Croatia is a beautiful Slovak country on the Adriatic Sea in Southeastern Europe. My husband and I traveled through Croatia for three weeks in September 2022 as part of our Year Long Honeymoon. For our exact itinerary and what we did, read my September update post here: Year Long Honeymoon – September 2022: The Month of Beaches and Beer.
Most visitors to the country only visit the coast and the islands and a majority of our time in Croatia was spent there as well. However most of the country is actually inland and has a very different feel than the coastal areas. We did visit Zagreb, the capital, and the Plitvice Lakes region before heading to the coast and I would recommend those areas as well.
To create your own unique vacation to Croatia, chose from the different one, two, or three week itineraries I have created below. Under each town I have described a few activities that you can do at each location to get you started on planning your dream Croatian vacation!
Table of Contents
1 Week Itinerary for Partiers
Overview: 3 Nights Split, 4 Nights Hvar Town
It’s no secret that Croatia has become known as a beach party destination in recent years. Split and Hvar Town are the two most popular party destinations, but because of this they are also two of the most expensive cities to visit in Croatia. Even if you’re not a big partier (I’m not) you will still enjoy these gorgeous destinations, but if you’re on the hunt for a budget trip, this isn’t it.
3 Nights Split
Split is one of the bigger cities in Croatia and has become a huge international vacation destination. Split is located on the mainland on the southern part of the country’s coastline. While there are many beautiful beaches and a historic Old Town built in the remains of an ancient palace, many people come to Split for partying.
Take a Walking Tour through Diocletian's Palace
The heart of Split was built up and inside an ancient Roman palace. It’s insanely beautiful and the history is really cool and is worth learning about on a walking tour. There are many walking tour companies to chose from, but we used Gecko Tours and it cost about $15 per person. I think it would be hard to appreciate the history of Diocletian’s palace by walking through it by yourself.
Visit Kasjuni Beach
Kasjuni isn’t the closest beach to downtown Split, but it was recommended to me by a local and it was beautiful, relaxing, and worth the $5 Uber each way from town. There is a beach club where you can rent loungers and umbrellas or the rest of the beach is free to visit.
Take a Boat Tour
There are dozens of boat tours in Split to chose from, many of them full day booze cruises. We chose a small boat half day tour from Airbnb Experiences and we visited a quiet bay with a shipwreck, the Blue Lagoon, and the small town of Trogir. In one bay there was a man in a small boat that came by to sell us freshly made mojitos. It was such a cute and unique experience to be served a mojito from one small boat to another!
4 Nights Hvar Town
Hvar can refer to both an island and a town. “Hvar Town” is the main town and party destination on Hvar Island, but there are some other smaller cities worth visiting on Hvar Island as well. The town is a beautiful old city built on a few hills, so walking around can be a bit tiring, but it is so worth it. I came into Hvar thinking it would be overrated but I ended up really enjoying how beautiful it was. Sure it can be a bit expensive, but there are ways to make it affordable.
Visit the Two Fortresses Above Hvar Town
Fortica Fortress is close to town and only a 10-15 minute walk up a winding path. The views are worth the walk alone and I definitely recommend taking some time out of your day to see it. You have to pay a small fee to go inside the fortress, and we decided not to go in. The fortress was built in the 16th century, so if that is interesting to you, I recommend viewing the small museum inside.
Napoleon Fortress is further from town and at a higher elevation than Fortica Fortress. While it is possible to walk from town it would be considered a hike more than a walk. We rode mopeds up the steep windy road to the top. The fort itself is closed to visitors so you’re just going up for the view, which is incredible!
Day or Overnight Trip to Stari Grad
Stari Grad is a small town on the Northern side of Hvar Island, about 20 kilometers from Hvar Town. Riding scooters to Stari Grad and walking around the ancient city was one of my favorite days in my three weeks in Croatia and I highly recommend doing the same. If you’re not comfortable on a scooter you can take a local bus to Stari Grad. You can see most of the city in a few hours, but if you want to really soak it all in you could even do an overnight trip. There are a few really good restaurants to explore, plus the harbor is just so beautiful. The town itself has a lot of history and is one of the oldest towns in Croatia and all of Europe.
