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 folks punches properly above its weight. You’ll be able to spend time stress-free 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 beautiful waterfalls and luxurious nationwide parks.

Whereas there may be lots 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 whenever you solely have per week and also you need the solar, I perceive why you’d need to deal with that a part of Croatia. (Professional tip: Like lots of Southern Europe, it’s greatest to keep away from Croatia through 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, corresponding 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 by way of the roof.)

So, that will help you plan your journey, I’ve created this ideally suited 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 folks, however based mostly 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 It’s the preferred vacation spot within the nation, because of its medieval walled Outdated City, or Stari Grad, which might get full of vacationers, particularly through the peak summer time season.

Whereas most of Croatia is reasonably priced, Dubrovnik is now not low cost. Quite a lot of cruises cease right here now and costs have skyrocketed in recent times. That stated, there are some things right here which can be 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Stroll the Outdated City Partitions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 presents unimaginable views of the Outdated 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 Outdated City, and whereas it prices 27 EUR, as soon as you’re taking the trip and see the view you’ll understand it was properly value the associated fee. In the event you’re on a funds, you can too hike to the highest. There’s a mud path that may take you to peak, however it’s a difficult hike. Give your self about an hour every approach. As soon as on the prime, you possibly can sit on the restaurant and nurse an overpriced beverage whereas taking within the jaw-dropping view.

Go to the Warfare Picture Ltd. Museum
There will not be lots of nice museums in Dubrovnik, however be sure to go to Warfare Picture Ltd., a gallery began by New Zealand-born Wade Goddard, a former struggle photographer. The everlasting exhibition on the Balkan wars of the Nineteen Nineties will provide help 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 a neighborhood beer after a day of exploring.

While 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, guide a spot at Marija’s Home, the place chef Marija Papak opens her residence to guests through 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 not too long ago. However there are a number of good causes to spend at the very least someday and night time right here.

The chief attraction in Break up is inconceivable 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 turn into a wreck, town mainly moved in and made it a part of the material of the city.

Immediately, you possibly can stroll across the middle 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 take 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 (residence to some 20,000 relics and artifacts).

The opposite most important cause why Break up needs to 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, one in all 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 get together 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 remember 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. Just lately added to the UNESCO World Heritage checklist, 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 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 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 completely 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 be the gateway for exploring close by Krka Nationwide Park and its beautiful waterfalls. Ensure 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 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 lots of consideration in the previous couple of 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 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 a wierd 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 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 would simply spend months exploring Croatia and nonetheless solely scratch the floor. However, in the event 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, the nation presents a lot of worth and is tremendous simple to discover.

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