HOW TO HAVE AMAZING 7 DAYS IN CROATIA
If you are wondering about the best places to visit in one week in Croatia, then this 7-day Croatia itinerary is perfect for you – find out about how to create your 7 day trip to Croatia along with many travel tips.
Croatia is just a stunningly beautiful country and well worth a visit – whether you are a Games of Thrones fan or not. Whether you are a beach fan or not. The country has so much for everyone, and there is a lot to do and see.
TRAVEL TIPS FOR YOUR ONE WEEK IN CROATIA ITINERARY
In this post, you will find out:
- Best time to visit Croatia
- Best way to get around in Croatia for a week
- Language in Croatia
- Currency / Money
- Internet in Croatia
- Where to stay in Croatia for 7 days
- Solo female travel tips for Croatia
- Places to visit in 7 days in Croatia
- More places to add to your Croatia itinerary
- Day trips outside of Croatia
Before talking about the Croatia itinerary, here are some travel tips.
Best Time to Visit Croatia For 7 Days
- The best time to road trip Croatia (or just visit) is during the shoulder season.
- I visited in April and had a good time. Still, I think that May, early June, September, or October would have been a better choice. The scenery gets even more beautiful, more tours and activities are offered (quite a few bell towers, etc., were closed for renovations in April), and it gets a bit warmer.
- With the heat in the summer months (June, July, and August), the tourists come, and prices for accommodations are significantly higher.
7 Days in Croatia – Road Tripping or Using Public Transportation?
Croatia is one of the best countries in Europe to road trip. Most of all, it is very easy to drive here. I was a bit worried about driving in Croatia (especially as I was driving in my own car), but my worries were unfounded.
Driving in Croatia is amazing.
- Even in the mountains, the streets are not as narrow as in many other countries and are mostly in good to great condition. They are also not busy, and the drivers are quite friendly.
- Plus, you’ll have the freedom to stop whenever you want. If you drive along the D8 – along the coast – you can avoid the tolls and have amazing scenic views.
- The tolls are expensive as heck in Croatia – for 45 km, I paid around 6€!
- Croatia has done a fantastic job with building these roads, and there are many great spots if you want to take a break and enjoy the views.
- If you need to rent a car, make sure to rent a car in advance (especially if you visit during the busier months).
- Gas and diesel prices are quite high, though.
- Finding parking spots in most cities and towns (at least compared to Italy and if you do not visit in July or August) is not a big challenge in the shoulder season – an exception is Dubrovnik. Check out my guide on road-tripping Croatia.
However, public transportation also works for this one-week Croatia itinerary.
- Though I did not use public transportation a lot, it is known that Croatia has a great network of buses that frequently travel between popular attractions and destinations.
When you plan to visit any of the islands, like Hvar, you will need to use the ferry or a boat.
Languages in Croatia
- Croatian is the official language, but I never had any issues with not speaking it.
- Many people speak English, and German is quite widely spoken. So, with English, you are good to go and don’t have to worry about language barriers.
Currency / Money
- Though Croatia is part of the EU, it does not have the €.
- The official currency in Croatia is the Kuna.
- 1 Kuna is about 1.3€ ($1.30). Rates can change quickly, though, so this is only an estimation of when this post was written.
- You can find foreign currency exchange centers throughout all cities and towns.
- Many restaurants and smaller shops do not accept credit cards, so always have some cash on you.
- Euros are widely accepted, but the rates are often terrible, so change money as early as possible and no later than on your arrival.
Accommodations for Your Croatia Itinerary
In Croatia, you will find anything from cheap hostels and apartment rentals to luxury hotels. Most of the time, I stayed in small apartments that I found on booking.com.
In spring, there was no issue booking a day in advance or on the same day. I am a very spontaneous person, though. If you are picky with your accommodation and want to have many options, booking a few weeks in advance is probably a better idea (especially in the busy months).
However, in Dubrovnik, hotels were quickly booked, even in spring. Definitely book in advance if you want to get good accommodation.
I will offer some tips on where to stay at each destination. If you prefer staying in one, two, or three places and taking day trips, I suggest staying in/near Dubrovnik (though it is expensive) or Split and taking trips from there.
Solo Female Travel Tips
I traveled to Croatia as a solo female traveler – well, kind of. My little doggy was with me. I can say that traveling alone in Croatia felt safe and great with or without him.
- Beware of pickpocketing in busy areas, keep valuables close to you, and do not leave valuables on display in your car – basically, a bit of common sense, but nothing to be overly wary of.
- People are friendly, and they speak English very well, which makes communication with others easy. And with so many people from all around the world, it is easy to make new friends if you actually prefer doing a few activities with others rather than alone.
