Cycle the Balkans - Croatia to Albania

This escorted cycling holiday begins in Dubrovnik, Croatia, where the medieval walls look over the Adriatic and the limestone-paved Stradun leads through Baroque palaces. After a short transfer, the real riding starts near Zvekovica, heading through quiet farmland and cypress-lined roads of Konavle before crossing into Montenegro. There, the route winds along the Lustica Peninsula and around Kotor Bay, with views across olive groves and coastal inlets.

The middle portion of the week includes a gondola lift up Mount Lovcen, followed by a mostly downhill ride through karst landscapes, with a pause in Njegusi to sample prosciutto and cheese before arriving in Cetinje, Montenegro’s former royal capital. Cycling continues past Lake Skadar and into Albania, where the route opens out to gentler riding across the lowlands, passing small villages and farmland. The tour ends in Tirana, a city with a lively atmosphere that contrasts with the quiet country roads cycled on earlier days.

The itinerary suits cyclists prepared for varied terrain, including steep descents on gravel and quiet mountain passes. It moves steadily through three countries, offering a mix of cultural sights and local flavours in a small group setting with Explore Worldwide.

New to Croatia? Our Croatia guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.

Dubrovnik, and the republic that paid its way out of war

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These are the places the trip visits, in order. Explore Worldwide publishes the day-by-day itinerary on its own site.