Venice to Croatia Cycling Tour

Venice to Croatia Cycling Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Mestre (Mainland Venice)

Check into your hotel, and then spend the rest of the day downtown enjoying this vibrant city. Your bike will be delivered to you directly, so you’re free to spend the evening seeing Venice as you like!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Mestre (Mainland Venice)
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 Cycle through Venice to Jesolo/Caorle

Today you have two possibilities: either you cycle along the dam and the lagoon to Venice or you cycle through the back-country following the river Sile to reach Jesolo/Caorle.

The first few kilometres in the lagoon city are carried out by bicycle. Then you take a ferry across to Punta Sabbioni (ticket not included in the “package-price”). On the endless beaches at Litorale di Cavallino, a spit of land in the north of the lagoon, the route is lined by numerous fishing boats and souvenir stalls. Before you leave Venice through the “backdoor”, the opportunity exists for an excursion to the lighthouse at the outmost end of the island for a last view of the lagoon city and the surrounding islands. On the way to Jesolo one can hardly resist the opportunity to have a refreshing dip into the cool wet. You spend the night in Jesolo or Caorle.

If you choose the alternative through the hinterland you cycle along the river Sile. This natural river carries always a constant amount of water and flows quietly; that’s why its name is derived from the Latin word “silet” what means “keep silent”. Passing the ruins of Torre Caligo, a tower from the Middle Age which is situated near the homonymous canal “Caligo”, you reach directly Jesolo. If you will spend the night in Caorle you continue cycling along.

Overnight Location: Hotel in Jesolo/Caorle
Distance: 79 km, 113m elevation gain (can be shortened to 35km)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Cycle to Concordia Sagittaria/Portogruaro

Today you’ll ride away from the ocean for a bit as you approach the Julian Alps. The view is wonderful as you cross farmland and fields towards Portogruaro. This city feels Venetian at heart, and spending the night walking along the canals and through the palaces is perfect.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Concordia Sagittaria/Portogruaro
Distance: 30-35 km, 40m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Bike to Grado/Aquileia

Besides the beaches of the Adriatic, there is a lot to discover; ruins of former Roman cities, ancient churches and lonely landscapes on the edge of the lagoon. From Marano Lagunare you take the boat until shortly before Aquileia, once a large city of the Roman Empire, excavations of the Roman city can be seen in the open-air-site and in two museums.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Grado/Aquileia
Distance: 65, 45 or 85 km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Cycle to Monfalcone and Trieste

Today’s stage continues through the hinterland of Trieste, soaked in a meagre barren landscape of rocky caverns before returning to the sea and a coastline of unique beauty. Where the elevated plateaus plunge into the deep blue water and the white precipices stand upright jutting towards the heavens; and then the coastal road follows through suggestive resorts like Duino, Sistiana, Miramare, and Barcola. You should take time to visit the romantic castle of Miramare above the Bay of Grignano situated in the middle of a beautiful park in which a multiplicity of more the 2000 plants prosper. Above the Gulf of Trieste, entrenched is a city bearing the same name, once a harbour metropolis of the Habsburgs Empire and where you will be spending the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Trieste
Distance: 37 or 65 km, 75 or 225m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Bike to Muggia and Portoroz

One of the most exciting days of your cycling trip from Venice to Croatia starts with a quick boat ride to Muggia, where you’ll cruise down the coast. Welcome to Slovenia! That’s right, you’ll cycle the Slovenian Riviera and spend the evening in Portoroz.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Portoroz
Distance: 35 km, 350m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 Arrival at Porec

The last full day of your journey starts with a ride past the salt lakes of Secovlje and into Croatia. Here, you’ll ride along the famous Parenzana route, an old railway line that’s been converted into a cycling path. The path winds through the Istrian hills before descending into Porec. This medieval coastal town is the perfect place to unwind at the end of the trip, but make sure you enjoy some time at Euphrasius Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before you kick back.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Porec
Distance: 70 km, 475m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Goodbye, Porec!

Enjoy a final breakfast in Croatia before starting your journey home. You can either take a boat back to Venice or fly out of Pula.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast