Croatia Self Guided Biking, 8 days

Tour Dates: April through October

Choose any start date!

We offer 2 variations of our Croatia Self Guided Bike Tours of the Dalmatian Coast. Both Croatia Self Guided Bike Tours feature the most beautiful areas along the Croatian coast with quiet roads, ancient villages, lavender fields and UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Please check out our 5 Day Croatia Self Guided Bike Tour here: SPLIT BASED TOUR – 5 DAYS

If you are looking for an 8 day glimpse of Croatia, the Dalmatian Coast cycling tour from from Split to Dubrovnik is for you! Spend evenings in Split, Hvar, Korcula and Dubrovnik, and enjoy this curated cycling and island hopping combination complete with private boats and local ferries. During this cycling tour you will visit Croatia’s most beautiful towns: Split and Dubrovnik, and enjoy challenging bike routes on four different Dalmatian islands and the Peljesac peninsula.

From Split – a city founded by Roman Emperor Diocletian, dating back to 300 A.C., you start your bike tour along the Croatian coast! Visit island Brač, famous for its precious limestone, which was used to build Diocletian’s Palace in Split and the White House in Washington DC. Discover stone quarries and stone masons, local art galleries, traditional villages and wine cellars. Pedal along the rural and quiet roads of island Šolta. On this island you will step back in time, as there are no big hotels, no modern buildings… just traditional life…

Continue to cycle on Island Hvar, along ancient villages and coastal roads, UNESCO world heritage site of Stari Grad and bike along lavender fields before finishing the ride in Hvar town. Cycle along the back roads of Korčula island and taste great homemade food, with Grk and Postup wine on a side. Treat yourself with oysters and great risotto in Ston, on Peljesac peninsula and visit ancient salt works and longest fortified walls in Europe before finishing the cycling holiday in Dubrovnik – the pearl of Adriatic!

Tour Difficulty

The Dalmatian islands are known for their hills. On days with loop rides you can choose your daily distance. Each day you have the option to cycle up to 80 km with climbs of up to 700m.

  • Difficulty: Very Hilly
  • Road Conditions: Smooth & Paved
  • Recommended Bike: Hybrid, Electric or Road

Tour Highlights

  • Scenic Coastal Riding
  • Discover Greek, Roman, Venetian and Croatian culture
  • Taste great olive oil and wine
  • Enjoy the healthiest cuisine in the world – Mediterranean!
  • Cycle on 4 different islands!

Split to Dubrovnik- 8 days

2024 Prices:

April 1-28:
3 & 4 star hotels: €2,660 Euros pp/double occupancy, 4 star hotel: €3,190 Euros pp/double occupancy

April 29 – May 28:
3 & 4 star hotels: €3,020 Euros pp/double occupancy, 4 star hotels: €3,500 Euros pp/double occupancy

May 29 – June 28:
3 & 4 star hotels: €3,200 Euros pp/double occupancy, 4 star hotels: €3,790 Euros pp/double occupancy

June 29 – Aug 31:
3 & 4 star hotels: €3,410 Euros pp/double occupancy, 4 star hotels: €4,170 Euros pp/double occupancy

Sept 1-30:
3 & 4 star hotels: €3,280 Euros pp/double occupancy, 4 star hotels: €3,980 Euros pp/double occupancy

Oct 1 – 31:
3 & 4 star hotels: €2,820 Euros pp/double occupancy, 4 star hotels: €3,440 Euros pp/double occupancy

Ask us for single supplement prices, and / or solo traveler supplement.

