Food & Wine Tour of Croatia's Dalmatian Coast: Split, Hvar, Korčula & Dubrovnik - 10 Days

Highlights

• Taste fantastic Croatian wines after a visit to the famous Krka Waterfalls near Split
• Eat at a traditional tavern in Stari Grad, Croatia's oldest town, on the island of Hvar
• On the island of Korcula, sample white wines from the ancient grk grape
• Meet a local oyster farmer and sample his freshest harvest in Ston
• Tour the ancient city walls of Dubrovnik before an authentic meal at a nearby farm

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Split, Explore the City

Welcome to Croatia! After you arrive at Split International Airport, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to the city of Split. Settle in and use the rest of the day and evening to explore Croatia's second-largest city. This ancient Adriatic port is known for its Roman ruins, fantastic seafood, historic streets, and lovely beaches.

Start your discovery at Split's most famous site, Diocletian's Palace, a former Roman complex built around 300 CE, with medieval streets winding through its pedestrian-only center. Once you've explored the cobblestone avenues of the palace, continue to the surrounding streets of Old Town, climb the bell tower of the Cathedral of St. Domnius, stroll the Riva promenade along the harbor, or make the trek up to Klis Fortress for panoramic views of the city and the coast.

Day 2: Culture & Food Walking Tour in Split

Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of Split today on a culture and food tour through the city. Snack your way through the city's historic streets, stopping at street markets, family-run bakeries, and hidden bars. Hunt down local dishes, like octopus salad, pasticada (beef stew made with Croatian wine), Dalmatian prosciutto, or fritule (Croatian doughnuts).

Meet your guide in the morning and meander to Pazar Market, a lively outdoor fruit and vegetable market just east of Diocletian's Palace. Sample prosciutto and cheese together with rakija, a fruit brandy of the region. Continue your tour through the cobblestone maze of the palace, stopping at tiny eateries and cafés along the way. Explore the underground cellars and learn their history before ending the tour with a taste of soparnik—a Swiss-chard-filled pie, and Croatia's answer to pizza.

Day 3: Day Trip to Krka National Park & Gastro Experience at Local Winery

Take a day trip outside Split to the famous Krka National Park. Krka is known for it's network of impressive waterfalls, including the iconic Skradinski Buk, a series of 17 falls spread over 2,600 feet (800 m) with a height of 147 feet (45 m). You'll also find the picturesque Krka River, which creates a spectacular limestone canyon within the park. In addition to the natural beauty, explore the Roman ruins at the Burnum Amphitheater and the 13th-century Krka Monastery on the riverbank.

After touring Krka, continue to a nearby family-owned winery for a delicious food and wine pairing. Tour the vineyard and taste exclusive wines made from the native skradin grape, along with wine varieties such as debit, an intriguing, saltier white, or the silky-smooth lasina red. Alongside the wine sampling, taste local specialties such as Dalmatinski pršut (cured ham), dinarski sir (a hard cheese variety), or the fig-and-grain dessert, smokvenjak.

Day 4: Ferry to Hvar, Guided Island Tour

Check out of your hotel in Split and head to the harbor for your catamaran ferry to the island of Hvar. This Adriatic island is known for its mild climate and dazzling coastline, and you'll land in its eponymous port town, home to a dramatic hilltop fortress with 13th-century walls. Settle into your hotel, then meet a local guide for an island tour.

Set out to explore the island's vineyard-covered hills, thick olive groves, lavender farms, and fields full of rosemary. You'll visit the central village of Malo Grablje, abandoned in the 1960s but dating back to the 16th century, before heading to Velo Grablje, also once abandoned but experiencing a resurgence due to its thriving lavender industry. Visit the Stari Grad Plain, converted initially to agriculture by the ancient Greeks, and explore the winding streets of Croatia's oldest town, Stari Grad.

Stop for an authentic meal at a traditional konoba (tavern) before heading to several family-owned vineyards to taste some of Hvar's famous wines—it's known as "the island of wine," after all. Try prč, an intense white made with grapes only cultivated on Hvar, or prošek, a sweet dessert wine. At the end of the day, stop for the local variety of rakija (Croatian brandy), made with myrtle, in Hvar Town's ancient piazza that overlooks the Venetian fortification walls and the blue Adriatic.

