14 Days in Croatia: The Complete Itinerary
Here is the beauty of traveling within Croatia…you literally can’t f*ck it up. Beautiful coastal roads, ancient cities, historic sites, tiny stretches of beach and rural towns are tucked away in every corner of the country so you can’t go wrong no matter which Croatian road you choose to travel.
Our job here at The CC is to share what we think is the perfect Croatia itinerary and this two-week itinerary will allow you to explore the country's main attractions as well as this beautiful country's lesser known back roads.
This itinerary does not include extensive team at sea but if you’re interested in spending seven days on a privately chartered catamaran with a crew to cut down on logistics and amp up the luxe factor, you an read about chartering a catamaran in our article Charter a Luxury Yacht in Croatia: Everything You Need to Know
In this itinerary you will hit the major cities of Dubrovnik and Split, use Hvar as a home base to explore some of the Dalmatian islands and then embark on a Croatia road trip up to Istria, a lush and unique part of Croatia not often traveled by Americans.
You will stay busy seeing the main highlights of Dubrovnik and Split since you are there for short periods of time but your days on the Adriatic and in Istria can be modified to omit any activities or day trips depending on how much time you have. This is your Croatia vacation so take that R&R whenever you need it!
FOURTEEN DAY CROATIA ITINERARY
DAY ONE Dubrovnik
DAY TWO: Dubrovnik
DAYS THREE: Hvar Town
DAY FOUR: Hvar Town
DAY FIVE: Korčula
DAY SIX: Hvar Villages
DAY SEVEN: Brač
DAY EIGHT: Split
DAY NINE: Rovinj
DAY TEN: Rovinj
DAY ELEVEN: Rovinj + Surrounding Villages
DAY TWELVE: Motovun
DAY THIRTEEN: Motovun
DAY FOURTEEN: Zagreb
ITINERARY DETAIL
DAY ONE: DUBROVNIK
Logistics: Fly one way to Dubrovnik and arrange car transfer with your Airbnb host or hotel to your accommodations near Old Town
Accommodations (2 nights):
Savvy: This quaint Airbnb has an amazing host and is in a quiet neighborhood that is a short walk to Old Town
Splurge: Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik
Must do: Get acquainted with the charming Old Town, where Game of Thrones vibes abound
Must eat: Plavac mali wine flight at D’Vino Bar. Croatia consumes almost all of the wine it produces, meaning it’s difficult to find in the US so get your fill of Croatia’s amazing varietals while there
DAY TWO: DUBROVNIK
Logistics: You can walk everywhere in the old city so you most likely won't use public transportation; if you opt for a beach club, you’ll want to Uber
Must Do: Walk the ancient city walls. Get an early start to buy tickets, beat the crowds and avoid the sun as it can get hot; the walk will take you anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours depending on how compulsive you are about taking pictures. Lokrum Island is also worth visiting if you have enough time.
Must Eat: Fresh seafood from the Adriatic Sea. Here are some fantastic options:
Nautika: Amazing ancient fort views and service at this Michelin restaurant (but prepare to drop coin)
Panorama: Also part of the Nautika group, this restaurant is located on Srđ hill with epic views of Old Town. Only accessible by cable car, this can’t be missed!
Restaurant 360: Another fantastic Michelin restaurant with exquisite cuisine and some of the best views of old town
DAY THREE: HVAR TOWN
Logistics: Ferry from Dubrovnik to Hvar (approx 3 hours) - Jadrolinija and Kapetan Luka are the biggest ferry lines and your fastest options
Accommodations (3 nights):
Savvy: History Hvar Design Heritage Suites, a newly renovated guesthouse that has preserved its historical charm
Splurge: Little Green Bay Hotel, a secluded getaway that embodies bohemian luxury just ten minutes outside of Hvar Town
Must do: Explore the harbor of Hvar, known as the “St Tropez of Croatia”
Must eat: Have a mean cocktail at Hula Hula Beach Bar, where the party doesn’t stop day or night
DAY FOUR: HVAR TOWN
Logistics: Exploration on foot
Must do: Hvar has some fabulous and beautiful beaches and is filled with ocean watering holes to take a dip, post up and enjoy the Adriatic. Pokonji dol Beach is a favorite!
Must eat: Hvar also has some amazing restaurants, here are the top picks:
Passarola: Upscale, chic eatery
Dalmatino: Well-known fine dining restaurant
Konoba Luviji: Unpretentious, home style dishes served on a rooftop terrace
DAY FIVE: DAY TOUR TO KORCULA
Logistics: In high season, you can take a ferry direct from the port in Hvar to the port in Korčula (1.5 hours each way)
Must do: Stroll around the Korčula island’s ancient old town, complete with a maze of cobblestone alleys
Must eat: Dining at an authentic konoba (roughly translated as tavern) is an absolute must traveling in Croatia. Just an 8-minute taxi outside of town, Konoba Škafetin is family run and set in a intimate olive tree-filled garden with picturesq
DAY SIX: HVAR VILLAGES
Logistics: Take a 20-minute taxi to your new accommodations in a quiet corner of Hvar island. Exploration the rest of the day will be on scooter!
