The Perfect Itinerary for a Week in Croatia

Day 1: Split

Fly into Split, Croatia to start your visit. This lovely city on the edge of the Adriatic is a perfect hub for travel around Croatia’s coast and its islands. The history of Split is amazing, too. Roman emperor Diocletian once used this city for his palace, which means the central area has a ton of amazing Roman ruins. Here are a few ways to spend a day in Split:

Wander the ancient alleyways of Diocletian’s palace. Most of Split’s old town is situated within the walls of this 4th century palace. Allow yourself to get lost inside– you’ll find tons of amazing ruins, delicious restaurants and gelato shops, and boutiques. There are also great museums in the old town, including:
- Cathedral of St. Domnius: This beautiful cathedral boasts a lovely interior, as well as a belltower with a spectacular view of the Adriatic and Split itself. I can’t recommend it enough.
- Diocletian’s Palace Museum: Although you can walk the basement of the palace, as well as the ruins for free, for a small fee you can see more of the palace basement with great historical interpretation. If you’re a history buff, it’s a worthwhile addition to the free aspects of this UNESCO World Heritage Site!
- Vestibule: The vestibule at Diocletian’s Palace is a free, domed room to walk through, but throughout the day, Dalmatian singers will grace your ears with their lovely a capella music. Make sure you get a chance to listen during your visit.
Visit Froggyland: Okay. Hear me out– 507 taxidermy frogs in human-like situations. This tiny museum/roadside attraction is worth every penny. No photos allowed inside, but I promise you’ll get a great laugh out of this strangely fun spot.
Hike Marjan Hill for a great panoramic view of Split. This is a free hike, but make sure you wear your walking shoes and bring water!

Where to Eat

Semafor Restaurant: Located in the old city, this place had the best seafood pasta I’ve ever eaten. I truly think about this every. single. day.
Gelateria Emiliana: They call this the best gelato spot in Split for a reason– it’s so creamy and delicious! There’s typically a long line, but it moves quickly and it’s so worth it.
St. Burek: Burek, a regional breakfast pastry often filled with cheese, meat, or spinach, is a must have in Split and St. Burek has some of the best in the city.
Mama Burger Split: This is a great spot to grab a cevapi and people watch– the patio overlooks the old Venetian tower, making for a historic dining experience.

Where to Stay

Central Pearl by Nono Ban: We found this small hotel online, and we couldn’t have loved it more. It’s a no frills experience, but super inexpensive and within a five minute walk of the port, bus stop, and old city. This makes it a great spot for exploring, as well as for traveling between islands or cities in the region.
Nirvana Rooms: Another inexpensive but well-kept option conveniently located within walking distance to the port and Diocletian’s Palace. It also has a lovely garden and this option is located in a quieter area than Central Pearl.

Day 2: Hvar

Hvar is well-known as a quick, easy island day trip from Split. The ferry takes about an hour, and tickets can easily be purchased right at the Split ferry port for around $20. (The frequency, speed, and cost can vary based on the season.)

Once you’ve arrived, here are some of my favorite things to do in Hvar:

Hike the hill to Hvar Fortress. Lots of people walk to the fortress entrance for a free panoramic view of Hvar, rather than paying to actually tour the fortress. As a history lover, I think this is silly! This amazing 16th century fort offers more than just views. You can see archaeological findings from local shipwrecks, tour the fortress’s centuries-old prisons, and learn about fortifications and battles in Hvar during the Middle Ages.
Visit a local winery. The Dalmatian Islands have an ideal climate for wine, and Hvar has some great local wineries. We did a tasting at Luviji Winery, a small family-owned business located just outside of Hvar’s central port.
Head to the beach! Of course, the main draw of Hvar is the beautiful beaches. There are lots of great spots along the island’s coast; we chose Pokonji dol Beach and were treated to clear blue water and a gorgeous view of the lighthouse. There’s even a restaurant where you can grab a snack or some drinks. Bring a towel, and you may want some water shoes to help you traverse the rocky beaches and avoid sea urchins!
Explore Hvar town. Hvar town has a ton of great boutiques, art shops, cafes, and restaurants within its historic walls. I recommend doing some wandering through the old streets. Many Venetian walls and buildings still stand inside, making for a scenic experience.

Day 3: Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina Day Trip

Bosnia-Herzegovina, another Balkan country, is located only a few hours from Split, and many tour companies offer day trips to historic Mostar. This was the highlight of our trip- I can’t recommend it enough!

Grab your passport and take a ~3 hour journey to Mostar, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Known for Stari Most, the old bridge, this city has recovered from the violence of the Bosnian War and is now a bustling town. A guided tour typically starts with a walking tour, and then free time to see Mostar and grab some food.

Inside the old town, you’ll find amazing views of the historic bridges, cobblestoned streets, and historic mosques. During your exploration, shop in the markets, watch divers on the bridge, and tour the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque. The Mosque has a great 360 view of Mostar, as well as amazing Ottoman interiors.

For lunch, eat some local cevapi– a delicious plate of grilled meat, onion, and flatbread. Afterward, stop for a traditional Bosnian coffee at Cafe de Alma, where they will teach you the proper way to enjoy this historic drink.

