Cycling in Croatia

Croatia ranks at the top in recent studies of cycling tourism. That is not surprising: you cycle along one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe, through hilly regions full of vineyards and olive trees, and over islands that you connect with the ferry.

Where do you cycle in Croatia?

• Istria: rolling countryside, mountain villages and well-marked trails, even for gravel roads.
• Kvarner: the bay of Rijeka, with Opatija and the islands of Krk, Cres and Lošinj.
• Dalmatia: the coast between Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik, and the islands that lie before them.

Gravel in Istria

For gravel riders, Istria is the most interesting region in Croatia: many unpaved white roads through the mountainous interior. In the spring there is the gravel festival NOVA Eroica Istria in Novigrad, with routes of 60, 100 and 150 kilometers. More about that on the page about Istria.

Source: Istria Tourist Board, press release about NOVA Eroica Istria (2026).

Regions for cyclists

Croatia is well known to many Dutch people for its coast, but the interior and the islands are a surprisingly good cycling destination. In spring and autumn it is pleasantly warm and quiet.

• Istria: hills with medieval villages, vineyards and white unpaved roads. The Parenzana follows an ancient trail from Trieste to Poreč and is ideal for gravel roads.
• Kvarner: the islands of Krk, Cres and Lošinj, with quiet roads and always a view of the sea.
• Velebit and the Dinaric Alps: rugged mountains behind the coast. The Trans Dinarica runs through the Velebit Nature Park and under the mountain Dinara in 9 stages (514 km).
• DalmatiaThe islands of Brač and Hvar and the hinterland of Split, with short, steep climbs and views of the Adriatic Sea.

Read more about the gravelfestival NOVA Eroica on the page about Istria.

Practical

• SeasonIn July and August, the coast is hot and busy with traffic. Come in the spring or in September and October.
• Island hoppingFerries from Jadrolinija connect the islands to the mainland. Bicycles are allowed; in the high season, it is best to arrive early.
• WindThe bora, a cold, hard north wind, can blow strongly in the Kvarner region and along the Velebit mountain range. Keep an eye on the weather forecast.
• MoneyCroatia has been using the euro since 2023.

Read also our stories about Hvar and Brač and Istria.

Race bike or gravel bike?

With the mountain bike, the islands and the coastal road are beautiful, but in the summer they are busy. The climbs of Velebit, such as the road from Karlobag to Baške Oštarije, and the hills of Istria are quieter. For gravel, Istria is the best choice, with its white roads and the Parenzana over the old railway track. If you want to cycle for a week, you can ride part of the Trans Dinarica through the interior, along Velebit and the Plitvice Lakes.

For whom is Croatia?

Croatia is ideal for cyclists who want to extend their stay in the spring or autumn with sun, sea and good food. Race cyclists will enjoy the long climbs in Velebit and Biokovo, gravel riders will love the white roads in Istria, and those who enjoy island hopping will combine every day trips with ferry rides. In July and August it is hot and busy; come in April, May, September or October instead.

Combine with Slovenia and the Balkans

From Istria, you are in Slovenia in an hour, and the Parenzana even runs through three countries. Those who want to go further can follow the Trans Dinarica from Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania: one of the most beautiful long cycling routes in Europe. Read more in our story about the Trans Dinarica.

Your Cycling base

Croatia is long and narrow. Choose your base of operations based on the region you want to explore:

• Poreč or Rovinj: in Istria, with gravel, hill towns and the Parenzana.
• Opatija: on the Kvarner Bay, at the foot of Učka.
• Makarska: in Dalmatia, near the Biokovo and the coastal road.
• Split: by ferry to the islands of Brač and Hvar.

When are you leaving?

April to June and September to October. In July and August it is hot and busy on the coast.

How do you get there?

Fly to Pula, Rijeka, Split or Zagreb, or by car in thirteen to fifteen hours.

Stories

This is how we calculate: We calculate distances and travel times starting from Utrecht. Our flights always depart from Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport or Eindhoven Airport. Want to know how to travel from your place of residence the best way? Let us know, We are happy to help you. After all, we built this site together.

Are you flying? Read our guide Flying with your bike: Which airline, what the cost is and how to pack your bike.

Driven in Croatia

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