Accommodations (2 nights):
Savvy: Hidden House for a funky, intimate apartment experience or B&B Heritage Villa Apolon for a nostalgic, coastal bed & breakfast
Splurge: Maslina Resort*, a chic, modern and sustainable getaway
Must do: See the less traveled corners of Hvar on scooter. Suggested sights:
Stari Grad Plain, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Vrboska also known as “Little Italy”
Jelsa, a quaint village on a quiet part of the island
Dubovica Beach, one of the best on the island
Sveta Nedilja, a precious town precariously perched on a coastal cliff
Must eat: Octopus served charcoal grilled, marinated in a salad, carpaccio style - you can’t lose as long as it’s fresh from the Adriatic
*Maslina Resort is part of The Citrine Compass’s partner portfolio and we are often able to get members of our community VIP perks such as complimentary breakfast for two each morning, hotel credit, early check-in, late check-out and room upgrades, subject to availability. Reach out to us here to access our insider connections!
DAY SEVEN: HVAR VILLAGES -or- DAY TRIP TO BRAC
Logistics: Taxi or scooter if staying on Hvar; rent a small boat and take a boat ride with a captain if you plan to visit the nearby island of Brač
Must do: I’m always OTG so I vote you rent a boat and explore Brač. Highlights include:
Bol, a charming seaside town just a short ride from Hvar
Zlatni Rat, one of the most famous beaches in Croatia that juts out as a peninsula (which changes shape with the wind)
Stina Winery, where you can sip on the native white varietal Pošip and taste award-winning wine with grapes are grown exclusively on the island
Blaca Monastery, an ancient monastery hugging a seaside cliff
Must eat: Lamb on the spit - Brač is known for it
DAY EIGHT: SPLIT
Logistics: Hop on the ferry from Hvar to Split back to the mainland (1 hour)
Accommodations (1 night):
Savvy: This darling Airbnb complete with a patio and a view
Splurge: Villa Split Heritage Hotel, a centrally located boutique hotel
Must do: Explore Croatia's second-largest city with a beautiful old town, the highlight being Diocletian’s Palace. It's hard to miss as it’s near main square and port and is integrated with modern Split’s shopping and restaurant scene
Must eat: Bokeria Kitchen & Wine Bar for a chic eatery and great people watching
If you find yourself with more time to explore Croatia by sea, check out The Best Islands Near Splits to visit nearby islands on the Adriatic Sea!
DAY NINE: ROAD TRIP TO THE ISTRIAN PENINSULA
Logistics: Pick up your rental car in Split and embark on the 5-hour drive up the Adriatic coast to Rovinj. Coordinate parking outside of Rovinj’s old town with your hotel or Airbnb host.
Accommodations (3 nights):
Savvy: This centrally-located Airbnb with cute decor and amazing hosts
Splurge: Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery* is the crème de la crème of luxury hotels and is the perfect place to unwind and soak in the slower pace of Istria. Located only 10 minutes outside of Rovinj.
Must do: Visit darling coastal towns as you drive up the Dalmatian Coast and see more of Croatian culture. Recommended stops:
Šibenik
Zadar
Krka National Park viewpoints
Pag Island
Must eat: Pag and the surrounding areas are known for their salt and hard, flavorful sheep’s milk cheese
*Meneghetti Wine Hotel is part of The Citrine Compass’s partner portfolio and we are often able to get members of our community VIP perks such as complimentary breakfast for two each morning, hotel credit, early check-in, late check-out and room upgrades, subject to availability. Reach out to us here to access our insider connections!
DAY TEN: ROVINJ
Logistics: Walking on foot
Must do: Rovinj has rightly earned its spot as one of the most popular destinations in Istria and is a colorful, beautiful city. Spend the day leisurely exploring the local shops and restaurants in the winding alleys near the port
Must eat: Locally pressed olive oil - as of 2021 Istrian olive oil has been awarded the best olive oil region in the world by Flos Olei for six straight years
DAY ELEVEN: ROVINJ + SURROUNDING VILLAGES
Logistics: Driving through the countryside
Must do: Istria is speckled with remote villages so my recommendations is to hop in the car and stop into any tiny towns or wineries that catch your eye. Popular towns nearby:
Bale
Svetvinčenat
Zminj
Poreč
Novigrad
Must eat: Crisp white malvazija, a delicious white varietal grown exclusively in Istria
DAY TWELVE: MOTOVUN
Logistics: Drive Rovinj to Motovun (1-hour drive)
Accommodations (2 nights):
Savvy: Palazzo Angelica, an intimate B&B tucked in the hills
Splurge: San Canzian Village & Hotel*, a beautiful, upscale hotel in the countryside
Must do: Wine Tasting Tour & Truffle Hunt with Eat Istria to see the best that Istria has to offer with a local guide
Must eat: Truffles…enough said
DAY THIRTEEN: MOTOVUN
Logistics: Leisurely driving
Must do: Relax by the pool if you’ve had enough sight-seeing or explore Northern Istria. Popular towns:
Groznjan
Motovun, one of Istria’s oldest towns and a UNESCO site
Hum, the world’s smallest town
Buje
Must eat: Konoba Mondo, an old world establishment that has been popular since a rave review in a 2009 NYT article
DAY FOURTEEN: ZAGREB
Logistics: Drive to Zagreb (3 hours); fly home one way out of Zagreb *
Accommodations (1 night): Esplanade Zagreb Hotel*
Must do: Explore the capital city's Austro-Hungarian architecture, museums and narrow streets of Old Town
Must eat: Take a kava (coffee) at one of Zagreb’s hundreds of open air cafes
*San Canzian Village and Hotel and Esplanade Zagreb Hotel are part of The Citrine Compass’s partner portfolio and we are often able to get members of our community VIP perks such as complimentary breakfast for two each morning, hotel credit, early check-in, late check-out and room upgrades, subject to availability. Reach out to us here to access our insider connections!