Pin me For Later – 7-Day Croatia Itinerary
The post isn’t finished yet – below you will find out about the best places to add to your Croatia itinerary. But do not forget to PIN ME for later.
PLACES TO VISIT IN CROATIA IN ONE WEEK
This one-week in Croatia itinerary starts either in Dubrovnik or Split. However, feel free to tweak the itinerary so that it fits you. I do not recommend visiting Croatia for less than one week, as you would miss out on too much of its beauty.
Split (1 – 1,5 Days)
Split is the 2nd largest city in Croatia – it lies on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea and is spread over a central peninsula and its surroundings. It is one of the most famous and popular cities, and this is for a reason. Yes, it gets crowded (even in the shoulder seasons because of the touristic cruise ships), but it is still worth visiting.
Things to do in Split:
- So, definitely make sure to explore Diocletian’s Palace (free) with the Cathedral and Bell Tower of Saint Domnius (small entrance fee), the Peristyle (Peristil), Vestibule, and the City Gates.
- For great views (other than the bell tower that was closed during my visit), hike up Marjan Hill (about 20-30 minutes of uphill walking) and soak in the scenery. Stroll the area and have dinner at the Riva promenade.
- If you are a GoT fan, you might want to enjoy Klis Fortress’s views (entrance about 9€), which is located outside the old town. Even if you are not a GoT fan, the panorama is well worth a visit!
- Check out my Split guide for more detailed information.
WHERE TO STAY IN SPLIT
- For a luxury option, check out the Hotel Park Split by Bačvice Beach. It is one of the most luxurious places to stay in Split.
- If you are looking for a mid-range hotel in the old town, then Golden Gate Dreams Rooms might be a perfect choice. It has great ratings – find out more about rates and availability here.
Trogir and Šibenik (1 – 1,5 Days)
Trogir and Šibenik are two extremely beautiful places and should be on any Croatia itinerary. Both are small towns and absolutely charming – you can visit them as a day trip to Split or base yourself here on your way to the next destination.
SIBENIK
Šibenik is a historic city on the Adriatic coast. The town center is small and I went back and forth through the few old but very picturesque streets of the town.
And what I had not known before my visit: Šibenik is actually a filming location for Games of Thrones. So, this is also a must-see for all GoT fans.
Looking back, I regret not having visited St. Michael’s Fortress as well. I suggest planning enough time for the old town and a short hike to the fortress which sits on a hill and promises nice views.
- Visit the two UNESCO World Heritage sites – Sibenik Cathedral and St. Nicholas Fortress – but also have coffee in one of the cute cafes or restaurants around and just let the flow take you.
You can probably have your lunch here and then head to the next place.
TROGIR
Pretty, pretty Trogir! Trogir lies on a small island connected to the mainland and the island of Čiovo by bridges. It felt like a little Split, but actually more charming with its very picturesque cafes and cute, colorful streets and lovely people.
- Stroll the old streets, visit the Trogir Cathedral (small entrance fee) and enjoy the views from the bell tower, and see the clock tower at the market square.
- Go to Kamerlengo Castle for the views (small entrance fee), and relax at the seaside promenade. This is also a good place to end the day.
- Check out my more detailed guide for Trogir.
WHERE TO STAY IN TROGIR
In case you want to spend a night in Trogir, which seems like a good idea, here are some hotels.
- Hotel Brown Beach House & Spa looks like a lovely hotel with a pool, lovely views, and proximity to the city center. You can check out rates here.
- Hotel Concordia is located in the old town. I think, location-wise, it cannot get much better, and it seems to offer great value for money! Find out more about the hotel here.
Krka National Park (1 Day)
Another day trip from Split could be to Krka National Park. The Krka National Park is known for its beautiful waterfalls and nature trails – similar to the Plitvice Lakes.
The weather was not always on my side, so I decided I wanted to spend the sunny days in a town/city rather than at Krka National Park, and thus skipped it.
After reading reviews, it seems the Krka National Park is a little less spectacular than Plitvice National Park. However, at Krka, you can swim – another reason to visit.
If you stay in Croatia for only 7 days, one national park is probably all you can fit in. Krka is closer to cities like Split or Zadar, and it does not take that much time to get there, while Plitvice National Park is located in the north, and getting there is much more time-consuming.
Omis (1 Day)
Another one of Croatia‘s prettiest, most unique places is the small town of Omis which is also a port in the Dalmatia region.
Known as a former pirate town in the 12-14th centuries, it is a small central Dalmatian town located between Split and Makarska, situated in the Cetina River’s mouth and surrounded by massive gorges that remind me of fjords in certain parts.
