The Excellent 7-Day Croatia Itinerary (Up to date 2024)

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

Croatia has been a bustling vacationer scorching 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 nicely above its weight. You may spend time stress-free on the sunny Adriatic Sea, hop between tons 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 quite a bit to see and do right here, most vacationers confine their go to to Dubrovnik or Cut up. And positive, these are cool cities. However Croatia has rather more to supply.

However whenever you solely have every week and also you need the solar, I perceive why you’d need to concentrate on that a part of Croatia. (Professional tip: Like a variety of Southern Europe, it’s greatest to keep away from Croatia throughout 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. In the event you go in winter, the climate is cooler and the costs are a lot gentler, however many vacationer cities, comparable to Dubrovnik, virtually shut down from late October till mid-April. Your greatest wager is April-Might and early September till early November. Crowds will probably be smaller and costs received’t be by the roof.)

So, that can assist you plan your journey, I’ve created this very best 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 based mostly on its recognition, you’d assume it was a lot greater. It’s the most well-liked vacation spot within the nation, due to its medieval walled Previous City, or Stari Grad, which might get full of vacationers, particularly throughout the peak summer season season.

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

Stroll the Previous City Partitions
Strolling the medieval partitions is a should if it’s your first time visiting. The doorway payment isn’t low cost at 35 EUR, however the stroll provides unbelievable 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 automobile as much as the highest of Mt. Srd. It towers over the Previous City, and whereas it prices 27 EUR, as soon as you are taking the journey and see the view you’ll notice it was nicely value the fee. In the event you’re on a finances, it’s also possible to hike to the highest. There’s a mud path that may take you to peak, nevertheless 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 Battle Picture Ltd. Museum
There usually are not a variety of nice museums in Dubrovnik, however be sure to go to Battle Picture Ltd., a gallery began by New Zealand-born Wade Goddard, a former conflict photographer. The everlasting exhibition on the Balkan wars of the Nineties will enable you 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 dwelling to Dubrovnik Beer Firm, town’s first and solely brewery. The cavernous taproom is a beautiful place to sip a neighborhood beer after a day of exploring.

While you get hungry in Gruž, take a look at Kiosk, an outside informal spot that serves up Dalmatian Coast fare with some international twists. Or for one thing really memorable and really Dalmatian, e-book a spot at Marija’s Home, the place chef Marija Papak opens her dwelling to guests throughout the warm-weather months and cooks up a nightly feast of peka delicacies — lamb, pork, and/or octopus slow-cooked below a bell-like lid on the grill that renders the meat impossibly tender and scrumptious.
 

Day 3: Cut up

About 240 kilometers (150 miles) up the coast is Cut up, Croatia’s second largest metropolis. This stunning metropolis was comparatively ignored by vacationers till lately. However there are a couple of good causes to spend at the least at some point and night time right here.

The chief attraction in Cut up is inconceivable to overlook. When Roman Emperor Diocletian determined to retire to the world the place he grew up — the central Dalmatian Coast — he had an enormous, lavish palace constructed proper on the seashore. He died a couple of years after he moved in, and what occurred subsequent is kind of attention-grabbing: over the centuries, because the palace started to crumble and grow to be a wreck, town mainly moved in and made it a part of the material of the city.

At this time, you possibly can stroll across the middle of Cut up and abruptly notice you’re really 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 take a look at it, although, there are loads of guided excursions.

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

The opposite predominant purpose why Cut up ought to be in your itinerary is that it’s the principle 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 nice one hour and forty-five minutes. If you wish to get there extra shortly, there’s additionally a catamaran.
 

Day 4: Hvar

The island of Hvar, recognized for its lavender manufacturing, is a enjoyable place to spend a day. The eponymous Hvar City is the principle attraction for most individuals. Full of centuries-old homes and slender alleyways, it’s an attention-grabbing place to get misplaced for some time.

It additionally has attracted a wild get together 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 remember this island has a celebration scene – however there’s much more to the island!

For someplace extra laid-back, take a look at Stari Grad, actually “Previous City,” situated on the alternative aspect of the island from Hvar City. Just lately added to the UNESCO World Heritage listing, it boasts a warren of slender, stone-blanketed lanes. Remember to additionally take a hike by the island’s many olive groves and lavender fields.

In the event you don’t have your individual automobile, there’s a wine and olive oil tasting tour to this aspect 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 Cut 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 completely of stone. The fortress-topped city additionally boasts of a maze of limestone-topped alleyways. In the event you really feel like a splurge, Šibenik is dwelling to Pelegrini, a Michelin-starred restaurant that serves up artistic takes on Central Dalmatian fare.

Šibenik can be the gateway for exploring close by Krka Nationwide Park and its gorgeous waterfalls. Be sure you additionally get there early to beat the vacationer buses to see 14th-century Visovac Monastery in the midst 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 automobile from Šibenik, Zadar has been getting a variety of consideration in the previous few years. Its limestone-blanketed historic middle juts out into the Adriatic and is filled with medieval church buildings (take a look at the oddly round church of St. Donatus, the most important church on the Dalmatian Coast).

Town additionally has a novel sea organ. Situated on a set of steps that descend into the ocean, the organ makes sounds because the waves crash by it, creating a wierd however harmonious sound that feels like whale calls. The organ consists of 35 tubes and was designed by architect Nikola Fundamental. Come right here at sundown to soak within the picturesque views and hearken to the charming sounds of the ocean. In any case, Alfred Hitchcock stated Zadar has essentially the most stunning sundown on the 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 mountaineering trails, you would simply spend months exploring Croatia and nonetheless solely scratch the floor. However, for those who solely have every 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 provides a number of worth and is tremendous simple to discover.

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