How long to plan a perfect vacation in Croatia?
If you are looking to see as many of the Croatian highlights on your vacation as possible, you need to be aware that if you are starting in Umag, in the Northwest, and travelling all the way to Dubrovnik in the Southeast, you will be covering more than 700kms.
Ideally you should spend 14 days in Croatia, but to cover the highlights we would recommend an 8 night stay during your time in Croatia. If you have more time, then we would suggest that you add in an additional island stay, or another inland destination. Families generally travel into Split and out of Dubrovnik (or you can turn it on its head), with a couple of island visits in between.
If you don’t want to move around too much, we would recommend Split as a good base to visit Dalmatia. From here you have easy access to Brac, Hvar, Vis, Trogir, Krka Waterfalls and Dubrovnik. Or alternatively you can visit Istria, with Porec as your base.
Can you enjoy a roundtrip in Croatia?
Croatia is a wonderful destination for a road trip. The roads are in very good condition and scenery is unforgettable. I have travelled to over 40 something countries around the world, and Croatian scenery took my breath way. For your first trip I would suggest a trip along the Adriatic, from Split to Dubrovnic.
Best time to visit Croatia
The best time to travel to Croatia is between June and September, you can expect highs of 28º Celsius or 84º Fahrenheit (peak and busiest week in Summer is the last week of July and first couple of weeks in August). If these months don’t suit you then the shoulder season would work well, from May to mid-June or mid-September through to October.
How to get around
It depends on your vacation – if you are beach bound for most of your time in Croatia then I would use local transport (buses / taxis) and ferries. If you are road trippers you will love hiring a car, Croatia is a small country with some beautiful villages for a quick stopover, meandering around and some great spots lunch. For our 8 stay itinerary stay you will not require a car.
What does our classic 8 day Croatia itinerary look like?
Our 8 day Croatia itinerary covers 2 city stays and 2 island hops.
Day 1 – Split
Day 2 – Split
Day 3 – Hvar
Day 4 – Hvar
Day 5 – Korcula
Day 6 – Korcula
Day 7 – Dubrovnik
Day 8 – Dubrovnik
If you wanted to extend your stay to 10 days you could add in any of the following – Trogir and Krka National Park; Brac island; Vis Island; Elafiti islands; or you could just pop across the border to visit Montenegro.
Lets break each of these down and look at things to see and do, as well as the best hotels in each location.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Split
Things to see in Split
Split is the second-largest town in Croatia and has become one of the most popular destinations with visit in with families. The town is old, rich in history dating back to the Romans and is perfect for hiking, cycling, variety of beaches, the town has a great vibe, always buzzing, it boasts a family-friendly promenade to enjoy anytime of the day, has excellent hotels and an abundance of restaurants serving mouth-watering dishes.
Things to do in Split for kids
- Game of Thrones fans will want to visit the fortress used during filming, add this to a tour will your local guide
- A visit to the market and a local cooking experience
- Climb the bell tower of the Cathedral of St Dominus
- Stroll along the Riva
- Visit Diocletian’s Palace
Best hotels in Split
- Hotel Park
- Palace Judita Heritage Hotel
- Radisson Bly Resort & Spa
- Vesitibul Palace
- Cornaro Hotel
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hvar
Things to see in Hvar
One of the most famous islands in Croatia and also one of the sunniest, with around 2800 sunny hours each year. It’s the place to be seen. Hvar has an array of hotels, excellent restaurants and beautiful beaches where you can enjoy sun kissed days and, it also boasts a vibrant nightlife. Do not fear, you will also get to enjoy its hamlets, vineyards, lavender fields, beautiful countryside and hidden bays.
Things to do in Hvar
- Enjoy a wine tour with the locals
- Hike around some of their abandoned villages
- Spend time on the beach
- Take a boat for the day and enjoy the Pakleni Islands
- Be romantic and enjoy a sunset cruise
Best hotels in Hvar
- Palace Elisabeth
- Amfora Hvar Grand Beach resort
- Little Green Bay
- Heritage Villa Apolon
- Adriana, Hvar Spa
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Korcula
Things to see in Korcula
Another one of the most popular travel destinations on Croatia’s South Dalmatian coast, the island of Korcula is also one of the greenest. The lush pine forests remain as one of the main features of the hilly Adriatic island, especially along its north facing slopes. Scattered with dry stone walls, enfolding vineyards and olive groves, it is still cultivated as a livelihood by inland settlements today. In fact, two of the most popular Croatian white wines, Posip and Grk are grown on the island.
Things to do in Korcula
- Explore the Old town
- Rent a boat and go island hopping
- Enjoy a kayak tour
- Spend time on the beach
- Visit the house of Marco Polo
Best hotels in Korcula
- Lesic Dimitri Palace
- Hotel Korcula de la Ville
- Hotel Liburna
- Port 9 Hotel
- The Fabris
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dubrovnik
Things to see in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is the southernmost town in Croatia. It is a UNESCO Heritage site and a magnificent walled city. The pedestrian old town is simply beautiful, built on the limestone streets and peppered by palaces, baroque churches and monasteries. Dubrovnik has something for everyone – history, art culture, food, wine. Do wander beyond the walls to enjoy the stunning scenery and glorious beaches.
Things to do in Dubrovnik
- Explore the old town and walk the walls
- Take the cable car to Srd Hill
- Enjoy a date out and visit the Island of Lokrum or the Elafiti Islands
- Visit the Game of Thrones (GOT) filming site
- Cross the border and visit Montenegro for the day
- Take a sunset sailing trip
Best hotels in Dubrovnik
- Hotel Dubrovnik Palace
- Hotel Excelsior
- Royal Blue Hotel
- Hotel Kompas Dubrovnik
- Villa Dubrovnik
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Being based in Europe right next door to Croatia we believe we are in the best position to speak about, to advise you and help you to plan a memorable vacation to Croatia. We hope this itinerary example give you a better idea of where to go in Croatia but if you need more then let us help you by taking advantage of our vacation consulting or itinerary development services. Working to your budget we’ll discuss the best locations, present you with the best family accommodations, family focused tours/excursion/activities and work out the logistics for you.
So if you are planning a vacation to Croatia soon and you need some help then just drop us a line and we’ll set up a time to call you and let you know how we might help.