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

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

Croatia has been a bustling vacationer sizzling 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 gorgeous waterfalls and luxurious nationwide parks.

Whereas there’s loads 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 way more to supply.

However while you solely have every week and also you need the solar, I perceive why you’d wish 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 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. When you go in winter, the climate is cooler and the costs are a lot gentler, however many vacationer cities, resembling Dubrovnik, virtually shut down from late October till mid-April. Your finest wager 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 will help you plan your journey, I’ve created this supreme 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 recognition, you’d assume it was a lot greater. It’s the preferred 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 reasonably priced, Dubrovnik is now not low-cost. A variety of cruises cease right here now and costs have skyrocketed in recent times. That stated, there are some things right here which are 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 automotive as much as the highest of Mt. Srd. It towers over the Previous City, and whereas it prices 27 EUR, as soon as you’re taking the experience and see the view you’ll notice it was properly price the price. When you’re on a price range, you can too hike to the highest. There’s a dust path that may take you to peak, but it surely’s a difficult hike. Give your self about an hour every method. As soon as on the high, 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 are usually not a whole lot 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 warfare photographer. The everlasting exhibition on the Balkan wars of the 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 dwelling to Dubrovnik Beer Firm, the town’s first and solely brewery. The cavernous taproom is a stunning place to sip an area beer after a day of exploring.

If 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 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 lovely metropolis was comparatively ignored by vacationers till lately. However there are a number of good causes to spend at the least at some point and night time right here.

The chief attraction in Cut 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 a number of years after he moved in, and what occurred subsequent is sort of attention-grabbing: over the centuries, because the palace started to crumble and change into a spoil, the town mainly moved in and made it a part of the material of the city.

Right this moment, you possibly can stroll across the heart of Cut up and immediately notice 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 need 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 (dwelling to some 20,000 relics and artifacts).

The opposite major cause why Cut up needs 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, one among 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 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 into accout 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,” positioned on the other aspect of the island from Hvar City. Just lately added to the UNESCO World Heritage record, 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.

When you don’t have your personal 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 folks that’s price 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 totally of stone. The fortress-topped city additionally boasts of a maze of limestone-topped alleyways. When you 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 course of an island on the Krka River. Park admission ranges from 7 EUR within the off-season (January-February) all the best way 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 (try the oddly round church of St. Donatus, the biggest church on the Dalmatian Coast).

The town additionally has a singular sea organ. Positioned 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 seems 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 take heed to the charming 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 mountain climbing trails, you could possibly simply spend months exploring Croatia and nonetheless solely scratch the floor. However, should you 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 presents a lot of worth and is tremendous straightforward to discover.

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