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

Posted: 5/13/2024 | Could 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 properly 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 beautiful waterfalls and luxurious nationwide parks.

Whereas there’s a lot to see and do right here, most vacationers confine their go to to Dubrovnik or Break up. And certain, these are cool cities. However Croatia has far more to supply.

However once you solely have per 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 number of Southern Europe, it’s greatest to keep away from Croatia in the course of 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, similar to Dubrovnik, virtually shut down from late October till mid-April. Your greatest guess is April-Could and early September till early November. Crowds will probably be smaller and costs received’t be via the roof.)

So, that will help you plan your journey, I’ve created this 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 primarily based on its reputation, you’d assume it was a lot larger. It’s the preferred vacation spot within the nation, because of its medieval walled Outdated City, or Stari Grad, which might get filled with vacationers, particularly in the course of the peak summer season season.

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

Stroll the Outdated City Partitions
Strolling the medieval partitions is a should if it’s your first time visiting. The doorway charge isn’t low-cost at 35 EUR, however the stroll presents unbelievable views of the Outdated City and the glowing Adriatic Sea. It’s 60-90 minutes of awe and completely well worth the price ticket.

Summit Mr. Srd
Take the cable automobile as much as the highest of Mt. Srd. It towers over the Outdated City, and whereas it prices 27 EUR, as soon as you are taking the experience and see the view you’ll understand it was properly value the price. In the event you’re on a finances, you may as well hike to the highest. There’s a mud path that can take you to peak, but it surely’s a difficult hike. Give your self about an hour every method. As soon as on the prime, you’ll be able to sit on the restaurant and nurse an overpriced beverage whereas taking within the jaw-dropping view.

Go to the Battle Photograph Ltd. Museum
There are usually not a number of nice museums in Dubrovnik, however ensure you go to Battle Photograph 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, town’s first and solely brewery. The cavernous taproom is a beautiful place to sip a neighborhood 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 international twists. Or for one thing actually memorable and really Dalmatian, e-book a spot at Marija’s Home, the place chef Marija Papak opens her house to guests in the course of 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: 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 lately. However there are a couple of good causes to spend a minimum of in the future and night time right here.

The chief attraction in Break up is unattainable to overlook. When Roman Emperor Diocletian determined to retire to the world the place he grew up — the central Dalmatian Coast — he had a large, lavish palace constructed proper on the seaside. 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 turn out to be a break, town mainly moved in and made it a part of the material of the city.

Right this moment, you’ll be able to stroll across the heart of Break up and immediately understand you’re truly inside the palace. What was as soon as a hallway, for instance, is now a slender, limestone-clad lane. What may need been a bed room is now a seafood restaurant.

A lot of the palace is free to stroll round in. In order for you an in-depth have a look at it, although, there are loads of guided excursions.

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 purpose why Break 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 pleasing 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, identified for its lavender manufacturing, is a enjoyable place to spend a day. The eponymous Hvar City is the principle attraction for most individuals. Filled with centuries-old homes and slender alleyways, it’s an attention-grabbing place to get misplaced for some time.

It additionally has attracted a wild social gathering 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 note this island has a celebration scene – however there’s much more to the island!

For someplace extra laid-back, try Stari Grad, actually “Outdated City,” situated on the alternative facet of the island from Hvar City. Just lately added to the UNESCO World Heritage checklist, it boasts a warren of slender, stone-blanketed lanes. Make sure to additionally take a hike via the island’s many olive groves and lavender fields.

In the event you 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 solely 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 house to Pelegrini, a Michelin-starred restaurant that serves up inventive takes on Central Dalmatian fare.

Šibenik can be the gateway for exploring close by Krka Nationwide Park and its beautiful waterfalls. Be sure to 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 automobile from Šibenik, Zadar has been getting a number of consideration in the previous couple of years. Its limestone-blanketed historic heart juts out into the Adriatic and is full of medieval church buildings (try the oddly round church of St. Donatus, the most important church on the Dalmatian Coast).

Town additionally has a novel sea organ. Positioned on a set of steps that descend into the ocean, the organ makes sounds because the waves crash via it, creating an odd however harmonious sound that feels 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 stated Zadar has probably the most lovely 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 might simply spend months exploring Croatia and nonetheless solely scratch the floor. However, for those who 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 presents a number of worth and is tremendous simple to discover.

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