The Good 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 individuals punches nicely above its weight. You may spend time enjoyable on the sunny Adriatic Sea, hop between a whole lot of rugged and distant islands, feast on Italian-esque delicacies, or journey inland and go to gorgeous waterfalls and plush nationwide parks.

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

However while 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 whole lot of Southern Europe, it’s finest to keep away from Croatia in the course of the warm-weather summer time 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 finest guess is April-Might and early September till early November. Crowds will likely be smaller and costs received’t be by way of the roof.)

So, that can assist 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 overwhelmed 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 individuals, however primarily based on its recognition, you’d suppose it was a lot larger. It’s the most well-liked vacation spot within the nation, because of its medieval walled Old Town, or Stari Grad, which might get filled with vacationers, particularly in the course of the peak summer time season.

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

Stroll the Outdated City Partitions
Walking the medieval walls is a should if it’s your first time visiting. The doorway price isn’t low-cost at 35 EUR, however the stroll gives unimaginable 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 automotive 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 nicely value the price. In the event you’re on a funds, it’s also possible to hike to the highest. There’s a mud path that may take you to peak, but it surely’s a difficult hike. Give your self about an hour every means. As soon as on the high, you’ll be able to sit down on the restaurant and nurse an overpriced beverage whereas taking within the jaw-dropping view.

Go to the Warfare Photograph Ltd. Museum
There usually are not a whole lot of nice museums in Dubrovnik, however be sure you go to Warfare Photograph Ltd., a gallery began by New Zealand-born Wade Goddard, a former warfare photographer. The everlasting exhibition on the Balkan wars of the Nineteen Nineties will assist 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 residence to Dubrovnik Beer Firm, town’s first and solely brewery. The cavernous taproom is a beautiful place to sip an area beer after a day of exploring.

Whenever 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 actually memorable and really Dalmatian, guide a spot at Marija’s Home, the place chef Marija Papak opens her residence 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: 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 not too long ago. However there are just a few good causes to spend no less than someday and night time right here.

The chief attraction in Cut up is not possible 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 seaside. He died just a few years after he moved in, and what occurred subsequent is kind of fascinating: over the centuries, because the palace started to crumble and turn into a smash, town mainly moved in and made it a part of the material of the city.

At this time, you’ll be able to stroll across the heart of Cut up and out of the blue understand you’re really 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. If you’d like an in-depth take a look at it, although, there are plenty of guided tours.

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

The opposite principal motive why Cut up must be in your itinerary is that it’s the principle transportation hub for ferries to varied islands in central Dalmatia. After spending a night on the town, hop on a morning ferry to Hvar, certainly 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. Full of centuries-old homes and slender alleyways, it’s an fascinating 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 have in mind 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 “Outdated 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. Make sure you additionally take a hike by way of the island’s many olive groves and lavender fields.

In the event you don’t have your individual car, 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 individuals that’s value spending a few days in. For starters, the St. James cathedral is a marvel to take 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 residence 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. 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 automotive from Šibenik, Zadar has been getting a whole lot 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 (take a look at the oddly round church of St. Donatus, the most important church on the Dalmatian Coast).

The 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 way of it, creating an odd 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 spite of everything, Alfred Hitchcock mentioned Zadar has probably the most stunning sundown on the earth, 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 climbing trails, you can simply spend months exploring Croatia and nonetheless solely scratch the floor. However, when you 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 once, the nation gives numerous worth and is tremendous simple to discover.

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