The Best 7 Day Croatia Itinerary

Croatia is a stunning country, you could spend an entire summer here exploring but most people don’t have that much time. So, here is an awesome 7 day Croatia itinerary.

1. Zadar

This Croatia itinerary starts in Zadar, the oldest continuously lived-in city in Croatia. The Roman ruins are one of the main attractions; visit the Church of St. Donatus and the main square to see some beautiful cultural sights.

For a unique place to visit, make sure you check out the Sea Organ in Zadar. We don't want to spoil this for you but it makes some interesting noises! It's also a beautiful spot to watch the sunset over the sea. You can also go for a swim around the harbour here, so if you are sightseeing on a particularly hot day then pack your swimming stuff too!

Zadar has famously been said to have the best sunsets in the world, according to Alfred Hitchcock. Make sure you are about to see one!

2. Zrmanja Canyon

Zrmanja Canyon, nestled in the heart of Croatia, is one of Croatia’s less visited natural wonders but should deserve a spot on your Croatia itinerary. The canyon, carved by the Zrmanja River, features dramatic cliffs and turquoise water.

It’s the perfect place for those who want a bit of adventure on their road trip, such as kayaking and rafting. We can personally recommend white water rafting down the Zrmanja River. Along the way you will zoom through some mini rapids and see beautiful waterfalls. 

3. Sibenik

Šibenik was one of our favourite old towns to visit, probably because it is quite small so it has a much more tranquil feel than other towns we visited. The cobbled streets and the whitewashed buildings were very picturesque and it was easy to get lost in its beauty when wandering around the thin alleys. 

The Cathderal of St. James is a particularly beautiful building made from the white stone mined on the island of Brac.

4. Krka Waterfalls

Krka Waterfalls, situated in Krka National Park, are in the Šibenik region of Dalmatia. The Krka River winds through the lush green forest creating stunning waterfalls and turquoise pools along the way.

The most iconic waterfall, Skradinski Buk, is a tiered waterfall and is surrounded by wooden walkways so that you can get up close to admire it. Roski Slap, another beautiful waterfall, is smaller but in a quieter part of the National Park for those seeking more tranquillity.

In peak season it costs €40 to visit Krka National Park and it is only a day ticket, so if you want to visit both waterfalls, which are in different parts of the National Park, you should try to do both in one day. You can find information about tickets on this website.

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5. Trogir

If you’re looking for an alternative to visiting the busy and bustling Split, try adding Trogir to your Croatia itinerary instead. Located only half an hour from Split, Trogir itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site located on a small island between mainland Croatia and the larger Čiovo Island.

The old town and castle are well preserved, transporting you back in time and if you want to enjoy some beautiful secluded beaches you can drive over to Čiovo Island.

6. Split

Split is the second largest city in Croatia and is very popular with people visiting the country because of its blend of medieval charm and coastal gems. There’s plenty to see in and around Split

• Admire the UNESCO Diocletian's Palace at the heart of the city, the palace to this day forms nearly half of the old town
• Wander the narrow maze of the Old town and enjoy the medieval churches, quaint streets and bustling squares
• Head to Bačvice Beach and enjoy the beach bars along the bay
• Visit the palm tree-lined Riva promenade, an especially nice spot to see at sunset
• To escape the city, walk up Marjan Hill, full of hiking trails and panoramic views over the city and the sea

7. Hvar

The island of Hvar is one of the most visited of Croatia’s islands, which is no surprise as it receives the most amount of sunshine per year. The island is also well known for it’s nightlife. with many beach bars and clubs that attract thousands of people each year to party. It’s also an easily reachable and popular island for a day trip from Split.

On the other end of the island though is sleepy Sucaraj, the smallest town on the island that is much less frequented apart from those getting the car ferry. We spent time down this end of the island and truly fell in love with the wild feel and secluded coves. We had some of our most beautiful and tranquil camping and swimming spots on this end of the island.

8. Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ is arguably the most well known and most visited place in Croatia. White washed stone houses and red tiled roofs, combined with breathtaking sea views, it’s a stunning part of Croatia. Not to mention that Dubrovnik’s well-preserved Old Town holds the title of a UNESCO World Heritage site. The maze of cobblestone streets are the ideal location to wander and admire the architecture.

There are lots of things to do around Dubrovnik so you can easily spend a few days in the area, the public transport is also pretty easy to navigate and there are plenty of buses running to the city so you don’t need to worry about driving close. 

• Wander around the cobblestone streets of the Old Town.
  
• Walk around the city walls and admire Dubrovnik from many different angles.
  
• For more culture, visit the Rector’s Palace, the Cathedral and Sponza Palace.
  
• If you have a paddle board or kayak you could paddle around the city to get a unique perspective and find some hidden beaches.
  
• Ride the Dubrovnik cable car up Srd Hill for an epic view of Dubrovnik from above.
  
• Get the ferry to Lokrum Island for a day trip and find a secluded swimming spot.
  
• If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you have to find the filming locations, such as the stairs where Cersei does the walk of shame.
  
• Visit Lapad (the newer part of Dubrovnik) for some beautiful beaches and a cheaper option to dine than the Old town.
  
• Take the ferry to Mljet National Park, an island with incredible lakes, beaches and culture.