Croatia cycling highlights

Our highlights page presents our top places to pedal in Croatia with everywhere from Istria to Konavle Valley displayed on our interactive highlights map alongside travel advice and tips from travellers who have just got back. Find out whether you're better suited to dabbling in the Dalmatian Coast, or whistling through Istria on your next two-wheeled adventure.

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Croatia cycling highlights

The Dalmatian coast is aptly named, with well over 101 spots to cycle to and coo over. Especially if you like the idea of putting your bike on a ferry, circumnavigating islands such as hedonistic Hvar or the national park of Mljet Island. Islands you won’t want to leave, and more often than not, you don’t have to. In Croatia, it's more about pedalling for pleasure than going on an Olympian odyssey, as you cycle through the vineyards of the Peljesac peninsula or past the medieval architecture of the Konavle Valley. Istria, however, is pure odyssey, with cycle routes into a whole other glorious Croatian world.

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1. Hvar Island
2. Istria
3. Konavle Valley
4. Korcula Island
5. Mljet (island) National Park
6. Peljesac peninsula

Hvar Island

1. Hvar Island

Croatia’s fourth largest island, you can do circular cycles around this 68km x 10.5km wide island idyll. Known for its celebrity status, oligarchs and yachties, Hvar has great cycling status too, as you pedal through old fishing towns such as Stari Grad or hilltop hamlets. All bursting with old stone houses and paths that lead through olive groves or secret coves. Who needs an oligarchy? Cycling on Hvar, you have it all.

Hvar Island

Istria

2. Istria

Very popular for self-guided cycling, especially the restored 120km Parenzana railway line, which traversed the much fought over area with neighbouring Italy for many years. Especially as you end up in the wonderful Roman town of Porec. Istria’s cuisine is still very Italian, allowing for feasts en route. Istria’s Brijuni (Archipelago) National Park is also a must on the cycling menu, if gorging on natural beauty is your thing.

Konavle Valley

3. Konavle Valley

One of Croatia’s best kept secrets, this narrow strip leads you south to the border with Montenegro. With the turquoise waters of the Adriatic on one side and Sniježnica mountains on the other, it’s a cycling tour de force. One minute you are cycling along cliffs past ancient architecture, such as Cavtat’s Franciscan monastery, the next you are heading up into rural villages and vineyard bedecked hills.

Konavle Valley

Korcula Island

4. Korcula Island

Although popular with cruiseship daytrippers, because of the stunning Gothic-Renaissance Cathedral and mini Dubrovnik vibe, it is very easy to get off the mass tourism trail – and onto pine forested, vineyard lined or shimmering seaside trails. With hilltop hamlets, olive groves and gorgeous views back along the Peljesac Peninsula, it’s a great place to spend a couple of nights. Visit Mljet Island NP from here, too.

Mljet (island) National Park

5. Mljet (island) National Park

This island is a national park, so you feel like you are landing on a precious natural nugget. It’s also, unique with two salt water lakes on it which you can cycle around. They are surrounded by pine, wooded hills with turquoise peeking through the trees, beckoning you to tiny golden beaches. Because it is, in fact, a golden nugget. Great place to swap pedals for paddles and kayak the coves at the end of the day too.

Mljet (island) National Park

Peljesac peninsula

6. Peljesac peninsula

Get drunk on life cycling along this ambrosial arena, home to some of Croatia’s finest vineyards. This elegant finger of land, with water on both sides, is also home to Ston – a town that had muscle power in the past, with the longest city walls in Europe. And mussel power today, with the most celebrated seafood in the country. Often the last cycle for people en route to Dubrovnik, this is some finale.

Our Croatia cycling Holidays

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Croatia cycling or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Tips from our travellers

At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.

We have selected some of the most useful Croatia cycling holiday tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.

Take your swimming things on every ride and if the hill is no steep just walk up it - take your time!

- Paul Milner

“Give yourself a day or two to see Split before you start with the group (there isn't a ton to see, but it is still nice to walk around the city more than the group itinerary allows), same with Dubrovnik. Also, go to Mljet - which is optional on the itinerary, but well worth it. Booking in early September was great -- not too hot for the biking”- Erika Weisbrod

“Bring insect repellent !”– Karen Brookes

“Choose the month carefully, we found June too hot”– Clive Hancock

“There are some big climbs, so make sure you are fit, especially in summer as it is also hot. Big uphill climbs were rewarded with simply stunning views of the coast and there was always a colourful village nestled in a turquoise cove just around the corner" - Sharron Beazley

You don't need to be a keen cyclist to do a cycling holiday like this, although one or two 10+ miles trips to condition your nether regions' plus some padded cycling shorts definitely help!

- Kevin Tuck

“Don't be afraid to be specific about what you want. We found that our tour director was very happy to customise our trip. Cycling in Croatia can be for softies too!”- Laura Greenberg, on a self-guided cycling holiday

“Pack light, and bring water shoes and goggles as you never know when you might be swimming (beaches are beautiful, but not sandy).”- Sally Aitken

“The fact that we went early in the season meant that there were few other tourists, although it did create some minor hiccups related to transports as not all the ferries were running yet. I guess you take your choice.”- Phil Russell

“We downloaded map of the area onto an iPhone and it was useful on occasion to have the GPS in addition to the maps provided.” - Diana Hammans

“Learn at least a little Croatian first – most people in Dubrovnik (and your hosts in the villas) will speak basic English but many on the islands won't... Nearly all the shops are independent operators so if you're self-catering you'll save alot of pointing and gesturing, by learning how to order salami, ham, cheese and seafood.”- Ryan Harrison-Grundy

More about Croatia cycling

Croatia cycling holidays

Pedal through our Croatia cycling travel guide and you’ll find not only the best time to go on your next big biking trip but also a rather handy temperature & rainfall chart to give you monthly averages throughout the calendar year.

Istria cycling holidays

There are some 500 km of biking trails mapped over Istria. This network connects you from hilltop towns to glistening harbours, from vineyard to vineyard and from restaurant doorstep to hotel terrace.

Dalmatian Coast cycling

What’s great about the routes on the Dalmatian Coast is that you don’t have to take the biking all too seriously. Instead, you'll find unintimidating distances, lots of vineyards, and plenty of opportunities to pause for breath on the pretext of taking a stunning photograph.

Croatia cycling advice

Croatia presents some really enjoyable, straightforward cycling, but we know it can be daunting to commit yourself to a big biking trip in a new place. That’s why we’ve asked our expert tour operators for their top tips.

More relevant guides

Written by Catherine Mack

ABTA member P7085 so you are fully protected

Photo credits: [Page banner: Austin Adventures] [Map topbox: Oleg Sidorenko] [Hvar Island: Brian Stacey] [Istria: Dieter Karner] [Korcula Island: Pil56] [Konavle Valley: Modzzak] [Mljet (island) National Park: Yacht Rent] [Peljesac peninsula: Mario Fajt] [Highlights: SI-Ziga] [Weather: karlnorling] [Route: Aleš Krmí?ek] [Review intro: Andy Powell] [Review 1 - Paul Millner: Andy Powell] [Review 2 - Kevin Tuck: A_Peach]

Croatia cycling highlights