With a stunningly beautiful coastline, a mountainous and unspoilt interior and more than a thousand islands, Croatia is a fantastic holiday destination. For active holidaymakers there are plenty of opportunities to discover this versatile country. Get on your bike and follow one of the hundreds of routes, past medieval villages, right through vineyards or in one of the countless natural parks. On the back of a horse you can make beautiful trips along the coast, through dense forests, along wild rivers or in the countryside.
Croatia is a true cycling paradise. The possibilities are endless:from short trips for the whole family to multi-day routes for avid cyclists. Cycle along the endless coast and enjoy the beautiful views over the azure blue water. Or take a trip through the enchanting landscapes in one of the many nature parks such as Kopački rit in Slavonia and Medvednica in central Croatia. One of the most beautiful mountain bike trails is the Parenzana, which runs for 78 kilometers through Istria. The route follows an abandoned railway, which once connected Trieste in Italy with Poreč. You cycle through sleepy villages and over green hills with beautiful views over the valleys. Along the way you will come across train tunnels, railway bridges and remains of stations. Taking multi-day boat trips with your bike on board is also highly recommended. This way you discover the charm of many different islands by bike.
Horse riding has a long tradition in Croatia. For example, the famous white Lipizzaners have been bred for centuries at the Đakovo stud farm in Slavonia. There is also an annual folkloric horse competition, the Alka of Sinj. Since 1715, this competition has been held in the town of Sinj, commemorating the victory over the Ottoman Turks. It is a unique experience with knights dressed in beautiful traditional costumes. Prefer to ride a horse yourself? Croatia has many riding stables for short rides or multi-day hikes. Trek from village to village in the undiscovered countryside and meet the hospitable locals or discover the famous landscape around the Plitvice Lakes from the back of your horse. In warm weather, rider and horse cool off together in the refreshing water of one of the lakes. Whether you go for a ride in the unspoilt inland or along the coast:a horseback ride in Croatia is unique.
