{"id":97035,"date":"2024-05-13T19:23:05","date_gmt":"2024-05-13T19:23:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2024\/05\/13\/the-perfect-7-day-croatia-itinerary-updated-2024\/"},"modified":"2024-05-13T19:23:05","modified_gmt":"2024-05-13T19:23:05","slug":"the-perfect-7-day-croatia-itinerary-updated-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2024\/05\/13\/the-perfect-7-day-croatia-itinerary-updated-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"The Perfect 7-Day Croatia Itinerary (Updated 2024)"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Posted<\/strong>: 5\/13\/2024 | May 13th, 2024<\/p>\n

Croatia<\/a> has been a bustling tourist hot spot for six or seven years now. Shaped like a boomerang and bordering Bosnia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia, this small country of four million people punches well above its weight. You can spend time relaxing on the sunny Adriatic Sea, hop between hundreds of rugged and remote islands, feast on Italian-esque cuisine, or travel inland and visit stunning waterfalls and lush national parks.<\/p>\n

While there is a lot to see and do here<\/a>, most travelers confine their visit to Dubrovnik or Split. And sure, those are cool cities. But Croatia has much more to offer.<\/p>\n

But when you only have a week and you want the sun, I understand why you\u2019d want to focus on that part of Croatia. (Pro tip: Like a lot of Southern Europe, it\u2019s best to avoid Croatia during the warm-weather summer months. In addition to the high temperatures and high prices, you\u2019re going to be sharing the country with an army of tourists. If you go in winter, the weather is cooler and the prices are much gentler, but many tourist towns, such as Dubrovnik, practically shut down from late October until mid-April. Your best bet is April-May and early September until early November. Crowds will be smaller and prices won\u2019t be through the roof.)<\/p>\n

So, to help you plan your trip, I\u2019ve created this ideal seven-day itinerary for southern Croatia. It covers the highlights while also getting you off the beaten path. You\u2019ll see cities, beaches, villages, and have plenty of time to soak up the local pace of life.<\/p>\n

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Days 1 & 2: Dubrovnik<\/span><\/h3>\n

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While most of Croatia is affordable, Dubrovnik is no longer cheap. A lot of cruises stop here now and prices have skyrocketed in recent years. That said, there are a few things here that are worth forking out outrageous fees for: <\/p>\n

Walk the Old Town Walls<\/strong>
Walking the medieval walls<\/a> is a must if it\u2019s your first time visiting. The entrance fee isn\u2019t cheap at 35 EUR, but the stroll offers incredible views of the Old Town and the sparkling Adriatic Sea. It\u2019s 60-90 minutes of awe and totally worth the price tag.<\/p>\n

Summit Mr. Srd<\/strong>
Take the cable car up to the top of Mt. Srd. It towers over the Old Town, and while it costs 27 EUR, once you take the ride and see the view you\u2019ll realize it was well worth the cost. If you\u2019re on a budget, you can also hike to the top. There\u2019s a dirt trail that will take you to peak, but it\u2019s a challenging hike. Give yourself about an hour each way. Once at the top, you can take a seat at the restaurant and nurse an overpriced beverage while taking in the jaw-dropping view.<\/p>\n

Visit the War Photo Ltd. Museum<\/strong>
There are not a lot of great museums in Dubrovnik, but make sure you visit War Photo Ltd., a gallery started by New Zealand-born Wade Goddard, a former war photographer. The permanent exhibition on the Balkan wars of the 1990s will help you get a better understanding of what went on here 30 years ago. It\u2019s sobering, but eye-opening. Admission is 10 EUR. <\/p>\n

Explore Gru\u017e<\/strong>
If you want to escape the tourist crowds, especially when there\u2019s a cruise ship in port, head to Gru\u017e, a once-gritty neighborhood on the marina that now boasts several great restaurants and caf\u00e9s. It\u2019s also home to Dubrovnik Beer Company, the city\u2019s first and only brewery. The cavernous taproom is a lovely place to sip a local beer after a day of exploring. <\/p>\n

