Discover an Unforgettable Week in Croatia: The Ultimate 7-Day Adventure Itinerary

Planning a trip to Croatia? This 7-day itinerary takes you through the stunning cities of Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik, showcasing the best of what this beautiful country has to offer. From the historic charm of Split and the vibrant nightlife of Hvar to the ancient walls and scenic beauty of Dubrovnik, you’ll experience the perfect blend of culture, adventure, and relaxation. We dive into crystal-clear waters, wander through medieval streets, and savor delicious Mediterranean cuisine. This guide will help you make the most of your week in Croatia. Let’s embark on an unforgettable journey through one of Europe’s most captivating destinations!

Croatia (7 Nights)

Spilt (2 Nights)

We started our journey by flying into Split from Chicago. We originally had plans to fly into Dubrovnik and were going to drive to Split (~3 hours) but our flight got canceled! Friendly reminder that things go wrong on vacations. Things get delayed, canceled or rescheduled. It all about rolling with the punches and this turned out to be better for us! Flying into Split directly if you want to start here is actually a better idea 😉

Hotel

We stayed at Corarno Hotel in Spilt. Centrally located near the Diocletian’s Palace and a beautiful rooftop with a pool, a must for those hot Croatian summers. We also got a room upgrade which is always really nice 🙂

Food

• Fig: We ate here on our first night it was the perfect way to ease into Croatia. I had the bbq burger (how American of me) but it was DELICIOUS. Also the menu isn’t too big so there wasn’t too many options but highly recommend Fig for dinner.
• Matoni: Perfect for both casual dining and special occasions, Matoni is a must-visit spot for a memorable culinary experience in Split.
• Konoba Korta: Located in the heart of the city, it offers a cozy atmosphere and a menu featuring fresh, local ingredients. 

Activities

• Diocletian’s Palace: A stunning ancient Roman palace built in the 4th century AD. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features a maze of narrow streets, historic buildings, and well-preserved ruins, blending seamlessly with modern shops, cafes, and residences. It’s a must-visit for history enthusiasts and anyone looking to explore Split’s rich cultural heritage.
• Saint Domnius Bell Tower: An iconic landmark known for its stunning Romanesque architecture and panoramic views. Climbing the tower’s steps offers a breathtaking vista of Split’s historic center, the Adriatic Sea, and surrounding landscapes. Be prepared to climb steep steps and small doorways but totally worth the climb 🙂
• Modra Špilja aka Blue Cave: a mesmerizing sea cave located on the island of Biševo near Split, Croatia about an hour and a half speedboat ride from Split. Famous for its stunning blue light effect, created when sunlight passes through an underwater opening, it transforms the interior into a magical, glowing blue wonderland. 

Hvar (3 Nights)

From Split we jumped on a ferry and headed to the island of Hvar. The ferry takes about 30-45 minutes and makes a couple of stops along the way. The other islands of Croatia also look so beautiful, will definitely have to come back and explore more of the islands!

Hotel

Hotel Moeesy, Blue & Green Oasis was one of our favorite hotels on this trip was in Hvar. Hotel Moeesy was the perfect blend of elegance and island charm. It has its own private beach, 2 beautiful outdoor pools and just a 10-15 minute walk to Hvar Town. I highly recommend this hotel when traveling to Hvar.

Food

• Paradise Garden Hvar: We had dinner here on night 2 and it was fantastic! The aesthetic of the resturant is on a beautiful rooftop with a variety of Croatian cuisine. We didn’t have reservations but we did go a little early around 6:30-7pm (early by European standards lol).
• Konoba Menego: a cozy, family-run restaurant known for its authentic Dalmatian cuisine. Set in a charming stone building, it offers a warm, rustic atmosphere and a menu featuring fresh, local ingredients.
• Restaurant Don Quijote: Great place for drinks and the sunset on the port. I believe this place gets a little rowdy later in the evening at 11pm-1am.
• Fig: If you missed Fig in Split, they also have a location in Hvar 🙂
• Leporini Restaurant: On the fancier side, Leporini was a great dining experience on the steps of Hvar. Smaller portions but amazing quality.
• Ka’lavanda Bar: Cute bar on the steps on Hvar town perfect for drinks before or after dinner, close to Paradise garden restaurant.
• Hula Hula: We walked past this bar everyday on our walk into Hvar town. The music was great and it has great views for the sunset or if you want to rent a chair for the day.
• Carpe diem: Another beach club with many party goers every evening, also great if you want to rent a chair with sea views.
• Teraca Bar: Perfect for nights when concerts are happening in the square. Full view of the stage and perfect for people watching.
• KONOBA ARSENOL: If you’re looking to venture out of Hvar Town, this place is perfect. More secluded with sea views.
• Nauta Restaurant: If you are visiting Stari Grad, you have to stop and eat at Nauta. A family run restaurant very authentic and locally sourced food. The food was truly so fresh, one of the best meals we had in Croatia.

