There’s something about Croatia that begs to be explored slowly. It’s winding coastal roads, quiet island lanes, and rolling inland hills revealing themselves best from the saddle of a bike. While many travellers rush from Dubrovnik to Split by bus or ferry, we decided to take a different pace – exploring the impossibly blue coastline of Croatia by bike.
Seeing Croatia by bike isn’t just about the scenery, though that’s reason enough to go. It’s about stopping for a mid-ride snack under the olive trees, laughing at goats on the road, hoping to see the elusive pig the roadside signs warn about and the satisfaction of cresting a hill to find a quiet cove waiting below. It’s about experiencing the country and the moment, even if your legs are reminding you that there’s another climb ahead.
In this post, I’ll share the routes we took, the highlights that made the kilometers worthwhile, and practical tips if you’re considering seeing Croatia by bike.
Logistics
There’s a certain freedom in rolling your bike off a plane and pedalling straight into a new country. But for this trip, we chose a different kind of simplicity: renting bikes instead of hauling ours through multiple airports. Mark had been working in Germany before Croatia, and we planned to visit family in England afterward. So the idea of lugging bikes across several borders feels like more effort than adventure.
Bike Rentals
We rented our bikes from a subset of Meridien Ten Ltd., a company that offers adventure tours and reliable bike rentals out of Split. We opted for road bikes for seven days (25 euros per day), bringing along our own panniers, helmets, and, in Mark’s case, clip-in pedals (I stuck with flat pedals). The bikes were in great condition. They had aluminum frames, 11-speed gearing, disc brakes, and pannier racks ready for our gear and snacks. While I can’t rattle off the specs, everything you’d want to know is listed on their website if you’re curious.
One of the best parts of renting was using Meridien Ten’s extra services. We stored our luggage with them while we biked and arranged for the bikes to be picked up in Dubrovnik when we finished. With only ten days in Croatia, we wanted to spend less time backtracking and more time exploring.
Renting bikes vs. Bringing our bikes
| Pros | Cons | |
| Travelling with our bikes | Familiar with the bike Personal features (i.e. seat) Trust the maintenance Avoids rental costs Can use preferred accessories/plan for packing | Potential for damage Buying and storing bike boxes or bags Requirements, allowances and costs are different depending on the airline Secure storage at accommodations Theft concerns Repairs are up to you |
| Renting Bikes | Pick-up and drop-off capabilities No need to disassemble or pack the bike Avoid airline fees Potential for easier transport to/from the airport Try different styles without commitment Companies often offer repairs or support | Size and fit may not be perfect Unfamiliar equipment or performance capabilities Unknown maintenance Potential worn components Cost of rental Logistics of returning the bike |
Riding Conditions
Mark mapped out our routes to keep us mostly on backroads, aiming for quieter rides and those small, scenic moments that can only be found off the main drag—and Croatia delivered. Many of the roads we travelled had little to no shoulder, but we found drivers to be patient and respectful, slowing down and giving us plenty of space as they passed. Even on the busier stretches, we never felt unsafe, only aware of the gentle hum of daily life around us. This makes me think that Croatia by bike is feasible even for inexperienced riders. We are no strangers to riding highways back home, so the mix of rolling backroads, occasional traffic, and long stretches of quiet coastal roads was a treat.
Ferries
To reach the island of Korčula, we hopped on two ferries with our bikes. The first was a large Jadrolinija car ferry from Split to Vela Luka, which runs less frequently during the shoulder season (we lucked out with a 5:00 am departure on a Tuesday). The three-hour journey cost just under 8 euros per person, and the bikes travelled for free.
Later, from Korčula Town to Orebić, we took a small passenger ferry for about 2.5 euros each. Technically, there’s a bike fee, but they waved us through, and fifteen minutes later, we were rolling onto the Pelješac Peninsula.
Accommodation
One small detail we overlooked when booking our cute Airbnbs in old towns like Split and Korčula was bike storage. Narrow, steep staircases meant we had to remove front wheels to maneuver the bikes indoors, and leaving them locked outside didn’t feel secure. If you’re planning a similar trip, checking for ground-floor storage might save your arms (and your nerves).
The Croatia by Bike Route
We used our bikes as our primary method of travel between the places we stayed, treating them as our slow, steady tickets to the subsequent discovery. We didn’t ride every day, partly because we wanted to explore the towns we stayed in, and partly because I figured a rest day wouldn’t hurt.
On riding days, we averaged around 60 kilometres with 1000 meters of elevation gain, which felt like the right balance between challenging and enjoyable, with plenty of time for snack stops, and photo pauses when we found a particularly beautiful stretch of coastline.
There are enough charming towns along the Dalmatian coast and inland hills that you could easily ride shorter distances and stop each night if you prefer a slower roll. For us, the rhythm of pedalling longer one day and staying put the next felt just right.