When you get hungry in Gru\u017e, check out Kiosk, an outdoor casual spot that serves up Dalmatian Coast fare with some global twists. Or for something truly memorable and very Dalmatian, book a spot at Marija\u2019s House, where chef Marija Papak opens her home to visitors during the warm-weather months and cooks up a nightly feast of peka<\/em> cuisine \u2014 lamb, pork, and\/or octopus slow-cooked under a bell-like lid on the grill that renders the meat impossibly tender and delicious.
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Day 3: Split<\/span><\/h3>\n

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The chief attraction in Split is impossible to miss. When Roman Emperor Diocletian decided to retire to the area where he grew up \u2014 the central Dalmatian Coast \u2014 he had a massive, lavish palace built right on the beach. He died a few years after he moved in, and what happened next is quite interesting: over the centuries, as the palace began to crumble and become a ruin, the city basically moved in and made it part of the fabric of the town. <\/p>\n

Today, you can stroll around the center of Split and suddenly realize you\u2019re actually inside<\/em> the palace. What was once a hallway, for example, is now a narrow, limestone-clad lane. What might have been a bedroom is now a seafood restaurant. <\/p>\n

Much of the palace is free to walk around in. If you want an in-depth look at it, though, there are plenty of guided tours<\/a>. <\/p>\n

And while you\u2019re in Split, also don\u2019t miss St. Duje\u2019s Cathedral, Klis Fortress (featured in Game of Thrones<\/em>), and the Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments (home to some 20,000 relics and artifacts).<\/p>\n

The other main reason why Split should be on your itinerary is that it\u2019s the main transportation hub for ferries to various islands in central Dalmatia. After spending an evening in town, hop on a morning ferry to Hvar, one of Croatia\u2019s coolest islands, a pleasant one hour and forty-five minutes. If you want to get there more quickly, there\u2019s also a catamaran.
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Day 4: Hvar<\/span><\/h3>\n

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It also has attracted a wild party scene. All the boat tours stop here for their passengers to get wasted and go clubbing at the world-famous Carpe Diem so keep in mind this island has a party scene \u2013 but there\u2019s a lot more to the island! <\/p>\n

For somewhere more laid-back, check out Stari Grad, literally \u201cOld Town,\u201d located on the opposite side of the island from Hvar Town. Recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, it boasts a warren of narrow, stone-blanketed lanes. Be sure to also take a hike through the island\u2019s many olive groves and lavender fields. <\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t have your own vehicle, there\u2019s a wine and olive oil tasting tour<\/a> to this side of the island (you\u2019ll make a stop at the lavender fields too).
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Days 5 & 6: Sibenik and Krka National Park<\/span><\/h3>\n

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\u0160ibenik is also the gateway for exploring nearby Krka National Park and its stunning waterfalls<\/a>. Make sure you also get there early to beat the tourist buses to see 14th-century Visovac Monastery in the middle of an island on the Krka River. Park admission ranges from 7 EUR in the low season (January-February) all the way up to a staggering 40 EUR during peak season (June-September).
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Day 7: Zadar<\/span><\/h3>\n

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The city also has a unique sea organ. Located on a set of steps that descend into the sea, the organ makes sounds as the waves crash through it, creating a strange but harmonious sound that sounds like whale calls. The organ consists of 35 tubes and was designed by architect Nikola Basic. Come here at sunset to soak in the picturesque views and listen to the captivating sounds of the sea. After all, Alfred Hitchcock said Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world, making this a fitting destination to end your week-long trip along the coast. <\/p>\n

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With over a thousand islands, numerous beaches, and countless hiking trails, you could easily spend months exploring Croatia<\/a> and still only scratch the surface. But, if you only have a week, this itinerary will show you the highlights while whetting your appetite for future visits. While it\u2019s not quite as cheap as it used to be, the country offers lots of value and is super easy to explore. <\/p>\n

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Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
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