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 individuals punches effectively above its weight. You’ll be able to 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 may be rather a lot to see and do right here, most vacationers confine their go to to Dubrovnik or Break up. And positive, 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 wish to concentrate on that a part of Croatia. (Professional tip: Like loads of Southern Europe, it’s finest to keep away from Croatia throughout 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. If you happen to 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 wager is April-Could and early September till early November. Crowds can be smaller and costs gained’t be by the roof.)

So, that can assist you plan your journey, I’ve created this splendid 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 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 assume it was a lot larger. It’s the preferred vacation spot within the nation, due to its medieval walled Previous City, or Stari Grad, which may get full of vacationers, particularly throughout the peak summer time season.

Whereas most of Croatia is inexpensive, Dubrovnik is not low cost. A number of cruises cease right here now and costs have skyrocketed in recent times. That stated, there are some things right here which can be price 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 charge isn’t low cost at 35 EUR, however the stroll presents 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 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 trip and see the view you’ll understand it was effectively price the fee. If you happen to’re on a price range, you too can hike to the highest. There’s a mud path that can take you to peak, however it’s a difficult hike. Give your self about an hour every means. As soon as on the prime, 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 Battle Photograph Ltd. Museum
There should not loads of nice museums in Dubrovnik, however ensure you go to Battle Photograph Ltd., a gallery began by New Zealand-born Wade Goddard, a former struggle 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.

Once 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, 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 underneath 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 just lately. However there are just a few good causes to spend not less than someday and evening right here.

The chief attraction in Break up is unimaginable 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 seashore. 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 change into a spoil, town principally moved in and made it a part of the material of the city.

At present, you’ll be able to stroll across the middle of Break up and abruptly understand you’re really inside the palace. What was as soon as a hallway, for instance, is now a slim, 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 loads of guided excursions.

And whilst 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 (dwelling to some 20,000 relics and artifacts).

The opposite primary motive why Break up ought 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 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. Full of centuries-old homes and slim alleyways, it’s an fascinating place to get misplaced for some time.

It additionally has attracted a wild celebration 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, try Stari Grad, actually “Previous City,” situated on the alternative facet of the island from Hvar City. Not too long ago added to the UNESCO World Heritage record, it boasts a warren of slim, stone-blanketed lanes. Make sure you additionally take a hike by the island’s many olive groves and lavender fields.

If you happen to 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 individuals that’s price 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 dwelling 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 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 loads of consideration in the previous few years. Its limestone-blanketed historic middle 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 singular sea organ. Situated on a set of steps that descend into the ocean, the organ makes sounds because the waves crash by 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 any case, Alfred Hitchcock stated Zadar has essentially 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 can simply spend months exploring Croatia and nonetheless solely scratch the floor. However, should 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 presents numerous worth and is tremendous simple to discover.

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