The 6 best Bike Tours in London

Touring a big city by bike is a truly unique experience. Depending on the tour you choose, you can cycle through the centre of London, past key royal landmarks (such as Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey), along the River Thames, or perhaps you're interested in discovering the best of London's street art. Whichever option you choose, you're sure to have a great time.

You'll see that there are so many things to see and do in London, so there's nothing better than touring the city on two wheels, at your own pace and with a specialised guide who will tell you absolutely everything you need to know about this fascinating city. Are you ready? Here we go!

London is a magnificent city, full of history and charm, which makes it ideal for cycling. On this type of guided tour in English you will get to know some of the most relevant points of interest of the English capital, such as Westminster Abbey, the English Parliament and Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Covent Garden and its street artists, St. Paul's Cathedral and Trafalgar Square, among others.

This tour is one of the top 10 tours and excursions in London, as it is really comprehensive and gives you a general idea of the different places of interest and their location. You'll also get some exercise while you see the highlights of this amazing city.

You'll even get to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, a real spectacle not to be missed. In their traditional black and red uniforms, the Queen's guards perform some traditional and not so traditional songs. For approximately 45 minutes you can enjoy this show which takes place at the main entrance of Buckingham Palace.

Interesting details

• Price: from €44
• Duration: approximately 3 hours 30 minutes
• Means of transport: Bicycle
• Advantages of this option: It is ideal to get an idea of each attraction, where it is and what it is about, plus you get a bit of exercise, and the guide speaks English
• Disadvantages of this option: Not at all recommended for people who don't like exercise

If art is your thing and you choose this option, you'll see the highlights of East London. Guided by an art expert, you'll cycle through the works of artists such as the incredible Banksy, Space Invader, ROA, Shepherd Fairey and many more.

You'll visit the areas that have become synonymous with street art. Cycle through London neighbourhood by neighbourhood, and enjoy places like Hackney, Brick Lane, Shoreditch or Hoxton, where it seems like every wall is a canvas, and everything is dressed in colour with the talent and imagination of these incredible artists.

You'll be guided by a London street artist, an active part of London's street art movement, so you'll get to hear a few stories that will leave you spellbound. Some of these tours provide some cans of spray paint so you can experience for yourself what it's like to create a work of art.

Definitely a must for art lovers.

Interesting details

• Price: from 35 €
• Duration: 2 hours
• Means of transport: Bicycle
• Advantages of this option: You will be able to see the best of London's street art from the hand of an artist on board your bike
• Disadvantages of this option: The guide only speaks English.

Enjoy one of the most incredible views of London. On the banks of the Thames you will enjoy some of the city's most traditional and famous landmarks. From the legendary Globe Theatre, where William Shakespeare performed his plays, London Bridge, the imposing London Eye and the English Parliament, among others, the banks of the Thames have been silent witnesses of English culture and history throughout the centuries.

On this 4-hour guided tour you will discover some of the places you've always wanted to visit on your bike. Your guide will tell you stories and legends about the different corners of the city, before stopping at one of London's oldest and largest markets: Borough Market. There you can enjoy the most typical London aromas and flavours, while you rest your legs after all that cycling.

You'll see that this tour has it all, you'll even get to cycle across London Bridge! A unique experience.

Details of interest

• Price: from 39 €
• Duration: 4 hours approximately
• Means of transport: Bicycle
• Advantages of this option: You will be able to visit the most interesting places located on the banks of the Thames, you will have an expert guide
• Disadvantages of this option: Not suitable for people in poor physical condition, due to the length of the tour. Guide only in English

England is one of the few countries that still maintains a monarch, in this case Queen Elizabeth. If royalty has always captivated you, this tour will take you to all those places traditionally linked to royalty. From Buckingham Palace and the Royal Gardens, to Westminster Abbey, to the classic and photographable Clock Tower, home of the famous Big Ben.

Your expert guide will tell you stories about the kings, queens, princes and princesses who toured these incredible spaces. Riding your comfortable bike, you'll be able to move at your own pace and with ease around all the nooks and crannies of the English capital. And you're sure to pass by London's top 10 landmarks.

Live this incredible experience through the secrets of the royal house, the Sussex, the Windsors and the Mountbattens and all their history of love and hate that has conquered a multitude of fans and historians.

The tour concludes with one of the must-do's of any tour of London: a visit to a traditional pub for an ice-cold tankard of beer. A toast to the cry of God save the Queen!

