Cycling Croatia Split to Dubrovnik: Island Hopping the Dalmatian Coast

Our tour begins in the historic city of Split in southern Croatia. Split is the second largest city in Croatia after Zagreb and is well connected by air and sea to major European destinations. We meet at our hotel for introductions and bike fitting. We then head out for a short bike ride along Split’s beautiful Adriatic coast, climbing to the top of the 178m high Marjan hill. The hill is a landmark of the city and is covered in dense pine forests. From its top, it offers breathtaking views of the Adriatic sea on the one hand and the city of Split on the other hand.

With the day’s biking done, we head out on a guided tour of the city. Founded more than 2000 years ago as a Greek colony, Split’s city center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The highlight of the day is a visit to the 1700-year-old Diocletian’s Palace. Built in the 4th century CE by the Roman emperor Diocletian, the palace was a small fortress that housed an entire military garrison. It is recognized today as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Today we hop onto a ferry and sail across to the island of Brač. The landscape is stunning, yet the undulating roads will present a substantial test for all. Our journey begins in Supetar, hugging the coastline as we pass Sutivan. We then ascend through picturesque landscapes and the charming villages of Ložišća and Nerežišća, eventually reaching Škrip – the island's oldest settlement. Škrip is renowned for being the stone source utilized at the stonecutter school in Pučišća, which we will visit the following day. In Škrip, we will explore the olive oil museum and have the chance to savor the flavors of olive oil. If time permits, we can relax on the excellent white sand beaches the island has to offer.

Today we ride to Pučišća on a quieter roads along the scenic north coast and passes through humble villages bordered by fig and olive trees. Brač is an island made mostly of white limestone, whose stone has been quarried and used in famous buildings across the globe and throughout history, including the Diocletian Palace, and, according to some sources, the American White House. We get to visit a family-owned art gallery where we see stone sculptures made from Brač limestone at close quarters.

Starting from this point, cycle through the historic towns of Pražnica and Gornji Humac. As you descend, savor the awe-inspiring vistas during your ride down to Zlatni Rat, often referred to as the "Golden Horn" – Croatia's renowned and picturesque beach. Before lunch, you have the opportunity to indulge in a swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic. Afterward, enjoy some free time for lunch in the charming town of Bol. In the afternoon, take a private boat journey to Hvar.

Today we once again sail off across the Adriatic to bike on the world-famous island of Hvar. Hvar is known for many things, but perhaps what it is known for the most is its field-upon field of lavender that comes alive in spring and early summer, painting the entire countryside a mesmerizing shade of purple. We stop to admire Stari Grad, a Greek village dating back to 400 BC and a UNESCO World Heritage site, before continuing on with the day’s biking through olive groves and vineyards. We have a sumptuous Mediterranean lunch with plenty of local olives and honey before riding further to Hvar.

We continue island-hopping on the Adriatic as we board the ferry this morning and sail along with our bikes to the lesser-known island of Korcula. The island is covered with thick forests of holm oak and pine that the Greeks used for building ships. It has excellent white sand beaches and great views of the clear blue waters of the Adriatic. But above all, Korcula is known for the excellent white wines it produces, three of which, namely, Posip, Rukatac, and Grk are especially noted among wine lovers.

Tonight, we have a unique dining experience in store for you. We will have the opportunity to savor peka, a culinary tradition deeply rooted in Dalmatia. Peka is not merely a recipe; it represents a slow-cooking technique known as "cooked under the lid." The combination of intense heat and the sealed lid imparts a rich infusion of flavors to potatoes and vegetables, while the meat becomes exquisitely tender – so tender that you could almost chew it with your eyebrows.

So beautiful is Korcula that we spend an entire day cycling its backroads, vineyards, and olive groves. We take a break from cycling to visit a special place — the house where the adventurer Marco Polo was born. Marco Polo is known today in history as among the earliest Europeans to leave behind extensive records of his travels in China, Mongolia, and India which he undertook in the 13th century. His travels and his writings paved the way for greater interaction between Europe and Asia. And it was in this humble abode, overlooking the sparkling waters of the Adriatic that some of the greatest adventures in history began.

We begin the day with a short ferry ride to the peninsula of Peljesac. Peljesac is famous for producing Croatia’s finest wine — the Peljesac wine. A hilly island dotted with vineyards, Peljesac is also known for producing great oysters and mussels. As we bike through the beautiful countryside, we stop at a quaint village called Ston, famous for having the longest fortified wall in Europe built back in the 14th century. We end the day’s biking shortly thereafter and take a transfer to the city of Dubrovnik.

We meet one last time for breakfast to celebrate the culmination of a fine cycling journey. Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its fine medieval architecture and we suggest you spend some time exploring all the wonders it has to offer. It also has an international airport with connectivity to major European cities for your onward journey.