The Excellent 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 individuals punches nicely above its weight. You possibly can spend time enjoyable on the sunny Adriatic Sea, hop between a whole bunch 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 lots to see and do right here, most vacationers confine their go to to Dubrovnik or Cut up. And certain, these are cool cities. However Croatia has rather more to supply.

However once you solely have every week and also you need the solar, I perceive why you’d wish to give attention to that a part of Croatia. (Professional tip: Like a variety 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. If you happen to 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 wager is April-Could and early September till early November. Crowds might be smaller and costs received’t be by means of the roof.)

So, that will help you plan your journey, I’ve created this preferrred 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 take in the native tempo of life.

Days 1 & 2: Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a seaside city of simply 40,000 individuals, however based mostly on its reputation, you’d suppose it was a lot larger. It’s the preferred vacation spot within the nation, due to its medieval walled Outdated City, or Stari Grad, which may get full of vacationers, particularly in the course of the peak summer season season.

Whereas most of Croatia is inexpensive, Dubrovnik is now not low cost. Numerous cruises cease right here now and costs have skyrocketed in recent times. That mentioned, 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Stroll the Outdated City Partitions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 price isn’t low cost at 35 EUR, however the stroll provides 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 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’re taking the journey and see the view you’ll understand it was nicely value the price. If you happen to’re on a funds, you can even 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 approach. 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 variety of nice museums in Dubrovnik, however be sure you go to Battle Photograph Ltd., a gallery began by New Zealand-born Wade Goddard, a former battle photographer. The everlasting exhibition on the Balkan wars of the Nineteen Nineties will allow 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, the town’s first and solely brewery. The cavernous taproom is a beautiful place to sip an area beer after a day of exploring.

If you get hungry in Gruž, try Kiosk, an outside informal spot that serves up Dalmatian Coast fare with some world twists. Or for one thing really memorable and really Dalmatian, ebook 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 underneath 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 lovely metropolis was comparatively ignored by vacationers till lately. However there are just a few good causes to spend at the very least 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 an enormous, lavish palace constructed proper on the seashore. He died just a few years after he moved in, and what occurred subsequent is sort of attention-grabbing: over the centuries, because the palace started to crumble and develop into a break, the town principally moved in and made it a part of the material of the city.

At this time, you’ll be able to stroll across the middle of Cut up and instantly understand you’re truly inside the palace. What was as soon as a hallway, for instance, is now a slim, 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 whilst 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 (residence to some 20,000 relics and artifacts).

The opposite principal cause why Cut up needs to be in your itinerary is that it’s the primary transportation hub for ferries to varied islands in central Dalmatia. After spending a night on the town, hop on a morning ferry to Hvar, one in all 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 primary attraction for most individuals. Full of centuries-old homes and slim alleyways, it’s an attention-grabbing 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 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,” positioned on the other aspect of the island from Hvar City. Not too long ago added to the UNESCO World Heritage listing, it boasts a warren of slim, stone-blanketed lanes. You should definitely additionally take a hike by means of the island’s many olive groves and lavender fields.

If you happen to don’t have your personal 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 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 totally of stone. The fortress-topped city additionally boasts of a maze of limestone-topped alleyways. If you happen to 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 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 (try the oddly round church of St. Donatus, the most important church on the Dalmatian Coast).

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 by means of it, creating an odd however harmonious sound that appears 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 take heed to the fascinating sounds of the ocean. In spite of everything, Alfred Hitchcock mentioned Zadar has essentially 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 could possibly 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 once, the nation provides plenty of worth and is tremendous simple to discover.

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