One week in Croatia – The perfect travel guide
If you’re looking for the perfect one-week Croatia itinerary, you’ve come to the right place!
Nestled along the stunning Adriatic Sea, Croatia offers an interesting mix of crystal-clear waters, historic cities, and breathtaking landscapes, making it a top destination for travelers worldwide. From the medieval walls of Dubrovnik to the serene beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park, this gorgeous country offers various experiences for all travelers. Croatia is absolutely amazing!
Last summer, as we planned our trip to Europe, we decided to spend one week in Croatia. It had been on our bucket list ever since we watched the series “Game of Thrones” (we’re big fans!).
During our one week in Croatia , we explored various parts of the country and even took a day trip to neighboring Balkan countries. We had an amazing time, exploring the ancient walls of Dubrovnik, sailing through the stunning Dalmatian Islands, and savoring the flavors of local cuisine. Croatia exceeded all our expectations.
Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or simply in search of a picturesque escape, this travel guide will help you make the most of your Croatian adventure. I will share all the details about the places we visited, along with a detailed itinerary, travel tips, and recommendations.
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How to Reach
To get to Croatia, the best way is to fly. There are several international airports in Croatia where flights can be booked. If you are coming from a neighboring European country, you can also consider taking a bus, ferry, or going on a road trip. While there are limited train options to Croatia, you can reach the country by train to Zagreb.
While going to Croatia, we flew to Split Airport and returned from Dubrovnik airport.
Best Way to Get Around
In contrast to many Western European countries, Croatia has limited public transportation options. The best way to get around is to rent a car and go on a road trip. The roads are well-maintained and perfect for a memorable journey. However, during our visit, we opted for public transportation, tours, cabs, and ferries to navigate around.
Best Time to visit Croatia
The Adriatic coast of Croatia has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters. Similar to the rest of Europe, summer (June – August) is a very busy season with numerous tourists and cruise ships visiting Croatia. However, it’s also the ideal time to visit the beach due to the warmer temperatures. Don’t forget your sunscreen, sunglasses and hat, if you are visiting in summer.
Spring (May) and Autumn (Sept – Oct) are also fantastic seasons to visit Croatia. The temperatures are a bit cooler, there are fewer crowds, and it’s more affordable. So, it really comes down to your preferences and budget.
We visited Croatia in the third week of June and had a great time, despite the hot weather!
Visa Requirement for Croatia
Croatia is a part of the European Union and became a member of the Schengen area in 2023. We are Indian passport holders and hence have to apply for the Schengen Visa to visit Croatia for tourism.
If you want to know more about Schengen visa process from the USA, you can check out our video on ‘How to apply for Schengen Visa‘. For other nationals, please check if you require a visa to visit Croatia.
Budgeting for the trip
Everyone travels in various ways, but to help you understand the cost of our Croatia Trip, we have provided a breakdown below.
- Fights : It’s important to consider the location and time of year when planning your trip. The busiest season is summer, when flights are more expensive. You may find better prices if you travel during the off-peak season. I recommend using flight comparison websites to get estimates. For example, when flying from New York City, we paid around $800-1000 for a round trip per person. You may find even cheaper deals through promotions or by using credit card points. We usually use Skyscanner or Google Flights to find the best deals.
- Accommodations: We stayed in budget friendly hotels in Split & Dubrovnik and spent between $100-200 per night.
- Rental cars: We used public transport & ferries, but you can also rent a car and road trip in Croatia. I would suggest booking 2-3 months in advance to get a better deal. If you are planning to rent a car, do check before hand, if you need a International Driving Permit for renting a car in Croatia. Just a tip – check the rental car’s condition before picking it up. And you can do a price comparison using the different websites – Rentalcars.com, Expedia.com, and Discovercars.com.
- Food : We budgeted around $50-60 per day for meals and preferred hotels with breakfast included to save time. If you want to save more, you can find accommodations with a kitchen so that you can cook your own breakfast and dinner.
- Water: Usually it is fine to drink tap water in Croatia. But we always checked with the hotel staff before drinking. Whenever it was not advised to drink tap water, we bought a gallon of water from the supermarket which cost around 1 – 2 euros.
- Others : We budgeted around $100-200 for miscellaneous things.
What to Pack for the trip
Here is a list of things I would suggest to carry for the warm Mediterranean weather
Road Trip accessories (Rental Car Edition)
- USB car adaptor
- Car Power Inverter – If you like to charge Laptop and camera in a car.
- USB-C Phone Cable
Beach accessories
Brief Itinerary
Our 7-day detailed Croatia Itinerary
We went on a one-week trip to Croatia, exploring different parts of the country and taking day trips to two neighboring countries. We like to travel quickly and cover a lot of places. If you prefer a more laid-back pace, aiming for 2-3 activities per day, you might need to modify the itinerary. Alternatively, you could consider removing some items from the list and saving them for another trip.
