For probably the most lovely stretches of Mediterranean shoreline, with glittering islands, splendidly well-preserved medieval cities, pristine nationwide parks and fabulous delicacies, head to Croatia. 

Beginning in Zagreb and ending in Dubrovnik, this seven-day itinerary is ideal for first-time guests. You’ll discover the Croatian capital in addition to UNESCO World Heritage-listed outdated cities on the Dalmatian coast, hopping on a catamaran or ferry between beautiful islands alongside the best way. We’ve included some beautiful seashores, breathtaking structure, scrumptious meals and wine, some excellent museums, and sunsets to swoon over. What are you ready for?

Prepared to start out planning? Time your visit just right with our seasonal guide

• When to reach: Late spring and early fall are nice occasions to go to Croatia, because of nice temperatures and fewer crowds. Nonetheless, for the smoothest connections out to the islands, you may need to go to Croatia within the high-season months of June to August, when ferries are operating probably the most frequent providers.
• Tips on how to get to/from the airports: It’s a 40-minute bus ride from Zagreb’s airport into town heart bus station and tickets could be purchased on-line upfront or from the motive force. Taxis can be found exterior the terminal. In Dubrovnik, leap on the airport shuttle bus on the principal bus station, Grawe station, on the Outdated City cable automotive cease or exterior One Suite resort. Purchase tickets on the stops or on-line.
• What to pack: Swimming sneakers are extremely beneficial for seaside visits. It’s not acceptable to stroll round seaside cities in your swimwear, so make sure you pack non-beach garments too. Embody some smarter outfits for evenings out and garments that may cowl naked shoulders and thighs when visiting non secular websites.

First time in Croatia? Here are the things you should know before you go

Day 1: begin your week in Zagreb

Many Croatian itineraries simply persist with the coast and islands – however in lacking the Croatian capital, you’re actually solely seeing half the nation. Zagreb has quite a few glorious museums and galleries to go to, fabulous bars, cafes and eating places, and a fantastically preserved outdated metropolis heart stuffed with Secessionist-style structure.

Tips on how to spend the day: Begin with a strolling tour of the Higher City (Gornji grad), which facilities on the long-lasting St Mark’s Church. Don’t miss the superb (and distinctive!) Museum of Broken Relationships. Then head downhill and go to the large open market and the attractive Gothic cathedral. From bustling Ban Jelačić Sq., wander by way of the parks and squares that run down in the direction of the principle railway station.

Take a break: Once you really feel like a espresso or a drink head alongside Tkalčićeva, a slender, pedestrianized road teeming with vibrant cafes.

Day 2: watch the sundown from the waterfront in Zadar

Morning: Take an early bus to Zadar, round a 3.5-hour journey. For those who’re driving by yourself, think about stopping off on the unforgettable Plitvice Lakes National Park on the best way.

Tips on how to spend the day: Zadar’s outdated city is a fantastic cluster of slender streets and medieval church buildings, all organized alongside a slender peninsula with jaw-dropping sunsets from its waterfront. Go to the Cathedral of St Anastasia and the distinctive Church of St Donatus, beside the Roman Discussion board.

Take a break: Cease for an ice cream, or sit on the seafront by the outstanding Sea Organ (a quayside stone “instrument” that makes haunting noises powered by the tide), as you admire the view over to the islands.

Dinner: Earlier than settling in for a standout dinner at Foša, which serves top-notch seafood and has a stunning waterside terrace (bookings suggested), watch the sundown from the Greetings to the Sun set up on the waterfront.

Touring extra of Croatia? Here’s our guide to getting around

Day 3: take in the environment in Cut up

Morning: It’s round 2.5 hours by bus to your base for the following couple of nights: Split, a coastal metropolis with unbelievable structure and popping nightlife.

Tips on how to spend the day: The full of life coronary heart of Cut up is Diocletian’s Palace. This UNESCO World Heritage Website was constructed within the 4th century as a very magnificent retirement palace for the Roman emperor Diocletian. The complicated is full of tons of of buildings which have been added all through the ages and in the present day is residence to round 3000 folks. Begin your sightseeing right here and don’t fear about getting misplaced – that’s half the enjoyable. 

Discover your approach to the middle of the palace to admire the well-preserved colonnaded Roman Peristil (courtyard), and the octagonal Cathedral of St Domnius, which was initially Diocletian’s mausoleum. Under floor, the palace’s substructures are a splendidly atmospheric place to discover. Don’t be shocked if you happen to get the sensation dragons is likely to be lurking: when filming Sport of Thrones, these substructures stood in for the house of Daenerys’s… er… kids.

Dinner: You’ll discover loads of cafes, eating places and bars within the outdated metropolis for whenever you begin to really feel peckish. Nosotromo, throughout from the fish market, is without doubt one of the greatest locations to take pleasure in contemporary Adriatic seafood. Within the night, take a stroll and seize a drink on town’s Riva waterfront promenade. 

