EuroVelo 8 – Athens to Nice, Summer 2025

In the summer of 2025, we embarked on an unforgettable journey to explore Europe by bicycle. Over the course of two months, we cycled more than 4,000 kilometers along the stunning Mediterranean coastline, passing through eight different countries. This adventure was much more than just a trip—it was a life-changing experience filled with cycling, sightseeing, swimming, camping, cooking, and simply living on the road. Each day brought new surprises and breathtaking natural landscapes, historical sites, and the thrill of not knowing where we’d settle as the sun set. Our minds became filled with countless beautiful memories, shaping a truly mind-expanding journey. In this blog, we share the lessons we learned along the way to inspire and guide anyone interested in long-distance cycling, whether in Europe or beyond.

Contents

Route

EV8 is part of a vast long-distance cycling network that stretches across the European continent, comprising 19 routes that pass through stunning natural landscapes and historic sites. The EV8 route, in particular, runs along the Mediterranean Sea and spans 10 countries, offering a unique blend of coastal beauty and cultural richness. We chose to do this route during the summer, enjoying the warm days, pleasant nights, and inviting sea temperatures. To simplify our journey home, we decided to ride the route in reverse, making it easier to exit through France and Belgium.

• EuroVelo 8 web site and GPX routes
• Eurovelo 8 brochure
• Eurovelo 8 handbook
• Ev8 consists of 15 sub-sections below

• Official route – Gibraltar to Cyprus – 7300km
• Actual done – Athens to Nice (reverse) – 4000km with 25.000m elevation gain
• Countries passed: Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, France, Monaco
• Duration – 2 months
• Mileage – 60-100K per day (incl. sightseeing, swimming, siesta, cooking)
• Google Map with major towns and hundreds of sightseeing’s along the way

• Best Season – Apr-Jun, Sep-Nov (pleasant days, cold nights, cold sea)
• Actual done – Jul-Aug (hot mid day, pleasant nights, chill swim)
• Temperatures – 30-38C day, 15-25C night
• Ev8 route recorded on Suunto:

• EuroVelo routes are also mapped in Open Street Maps where you can additionally find thousands of other cycle routes
• Ev8 route details and sections in Open Street Maps

Photos

• You can find section-wise photos, videos on Instagram
• Here is a beautiful photo collage with visuals from along the entire route,

Cycling vs Hiking

There are a couple of interesting differences when comparing cycle routing with hiking:

• Reach – cyclists are constrained to regions accessible by (tar or gravel) roads where hikers can explore more remote and inaccessible regions
• Distance – at 100-150 km / day road cyclists can cover much larger areas vs hikers with a much smaller range
• Comfort – it’s easier to carry more luggage / weight on a cycle rack vs. on your shoulders while hiking.
• Gradient – cyclists are more sensitive to steepness vs hikers. Even a 10% slope increases effort significantly on wheels
• Climb – it’s more difficult to climb up 1000m on a cycle compared to hiking

Challenges

Cycling effort increases with (a combination) of below factors:

• Road gradient – cyclists are more sensitive to steeper sections vs hikers. A gradient from 10%+ quickly becomes difficult to peddle
• Road surface – cycling is fast on a smooth cycle lane or tar road while bad roads / gravel / mud sections make it much harder
• Elevation gain – climbing 1000m on a cycle a day can be effort intensive and slow
• Weather – cyclist is usually exposed to climate on open roads. Riding below an intense summer sun can be draining
• Wind – cycling in open plains with a strong headwind can be draining

Day-wise

During July and August, we cycled continuously without any rest days, covering an average of 60 to 100 kilometers per day. Our route totaled 4,000 kilometers over 52 cycling days, averaging about 76 kilometers per day. Below we include a day-wise breakdown of distance (blue) and elevation gain (black). July featured more intense climbing, particularly through the mountainous regions of Greece, Albania, Montenegro, and Croatia. In contrast, August offered a relatively easier ride with fewer climbs as we passed through Slovenia, Italy, and France. Along the way, we also took the time to explore several historical cities by bike.

