SPLIT: Guided ATV Tour Gornja Podstrana & Horses

The most unusual part of this Podstrana ATV tour is how quickly it trades Split’s city streets for a mountain village, rough tracks, sea views, and an old stone quarry tied to Game of Thrones. You ride a new quad with a local guide, then can add horseback riding at the quarry during the sunset departure.

I like the small groups of up to eight, since the route can be adjusted to your riding ability instead of feeling like a motorized parade. I also like the friendly, hands-on guiding, with photos, cold drinks, and local stories folded into the ride. The main consideration is that the advertised three-hour tour may run closer to about two and a half hours, and horseback riding, tavern food, and tavern drinks cost extra.

Key points to know before you book

• A quick escape from Split: The meeting point in Podstrana is about 10 minutes from Split, making this easy to add to a city stay.
• New quad vehicles: The ATVs are described as new, smooth, comfortable, and easy for first-time riders to learn.
• A quarry with screen history: The old stone quarry was used as a Game of Thrones filming site, and horseback riding can be added there on request.
• Sunset is the special departure: The 5:30 PM tour includes the option to stop at a local tavern and add horseback riding for €15 per person.
• Strong guiding: The guide is praised for being friendly, patient, informative, and willing to tailor the route to your ability.
• A practical age and license rule: Drivers must be at least 12 years old and hold a category B driving permit.

Why this ATV ride feels different from a standard Split excursion

Many Split activities keep you near the waterfront, Roman ruins, or ferry routes. This one points inland, toward the lower mountain country above Podstrana. That change is the whole point. You get a look at the area behind the resorts, where old stone, rough mountain tracks, and wide views over the Adriatic come together.

The ride begins from a parking spot at Advent u Podstrani. From there, the guide leads the group into Podstrana and upward through the historic mountain village. The setting gives you a useful contrast: Split is close enough to remain part of the view, but the ride feels far removed from the city.

I especially like that this is not presented as a pure speed event. The guide takes time at scenic spots and can shape the route around your comfort level. That matters if you have never handled an ATV before. You are not expected to arrive as an expert, and the machines are described as easy to get used to.

At the same time, you should know what kind of activity this is. You will be handling a motorized quad on mountain routes, not sitting in a sightseeing vehicle. Comfortable shoes and clothing are important, and a driving license is required for the driver. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, which is exactly the right rule for an activity involving vehicles.

From the Podstrana parking area to the mountain tracks

The meeting point is at a parking spot in Podstrana, with the ride ending at the same place. Since the starting area is roughly 10 minutes from Split, you do not need to give up a full day for the outing. You can fit it into a stay based in Split, though you will need to arrange your own way to and from the meeting point.

The first practical step is getting familiar with the ATV equipment. The quads are described as new and well maintained, and first-time riders have found them easy to handle. That does not mean you should rush. Use the opening minutes to get comfortable with the controls and make sure you understand the guide’s instructions.

The group limit is eight people. That is a useful size for an outdoor ride because the guide can keep an eye on everyone without the outing becoming too private or expensive. It also means the pace can be more personal than on a large bus excursion.

Bring a valid category B permit for the person driving. The supplied information does not say that a special motorcycle license is needed, but it does clearly require a B-category permit. Children under 12 are not accepted, so this is not a family outing for younger children.

Mountain views above Split and the islands

The best reason to choose this tour is the view. As you gain height above Podstrana, the outlook opens across Split and the nearby islands. The exact stops depend on the route and weather, but the experience is built around reaching mountain viewpoints that are difficult to see on a normal city tour.

This is where the ATV makes practical sense. You can travel beyond the paved areas and reach parts of the mountain setting that would be awkward to visit on foot during a short holiday. You also get changing angles over the coast rather than one fixed viewpoint.

The guide’s role matters here. The route has been tailored to different abilities, with time taken at viewpoints instead of pushing everyone to finish as quickly as possible. If you are a beginner, that should help you enjoy the scenery without feeling pressured. If you already ride quads, the outing may feel more like a scenic introduction to Podstrana than a technical off-road challenge.

The views are especially appealing during the sunset departure. The 5:30 PM option is built around the changing light, and the tour can finish with a local tavern visit. Keep your expectations sensible, though. This is a guided ride with scenic pauses, not a formal sunset meal or a long evening program.

The old stone quarry and its Game of Thrones connection

The ancient stone quarry gives the tour a strong sense of place. You are not just stopping for a generic photo opportunity. The quarry connects local stonework and mountain history with a modern screen location, since it was used for Game of Thrones filming.

The quarry is also where the optional horseback riding takes place. During the sunset tour, you can request this addition for €15 per person. It depends on weather conditions, so it should be treated as an extra possibility rather than a guaranteed part of the ride.

The horse experience adds a slower counterpoint to the ATV portion. After the engine noise and mountain roads, riding at the quarry gives you time to appreciate the stone setting from another angle. The available feedback describes the horses and stables as a memorable part of the evening, with the stables themselves connected to the filming location.

You should make the request before or while booking rather than assume it is automatically included. The horseback riding is not part of the $82 price, and it is offered with the 5:30 PM sunset departure. If weather prevents it, the quad portion remains the main activity.

What the sunset tour adds for $82

At $82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend three hours near Split. The value comes from the combination of equipment, a guide, mountain access, scenic stops, photos, cold drinks, and the chance to add two distinctive extras: horseback riding and a tavern visit.