Afterward, the tour we chose took us to Kravice Waterfall— a gorgeous collection of cascading waterfalls. You can even swim in the falls! It’s a perfect stop after a hot day in Mostar, and really shows the natural beauty of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Then, you’ll finish your trip back in Split.

Days 4&5: Dubrovnik

Known by many as the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik is probably the most popular destination in Croatia. This beautiful coastal city has a lot to offer, from beautiful beaches and delicious food to water sports and museums. It’s a ~5 hour bus ride from Split, and be warned, there are several crossings at the Bosnia-Herzegovina border (this is the fastest way to move down the coast, but things can get slowed down at customs).

Once you’ve made it to Dubrovnik, you’ll probably spend the bulk of your time in the Old City. I highly recommend getting the Dubrovnik Pass— it includes entry or discounted tickets to many of the most popular spots in town, including the city walls and local museums, as well as free public transportation. Definitely worth the 35 euro fee for a day. Here are some spots you should check out in Dubrovnik:

Dubrovnik City Walls: This is the most popular attraction in the city, allowing you to get a bird’s eye view of the city’s beautiful orange roofs, the surrounding Adriatic, and several Game of Thrones filming spots, if you’re a fan! Definitely worth the price, but a few tips: Bring water and sunscreen. Wear sneakers. Get there early to beat the crowds and the heat. Budget a few hours!
Red History Museum: This highly-interactive museum is a stellar exploration of life in Communist Yugoslavia. Located outside of the city center, it’s a fabulous stop on your way to or from the bus station/ferry port!
Game of Thrones Tour: If you’re a fan of the show, you’ll recognize Dubrovnik as King’s Landing. There are lots of guided tours that will take you to filming locations, or you can do like I did and find them yourself!
Franciscan Monastery Museum: This little museum is located right next to the main entrance for the walls of Dubrovnik, and it’s a great stop for history buffs. This 13th century monastery has some of the most beautiful cloisters I’ve ever seen, plus it houses the third oldest pharmacy in Europe (and it’s still running!)
Rector’s Palace Museum: This 13th century building was once home to Dubrovnik’s government, but today, its historic halls are filled with exhibits and artifacts that tell the story of Dubrovnik’s past. The interior courtyard is so scenic, and they had a fantastic exhibit of photography from the Siege of Dubrovnik in 1991.
Lokrum Island: Lokrum is a beautiful island only about 15 minutes away from Dubrovnik. If you’ve got additional time, this is a great place to explore and swim! Just take the ferry over.
Day trip to Montenegro: Montenegro is only an hour from the Croatian border, so if you’re looking to cross another country off of your list you may want to make a day trip!
Kayak by the Walls of Dubrovnik: See the famous walls from a new perspective and go on a kayak or paddleboat tour!

Where to Stay

Orhan Rooms: This is an absolutely no frills room– but it was cheap, and came with a free breakfast at Orhan Restaurant which overlooks Fort Bokar, which made it totally worth it!

Where to Eat

Orhan: If you didn’t stay at the above hotel, you need to check out this restaurant for lunch or dinner. It has such a beautiful view of the city walls and the food is delicious.
Peppino’s Gelato: We went here more than once a day in Dubrovnik– their lemon pie gelato is the best thing I’ve ever tasted!
Barba: It can be very expensive to dine out in Dubrovnik, but hole in the wall restaurant Barba offered affordable and DELISH seafood burgers. My shrimp burger was so yummy!
Konoba St. Blaise: This al fresco restaurant in the Old Town had great seafood pasta and delicious Croatian wine.

Day 6: Supetar, Brač Island

No trip to Croatia is complete without several days exploring the Dalmatian Islands, and I truly believe Supetar on Brač Island is the definition of paradise. Most people take the ferry to Bol, making Supetar a quieter, more peaceful destination. The ferry ride is less than an hour from Split, and ferries come and go very frequently in the summer months. Once you arrive, there are tons of public beaches within walking distance, so start your day with a dip in the water!

For lunch, check out the Beer Garden Pub for a lovely experience. The drinks and food are great, but the atmosphere and scenery are the best part of this spot. Definitely spend some time wandering the cobblestone streets of Supetar, dotted with flowers and fruit trees.

Before you head back to Split, check out the Church of the Annunciation, whose bell tower dominates the skyline of this tiny town. Outside, there are ROMAN MOSAICS from the 6th century! Truly an amazing sight to see.

Day 7: Split or Day Trip

If you didn’t get a chance to finish all of the museums and activities I mentioned in Split, add another day in the city to see more or add some beach time to your schedule. If you’re feeling tired of Split, there are several great day trip options:

Plitvice Lakes National Park: One of Croatia’s most popular destinations, these hanging waterfalls are about 4-5 hours away from Split. Many tour groups offer day trips to this famous natural beauty. If you want something a bit closer, Krka Waterfall is about 1.5 hours from Split, also offering beautiful waterfall views.
Klis Fortress: Game of Thrones fans will know this as Meereen. Located just outside of Split, Klis is a medieval fortress turned museum. You can reach it via car or bus from downtown Split.
Trogir: This historic town is only about 30 minutes from Split. The two are very similar in appearance, but Trogir is a bit quieter.

With that– enjoy! Croatia is truly one of the loveliest places I’ve ever seen, with amazing food, fascinating history, and out of this world scenery. I hope to go back soon.

History on Holiday