Popular Destinations for
Cycling Holidays in Croatia

A great destination for cyclists, hikers and trekkers

Croatia is situated in southeastern Europe between Slovenia and Bosnia & Herzegovina, bordering the Adriatic Sea. Croatia is geographically diverse, with plains along the Hungarian border and mountains along the Adriatic coastline. The location, topography and climate make Croatia highly popular.

Istrian Peninsula

One of the most popular cycling destinations in Croatia is the Istrian peninsula, located at the head of the Adriatic Sea, between the Gulf of Trieste and the Kvarner Gulf. Until 1945, the Istrian peninsula was part of Italy and Italian is still widely spoken throughout the region. The southern Istrian town of Pula is the only one in the region with an international airport. The most famous sight in Pula, a vast amphitheatre built during the first century AD, belies Pula's Roman origins, but the town's history is believed to be much, much older.

Some of Croatia's bitumen narrow side roads are ideal for cyclists, although care should be taken to watch for other, 4-wheel traffic.

The coastal towns and villages of Istria, including Pula and Fazana, a small fishing town 5 miles northwest of Pula, are undoubtedly popular. However, Istria also boasts many architectural, cultural and natural treasures further inland. Vodnjan, just a short ride from Pula, is a tiny, unassuming town, but is nonetheless the ancient capital of Istria. Vodnjan retains is authentic Istrian flavour and is famous for one of the most unusual and macabre sights in the region. The 18th century Church of St. Blaise in Vodnan houses the desiccated remains of six "mummified" saints.

Southern Dalmatia

Croatia boasts over 3,000 miles of Adriatic coastline and over 1,100 islands and islets, some 66 of which are inhabited. Cycling holidays and adventure holidays to the islands of southern Dalmatia, including Korcula, Hvar and Mliet, are also hugely popular.

Korcula has been described as a mini Dubrovnik without the crowds. Korcula Old Town is a medieval walled town dominated by the Cathedral Sveti Marko, or St. Mark's Cathedral, which dates from the 15th century. Hvar has similarly been described as a Dalmatian St. Tropez, with an elegant seafront and vast fields of lavender, olive trees and vineyards further inland.

Further south, the island of Mljet is one of Croatia's eight national parks. As you might expect, Mljet is largely unspoilt by tourism and covered in dense Mediterranean forest, with two saltwater lakes, Veliko and Malo, at the northern end of the island. You can take a guided "island hopping" tour of southern Dalmatia, cycling by day and returning each evening to a private boat, equipped with all modern conveniences, to carry you to your next island destination.

Cycling on some of Croatia's narrower, two-lane roads may still not be for the faint-hearted, but the opening of the coastal highway between Rijeka and Split has done much to reduce traffic volumes and make life safer for cyclists. In any case, Croatia boasts many idyllic locations and mile upon mile of rural roads. The climate is predominantly continental, with hot, dry summers and mild winters along the coast, which makes Croatia a perfect holiday destination for cyclists, hikers, trekkers and other holidaymakers.

Author

A guets post by Bartol Pavic, a former inhabitant of Croatia's capital Zagreb.

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