Here’s our one-week in Croatia itinerary, which you can adjust based on your travel preferences.
Day 1 : Flying to Split, Croatia
We flew from New York City to Split via Paris. We had to go through immigration and baggage claim in Paris, France. After a 4-hour layover in Paris, we took another flight to reach Split, Croatia. For better flight price comparison and flight booking, our suggestion would be to check Skyscanner.
From the Split Airport, we took a shuttle which dropped us to the bus station near the Old Town where we had booked our stay for the night. I would suggest staying in the Old Town which is really beautiful and also close to all the major attractions.
We booked 4 night stay in old town Split near the Waterfront Promenade.
Day 2 : Exploring Split
On this day, we spent most of our time in the Old Town – exploring, walking, and eating. It felt like stepping into a medieval era altogether.
Here’s a list of things we did in Split :
- Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diocletian Palace: The Diocletian Palace is a must-see in the Old Town. It was built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian and is one of the most beautiful Roman monuments outside of Rome. I highly recommend taking a walking tour to learn more about the history of this incredible place.
- Visit the Marjan Hill Viewpoint: The viewpoint at Marjan Hill is very popular, providing stunning views of the city and coastline. Although it requires a bit of a climb with many stairs, the view is definitely worth the effort.
- Relaxing on Riva Harbor : The Waterfront Promenade of Split is a really popular area filled with bars, pubs, and restaurants. We enjoyed walking on the long promenade in the evening. Do not miss the artisan gelatos from Gelateria Emiliana, they are absolutely delicious.
- Visit Trogir: This town is only 35 minutes from Split by car or ferry. You can explore the waterfront area or wander through old alleys.
- Visit the Klis Fortress: If you have some spare time, I recommend taking a taxi to visit Klis Fortress. Not only does it offer breathtaking panoramic views of Split and the Dalmatian Coast, but it was also used as a filming location for Game of Thrones.
Day 3 : Day trip to Plitvice National Park
On Day 3, we did a self guided day trip to Plitvice National Park, which is one of the most beautiful places in Croatia. Visiting this place was on our bucket list for a long time and glad we visited here.
Plitvice Lakes National Park is a stunning combination of cascading waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and lush greenery. This UNESCO World Heritage site provides a gorgeous retreat into nature.
You can explore the park’s serene beauty and vibrant nature along wooden walkways and scenic trails. It has 16 cascading lakes which are connected by a series of over 90 waterfalls. There are paved trails A to E which takes you to different parts of the park, lower lakes to the upper lakes.
Day 4 : Five Islands Tour
On Day 4 of our trip, we decided to take the Five Islands Tour – a full-day tour of five different islands. We started our journey from Split early in the morning on a speed boat and made stops at five different spots including the famous Blue Lagoon and Blue Cave. The tour included visits to Komiza, Stiniva Cove, Blue Lagoon, and finally Hvar.
The highlight of the tour was undoubtedly the visit to the Blue Cave, a narrow, dark cave accessible only by boat. The sunlight reflecting off the water creates a stunning bright blue color, making the view absolutely breathtaking. Another beautiful spot was the crystal clear blue lagoon off the coast, which looked spectacular on a sunny day.
We also enjoyed spending time on the island of Hvar, which is very popular for its party scene. We wished we had spent at least a day there to enjoy it fully.
This tour is good for those who have limited time to explore and want to make the most of it. However, if you have more time, I recommend taking a ferry from Split to Hvar and spending a night to experience the island atmosphere. From Hvar, you can visit Blue Cave, Stiniva Cove & Blue Lagoon, as well as other islands like Komiza and Brac. After exploring Hvar and another islands, you can then take a ferry to Dubrovnik.
Day 5 : Exploring Dubrovnik
On this day, we took an early morning bus from Split to reach Dubrovnik. The ride was spectacular with coastal views along the way. After reaching Dubrovnik around 10 am, dropped our luggage, and went for breakfast.
Dubrovnik is one of the most popular places in Croatia. It felt like entering into medieval rimes. Most of the attractions are in the Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well.
Here’s a list of places we visited in Dubrovnik :
- Dubrovnik City Walls: The main attraction in Dubrovnik is the City Walls, a 2 km long fortification surrounding the Old Town. It took us nearly 1 hour to walk the entire length of the city walls, including several stops for photos. From one side of the walls, we had a breathtaking view of the entire Old Town. On the other side, we enjoyed stunning views of the beautiful coastline along the Adriatic Sea. There is an entrance fee to access the city walls, so it’s not free to visit. It’s best to go either in the morning at opening time or close to closing time for more comfortable temperatures.