Day 4: calm down on the long-lasting Zlatni Rat seaside close to Bol

Morning: Take a quick catamaran from Cut up to Bol on Brač Island. This gorgeous little city is most well-known for Zlatni Rat seaside, an excellent spur of clean white pebbles and shingle that extends 500m (1640ft) straight out into the Adriatic, reached by a mile-long stroll alongside a pine-shaded waterfront promenade.

Tips on how to spend the day: The seaside is massively common, and can also be an important spot for windsurfing because of its regular winds. For astounding views throughout to Hvar and past, take a two-hour hike as much as Vidova Gora. At 778m (2552ft), that is the best level within the Adriatic Islands. Don’t neglect to take water, sunscreen and a solar hat, as there’s just about no shade on the path up.

Planning tip: For those who’re touring exterior of excessive season, you received’t make it to Bol by way of direct catamaran as they solely run from June to September. However no worries: you may take the common ferry from Cut up to Supetar after which the bus throughout the island to Bol – simply permit sufficient time on the best way again, because the bus generally will get caught in visitors ready for the ferry exterior Supetar. 

Within the night: In case you have time within the night, take an area bus to see UNESCO-listed Trogir and its superb 13th-century cathedral. 

Day 5: relax in Hvar City, and discover Korčula’s outdated city

Morning: In excessive season (June to September) you will have a number of selections of catamaran when touring from Cut up to Korčula Town, and it’s straightforward sufficient to cease off at Hvar Town for some chill-out time on the best way. (Notice that catamarans between Cut up, Hvar, Korčula and Dubrovnik in the summertime do get absolutely booked up, so be sure to purchase your tickets upfront. )

Tips on how to spend the day: The glittering capital of Hvar Island, Hvar City is without doubt one of the most glamorous spots in Croatia, well-known for a vibrant nightlife scene mixed with historic structure in a surprising setting. Wander the slender streets of the outdated city previous fairly church buildings and squares; if you happen to fancy a swim, take a ship experience out to the Pakleni Islands. Then, take a day catamaran to Korčula – or if you happen to fall in love with Hvar and might’t bear to depart, depend on taking a catamaran direct to Dubrovnik tomorrow.

Korčula City is a picture-perfect walled settlement on a boat-shaped peninsula jutting into the Adriatic. Tightly clustered inside a hoop of partitions and towers, the outdated city facilities on the Fifteenth-century St Mark’s Cathedral, which homes artworks by Tintoretto and Ivan Meštrović. The island is understood for its wine; pattern some at one of many wine bars within the lanes close to the harbor.

Dinner: There are many selections for food and drinks in Hvar City. Macondo on the harbor serves fresh-off-the-boat fish and steaks filled with seasonal and native components like olives.

Day 6: put together to be wowed by Dubrovnik’s outdated city

Morning: Catamarans run from Korčula City to Dubrovnik in excessive season (June to September), however at different occasions of 12 months you must catch a automotive ferry from Dominče to Orebić (on the Pelješac Peninsula) and proceed on to Dubrovnik by bus. Your first glimpse of Dubrovnik’s UNESCO-listed outdated city – its magnificent white limestone partitions standing proud above the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea – will take your breath away. You’ll need to spend a minimum of two days exploring this outstanding metropolis and its environment. 

Tips on how to spend the day: Wander the marble streets inside the partitions, stopping by town’s varied palaces, church buildings and museums. It’s greatest to stroll the partitions very first thing within the morning, so hold them for tomorrow if you happen to’ve simply arrived from Korčula. The War Photo Limited gallery is a very highly effective expertise, with a everlasting assortment of pictures from the conflict in former Yugoslavia, in addition to non permanent reveals on different worldwide conflicts.

Dinner: Be part of locals on the taverna-style Glorijet by the water for a hearty seafood meal or strive Nishta with its inventive vegan and vegetarian menu that makes probably the most of Croatia’s abundance of contemporary produce.

Within the night: End your time off with a cable automotive experience up Mt Srđ, which rises immediately behind the outdated city, to look at the sundown glint off the rooftops, then dip into the Adriatic sea.

Day 7: stroll town partitions of Dubrovnik, and head to Lokrum for a swim

Tips on how to spend the day: Begin your second day in Dubrovnik with a stroll across the high of the outdated city walls; it’s greatest to go as quickly as they open to keep away from the crowds. That is the classic Dubrovnik experience and it’ll take you a minimum of a few hours to take a look at all the varied towers, taking in views of the outdated city rooftops and glittering Adriatic on the best way.

Within the afternoon you must have time to go out of city for a refreshing swim, both on Lokrum Island, a 10-minute ferry experience away, or at one of many native seashores. Deliver your journey to an in depth with a sundown drink at one of many tiny bars on the rocks exterior Dubrovnik’s metropolis partitions.