After spending three weeks in Croatia, I was able to determine my favorite locations, and {more importantly} the ones worth skipping. This allowed me to create the perfect itinerary for anyone with at least 2 weeks to spend in Croatia.
Getting Around:
Unfortunately, public transportation is lacking in Croatia. Therefore, your best options are renting a car or traveling via bus. You can also fly between larger cities {Zagreb, Dubrovnik, etc.} but, as usual, this will be your most expensive option.
I personally found bus travel in Croatia quite seamless, with the exception of a constant lack in AC on board. You will final local, as well as national, bus operators. The best way to plan your trip is to purchase tickets online using Bus Croatia, Omio, or Flixbus. Tickets are affordable, and for Europe, quite cheap.
Just be warned, even if your ticket includes AC on board, this is rarely the case. Technically the AC is on, but air flow levels are absolutely preposterous.
Renting a car is also a viable option in terms of traveling through Croatia. It’s a relatively small country, and the roads are easy to navigate. For a more in depth look into car rentals for 2 weeks in Croatia, check out this blog post.
Currency + Pricing:
Up until this year (2023) the Croatian Kuna was used as Croatia’s form of currency. 1 KN was approximately 0.15 USD. By European standards, Croatia is one of the cheapest countries to travel through. However, as of 2023, Croatia is now using the Euro as it’s currency, meaning pricing will increase exponentially.
A standard hostel in Split costs approximantely $20 – 35 USD per night. A standard hotel in Dubrovnik costs approximately $200 – 400 USD per night. And an AirBnb in Zagreb costs approximately $50 USD per night.
A standard meal in Croatia can cost you anything from $5 – 10 USD. A domestic beer costs between $1.50 – 3.00 USD. A bus ride between Zagreb and Split costs approximately $18 – 20 USD, and a bus ride from Split to Dubrovnik will set you back $14 – 19 USD.
2 Weeks in Croatia:
This itinerary for 2 weeks in Croatia is not for the faint of heart. It includes traveling from one town to the next, at a pretty rapid pace.
Day 1: Zagreb
Zagreb is a great starting point for anyone arriving via a surrounding country {i.e. Austria, Hungary, Italy}. Personally, I took a bus from Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary both times I visited Croatia. That being said, it’s also the largest international airport in Croatia, so many people begin their journey in Zagreb.
Zagreb is a great introduction to Croatia. With it’s charming old town, street performances, and delicious seafood, you’ll begin to appreciate the culture. I wouldn’t recommend staying for more than a day in Zagreb though. Trust me, it only gets better from here!
While I wasn’t blown away by Zagrab, Happy to Wander feels differently, as she discusses in her blog post here.
Day 2: Plitvice Lakes
It’s very easy to get an early bus from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Take all of your belongings with you {they have locker storage}, and use the park as a stopping point between your next destination. People spend anywhere from 4 hours, to an entire day exploring the Plitvice Lakes. And it’s easy to see why.
These sparkling, emerald lakes provide as the perfect backdrop for chasing waterfalls. Pack a picnic, and prepare to be amazed as you hike along wooden planks, directly over the pools of water.
Related: Plitvice Lakes in Croatia: A Complete Guide
Day 3: Zadar
I must admit, Zadar wasn’t my favorite place in Croatia. That being said, it’s a great halfway point between the lakes and your next destination, Split. Zadar was elected the Best European Destination for 2016, which happened to be the year I visited. My travel partner at the time agreed, and claimed it was one of his favorite places in Croatia.
Zadar was definitely a more laid back destination in Croatia, compared to the other places I visited. A few highlights in Zadar include the bell tower, the sea organ, and the ‘Greeting to the Sun’. I also stumbled upon a restaurant that serves solely raw entrees, and hosts spectacular views! And, and, and! It turns into a bar/outdoor nightclub during the evenings. I mean…
Day 4 – 5: Split
Now to my favorite location in all of Croatia: Split. This seaside town completely stole my heart for various reasons. The sun was constantly shining, the ‘Old Town’ was as easy to navigate as it was to get lost in, and there are multiple, fantastic, day trips to take advantage of.
It’s easy to spend at least two days in Split, but if you are pushed for time it is still long enough to hit the highlights. Speaking of, these include crystal clear beaches, multiple view points around the city, fresh seafood along ‘The Riva’, outdoor nightclubs, and an impressive bell tower. I dedicated an entire blog post to Split, which you can read more about here.
Related: You Can’t Go to Croatia and NOT Visit This City
Day 6: Brac
An easy, and unforgettable, day trip from Split is the island of Brac. There are daily ferries that travel between the two ports, and travel time is just under an hour.
Brač was my favorite island in Croatia. Everything about the port town we entered seemed magical. The people were gorgeous, the scenery was stunning, and the energy was cool, calm, and collected. To reach Bol, and the famous v-shaped beach, Zlatni Rat Beach, you’ll need to take a local bus. From there you can walk 20 minutes alongside crystal clear water.
