The Ultimate Croatia Itinerary of the Dalmatian Coast

No one goes to Croatia for its capital city or its rolling hills of the countryside. You go for the coast where the Adriatic Sea shines against limestone villages. But your coastal adventure goes even beyond the ocean’s edge. Over 70 islands are part of the region of the Adriatic Sea known as Dalmatia. Sun-chasing vacationers have flocked to Croatia’s Dalmatian coast for years in search of relaxing days by the water and wine-filled nights in villages.

From small islands to bigger cities, there are countless destinations on the Dalmatian coast, but in this 10-day itinerary we’ll visit the top three: Dubrovnik, Hvar, and Split. 

The best way to experience the Dalmatian coast would be to drift on your back in the Adriatic Sea from city to city. Because floating isn’t a reliable means of transportation and it would probably take longer than your PTO allows, we’ll settle for 10 days on the Dalmatian coast via ferry. 

The sweet spot for time spent on the Dalmatian coast is between 7 and 10 days. You can see it all in seven days, but it will feel a little crammed. The ideal number of days is 8 to 9. In this itinerary, we’ll focus on 10 days so you can take it leisurely and tailor it to your travel taste. (Stay tuned for shorter itineraries at the end of this one).

Let’s get into it.

Day 1: Arriving in Dubrovnik

Your first day of vacation is a travel day, but don’t discount it. Take your first day in Dubrovnik slow and free yourself of a rigid itinerary. Enjoy a nice dinner at Gradska Kavana Arsenal for Croatian cuisine or Taj Mahal for Bosnian. You’ll want to get some rest and go to sleep early to prepare for a big day of exploring. 

Day 2: Exploring Dubrovnik’s Old Town

On your first full day in Dubrovnik, you’ll explore the Old Town.

Walk the city walls

Wake up bright and early to walk Dubrovnik’s famous city walls. On your walk, you’ll get amazing views of Dubrovnik’s orange-tiled rooftops and the Adriatic Sea. The route is about one mile long and takes about two hours to complete with stops for photos. 

Start your adventure at the ticket office near Onofrio’s Large Fountain (close to the Pile Gate). You’ll want to arrive around 8 a.m. or earlier to beat the heat and the crowds. Along the route, there are cafes closer to the water, but it’s best to grab a pastry at a bakery before you head up. It costs 40 euros per person to walk the walls. It’s a steep price but well worth it for the #1 attraction in Dubrovnik. 

ThatPlannerFriend Tip: There is barely any shade along the walls, so getting there before the midday sun and wearing light clothing is important.

Visit the Lovrjenac Fortress

Your ticket to the city walls includes entrance to the Lovrjenac Fortress, a stone medieval stronghold that towers above the sea. You’ll see the fortress on your walk along the walls before you even reach it. To get there, you’ll need to exit the walled city through the Pile Gate (another important sight to see). You won’t spend a lot of time in the fortress, but it has great views, so make the trip out there.

Wander around Old Town

Dubrovnik’s Old Town encompasses the entire walled city. Go back through the Pile Gate to wander the polished limestone streets. Here is a list of the sights you don’t want to miss on your stroll around the city:

• Placa/Stradun (the Main Street)
• Clock Tower of Dubrovnik (Zvonik)
• Port of Dubrovnik
• Rector’s Palace
• Saint Blaise’s Church
• Jesuit Stairs

Sunset at Buža Bar

Buža Bar is the place to be in Dubrovnik when the sun comes down. Go here after dinner to catch a sunset show of brave souls cliff diving into the sea. The bar is hidden on the other side of Dubrovnik city walls. You’ll need Google Maps to guide you because it can be tricky to find. 

You’ll come back to Dubrovnik at the end of your trip, so don’t worry if you didn’t see everything on your first full day.

Day 3: Dubrovnik to Hvar

On your third day, you’ll make the journey to Hvar, a popular island with a beautiful port and access to some of the best that the Adriatic Sea has to offer.

It will take you about 3.5 hours to get to Hvar from Dubrovnik on a ferry. Get to the ferry terminal in Dubrovnik early because it can be a challenge to find your ship (it’s not very organized).