• July 3 – Athens airport to homestay
• July 5 – start of ev8

• Aug 11-12 Venice visit
• Aug 20 – Milan visit
• Aug 27-28 Nice visit

View / download daily activities from Strava

Cycles – 23.8 kg

We used lightweight Surly steel bikes, ideal for long-distance touring thanks to their durability and comfort. The bikes were equipped with panniers and saddle bags to carry our minimalist touring luggage in a lightweight setup, detailed further below. To reduce rolling resistance—since most of our route was on tarmac with minimal gravel—we fitted the bikes with narrow tires. The gearing was sufficient to handle uphill climbs with ease, and although the bikes had no front suspension, the chromium steel frames helped absorb shocks for a smoother ride. For maintenance simplicity on the road, we used a combination of mechanical disc brakes and V-brakes. While the bikes followed a standard configuration, we made a few key upgrades to better suit long-distance touring, which are discussed in the following sections.

• Surly Karate Monkey trail bike S – 10.8 kg (Sneha)
  • Chromium steel frame
  • 700mm Velocity wheels
  • 700mm x 28mm front, 32mm back wheels (Schwalbe, Continental)
  • Narrow tires for less rolling resistance on roads
  • Shimano Deore XT 2 front x 10 rear shifters
  • Spyker TRP Mechanical discs
  • Wide flat handle bar, 5 inch raised
  • Brooks saddle
  • Topeak aluminum rack (625gr)

• Surly Cross Check commute bike L – 13kg (Peter)
  • Chromium steel frame
  • 700mm Alexrims
  • 700mm x 35c mm tires
  • Acolyte microshift 1 front x 8 rear gears
  • V-brakes
  • Wide fllat handle bar 5 inch raised
  • Btwin narrow saddle
  • Topeak aluminum rack (770gr)

Luggage – 21 kg (2 persons)

Our objective was to keep our packing lightweight, limiting it to just 10 kg per person by carrying only essential and must-have gear. Unlike hiking, where shoulder weight plays a major role, carrying weight on a bicycle has less impact—except during uphill climbs or on rough dirt tracks. Touring as a pair offered a clear advantage: we could share items like bike tools, cooking equipment, and camping gear, further reducing the individual load. Below is a breakdown of the packed weight across different luggage categories for both of us combined.

Cycle Gears – 3.4kg

Our gear setup included essential cycling accessories such as repair tools (1.4 kg), locks (0.7 kg), and helmets and bottles (1.3 kg). While the EV8 route passes through towns with regular access to bike repair shops, it’s still important to be self-sufficient for basic maintenance—especially for fixing punctures (we had only four in two months) and handling minor repairs or adjustments. Reliable bike lights were crucial, as we often cycled in the early mornings or late evenings to avoid the intense daytime heat in Greece, and we typically set up camp after dark. Sturdy locks were also essential for securing our bikes when visiting museums, supermarkets, or while camping. To keep the drivetrain running smoothly, we regularly applied dry lube to the chain. Finally, phone holders mounted on the handlebars were a must-have for navigation and quick access on the go

• Lights – front 150 lumens, back 15 lumens, reflectors (wheels, front, back)
• Locks – hard steel + wire lock 
• Btwin rockrider helmets 
• Bells + Triban phone holders
• Tools – pump, 3 spare tubes, 2 spare tires, puncture patches, glue, Allen key, size 14 spanner (fix peddles), extra break pads, disc pads, dry lube (chain)
• Important (long distance): comfortable saddle, gel seat or padded shorts
• 2 x Btwin 950m hard plastic bottle, 2 x aluminum bottles
• 2 x bottle holders per cycle

Clothing – 2.9kg

We carried a minimal set of clothing to keep both weight and volume to a minimum. To stay fresh, we washed our clothes weekly at self-service laundries found in tourist towns along the route. Our wardrobe mainly consisted of breathable dry-fit tees and shorts, ideal for the warm South European summers and the cool sea breeze. For protection against the harsh midday sun, we wore long sleeves, pants, and sunglasses. To keep our feet comfortable, we also packed minimalist sandals.

