For the past six or seven years, Croatia travel itinerary has been a booming trend among travelers seeking diverse experiences. With a boomerang-like shape and borders to Bosnia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia, this tiny nation of four million people packs a powerful punch. You can laze around on the warm Adriatic Sea, explore hundreds of untamed islands, indulge in delicious Italian-inspired food, or head inland to discover breathtaking waterfalls and verdant national parks.
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Even though there is a much to see and do in this area, most visitors just stay in Split or Dubrovnik. Indeed, those cities are really cool. However, Croatia offers a lot more.
I can understand, though, why you would want to concentrate on that area of Croatia travel itinerary if you only had a week and you want to be in the sun. As with most of Southern Europe, it is advisable to avoid Croatia in the summer when the weather is warm. You will be sharing the nation with hordes of tourists in addition to the high heat and expensive costs. Winter travel offers milder temperatures and more affordable travel; but, several popular tourist destinations, like Dubrovnik, are essentially closed from late October until mid-April. April through May and early September through early November are your best bets. There will not be as many people around and costs will not be exorbitant.)
So, I have put together this perfect seven-day Croatia travel itinerary for southern Croatia to assist you in organizing your trip. It takes you off the beaten track and covers the highlights. You will get enough of opportunity to experience the local way of life while taking in the sights of towns, beaches, and cities.
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Days 1 & 2: Dubrovnik
An breathtaking vista over the Adriatic Sea and Old Town of Dubrovnik, Croatia
Despite having a population of about 40,000, Dubrovnik gives the impression that it is considerably larger due to its widespread popularity. Dubrovnik, with its walled Old Town from the Middle Ages, is the most visited place in the nation, making it a key part of any Croatia travel itinerary.
Most of Croatia is reasonably priced, however Dubrovnik has becoming more expensive. These days, many cruises stop here, and costs have increased dramatically in recent years. Nevertheless, a few goods listed are worthwhile paying exorbitant costs for:
Explore the Old Town Walls
It is imperative that you stroll around the ancient walls if this is your first visit. The stroll offers breathtaking views of the Old Town and the glistening Adriatic Sea, but the 35 EUR entrance fee is pricey. It is well worth the cost and provides amazement for 60 to 90 minutes.
Peak Mr. Senior
Ride the cable car to the summit of Mount Sherman. It costs 27 EUR, but after you take the trip and see the vista, you will understand it was well worth the money. It towering over the Old Town. You can also hike all the way to the top if money is tight. There is a strenuous trek up a dirt trail that leads to the peak. Allow approximately one hour for each journey. After reaching the summit, you can sit down at the restaurant and have an expensive drink while soaking in the breathtaking view.
Check out the Museum of War Photo Ltd.
Dubrovnik may not have many excellent museums, but you should definitely check out War Photo Ltd., a gallery founded by veteran war photographer Wade Goddard, who was born in New Zealand. You can gain a deeper knowledge of the events that occurred here thirty years ago by visiting the permanent exhibition on the Balkan wars of the 1990s. It is eye-opening but sobering. It costs 10 EUR to enter.
Investigate Gruž
Gruž, a once-gritty area on the waterfront, is an excellent place to get away from the crowds of tourists, especially when a cruise ship is in town. It now has several great restaurants and cafés. The city’s sole brewery, Dubrovnik Beer Company, is also located there. After exploring the area for the day, unwind with a local beer in the spacious taproom.
When you are hungry in Gruž, try Kiosk, a laid-back outdoor restaurant serving Dalmatian Coast cuisine with a little bit of international flair. For a truly unique and authentically Dalmatian experience, reserve a table at Marija’s House. During the warm months, chef Marija Papak welcomes guests into her home where she prepares a nightly spread of peka cuisine, which consists of slow-cooked lamb, pork, and/or octopus covered with a bell-shaped grill lid, leaving the meat incredibly succulent and flavorful.
Day 3: Divided
Split, Croatia’s breathtaking shoreline on a gloriously sunny day
Split, the second-biggest city in Croatia, is located around 240 kilometers (150 miles) up the coast. Until recently, travelers largely disregarded this lovely city. However, there are a few compelling reasons to stay here for at least a day and a night.
