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7 Day Croatia Itinerary, 14 Day Croatia itinerary
Croatia road trip, road trip Croatia
Planning a trip to Croatia? Itinerary in Croatia
Everything you need to have the best vacation ever with the best places to go, things to do, food to eat, and places to stay in Croatia!
Croatia Itinerary 7 Days, 10 Days or 2 Weeks
A beautiful country in Eastern Europe that runs along the Adriatic Sea, Croatia is a fantastic vacation destination. It has the beauty of some of its neighboring Mediterranean cities, and a great culture of its own.
There are so many fun things to do in Croatia. Take a Croatia road trip (driving in Croatia is easy) and discover a new ancient town every day of your trip to Croatia. Hike or bike in outdoors in the morning, and then have a delicious Croatian lunch. In the afternoon enjoy relaxing on a different beach each day with the locals.
Where to go in Croatia and what to do in Croatia? Travel blogs Croatia
I can help you plan your trip to the best places to visit in Croatia.
My Croatia road trip was in the Northern Istria region and you will see lots of details about Istria travel. I planned the Dalmatian Coast portion of this Croatia trip plan, to follow during my next visit to Croatia.
This Croatia travel itinerary is from north to south. You can easily reverse this Croatia itinerary by starting in the South (flying into Dubrovnik), then traveling north, from Dubrovnik to Istria.
Below you will find a very detailed 2-week Croatia itinerary. It’s perfect if you are looking for a 7 day Croatia itinerary, a 10 day Croatia itinerary or anything in between!
Ready to go on a Croatia Road Trip?
Find the best prices on flights to Croatia here
Croatia Itinerary 2 Weeks
5 Days in Istria Itinerary
GET THERE
How to get to Istria
- The easiest way to get to Istria is to fly into the Pula Airport and rent a car there. *This is a one-way rental, dropping off at a convenient location (use a Google map to find) when you arrive in Dubrovnik. The Zagreb Airport is a 3-hour drive. Alternatively, you could fly into Ljubljana, Slovenia (2-hour drive or transfer), or fly into Italy- Trieste is a 1 1/2 hour drive, and the Venice Airport is 2 hours, 45 minutes.
- Transportation: If you plan to rent a car from an agency at an airport in another country, check the fees for picking up in one country and dropping in another. From Italy or Slovenia, you can hire a private transfer, and rent a car from an agency located near your accommodations. Better yet, have your car delivered to your accommodations. Many car rental companies do not charge an extra fee for delivery.
Click here to see the best prices for car rentals
STAY
Where to stay in Istria
- Stay in an “agrotourism” (be a guest at a rural farm) with a “konoba” (a traditional restaurant offering regional homemade food) in the countryside near Rovinj, or in an apartment or hotel in the town of Rovinj.
Looking for the best place to stay in the Rovinj area of Istria? Find the best prices at top-rated accommodations
Find the best Istria hotel or farmhouse stay here
Click here to read reviews and see prices on Booking.com or Agoda.com
- Day 1: Rovinj– Walk around town, have a seafood lunch (calamari is a specialty), then go to the beach at Baluota beach (town center at St. Euphemia’s statue) or drive to Lone Bay.
- Day 2: Pula– See the Amphitheater, Market Hall, (Brijuni Is?), have lunch then go to the beach: Cape Kamenjak, Debeljak. Drive to Kamenjak’s southern tip and turn west to find a 2.5-mile stretch of pebbly bays with natural terraces of slab-like stone.
- Day 3: Visit Motovun and walk from Montizel to Groznjan (see the musicians) along the abandoned railroad. Have an Istrian lunch with truffles. The most popular truffle place in Istria is Giancarlo Zigante’s restaurant in Livade, but finding a konoba off the main tourist path can be just as delicious– plus lower prices and locals only. *If you are traveling during the truffle season, September through December, go on a truffle hunt.
- Day 4: Porec– Visit the old town and walk the Promenade. See the ancient Roman ruins like the “Arch of the Sergii,” and 6th-century mosaic artwork found in the Cathedral, the “Euphrasian Basilica.” Have lunch in Porec, then spend the afternoon relaxing at a beach. On the southern side of Porec, Brulo Beach (near Hotel Delfin.) Other recommended nearby beaches in Umag include Katoro Beach and Polynesia beach.
This was a fun beach activity for the kids!
- Eat homemade regional food for dinner at a Konoba and seafood for lunch by the sea. Enjoy local Olive oil, truffle, fuzzi (hand-rolled pasta), wine, grappa…
Croatia Travel Tip: Stop along the way at the coastal town of Opatija and walk along the seaside promenade. Have lunch and go for a swim!
