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

Posted: 5/13/2024 | Might 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 effectively above its weight. You may 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 beautiful waterfalls and plush nationwide parks.

Whereas there may be lots to see and do right here, most vacationers confine their go to to Dubrovnik or Cut up. And positive, these are cool cities. However Croatia has rather more to supply.

However once 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 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. When 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-Might 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 superb 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 folks, however primarily based on its recognition, you’d assume it was a lot greater. It’s the most well-liked vacation spot within the nation, due to its medieval walled Previous City, or Stari Grad, which may get filled with vacationers, particularly in the course of the peak summer season season.

Whereas most of Croatia is reasonably priced, Dubrovnik is now not low-cost. Lots of cruises cease right here now and costs have skyrocketed in recent times. That stated, there are some things right here which might 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 gives unbelievable 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’re taking the trip and see the view you’ll notice it was effectively price the price. When you’re on a funds, you can even 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 method. 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 usually are not lots 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 warfare photographer. The everlasting exhibition on the Balkan wars of the 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 out of doors informal spot that serves up Dalmatian Coast fare with some international twists. Or for one thing actually memorable and really Dalmatian, e book 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 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 stunning metropolis was comparatively ignored by vacationers till not too long ago. However there are a couple of good causes to spend at the very least at some point and evening right here.

The chief attraction in Cut up is not possible 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 seaside. He died a couple of years after he moved in, and what occurred subsequent is sort of fascinating: over the centuries, because the palace started to crumble and turn into a break, the town principally moved in and made it a part of the material of the city.

Immediately, you may 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’d like 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 essential purpose 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, certainly one of 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, recognized 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 fascinating 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 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 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. You’ll want to additionally take a hike by 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 fully of stone. The fortress-topped city additionally boasts of a maze of limestone-topped alleyways. When you really feel like a splurge, Šibenik is residence to Pelegrini, a Michelin-starred restaurant that serves up artistic 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 automobile from Šibenik, Zadar has been getting lots of consideration in the previous couple of years. Its limestone-blanketed historic heart juts out into the Adriatic and is filled with medieval church buildings (try the oddly round church of St. Donatus, the biggest church on the Dalmatian Coast).

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 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 take heed to the charming sounds of the ocean. In spite of everything, Alfred Hitchcock stated Zadar has essentially the most stunning 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 climbing trails, you may simply spend months exploring Croatia and nonetheless solely scratch the floor. However, when 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 gives a lot of worth and is tremendous straightforward to discover.

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