Balkan Coastal Adventure: Croatia & Montenegro - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Split (Croatia), Free Time

Welcome to Split, the second-largest city in Croatia and home to the impressive Diocletian's Palace, a fourth-century haven for the Roman emperor Diocletian. A private driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you 45 minutes to the ancient coastal city. Founded 1,700 years ago by the Roman emperor, his well-preserved palace has been transformed into the Old Town and heart of this relaxed coastal city.

The rest of the day is yours to explore Split. Tomorrow, you'll tour the Old Town with a local guide, so perhaps you could use your afternoon to explore farther afield. If you like walking, wander down the waterfront Riva promenade and up to Marjan Park for beautiful vistas over Diocletian's Palace, the city of Split, and the Adriatic Sea. You'll also find a few historical sites in the park, plus quiet swimming coves and some of Split's most beautiful stretches of sand, like Bačvice Beach.

Day 2: Split Old Town & Diocletian's Palace Tour, Half-Day Tour of Trogir

This morning, you'll explore Split's Old Town with a private guide. Over two hours, you'll tick off all the key sights, including the Cathedral of St. Dominus, the Piazza, and Peristyle Square. Admire the 3,500-year-old sphinxes that Diocletian brought back from Egypt, and hear about the city's fascinating history from your guide. If there's time following your tour, climb the Romanesque bell tower of the Cathedral of St. Dominus—considered the oldest Catholic cathedral still in use—for a stunning vista over the city and Adriatic. 

This afternoon, you'll join a private half-day tour to nearby Trogir, an ancient city set on a tiny island that acts as a stepping stone between the mainland and the much larger Čiovo Island. Visit the Garagnin-Fanfogna Palace and the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, and admire Radovan's 13th-century Romanesque Portal and its bizarre creatures. Climb the ramparts of the 15th-century Kamerlengo Fortress for sweeping views over the island. You might even be serenaded by the local a cappella groups called klapa along the way. 

Day 3: Day Trip to Krka National Park & Šibenik

Krka National Park is just over an hour's drive away from Split, and your driver will take you on an early day trip to discover the park's natural beauty before the crowds arrive. Once you reach Krka, explore on foot or by rental bike, choosing from several trails. You can't miss Skradinski Buk, the largest waterfall in the park, or Roški Slap, where you can take a short walk across the river to a small set of rapids said to resemble a pearl necklace from above. At Roški Slap, there's a restaurant that serves locally produced prosciutto, cheese, and seasonal salads.

In the afternoon, continue to the coastal town of Šibenik for the afternoon. Founded by the Croat king Petar Krešimir IV in the 11th century, this Croatian gem is home to impressive fortresses, popular music festivals, and medieval gardens. Start with a visit to the famous St. James' Cathedral, a UNESCO-protected site for good reason, before selecting a restaurant for your dinner—perhaps Pelegrini, a restaurant and wine bar just above the cathedral. Return to Split in the evening.

Day 5: Full-Day Boat Tour to the Blue Cave & Pakleni Islands

Set out on an exciting full-day outing to discover the neighboring islands of Biševo, Vis, and the Pakleni archipelago. On a private speedboat, you'll cruise to the east coast of Biševo, a popular, though often crowded island, to see the mesmerizing iridescent blue waters of Modra Špilja (Blue Cave). Transfer to a small boat to discover the natural phenomena for yourself. Next, travel to the pebble beach of Stiniva Bay on neighboring Vis. Obscured by towering cliffs, the hidden-away beach offers crystalline waters for swimming and snorkeling.

Finally, return to Hvar, stopping to sunbathe and swim in the bays and inlets of the nearby Pakleni archipelago. This collection of 14 wooded and rocky islets is considered the most beautiful part of the Hvar Riviera. After, return to Hvar Town. If you have time, hike to the Španjola Fortress for sunset. This Venetian fortress from the 1500s offers an incredible view over the city's rooftops and the deep blue sea and Pakleni Islands beyond. Inside the castle, there are displays of historic artifacts, among which are ancient amphorae from an earlier Bronze Age stronghold on this spot.

