how to spend a week in croatia

I feel that Croatia often gets overlooked for spots like Greece and Italy, but I find it to be a slightly more affordable option with a similar vibe. I stayed the majority of my time in Split, which was a great hub for day trips and excursions, however, I truly feel anywhere on the coast in this country would make for a beautiful trip.

Let’s preface the guide with my top tip for visiting Croatia. Did you know that Bosnia and Herzegovina has a mere 12 miles of coastline that goes right through Croatia? Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way when taking the bus from Split to Dubrovnik, and had to get off the bus and go through border control both entering and exiting the country. My number one tip for visiting Croatia? Take the ferry or fly between spots to avoid what I did. Now here’s a look at where to go in Croatia.

SPLIT

PLITVICE NATIONAL PARK

HVAR

DUBROVNIK

SPLIT

With charming streets and ocean views, Split is the perfect spot to stay and use as a hub in Croatia. From there you can spend a day on the water, walk to small local beaches, or take a trip away from the coast to one of the many stunning national parks.

Things to do in Split

  • Get to know the city through a walking tour with FreeTours.com

  • Climb up Marjan Hill for stunning views

  • Take a boat ride to the Blue Lagoon. This spot just outside of Split looks like you’re swimming in a pool due to the clear turquoise color. We went with Valmore Boat Tours, which can be booked via AirBnb Experiences.


Where to eat and drink in Split

- Portofino Split; nice steak house, worth every penny for the taste and service
- No Stress Bistro; relaxed bistro on the main square
- Drinks at Adriana; great cocktails and views of the water
- Articok Split; rooftop dining and excellent food
- Brunch at Fig Restaurants
- Coffee at D16 Coffee
- Bobis bakeries for breakfast treats
- Konoba Pizzeria Feral for a spot outside of the main town
- Pizza Basta Gourmet Bar Split; pizza so good we went twice

Where to stay in Split

Stay just outside of the city walls and everything will be walkable but a little more quiet at night. We had a great AirBnb close to the port which was perfect for excursions as well.

Important additional tips:

  • Take the bus from the airport for about 5 euros (35 kuna) as opposed to a taxi for 35. There’s not much of a schedule, it leaves once it’s full, usually just after a flight comes in.

  • A lot of cafes were cash only. Get cash before you go if you can - most of the ATMs charge a hefty 6 euro fee. Also note that they are on the Kuna, not the euro.

Plitvice National Park

While mostly known for its coastline, Croatia has many stunning national parks tucked away in the countryside. Plitvice and Krka are perhaps the two most popular and easiest for a day trip from Split. We opted for Plitvice, which has more hiking and is farther away, while at Krka you can actually swim and it’s a much quicker trip. Booking during the off-season with Get Your Guide made for a smaller and personalized trip. We spent the whole day there and were amazed by the colors of the water.

Additional tips:
- Go in the offseason for fewer crowds
- Go as early as possible to beat the large tour groups
- Take a tour with Get Your Guide for a smaller and more personal trip
- Bring snacks or even lunch with you if you go on a guided tour, as there won’t be a proper lunch stop.

HVAR

Just across the water from Split is the island of Hvar. This island is about an hour from Split by ferry and is known for its beaches and party scene. The ferry from Split to Hvar will cost you around 15 euros round trip. Buy online and check the ferry schedule ahead of time, as they aren’t super frequent nor do they run very late. Still, it was easy to hop over for the day, hike up to the fortress, have lunch, and spend some time at a beach club. For 10-30 euro you can reserve a beach chair to relax on for the day. Make sure to reserve a seat or get there earlier in the day for the prime beach clubs like Hula Hula and Beach Club Hvar. We ended up at Bonj Beach which cost ten euros to rent a chair and had a bar to buy drinks from. The only thing we were missing was a towel (make sure to bring one with you or opt for the nicer spots!). Note that many of the beaches are pretty rocky, so it’s good to pack watershoes. For dining, look for spots off the beaten path and away from the main area for shorter wait times and more authentic food. We loved the patio and food at Restaurant Palace Paladini for lunch.

  

Dubrovnik

We spent one night in Dubrovnik, so I don’t have too many tips to share, other than that if you decide to go, you better be prepared for crowds. Even in mid-September, the fortified city was packed - note that the majority of the sights are in a pedestrian-only zone, and this is where it’s most crowded. There was a huge line to walk the city walls (which also costs 30 euros) and I saw at least five Game of Thrones tours. To me, it felt a bit overrated, and I much preferred Split, which also looks and feels very similar but was less crowded. My top pick for Dubrovnik is to have dinner at Panorama Restaurant, where you can overlook the city and watch the sunset. If you stay within the city walls as we did, make sure you pack light, as we had to go up several flights of stairs just to get to our hotel, not to mention the stairs inside the building. I didn’t like where we stayed (the bathroom was in the hall and we had to pay in cash upon arrival) so I wouldn’t recommend it. Try looking outside of the city walls if you’re planning a longer stay.

Whether you love the ocean or are just a die-hard Game of Thrones fan, Croatia has something for everyone paired alongside picturesque views.