Europe

Dalmatian Coast, Croatia

Includes Dubrovnik, Split, Šibenik, Zadar, and the islands of Bar, Brač, Hvar, and Korčula

This is a guide to running on the Dalmatian Coast, the narrow belt on the east shore of the Adriatic Sea, stretching from the island of Bar in the north to the Bay of Kortor in the south. We cover the best running options in the most visited and populous cities — Split, Zadar, Šibenik, & Dubovnik — plus the islands of Bar, Brač, Hvar, and Korčula.

Many of the best places to run on the Dalmatian Coast are along seaside promenades and quiet roads, which feature great views of the water and surrounding mountains. Inland, things can get rugged and hilly quite quickly. We also feature some terrific ‘runseeing’ tours of historic sections of Split, Zadar, and Dubrovnik. A couple of our routes showcase famous ‘Game of Thrones’ filming sites.

Runners should note that the weather in Croatia is terrific for running, with mid winters and warm to hot summers. Take care on the exposed routes in summer. As for getting around, Split is served by train, while buses connect the other coastal towns. A car is helpful. There’s an extensive ferry system servicing the islands.

See Also

Our Separate Guides for Dubrovnik & the Istrian Peninsula

Istria, Croatia

Located on the westernmost part of Croatia, the heart-shaped Istria peninsula is surrounded by the Adriatic Sea,... more...

All Dalmatian Coast Routes
  • All Routes
  • Iconic Routes
  • Weather & Climate
  • Where To Stay
  • Stores & Group Runs
  • Events

The Dalmatian Coast has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Runners should note that daytime temperatures in summer average 30C — use caution!  Spring and fall are delightfully warm. In winter, high temperatures are in the 10C (50F) range, with nights around 5C (low 40s). It can rain at any time of year, though winters are notably wetter. There can be snow in the mountains nearby.

Road race calendar for Croatia. Run Croatia also has a good calendar and other resources for running in Croatia.