The price includes: – 7-day accommodation (bed & breakfast in 2 bedded rooms) in Split (3 nights), Hvar (1 night), Korčula (2 nights) and Dubrovnik (1 night) – 7-day bike rental (road, hybrid or tandem bike) + lock, pump, spare tube, helmet and patch kit, rear rack bag – Our assistance which consists of bike fitting, detailed briefing with description of places you will visit en route, lunch options, marked map with options for shorter or longer routes – All ferry tickets and private boat transfers – Luggage transfers – GPS navigation for your mobile phone

The price does not include: – Travel insurance

Airport transfers (60,00 € for up to 3 pax; 70,00 € for 4-7 pax) – Shuttles during the riding time

– Lunches and dinners

Tips or any kind of gratitude

– E- bike supplement (180,00 €)

Itinerary: Split to Dubrovnik- 8 days

Day 1 – Split

Upon your arrival in Split you will meet our representative and get familiar with the area; most important sites and dining areas, get your bike fitted and get explanation of all the bike routes and options.

The most important site of Split is Diocletian’s Palace, now recognized on UNESCO’s World heritage list. The locals have their real 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 might enjoy evening walk, along its beautiful waterfront promenade.

Depending on your arrival, you can enjoy easy, car- free 20 km bike ride or take an 80 km loop into the interior of the land.

  • Distance biked: 0 – 20 km test ride, extra ride 80 km
  • Overnight: Hotel in Split
  • Highlights: Split, Diocletian’s Palace, coastal roads of Marjan hill

Day 2 – Island Šolta

After the morning cafe at Split’s waterfront take 1 hour ferry ride to Solta, your first Dalmatian island. Discover and bike the island of Solta. The biking is done mostly along narrow back roads of small rural villages in the interior of the island and with the visit of couple or more coastal villages. Ride along olive groves and vineyards. Optional visits to honey production site. Spend the evening in Split again tonight.

  • Distance biked: 0-40 km
  • Overnight: Hotel in Split
  • Highlights: Quiet and picturesque roads of island Solta, olive groves, Split

Day 3 – Island Brač

Today you depart for island Brac, the biggest and highest of all central Dalmatian islands which will give you plenty of riding choices. Coastal roads, climbs to 780 meters, coastal or inland villages and towns, art galleries, local restaurants, stone masons workshops or even visit to the stone mason school…. Whatever you choose you will have great views on the mainland and ride along olive groves and vineyards!

  • Distance biked: 35 km – Short option: 28 km – Long Option: 80 km
    Overnight: Hotel in Split
  • Highlights: Island Brac, coastal ride and towns, ancient inland villages, stone sculptures, art galleries, restaurants

Day 4 – Island Hvar

After the ferry ride from Split to Hvar, for the morning ride we suggest easy ride around the UNESCO site of Stari Grad. Stari Grad (Old town) is an ancient Greek colony dating back to 400 B.C. Besides historical sites you will discover quite charming towns and roads where you will be biking, passing next to gardens, along the coast and olive groves. For the afternoon bike ride, take the famous and probably most beautiful road along the lavender fields to reach town Hvar.

  • Distance biked: 45 km – Short option: 20 km
  • Overnight: Hotel in Hvar town
  • Highlights: Jelsa, Vrboska and many small villages, Stari Grad, UNESCO site of Stari Grad plain, museums, beaches, lavender fields, Hvar town

Day 5 – Island Korčula

After the boat transfer, start with your bike ride on island Korcula, about 46 kilometers to the town of Korcula. Island was very early populated; even before Greek times and evidences can bee see on you ride! During the history it was chosen by Venetians as a spot to build their important walled city on the northern shores of the island. Therefore, nowadays, thanks to that, we have most magnificent walled Korcula old town still preserved and almost intact for centuries where you sleep for next 2 nights. Enjoy the scenic south side of the island, with amazing views on beautiful hidden beaches and coves, ride along the small villages and hamlets and stop in some of the few great local konoba (tavern) for most amazing locally prepared food!

  • Distance biked: 46 km – Long option: 55 km
  • Overnight: Hotel in Korcula town
  • Highlights: private boat ride, Korcula town, island Korcula, coastal ride, charming little villages, vineyards, local restaurants

Day 6 – Loop ride Korčula

As you stay for another day in Korcula take a chance to explore the island of Korcula; its hidden coves, beautiful old towns, unique small villages and dark pine forests that cover the island. There are few loop options today. Whatever you choose, you will be making your way past vineyards, olive groves and along beautiful coast of the island. Taste the traditional food; like home made gnocchi, homemade macaroni, pasticada….and other meals which have been traditionally prepared by the locals for centuries…. Some of the best Croatian white wines are produced on this island, which will just add flavor to your lunch or dinner. Did we mention Marco Polo was born here, and has started his life journey from Korcula?

