An 8 day itinerary to capture the best of the most popular historical regions in Croatia
Things to do in advance
Book your flights from UK to Split (we flew into Split and out of Dubrovnik)
Make reservations at restaurants you don't want to miss
Try to avoid to peak summer months between June-August for the heat and busyness
Split
Day 1
6pm - Arrive in Split
6:30pm - Catch an Uber or the local bus to the centre of Split (Uber approximately £25 and the local bus is £1.95 each. The bus departs every 20 minutes and takes 1 hour)
7:30pm - Check into the Old Spalatrum luxury rooms and refresh to go out and explore Split
8:30pm - Start your holiday right with food and drink at Bokeria wine bar
Day 2
8am - Join Split Excursions for the Krka Waterfalls and Šibenik tour
10am - Arrive at Krka National Park and explore
1:30pm - Enjoy a traditional Dalmatian lunch
4pm - Explore Šibenik and the Cathedral of St James
7pm - Arrive back in Split and get ready for the evening
8pm - Enjoy dinner at Fig, Split
9:30pm - Grab a nightcap on the promenade at Brasserie on 7
Day 3
8:30am - Hike to Marjan Hill
10am- Enjoy a breakfast pastry at Kruščić Bakery
13:30pm - Join a free walking tour and learn all about the history of Split
3pm - Take the local bus or a taxi boat to Trogir
4pm - Explore this historic town at your own pace and enjoy a coffee on the promenade
6pm - Head back to Split and freshen up in your accommodation
8pm - Indulge in the truffle pasta at Zinfandel wine bar
9pm - Stay in the wine bar and sample the local wines and enjoy the live music
10pm - Have a night cap at Paradox wine bar
Korčula
Day 4
7:30am - Take the local ferry to the island of Korčula (book your tickets in advance)
10am - Arrive in Korčula and grab a breakfast pastry from Cukarin
11am - Catch a water taxi to Lumbarda
12pm - Check into the Eco Aparthotel The Dreamers Club
1pm - Take a bike from the front of the Aparthotel and cycle around the Lumbarda vineyards
3pm - Grab a picnic on the way, find a sunny spot to relax and enjoy
4pm - Go back to your apartment and freshen up
5:30pm - Begin your 'sophisticated pub crawl' of the Korčula wineries. I recommend Lovric, Popic and Bire
7:30pm - Make use of your apartment, pick up some local food from the supermarket and have dinner on the terrace of your apartment at The Dreamers Club
Day 5
8am - Indulge in a 4-course breakfast at the Dreamers Club
9am - Buy a hop-on-hop-off boat ticket from Korčula Boating and explore the popular islands of Badija, Vrnik and Stupe - Moro Beach
9:30am - Start at Badija island which is the largest in the archipelago. Visit the Franciscan monastery and wild deer
11:30am - Next stop is Vrnik island which is the only inhabited island. It is famous for it's 29 quarries. Relax by the beach and have a swim in the crystal clear waters
1:30pm - Off to Stupe and Moro beach where you can enjoy a swing in the water, get those Instagram shots and then enjoy a drink (or 5!) and some food at the beach bar
3pm - Take the boat back to Lumbarda to pick up your bags from the hotel
3:30pm - Catch the boat to Korčula old town
4pm - Explore the old town, visit St Marks Cathedral and the home of Marco Polo
6pm - Have dinner at LD Terrace or SILK
7:30pm - Take the last ferry to Dubrovnik and check into one the Royal Dubrovnik hotels
Dubrovnik
Day 6
9:30am - Join a free walking tour and learn all about the history of Dubrovnik
12pm - Grab a light lunch at Buffet Skola
1pm - Walk down the Stradun and have a coffee at Cafe Festival
1:30pm - Explore Dubrvonik old town at your own pace and revisit places from the walking tour
3:30pm - Head back to your accommodation and relax by the pool
5:30pm - Freshen up for the evening
6:30pm - Catch the bus back into the Old Town
7pm - Head to Buza bar and watch the sunset
8:30pm - Eat at Azur, a Croatian-Asian fusion restaurant
9:30pm - Taste local wines at D'Vino wine bar
Day 7
5:30am - Catch the first bus to the start of the Mount Srd Hike and hike up the mountain in time for sunrise
9am - Walk to Dubrovnik Old Town walls
12pm - Grab lunch at Fast Food Republic
1pm - Take a boat to either Locrum Island or Mijat National Park and spend the afternoon exploring your chosen destination
5pm - Head back to your accommodation
5:30pm - Freshen up for the evening and head to Cave Bar in Hotel More for an apertif
6:30pm - Take the bus into Dubrovnik Old Town and have dinner at Paparazzo Steak House or for something a little more up-market, Restaurant 360
Day 8
8am - Rent a car or join an organised excursion to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina
7pm - Arrive back at your accommodation and have dinner at one of the Royal Dubrovnik Hotel restaurants
Day 9
8am - Enjoy breakfast at the Royal Dubrovnik
10am - Catch a taxi to Dubrovnik airport
11am - It's time to head home
Other options
Hvar
Hvar island is one of the most popular Croatian islands. It is famous for its beauty, party scene and home to Croatia's music festivals. Hvar attracts young groups of friends and wealthy couples offering a bit of everything. Enjoy a drink at Hula Hula bar, sail to the Pakleni islands and smell the lavender
You can catch the ferry to Hvar from Split, Dubrovnik, Brac, Vis and Korčula
Sunset Kayaking
Kayaking is popular in Dubrovnik and Split. In Dubrovnik there are a number of companies who offer kayaking at sunset where you can watch the sun go down whilst paddling around the Adriatic sea. You get a snack on the boat and a glass of wine when you return to shore. The perfect evening of romance and adventure
Montenegro
Croatia is not far from Montenegro. Visit the charming town of Kotor, the green valleys of Župa Dubrovacka and Konavle Take or take a boat trip to an Our Lady of the Rocks island. Tick another country off your bucket list and rent a car or join an organised day trip to visit this beautiful country
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