Exploring Hvar Town

When you arrive in Hvar, you’ll be greeted by the quaint Hvar Town. After dropping your bags off at your hotel, wander through Hvar Town’s small streets and pop into the little shops. 

Lunch at Macondo

This itinerary doesn’t feature many restaurant recommendations because, quite frankly, the food in Croatia can be lackluster. But lunch at Macondo is a must if you’re following my itinerary. Macondo served my favorite meal in all of Croatia. We got a fresh fish with simple sides, and it was delicious. Macondo is tucked away in one of the small streets of Hvar Town.

Hike up to the Španjola Fortress

For a breathtaking view of Hvar’s harbor and the Pakleni Islands, hike up to the Španjola Fortress. The fortress is right behind Hvar Town’s main square, and it’s a .8 mile walk up (1.6 miles round trip). Find the trail route here.

It costs €12 per person to enter the fortress, but you’re really up there for the views, so you don’t have to go inside.

Stop by the Hvar Green Market

Visit the Hvar Green Market near the bus station and take your pick of fresh produce. In the summer, the market has the best figs and peaches to enjoy on a sunny day by the water. You’ll want to grab snacks for the beach and your upcoming boat day.

Go to Bonj Beach

The best beach within town is Bonj Beach. It has more of a resort vibe. Like most beaches in Croatia, the beach is rocky, so bring water shoes.

Day 4: Hvar Boat Day

A day on the Adriatic Sea is a must-do during your trip to Croatia. It’s best to do it in Hvar because it’s the ideal way to see the island and the surrounding sea.

While a private boat rental with a captain can be on the pricier side, it’s absolutely worth every penny. On a boat, you can swim to the shores of hard-to-reach beaches, snorkel under Hvar’s red rocks, and visit neighboring islands. Book a boat day with Liberty Tours.

Check out a full guide on what to expect on a boat day with Liberty Tours in “A Boat Day on the South Side of Hvar, Croatia.”

After your boat day, catch the sunset at Hula Hula Beach Bar. Here, you can order a drink and enjoy the view. But if you don’t care for a drink or table service, you can go directly to the nearby Hula Hula Beach and watch the sunset from the rocks with the same vista.

Day 5: Hvar to Split

Split is only about an hour from Hvar via ferry. Because it’s a quick ride, you’ll hit the ground running and explore the Old Town of Split as soon as you arrive.

Get lost in Diocletian’s Palace

The best-preserved palace of the former Roman Empire sits in the middle of Split. It’s woven into the fabric of the city, so much so that it feels impossible to walk from one end of Split to the other without walking through the palace.

Diocletian’s Palace is a sprawling complex with plenty of sights to see. As you wander through it, you’ll run into Saint Domnius Bell Tower, the Vestibule (a rotunda-like structure), and the Peristyle (the main plaza).

Discover the plazas

The small alley-like streets of Split open up to picturesque plazas. Some plazas you can’t miss are Radić Brothers Square (Fruit Square), The People’s Square (Narodni Trg), and Republic Square (Prokurative).

Shop at the Green Market

If you loved the green market in Hvar, visit Split’s green market on the east side of Old Town. It has a bigger selection than the market in Hvar, and even features local packaged products like jams and cheeses. Make sure you arrive at the market before 2 p.m. because it closes early and things sell out.

Walk along the Riva

The Riva in Split is the waterfront by the harbor. It’s pedestrian-friendly and lights up in the evening with people watching the sunset and strolling with gelato in hand after dinner. It’s a great place for a chat with friends or reading a book on a bench.

For more detail on your days in Split, check out “How To Spend 3 Days in Split, Croatia.”

Day 6: Krka National Park

After spending all your time on the coast, head inland for an adventure at Krka National Park. The park is famous for cascading emerald waterfalls. It’s located only about an hour and a half from Split. 

The best way to visit Krka National Park is with a small group tour. On a proper tour, you’ll learn about Croatia’s history and visit lesser-known spots around Split. I went on a day trip with a group from Airbnb Experiences. It cost around $50 per person, plus your ticket into the park (about $20).

Along with the park, the tour will also take you to a local’s house for lunch in the countryside and a small village on the water.

Day 7: West Side of Split

On your last (and only) full day in Split, you’ll explore the city’s western side. 