1 Day at Plitvice Lakes itinerary
- Drive 3 1/2 hours east and then head south to Plitvice National Park.
Stay in the park at one of the small inns
Looking for the best place to stay in Plitvice National Park? Find the best prices at top-rated hotels here
- Click here to see the latest prices of Plitvice Villa Verde
- Click here to see the latest prices of Plitvice Miric Inn
Click here to read reviews on Booking.com or Agoda.com
- Enjoy this gorgeous park–full of great hikes, lakes, and waterfalls. Here is the link for the official Plitvice National Park website so you can get all of the information you need to plan your visit in advance.
Visit the most famous towns of the Istrian Riviera
2 Days in Split itinerary
- Drive 2 1/2 hours south to Trojir, outside of Split.
Travel Tip: You could drop your car when you arrive at Split, using public transportation on the island of Hvar and in Dubrovnik. Or, keep your car and take the car ferry. Having a car will enable you to stay in the recommended areas outside of Split and the center of Dubrovnik.
Where to stay in Split
Book a Spit Hotel
Click here to read reviews for hotels or apartments in Split?
Or, stay outside of Split in Trogir- Click here to read reviews for hotels or apartments in Trogir
Click here to read reviews and see prices on Booking.com or Agoda.com
- See Old Split, Diocletian’s Palace, Cathedral and Bell Tower of St. Domnius and take a stroll in Marjan Park.
- Enjoy the old town and central square of gorgeous Trogir within its medieval walls. See the St. Lawrence Cathedral, St. Michael Bell Tower (with great views from the top), and walk the seaside promenade in the evening.
Click here to book a good tour, activity, or eating experience
4 Days in Hvar itinerary
- Take a 1-hour ferry from Split to Stari Grad, Hvar. Book your tickets in advance here
***Confirm that you can take your car on the ferry.
Where to stay in Hvar
Book a Hvar hotel
- Slow down, relax, and enjoy this beautiful island. Spend time at Hvar’s beaches– check out the fortress, monastery, and cathedral.
2 Days in Dubrovnik itinerary
- Take the car ferry from Sucuraj on Hvar to Drvenik, then drive 2 hours along the coast to Dubrovnik. Check here for current information.
*If you do not have a car, then take one of the ferries to Dubrovnik (there is no direct car ferry). Schedules change regularly, so check the website and book in advance.
*If you have a car, drop it in Dubrovnik. When making your one-way reservation, use a google map to determine where the nearest car rental location (with the company you are renting from) is to your accommodations. Use a map to get there.
For the best maps, see my post on the Best Travel Apps
Where to stay in Dubrovnik
Looking for the best place to stay in Dubrovnik? Find the best prices at top-rated hotels here
- Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik – Historical belle epoque luxury hotel with a swimming pool Click here to see the latest prices
- Miro Studio Apartments– Excellent location close to the Adriatic and old town, enjoy the comforts of having an apartment Click here to see the latest prices
Click here to read reviews and see prices on Booking.com or Agoda.com
Click here to search for an apartment to rent
*Croatian insider tip: Stay south of Dubrovnik in the beautiful quaint town of Cavtat. Search for the best Cavtat hotels here
- Refer to this Lonely planet guide for the top things to do in Dubrovnik.
Click here to book a good tour, activity, or eating experience
Croatia Travel Tips
Go to the beautiful Lake Bled for 2 days before going to Croatia. You can rent a car there (ours was delivered to our B & B) or hire a transfer to rent a car in Croatia.
*For an Italy and Croatia Itinerary
Visit Italy first, and hire a transfer to pick you up in Trieste (can take the train from Venice), and take you to the northern Istria to rent a car. Renting a car in the same country you are dropping it in, can help save money on the drop fee (picking up and dropping off at different locations.)
Visit Croatia and Italy Click here for The Ideal Italy Itinerary
Visit Croatia and Greece Click here for The Perfect Greece Itinerary
For more tips on European travel, please read:
The Ultimate Fun In Portugal Itinerary: Best of Algarve, Sintra, Lisbon, and Porto
The Perfect Spain Itinerary for 10 Days: Exploring the North and Madrid
2 Day Amsterdam Itinerary: Top Things to Do In One of the Best Cities in Europe
Exploring the Beautiful Places of Switzerland Itinerary
Best of Sicily Itinerary: Palermo, Syracuse & Taormina (delicious local food included!)
Exploring Morocco Itinerary: Everything You Must See, Do, and Eat
More Travel Resources
Trip Advisor, Rick Steves, Lonely Planet. Forbes Travel, Travel Channel, Family Vacation Critic
