The Perfect 7-Day Croatia Itinerary (Updated 2024)

Posted: 5/13/2024 | Might thirteenth, 2024

Croatia has been a bustling vacationer sizzling spot for six or seven years now. Formed like a boomerang and bordering Bosnia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia, this small nation of 4 million folks punches properly above its weight. You may spend time stress-free on the sunny Adriatic Sea, hop between lots of of rugged and distant islands, feast on Italian-esque delicacies, or journey inland and go to gorgeous waterfalls and plush nationwide parks.

Whereas there may be a lot to see and do here, most vacationers confine their go to to Dubrovnik or Break up. And positive, these are cool cities. However Croatia has way more to supply.

However whenever you solely have per week and also you need the solar, I perceive why you’d wish to concentrate on that a part of Croatia. (Professional tip: Like lots of Southern Europe, it’s finest to keep away from Croatia through the warm-weather summer season months. Along with the excessive temperatures and excessive costs, you’re going to be sharing the nation with a military of vacationers. For those who go in winter, the climate is cooler and the costs are a lot gentler, however many vacationer cities, akin to Dubrovnik, virtually shut down from late October till mid-April. Your finest guess is April-Might and early September till early November. Crowds might be smaller and costs received’t be via the roof.)

So, that will help you plan your journey, I’ve created this ultimate seven-day itinerary for southern Croatia. It covers the highlights whereas additionally getting you off the crushed path. You’ll see cities, seashores, villages, and have loads of time to absorb the native tempo of life.

Days 1 & 2: Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a seaside city of simply 40,000 folks, however primarily based on its recognition, you’d suppose it was a lot larger. It’s the preferred vacation spot within the nation, because of its medieval walled Old Town, or Stari Grad, which might get full of vacationers, particularly through the peak summer season season.

Whereas most of Croatia is inexpensive, Dubrovnik is now not low-cost. A number of cruises cease right here now and costs have skyrocketed lately. That mentioned, there are some things right here which might be value forking out outrageous charges for:

Stroll the Previous City Partitions
Walking the medieval walls is a should if it’s your first time visiting. The doorway charge isn’t low-cost at 35 EUR, however the stroll affords unimaginable views of the Previous City and the glowing Adriatic Sea. It’s 60-90 minutes of awe and completely definitely worth the price ticket.

Summit Mr. Srd
Take the cable automotive as much as the highest of Mt. Srd. It towers over the Previous City, and whereas it prices 27 EUR, as soon as you’re taking the journey and see the view you’ll understand it was properly value the fee. For those who’re on a funds, it’s also possible to hike to the highest. There’s a mud path that may take you to peak, however it’s a difficult hike. Give your self about an hour every method. As soon as on the prime, you possibly can sit down on the restaurant and nurse an overpriced beverage whereas taking within the jaw-dropping view.

Go to the Struggle Picture Ltd. Museum
There are usually not lots of nice museums in Dubrovnik, however be sure to go to Struggle Picture Ltd., a gallery began by New Zealand-born Wade Goddard, a former warfare photographer. The everlasting exhibition on the Balkan wars of the Nineties will show you how to get a greater understanding of what went on right here 30 years in the past. It’s sobering, however eye-opening. Admission is 10 EUR.

Discover Gruž
If you wish to escape the vacationer crowds, particularly when there’s a cruise ship in port, head to Gruž, a once-gritty neighborhood on the marina that now boasts a number of nice eating places and cafés. It’s additionally house to Dubrovnik Beer Firm, the town’s first and solely brewery. The cavernous taproom is a beautiful place to sip an area beer after a day of exploring.

Once you get hungry in Gruž, try Kiosk, an out of doors informal spot that serves up Dalmatian Coast fare with some world twists. Or for one thing actually memorable and really Dalmatian, ebook a spot at Marija’s Home, the place chef Marija Papak opens her house to guests through the warm-weather months and cooks up a nightly feast of peka delicacies — lamb, pork, and/or octopus slow-cooked beneath a bell-like lid on the grill that renders the meat impossibly tender and scrumptious.
 

Day 3: Break up

About 240 kilometers (150 miles) up the coast is Break up, Croatia’s second largest metropolis. This lovely metropolis was comparatively ignored by vacationers till not too long ago. However there are a number of good causes to spend at the least at some point and evening right here.

