Self-Launched Island-Hopping Cycle: Split to Dubrovnik

Arrive in Split (fly into SPU or come by bus/catamaran from elsewhere in Croatia) and check into a hostel in the old town or Varoš district. Pick up your rental bike from one of the local shops near the Riva or in the Gripe area — a decent hybrid or trekking bike runs about £22–28/day, an e-bike £32–40/day; book online a few days ahead in summer. Spend the afternoon on the easy 12 km Marjan Hill loop for a shakedown ride with sea views over the islands. Later, wander Diocletian's Palace — the cellars and peristyle are free to walk through, and the cathedral/crypt combo ticket is about £8. Download your GPS routes onto Komoot or RideWithGPS tonight (free, or ~£25/year for the premium region maps).

🚌On foot / own bike; airport bus from SPU to centre ~£4

🛏Hostel dorm or private soba in Split old town (approx £20–26/night)

• →Bike rental pickup and fitting
• →Marjan Hill loop ride (~12 km)
• →Diocletian's Palace self-walk

Ride to Split's ferry port for the morning Jadrolinija car ferry to Supetar on Brač (~50 min, roughly £5–7 each way as a foot/bike passenger — bikes usually go free or for a small supplement). From Supetar, follow quiet backroads east through Splitska, Škrip and Postira — a comfortable 35–45 km loop with one or two short climbs. Stop at the olive oil museum in Škrip (~£5) and a fisherman's village konoba for lunch. Catch the late-afternoon ferry back to Split and eat cheaply in the old town or at a pekarа (bakery) for a picnic supper.

🚌Jadrolinija ferry Split–Supetar return ~£12 total; own bike

🛏Same Split hostel/soba

• →Jadrolinija ferry to Supetar
• →Brač backroad cycling loop
• →Olive Oil Museum, Škrip
• →Škrip and Postira village stops

Take the morning catamaran or ferry from Split to Stari Grad on Hvar (~1–2 hrs, roughly £10–15 with a bike). Drop bags at a guesthouse or soba in Stari Grad or Hvar Town, then ride the UNESCO-listed Stari Grad Plain — a flat 20–25 km loop on the old Greek agricultural grid, passing stone walls, olive groves and vineyards. In the afternoon take the hill road across the island toward Hvar Town (~20 km, one solid climb with great views) and roll into town for a swim and sunset at the harbour. If you'd rather skip the climb, take a local bus with your bike or book a taxi transfer.

🚌Catamaran Split–Stari Grad ~£13 with bike; own bike

🛏Guesthouse or soba in Stari Grad or Hvar Town (approx £25–32/night)

• →Catamaran to Stari Grad
• →Stari Grad Plain UNESCO loop ride
• →Lavender-field and hill road to Hvar Town
• →Hvar harbour sunset

Take the morning Jadrolinija or Krilo catamaran from Hvar Town to Korčula Town (~1 hr 15, roughly £12–16 with a bike — book ahead in high season). Check into a guesthouse inside the walled old town. In the afternoon ride the classic 46 km Korčula loop — east toward Lumbarda for sandy beaches and Grk white wine, or west toward Pupnat and the Blato road for quieter countryside. Expect rolling hills rather than big mountains. Finish with a cheap konoba dinner of fresh fish, gregada or pašticada (around £10–14).

🚌Krilo/Jadrolinija catamaran Hvar–Korčula ~£14 with bike

🛏Guesthouse in Korčula old town (approx £25–30/night)

• →Catamaran Hvar–Korčula
• →Korčula 46 km cycling loop
• →Lumbarda beach and Grk wine tasting

A full riding day with options: the longer ~60–65 km circuit out through Žrnovo, Pupnat and the Vela Luka side, or a gentler 30 km out-and-back to Lumbarda and the Račišće coast. Stop at a family winery for pošip and grk (tastings from about £8–12), swim at Pupnatska Luka or Vaja beach, and eat at a local pekara or peasant konoba. Keep the evening free for a wine cellar visit or just a slow walk around the old town walls. If you're skipping long rides, swap in the free old-town walk and a boat trip to the nearby islets.

🚌Own bike

🛏Same Korčula guesthouse

• →Korčula long-distance loop (~65 km)
• →Family winery tasting
• →Pupnatska Luka beach stop
• →Old town evening walk

Two ways to finish. Ride option: take the morning car ferry from Korčula to Orebić on the Pelješac peninsula (~20 min, ~£3), then cycle the scenic 60–70 km Pelješac wine road via Ston and its oyster beds — a long but rewarding day, with a bus backup if you flag. Easier option: catamaran Korčula–Dubrovnik (~2 hr 15, about £18–22 with a bike) and drop your bike at a Dubrovnik shop. Once in Dubrovnik, return the bike, check into a hostel in the old town or Lapad, and walk the city walls (ticket ~£30, or free with the Dubrovnik Pass if you also plan museums) and the Stradun at dusk. Extend a night or two if you've got time.

🚌Ferry/catamaran ~£20; bike return; local bus or walk

🛏Hostel dorm in Dubrovnik old town or Lapad (approx £28–35/night)

• →Ferry Korčula–Orebić or catamaran to Dubrovnik
• →Pelješac / Ston oyster-road ride (optional)
• →Dubrovnik city walls walk
• →Old town and Stradun