Dalmatian Coast Biking
Biking From Split to Dubrovnik Via Croatia's Island Paradise
245 days of sunshine a year. Sapphire waters. Fresh squid. White-washed limestone villages. Ride in the morning, taking in the views of the Adriatic on the islands of Hvar, Brac and Korcula, then be a part of the view as you boat between islands. And end the day with a swim. Everyone should experience this. It's as relaxing as the Caribbean, as historic as Venice. Nowhere near as crowded as the French Riviera. People have traveled to here for more than 140 years. And yet it still feels like, as the Croatians say, "The Mediterranean as it once was."
- Explore the reborn Dalmatian Coast by bike, with breathtaking sapphire sea views
- Island-hop along the sun-drenched Adriatic and swim in hidden coves
- Dubrovnik, an architectural masterpiece with turrets, spires and tiled roofs
- Gain insight into Croatia's fascinating history and culture
- The freshest seafood and local cuisine
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Explore the dazzling Dalmatian Coast by bike
Our first stop is Brac island, renowned since Greek times for its white marble
Pedal past picturesque stone walls shaded by cypress and orange trees to the seaside village of Milna
Croatian rakija (fruit brandy) whets your palate tonight.
Day 2 Island-hop on the sun-drenched Adriatic and swim in sapphire coves
After a beautiful coastal spin, head to Hvar, a chic isle where average "sun fall" is 2,724 hours per year.
Day 3 The freshest seafood and local cuisine
Bike amid jagged limestone cliffs and undulating rosemary and lavender fields
Ready to cool off? Take the plunge in refreshing waters off quiet beaches
The Hvar Town harbor sets off brilliant sunsets.
Day 4 Gain insight into Croatia's history and culture
On the former Venetian settlement of Korcula, explore the elegant walled medieval town (a reputed birthplace of Marco Polo)
A hilly route leads you around the island, lush with vineyards, olive groves and forests.
Days 5-6 Dubrovnik, an architectural masterpiece with turrets, spires and tiled roofs - take it in during a walking tour atop the magnificent city walls of this World Heritage site
Savor lovely ocean vistas and quaint villages on our last ride.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
The Croatia trip was wonderful! We loved the scenery. The poppy flowers and olive trees made for dramatic scenery over the cliffs with the panoramic views over the Adriatic. It was the most breathtaking scenery I have ever witnessed. It was so nice to be on a vacation where you do not have to worry about travel arrangements or timing. You could never pull something like this off by yourself. Backroads really shined in this trip.- Charlotte, NC More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. To see all our biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
Dalmatian Coast Biking
Premiere Inns*
Deskovic Palace Hotel
Pucisca (1 night) Set on the waterfront, a welcoming Renaissance family palace dating to 1497.
Hotel Adriana
Hvar Town (2 nights) This stylish property offers a great view of the old town and yacht harbor and "a blissful rooftop terrace," according to the Hideaway Report. (pool, spa)
Hotel Feral
Brna (1 night) Located in a tranquil cove overlooking the sea. (pool)
* Casual Inn
Imperial Hilton
Dubrovnik (1 night) With plentiful amenities and views of the Adriatic, the hotel is a one-minute walk to the old town. (pool)
Dalmatian Coast Biking
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 3
2 Route Options Available
- 13, 36 miles
- 980 - 2500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 4
2 Route Options Available
- 18, 31 miles
- 1300 - 3500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 5
3 Route Options Available
- 21, 26, 38 miles
- 430 - 2730 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 4
2 Route Options Available
- 26, 31 miles
- 1700 - 2990 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Level 2
1 Route Option Available
- 20 miles
- 1070 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Guided Walk 45 minutes
Please note: The levels of difficulty shown for these routes take into account elevation gain.