For one of the vital 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 You'll discover the Croatian capital in addition to UNESCO World Heritage-listed outdated cities on the Dalmatian coast, hopping on a catamaran or ferry between beautiful islands alongside the best way. 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 begin planning? Time your go to good with our seasonal information
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When to reach: Late spring and early fall are nice occasions to go to Croatia, due to nice temperatures and fewer crowds. Nevertheless, for the smoothest connections out to the islands, you'll wish to go to Croatia within the high-season months of June to August, when ferries are working probably the most frequent companies.
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Learn how to get to/from the airports: It’s a 40-minute bus experience from Zagreb's airport into the town heart bus station and tickets will be purchased on-line prematurely or from the motive force. Taxis can be found outdoors the terminal. In Dubrovnik, bounce on the airport shuttle bus on the primary bus station, Grawe station, on the Outdated City cable automotive cease or outdoors One Suite lodge. Purchase tickets on the stops or on-line.
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What to pack: Swimming sneakers are extremely advisable for seashore visits. It isn’t acceptable to stroll round seashore cities in your swimwear, so you should definitely pack non-beach garments too. Embody some smarter outfits for evenings out and garments that may cowl naked shoulders and thighs when visiting spiritual websites.
First time in Croatia? Listed here are the issues it is 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 various wonderful museums and galleries to go to, fabulous bars, cafes and eating places, and a fantastically preserved outdated metropolis heart stuffed with Secessionist-style structure.
Learn how to spend the day: Begin with a strolling tour of the Higher City (Gornji grad), which facilities on the enduring 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 via the parks and squares that run down in the direction of the principle railway station.
Take a break: While you really feel like a espresso or a drink head alongside Tkalčićeva, a slim, pedestrianized road 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. If you happen to're driving by yourself, take into account stopping off on the unforgettable Plitvice Lakes Nationwide Park on the best way.
Learn how to spend the day: Zadar's outdated city is an attractive cluster of slim streets and medieval church buildings, all organized alongside a slim peninsula with jaw-dropping sunsets from its waterfront. Go to the Cathedral of St Anastasia and the distinctive Church of St Donatus, subsequent to the Roman Discussion board.
Take a break: Cease for an ice cream, or sit on the seafront by the outstanding Sea Organ (a quayside stone “instrument” that makes haunting noises powered by the tide), as you admire the view over to the islands.
Dinner: Earlier than settling in for a standout dinner at Foša, which serves top-notch seafood and has a beautiful waterside terrace (bookings suggested), watch the sundown from the Greetings to the Solar set up on the waterfront.
Touring extra from Croatia? Right here's our information to getting round
Day 3: absorb the ambiance in Break up
Morning: It's round 2.5 hours by bus to your base for the subsequent couple of nights: Break up, a coastal metropolis with unimaginable structure and popping nightlife.
Learn how to spend the day: The energetic coronary heart of Break up is Diocletian's Palace. This UNESCO World Heritage Web site was constructed within the 4th century as a very magnificent retirement palace for the Roman emperor Diocletian. The advanced is filled with lots of of buildings which have been added all through the ages and as we speak is dwelling to round 3000 individuals. Begin your sightseeing right here and don't fear about getting misplaced – that's half the enjoyable.
Discover your option 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 could 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 outdated metropolis for once you begin to really feel peckish. Nosotromo, throughout from the fish market, is without doubt one of the finest locations to get pleasure from recent Adriatic seafood. Within the night, take a stroll and seize a drink on the town's Riva waterfront promenade.
Day 4: calm down on the enduring Zlatni Rat seashore close to Bol
Morning: Take a quick catamaran from Break up to Bol on Brač Island. This beautiful little city is most well-known for Zlatni Rat seashore, an excellent spur of easy 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.
Learn how to spend the day: The seashore is vastly fashionable, and can be an excellent spot for windsurfing due to 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 best level within the Adriatic Islands. Don't overlook to take water, sunscreen and a solar hat, as there's just about no shade on the path up.
Planning tip: If you happen to're touring outdoors of excessive season, you gained't make it to Bol through direct catamaran as they solely run from June to September. However no worries: you may take the common ferry from Break up to Supetar after which the bus throughout the island to Bol – simply permit sufficient time on the best way again, because the bus generally will get caught in visitors ready for the ferry outdoors Supetar.
Within the night: If in case you have time within the night, take a neighborhood bus to see UNESCO-listed Trogir and its wonderful Thirteenth-century cathedral.
Day 5: relax in Hvar City, and discover Korčula's outdated city
Morning: In excessive season (June to September) you’ve a number of selections of catamaran when touring from Break up to Korčula City, and it's simple sufficient to cease off at Hvar City for some chill-out time on the best way. (Word that catamarans between Break up, Hvar, Korčula and Dubrovnik in the summertime do get totally booked up, so ensure you purchase your tickets prematurely. )
Learn how to 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 slim streets of the outdated 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, rely on taking a catamaran on 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 outdated city facilities on the Fifteenth-century St Mark's Cathedral, which homes artworks by Tintoretto and Ivan Meštrović. The island is thought for its wine; pattern some at one of many wine bars within the lanes close to the harbor.
Dinner: There are many selections for food and drinks in Hvar City. Macondo on the harbor serves fresh-off-the-boat fish and steaks filled with seasonal and native substances like olives.
Day 6: put together to be wowed by Dubrovnik's outdated city
Morning: Catamarans run from Korčula City to Dubrovnik in excessive season (June to September), however at different occasions of the yr it is 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 outdated city – its magnificent white limestone partitions standing proudly above the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea – will take your breath away. You'll wish to spend not less than two days exploring this outstanding metropolis and its environment.
Learn how to spend the day: Wander the marble streets throughout the partitions, stopping by the town's varied palaces, church buildings and museums. It's finest to stroll the partitions very first thing within the morning, so maintain them for tomorrow if you happen to've simply arrived from Korčula. The Struggle Picture Restricted gallery is a very highly effective expertise, with a everlasting assortment of photographs from the battle in former Yugoslavia, in addition to short-term displays on different worldwide conflicts.
Dinner: Be a part of locals on the taverna-style Glorijet by the water for a hearty seafood meal or strive Nishta with its inventive vegan and vegetarian menu that makes probably the most of Croatia's abundance of recent produce.
Within the night: End your time without work with a cable automotive experience up Mt Srđ, which rises instantly behind the outdated city, to observe the sundown glint off the rooftops, then dip into the Adriatic sea.
Day 7: stroll the town partitions of Dubrovnik, and head to Lokrum for a swim
Learn how to spend the day: Begin your second day in Dubrovnik with a stroll across the high of the outdated metropolis partitions; it's finest to go as quickly as they open to keep away from the crowds. That is the traditional Dubrovnik expertise and it’ll take you not less than a few hours to take a look at all the assorted towers, taking in views of the outdated city rooftops and glittering Adriatic on the best way.
Within the afternoon it is best to have time to go 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 outdoors Dubrovnik's metropolis partitions.