• Dry-fit – 2 shorts, 2 long sleeves (sun, breathable)
• Xero genesis minimalist sandals
• 3-4 undergarments
• 1 long pants (sun burn)
• 2 socks (sun burn)
• Cycle gloves (impact, sun)
• Sun glass, sun screen
• Swim suits
• Towel

Night stay – 3.2kg

Wild camping was quite easy along the route, as we found plenty of open land, parks, and beaches away from towns to set up camp. Given that rooms in Europe, especially in tourist towns, are expensive—ranging from 50 to 100 Euro per night—we preferred camping to save costs. We used a lightweight two-person pyramid tent weighing just 1 kg. When camping on hard surfaces about half the time, we had to rely on our bikes and guylines to pitch the tent, while on softer soil, regular tent pegs worked just fine. For bedding, we opted for light blankets instead of sleeping bags, which was comfortable during the warm summer nights and saved a lot of space. During the warmest nights, we sometimes used only the inner mesh—about 15% of the time—which was essential to protect against mosquitoes, especially in Italy. The outer sheet provided privacy, warmth, and wind protection. We encountered rain on only six out of 60 days. However, after extended periods of camping and cooking on the road, we realized that a more spacious, self-standing three-person bike-packing tent might have offered greater comfort.

• Tent/poles 1.5kg, Blanks/mats/pillows 1.5kg
• Lanshan 2P 3 season – inner mesh + outer fly – 1100 grams + ground sheet
• 2 hiking poles to pitch up pyramid tent 300gr
• 2 Quechua MT100 8mm mats 500gr
• 2 thin blankets
• 2 air pillows

Cooking – 4.5kg

At the start of our journey, we mostly relied on bakeries, fast food restaurants, and simple bread with toppings for meals. However, eating out in Europe quickly proved expensive, with fast food costing around 10 euros and restaurant meals about 20 euros. After two weeks, we decided to buy a butane stove to cook for ourselves, which was much more cost-effective. The Campingaz brand for gas cylinders was widely available along the route, and we regularly picked up new cylinders as needed. There were many Decathlon stores where we could also buy cooking utensils and gas refills. European supermarkets were conveniently located every 10 to 20 kilometers, offering a great variety of ready-to-cook items like cheese, meat, pasta sauces, burgers, schnitzels, and omelets. This frequent access allowed us to carry less food on our bikes, helping to reduce our overall load. We stopped to cook in parks, outskirts, below trees, near springs.

• Utensils 2kg, Gas 0.5kg, Food 2kg
• Campingaz stove + 350ml butane cylinder (widely available)
• Decathlon lightweight cooking pot, frying pan, plate, cutting board, utensils
• Wet wipes to clean sticky dishes (liquid is heavy)
• Cold storage – butter, cheese… wet t-shirt or insulative box

Hydration – 2 liters per head

Staying hydrated was crucial, especially during uphill cycling under the midday sun. At first, we bought 1.5-liter mineral water bottles from supermarkets, which cost between 0.30 and 1 euro. We suggest to instead buy 5L bubble tub to fill up 4 bottles on 2 cycles. Later, as we traveled through Italy and France, we found frequent public springs and taps approximately every 10 kilometers, making it easier to refill. To ensure we always had enough water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning dishes, we equipped each bike with at least two sturdy steel or hard plastic bottles.

