7-day itinerary
A practical 7-day Croatia itinerary from south to north — Dubrovnik, Hvar, Zadar, Plitvice Lakes and Zagreb, with costs, practical tips and timing.
By Wandering Hermit Editorial Team · Last reviewed September 2026
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This 7-day route runs one way from south to north, starting among the medieval walls of Dubrovnik and finishing in Zagreb’s Austro-Hungarian Upper Town. Between them lie the Roman palace in Split, the lavender and Pakleni Islands of Hvar, the Sea Organ of Zadar and the terraced lakes of Plitvice.
It is designed as a one-way journey best done by car, bus or ferry, so you cross the country without backtracking. Croatia is now in the eurozone and the Schengen area, which makes payments and border crossings simple, and English is widely spoken along the coast.
Ten days or more would let you slow down and add Korčula, Mljet or a few nights in Istria in the north — Pula’s Roman amphitheatre and Rovinj’s old town are a strong alternative ending to Zagreb if you have the time.
Start early and walk the full loop of Dubrovnik’s city walls before the heat and cruise crowds build; the ticket also covers Fort Lovrijenac.
#outdoor#historyStroll the Stradun, look into the Rector’s Palace and the old harbour, then cool off in a konoba over seafood and a glass of local white.
#outdoor#indoorRide the cable car up Mount Srđ for sunset over the old town and the Adriatic, then have dinner back inside the walls.
#history#food#scenic
Take the short ferry to Lokrum island for the Benedictine monastery ruins, the former botanical garden and its resident peacocks.
#outdoor#indoor#historyJoin a sea-kayaking tour around the city walls for a view of Dubrovnik from the water, or take a boat trip to the Elaphiti Islands.
#outdoor#history#scenicWatch the sunset from a cliffside bar such as Buža, then eat grilled fish in the lanes just off the Stradun.
#scenic#nightlife
Travel north to Split by bus, catamaran or ferry and drop your bags; the historic centre is easy to cover on foot.
#history#transportExplore Diocletian’s Palace, its cellars and the cathedral, then walk the Riva promenade with a coffee.
#outdoor#indoor#foodClimb Marjan hill for a panoramic view over the harbour and islands, then have dinner in the old town.
#history#food#scenic
Catch an early catamaran from Split to Hvar town, then climb to the Spanish fortress for views over the harbour and the Pakleni Islands.
#scenicWander the old town and its squares, or take a small boat to the Pakleni Islands for swimming and lunch.
#outdoor#history#foodReturn to Split on an evening catamaran; check the last departure so you are not stranded on the island.
Travel north along the coast to Zadar; leave time for the Roman forum and the pre-Romanesque church of St Donatus.
#outdoor#indoor#historySit on the steps of the Sea Organ and watch the Greeting to the Sun’s solar panels glow as the light fades.
Stay for a Zadar sunset — Hitchcock called it the finest in the world — then eat grilled fish with a glass of local maraschino.
#scenic
Arrive for your timed entry slot and start on the Upper Lakes, following the wooden boardwalks over turquoise water.
#transportContinue to the Lower Lakes and the Veliki Slap, Croatia’s tallest waterfall, using the park’s boats and shuttle train.
#outdoor#nature#transportOvernight nearby and eat a simple dinner of roast lamb or trout; you have an early departure for Zagreb tomorrow.
#food
Ride the shortest funicular in the world up to the Upper Town, then see St Mark’s Church and the Stone Gate.
#indoor#nature#transportBrowse Dolac market for produce and souvenirs, and visit the quirky Museum of Broken Relationships.
#outdoor#indoor#shoppingWalk the arcaded Mirogoj cemetery, then finish with a glass of rakija in the cafés of Tkalčićeva street.
#outdoorTypical cost per person, per day, excluding international flights.
| Budget | €50–80 |
|---|---|
| Mid-range | €90–150 |
| Comfort | €220+ |
Per person / day
Off the beaten path
Željava Airbase
A vast abandoned Yugoslav underground airbase carved into a mountain near Plitvice, once able to shelter MiG fighter jets; the empty tunnels and runway make a haunting, rarely visited detour.
Museum of Broken Relationships, Zagreb
A small, surprisingly moving Zagreb museum that displays donated objects — letters, rings, even a garden gnome — each telling the story of a relationship that ended.
Lokrum Island, Dubrovnik
A ten-minute ferry from Dubrovnik lands you on a green island with the ruins of a Benedictine monastery, a former botanical garden and free-roaming peacocks.
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