Biking in Croatia = Culture + Culinary

Meals and  wheels with Backroads Travel

Cruising the Croatian coastline by bike is an excellent way to get up close and personal with the scenic Dalmatian islands. By winding your way through olive groves and vineyards, past ancient fortresses, and dining in cozy Konobas (Croatian tavern) you’ll instantly fall in love with the Croatian landscape. Biking in Croatia is a cultural and culinary dream vacation.

And, don’t worry there are plenty of amazing meals along the way to keep you fortified on your rides.

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Getting started in Split and Biking on the Mainland

The journey starts in Split, on mainland Croatia, at the northernmost part of the Dalmatian island chain. It is the perfect way to get acclimated to all the wonders Croatia offers.

The city is a steller jumping-off point and gives newbies to Croatia a chance to savor a glimpse of what’s in store. Hilly winding streets that lead to the Adriatic are dotted with wine bars, restaurants, and a few souvenir shops. The wide-open Plaza Republic it’s a great place to sit, catch your breath and people watch at one of the outdoor cafés.

We began our bike journey by cycling the Cetina river and ending up in the small seaside town of Duce.  

Day two of biking traverses the island of Brac. Known through the ages as a stonemasonry center, the island is peppered with large limestone piles, cleared to make room for farming and agriculture. 

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Boating to Hvar

One of the highlights of this bike trip is not actually biking but the amazing boat ride from Brac to the island of Hvar. 

Backroads does an excellent job of feeding you throughout the trip and also providing immersive experiences off the bike. This boat ride is no exception. You’ll enjoy a cooked-by-locals lunch on a restored antique Venetian sailboat. Then cap off the afternoon by swimming in the crystal blue waters of the Aegean. Experiences you don’t want to miss!

Hvar is known as the lavender island. There is no shortage of roadside stalls selling dried lavender, scented oils, herbal teas, and honey. Thankfully, Backroads provides a canvas bike tote to carry all the souvenirs you pick up along the way

This is where biking in Croatia starts getting REALLY good! The views of the Mediterranean from the peaks of Hvar island are breathtaking. They are definitely worth the heart-rate-jacking climb to get there. If pushing your heart rate is not your thing don’t worry. Backroads offers E-bikes as well as your traditional rode bikes. I know from experience that E-bikes are a fantastic way to get some exercise without throwing your heart rate into the danger zone. 

Hvar Town is well worth a day of wandering. Climbing to see the fortress that guards the city is a great workout off the bike. Afterward, spending some time in the beautiful waters along the coast is a cool treat.

The standard itinerary spends two nights in Hvar town. This gives ample time to explore the ancient streets and climb up to the fortress.  There is no pressure to bike every day all day anyway. You can certainly take a break and enjoy your surroundings at any time. Backroads is cool like that. 😎

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Biking on Korcula -The Island of Wine and Olives 

The last island to be explored was for me, the best. Maybe it’s because I like olive oil and wine so much. Maybe it’s because Korcula has one of the few Michelin-starred restaurants in Croatia (more are on the way I’m sure!). Whatever the reason, the little island of Korcula stole my heart.

Interesting fact: The vineyards here are famous because they escaped the pest infestation of the mid-1800s that destroyed Europe’s wine-producing regions.

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Final Stop: Dubrovnik

The biking in Croatia trips always finish up in Dubrovnik, which is called the jewel of the Adriatic for good reason. It’s simply spectacular. As it’s been a tourist destination for ages. George Bernard Shaw called it “paradise on earth” back in 1929.

Of course, in 1991 the city had fallen from its former glory. Yet, within seven years this World Heritage Site was nearly back to its prewar glory.

The passion and spirit of the Croatian people are evident, especially in Dubrovnik. It is well worth your time to spend a few days exploring the walls, fortresses, and restaurants in this amazing city after your bike tour ends. 

Have you ever taken an active vacation? I have to say I was a little skeptical at first. Then, I was quickly converted! The biking company takes care of ALL the moving parts. All you have to do is bike from one location to the next. And if you don’t feel like it, no worries. You can just jump in the support van and they’ll take you straight to the next hotel. After all, it’s your vacation, and we all want you to have the best experience possible.

Interested in learning more about a biking trip? Biking in Croatia is certainly not the only option. There are trips in the USA and all over the world. There are also several other biking tour companies as well, together we will find the perfect fit for you.

I’d love to help you plan or just give you a little more information about this great way of traveling. You can send me an email at jennifer@gourmetadventurestravel.com or set up a free vacation chat with me here.