Activities

Explore Hvar Town: Exploring Hvar Town is a no brainer. In the main square they host concerts and live music, with so many bars and restaurants, this place comes alive at night time. The cobbled stone, narrow streets will have you coming back every night you are in Hvar.

Stari Grad: the oldest town on Hvar Island, is a charming and historic destination known for its ancient architecture, narrow streets, and beautiful waterfront. Located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Hvar Town, it’s a scenic 25-minute drive through the island’s picturesque landscapes. We spent an afternoon here walking around, definitely more quiet than Hvar town (although we went on a Sunday)

Beach Hop: This was hands down my favorite day in Hvar. We rented out Dune Buggy and drove around the island visiting all the different beaches. The waters are a stunning combination of green and blue. They are mostly rocky beaches so highly recommend bringing something to lay on (I also used our backpack as a pillow lol).

In the order of which you should visit if you only have a couple of hours:

• Dubovica Beach: Stunning rocky beach with little houses surrounding making it perfect for a photo op. FYI: it is about a 10-15 hike downhill to get to the beach and there is little to no shade something to be aware of when visiting all beaches in Hvar.
• Zarace Beach Another beautiful beach in Hvar with stairs to walk down. On the smaller side so could be become busy quickly, and again all rocks so be prepared with towels or something to sit on.
• SVETA NEDELJA: a picturesque village on the island of Hvar, known for its stunning vineyards, dramatic cliffs, and crystal-clear waters. It’s a popular spot for rock climbing, hiking, and enjoying serene beaches
• JAGODNA: charming, secluded beach on the island of Hvar, known for its crystal-clear waters and tranquil atmosphere. Nestled between pine trees and rocky cliffs, ideal for swimming and sunbathing, Jagodna is a hidden gem perfect for escaping the crowds with a step ladder to get into the sea.

Dubrovnik (2 Nights)

After spending 3 nights in Hvar we hopped on another ferry to Dubrovnik. Of course you can drive or take a bus but we opted into the 3.5 hour ferry ride. 2 days felt like more than enough to explore Dubrovnik, if you have more time I highly recommend checking out the neighboring country of Bosnia. We visited summer of 2024 while Croatia were int he Eurocup, this city truly came alive! It was so much fun to root for Croatia as they battled for a spot in the quarter finals.

Hotel

We stayed at the famous SLH Hotel Excelsior. This hotel brings in people for its perfect seaside views and the infamous pool with sea water. We liked our stay at this hotel although it wasn’t our favorite on this trip it was still a great stay! It is a bit of walk into old town about 10-15 minutes and in the blistering heat it is a bit uncomfortable but still a great hotel for your visit to Dubrovnik.

Food

• Gradska Kavana Arsenal: Right in the middle of Old town is this beautiful restaurant. They have seating in the front with views of Old town Dubrovnik, or in the back of the restaurant with sea views. The mussels we had were outstanding, I highly recommend this place.
• Taj Mahal: One of the best dinners we had on this 17 day trip. Mediterranean and Bosnian inspired menu, everything was delicious it was so hard to choose! Make reservation online in advance!
• Nautika: Fine dining with crazy castle and sea views.
• Restaurant & Bar Rudjer: Near the Jetsuit steps, this is a prime location to grab dinner with Croatian dishes.
• Panorama restaurant: This resultant is famous for its spectacular views of Dubrovnik , having to take a cable car to get there. Be sure to make reservations at least 3-4 months in advance for prime times.
• Peppino: After dinner gelato at Peppino is a must!
• Buza Bar: As of June 2024 Buza bar has been closed 🙁 if they somehow someway reopen Buza Bar I highly recommend checking it out.
• Cave Bar: If you have a car (or want to drive about 30-40 minutes) this cave bar is super cool and unique.

Activities

• Walk the castle walls: Wander through the historic, UNESCO-listed Old Town with its charming streets, historic buildings, and vibrant atmosphere. I recommend going early in the morning or later in the evening if you plan on going in the summer to beat the heat.
• Ride the cable car: Take the cable car to Mount Srđ for panoramic views of Dubrovnik and its surrounding areas. Go to the Panorama restaurant it was about an hour wait when we went.
• Swim at Banje Beach: Enjoy the clear waters and picturesque views of the city walls from this popular beach.
• St. Blaise Church: Visit this baroque church dedicated to Dubrovnik’s patron saint, featuring beautiful architecture and art.
• Game of Thrones Tour: If you are into the Game of Thrones, many tourists rave about this tour. Fans of the series can take a guided tour to see filming locations and learn behind-the-scenes details.

Final Thoughts

Croatia really surprised me! I was not expecting the beauty of this country to stand out the way that it did. It’s easy to see why Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik are such beloved destinations. From wandering the ancient streets of Split and enjoying Hvar’s vibrant nightlife to marveling at the breathtaking views from Dubrovnik’s city walls, every moment was filled with wonder and excitement.

I cannot wait to be back to explore more of this amazing country like Zadar, Zagreb and more of the islands and surrounding countries (Bosnia, Montenegro and Baltic states). If you found this blog post useful check out my entire 17 day itinerary including Greece! Until next time <3