• Greece, Albania, Croatia – water bottles
• Italy, France – springs
• 2 steel / Btwin hard plastic bottles per cycle
• Use sock around bottle to keep cool
• Water filter (not useful, never drank from rivers, lakes)

Electronics – 2.1kg

We primarily used our phones for navigation, taking photos and videos, and GPS tracking. To keep them charged, we plugged in twice daily while shopping at supermarkets, visiting museums, or eating at restaurants and McDonald’s. However, charging was often challenging especially in Italy due to the scarcity of power outlets and unhelpful locals. To avoid these difficulties and save time, it’s better to rely on a dynamo or a solar charging panel, allowing for greater independence while on the road.

• Electronics 0.9kg
• European socket adapter
• Phones (500gr) + chargers (500gr)
• iPad+case  0.7kg (blogging)
• GoPro (diving, not very useful) 
• Suunto 9 watch (GPS recording)
• Cycle lights (USB charging)
• 2 head torches (USB charging)

Sanitation – 1kg

We made it a point to take showers daily or every few days, often using public showers found along tourist beaches. After swimming in the sea, we would wash our hair to rinse off the salty water. For morning routines, we mostly used secluded spots along the route. Public toilets were available in malls, museums, and restaurants, though European toilets typically provide only toilet paper and no water for flushing. In Italy and France, public springs served multiple purposes, including drinking, showering, and cleaning dishes. To prevent skin irritation and acne caused by long hours sitting on the saddle in sweaty conditions, we also took special care of our skin.

• Small containers for shampoos, soap, etc
• Medicines – digestion, stomach pain, muscle related – crepe bandage, volini, pain killers, bump acne, etc
• Pantyliners, Intimate wash to maintain proper hygiene (limited under garments)
• Shampoo, soap, facewash, conditioner, serum, hair protection spray, oil, moisturiser.
• Nailcutter, comb, safety pin

Packing – 2.9kg

All of our luggage was packed into four 20-liter saddle bags carried on two bicycles using panniers. We used waterproof bags to keep our electronics, clothes, and blankets dry during rainy weather. To stay organized and ensure easy access, we carried several small 10-liter bags to separate items like clothing, camping gear, repair tools, food, and electronics. Heavier or less frequently used items such as camping gear, bike repair tools, toiletries, and clothes were stored in the lower bags, which we accessed about once a day. More regularly used items like food, electronics, sun protection, and cooking supplies were kept in the bags above for quick reach. Additionally, a small basket or handlebar bag held frequently needed items such as snacks, gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, a bandana, and socks.

• Saddle bags – Decathlon Btwin 2x20L – 1.4kg , Trek n Ride 2x25L-  1kg
• Anoijie 30L running pack – 0.5kg (small hikes, sightseeing, supermarkets)
• 2 water bottles in frame (hydration)
• Basket on front (snacks, water, fruits)
• Phone in holder on steering wheel
• Sleeping mats, tires on top
• Bungee cords to strap mats, tires, bags on top

Navigation – 0.5kg

We navigated primarily using GPX files downloaded from the official website, which were divided into 15 sub-sections. Navigation was also possible by using offline OpenStreetMap (OSM) maps that highlighted cycle routes. Although both methods matched about 90% of the time, there were occasional deviations along the way. We didn’t follow a fixed daily schedule or set night stops; instead, we focused on enjoying the ride—taking photos, swimming in the sea, sightseeing in historic towns and villages, visiting museums, and cooking our own meals. Each day, it was helpful to check upcoming climbs, route gradients, nearby supermarkets, sightseeing spots, and water springs. To conserve phone battery, we used GPS tracking on our watches and recommend investing in a dedicated Garmin bike computer for its longer battery life and to minimize phone usage.