Walk through the Varoš neighborhood

Just west of Split’s Old Town is the Varoš neighborhood. It’s a quiet area with winding streets and green-shuttered homes away from the hustle and bustle of Old Town. To reach all the destinations of the day, you’ll need to walk through it, but take your time. It’s a cute area that deserves its own moment. 

Breakfast and views at Teraca Vidilica on Marjan Hill

The best views of Split and the ocean are on top of Marjan Hill on the edge of the Marjan Peninsula nature reserve. At the top of the hill is a restaurant called Teraca Vidilica. It’s a great place for breakfast with a view before heading on an adventure on the Marjan Peninsula. 

To get here, you can walk up Senjska ul., a street in Varoš, or take the Marjan Stairs. 

Explore Marjan Forest Park

Marjan Forest Park covers the entirety of the western peninsula of Split. It’s filled with hiking trails, monuments, and sweeping 360 views of the ocean. It’s fun to get lost and explore the park on your own terms, but there is a tourist train that will take you around the park and back to the Riva in Old Town for about 15-20 euros per person.

ThatPlannerFriend Tip: Wear your most comfortable shoes on this day because you’ll be walking uphill a lot.

Relax at Kasjuni Beach or Bene Beach

The Marjan Peninsula is home to Split’s best beaches. After all the walking around the park, take a dip and relax on the shore of Kasjuni Beach or Bene Beach. Kasjuni Beach is in a sheltered crescent cove near the southern side of the peninsula. Bene Beach is on the north side and recently reopened after being closed for over a year due to a storm. There are buses that can take you to and from the beach, but getting an Uber is more reliable. 

Day 8: Split to Dubrovnik

After you’ve been exploring the Dalmatian coast for a week, you deserve a slower travel day. The ferry ride from Split to Dubrovnik is around five hours long (the longest ferry ride you’ll have to take on your trip). Krilo has the fastest ferries that will get you there in under five, but be prepared to take a long nap on the ride.

In the morning, you can go to any spots in Split you may have missed, and when you arrive in Dubrovnik, you can take it easy. 

Day 9: Out and Around Dubrovnik 

You’ve already seen what you need to see within Dubrovnik’s city walls. On your last couple of days, you’ll explore outside of it. 

Hike up Mount Srd or take the cable car

Get a bird’s-eye view of Dubrovnik from Mount Srd. You can hike up to the top in about an hour, or take a quick cable car ride up. The hiking trail is about three miles long with switchbacks most of the way up.

The cable car costs 30 euros per person for a round-trip ride. When you get up to the top, they’ll even try to charge you an extra 3 euros for a better unobstructed view. 

Candidly, if you don’t care for more views of the city, you can skip this activity, but the hike is a great way to get a workout in.

Spend the day on the island of Lokrum

It’s easy to lose track of time on Lokrum, an uninhabited island and nature preserve off the coast of Dubrovnik. Peacocks and people roam the island exploring the gardens and beaches. Ferry tickets to Lokrum cost 30 euros round trip. It’s a 15-minute boat ride from the Old Port, with ferries leaving every 30 minutes. 

Spend the night in Cavtat

Cavtat is a laid-back village right next to the Dubrovnik airport. For what its lacking in history, it makes up in vibes and charm. Spend the night here so you’ll be ready to leave from here to the airport the following day. 

After spending the day in Lokrum, try to make it to Lucky Beach Bar for sunset. It’s a great place to get a drink and go for one last quick dip.

Day 10: Cavtat

Before heading to the airport, leave your bags at the hotel and explore Cavtat. The village is pretty straightforward. There’s one main road by the harbor with souvenir shops and cafes. 

For a nice walk, follow the trail along the water to Beach Bar Little Star. Here, you can enjoy a drink or relax by the tidal pool at the beach.

Hang out in Cavtat until it’s time to hop on your flight and say goodbye to Croatia.

Shorter itineraries

While 10 days on Croatia’s coast makes for a leisurely trip, here are some shorter versions that pick up the pace: 

The best time to go 

Croatia draws crowds in the summer for its great weather. But if you want a more lowkey trip with fewer tourists, visit during shoulder season in late May or late September.

Check out this guide for more tips and tricks for your first visit to the Dalmatian coast.

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