Interesting details

• Price: from 32 €
• Duration: 4 hours approximately
• Means of transport: Bicycle
• Advantages of this option: you will learn in detail everything about the royals, while you get some exercise
• Disadvantages of this option: the guide only speaks English. Not suitable for people in poor physical condition.

Located about 10 miles from central London, Richmond Park is a dream location. It is hard to believe that at such a short distance from the megacity that is London there is a place like Richmond Park, where deer still live.

Atraditional hunting ground for royalty in the 16th century, Richmond Park is now a place to enjoy nature and enjoy a bike ride or a picnic on the lawn. If you're lucky enough to get a sunny day in the misty English capital, don't hesitate, book your place on this tour and enjoy a unique place.

Your expert guide will tell you stories about royalty and you'll be able to visit the remains of Henry VII's Palace, as well as other select sites within this wonderful place. Have lunch in a traditional pub by the Thames, while you see part of the city of London in the distance. A very interesting tour to take you back in time.

Interesting details

• Price: from 109 €
• Duration: 4 hours approximately
• Means of transport: Bicycle
• Advantages of this option: you will learn in detail all about royalty and the history of this traditional hunting ground, while you get some exercise
• Disadvantages of this option: the guide only speaks English. Not suitable for people in poor physical condition.

Another great idea is to rent a bike and cycle through London's top 10 parks, among other things.

Visit the incredible Hyde Park, one of the most beautiful parks in the city, full of detail and home to Kensington Gardens. Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, two places full of charm. And don't miss Victoria's Park, with its large lake. These are all must-see places in the English capital. London is famous, among other things, for its incredible parks. They are ideal for hours of cycling, as most of them have several trails and special routes for bicycles.

There are many places to rent bikes for the day in London, you can search online according to your budget and the type of bike you want. Many places even rent tandem bikes if you are travelling with children over 10 years old, and bikes with special seats if you are travelling with very young children.

Cycling around a city is one of the best ways to get in touch with the rhythm of the city and its people. You will have experiences that will stay in your memory forever. Take my advice, you won't regret it. Whether on a guided tour or on your own, getting around London on two wheels is unbeatable.

As you can see, there are many options for bike tours and excursions in the city of London, the best thing to do is to book them online, it's the easiest way and you can also read the comments of other users who have booked the tour before you. As this type of bike tour is very popular with travellers, I recommend that you book in advance to guarantee a place. Most of these tours have free cancellation, so you don't have to worry if the weather is not the best.

As I have detailed in each one, most of them are around 3 or 4 hours, as this is the time you need to be able to see some of the sights of the English capital, if it were less time you would have a lot of places left to visit. That's why you need to be in good physical condition, as the tours have set itineraries that require you to follow.

In principle, on this type of tour you will cycle a lot, I can guarantee you that. But above all, you'll be visiting the most striking sights of the English capital. Then, depending on the tour you choose, you'll see the royal highlights, the places where the street art movement flourishes, the most famous places along the banks of the River Thames, or Richmond Park. As you can see, there are tours to suit all tastes, you just need to take the time to see which one suits you best.

• First of all, don't forget to pack some refreshments in your backpack, as well as a bottle of water. Bear in mind that you will be cycling for several hours, and although it is not continuous, you may get tired at times.
• Take a light coat or poncho for the rain, don't forget that London is a city that has earned its reputation for being rainy, grey and cloudy, although when the sun comes out I can assure you it's a delight.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, beyond looking good for Instagram photos, you should be comfortable and move freely.
• One more thing, bear in mind that in England cars drive on the left, so you'll have to be very attentive at crossroads. Fortunately, the city has many cycle paths, so you can move within them at your leisure.

There are options to suit all budgets, from a few hours to a half-day tour. They generally range from €32 to €109.

It's a great way to get to know the city, as you can cycle into small places where a bus won't fit, plus the tour has a much more agile and dynamic pace, ideal for young people (or those with a young spirit). I guarantee that riding your bike you will get to know another city very different from the one you can get to know on a traditional tour.

A question I'm always asked, and I never get tired of answering. A guided tour is the perfect way to get to know a city in depth. Who better than a specialist to tell us all about the place we are visiting. Whether it's a street art tour, a royalty tour, a tour of the banks of the Thames, a tour of Richmond Park or a tour of the city centre, you'll find the best guides who will immerse you in the details that no one else can tell you.

Doing a tour on your own has the charm of the explorer, sure, we've all done it, but then you realise you missed out on seeing or learning about an amazing place because you didn't know it was there. Guided tours and excursions are always the best option, and sometimes they are even very interesting for locals, who end up discovering details of their own city that they didn't know about.