• iPhone 15, OnePlus 10T – 500gr
• Offline navigation via Open Street Maps (OSMAnd app)
• Download country / provinces base maps
• Ev8 route shown inside OSM (highlight cycle routes)
• Download section wise GPXs from official ev8 web site (easier to generate stats)
• Download hill shades, contours (elevation gain)
• Daily plan target – distance and total gain (60-100km, 500-1500m gain)
• GPS record route on watch (phone is battery drain)
• Fix phone holder on steering wheel for easy navigation
• Few ev8 sign boards along the route (except in Slovenia)
• Overlay supermarkets and “drinking water” (public springs) in OSM

Route

The route was mostly paved with tar roads, with only a few gravel sections, so hybrid tires worked well for the journey. It featured a mix of peaceful stretches and busier highways, especially in tourist-heavy areas. Whenever possible, the EV8 route tries to avoid busy highways, although this often means tackling more climbs. The initial sections included a good amount of climbing, while the terrain was mostly flat through Italy and France. Since bicycles are not allowed in tunnels, we sometimes had to climb steep passes instead. On a few occasions, we hitchhiked rides in cars with empty cycle racks to pass through tunnels more easily.

• Road surface – tar road (90%) vs gravel (10%)
• Peaceful roads (85%) vs highways (15%)
• Separate cycle lanes (10%)
• Elevation – flat and gradual inclines (95%) vs. steep sections (5%)
• Passes – significant climbs where steeper mountains block passage near coast

Travel

To carry our bicycles on flights, we packed them into cardboard boxes provided by a cycle shop. This involved partially disassembling the bikes by removing the front wheel, pedals, and handlebars. Although the combined weight of the bike and box was under 20 kg, we still had to pay extra for oversized luggage. Upon arrival, we simply unpacked the bikes at the airport and were ready to start cycling immediately, making the process quite convenient.

• Cycle packing – hard carton box 5kg
• Start – Chennai, India
• Flight – Chennai to Athens (intl. Tourist destinations cheaper flights)
• Airline – Air Arabia – 220 Euros with check-in 30kg
• Cycles – oversized luggage – 35 Euros
• Airport – transport 2 cycle boxes with Uber van
• VISA – Schengen 1 year multi entry, 90 days limit per stay (150 Euros incl travel insurance, VFS fees)
• Cycle check-in – separate checking, x-ray, fragile sticker

Network

Although it’s possible to navigate entirely offline using OpenStreetMap (OSM), having a network connection is helpful for checking sightseeing spots, supermarkets, and staying in touch with people back home via Google Maps. To conserve battery, our phones were in flight mode about 90% of the time. In Greece, we mostly relied on public Wi-Fi near monuments, restaurants, supermarkets, stations, and malls without using a SIM card. Over the course of the trip, we managed eight countries using four different SIM cards purchased in Greece, Croatia, Italy, and France. Typically, a SIM with around 200GB of data costs about 10 euros. Since roaming data tends to be limited, it’s better to buy a new SIM card in each country where you plan to cycle for an extended period.

• SIM – valid within EU, separate for non-EU (Albania, Montenegro)
• 10 Euro for new SIM + 200Gb data (valid: 20Gb in other EU countries)
• 1 SIM in Greece, 1 SIM in Croatia, 1 SIM Italy (identity verification)
• SMS / OTP received when connected to Wifi (financial transactions)

Financial

We spent about 600 euros per person each month, which breaks down to roughly 20 euros a day. Nearly all our payments—about 95%—were made using contactless debit cards, so we recommend getting an international card to avoid foreign exchange fees. However, we also carried or withdrew around 200 euros in cash as a backup for places that didn’t accept cards. In non-EU countries like Albania, we exchanged euros or withdrew local currency to ensure we had the right cash on hand.

• Carry international credit / debit card
• Forex charges 2%+
• We used European card (no forex charge)
• Withdraw 200 Euros cash as backup (5%)
• Withdraw Euros from ATM (5 Euro fee per withdrawal)
• Albania – no Euros accepted, withdraw 150 Euros equivalent
• Montenegro – non EU but accepts Euros
• Expense – 1200 Euro / month for 2 people (mostly groceries, restaurants)
• Additional – 300 Euro / month for 2 people (monuments, museums)
• Wireless payments apps in many countries, some Gpay (not compatible with India)

Transport

Most of the EV8 route is completed by cycling, with a few exceptions. To connect certain sections, we took ferries across the sea in places like Greece, Corfu, and Venice. For the Alps, we used a train from Cuneo in Italy to Menton in France. Since bicycles aren’t allowed in some tunnels, we sometimes hitched rides in cars equipped with cycle racks to bypass steep passes. It’s also possible to transport bicycles on trains in Italy and France, and some Flixbus routes offer cycle racks, though availability varies by route and season. While flying with bikes and saddle bags in Europe is possible, it tends to be expensive. For part of our journey, we carried our bikes from Nice to Paris by train, packing them in soft bags for the trip.