  • Distance biked: 36 km – Short option: 24 km – Long option: 85 km
  • Overnight: Hotel in Korcula town
  • Highlights: Korcula town, island Korcula, coastal ride, charming little villages, vineyards, local restaurants

Day 7 – Pelješac peninsula and Dubrovnik

Today, you have a couple of options.

Option 1: This bike route has about 3,000 feet of climbing and the first 6.5 miles is on a main road with traffic. In the first 6.5 miles, you will climb 1,400 ft.

Option 2: If you are not accustomed to riding in traffic, you might consider this option where you take a high speed Catamaran from Korcula to Dubrovnik. In this case, you will arrive in Dubrovnik in time to spend the day touring Dubrovnik.

Option 1: Bike ride description

Today, for your final ride, you will cruise along the Pelješac peninsula and ride along the vineyards of Dingač and Postup, made from the Plavac Mali vines, the close cousin to Zinfandel of California and Primitivo from Calabria. There are many wineries you can visit along the ride. Enjoy the great views Pelješac offers, the islands Mljet and Korčula on your right and the mainland on your left. The ride today has a couple of hills, coastal rides, vineyards… Your final bike destination is Ston, from where you will be transferred to Dubrovnik. Ston, the salt producing village on the Pelješac peninsula was built in the 14th century and has the longest fortified walls in Europe – 5.5 km. Ston was an important town for the Dubrovnik Republic, which was the strongest and most prosperous in the 14th century.

  • Distance biked: 32 km – Short option: 14 km – Long option: 60 km
  • Overnight: Hotel in Dubrovnik
  • Highlights: Peninsula Peljesac, Ston and Dubrovnik

Day 8 – Tour End

Today after breakfast the tour ends. You might want to extend your stay in Dubrovnik and explore the historical sites along with magnificent wall that surrounds the old town!

Start and End of Bike Tour

This tour can start any day during the whole year.

It starts in Split town, which has international airport 25 km away from the very centre. We highly suggest spring (end of March till mid June) and fall (mid September till beginning of November) for serious biking (daily distance of 50 km or more). If biking is not the only reason for choosing this tour, the swimming season usually starts late in May and can last till middle of October. Even in the highest tourist months of July and August, you will be able to find your own little private beach on the islands you will be visiting.
The tour ends in Dubrovnik. International airport is 25 km away. Please note that Split or Dubrovnik airport shuttles/transfers are available at extra cost

The price includes: 7 nights accommodation (bed & breakfast in 2 bedded rooms) in Split (3 nights), Hvar (1 night), Korcula (2 nights) and Dubrovnik (1 night), 7 day bike rental (road, hybrid or tandem bike and e bikes available for extra cost) + lock, pump, spare tube, helmet and patch kit, rear rack bag, our assistance which consists of bike fitting, detailed briefing with description of places you will be visiting en route, lunch options, marked map with options for shorter or longer route, all the ferry tickets and private boat transfers, luggage transfers.

The price does not include: Travel insurance, shuttles during the riding time, lunches and dinners, tips or any kind of gratuity, Electric Bike Rental Supplement: €140 per person

Rating: Medium to high. The Dalmatian islands are known for its hills. Each day, if you are doing loops longer than 30 km you will have a climb over approximately 400 meters.

From 7 riding days, first 3 days and the second day on Korcula are loop ones, and you can chose your daily distance, from 0 to 45 or more kilometers daily.

The other 3 days you can expect rides from 20-60 km and climbs over 450 meters.

Daily distances: 0 – 80 km per day

Total distance biked: 130-700 km in 8 days