Croatia, known for its crystal-clear waters, stunning islands, and scenic national parks, is a perfect summer getaway destination. With so much to see and explore, it can be overwhelming to plan a trip to this beautiful country. To make things easier, we have created three different itineraries, each focusing on a unique aspect of Croatia.
Option 1: Island and Coastal Hopping
Start your Croatia itinerary in Split, a vibrant city located on the Dalmatian coast. Spend a day exploring its beautiful old town, visiting the Diocletian’s Palace, and enjoying the seafront promenade. From here, head to Brac Island, specifically to the town of Bol, where you can relax on the famous Zlatni Rat beach for three days. Continue on to Hvar, another beautiful island known for its lavender fields, beaches, and historic architecture. Spend three days here, enjoying the nightlife and exploring the island’s numerous attractions. Next, head to Vis Island, a less touristy but equally stunning island, with crystal-clear waters, beautiful beaches, and ancient ruins. Spend three days here before moving on to Makarska, a town known for its stunning beaches and proximity to the Biokovo mountain range. Finally, finish your trip in Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its beautiful old town and impressive city walls. Spend three days here, exploring the city’s numerous attractions, including the Stradun, the Rector’s Palace, and the Dubrovnik Cathedral.
- Start: Split – 1 day
- Brac – Bol Island – 3 days
- Hvar – 3 days
- Vis Island – 3 days
- Makarska – 3 days
- Finish: Dubrovnik – 3 days
- Best way to travel: by ferry or catamaran
Option 2: National Parks and Unique Attractions
Fly into Zagreb and head straight to the Plitvice Lakes National Park, a stunning collection of lakes, waterfalls, and forest trails. Spend a night in the park to fully explore its natural beauty. From there, head to Zadar, a coastal city famous for its sunsets and the Sea Organ. Spend two nights here, exploring the old town and enjoying the beautiful beaches. Take a day trip to Krka National Park to see the beautiful waterfalls and swim in the crystal-clear waters. Next, head to Split, where you can explore the city’s historic sites, including the Diocletian’s Palace and the Cathedral of St. Domnius. After a day in Split, head to Hvar Island, where you can enjoy the beaches, lavender fields, and nightlife for three days. Next, head to Makarska, a town known for its stunning beaches, before crossing the border into Bosnia to visit Mostar for a day. Finish your trip in Dubrovnik, where you can explore the city’s numerous attractions, including the city walls, the Stradun, and the Franciscan Monastery.
- Start: Zagreb – fly in, don’t stay the night
- Plitvice Lakes – 1 night
- Zadar – 2 nights
- Krka – day trip
- Split – 1 day
- Hvar – 3 days
- Makarska – 3 days
- Mostar (Bosnia) – 1 day
- Finish: Dubrovnik – 3 days
- Best way to travel: by car or bus
Option 3: Island Hopping Version 2
Start your Croatia itinerary in Zadar, a coastal city famous for its sunsets and the Sea Organ. Spend two nights here, exploring the old town and enjoying the beautiful beaches. Take a day trip to Dugi Otok, a nearby island with beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters. Visit Krka National Park on another day trip. Next, head to Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its beautiful architecture and rich history. Spend a day here before moving on to Split, where you can explore the city’s historic sites, including the Diocletian’s Palace and the Cathedral of St. Domnius. After a day in Split, head to Hvar Island, where you can enjoy the beaches, lavender fields, and nightlife for two days. Next, head to Vis Island, a less touristy but equally stunning island, with crystal-clear waters, beautiful beaches, and ancient ruins. Spend three days here before moving on to Korcula, an island known for its vineyards, olive groves and picturesque Old Town. Spend a day exploring the town and its landmarks, including St. Mark’s Cathedral and the Marco Polo Museum. Finally, end your trip in Dubrovnik, where you can spend three days admiring the stunning architecture and history of the city. Walk along the ancient city walls, visit the Rector’s Palace, and take a cable car to the top of Mount Srd for panoramic views of the city and the Adriatic Sea.
- Start: Zadar – 2 nights
- Dugi Otok – day trip
- Krka – day trip
- Trogir – 1 day
- Split – 1 day
- Hvar – 2 days
- Vis Island – 3 days
- Korcula – 1 day
- Finish: Dubrovnik – 3 days
- Best way to travel: by ferry or catamaran
Other options?
If you have more time to explore Croatia and the surrounding region, consider adding these destinations to your itinerary:
- Zrce Beach, on the island of Pag, is known for its lively beach parties and nightlife.
- Primosten, a picturesque town on the Adriatic coast, is famous for its vineyards and olive groves.
- Kotor, a coastal town in Montenegro, boasts stunning medieval architecture and breathtaking views of the Bay of Kotor.
- Omis, a town located at the mouth of the Cetina River, offers opportunities for rafting, zip-lining, and other adventure activities.
- Mljet, an island known for its pristine nature, boasts two saltwater lakes and a national park.
- Other options to consider include the Plitvice Lakes National Park, the island of Cres, and the city of Rijeka, which will be the European Capital of Culture in 2022.
Excited yet? You should be! Croatia offers a diverse range of destinations that cater to different interests and preferences, making it an ideal summer holiday destination. Option 1, Island and Coastal Hopping, is perfect for those who want to experience the stunning Croatian coastline and immerse themselves in the local island culture. Option 2, National Parks and Unique Attractions, is ideal for nature enthusiasts who want to explore Croatia’s beautiful national parks and unique attractions. Lastly, Option 3, Island Hopping Version 2, provides an alternative island hopping itinerary with a focus on lesser-known destinations.
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