Party the Night Away on a Private Island
Most people who come to Hvar for partying end up at Carpe Diem one night. It is one of the most famous beach clubs and night clubs in the world. There is a free boat shuttle from the Hvar harbor to the Carpe Diem beach, however you have to pay a hefty cover charge to get into Carpe Diem. There are other clubs and bars in Hvar Town, but Carpe Diem is definitely the most iconic. Take a look at their Instagram page to see if it’s something you would be interested in: Carpe Diem Beach Hvar.
1 Week Itinerary for Relaxing & Adventure
Overview: 3 Nights Bol, 4 Nights Dubrovnik
This one week itinerary brings you to Bol on Brač Island, and Dubrovnik, the beautiful walled city at the Southern tip of Croatia. You’ll have time to soak up all the sun at the beautiful beaches in Bol before heading to Dubrovnik to get lost in the ancient Old Town.
3 Nights Bol
Bol is one of the smaller towns we visited in Croatia, but also one of my favorite. It’s located on Brač Island, the largest in Croatia. The crowd tends to skew older as partying and clubs aren’t a big part of the culture in Bol. If you want to avoid that side of Croatia, this is the place for you! Bol is also home to the famous Golden Horn Beach and the highest point in the Adriatic Islands.
Enjoy the Beaches
Bol is home to Zlatni Rat or “Golden Horn” one of the most famous and photographed beaches in Croatia. You can see in the photo below the shape of the beach jutting out into the ocean just like a…. Golden Horn!
There are many other beaches around Bol and all over Brač Island. Another popular beach is “Romantic Beach” which is a few kilometers out of town. There is also a long stretch of nude beaches just past Golden Horn beach if that is more your style. On the other side of town from Golden Horn are a few smaller beaches, Bijela Kuča and Martinica Beach.
Explore the Restaurant Scene
If you want a nice meal during your Croatian vacation, Bol is a great place for it. The restaurants in Bol were exponentially cheaper than those in Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik.
One restaurant with a gorgeous view is Ribarska Kućica. Unfortunately we couldn’t eat there because they were full for the night so be sure to make reservations. Restoran Argento also has great views and reasonable prices, and for a more casual meal, I enjoyed the pizza at Pizzeria Nevis.
Hike to the Highest Peak in the Adriatic Islands
Vidova Gora is the highest point in the Croatian Islands. We hiked up from town, but you can drive most of the way up if you don’t want to hike. The hike is pretty difficult because you go from sea level up to 780m (2,559 feet). Round trip we hiked 12km (7.5 miles.) There is a small stand at the top selling cold drinks, coffee, and small snacks if you need to fuel up before heading back down.
4 Nights Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik has a much different vibe than the rest of the coast of Croatia as the city was actually an independent city state for most of its existence and was never ruled by the Venetians like the rest of the coastal Croatia. Most of the tourist attractions are centered around the old walled city center but Dubrovnik expands far beyond just that small part. The city has gained much popularity in the past decade by being the filming location for several Game of Thrones episodes.
Walk the City Walls and Visit the Fortress
The city walls are the defining characteristic of Dubrovnik and are really a can’t miss attraction. The ticket to walk on them is a bit overpriced at ~$30, but I think it is worth the price unless you’re on a shoestring backpacker budget. Included in the price of the City Walls ticket, you can also visit the Lovrijenac Fortress. You get a great view of the whole city and you shouldn’t miss a visit there. Buy your Dubrovnik Pass at Dubrovnikpass.com for access to the City Walls and several museums in Dubrovnik.
Take an Evening Walking Tour of Old Town
Because Dubrovnik has a unique history from the rest of Croatia, I found a walking tour to be a really valuable experience. I recommend a night tour because cruise ships dock in Dubrovnik during the day bringing hundreds, if not thousands of day trippers into the Old Town. Not only is it less crowded, it’s also less hot at night. Don’t worry about missing out on the city during daylight hours, you can see the city during the day when you walk the City Walls.
Take a day trip to Lokrum or Lopud Island
Lokrum and Lopud Islands are both located close to mainland Dubrovnik and can be reach by a ferry. Lokrum Island is marketed to tourists and has beaches, walking/hiking, a monastery, and an Iron Throne replica in the visitors center. Lopud has a more local feel; for more info read this blog post from Kendyl Travels : How to Visit Lopud Island: Best Beach in Drubrovnik
2 Week Itinerary for Nature Lovers
Overview: 2 Nights Plitvice Lakes, 4 Nights Zadar, 4 Nights Split, 4 Nights Bol
This itinerary will bring you to three of Croatia’s beautiful National Parks, give you plenty of beach time, and a hike to the highest point in the Adriatic Islands!
