Bike Tours in Croatia
NEW 2020 dates! Book this exciting trip early!
The gem of the Mediterranean
Navigating the land of 1200 islands
True to Bikes, Boats & Boots’ style, we have designed the best bike tours in Croatia! This is one of our most beautiful 14 night/15 day adventure cycling tours that captures Croatia’s true Mediterranean charm. From the crystal clear blue Adriatic Sea, to the ancient fortresses overlooking the bay, experiencing the most excellent food and friendliest people along the way, our Croatian tour is designed to please.
We’ll cycle The Dalmatian Islands, each day exploring a different area, and returning each evening to our accommodations aboard a 32-passenger boat. We’ll raft the exciting Cetina River, and hike the magnificent waterfalls of the Plitvice Lakes National Park. And finally, our trip ends in beautiful and historic Dubrovnik, considered one of the best medieval walled cities in the world.
Always on the lookout for opportunities to enjoy the local fare, and willing to wander a bit off the beaten path to find something more interesting, each day is packed with extraordinary adventure balanced with the right amount of leisure time.
Read notes from our travel journal and view highlights from our most recent Croatia trip!
Itinerary
Arriving in Zagreb, Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Departing from Dubrovnik, Monday, October 5, 2020
Arrival Day 1 — Tuesday, September 22, 2020: Complimentary transportation will be arranged for you from the airport to the hotel. If you’re more excited than you are tired we will plan a short excursion before dinner.
Day 2 — Wednesday, September 23, 2020: After a good night’s rest and complimentary breakfast we will explore some the highlights of Zagreb. We’ll take the Funicular to the top of the city, and visit most of the famous monuments of Zagreb. Today’s guided tour will include lunch in a traditional restaurant.
Day 3 — Thursday, September 24, 2020: After a complimentary breakfast we’ll drive to the beautiful Plitvice Lakes National Park. While in the park, our guided tour will take us via the boardwalk paths over the crystal clear lakes and up close to the breathtaking waterfalls. Our tour continues with a boat and train ride that allows us the opportunity to take in even more of the park’s magnificent scenery. We chose a hotel for this night that is conveniently located in close proximity to one of the park’s entrances, just in case you’d like to return later on your own after we feast on a very festive style Croatian dinner. This truly has become our new favorite place on earth at Bikes, Boats and Boots.
Day 4 — Friday, September 25, 2020: After a complimentary breakfast we’ll travel to the ancient city of Split, home to the Diocletian Palace built in 305 AD, now converted to residences and unique shops. We’ll roam the city and walk the promenade lined with beautiful palm trees. Tonight, our accommodations are in a beautiful hotel located in the heart of the city just steps away from the Diocletian Palace.
Day 5 — Saturday, September 26, 2020: Today, we’ll board the boat at 11 a.m. We’ve allotted time to settle in and meet the other world travelers on board, before departing at 1 p.m. for our journey to the island of Brac. Upon arrival in the town of Milna we’ll cycle to Bobovisc along a sea route, providing opportunities for a short swim and refreshments along the way. Upon our return to Milna, willing participants can take another short ride along the coast. We’ll spend the night on the boat docked in the harbor of Milna.
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 750 ft
Terrain: We arrive at our first port in the late afternoon. This short and hilly bike ride is great. Make sure your bike is the right fit.
Difficulty: 3/5
Day 6 — Sunday, September 27, 2020: After a complimentary breakfast we’ll begin our cycling trip, passing local olive groves, vineyards and plenty of fig trees. We’ll stop for a very unique experience and hearty lunch at a little Sheppard village called Gazul. After a relaxing break we’ll travel downhill to the town of Bol, enjoying views of the neighboring island of Hvar. We can take a swim then a stroll through Bol, where we will be spending the night on the boat.
Distance: 25 miles
Elevation Gain: 1900 ft
Terrain: Paved surface. Approx. 15 miles of hill climbing. It’s a demanding ride with beautiful views.
Difficulty: 5/5
Day 7 — Monday, September 28, 2020: Today we will travel to Hvar Island, famous for its multi-colored fields of rosemary and lavender, and multi-million dollar yachts. We will ride along the coastal road from Jelsa towards Vrboska, and descend into Starigrad, one of Croatia’s oldest towns, dating to 385 BC. Our tour ends at the very lively and historical city of Hvar, where the medieval Spanjol Castle, built as a defense from the Turks, hovers over the city. The castle has been well preserved over the years, and is a must see before heading back to the boat for the night in Hvar.