Day 5: Explore Hvar Town, Traditional Peka Dinner at Local Restaurant

You'll have most of today free to explore Hvar on your own. Take advantage of the warm, sunny coastline—Hvar is the sunniest spot in the country—at places like Mlini Beach, with clear waters ideal for a swim. Hop on a sailing tour around the nearby Pakleni Islands, rent a scooter to discover off-the-beaten spots, go olive oil tasting, hike the coastal trail to the quaint town of Milna, climb up to the fortress for incredible sunset views, and head back into Hvar Town for some of the best nightlife in Croatia. 

Day 6: Ferry to Korčula, Lumbarda Wine Tour & Konoba Dinner

Check out of your hotel in Hvar and head to the harbor for your scenic catamaran ferry ride to Korčula. The short trip of around one hour will give you the rest of the day to explore the island and its eponymous town—known for its picturesque Old Town known as "little Dubrovnik" and as the birthplace of the famous explorer Marco Polo (according to legend, at least). 

After you settle in, meet your guide for a wine-tasting tour of Lumbarda, a region on the southeastern tip of Korčula. En route, you'll see fields, villages, and wineries, with sweeping views toward the Adriatic. The short drive passes historic sites of the island's eastern side until you reach the sprawling village of Lumbarda. Boasting beautiful beaches and centuries-old winemaking traditions, Lumbarda is home to grk, the famous white grape known for producing some of Croatia's best wines.

Visit a family-run winery to learn about the native grk varietal, as well as plavac mali, a red grape grown across southern Dalmatia that acts as a pollinator for grk vines. Following dinner at a local konoba restaurant with a view of the setting sun, return to your hotel to relax and savor the twilight views across Luka Korculanska Bay.

Day 7: Walking Tour of Korčula Town, Explore the Beaches of Korčula

Korčula Town is small but brimming with character, with numerous restaurants, taverns, shops, and bars, all scattered in the picturesque, maze-like streets full of gray stone houses, alleys, churches, and squares. Begin the day with a guided historical walking tour, visiting the 14th-century Land Gate, the entrance to the Old Town, before marveling at the sculptures of St. Mark's Cathedral. Next door, find the Bishop's Treasury with its small yet impressive art collection. End the tour with a stop at the simple house thought to be Marco Polo's birthplace. 

Spend the rest of the day exploring the island's amazing beaches via motorbike, e-bike, or car. Don't miss the big, sandy Lumbarda Beach with its long shallow break, the secluded Pupnatska Luka Beach facing the open Adriatic, or the tiny yet gorgeous Bačva Beach. Swim in the clear sea, rent a kayak, or learn to windsurf—Korčula is famously windy and a world-renowned spot for windsurfing. 

In the evening, you'll have a reservation at Wine and Tapas Bar LoLe in town for delicious local dishes like tuna carpaccio, marinated anchovies, stuffed eggplant, or black risotto. Don't forget a glass of Korčula's famous "orange" wine, the fruit-forward pošip. 

Day 8: Transfer to Dubrovnik via Ston Oysters Experience & Wine Tasting

Hop a ferry from the port of Dominče on Hvar to Dubrovnik today, stopping along the way for a culinary experience on the Pelješac peninsula. This mountainous finger of land is home to some of Croatia's finest wines, tastiest oysters, and best sandy beaches. You'll detour to the small town of Ston, surrounded by ancient walls and salt flats, to meet an oyster farmer. Learn about the local history of oysters, then taste some of the day's freshest harvest. Explore the charming alleyways or walk along Ston's fortified walls before heading to a nearby wine tasting for some of Croatia's best reds.

You'll end the day in the city of Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic," known for its high city walls, amazing cuisine, incredible sea views, rich history, and as the filming location of several hit shows, like "Game of Thrones." Check into your hotel and rest up for tomorrow's adventures.

Day 9: Walking Tour of Dubrovnik, Konavle Region Culinary Experience 

Set out to explore Dubrovnik today on a guided walking tour of the historic center. Enter the medieval Old Town through the 16th-century Pile Gate, listening to stories of the city's rich history and local legends. Notable stops throughout the tour include Onofrio's Fountain, a reminder of the aqueducts that brought fresh water into the city during the 15th century, the stately Rector's Palace, now a museum, or Luza Square, the heart of the city. Pop into cafés or restaurants on the lively Brsalje Street, or discover the Baroque masterpiece of St. Blaise's Church.

Day 10: Depart Dubrovnik

It's time to say goodbye to Croatia! Your private driver will pick you up from your hotel in Dubrovnik and transfer you to Dubrovnik International Airport. Have a safe trip!

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