Self-Guided Bike Tour in Dalmatia, Croatia

SELF-GUIDED CROATIA BIKE TOUR SAMPLE ITINERARY

DAY 1: SPLIT AND ISLAND BRAC
Come meet us in our office in Split where we will fit you toyour bike and give you a briefing about your cycling holiday. Our office is about 10 min bike ride from the ferry port and center of Split. You can either go straight to Brac or wander in Split before catching a ferry. After a 50 minute ferry ride, you will arrive on the largest island of the Central Dalmatian group of islands and the third largest among the Adriatic islands - Brac. This island is rich with historic sites dating back to Ancient Greece, the Middle Ages and of course modern times. Today, there are twenty-odd settlements on the island. The coastal places are of more recent date and more populous: Sutivan, Supetar, Splitska, Postira, Bol, Milna and Bobovisca. The settlements in the interior are older, richer in cultural and historical monuments and much more interesting architecturally: Skrip (olim civitas), Nerezisca (the old Brac 'metropolis'), Donji Humac, Mirca, Dracevica, Lozisca, Bobovisca, Murvica, Gornji Humac, Praznice. Take a preliminary spin to the first village Splitska where you can stop for a swim break and then head back to Supetar, where your hotel is located.
Distance biked: 0 – 20 km

DAY 2: WEST SIDE OF ISLAND BRAC-COASTAL RIDE AND INLAND ANCIENT TOWNS
Pedal to Sutivan, a fisherman settlement on the northern coast of Brac. Upon leaving Sutivan there is a climb where you pass through the picturesque village of Lozisca. Continue your ride through the settlements in the interior, which are older, richer in cultural and historical monuments and much more interesting architecturally than the coastal ones. Your ride takes you through Dracevica, Nerezica and Donji Humac. And just before the last downhill to Supetar, we suggest you take a lunch break in a konoba - which is famous for its Mediterranean cuisine. If you want to extend your ride, you have the option to go for a coffee in the village of Milna, a beautiful naturally protected bay full of boats and yachts.
Distance biked: 0-30 km, extra ride 48 km

DAY 3: EAST SIDE OF ISLAND BRAC - VISIT ISLAND'S MUSEUM AND STONE CUTTING SCHOOL
Today we suggest a ride to the east side of the island. This will take you to Splitska. As you follow this quiet road along the scenic north-east coast, you'll have views across to the mainland throughout the ride. Stop for a visit in the town of Skrip, and explore the oldest settlement on the island and its  Island Museum.  Continue on to Postira, a fisherman village and then on to Lovrecina,  with its sandy beach and ruins of a large early Christian basilica assigned to the 5th century. This may also be good spot for a swim break. Back on the bike, ride to Pucisca, a charming little town well know for its stone quarry from where its precious white stone which was used to build Diocletian’s Palace in Split and The White House in Washington, DC. You may want to visit one of the oldest Stone Cutting Schools in Europe and see students carving in the same way as their well know ancestors.
Distance biked: 0-36 km, extra ride 70km

DAY 4: ISLAND BELVEDERE-VIDOVA GORA AND BOL WITH ITS FAMOUS PEBBLE BEACH ZLATNI RAT
Your route and goal today is  to reach the island’s summit, Vidova Gora. This lookout is known as the summit of the Adriatic and affords some spectacular views. The highest peak of all Adriatic islands – Vidova Gora(778meters) - provides a breathtaking view of the slopes of the south side of the island, the town of Bol and the famous beach Golden Cape (Zlatni rat) as well as the islands of Central Dalmatia. At this altitude, even the Italian coast may be seen. Vidova Gora hides many wonders of nature: from the dense forest of authentic black pine trees  and its rich herbal and animal world to numerous caves and pits. Your bike route continues on to Gornji Humac, where you should try some of original islands specialties before a great downhill to Bol, the oldest coastal town on the island Brac . Bol didn't take the usual position like other coastal towns in the amphitheatrically slopes of the protected bays. It stands alone and separated on the southern, open part of the island, with the beaches connected like necklace of pearls. You might wish to check the famous pebble beach Zlatni rat, one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia. Here you will meet for a late afternoon shuttle from Bol to Supetar.
Distance biked: 0-50 km

DAY 5: SPLIT AND ISLAND HVAR
Today you will shuttle to Island Hvar. In between your boat connections you might wish to check out Split or even go for a ride in Split. Cycle along the beautiful hill Marjan the main recreational venue for the citizens of Split. Or visit the Palace of Diocletian, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Peristyle, Diocletian's mausoleum, Jupiter's temple, and Romanesque houses. Then after your 2 hour ferry crossing to Hvar, you will bike to the  fisherman's village of Jelsa.
Distance biked: 20-40 km

DAY 6: NORTH SIDE OF ISLAND HVAR – COASTAL RIDES AND BEAUTIFUL HIDDEN INLAND VILLAGES 
Riding on the island of Hvar you will cycle alongside lavender fields, olive groves, and vineyards. The island is noted for its lush vegetation of palm trees, agaves, myrtle, rosemary, pine woods and its extensive lavender fields. Your route takes you along a scenic and mostly flat ride on the north side of the island, passing Jelsa andVrboska before we reach Stari Grad-(literally old town) which is actually the oldest settlement on the island and one of the first in Europe, founded by the Ancient Greeks (Pharos).
Distance biked: 0-30km, extra ride100 km,

DAY 7: BIKING ALONG THE LAVANDER FIELDS AND TOWN HVAR – BY DAY AND NIGHT
For the last day of your bike tour, you head out to reach the famous town of Hvar on the southern side of the island. After few warm up miles, a challenging uphill climb waits you, where you will cycle past fragrant rosemary and lavender fields and ancient Greek walls. Enjoy a beautiful view from the top of the island before great downhill to Hvar. After your last ride of the week,  why not have a few drinks in the ancient Piazza with a view on a  7th century AD walls, Venetian loggia and the oldest municipal Theatre in Europe.
Distance biked: 26 – 35 km

DAY 8 END OF TOUR
Today is the last day of your tour. You might wish to extend your stay in Hvar, relax in the beautiful Venetian style piazza or take an adventure trip like sea kayaking to nearby islands.