For some of the 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 previous cities on the Dalmatian coast, hopping on a catamaran or ferry between beautiful islands alongside the way in which. 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 go to excellent with our seasonal information
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When to reach: Late spring and early fall are nice instances 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 companies.
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How one can get to/from the airports: It’s a 40-minute bus experience 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, soar on the airport shuttle bus on the foremost bus station, Grawe station, on the Previous City cable automotive cease or exterior One Suite lodge. Purchase tickets on the stops or on-line.
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What to pack: Swimming sneakers are extremely beneficial for seashore visits. It isn’t acceptable to stroll round seashore cities in your swimwear, so make sure to pack non-beach garments too. Embody some smarter outfits for evenings out and garments that can cowl naked shoulders and thighs when visiting spiritual websites.
First time in Croatia? Listed here are the issues it’s best to know earlier than you go
Day 1: begin your week in Zagreb
Many Croatian itineraries simply stick with the coast and islands – however in lacking the Croatian capital, you’re actually solely seeing half the nation. Zagreb has a lot of wonderful museums and galleries to go to, fabulous bars, cafes and eating places, and a fantastically preserved previous metropolis heart stuffed with Secessionist-style structure.
How one can 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 wonderful (and distinctive!) Museum of Damaged Relationships. Then head downhill and go to the massive open market and the gorgeous Gothic cathedral. From bustling Ban Jelačić Sq., wander by way of the parks and squares that run down in direction of the primary railway station.
Take a break: Once you really feel like a espresso or a drink head alongside Tkalčićeva, a slender, pedestrianized avenue 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, contemplate stopping off on the unforgettable Plitvice Lakes Nationwide Park on the way in which.
How one can spend the day: Zadar’s previous city is a gorgeous 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 exceptional Sea Organ (a quayside stone “instrument” that makes haunting noises powered by the tide), as you admire the view over to the islands.
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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 Solar set up on the waterfront.
Touring extra of Croatia? Here is our information to getting round
Day 3: absorb the ambiance in Cut up
Morning: It’s round 2.5 hours by bus to your base for the subsequent couple of nights: Cut up, a coastal metropolis with unbelievable structure and popping nightlife.
How one can 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 really magnificent retirement palace for the Roman emperor Diocletian. The advanced 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 individuals. 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 stunned if you happen to get the sensation dragons may be lurking: when filming Sport of Thrones, these substructures stood in for the house of Daenerys’s… er… youngsters.
Dinner: You’ll discover loads of cafes, eating places and bars within the previous metropolis for once you begin to really feel peckish. Nosotromo, throughout from the fish market, is without doubt one of the greatest locations to get pleasure from 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 seashore close to Bol
Morning: Take a quick catamaran from Cut up to Bol on Brač Island. This beautiful little city is most well-known for Zlatni Rat seashore, a wonderful 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.
How one can spend the day: The seashore is massively in style, 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 very best level within the Adriatic Islands. Don’t neglect to take water, sunscreen and a solar hat, as there’s nearly no shade on the path up.
Planning tip: For those who’re touring exterior of excessive season, you gained’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 way in which again, because the bus typically will get caught in visitors ready for the ferry exterior Supetar.
Within the night: You probably have time within the night, take an area bus to see UNESCO-listed Trogir and its superb Thirteenth-century cathedral.
Day 5: relax in Hvar City, and discover Korčula’s previous city
Morning: In excessive season (June to September) you will have a number of selections of catamaran when touring from Cut up to Korčula City, and it’s simple sufficient to cease off at Hvar City for some chill-out time on the way in which. (Be aware that catamarans between Cut up, Hvar, Korčula and Dubrovnik in the summertime do get absolutely booked up, so ensure you purchase your tickets upfront. )
How one can 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 shocking setting. Wander the slender streets of the previous 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 go away, 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 previous 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 foods and drinks in Hvar City. Macondo on the harbor serves fresh-off-the-boat fish and steaks full of seasonal and native components like olives.
Day 6: put together to be wowed by Dubrovnik’s previous city
Morning: Catamarans run from Korčula City to Dubrovnik in excessive season (June to September), however at different instances of 12 months it’s best to 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 previous 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 at the very least two days exploring this exceptional metropolis and its environment.
How one can spend the day: Wander the marble streets inside the partitions, stopping by town’s numerous 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 Conflict Picture Restricted gallery is a very highly effective expertise, with a everlasting assortment of photographs from the conflict in former Yugoslavia, in addition to momentary reveals on different worldwide conflicts.
Dinner: Be part of locals on the taverna-style Glorijet by the water for a hearty seafood meal or attempt 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 break day with a cable automotive experience up Mt Srđ, which rises instantly behind the previous city, to observe 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
How one can spend the day: Begin your second day in Dubrovnik with a stroll across the high of the previous metropolis partitions; it’s greatest to go as quickly as they open to keep away from the crowds. That is the basic Dubrovnik expertise and it’ll take you at the very least a few hours to take a look at all the assorted towers, taking in views of the previous city rooftops and glittering Adriatic on the way in which.
Within the afternoon it’s best to have time to move out of city for a refreshing swim, both on Lokrum Island, a 10-minute ferry experience away, or at one of many native seashores. Carry your journey to an in depth with a sundown drink at one of many tiny bars on the rocks exterior Dubrovnik’s metropolis partitions.
