Croatia – Cycling Tour of Coast & Islands

Upon your arrival in Split this morning, you will meet our representative for an orientation about the tour, receive your bikes, learn the most important sites to see, and receive dining suggestions. We will get your bike fitted to you over a welcome drink of local origin, of course! We will also go over the bike routes, various options available, and the ferry transfer schedules.

Free time in Split should be set aside for the Diocletian’s Palace, now recognized on UNESCO’s World heritage list. The locals have their homes molded in the old walls of the Palace and inside of it, you will find numerous cafes and restaurants serving fresh Mediterranean food! In front of the Palace, you may enjoy an evening walk along its beautiful waterfront promenade. Depending on your arrival and if time allows, you can enjoy an easy, car-free 20 km bike ride.

Note: Your tour orientation needs to be this morning or early in the afternoon. We recommend arriving a day in advance in order to best enjoy this first day of your tour!

Distance: 20 km/12 mi, +/-283m; 80 km/50 mi, +/-957m
Highlights: orientation, Diocletian’s Palace, biking
Overnight: Split

This morning you depart by ferry for the island of Brac. Brac is the biggest and highest of all central Dalmatian islands and will give you plenty of cycling tour choices: coastal roads, climbs up to 780 meters, coastal or inland villages and towns, art galleries, local restaurants, stone masons workshops or even a visit to the stone mason school. Whatever you choose, you will have gorgeous views and bike along olive groves and vineyards! Return to Split for the evening.

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 35 km/22 mi, +/-411m, or 80 km/50 mi, +/-597m
Highlights: Brac, mason school, olive groves and views
Overnight: Split

After the ferry ride from Split to Hvar, we suggest an easy morning bike tour around the UNESCO site of Stari Grad. Stari Grad (Old Town) is an ancient Greek colony dating back to 400 B.C. In addition to seeing historical sites, you will discover some very charming towns and roads, cycling alongside gardens, olive groves, or the magical coast. For the afternoon bike ride, take the famous and most beautiful road along the lavender fields to reach the town of Hvar.

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 20 km/12 mi, +/-437m; can add on 28 km/17 mi, +/-282m
Highlights: ferry ride, Stari Grad, historic town of Hvar
Overnight: Hvar

The hardest part about today is deciding what to do, as all of your options are simply wonderful! Do you want to head to the beach, have a short bike ride, or just chill in town in one of its many cafes, watching the world go by? You can also take a sail boat or sea kayak trip to some of the nearby islands, perhaps even a sunset sail, to discover some great places, followed by a delicious lunch and swim. Note: these are extra activities and are not included. You will find all of these options described to you in your road book, including recommendations for a delicious local dinner. On a self-guided bike tour, you are in charge! We give you choices and you can decide how to spend your day!

Meals: breakfast
Distance: optional rides – 16 km/10 mi, +/-280m or 21 km/13 mi, +/-499m
Highlights: beach, cycling, sea kayak, sailing or day at leisure
Overnight: Hvar

After the boat transfer, start your bike ride on island Korcula, which is about 46 kilometers to the town of Korcula. The island has long been populated, even before ancient Greek times, and you will see evidence of this on your ride! During historical times, it was chosen by the Venetians as a spot to build their important walled city on the northern shores of the island. Nowadays and because of this, we have the most magnificent walled Old Town of Korcula, preserved and nearly intact for centuries. This is where you will sleep for the next 2 nights. Enjoy the scenic south side of the island with amazing views on beautiful, hidden beaches and coves, and ride to the small villages and hamlets, stopping at some of the few great local konoba (taverns) for the most delicious locally prepared food!

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 46 km/29 mi,+/-698m or 55 km/34 mi, +/-854m
Highlights: Korcula cycling, historical Old Town, konoba, beaches & coves
Overnight: Korcula

As you stay for another day in Korcula, take this opportunity to explore the island! Its hidden coves, beautiful old towns, unique small villages and dark pine forests, will all surely delight. There are a few loop options to choose from today. Whatever you choose, you will be making your way past vineyards, olive groves and along the beautiful coast of the island. Taste the area’s traditional food, such as home made gnocchi, homemade macaroni, pasticada….and other meals which have been prepared traditionally by the locals for centuries. Some of the best Croatian white wines are produced on this island, which will add great flavour to your lunch or dinner. Did we mention that Marco Polo was born here and started his life’s biggest journey from Korcula? Cycling through Croatia truly is a cycling tour through history!

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 34 km/22 mi, +/-576m or 84 km/52 mi, +/-1356m
Highlights: exploration of Korcula, homemade delicacies and wines
Overnight: Korcula

For your final ride, you will be cruising along the Peljesac Peninsula. Ride along vineyards of Dingac and Postup, made from the Plavac Mali vines, which are a close cousin to Zinfandel of California and Primitivo from Calabria. There are many wineries which can be visited along the ride. Enjoy the beautiful views that Peljesac offers: Mljet and Korcula islands on your right and the mainland on your left. The ride today has a couple of hills, coastal riding and vineyards. It’s incredible!

Your final bike destination is Ston, from where you will be transferred to Dubrovnik. Ston, a salt producing village on Peljesac Peninsula, was built in the 14th century and has the longest fortified walls in Europe – 5.5 km. Ston was an important town of the Dubrovnik Republic, which was known to be the strongest and most prosperous in the 14th century.

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 57 km/35 mi, +/-912m
Highlights: vineyards, coastal riding & views, historic Stone & Dubrovnik
Overnight: Dubrovnik

Your tour ends today, after breakfast. We highly recommend extending your stay in Dubrovnik to explore the historical sites, along with the magnificent wall that surrounds the Old Town. Please let us know if you would like to do so as we are happy to make arrangements for you and share our best tips!

Meals: breakfast