The Good 7-Day Croatia Itinerary

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 possibly can spend time enjoyable on the sunny Adriatic Sea, hop between lots 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’s 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 every 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 greatest to keep away from Croatia through 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. Should you go in winter, the climate is cooler and the costs are a lot gentler, however many vacationer cities, akin 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 via the roof.)

So, that will help 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 based mostly on its reputation, you’d assume it was a lot greater. It’s the preferred vacation spot within the nation, due to its medieval walled Outdated City, or Stari Grad, which might get full of vacationers, particularly through the peak summer season season.

Whereas most of Croatia is inexpensive, Dubrovnik is 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 are 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Stroll the Outdated City Partitions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 charge isn’t low-cost at 35 EUR, however the stroll provides 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 are taking the journey and see the view you’ll notice it was effectively value the associated fee. Should you’re on a price range, you can even hike to the highest. There’s a dust path that may take you to peak, however it’s a difficult hike. Give your self about an hour every means. As soon as on the high, you may sit down 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 struggle photographer. The everlasting exhibition on the Balkan wars of the 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 dwelling 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, take a look at Kiosk, an out of doors informal spot that serves up Dalmatian Coast fare with some world 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 dwelling to guests through the warm-weather months and cooks up a nightly feast of peka delicacies — lamb, pork, and/or octopus slow-cooked underneath 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 just a few good causes to spend at the very least in the future and evening right here.

The chief attraction in Break up is unattainable 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 just a few years after he moved in, and what occurred subsequent is kind of attention-grabbing: over the centuries, because the palace started to crumble and develop into a smash, the town mainly moved in and made it a part of the material of the city.

Immediately, you may stroll across the middle of Break up and abruptly notice you’re really inside the palace. What was as soon as a hallway, for instance, is now a slender, 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. In order for you an in-depth have a look at it, although, there are loads of guided excursions.

And whilst 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 (dwelling to some 20,000 relics and artifacts).

The opposite foremost cause why Break up must 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 in all 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, 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 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 bear in mind this island has a celebration scene – however there’s much more to the island!

For someplace extra laid-back, take a look at Stari Grad, actually “Outdated City,” situated on the alternative aspect of the island from Hvar City. Lately added to the UNESCO World Heritage listing, it boasts a warren of slender, stone-blanketed lanes. Make sure you additionally take a hike via the island’s many olive groves and lavender fields.

Should you don’t have your individual 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 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 take a look at; it’s the world’s largest church made solely of stone. The fortress-topped city additionally boasts of a maze of limestone-topped alleyways. Should you really feel like a splurge, Šibenik is dwelling 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 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 few years. Its limestone-blanketed historic middle juts out into the Adriatic and is full of medieval church buildings (take a look at the oddly round church of St. Donatus, the biggest church on the Dalmatian Coast).

The 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 via it, creating an odd however harmonious sound that seems 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 hearken to the fascinating sounds of the ocean. In spite of everything, Alfred Hitchcock stated Zadar has probably the most lovely 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 provides plenty of worth and is tremendous straightforward to discover.

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