Croatia is a perfect destination for a vacation in Europe. The best thing about it is the fact that there are so many natural wonders and historical places packed on a relatively small piece of land that it’s possible to explore it in less than a week. In this article, we bring you our idea on Croatia 6-day itinerary in which we’re going to start our journey from Dubrovnik, the most popular place in Croatia, and end it in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.
Of course, the other way round works just fine. A lot can be seen in Croatia in 6 days, but still expect some traveling. We tried to make a good and balanced itinerary that will leave you enough room for some rest and in which you’re going to visit some of the most famous locations in Croatia.
This itinerary is designed for first-time visitors to Croatia, and covers the best of the Dalmatian Coast, historic inland cities, and natural attractions along the way .
Day 1: Arrival in Dubrovnik – Exploring the most visited destination in Croatia As we already mentioned in the introduction, we’re going to start this Croatia 6-day itinerary in the famous city of Dubrovnik. Let’s assume you’re arriving by an airplane so the first day is reserved for reaching the accommodation and exploring the Old Town Dubrovnik.
Highlights:
Walk on the UNESCO-listed Dubrovnik City Walls .
Explore the Old Town and places like Stradun, Rector’s Palace, and Sponza Palace .
Take a cable car ride to Srđ Hill for best panoramic views of Dubrovnik and the Adriatic. Preferably at sunset.
End a day by a seafood dinner at a restaurant overlooking the sea.
Optional Activities in Dubrovnik:
Take a Game of Thrones walking tour if you’re a fan of the series.
Visit Lokrum Island , one of the Dubrovnik islands located just a short boat ride from Dubrovnik.
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik:
Preferably in or near the Old Town for easy access to attractions.
Day 2: Day Trip to the Elaphiti Islands or Montenegro The first day was a slow accommodation and easygoing exploration. On the second day, we’re still in Dubrovnik, and since we have covered the Old Town and other attractions, it’s time to enjoy a day trip. For this occasion, we have chosen 2 most famous day trips from Dubrovnik – to the Elaphiti Islands or to the nearby country of Montenegro.
Option 1: Elaphiti Islands Boat Tour
Take a boat ride to the Elaphiti Islands (Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep) .
Swim in hidden bays, snorkel, and relax on sandy beaches like the famous Šunj Beach.
Enjoy a traditional Dalmatian lunch on board .
Option 2: Montenegro Day Trip
Explore the Bay of Kotor , a UNESCO-listed fjord-like bay.
Visit the famous towns of Kotor and Perast .
Take a boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks island .
Day 3: Drive to Split via Ston and Makarska Riviera Our 2 days in Dubrovnik and its wider area are done and we saw and experienced some great places and activities there. It’s time to move on. Check out from your accommodation in Dubrovnik, drink a coffee, and it’s time to travel from Dubrovnik to Split.
Morning Stop: Town of Ston
Visit the Ston Walls , the second-longest defensive wall in the world. You guess what’s the longest one.
Ston is also famous for its ancient saltworks, we suggest you visit as well.
Try the famous Ston oysters at a local seafood restaurant.
Afternoon Stop: Makarska Riviera
Swim and relax at Makarska Riviera, a region known to have some of the best beaches in Croatia.
If you have some extra time, visit Biokovo Skywalk , a glass walkway located in the Biokovo Nature Park near Makarska.
Evening in Split:
Explore Diocletian’s Palace , another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Croatia.
Walk through Peristyle Square and on the Riva promenade .
Enjoy dinner at a traditional konoba (Croatian tavern).
Day 4: Explore Split and a Day Trip to Hvar or Blue Cave In the evening of the previous day, we just scratched the surface of Split and now is the time to explore it more. You’ll probably be tired of the trip from Dubrovnik to Split so we suggest taking a good rest before continuing on. Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and another very famous destination of our country. It’s also a great base for many different day trips and among the most famous ones are the day trip to Hvar Island and to Blue Cave near Vis Island.
Option 1: Hvar Island Day Trip
Visit Hvar Town , a place famous for its historic architecture and vibrant atmosphere .
Hike up to Fortica Fortress for the best views of Hvar Town and nearby Paklinski Islands.
Enjoy a swim at one of the beaches on Hvar Island .
Option 2: Blue Cave and Vis Island Tour
Take a speedboat tour to the Blue Cave on Biševo Island.
Visit the famous Stiniva Beach on Vis Island, often proclaimed as one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia.
Some of the day trips to Blue Cave also stop on Hvar Island for a short period of time.
Day 5: Plitvice Lakes National Park or Krka Waterfalls Good morning, it’s day 5 of our Croatia 6-day itinerary and in this day we’re starting our travel to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. But first, we’re going to visit one of 2 national parks in Croatia – Krka, which is closer to Split, or Plitvice Lakes, the most famous national park in Croatia.
Option 1: Plitvice Lakes National Park
Drive from Split to Plitvice Lakes , Croatia’s most famous national park.
Walk on the wooden boardwalks , observe cascading waterfalls from close, and enjoy the colors of turquoise lakes .
Take a scenic boat ride across Kozjak Lake .
Swimming is not allowed in Plitvice Lakes.
Option 2: Krka National Park
Visit Skradinski Buk , the park’s largest and most famous waterfall.
Take a boat ride to Visovac Island , home to an old Franciscan monastery.
Enjoy swimming in the natural pools (allowed in designated areas).
Visit the Manojlovac waterfall – the highest waterfall in Krka National Park.
Day 6: Zagreb – The Capital of Croatia On this day we’re reaching Zagreb and exploring it before we board the plane and head back home. These were great 6 days in Croatia and we’re going to end it in relaxing exploration of the largest city in Croatia.
Morning Travel: Drive or take a bus from Plitvice to Zagreb (cca. 2 hours) .
Things to Do in Zagreb:
Explore the historic Upper Town (Gornji Grad) .
Visit St. Mark’s Church , Lotrščak Tower , and Dolac Market where you can buy some local products as souvenirs.
Walk through Tkalčićeva Street , famous for its cafés and restaurants.
Explore Mirogoj Cemetery , one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe. We know it’s a cemetery, but it’s worth the visit.
Visit Zagreb Cathedral , the tallest building in Croatia.
Evening Flight or Extra Night in Zagreb:
If you have a late flight, enjoy a final dinner at one of the local Croatian restaurants in Zagreb .
If staying an extra night, consider visiting Maksimir Park or the Museum of Broken Relationships .
Additional Tips for Your 6-Day trip in Croatia Let us share a few more tips before we conclude this article:
Best Time to Visit: Late spring (May-June) and early autumn (September-October) are the best periods when it comes to weather and fewer crowds. Croatia is most visited in the summer months and if you’re looking to enjoy swimming in the Adriatic, this is a great period to visit.Getting Around: Renting a car and driving in Croatia is best for flexibility, but buses are also a reliable way of traveling between major cities.Currency: The official currency in Croatia is the Euro (EUR) . Most places accept cards, but always have some cash with you.Local Cuisine to Try: Peka (slow-cooked meat and vegetables under the bell shaped lid), Black Risotto, Burek (Bosnian origin, but try it), and Pag Cheese.
Before you venture for 6 days in Croatia We made this 6-day Croatia itinerary in a way to cover the best of Dalmatia and beyond . We included historic towns, islands, national parks, and some of the best beaches in Croatia in it. If you’re visiting Croatia outside the peak season, this itinerary will result in an even better experience since most of the places it covers won’t be as crowded as they usually are during the summer months in Croatia. Even though there is some traveling that might feel too much for a vacation, we believe it will be worth it and you’ll leave Croatia with some great memories.
Enjoy your stay in Croatia!
