Abbey. Perched above the town, it’s one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen. Do not skip it!

Getting to the centre from EV6:
Very easy — the cycle path runs right beside the town, and it’s only a short pedal into the centre and up towards the abbey (or you can lock your bike at the bottom and walk).

What to do in Melk:

• Visit the Melk Abbey (the museum, the church, the library, and the terrace views are stunning)
• Wander the pretty town centre
• Stop at one of the cafés for a drink or snack before continuing along the Danube
• Enjoy the riverside scenery around Melk, which is especially lovely

My thoughts:
The abbey completely stole the show. I’d go so far as to say it was one of the best architectural highlights of my entire EV6 journey. Even if you’re usually more excited about nature than buildings (like me), this is worth every second of the detour. A magical stop, and an easy five stars.

Vienna, Austria
★★★★★

I spent nearly five days in Vienna because a friend flew out to meet me, and it proved to be an excellent place to enjoy a proper city break. It’s enormous, full of grand architecture, and absolutely lives up to its reputation as one of Europe’s great capitals. It has tons of history and culture, but also plenty of modern touches, too. We did a free walking tour, which I highly recommend, and we visited Schönbrunn and Belvedere Palaces, the Hofburg, ate street food at Naschmarkt, went to Prater Park, and ate our body weight in desserts.

Getting to the centre from EV6:
Reaching the city centre takes a little longer than in the smaller cities, but it’s mostly on well-marked bike lanes. Expect around 20–30 minutes of riding, depending on where you’re staying. I did get slightly lost at one point, but cycling in Vienna is much better than in many other capitals.

What to do in Vienna:

• Visit Schönbrunn Palace and Belvedere Palace
• Explore the endless museums at MuseumsQuartier
• Wander the historic centre and its grand streets
• Try traditional cafes and gorge on Viennese desserts

My thoughts:
Vienna was a real highlight for me. There’s so much to see and do here that I really recommend taking at least two full days to explore. If you love culture, you’ll love Vienna.

Bratislava, Slovakia
★★★★★

Bratislava was a big surprise for me. I didn’t expect to like it so much, and originally planned to stay for just one night. However, after an evening stroll into the city centre, I quickly extended it to two nights. The city is lively, welcoming, quirky, and refreshingly unpretentious. And also very cheap. It’s packed with cafes, street art, statues, monuments, and winding streets that make it so much fun to explore.

Getting to the centre from EV6:
Very easy. The EuroVelo 6 runs right along the Danube, and the cycle paths are excellent. You follow the river straight into the city, glide under the UFO Bridge, and then it’s just a quick ride into the Old Town. It’s one of the smoothest, most cyclist-friendly entries to any capital on the route. I felt completely comfortable navigating by bike.

What to do in Bratislava:

• Free walking tour (highly recommend)
• Visit Bratislava Castle
• Explore the Old Town
• Check out the Blue Church

My thoughts:
I loved Bratislava. It’s fun, unique, and incredibly easy to explore. There’s enough to see and do to fill a day or two, and the relaxed vibe makes it a really pleasant city break. I highly recommend taking a rest day here, even though it’s only a day’s ride from Vienna, where you may have just spent a couple of days off the bike.

Győr, Hungary
★★★★★

Győr was, without question, the biggest surprise of my entire EuroVelo 6 ride. Before arriving, I knew absolutely nothing about it — it was just a name on the map and a convenient place to spend the night. But within minutes of rolling into the old town, I had decided to extend my stay to two nights. It’s absolutely gorgeous, with golden-coloured buildings, and a lovely local atmosphere.

Getting to the centre from EV6:
Very easy. EuroVelo 6 passes just outside the city, and a short, flat detour takes you straight into the old town. The route is well signposted and bike-friendly, and it doesn’t take long before you’re rolling into the heart of the city. There are plenty of places to lock your bike, too.

What to do in Győr:

• Wander the golden-coloured old town
• Visit the small churches
• Try the local cafes and eateries

My thoughts:
Győr completely charmed me. If you love small cities with big personalities, Győr is an absolute must-stop on the EV6. And as much as I hate the phrase “hidden gem,” I think it perfectly describes it. I highly recommend spending at least half a day here.