Day 8: Transfer to Kotor (Montenegro) via Pelješac Peninsula Oyster & Wine Tasting

Start the morning early with a short boat ride to the 15th-century maritime town of Orebić on the Pelješac peninsula. Here, a private driver will be waiting to transfer you from this small town to Kotor in Montenegro, pausing en route in the Croatian town of Ston. You'll use the better part of today to explore Ston, its surroundings, and of course, its impressive fortified walls—the longest on the continent. Enjoy beautiful views over the Adriatic and its glittering salt pans—one of the oldest and still active in the Mediterranean—from a parapet walkway.

A mountainous finger of land reaching into the Adriatic Sea, the Pelješac peninsula is home to Croatia's finest red wines, tastiest oysters, and some of the best sand and shingle beaches in the country. Meet a local oyster farmer to learn about the history of oyster farming in the area, then taste some day's freshest catch. After, head to a local winery for a tasting, then continue across the border to the medieval coastal town of Kotor. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built on a sloping mountain and abounds with Venetian palaces and Romanesque churches.

 

The rest of today is yours to explore as you wish. Wander the well-preserved Old Town, then ascend the ancient city walls to reach the St. John Fortress. Here, you'll be rewarded with a panoramic vista of Kotor Bay and the surrounding mountains. In the evening, stroll along the picturesque waterfront, where you'll find cafés and seafood restaurants.

Day 9: Day Trip to Lovčen National Park & Cetinje

Montenegro isn't a huge country, but there's more to explore than meets the eye. Today, you'll take a full-day trip into its hinterland, stopping first in Mount Lovćen National Park. Here, you'll take in incredible panoramic views over the countryside and visit the world's highest mausoleum. Located at the top of a mountain, the monumental Mausoleum of Petar II Petrović Njegoš is dedicated to the 19th-century prince-bishop of Montenegro; a poet and philosopher who's considered a bit of a local hero.

Continue your journey to Cetinje, a historic town where the Montenegro royals once lived and ruled over this small country. Rich in cultural heritage, Cetinje is set in a lush valley and boasts well-preserved examples of various architectural styles, including the Cetinje Monastery and the Presidential Palace. At the end of the day, your driver will take you back to Kotor, where you can savor a relaxed evening and another Adriatic sunset.

Day 11: Transfer to Dubrovnik (Croatia) via Perast

After breakfast, a private driver will collect you for a transfer to Dubrovnik, which includes crossing the border back into Croatia. En route, you'll enjoy a scenic drive around the Bay of Kotor before stopping at the charming village of Perast, which feels like a little piece of Venice on the Adriatic. Explore its cobbled streets and picturesque small squares, and don't miss taking a boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks, the only human-made island on the Adriatic (which you'll have spotted from your sailing trip yesterday). Once in Dubrovnik, check into your hotel, then enjoy the afternoon at your own pace.

Venture beyond the Old Town seeking sun at one of Dubrovnik's nearby beaches, or hire kayaks and paddle around the imposing City Walls. Alternatively, you might like to join a "Game of Thrones" tour and go behind the scenes at locations featured in the popular series. Come early evening, you could hike up or ride the cable car to Mount Srđ for panoramic sunset views over the city and Adriatic. Make a dinner reservation at Panorama Restaurant, or ride the cable car back down for dinner at one of Dubrovnik's great restaurants.

Day 13: Half-Day Elafiti Islands Speedboat Tour, Free Time

Celebrate your penultimate day on the Adriatic coast with today's half-day private speedboat tour. Meet your skipper, then set out to discover one or more of the three islands of the Elafiti archipelago: Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. Explore small settlements and discover hidden coves, perfect for swimming. Wander around in the shade of Mediterranean vegetation, visit interesting small villages, and enjoy local cuisine. Return to Dubrovnik and use your afternoon to explore deeper.

The Old Town is like a huge open-air museum filled with 17th-century buildings, but if you want to learn more, dive into one of the city's most famous museums. The Cultural History Museum in the Rector's Palace offers insight into the life of the Dubrovnik nobility. The Franciscan Pharmacy is one of the three oldest working pharmacies in Europe. The Maritime Museum, located inside the Sv. Ivan Fortress, reveals the long maritime past of Dubrovnik, while the Red History Museum explores Croatia's Communist past as Yugoslavia.

Day 14: Depart Dubrovnik

It's your final morning in Croatia. Enjoy a coffee while looking out over the Adriatic Sea. When the time is right, a private driver will collect you for a transfer to Dubrovnik's airport for your departing flight. Safe travels!