Daily Routine

In Europe, the long summer days stretch from around 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., allowing plenty of daylight for cycling. We made sure to wake up early to take advantage of the cooler morning hours for riding. To escape the midday heat, we often took power naps, cooked meals, or went for a swim. Evenings were spent cycling again, followed by pitching our tent discreetly after dark. Throughout the day, we always checked the distance to the next town or supermarket to plan our food supplies accordingly.

• Wake up early (6-7am)
• Pleasant morning, gets sunny  late morning
• Siesta during hot days (12-3pm) more in Greece/Albania, less in Italy/France
• Evening ride (cycle light)
• Summer sunset (8-9:30pm),
• Camp discretely after dusk (10pm)
• Food planning – check distance to next supermarket (usually 10-20km, no need to carry much ration)
• Pick up food in supermarket and drive out to parks, country side to cook
• Plan hydration – check distance to next spring, supermarket (usually 5-15km, carry 1.5L)

Countries

• Countries: Greece, Montenegro, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, France, Monaco
• Balkans / non-EU: Montenegro, Albania
• VISA – Schengen covers all
• Border checkers at Montenegro, Albania, Croatia

Hosting

We always camped throughout the entire route since we didn’t have a fixed schedule. Hotels in Europe tend to be expensive, and campsites along the Mediterranean can also be quite costly. If you’re able to plan your night stops a few days ahead, you can try to find hosts along the way. Couchsurfing offers a worldwide network of free hosts for travelers, while Warm Showers is a popular global community where cyclists host fellow cyclists, especially in Western Europe. Warm Showers requires an annual subscription of about 10 euros. During our trip, we stayed with several Warm Showers hosts in Belgium, which was a wonderful way to meet other long-distance cycling enthusiasts. One memorable encounter was with a host couple who had cycled for six months with their two-year-old child, and the mother was seven months pregnant!

Further Improvements

For further improvements, we recommend adopting a lightweight bike packing setup by avoiding large saddle bags and instead using smaller bags mounted in the frame, on the handlebars, and below the seat. To maintain energy independence, consider using a solar panel or dynamo for charging your devices. For GPS tracking, a dedicated bike computer is ideal to minimize phone battery drain. Choosing handlebars that offer different arm and back positions can reduce strain, and lowering the steering height to avoid more impact on your back while in an upright position. Narrower handlebars also help reduce elbow strain. Upgrading to a more comfortable saddle and adding fork bottle holders to carry up to four bottles per bike can enhance comfort and hydration. For those interested in bike packing, there’s an excellent website available to help you get started and plan your setup effectively.

Route Sections

Blog in progress…

• Part 1 – Athens to Patras 214 km (Greece)
• Part 2 – Patras to Igoumenitsa 350 km (Greece)
• Part 2b (Optional) – Corfu 200 km (Greece)
• Part 3 – Igoumenitsa to Durres 339 km (Greece, Albania)
• Part 4 – Durres to Dubrovnik 442 km (Albania, Montenegro, Croatia)
• Part 5 – Dubrovnik to Zadar 451km (Croatia)
• Part 6  – Zadar to Rijeka 350 km (Croatia)
• Part 7 – Rijeka to Venice 590 km (Croatia, Slovenia, Italy)
• Part 8 – Venice to Turin 696 km (Italy)
• Part 9 – Turin to Nice 260 km (Italy, France)