Distance: 18 miles
Elevation Gain: 1300 ft
Terrain: Paved with some hills that are challenging and flat dirt pack with some gravel.
Difficulty: 4/5
Day 8 — Tuesday, September 29, 2020: Today’s ride on Korcula Island is considered demanding, so some may choose to take a break from cycling and opt to sight-see instead. Korcula is referred to as the most beautiful of the Adriatic islands because of its peaceful and secluded gardens of Cypress tress. This island, along with Venice, claims to be the birthplace of Marco Polo, whom we will see, is referred to everywhere. We will spend the night in Korcula on the boat.
Distance: 27 miles
Elevation Gain: 1650 ft
Terrain: Paved surface - challenging 15 miles with a long sweeping 10 mile downhill with beautiful views of the Adriatic.
Difficulty 4/5
Day 9 — Wednesday, September 30, 2020: While enjoying our complimentary breakfast on the boat we’ll set sail to the lush green island of Mljet where we’ll visit Mljet Island National Park. This national park is known for its two connected salty lakes as well as a secluded Benedictine monastery called Saint Mary, built around 1198. After lunch we can take a swim or do more exploring on our bikes before we head back to the town of Pomena for another night on the boat.
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: None
Terrain: Hard dirt pack cycling around a secluded lake.
Difficulty: 1/5
Day 10 — Thursday, October 1, 2020: After a complimentary breakfast we will sail toward Peljesac Peninsula. There, we will embark on a lovely but rigorous bike trip. The biking trail leads us into the backcountry, past a famous wine growing area and more beautiful views. Those continuing on bikes will head toward the town of Loviste. Those opting to forego the last 11 miles of cycling will join the boat in Orebic, a picturesque town of sea captains and sailors. Later in the afternoon our boat will bring us to one of the more popular holiday resorts on Makarska Riviera with the Biokova mountain range towering above. We will choose to spend the night on the boat in either Baska Voda or Makarska.
Distance: 18 miles / optional additional 10 miles
Elevation Gain: 1400 ft / optional 1000 ft
Terrain: Paved surface - One challenging hill, leveling off and then another climb, the optional 10 miles is an additional 3rd climb which is lower than the first two.
Difficulty: 3/5 - 4/5
Day 11 — Friday, October 2, 2020: After a complimentary breakfast we will enjoy our final tour of the Dalmatian islands. We’ll visit the popular resort of Radman’s Millis and enjoy the beauty of a natural park and the canyon of the Cetina River. We’ll visit the fortress Mirabella that once offered protection from the infamous pirates of Omis. After lunch we will begin our rafting trip on the banks of the Cetina River, where we will be in for a combination of white water exhilaration and picturesque scenery. We will spend our last night on the boat while docked in Split.
Distance: 15 miles
Elevation Gain: 265 ft
Terrain: Paved surface, beach front bike paths - It’s an easy day through the canyon and along the beach. Rafting in the afternoon
Difficulty: 2/5
Day 12 — Saturday, October 3, 2020: After breakfast, we’ll begin the drive south to Dubrovnik, sometimes called the Pearl of the Adriatic, traveling briefly through Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will plan to arrive in Dubrovnik in the early afternoon, leaving plenty of time for exploring the city. Tonight will begin our two-night stay in our Five-star hotel which includes a beautiful view of the Adriatic and is located just a short distance from the incredible walled city of Old Town.
Day 13 — Sunday, October 4, 2020: Today you’re on your own to discover Old Town, Dubrovnik. There’s a lot to do with a cable car ride to Srdj Mountain and a visit to the Imperial Fortress, built in honor of emperor Napolean. Spend the the day enjoying the city, walking its fortified walls, and exploring its many museums, endless shopping opportunities and great restaurants.
Day 14 — Monday, October 5, 2020: Today, it’s time to say goodbye, as our adventure comes to a close. We’ll provide transportation to the airport for your journey back home.
Fees:Tour Pricing: $3795
Single Supplement: $1325
e-Bike: $170
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE: Transportation to and from the airports in Zagreb and Dubrovnik, all transportation within the scheduled tour, all hotels as well as accommodations on the boat (boat accommodations are air-conditioned with a bathroom and shower in suite and are arranged for two people), bike and helmet rental, daily breakfast, daily lunch or dinner while on the boat (there will be a couple of days where we will have lunch on the road), taxi service to meet the group for people not cycling, all guides listed in the tour, park fees in Plitvice National Park.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE: Air travel; meals and beverages (other than what is listed above); and any additional tours or entertainment not scheduled on the itinerary.