The Excellent 7-Day Croatia Itinerary (Up to date 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’ll be able to 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 beautiful waterfalls and plush nationwide parks.

Whereas there may be quite a bit to see and do right here, most vacationers confine their go to to Dubrovnik or Break up. And certain, these are cool cities. However Croatia has rather more to supply.

However if 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 a variety of Southern Europe, it’s finest 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. If you happen to 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 guess is April-Could and early September till early November. Crowds will likely 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 absorb 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 greater. It’s the most well-liked vacation spot within the nation, because of its medieval walled Previous City, or Stari Grad, which might get full of vacationers, particularly through 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 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 payment isn’t low-cost at 35 EUR, however the stroll presents unbelievable views of the Previous 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 Previous City, and whereas it prices 27 EUR, as soon as you’re taking the trip and see the view you’ll notice it was nicely price the price. If you happen to’re on a price range, you can too hike to the highest. There’s a mud path that can take you to peak, but it surely’s a difficult hike. Give your self about an hour every approach. As soon as on the prime, you may sit on the restaurant and nurse an overpriced beverage whereas taking within the jaw-dropping view.

Go to the Battle Photograph Ltd. Museum
There aren’t a variety of nice museums in Dubrovnik, however ensure you go to Battle Photograph Ltd., a gallery began by New Zealand-born Wade Goddard, a former conflict photographer. The everlasting exhibition on the Balkan wars of the Nineteen Nineties will assist you 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 house to Dubrovnik Beer Firm, the town’s first and solely brewery. The cavernous taproom is a beautiful place to sip a neighborhood beer after a day of exploring.

Whenever you get hungry in Gruž, try Kiosk, an outside informal spot that serves up Dalmatian Coast fare with some international twists. Or for one thing really memorable and really Dalmatian, ebook a spot at Marija’s Home, the place chef Marija Papak opens her house 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 lately. However there are a couple of good causes to spend no less than in the future and night time 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 an enormous, lavish palace constructed proper on the seashore. He died a couple of years after he moved in, and what occurred subsequent is kind 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.

At the moment, you may stroll across the heart of Break up and instantly notice you’re truly 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’d like 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 (house to some 20,000 relics and artifacts).

The opposite predominant motive why Break up ought to be in your itinerary is that it’s the primary 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 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 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 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 consider 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 other facet of the island from Hvar City. Just lately added to the UNESCO World Heritage checklist, it boasts a warren of slim, stone-blanketed lanes. Make sure to additionally take a hike by 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 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 completely 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 house to Pelegrini, a Michelin-starred restaurant that serves up artistic takes on Central Dalmatian fare.

Šibenik can also 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 midst 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 variety 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 most important church on the Dalmatian Coast).

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 it, creating a wierd 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 hearken to the fascinating sounds of the ocean. In any case, 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 mountaineering trails, you could possibly 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, the nation presents a lot of worth and is tremendous straightforward to discover.

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