It is impossible to ignore Split is main attraction. Roman Emperor Diocletian had a huge, opulent mansion built directly on the beach when he made the decision to retire to the central Dalmatian Coast, where he was born and raised. He passed within a few years after moving there, and what followed is very interesting: when the palace crumbled and turned into a ruin throughout the ages, the city essentially moved in and incorporated it into the town’s structure.
These days, you can take a stroll through Split is downtown and find yourself unexpectedly within the palace. For example, what was previously a hallway is now a tiny road lined with limestone. A seafood restaurant used to be located in what was possibly a bedroom.
You can explore a large portion of the palace on foot. On the other hand, there are lots of guided tours available if you want a closer look.
Additionally, while in Split, make sure to visit the Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments, which has some 20,000 relics and artifacts, St. Duje’s Cathedral, and Klis Fortress—which is mentioned in the television series Game of Thrones.
Split serves as the primary transit center for ferries to numerous islands in central Dalmatia, another compelling reason to include it on your Croatia travel itinerary. Take a morning ferry to Hvar, one of Croatia’s most pleasant islands, after spending the evening in the city. The trip takes about one hour and forty-five minutes. There is also a catamaran available if you would want to arrive sooner.
Day Four: Hvar
Gorgeous seas at a harbor on the Croatian island of Hvar on a bright summer day, with historic buildings in the distance
Spending a day on the island of Hvar, which is well-known for producing lavender, is enjoyable. For most visitors, the major attraction is Hvar Town. It is an interesting place to spend some time getting lost in, with its small passageways and houses dating back hundreds of years.
Additionally, it has drawn a crazy party scene. Remember that this island has a party scene, but there is much more to the island! Boat trips all stop here to let their customers get wasted and go partying at the renowned Carpe Diem!
On the other side of the island from Hvar Town, you will find Stari Grad, also known as “Old Town,” to be a more relaxed place to visit. It has been recently inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list and features a maze of tiny, stone-paved alleyways. Do not forget to trek through the various lavender fields and olive trees on the island.
There is a wine and olive oil tasting excursion to this side of the island if you do not have your own car; it also stops at the lavender fields.
Days 5 and 6: Krka National Park and Sibenik
The stunning Krka waterfalls in a Croatian national park, encircled by lush vegetation
The often-overlooked medieval village of Šibenik (pronounced “Shee-ben-eek”), which is worth spending a few days in, is located approximately halfway up the coast between Split and Zadar. First of all, the St. James Cathedral, the biggest all-stone church in the world, is a visual marvel. The village perched atop a fortification is also known for its labyrinth of limestone-topped alleys. If you are in the mood to treat yourself, Pelegrini, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Šibenik, offers inventive interpretations on Central Dalmatian cuisine.
The entrance to the neighboring Krka National Park and its breathtaking waterfalls lies at Šibenik. For a view of the 14th-century Visovac Monastery situated on an island in the Krka River, arrive early to avoid the crowds of tourists on the tour busses. Park entrance fees vary from 7 EUR during the off-peak (January-February) to an incredible 40 EUR during the on-peak (June-September) season.
Day 7: Zadar
The lengthy stone steps that run along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast in Zadar
Zadar, which is about an hour’s drive from Šibenik, has gained a lot of popularity recently. A plethora of medieval churches fill its limestone-covered old town, which protrudes into the Adriatic (do not miss the curiously spherical church of St. Donatus, the largest church on the Dalmatian Coast).
There is a distinctive marine organ in the city. Situated atop a flight of stairs that plunge into the ocean, the organ produces a peculiar yet melodic sound akin to whale cries when the waves smash across it. Architect Nikola Basic designed the organ, which has 35 tubes. Visit this location around dusk to take in the stunning scenery and the entrancing sounds of the waves. After all, Zadar is an appropriate place to round off your week-long tour down the coast, according to Alfred Hitchcock, who claimed that the city offers the most breathtaking sunsets worldwide.
Croatia offers an abundance of hiking paths, over a thousand islands, and beaches. You could easily spend months traveling Croatia and not see everything, but this Croatia travel itinerary will guide you through the highlights in just one week.. Even while it is not quite as inexpensive as it once was, the nation is incredibly accessible and offers a ton of value.