2 Nights Plitvice Lakes
Plitvice Lakes is a National Park located between Zagreb and Zadar. It is full of crystal clear blue and green lakes and dozens of waterfalls. Ticket prices are high in the summer (around $40) but I think it’s worth it.
You can reach the park by renting a car or taking a bus; I booked our bus tickets through Flix Bus. I suggest spending two nights near Plitvice Lakes so you can have a full day to explore in the park. You need to buy a timed entry ticket to access the park. Certain time slots and popular days can sell out, so I recommend booking your tickets a few weeks out if possible. You can buy your tickets at the official park website here: https://np-plitvicka-jezera.hr/en/
Once you’re in the park there are a few predetermined routes to walk through the park depending on what you want to see and how long you want to walk. We chose the longest route and it was 16km (10 miles.) There are a few places to buy food in the park and places to eat a picnic lunch if you pack your own food. Note, there is no swimming allowed within the National Park.
4 Nights Zadar
While less famous than Split and Dubrovnik, Zadar was my favorite mainland city we visited. Zadar’s Old Town is equally as historic and enchanting as Split’s and Dubrovnik’s, but Zadar is much more affordable. It is still quite touristy but doesn’t attract the partiers that Split does or the cruise ships that Dubrovnik does. I hope you enjoy your time in Zadar as much as I did!
Kornati National Park
Kornati National Park is made up of a dozen island in the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Zadar. The only way to reach them is by boat! Our full day tour to Kornati National Park was one of our favorite days in Croatia. We booked a tour through Kornati Excursions and had a great day! The boat only holds about 20 people so it’s more intimate than some other tours. A delicious freshly cooked lunch is included as well as wine, coffee, and fruit. The tour takes you to a few swimming spots and drops you off on an island with an ancient church and fortress up on a hill.
Explore Zadar's Old Town
Many of the building still standing around a few hundred years old from the Venetian era of Zadar. However there are still Roman remains that are two centuries old throughout the Old Town as well. The best way to learn more about these ancient buildings and remains is by taking a walking tour.
Other notable things in the Old Town include the Sea Organ and the Seaside Promenade. The Sea Organ is at the Northwestern tip of the Old Town and was built in 2005 It plays music as the waves crash into tubes under the steps. The sunsets from the Promenade are insanely beautiful and something you shouldn’t miss.
Relax and Have a Drink at Borik Beach
There are several places to swim along Borik beach, from a small sandy section, a rocky section, and a few wooden docks. After taking a dip in the Adriatic, go for some snacks and drinks at Famous Beach Bar & Grill. The food and drinks were reasonably prices for a beachside destination and the bar style food was quite good!
4 Nights Split
Follow the three day Split itinerary above, but add a day trip to another beautiful Croatian National Park, Krka.
Day Trip to Krka Waterfalls National Park
Krka Waterfalls is located about an hour outside of Split. You can take a guided group tour, drive yourself, or take a local bus to reach the park. We only visited Split for three days so we didn’t have time to visit Krka, but I have heard it’s very beautiful and worth the trip.
Book your trip to Krka Waterfalls on Viator!
4 Nights Bol
Refer to the Bol itinerary above.
2 Week Itinerary for Beach Goers
Overview: 4 Nights Zadar, 3 Nights Split, 4 Nights Bol, 3 Nights Hvar Town
This itinerary takes you to all the best beach spots in Croatia. Most beaches in Croatia are rock or pebble beaches and not sand. What they lack in comfort, they definitely make up for in beauty. Follow the below itinerary if you consider yourself a beach bum!
4 Nights Zadar
In our four days in Zadar, we just visited Borik Beach and swam in Kornati National Park. For more beach inspo in and around Zadar, read this blog post from an Australian couple living in Croatia: Best Beaches in Zadar County.
Follow my above 4 Nights in Zadar itinerary for other things to do in this beautiful city.
3 Nights Split
Follow my 3 Nights in Split itinerary above, but add in trips to Bačvice and Znjan beaches as well.
4 Nights Bol
Follow the above itinerary for Bol plus explore more beaches further from town. If you’ve never been to a nude beach before, I recommend trying it out here. There is a stretch of beach with large rocks and coves that block the view from most other people.