The price makes the most sense if you want an active outing rather than a simple viewpoint transfer. You are paying for the ATV experience itself, but also for a route through Podstrana that would be hard to plan on your own. The small group and guide-led pacing improve the value, particularly for first-time riders.

Included are the licensed guide, ATV equipment, cold drinks, photos, and a storage box for your belongings. That storage box is a small but useful detail. You can keep extra items secured while riding instead of trying to manage a bag on the quad.

Food and drinks at the tavern are not included. The tavern stop is available only on the sunset tour at 5:30 PM, and you pay for anything you order there. Horseback riding costs another €15 per person and depends on the weather.

If your goal is simply to drive an ATV as fast as possible, the price may feel high. If you want views, local context, a quarry visit, and an optional horse ride in one compact outing, the package is easier to justify.

A realistic look at the timing

The tour is listed as lasting three hours, while the practical information says the ride is about two and a half hours. I would allow three hours in your schedule and avoid booking a tightly timed dinner, ferry, or airport transfer immediately afterward.

The itinerary is straightforward:

1. Meet at the parking area at Advent u Podstrani.
2. Ride through Podstrana and into the mountain area.
3. Stop for views over Split and the islands.
4. Visit the old stone quarry and, if arranged, take a horseback ride there.
5. Return to the original meeting point.

The route can be adapted to the group’s riding ability, which is a plus. It also means the exact order and amount of time at each stop may vary. You should think of this as a guided outdoor experience rather than a fixed timetable with every minute programmed.

Cold drinks are included, and photos are taken during the activity. That leaves you free to focus on riding and scenery instead of constantly trying to capture everything yourself. You can still bring a phone or camera, but comfortable clothing and shoes should come first.

The guide makes the difference

The strongest part of the experience is the guiding. The guide is described as friendly, patient, and well informed about the area, with a genuine interest in the environment and local history. Those qualities matter more here than a polished speech because the route involves vehicles, mountain tracks, and changing abilities.

A good guide can make a first ATV ride feel manageable. The feedback points to clear help for beginners, an unhurried pace, and time to stop at scenic places. That is useful if you are nervous about controlling a quad. You get a chance to learn without being made to feel like you are holding up the group.

The guide also helps turn the ride into more than a vehicle rental. You learn something about Podstrana, the mountain area, the quarry, and the views. The local setting becomes part of the activity rather than scenery that passes by in a blur.

The experience is offered in English and Croatian. No guide name is provided in the booking information, so I would not plan around meeting a particular person. The important practical point is that live guiding is part of the tour, rather than a self-guided route.

What to bring and what not to expect

Wear comfortable clothes that you do not mind using for an outdoor motor activity. Comfortable shoes are also required in practical terms, even though the formal guidance simply recommends them. You will want clothing that allows you to sit, move, and handle the ATV without fuss.

Bring your category B driving license. If you are booking for a group, make sure the person who plans to drive has the required permit. Anyone under 12 cannot take part.

A storage box is provided for belongings, but it is still sensible to pack lightly. The activity is not designed around carrying a large day bag. Cold drinks are included, while tavern food and drinks are extra on the sunset departure.

Do not expect the horseback riding to be included automatically. Request it in advance, remember the €15 supplement, and understand that weather can cancel that portion. Also do not assume the tavern stop is part of every departure. It applies to the 5:30 PM sunset tour.

The activity does not allow alcohol or drugs. That is both a stated rule and a basic safety requirement for driving ATVs.

Who will enjoy this Podstrana tour most

I would recommend this outing to couples, friends, and active adults who want a change from Split’s historic center and beaches. It works particularly well for first-time ATV riders because the machines are new, the groups are small, and the route can be adjusted to ability.

The sunset option is the best fit if you want the fullest version of the experience. It adds the chance for horseback riding at the quarry and a local tavern stop, giving the outing more variety than a standard daytime ride.

It is less suitable if you dislike outdoor motors, want a completely quiet nature activity, or need a precise finish time. It also is not suitable for children under 12, and the driver must hold a category B permit.

The activity has a 4.9 rating from 30 reviews, with repeated praise for the guide, the views, the easy-to-handle quads, and the horseback riding. Those are the elements I would use to judge the tour, rather than expecting a long formal history lesson or a difficult off-road course.

Should you book the ATV ride?

Book it if you want mountain views, a small group, and an active way to see Podstrana without spending a full day away from Split. The new quads, patient guiding, photos, drinks, and storage box make the $82 price reasonable for a three-hour guided outing.

Choose the 5:30 PM departure if possible. It offers the most memorable version, with sunset views, a possible €15 horseback ride at the Game of Thrones quarry, and a tavern stop where you can buy local food and drinks.

Skip it if you want an inexpensive transfer, a guaranteed fixed schedule, or a calm sightseeing tour with no driving. For everyone else, this is a smart way to see the mountain side of Split, especially if you are new to ATV riding and want a guide who sets a comfortable pace.

FAQ

How long does the ATV tour last?

The tour is listed as three hours, while the practical information describes the activity as about two and a half hours. Allow three hours when planning your day.

Where does the tour start and finish?

You meet at the parking spot at Advent u Podstrani. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is horseback riding included in the price?

No. Horseback riding at the old quarry costs €15 per person during the 5:30 PM sunset tour. It must be requested, and it depends on weather conditions.

What license does the driver need?

The driver must have a category B driving permit.

Are children allowed to join?

Children under 12 are not allowed to take part.

What is included in the $82 price?

The price includes a licensed guide, ATV equipment, cold drinks, photos, and a storage box for your belongings. Food and drinks at the tavern are not included.