Dalmatian Coast Biking
From Split to Dubrovnik Via Croatia's Island Paradise
Stretching along the Adriatic Sea, Croatia's Dalmatian Coast is a mere 100 miles from Italy as the sea gull flies. Reclaiming its reputation as a premiere destination in the Mediterranean, Croatia is renowned for its warm waters, clusters of wooded islands and ancient sites steeped in history. The most intriguing stretch of coast - the sparkling waters between Dubrovnik and Split - is the setting for this unforgettable adventure that combines bikes and boats to bring you the best of the Dalmatian Coast.
- 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 Pucisca
Meet in Split, home to the famous Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace
Embark on a scenic cruise to the island of Brac, renowned since Greek times for its milky-white marble - used in the construction of the White House
Ride to the quiet seaside village of Milna for lunch and a swim
Before dinner, raise a toast with Croatian rakija (fruit brandy).
Days 2-3 Hvar Town
Start the day with a beautiful coastal ride
Boat to sunny Hvar, a chic Adriatic island where the average "sun fall" is 2,724 hours per year
Bike in a dramatic landscape of jagged limestone cliffs and undulating fields of rosemary and lavender
Stop for a swim at one of the island’s many quiet beaches
Round out the day with a sunset stroll along the Hvar Town harbor and a tasty local meal.
Day 4 Brna
Sail to the isle of Korcula and explore the walled medieval town, the island’s elegant centerpiece (and one of several reputed birthplaces of Marco Polo)
Pedal a hilly route around the island, lush with vineyards, olive groves and forests.
Days 5-6 Dubrovnik
Lovely ocean vistas and quaint villages highlight our morning route
Travel to Dubrovnik, the jewel of the Adriatic
Enjoy a walking tour of Dubrovnik's historic city wall, replete with turrets, towers and commanding vistas.
- 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.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Turkey Biking Spain Biking Portugal BikingOther Europe Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
Having taken 15 trips with Backroads now, I would say this trip overall ranks in our top three. A good balance of riding and other activities, and the boat time was wonderful. The Dalmatian coast combines old world charm with sunshine and water making for a near perfect mix.- Denver, CO More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. For biking tours in , trust our in-depth connections. 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
DALMATIAN CHARM: Premiere Inns*
Deskovic Palace Hotel
Pucisca (1 night) This Renaissance family palace has been transformed into a four-star hotel, decorated with exquisite antiques.
Hotel Adriana
Hvar Town (2 nights) This member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World - with views of the old city center, yacht harbor and bay - features stylish décor, a spa and a rooftop terrace with a pool, sky bar and lounge.
Hotel Feral
Brna (1 night) Located in a tranquil cove overlooking the sea and featuring an open-air pool.
* Casual Inn
Imperial Hilton
Dubrovnik (1 night) Enjoy exceptional service, spacious guest rooms and amenities, such as a fitness center and pool, at this hotel located within walking distance of Old Town.
Dalmatian Coast Biking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
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 |
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 3
2 Route Options Available
- 13, 32 miles
- 850 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 3 to 5
2 Route Options Available
- 20, 27 miles
- 1100 - 3050 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 5
4 Route Options Available
- 14,18, 26, 40 miles
- 300 - 4000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Level 3
1 Route Options Available
- 24 miles
- 2100 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Level 3
1 Route Option Available
- 29 miles
- 2300 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Walking tour of Dubrovnik
- Conclusion of Trip
Please note: The levels of difficulty shown for these routes take into account elevation gain.