Plitvice Lakes, Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Zadar & Zagreb: Best Itinerary Ideas

How many days do you need in Plitvice Lakes, Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Zadar & Zagreb?

• Most travelers spend 8-10 days in Plitvice Lakes, Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Zadar, and Zagreb combined
• Visiting Plitvice Lakes, Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Zadar, and Zagreb in 7 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
• With 11 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
• The most common extensions are Rovinj, Ljubljana, and Korčula

How Many Days to Spend in Dubrovnik
How Many Days to Spend in Zagreb

Recommended Itineraries for Plitvice Lakes, Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Zadar & Zagreb

Recommended Itinerary for 8 Days

This route covers the highlights of Croatia's southern Dalmatian coast, where you will explore beautiful landscapes and ancient culture. Begin in Zagreb and drive south to Croatia's most popular city, Dubrovnik. En route, you will stop at national parks, Plitvice Lakes and Krka, the historic port cities of Zadar and Split, and sample wine on the island of Hvar before ending your adventure in Dubrovnik. Read more

Recommended Itinerary for 9 Days

Begin your tour of Croatia in the capital, Zagreb, and drive south along the Dalmatian coast to end in the medieval town of Dubrovnik. Along the way, you will stop at popular national parks—Plitvice Lakes and Krka—as well as the ancient port cities of Zadar and Split before tasting wine on the island of Hvar and capping off your trip in the "Pearl of the Adriatic." Read more

Extended Itineraries

15-Day Itinerary Including Rovinj, Korčula & Ston

Explore the best of Croatia on this 15-day itinerary, from Zagreb's edgy museums and architectural treats to the imposing fortress city walls in Dubrovnik. Spend three days enjoying the captivating Istrian peninsula and its gastronomy scene, then head to the travertine lakes of Plitvice before journeying down the Dalmatian coast to the historic cities of Zadar, Šibenik, and Split. You'll kayak amid the wooded Pakleni islands off the coast of Hvar, drink Grk wine in Korčula, Marco Polo's hometown, and venture through the rugged wilds of the Pelješac peninsula. Read more

How to travel between Plitvice Lakes, Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Zadar & Zagreb

How to get to Split
There are a number of ways to travel to Split from within Croatia's most popular cities and regions, namely Dubrovnik, Istria, and Zagreb. Read more

How to get to Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park is located in central Croatia, roughly between Zagreb (80 miles north of the park) and Zadar (70 miles to the south). The easiest way to get to Plitvice Lakes National Park is by private transfer or rental car, as this allows you to set your own schedule. Read more

How to get from Dubrovnik to Zadar
The coastal city of Zadar is 217 miles (350 km) from Dubrovnik, and the easiest way to travel between them is by plane (requiring a connection in Zagreb). Another option is going by road, with a private transfer or rental car, which lends the opportunity to make stops along the way and travel at your own pace. Buses also connect Dubrovnik to Zadar, with several direct departures every day. Read more

How to get to Dubrovnik
The easiest and quickest way to travel to Dubrovnik is to fly: Dubrovnik airport has several international connections as well as daily flights to the capital Zagreb, and other domestic destinations, including Rijeka, Osijek, and Split. Read more

How to get to Zagreb
Zagreb, Croatia's capital, is the arrival and departure point for many visitors and also has its fair share of tourist attractions. Its airport is located nine miles (15 km) south-east of the city center with many international flight connections as well as domestic flights operated by Croatia Airlines to Bol, Dubrovnik, Osijek, Pula, Rijeka, Split, and Zadar. An airport bus service links the main bus station to the airport, with scheduled departures every 30 minutes. Read more

How to get from Dubrovnik to Hvar
Dubrovnik and the island of Hvar are must-sees if you're exploring Croatia's Dalmatian coast. An easy and popular option is taking the passenger ferry—from June to September, there are two daily passenger ferries connecting Dubrovnik to Hvar. An easy, quick, and (very) expensive alternative to the ferry is a private boat transfer, which will take about three hours. If you plan to drive, part of the journey will require a trip by car ferry, with the total journey time coming to at least four hours. Read more