3 Nights Hvar Town
Follow my Hvar itinerary above, and add some extra beach time. Most of the beaches around Hvar outside of Hvar Town proper. I suggest renting a scooter and checking out Pokonji beach. You can walk there from town but it’s hilly and take about 25-30 minutes. There are also places to swim on the other side of town but there are a lot of hotels and bars around that side.
3 Week Itinerary - The Best of Everything
If you have a lot of time to spend in Croatia, this is the best itinerary to see most of the country. This route travels north to south, but you could reverse it, too! This itinerary does leave out the Istrian Peninsula, but if you want to really rush your itinerary you could include Pula between Plitvice Lakes and Zadar.
If you have the privilege of traveling for three weeks, I would recommend the following itinerary. Refer to the above sections for what to do in each town except Zagreb which I cover below.
- 3 Nights in Zagreb
- 2 Nights in Plitvice Lakes
- 3 Nights in Zadar
- 3 Nights in Split
- 3 Nights in Bol
- 3 Nights in Hvar
- 4 Nights in Dubrovnik (could add the 4th night somewhere else that interests you more)
If you are traveling for more than three weeks, other cities to add to your itinerary are Pula, Šibenik, and Korčula.
3 Nights in Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and largest city in Croatia. It has a very different feel than Coastal Croatia and is definitely worth a visit on a longer trip to Croatia. Zagreb used to be under the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, whereas a lot of the coast was under Venetian rule for years, hence the different architecture and vibe.
Take a Walking Tour
The history of Zagreb is different than the history of Croatia’s coastal region and islands, so it’s worth taking a walking tour to learn about it. On our walking tour we also took the world’s shortest cable car ride, and walked through WWII bomb shelter tunnels running through the city. We took this walking tour on Airbnb Experiences and had a great time with a knowledgeable guide.
Visit Some of the City's Many Museums
Zagreb has a ton of small, unique museums that are worth checking out. Some favorite are The Museum of Broken Relationships, Nikola Tesla Technical Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Zagreb 80’s Museum.
General Croatia Information & Tips
- Croatian is the official language. It is a Slovak language that looks intimidating, but it is a phonetic language, meaning you should be able to sound most things out.
- If you see an accent over a “c” it makes a “ch” sound and an accent over an “s” makes a “sh” sound.
- As of January 1, 2023 Croatia adopted the Euro as their official currency. Their previous currency was the Kuna and you may still see it floating around if you visit in the next few years. 1 Euro is equal to 7.53 Kuna.
- Croatia was formerly part of Yugoslavia and gained its independence in 1991.
- Prices for food and lodging vary widely between local areas and touristy areas. I’m working on getting a Croatia costs by city post up on the blog soon.
- Inland cuisine is heavily pork and beef based with more Slovak flavors and coastal cuisine is mainly fish and seafood based with a lot of Italian influence.
- As of January 1, 2023 Croatia is a member of the Schengen Visa area, along with 26 other European countries. This means you can travel freely between other members of the Schengen area. Additionally, people from most non-European countries are limited to a 90 day visa in the Schengen area every 180 days.
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6 Comments
I loved the Croatian coastline, islands and the Plitvice National Park. It’s such a beautiful country and these are great itineraries.
Croatia isn’t a country that I would have thought to spend three weeks in . . . probably because I’d only really heard of Dubrovnik before your visit! I think I’d probably opt for the two week nature lovers itinerary – I really want to Plitvice Lakes and national parks!
My party days are done, but I love the sound of Split with all its history and walking tours. Ditto Hvar! I had not heard of it before but it looks really interesting. I love anywhere that has a history. Dubrovnik would also be high on my list for the same reasons and I would love to visit the Plitvice Lakes. It looks so beautiful. This is such a great post with so many mix and match ideas, but in short, I think I need the full three weeks. Wondering how set up these places are for motorhomes? Anyway, it certainly makes it easier now that Croatia uses the Euro.
I saw a motorhome campground right on the beach in Zadar. I think the roads in Croatia are fine for motorhomes as long as they stay outside the main old town areas!
We have only visit Croatia as cruise port stops. But day trips were never enough and we really want to plan a longer visit. The 3 week itinerary you put together sounds great. Definitely want to see inland as well as the coastal areas. The beaches do look stunning. I am keeping this post for planning our own visit. Happy to see them move to the Euro!
I think you will love staying there longer than a day at time. It really is a gorgeous country!