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 individuals punches nicely 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 plush nationwide parks.

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

However once you solely have every week and also you need the solar, I perceive why you’d wish to give attention to that a part of Croatia. (Professional tip: Like loads 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. 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 finest guess is April-Could and early September till early November. Crowds shall be smaller and costs gained’t be via 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 take in the native tempo of life.

Days 1 & 2: Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a seaside city of simply 40,000 individuals, 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, because of its medieval walled Old Town, 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. A variety of cruises cease right here now and costs have skyrocketed lately. That stated, there are some things right here which might be value forking out outrageous charges for:

Stroll the Previous City Partitions
Walking the medieval walls is a should if it’s your first time visiting. The doorway price isn’t low-cost at 35 EUR, however the stroll affords 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 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 journey and see the view you’ll notice it was nicely value the associated fee. In the event you’re on a finances, you can too hike to the highest. There’s a mud path that may take you to peak, nevertheless it’s a difficult hike. Give your self about an hour every manner. 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 Struggle Picture Ltd. Museum
There aren’t loads of nice museums in Dubrovnik, however be sure to go to Struggle Picture 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 show you how 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 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 world 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 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 stunning metropolis was comparatively ignored by vacationers till lately. However there are a number of good causes to spend no less than in the future and night time right here.

The chief attraction in Break up is inconceivable to overlook. When Roman Emperor Diocletian determined to retire to the realm the place he grew up — the central Dalmatian Coast — he had a large, lavish palace constructed proper on the seaside. He died a number 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 spoil, 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 Break up and immediately 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 would like an in-depth have a look at it, although, there are plenty of guided tours.

And when you’re in Break 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 principal 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, considered one of Croatia’s coolest islands, a pleasing 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, identified 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 slim 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 take into account 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 checklist, it boasts a warren of slim, stone-blanketed lanes. Remember to additionally take a hike via the island’s many olive groves and lavender fields.

In the event you don’t have your individual 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 individuals that’s value 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 totally 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 also be the gateway for exploring close by Krka National Park and its stunning waterfalls. Be sure to 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 loads 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).

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 via it, creating an odd however harmonious sound that appears like whale calls. The organ consists of 35 tubes and was designed by architect Nikola Fundamental. 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 stunning sundown on the earth, 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 would simply spend months exploring Croatia and nonetheless solely scratch the floor. However, if you happen to 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, the nation affords plenty of worth and is tremendous simple to discover.

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