There is no place like Omis – and it is the perfect place for adventure lovers.
- Ziplining, rock climbing, biking, rafting, and canyoning are big in Omis!
- But there is more to it than adventurous activities – take the time and do a short 10-minute uphill hike to get to Castle Mirabella. It will be worth it. If you don’t want to pay a few euros for the entrance fee, you will have nice views before you even reach the ticket counter. However, I recommend paying the fee (I think it was about 3€) and taking a few more steps for a better panorama of the old town.
- I wish that I had stayed longer, so I could have hiked the Starigrad Fortica to enjoy the views from there, which takes a few hours to get to.
Well, there will hopefully be the next time, but here is my tip for you: Stay in Omis for at least one full day if you like to be a bit more active.
Italy or Croatia? Check out my comparison to find out which country is the perfect travel destination for you.
Dubrovnik (2 Days)
Dubrovnik is a city in southern Croatia fronting the Adriatic Sea. It is out of the world! While I still think Venice is probably the most unique city in the world, Dubrovnik is up there. Yes, there are many old towns and well-preserved medieval places in Europe and Croatia. However, Dubrovnik is seriously different.
Expensive as heck and crazy busy, it is not everyone´s favorite – but I totally loved it and think you should plan at least 2 days for Dubrovnik.
- The best activity – by far – was walking the city walls. You can stroll the complete walls, which are about 2 km long, and you have the best views from there. This activity costs around 30€ and is probably the most expensive “entry fee“ in the area. But the views are so worth it. Tip: you can buy a Dubrovnik Card, it might help you save money.
- Take the time to stroll the old town and streets, and check out all the filming locations of GoT (including King´s Landing).
- Also, go on a boat cruise to see the old town from another angle.
- If you have time, head to Srd Mountain for amazing views. You can get up via cable car, hike up (it should take about one hour), take an uber or taxi, or drive in your own car. I drove myself, even though the reviews on TripAdvisor made it look like a horror trip. It is probably not for the inexperienced mountain driver, but it was not too bad.
- I have a more detailed Dubrovnik guide here.
WHERE TO STAY IN DUBROVNIK
- Hilton: If you are looking for a luxurious hotel near the old town (just 200 meters outside the old town), you may want to check out the Hilton in Dubrovnik.
DAY TRIPS OUTSIDE OF CROATIA
I recommend doing a few day trips (or at least one day trip) to another country. With one week in Croatia, you might not be able to see them – but tweak the itinerary and prioritize the places most appealing to you.
Kotor
Beautiful Montenegro! Montenegro is one of the prettiest countries in the world and one day is surely not enough (despite its small size). However, many people drive to Kotor from Dubrovnik for a day.
Parking in Kotor’s center might be a bit difficult in the busy season, so I recommend snapping up a parking slot outside the center (driving in the old town is not allowed at all) and walking to the old town from there.
Most people walk to the fortress and head to the Castle of San Giovanni and climb the many stairs. Like seriously, many stairs. I read different numbers, but it is definitely more than 1,200 stairs. The views are amazing, though and this is why so many people do it!
- Check out my Kotor travel tips.
Mostar / Blagaj / Kravice Falls and Pocitelj
Even though one week in Croatia might not be enough to visit places outside of the country, Mostar is one of the most popular day trips from Dubrovnik, and the reason is simple. Mostar is extremely pretty, and many take the opportunity to visit another country: Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The region of Dubrovnik is separated from the rest of Croatia by Bosnia and Herzegovina, which owns about 20 km of coastline. So, while you could drive on the newly built bridge that connects the two parts of Croatia, you can also drive through Bosnia to get from the northern part of Croatia to Dubrovnik.
If you have some time, I actually also suggest visiting Pocitelj, Kravice Falls, and Blajag Monastery. Book a hotel in Mostar for the night and explore Mostar on day 2 before heading back to Croatia.
P.S. Make sure to bring your ID/passport along as you will most definitely be checked at the borders and if you drive, make sure you have the “green insurance paper” with you.
You might have to spend some time at the border control. Normally, it takes me about 10-15 minutes to get through, but once it took me about an hour and it was during the shoulder season, so my tip is to be at the border control very early to avoid the lines.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON 7 DAYS IN CROATIA
So, whether you stay one week in Croatia or longer, your trip will surely be anything but boring! The country is rich in beautiful places – whether you are into stunning outdoor places or cute towns and cities with impressive architecture and loads of history and culture – Croatia has something for everyone.
I hope you enjoy the time as much as I did, and this one-week Croatia itinerary has helped you plan your trip and find out about the best places to visit.