In the next section, I’ll break down the routes we rode, the climbs that tested us, and the stretches of road that made us fall in love with Croatia’s coastal beauty.
| Locations | Kilometres | Elevation | Grades | |
| Day 1 | Split to Vela Luka (ferry) to Korcula Town | 58.3 km | ↑ 1,054 m ↓ 1,045 m | ↑ 6.1% ↓ 9.4% |
| Day 2 | Korcula to Orebic (ferry) to Ston | 57.6 km | ↑ 1,001 m ↓ 1,009 m | ↑ 6.2% ↓ 6.0% |
| Day 3 | Ston to Dubrovnik | 56.5 km | ↑ 1,111 m ↓ 1,101 m | ↑ 5.4% ↓ 5.5% |
Across Korčula Island
What a way to start our biking adventure – riding Korčula end to end. The island isn’t large (about 60 km). Still, it offers a variety of views — vineyards rolling down towards the sea, stone villages perched on hills, olive groves humming with crickets, and roads that dip and climb with the landscape, revealing blue glimpses of the Adriatic around each bend.
The climbs challenged us (and reminded us we’d earned that beer in town later), but the descents were pure joy, rolling down towards the sea with the wind in our faces and salt on the air.
Our route – image linked to Ride With GPS:
My favourite sections were:
- riding into Blato, a hilltop town overlooking the lush valleys,
- cruising back down to the ocean,
- around Cara, taking in all the hillside vineyards and dense olive groves.
- Riding up to Pupnat was gruelling, but the sparkling blue ocean views made every moment worth it.
- My favourite was the descent into Korcula town. We turned a corner and the little outcropping of the medieval town stood out as a warm sandstone terracotta mix against the blue of the ocean and sky. Not to mention the feeling of having made it!
Along the Pelješac Peninsula
Riding from Orebić to Ston along the Pelješac Peninsula feels like riding through a postcard that keeps unfolding with every curve. This stretch of Croatia is a blend of rugged hills, sweeping coastal views, and winding roads lined with olive groves and vineyards. It’s a ride that challenges your legs while rewarding you with glimpses of tiny villages and the deep blue of the Adriatic.
Our route – image linked to Ride With GPS:
My favourite sections:
- Between Trstenik and Zulijana – taking the Dignac tunnel, which opens up to a road with the ocean on one side and ancient grape vines on the other, without seeing another person
- Up the hill outside Zulijana – there is a roadside stop with a breathtaking view of the valley below
- The first glimpses of Ston’s mountain-side stone wall
Into Dubrovnik
Riding from Ston to Dubrovnik felt like the perfect finale to our Croatian cycling adventure. After starting our morning along the Bay of Mali Ston, we headed inland into a landscape of rolling mountains. The climbs were steady but were rewarded with views of vineyards and olive groves. There were stretches where goats claimed the road, forcing us to slow down and laugh as they stared us down before trotting off.
We thoroughly enjoyed the change in scenery and seeing the slow mornings unfold in the small villages. The ocean views weren’t gone for long as we rounded into Dubrovnik. The last 10 kilometers stretched along the highway, but the sprawl of modern Dubrovnik gave way to its iconic walls and red rooftops. Our Croatia by bike route wasn’t just a way to get from one place to another. It was a journey of rolling climbs, sea breezes, and small moments that reminded us why we love seeing a country by bike.
Our route – image linked to Ride With GPS:
My favourite sections:
- Leaving Ston early in the morning, seeing the morning sun shimmer off the water and oyster farms
- Between Slano and Zaton (kilometres 23 and 43)
Tips
Like any good adventure, seeing Croatia by bike is a lot more enjoyable when you’re well-fuelled and prepared. The climbs can feel long, and we didn’t want to risk “bonking” (running out of steam halfway up a hill), so we kept water and snacks within easy reach. Gummy candies became our ride fuel of choice—Coke bottles, gummy bears, gummy worms—quick, digestible carbs that made each climb a little sweeter.
Even in October, the sun had some bite by midday, so we opted for early starts. There’s something special about riding in that soft morning light, with quiet roads and cool air before the day heats up. We’re early risers at home, so getting up to ride felt natural, not a chore. If you’re planning a similar trip, sunscreen and layers will go a long way in keeping you comfortable throughout the day.
If possible, it’s helpful to do some training beforehand—both for the climbs and for navigating longer distances comfortably. A little strength and endurance will go a long way, especially if you’re renting bikes with gearing that might not match what you’re used to at home.
And most importantly, take a moment to appreciate the views. It’s easy to get focused on ticking off kilometres, but some of our favourite moments came from pausing to breathe in the sea air, take a photo, or snack under an olive tree with a view of the coastline below.
Pin me for later:
