Croatia 7-Day Travel Itinerary
Adriatic Islands, Roman Palaces & Turquoise Waterfalls
May to June or September for warm weather & fewer crowds
$79-543 per day depending on island choices
Dubrovnik Walls, Hvar, Plitvice Lakes, Blue Cave
Your 7-Day Croatia Adventure
Arrive at Dubrovnik Airport, transfer to Old Town hotel/apartment
Dubrovnik
Walk the famous Dubrovnik City Walls (2km loop, stunning Adriatic views)
Dubrovnik Old Town
Stradun (main street) evening walk, sunset cocktails at Buža Bar (cliff bar!)
Dubrovnik
💡 Pro Tip:
Walk the City Walls early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and peak heat. Buža Bar is a hidden gem — literally a hole in the wall leading to cliff-side seating over the sea.
Game of Thrones walking tour — Cersei's Walk of Shame, Red Keep, Blackwater Bay
Dubrovnik Old Town
Sea kayaking around the Old Town walls and to Lokrum Island
Adriatic Sea
Fresh seafood dinner at Nautika or local konoba, stroll the harbor
Dubrovnik
💡 Pro Tip:
GoT fans: Dubrovnik doubled as King's Landing. The kayaking tour ($30-45) gives incredible perspectives of the walls from the sea. Lokrum Island is a gorgeous day escape.
Catamaran ferry from Dubrovnik to Hvar (3-4 hours)
Adriatic Sea
Explore Hvar Town — Spanish Fortress viewpoint, Renaissance square, lavender shops
Hvar
Sunset from the fortress, drinks at Hula Hula beach bar, Hvar nightlife
Hvar
💡 Pro Tip:
Book Jadrolinija or Kapetan Luka ferries in advance during summer. Hvar is Croatia's sunniest island (2,724 hours of sun/year!). Hula Hula beach bar sunset is legendary.
Speedboat tour to the Blue Cave on Biševo island — ethereal blue light inside a sea cave
Blue Cave, Biševo
Pakleni Islands hopping — secluded beaches, crystal-clear swimming, Palmižana bay
Pakleni Islands
Return to Hvar Town, lavender ice cream, waterfront dining
Hvar
💡 Pro Tip:
Book the Blue Cave + 5 Islands tour ($60-80) — it's the full Adriatic experience. Go on a clear day for the best blue glow inside the cave. Bring waterproof phone case!
Ferry from Hvar to Split (1 hour)
Split
Diocletian's Palace — 1,700-year-old Roman emperor's palace (now the Old Town!)
Split Old Town
Riva waterfront promenade, sunset at Marjan Hill viewpoint, dinner at konoba
Split
💡 Pro Tip:
Split's Old Town IS the palace — 3,000 people still live inside its ancient walls! Marjan Hill is a 15-min walk from the Riva and has incredible sunset views over the islands.
Drive or bus to Plitvice Lakes (3.5 hours from Split)
Plitvice
Plitvice Lakes — 16 cascading turquoise lakes, wooden boardwalks, waterfalls
Plitvice Lakes
Drive to Zagreb or stay near Plitvice
Plitvice/Zagreb
💡 Pro Tip:
Book Plitvice tickets online ($35, timed entry). Take Route H (4-6 hours) for the full experience. Lower Lakes are more dramatic, Upper Lakes are quieter. NO swimming allowed.
Zagreb — Upper Town, St. Mark's Church, Museum of Broken Relationships
Zagreb
Extra beach/island day — Krka waterfalls or Brač island (Zlatni Rat beach)
Central Dalmatia
Last Croatian meal — peka (slow-cooked meat under a bell), local wine
Croatia
Transfer to Split, Dubrovnik, or Zagreb airport for departure
Departure
💡 Pro Tip:
If flying from Zagreb, the Museum of Broken Relationships is a must — quirky and touching. For beaches, Zlatni Rat on Brač island changes shape with the tide!
Croatia Weather Guide
✓ Pros:
Perfect beach weather 28-32°C, warm sea, longest days, island hopping paradise
✗ Cons:
Most expensive, very crowded (Dubrovnik gets cruise ship hordes), book 3-6 months ahead
✓ Pros:
Warm weather, sea still swimmable, fewer crowds, much better prices, autumn colors
✗ Cons:
Some island services reduced in Oct, occasional rain
✓ Pros:
Wildflowers, waterfalls at peak flow (Plitvice!), great prices, pleasant temperatures
✗ Cons:
Sea too cold for swimming (17-19°C), some island ferries not running yet
Croatia Travel Budget Estimates
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (6 nights) | $240-450 | $600-1200 | $2000+ |
| Ferries & Transport | $80-150 | $150-300 | $400+ |
| Meals & Drinks | $150-250 | $300-600 | $900+ |
| Activities & Entry Fees | $80-150 | $150-300 | $500+ |
| TOTAL (per person) | $550-1000 | $1200-2400 | $3800+ |
Getting Around Croatia
Catamaran ferries connect Dubrovnik-Hvar-Split — book Jadrolinija or Kapetan Luka online
FlixBus connects major cities cheaply — Split to Plitvice $15-25, Split to Zagreb $15-20
Rent a car for Plitvice and Istria — public transport is limited outside the coast
Dubrovnik to Split: catamaran (4h, $25-35) is better than the scenic drive (4.5h) unless you have a car
Water taxis between islands are available in summer — cheaper than ferries for short hops
Croatia uses the Euro — card payments accepted almost everywhere in tourist areas
Avoid These Croatia Mistakes
Only visiting Dubrovnik (Split, Hvar, and Plitvice are equally incredible — see all of them)
Visiting Dubrovnik when cruise ships dock (check cruiseshipschedule.com — avoid 10 AM-4 PM on ship days)
Not booking Plitvice Lakes tickets in advance (they sell out in summer — timed entry required)
Eating on the Stradun in Dubrovnik (tourist trap pricing — walk 2 blocks away for 50% less)
Skipping the islands (Hvar, Brač, Korčula are what make Croatia special — don't just stay on the mainland)
Renting a car for islands (ferries are limited — plan car rentals for mainland segments only)