The chief attraction in Break up is inconceivable to overlook. When Roman Emperor Diocletian determined to retire to the realm the place he grew up — the central Dalmatian Coast — he had a large, lavish palace constructed proper on the seashore. He died a number of years after he moved in, and what occurred subsequent is kind of fascinating: over the centuries, because the palace started to crumble and change into a break, the town principally moved in and made it a part of the material of the city.

At present, you possibly can stroll across the middle of Break up and all of a sudden understand you’re truly inside the palace. What was as soon as a hallway, for instance, is now a slender, limestone-clad lane. What might need been a bed room is now a seafood restaurant.

A lot of the palace is free to stroll round in. If you need an in-depth have a look at it, although, there are plenty of guided tours.

And when you’re in Break up, additionally don’t miss St. Duje’s Cathedral, Klis Fortress (featured in Recreation of Thrones), and the Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments (house to some 20,000 relics and artifacts).

The opposite most important motive why Break up ought to be in your itinerary is that it’s the primary transportation hub for ferries to numerous islands in central Dalmatia. After spending a night on the town, hop on a morning ferry to Hvar, considered one of Croatia’s coolest islands, a pleasing one hour and forty-five minutes. If you wish to get there extra rapidly, there’s additionally a catamaran.
 

Day 4: Hvar

The island of Hvar, identified for its lavender manufacturing, is a enjoyable place to spend a day. The eponymous Hvar City is the primary attraction for most individuals. Filled with centuries-old homes and slender alleyways, it’s an fascinating place to get misplaced for some time.

It additionally has attracted a wild occasion scene. All of the boat excursions cease right here for his or her passengers to get wasted and go clubbing on the world-famous Carpe Diem so take into account this island has a celebration scene – however there’s much more to the island!

For someplace extra laid-back, try Stari Grad, actually “Previous City,” positioned on the other facet of the island from Hvar City. Not too long ago added to the UNESCO World Heritage listing, it boasts a warren of slender, stone-blanketed lanes. Make sure you additionally take a hike via the island’s many olive groves and lavender fields.

For those who don’t have your personal car, there’s a wine and olive oil tasting tour to this facet of the island (you’ll make a cease on the lavender fields too).
 

Days 5 & 6: Sibenik and Krka Nationwide Park

About midway up the coast between Break up and Zadar is oft-overlooked Šibenik (pronounced “Shee-ben-eek”), a medieval city of about 35,000 folks that’s value spending a few days in. For starters, the St. James cathedral is a marvel to have a look at; it’s the world’s largest church made fully of stone. The fortress-topped city additionally boasts of a maze of limestone-topped alleyways. For those who really feel like a splurge, Šibenik is house to Pelegrini, a Michelin-starred restaurant that serves up inventive takes on Central Dalmatian fare.

Šibenik can also be the gateway for exploring close by Krka National Park and its stunning waterfalls. Ensure you additionally get there early to beat the vacationer buses to see 14th-century Visovac Monastery in the course of an island on the Krka River. Park admission ranges from 7 EUR within the off-season (January-February) all the way in which as much as a staggering 40 EUR throughout peak season (June-September).
 

Day 7: Zadar

Only one hour by automotive from Šibenik, Zadar has been getting lots of consideration in the previous few years. Its limestone-blanketed historic middle juts out into the Adriatic and is filled with medieval church buildings (try the oddly round church of St. Donatus, the most important church on the Dalmatian Coast).

The town additionally has a singular sea organ. Situated on a set of steps that descend into the ocean, the organ makes sounds because the waves crash via it, creating a wierd however harmonious sound that appears like whale calls. The organ consists of 35 tubes and was designed by architect Nikola Primary. Come right here at sundown to soak within the picturesque views and hearken to the fascinating sounds of the ocean. In spite of everything, Alfred Hitchcock mentioned Zadar has probably the most lovely sundown on this planet, making this a becoming vacation spot to finish your week-long journey alongside the coast.

With over a thousand islands, quite a few seashores, and numerous mountain climbing trails, you can simply spend months exploring Croatia and nonetheless solely scratch the floor. However, if you happen to solely have per week, this itinerary will present you the highlights whereas whetting your urge for food for future visits. Whereas it’s not fairly as low-cost because it was, the nation affords numerous worth and is tremendous simple to discover.

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