While the beach can get crowded, it felt surprisingly comfortable. One thing to note is the ice cold temperature of the water. With it being so cold, you could almost assume it was fresh water you were swimming in. Shockingly enough, it is some of the saltiest water in the world. Like in the Dead Sea, you can easily float on top of the surface without moving your arms or legs. Pretty remarkable stuff.
Related: Recollections En Route: Brac
Day 7-8: Makarska
When I visited to Croatia, I only stayed in Makarska for a night. While this was somewhat sufficient, it would have been ideal to stay for two nights. You can easily take a bus to Makarska from Split in under 2 hours, costing between 40 – 50 Kuna {approx $6-7 USD}. While bus travel isn’t the most comfortable in Croatia, it gets the job done. You can find bus schedules for different companies on multiple websites. For starters, try this website for timetables.
Makarska is known for a couple things, most importantly, cliff jumping. Locals regularly jump from the jagged cliffs into the sea. Every now and then, tourists find these hot spots and learn from the locals. This was indeed what we did when I visited Makarska.
Makarska is also known for having a rather lively nightlife. We attended a party that was hosted in a cave on the edge of the sea. That was something I’d never experienced before, and definitely left a good impression on me.
Day 9: Hvar
Hvar has a reputation of being a party island. While I did go out in Hvar, it wasn’t anything spectacular in comparison to other destinations in Europe. The island itself is equipped with beaches, wineries, history, and great cuisine. As you can see, there is so much more to this island than nightlife.
It’s a good idea to take a ferry from Makarska and then stay the night in Hvar. From here you can take a day trip to Korcula {coming up next}. You’ll also be able to make your way to Dubrovnik quite easily via ferry. For the best budget hotels and hostels, check out this post featured on The Culture Trip.
Related: 7 Islands in Croatia to Visit in 2019
Day 10: Korčula {Optional}
You can get to Korcula via ferry from Hvar for a delightful day trip. Alternatively, you can stay in Korcula before moving on to Dubrovnik. Or, you can stay in Hvar for an additional night.
Korčula received the nickname “Little Dubrovnik” due to its medieval Old Town. Similar to Dubrovnik, the Old Town is surrounded by a wall, and each building is home to an orange rooftop. This laid back island is a great day trip from the actual Dubrovnik. While activities are somewhat limited to beaches, eating, and drinking, Korčula is extremely picturesque and charming. Plus, what more do you need on vacation?
You should move on to Dubrovnik from this location, but keep in mind ferries only run between the two in summer. Otherwise, you’ll need to travel on the daily bus. For more information about traveling between the island and Dubrovnik, check out this website.
Day 11-12: Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik should obviously be on your Croatia itinerary. Game of Thrones fans will be captivated by the filming sites scattered around the city. Even if you don’t fancy the television series {me}, there is so much to enjoy in Dubrovnik.
Climbing the city walls was immediately on my Dubrovnik bucket list after a bit of Instagram stalking the city. Looking out over the taro cotta rooftops will take your breath away, I promise. That being said, it is ridiculously hot up there. And surprisingly lacked any type of breeze. Regardless of this, the walk around the entire wall should be done if you ever visit Dubrovnik.
Other activities in Dubrovnik include heading to the small beaches near the Old Town, hiring a JetSki for an hour to receive a panoramic view of the city, getting a massage, visiting the multiple churches and cathedrals in Old Town, and taking advantage of the excursions based in and around Dubrovnik.
Day 13: Lopud
If you are going to take any day trips from Dubrovnik, it should be to the island of Lopud. Lopud was another favorite island of mine in Croatia. It has one of the best beaches, and unlike a majority of the beaches in Croatia that are home to pebble beaches, the beach on Lopud has fine white sand. Jadrolinija provide daily ferries to the island, and it takes under an hour to reach Lopud.
Day 14: Dubrovnik
Spend your final afternoon in Dubrovnik before catching a shuttle bus to the airport. This can easily be done by boarding at the main bus station in Dubrovnik, or the cable car station just outside Dubrovnik. It should cost around 40 Kuna {approx. $6 USD} and only takes about 10 minutes. Find out more information here.
An alternative to this itinerary includes taking a sailing tour of the islands. I took an 8-day sailing trip from Split to Dubrovnik, and found it a convenient way to see the islands along the Dalmatian coast. To find out more about my experience, you can read my blog post about it here.
You can also use either Split or Dubrovnik as your base and take day trips to the islands, instead of staying overnight in each location. Ultimately, there are many ways to explore Croatia, and will completely depend on what you’re looking for.
For any questions you may have about travel in Croatia, leave me a comment and I’ll do my best to help you out!
