Overview
This guided cycling tour explores the amazing coastlines and medieval towns of Kvarner Bay on Croatia’s Adriatic coast, starting on the beautiful Krk island and ending at the Opatija Riviera. The highlights include secluded beaches, vineyards, pine forests, memorable coastal towns and stunning hilltop views. Croatia is a beautiful country with a rich history, Mediterranean vegetation and mild climate and the best way to explore it is by bike and boat.
During this bike and boat guided cycling holiday in Croatia, you will be based and spent each overnight in a traditional steel-hulled vessel, offering accommodation in simple but comfortable en-suite double or twin cabins.
- Island of Krk
- Island of Rab
- Island of Lošinj
- Opatija Riviera
Highlights
Click to view map
Note that the sailing and cycling routes may be changed on the spot due to weather conditions and dock availability. Departure is during morning hours, usually after breakfast.
Day 1: Arrival in Opatija – Krk Island | 18km
Arrival in Opatija, check-in at Opatija harbour between 11.00 and 12.00h. Departure at 13.00. Lunch and meeting the rest of the group and the boat crew during the sail to the island of Krk. Optional easy ride from the town of Krk to the village of Punat and back to Krk town.
- Cycling for the day: 18km, ↑↓120m, 100% asphalt road
- Included meals: lunch
Day 2: Krk Island | 48km
Today you will cycle through olive groves and fig groves to the village of Dobrinj – a synthesis of past and present. Ride through the dry-stone walls and flocks of sheep to the biggest vineyard on the island, Vrbnik, with its famous golden-yellow wine – the Žlahtina. You will have some rest in Vrbnik while tasting wine, cheese and prosciutto. Continue to the saddle of Treskavac with a wonderful view of Punat valley and the small island of Košljun with a Franciscan monastery dating from the 12th c. Downhill through Bašćanska Draga to Baška. Dinner on board and overnight in Baška (in case of bad weather, the overnight will be in Krk).
- Cycling for the day: 48km, ↑↓660m, 90% asphalt road / 10 % macadam
- Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 3: Island of Rab | 22km
During breakfast, the ship cruises to Lopar on Rab’s island – the second greenest Croatian island. Our bike tour will lead us to a famous sandy beach bay. We then cycle through the island’s interior, past the wonderful Supetarska Draga in the direction of the ancient walled city of Rab with its four famous bell towers situated on an arrow-shaped spit of land. After lunch on board, we will cycle to the nature reserve Dundo forest – one of the few surviving primaeval forests in the Mediterranean, extending over the Kalifront peninsula. Swimming break in the picturesque bay of St. Mara.
- Cycling for the day (option 1): 22km, ↑↓160m, 100% asphalt road
- Cycling for the day (option 2): 21km, ↑↓150m, 95% asphalt road / 5 % macadam
- Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 4: Pag – Ilovik | 35km
After a short crossing to the island of Pag, we start a bike tour along the island’s beautiful moon-like landscape. The first stop is the village of Lun, with thousand years old olive trees and many stone walls. Be careful when cycling on this island due to the many wandering sheep. The island is famous for its Pag cheese. We highly recommend a break in a traditional ‘konoba’ tavern to taste the cheese. In the idyllic village of Mandre, we return to the ship and have lunch on board. We continue our cruise to the flower island of Ilovik, where you will have opportunities to stroll, swim and relax.
- Cycling for the day: 35km, ↑↓340m, 100% asphalt road
- Included meals: breakfast, lunch, optional captain’s dinner on board
Day 5: Island of Lošinj | 22km
After breakfast, we leave for Mali Lošinj. Bike tour through the lovely Čikat peninsula surrounded by pine trees with some time to enjoy the beautiful beaches. Continue to the picturesque village of Veli Lošinj and back to the ship for lunch. Afternoon easy ride to one of the beaches or to the Sveti Ivan hill (250m) or the theme viewpoint Providenca where you can enjoy a fantastic view of the city and the southern part of the Lošinj archipelago.
- Cycling for the day (option 1): 20km, ↑↓180m, 95% asphalt road / 5 % macadam
- Cycling for the day (option 2): 21km, ↑↓150m, 95% asphalt road / 5 % macadam
- Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 6: Island of Lošinj and Cres | 46km
After breakfast, we cycle through the pine and laurel trees towards Cres island (connected to Mali Losinj by a small bridge) with our first stop in the artistic village of Osor, and we take more strenuous cycling towards the fishing village of Martinscica, where lunch will be served on board. We continue our cruise towards the historic town of Cres for a leisurely evening and overnight.