- Fort Lovrijenac: We visited the beautiful ancient fort located on the west side just outside the city walls. After climbing few steps, from the top of the fort we saw breathtaking views of the Old Town, City Walls, and the coastline. Fort Lovrijenac is also popular because of the iconic series Game of Thrones where this used to be the Red Keep.
- Wandering the streets of Old Town: Walking around the cobbled streets of the Old Town was one of our favorite things to do in Dubrovnik. Stradun is the main street filled with shops and restaurants. We also walked on the same Jesuit Staircase where the famous scene ‘Walk of Shame’ from Game of Thrones was filmed. Rector’s Palace is another beautiful palace that we checked out in the Old Town. Relax at Buza Bar, a cliffside bar, for sunset.
- Head to Mount Srd: The views of Dubrovnik’s old city from the top are stunning. You have the option of taking a cable car, a cab, or hiking to get there. I recommend taking the cable car or a cab up and then hiking down on the way back. If you have a car, you can simply drive there – although the roads are narrow, the views make it worthwhile!
- Game of thrones tour: If you are a fan of the series, definitely go for the Game of Thrones tour here in Dubrovnik.
Where to stay : We booked next 3 nights at a hotel in the heart of Old Town, close to all the major attractions.
Day 6 : Day Trip to Bosnia & Herzegovina (neighbouring balkan country)
On Day 6, we went on a daytrip to the neighboring balkan country of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We didn’t know that this country is so beautiful ! Here’s where we visited in this amazing country.
- Kravica Falls : One of the most beautiful waterfalls we visited in Europe. A short 15 mins walk down took us to the falls. We were amazed to see this breathtaking waterfall created by the tufa barrier. We also did a short boat ride that took us close to the falls. What an amazing experience this was !
- Mostar : Next we visited the beautiful city of Mostar where we spent most of the time. The city is popular for the Mostar Bridge or the Old Bridge which looks stunning with emerald green colored Neretva river flowing below. We also did a short boat ride in the river going below the bridge ! We also visited the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque and the main bazaar(market) filled with shops and restaurants.
- Pocitelj : On the way back we made a quick stop in the beautiful town of Pocitelj. Filled with cobbled stairs and greenery all around, this small town is gorgeous.
You need to carry your passport for this visit as you will be crossing border. It took half an hour for the whole process, though I have read it could even take up to 2 hours for the crossing. Something to keep in mind.
Day 7 : Exploring Montenegro (neighbouring balkan country)
On Day 7, we went for a day trip to another Balkan country – Montenegro. Our trip started with border crossing and then a visit to the town of Perast, where we hopped on a boat to the man-made island and visited ‘our Lady of the Rocks’ church. Then we headed to the beautiful city of Kotor where we spent most of our time wandering around the narrow alleys.
I believe that a day trip to these beautiful countries – Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina wouldn’t do justice to all the amazing experiences they have to offer. However, if you are like us with limited PTOs and these countries are far away, it might be worth including a day trip just to get a brief glimpse. Otherwise, I would highly recommend visiting these countries individually on separate trips, as they truly deserve to be explored more thoroughly.
Day 8 : Headed to next destination
After spending memorable time in Croatia, we headed to our next destination on this trip – Switzerland. We spent 10 days road tripping around Switzerland. You can check out our 10 Day road trip itinerary for Switzerland blog to know more about the trip.
Other things to know before you go!
- Croatia’s currency is Euro. Most of the places in Croatia accept credit cards but it’s always good to keep some cash with you. We used credit cards with zero foreign transaction fees. Please check with your credit card company or bank about this before traveling. Also, if you are using ATMs in Croatia to get Euros, use only Bank ATMs (aka Bankomat). Never use ‘Euronet’ or 3rd party ATMs as they charge a heavy transaction fees.
- Apart from the passport and Schengen visa (if you require one), we would always suggest carrying printed documents of return tickets, Insurance, and hotel stays. The immigration officer may ask about this at the border control entry.
- You can buy prepaid SIM cards at the Airports. We did not buy any SIM cards, however, we used our existing numbers. We use T-Mobile as our provider in the USA which offers an International pass for 7 days with 5 GB data or 30 days with 15 GB data. This international pass included Croatia which was good for us.
- Croatia’s official language is Croatian, however people spoke English wherever we visited. Also, if you don’t understand what is written on the menu or signboards use the Google Translate app.
- We would suggest booking hotels that provide breakfast (included in the room price/chargeable). This will save a lot of time in case you want to get an early start in the morning.
There are so many places to explore in this country. It is overwhelming to plan and decide which places to visit. Hope you find this blog helpful to plan your epic road trip to Croatia. Also, let us know in the comments if have any questions. Happy to answer! or if you find our blog useful. Happy to know!
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Thanks for Reading! See you next time!
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