Seven days in Croatia. That’s how long most of the people visiting this small but beautiful country stay in it. After many different itineraries, we bring you our idea of 7 day Croatia itinerary, a journey we’ll start in Dubrovnik, and end in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. You can easily do it the other way round too. Also, if you’re starting from any other location, like Split for example, still read this article to the end because you will most definitely find some useful information in it.
With 7 days in Croatia , you can see and experience many of the top highlights of this country. We are also going to put links to the one suggested activity for each day which we believe will make a difference in the overall experience of Croatia. This will be quite a journey, but a great thing is the fact that Croatia is not as large as some other countries, and you can explore a lot of different places in just seven days.
Let’s start this journey from the most visited destination in Croatia to its capital city!
Day 1: Dubrovnik – Exploring the Old Town We are beginning this adventure in the picturesque city of Dubrovnik , the most famous and most visited destination in Croatia. We think that Dubrovnik doesn’t need a special introduction since it’s a perfect place to start your Croatia travel in. So the first day of this 7 day Croatia itinerary will be all about exploring Dubrovnik.
You first reach your accommodation, which we suggest you find somewhere in the Old Town or near it. This will make exploration more convenient and way easier. Once you have accommodated, go out for a relaxed walk through Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Here are some places we suggest you visit:
Walk the famous city walls and enjoy some of the best views on the Old Town and its landmarks.
Visit historical buildings such as the Rector’s Palace and Sponza Palace .
Walk the Stradun , the main street in Dubrovnik, and explore secluded narrow streets too.
Spend your afternoon on a visit to the nearby Lokrum Island.
End your day on Srđ Hill and watch the sunset from it.
Activity Suggestion:
Dubrovnik City Walking Tour – Learn more about the history of Dubrovnik from a local guide.
Day 2: Elaphiti Islands Day Trip After the first day has passed, we have already explored much of Dubrovnik, and you’re at least a bit tired from all the walking we did yesterday. That’s why our second day in Croatia will be all about relaxation. And the best place for a peaceful escape near Dubrovnik is the nearby Elaphiti Islands . There are many boat tours from Dubrovnik to the Elaphiti, and today we’re going to join one of them.
Visit Koločep , Lopud , and Šipan and explore the most famous places on these islands, such asthe Blue Cave on Koločep or the Šunj sandy beach on Lopud.
Swim, snorkel, or just relax on these peaceful islands.
We suggest booking a private or a small boat tour to Elaphiti so you can relax even more.
Activity Suggestion:
Full-Day Elaphiti Islands Cruise from Dubrovnik – A boat tour with stops for swimming, dining, and a visit to many stunning places on the Elaphiti Islands.
Day 3: Split – Roman History and Seaside Vibes It’s time to say goodbye to Dubrovnik and to travel north to Split . Dubrovnik and Split are 4 hours of driving apart from each other, and there are numerous ways to travel between these two destinations. If you’re going to travel from Dubrovnik to Split on a coastal road (Magistrala) we suggest leaving enough time to visit some of the beautiful locations that can be found on the way. Some of them include Ston, Neretva River Valley, Baćina Lakes, Makarska Rivier,a and Biokovo Mountain, and more.
Once you arrive in Spit, here are a few things you don’t want to miss:
Explore Diocletian’s Palace , a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most famous historical building in Split.
Walk on Riva Promenade and drink at least one coffee in cafes on it.
Climb the Bell Tower of St. Domnius for panoramic views of Split.
Visit the Sustipan Park for some moments of relaxation far from the crowds.
Hike to the Marjan Hill for even more great views of the Split area.
Activity Suggestion:
Diocletian’s Palace and Old Town Walking Tour – Immerse yourself in the fascinating Roman history of Split on this tour with a local guide.
Day 4: Blue Cave and Hvar Island Did we mention that some of the most favorite islands in Croatia are located near Split? On the fourth day of this 7 day Croatia Itinerary, we’re going to explore some of the best spots that can be found on these islands. It will be a true island-hopping adventure, and it’s up to you to choose which islands you want to visit. We’re going to put suggestions for 2 tours that are highly rated and among the most chosen when it comes to island hopping from Split.
Visit the Blue Cave on Biševo Island , the most famous attraction of the Croatian islands.
Explore Hvar Town and enjoy its Mediterranean atmosphere and beautiful nature.
Swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea that is characteristic of the islands.
Alternatively, visit the nearby island of Drvenik Veli and swim in its Blue Lagoon.
Activity Suggestion:
Day 5: Šibenik or Zadar, and Plitvice Lakes National Park We were thinking about this day a lot, and we finally decided to take the Krka National Park off the list since we’re visiting Plitvice Lakes. We don’t have enough time for both of these, so you can read our comparison of Krka and Plitvice and decide which one you would like to visit. We suggest starting this day early in the morning and traveling to Šibenik, where you’ll spend an hour or so sightseeing. Alternatively, go straight to Zadar, explore it, and finally travel to Plitvice Lakes.
Visit Šibenik , known for the stunning St. James Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Or go to Zadar to explore the famous Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun installations located one by the other.
Spend the afternoon at Plitvice Lakes National Park , the most famous national wonder of Croatia.
Activity Suggestion:
Kayaking on a stunning Mrežnica River near Plitvice – A great adventure on a beautiful Mrežnica. This kayaking adventure is perfect for anyone.
Day 6: Istria – Rovinj, Pula, and Motovun We can’t leave the largest Croatian peninsula from this 7 day Croatia itinerary, can we? Although we don’t live so close to Istria, we travel there a lot and it’s one of our favorite places in Croatia. Istria is famous for its wines and gastronomy. It also has some of the most picturesque towns you’ll see in Croatia, and we adore those on the hilltops the most.
Visit Rovinj , a picturesque coastal town with a strong Venetian influence.
Explore Pula and its impressive and well-preserved Roman amphitheater .
Visit any of the medieval hilltop towns such as Motovun, Višnjan, or Grožnjan .Visit a local winery or go truffle hunting.
Activity Suggestion:
Istria Day Tour – Discover the best of Istria through this tour.
Day 7: Zagreb – The Capital City And finally, it’s almost time to say goodbye to Croatia. We have traveled quite a distance and visited some of the best places of our beautiful country. Now is the time to travel to the capital of Croatia – Zagreb. We have spent 10 years of our lives in Zagreb, and it has become our second home. We still love every opportunity to visit it. It’s a beautiful city with an evident Austro-Hungarian influence.
Explore the Upper Town (Gornji Grad) and St. Mark’s Church .
Visit the Dolac Market if you want to buy some fresh products or a souvenir.
Enjoy the cafes and shops along Tkalčićeva Street .
Walk down the Ilica, the main street in the city centre, and feel the atmosphere of the Croatian capital.
Activity Suggestion:
Zagreb Walking Tour – A great introduction to Zagreb and its best places.
Before You Venture To 7 Days In Croatia This 7 day Croatia itinerary covers a lot. There is some traveling included, but we tried to find a perfect balance between traveling, sightseeing, and relaxation. We believe that this itinerary for 7 days in Croatia will make you feel happy and that you’ll leave Croatia with many nice memories. Including additional activities like some we have mentioned here can really make a difference, so make sure you try at least one or two of these.
Enjoy your time in Croatia!
