The Perfect 7-Day Croatia Itinerary (Updated 2024)

Posted: 5/13/2024 | May 13th, 2024

Croatia has been a bustling tourist hot spot for six or seven years now. Shaped like a boomerang and bordering Bosnia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia, this small country of four million people punches well above its weight. You can spend time relaxing on the sunny Adriatic Sea, hop between hundreds of rugged and remote islands, feast on Italian-esque cuisine, or travel inland and visit stunning waterfalls and lush national parks.

While there is a lot to see and do here, most travelers confine their visit to Dubrovnik or Split. And sure, those are cool cities. But Croatia has much more to offer.

But when you only have a week and you want the sun, I understand why you’d want to focus on that part of Croatia. (Pro tip: Like a lot of Southern Europe, it’s best to avoid Croatia during the warm-weather summer months. In addition to the high temperatures and high prices, you’re going to be sharing the country with an army of tourists. If you go in winter, the weather is cooler and the prices are much gentler, but many tourist towns, such as Dubrovnik, practically shut down from late October until mid-April. Your best bet is April-May and early September until early November. Crowds will be smaller and prices won’t be through the roof.)

So, to help you plan your trip, I’ve created this ideal seven-day itinerary for southern Croatia. It covers the highlights while also getting you off the beaten path. You’ll see cities, beaches, villages, and have plenty of time to soak up the local pace of life.

Days 1 & 2: Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a seaside town of just 40,000 people, but based on its popularity, you’d think it was much bigger. It’s the most popular destination in the country, thanks to its medieval walled Old Town, or Stari Grad, which can get packed with tourists, especially during the peak summer season.

While most of Croatia is affordable, Dubrovnik is no longer cheap. A lot of cruises stop here now and prices have skyrocketed in recent years. That said, there are a few things here that are worth forking out outrageous fees for:

Walk the Old Town Walls
Walking the medieval walls is a must if it’s your first time visiting. The entrance fee isn’t cheap at 35 EUR, but the stroll offers incredible views of the Old Town and the sparkling Adriatic Sea. It’s 60-90 minutes of awe and totally worth the price tag.

Summit Mr. Srd
Take the cable car up to the top of Mt. Srd. It towers over the Old Town,…