Budapest, Hungary
★★☆☆☆

Budapest is one of Europe’s most famous capitals and a city that many people absolutely adore. Because of that, I arrived with pretty high expectations. Maybe too high. I had fun here, but something about it didn’t fully click for me. It might simply be that I’d already passed through a long string of big cities by this point, and my enthusiasm for urban exploring was wearing thin. But I really didn’t rate Budapest.

Getting to the centre from EV6:
Easy-ish. The EuroVelo 6 follows the Danube into the city, and the ride in is mostly scenic, smooth, and straightforward. The cycle paths make navigating into the centre simple.

What to do in Budapest:

• Visit Buda Castle
• Soak in a thermal bath
• Explore the ruin bars
• Visit the Parliament building

My thoughts:
There’s no denying that Budapest has a lot going for it — culture, nightlife, viewpoints, architecture, history — and I did enjoy parts of my time here. But it didn’t quite win me over. Great for cheap drinking and some sightseeing, but not somewhere I connected with on a deeper level. That said, if you love big cities with lots happening, you might enjoy Budapest more than I did.

📷 Apparently, I didn’t take any photos in Budapest. That’s how much it uninspired me, lol.

Novi Sad, Serbia
★★★☆☆

Novi Sad looked lovely, but I only stopped briefly for lunch before continuing on my way. It gets three stars because what I saw seemed very inviting. The architecture was beautiful, the riverfront was stunning, and it had a very laid-back vibe. I reckon it would have been awarded more stars if I’d spent more time here.

Getting to the centre from EV6:
Very easy. EuroVelo 6 takes you close to the city, and a short, simple detour leads straight into the centre. The roads are easy to navigate, and I had no issues cycling in. You can be sitting in a square with lunch in front of you within minutes. Leaving Novi Sad, on the other hand, was a nightmare. Super busy roads, tiny hard shoulder. You’ve been warned.

What to do in Novi Sad:

• Visit Petrovaradin Fortress
• Wander the old town

My thoughts:
I wish I’d had more than a quick stop here, so I would recommend allocating at least a few hours to explore.

Belgrade, Serbia
★★★★☆

Belgrade has a big, bold personality. I spent two nights here, and I’m glad I gave it that time. In the morning of the first day, I met up with two cyclists I’d met on the route, and we joined a walking tour that gave an excellent crash course in Serbian history. It’s lively, gritty in places, surprisingly cosmopolitan in others, and full of great places to eat.

Getting to the centre from EV6:
The EuroVelo 6 follows the river for quite a long stretch, giving you a scenic, flat approach into the outskirts of the city. Once you leave the riverside path, there’s a manageable climb up into the centre. It’s not difficult, just a short bit of effort after an otherwise easy ride. Traffic is busier than in smaller cities, but navigating by bike felt fine overall.

What to do in Belgrade:

• Free walking tour
• Wander Kalemegdan Fortress
• Explore Skadarlija
• Try the bougie coffee shops

My thoughts:
Belgrade was far more modern and stylish than I expected, while still holding onto a rawness that gives it real character. It’s not necessarily “pretty” in the traditional sense, but it’s cool and lively. I loved the mix of gritty street corners and sleek cafes, and the fortress views were brilliant. A very memorable stop on the EV6, and a city I’d happily return to with more time.

Conclusion

As you can see, EuroVelo 6 takes you through some fantastic cities. Besançon, Győr, Ingolstadt, Bratislava, and Linz, in particular, really took me by surprise, and added bursts of culture and history to my ride.

If you’re a city lover, EV6 is a dream. There’s no shortage of big-name destinations. If you’re more like me and prefer nature and small towns, you’ll still find plenty to enjoy, and the cities can be dipped into without committing to long stays.

Either way, the beauty of EV6 is that you get to decide how deep you want to dive into each place, and your bike makes it easy to roll in and out whenever you’ve had your fill.

More EuroVelo 6 reading 🚲

• EuroVelo 6 guide
• Check out my Cycle Touring Hub to see all my cycling content
• Cycling Passau to Vienna
• Cycling Vienna to Budapest
• Cycling through Serbia
• My complete guide to cycling in Europe

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