- Cycling for the day: 46km, ↑↓500m, 95% asphalt road / 5 % macadam
- Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 7: Opatija Riviera | 27km
During breakfast, the ship departs for Mošćenička Draga on the Opatija Riviera. From there, we cycle along the coastal road with spectacular views of the sea and the islands to the village of Brseč, situated on a rock above the sea. After the break, we continue to cycle to St Jelena hill with the stunning panorama on Kvarner Bay. Descend to Mošćenice – a medieval town situated on Perun hill’s foot and further to Lovran, where the ship is waiting. Lunch on board and sailing to Opatija, where you have a free evening to admire this enchanting city, walk through the parks or along the 12 km long sea promenade called Lungomare. Overnight in Opatija.
- Cycling for the day: 27km, ↑↓450m, 100% asphalt road
- Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 8: Departure
Early morning breakfast and check out.
- Included meals: breakfast
What to expect
Ship
During the trip, you will be based on a traditional ship, offering accommodation in simple but comfortable en-suite double or twin cabins, mostly with bunk beds. There are also lower deck cabins available at a lower price. There is free wifi on the ships. The ships can accommodate 32 – 40 people.
Click to view our traditional ensuite (standard) ships
Meals
Continental breakfast and lunch or dinner (as detailed in the itinerary) are included in the package. We recommend stops at local restaurants during the cycling sections where you can taste the local specialities; these meals are not included in the price of the trip. There is a possibility to book a Captain’s Dinner, which is paid directly on the spot and is offered by the captain and your tour guide.
Difficulty and terrain
This trip requires good physical condition as daily cycling can reach up to 48km. There is also an option for renting an e-bike, making the trip practically accessible to anyone (read more about difficulty grades). This is a guided tour, so during the cycling, you will be accompanied by a guide showing you the way and assisting you with bike maintenance in case of need.
When to go
This trip is available on Saturdays from mid-April until early June and from the end of August until early October (for available departure dates, click the CHECK AVAILABILITY button above).
Croatia’s coast and islands, from Istria and Kvarner in the north through to Dalmatia in the south, are governed by a Mediterranean climate, although it is usually several degrees cooler in the northern Adriatic than in the south. In the summer, the mean temperature is between 24C and 26C along the coast.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
The most convenient airports for arrival are the ones at Trieste, Pula, Zagreb, Venice or Ljubljana, which are well served by air from the UK and some central and northern European countries.
By train or bus
The Opatija Riviera is situated in the Kvarner Bay in western Croatia, a region with excellent traffic connections with the rest of Europe. Due to this favourable geographic position, travelling to Opatija is easy regardless of what means of transportation you decide to use.
Inclusions
Included
- Seven nights’ accommodation on the ship in en-suite cabins with double or twin beds (bunks)
- Half board meal plan as stated in the itinerary
- Local English-speaking cycling guide on all rides
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Meals other than the ones stated in the programme
- Bikes
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- Visitor’s tax & port fee to be paid on the spot upon arrival (mandatory): 60 EUR per person per week
- Bike handling fee (mandatory): 10 EUR per person per week; payment on the spot
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to solo travellers or members of a group who require a single cabin
- Bike rental
- E-bike rental
- Captain’s dinner during one of the nights: upon request, payable on the spot
- Visitor’s tax & port and bike handling fees, payable on the spot
Bike rental
We can provide high-quality rental bikes and additional equipment if requested. These bikes have been specially designed for our bike tours. They are comfortable, safe and sturdy bikes and therefore perfect for undertaking tours of several days duration.
Women’s and men’s hybrid Bike
- FRAME: 700 Alloy
- COLOUR: Matt black
- FORK: Suntour matt black nex
- CHAINWHEEL: Shimano T4010E866CL3/48T
- OCTALNIK: 175 CG
- B.B PARTS: Shimano BB-ES300B*126
- PEDAL: Alloy SP-823
- CHAIN: Z 9000
- REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano DEOREKRD591SGSL
- FRONTDERAILLEUR: Shimano ALIVIO 4000TSM6
- SHIFTING LEVERS: Shimano ALIVIO SLM 4000
- FREEWHEEL: Shimano CS HG 20091134RIMSX ALT X3 double wall
- TYRES: CST 40-622 SALVO HIGH PROTECTION 5 mm
- BRAKE: V Brake Shimano ABRT 4000 FC14SL
- CARRIER: TANGSHANHLJY-F4-28 BLACK
Unisex e-bike
- WHEEL SIZE: 26“
- PEDALASSIST: Up to 25km/h
- DISPLAY: Panasonic Side Lcd
- MOTOR: Panasonic 36v
- ASSISTANCE LEVELS: 4 Assistance levels
- GEARS: Shimano Nexus 8 Speed Hub Gears
- BRAKES: Magura Hs22 Hydraulic End V–Brake
- BATTERY: 540wh/15ah/36v
- CHARGER: 36v Panasonic Charger
- FORK: Sr Suntour Nex Suspension Fork 63mm
- TYRES: Schwalbe Maraton Plus
- ANTI-THEFT PREDECTIONANTION: Abus Frame Lock
Gallery
