Split to Dalmatian Islands

Split to Dalmatian Islands

Enjoy cycling the Dalmatian region: Split, its surroundings, and the islands of Šolta, Brač, and Hvar. During the entire self-guided bike tour you will be accommodated in Split, where you can walk along its long palm-fringed waterfront, enjoy trendy bars, great local konoba (taverns) and check out every day’s local lifestyle in the evenings.

Each day you will be able to choose from easy coastal rides to climbs up to 700m with various cycling distances from 6-50 miles (10-80km). Discover Greek, Roman, Venetian heritage and learn about Croatian culture. Taste great olive oil and wine, enjoy the Mediterranean cuisine, which is considered as the healthiest one in the world!

Discover the island of Brač, Croatia’s third largest, but also the highest island in the Adriatic Sea. Brač is famous for fishing and agriculture, especially vines and olives, as well as its precious limestone, which was used to build Diocletian’s Palace in Split and the White House in Washington.

Pedal along rural and quiet roads of the island of Šolta. On this island, you will step back in time, as there are no big hotels, no modern buildings... just simple traditional life. Discover ancient villages and coastal roads on the island of Hvar, the UNESCO world heritage site of Stari Grad, and bike along lavender fields to reach Hvar town.

Did we forget to say that Split is one of the oldest Roman towns in the Adriatic? Built by Roman emperor Diocletian in 3rd century A.D. as his luxury retreat, Split became over the course of history a vivid town which invites you to explore its natural beauties, sights and vibrant nightlife!

We highly suggest traveling in spring (the end of March till end of June) or fall (September till the end of November) for serious biking (daily distance of 50km or more). If biking is not the only reason for choosing this tour, the swimming season usually starts later in May and can last until the middle of October. Even in the high season months of July and August, you will be able to find your own little private beach on the islands you will be visiting and quiet roads for cycling. However, due to the heat you might want to schedule your bike rides early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

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Highlights

• Split
• UNESCO SITES: Stari Grad plain on Hvar
• Island Hvar: lavender road, Stari Grad plain, Hvar town
• Island Šolta: simple, traditional life
• Island Brač: inland villages and stone carvings of Brac

Learn More

Learn more about self-guided tours or see more Croatia bike tours.

Daily program

Day 1: Split (optional 12 miles/20km up to 50 miles/80km)
Welcome to the Mediterranean town Split! Depending on your arrival we will meet at your hotel, fit your bike and have a briefing regarding your cycling holidays!

In Split, you will be cycling along the beautiful Marjan hill, the main recreational venue for the citizens of Split and have the option to extend the ride along the coast to a nearby village. If you wish to do a longer 80 km loop ride, we have it ready for you as well.

In the evenings, we urge you to explore the 1700 years old Palace of Diocletian, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, the Peristyle, Diocletian's mausoleum, Romanesque houses, experience everyday life, the ancient fish market and fishermen. Split is located in the middle of the Croatian coast and is the administrative and cultural center of Croatia’s Dalmatian coastal area.
Overnight in Split.

Day 2: Ancient inland towns of Brač (22 miles/36km, up to 48 miles/80km)
After a leisurely ferry cruise you arrive to the largest island of the Central Dalmatian group of islands, the third largest among the Adriatic islands: Brač. The island is rich with historic sites dating back to Middle Ages.

Enjoy easy cycling along coastal towns and villages or climb up to the settlements in the interior, which are older, richer in cultural and historical monuments and architecturally much more interesting than the coastal ones. Besides the beautiful scenery on your bike ride, island Brač is famous for stone sculptures and quarries (used in the construction of the White House in Washington and Diocletian’s Palace in Split). Optional visits are to art galleries and workshops, wine cellars, the island museum and one of the last stone carving schools in Europe. Late afternoon or even night ferry back to Split.
Overnight in Split.

Day 3: Island Šolta (25 miles/40km)
Discover and bike the island of Šolta. So close to Split, but in terms of modern urbanization, still far away. Enjoy epic rides on quiet picturesque roads, along villages, olive groves, and vineyards. Riding on the island you will feel like you returned to the past, seeing the traditional way of life on the farms. Enjoy the island's nice coves and bays before returning to Split. You can choose your biking distance today, riding the road with great views to Split and the mainland or the endless sea on the southern side of the island.
Overnight in Split.

Day 4: Island of Hvar (17 miles/27km, up to 56 miles/90km)
Today, as the last day of biking, we recommend a visit to the island of Hvar. Riding on island Hvar you will pass lavender fields, olive groves, and vineyards. You will ride along the scenic and mostly flat road on the north side of the island and pass the small towns Jelsa and Vrboska, finally you will reach Stari Grad (Greek: Pharos, literally Old Town), which is actually the oldest settlement on the island and one of the first ones in Europe, founded by ancient Greeks.

You can decide whether you want to bike a challenging uphill, passing rosemary and lavender fields and ancient Greek walls. Enjoy the beautiful view from the top of the island before a great downhill to Hvar. As this is your last ride why not treat yourself with a few drinks on the ancient piazza with a view of the 7th-century fortification walls, the Venetian loggia and the oldest municipal theatre in Europe.
Overnight in Split.

Day 5: Departure
Today after the breakfast your tour ends. Depending on your flight and onward travel you might want to have the final espresso at the main promenade in Split, in the palm tree shade overlooking the busy port.

Surface and terrain

This tour is designed for those who are looking for great bike rides, various cycling distances, history, amazing cuisine, and beach time!

On this tour, every day you can choose your cycling distance each day. Our islands are quite hilly, but with this itinerary, you do not need to climb any of those. You can have your bike and just enjoy coastal towns and rides or do a bike ride of 80 km or more.

Daily distances: average of 31 miles per day
Level of difficulty: moderate - generally rolling or hilly terrain
How flat or hilly is this tour: moderately hilly
Road surface: paved
Suitable for families: yes

Hotels

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.

Premiere 4-star hotels

Hotel Marmont, Split
www.marmonthotel.com

or

Hotel Marul
www.hotelmarul.hr

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.

How to get there

Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Split, Croatia
Nearest train station: Split, Croatia

Please note that Split airport shuttles/transfers are available at extra cost. Please inquire for further details.

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 4 nights accommodation
• Breakfasts
• Luggage transfers
• Bike rental (road, hybrid, or tandem bike)
• Bike fitting, detailed briefing with description of places you will be visiting en route, different bike ride options, historical sites, beaches, other activities besides biking, lunch options, marked map with options for shorter or longer routes
• All ferry tickets during the tour
• GPS navigation for your phone

Bike rentals

Bike rental is included with this tour package. Bikes available (reserved in advance at the time of booking) include:

• Custom built Musing Crozzroad Lite road bike 
• Custom designed by Muesing bike manufacturer
• Tandem bike

Bikes available for rent (must be reserved in advance at time of booking):

• Electrically assisted bikes*

*More about electrically-assisted bikes >

Each bike is equipped with the following at no additional charge:

• Helmet
• Bike lock
• Pump
• Spare tube
• Patch kit
• Rear rack bag

Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE. 

Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.

Helmets:
Helmets are provided on this tour. However, we recommend for safety and hygiene reasons that you bring your own helmet.

Tour Company