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.
Trip Planning Links
- 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.
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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 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Croatia Dalmatian Coast tour experts. For biking tours in Europe At Large, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Europe At Large biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe At Large walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe At Large 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 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.