After spending 45 days in the Balkans, I found Croatia the starting point of my trip and the perfect Balkan country to explore in one week or even 10 days to two weeks.

Imagine the Mediterranean coastline, access to small-sized cities, medieval towns including some of the best national parks especially if you love to discover little hikes.

This Croatia itinerary covers 7 days to 10 days and additional activities you’d like to consider should you decide to extend to two weeks.

It was also my first time experiencing Croatia using Euros — I found prices in Zagreb very affordable but the moment you’re in Dubrovnik or any of the Dalmatian islands, it gets pricy.

But there are various hole-in-the-wall restaurants for you to taste the local cuisine like “crni rizot” (risotto made with black squid ink) and “strukli” (cheesy like lasagne dish) + the best seafood and truffles. Yes, truffles!

💡 Fun Fact: Istria is Croatia's truffle capital, home to some of the world's finest truffles but if you’re in the Dalmatian coast there are ample opportunities to get a taste of this!

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Tours worth considering in Croatia

some of the fun countrysides on my 7 days croatia itinerary

From Zagreb: Plitvice Lakes and Rastoke Day Trip: You get to visit the lakes and discover the fairytale village of Rastoke and see its 17th-century watermills.
From Split: Blue Cave & Five Islands With Hvar Boat Tour: Explore 5 islands in the Adriatic Sea on a 10-hour tour of Hvar, Biševo, Vis, Budikovac, and Pakleni. Go to the Blue Cave and admire its natural beauty and stunning beaches.
Stone crosses hiking tour in Cavtat: If you’re in Dubrovnik, this hiking tour crosses pathways that date back to late Medieval times.

Also Read: Best Balkans Itinerary (10 Days to 1 Month) With Culture, Hiking & Beaches

The Complete Croatia Itinerary from 7 days, 10 days to 2 weeks

here’s a complete croatia itinerary 7 days to 10 days

Croatia 7 Days Itinerary

Day 1-2: Zagreb, Croatia
Day 3-4: Plitvice Lakes National Park
Day 5: Split & Hvar
Day 6-7: Dubrovnik
Day 8: Depart to Zagreb

Croatia 10 Days-2 Weeks Itinerary

Day 1-2: Zagreb, Croatia
Day 3-4: Plitvice Lakes National Park
Day 5-6: Split
Day 6-7: Brač
Day 7-8: Hvar
Day 8-9: Dubrovnik
Day 10: Depart to Zagreb
⬇️ (Option to Extend for 2 weeks)

Stay in Korenica after Plitvice Lakes visit and climb Gola Plješivica
Explore Korcula after Hvar
Visit Mljet National Park after Dubrovnik
Continue on to Slovenia on a 7 days itinerary

Also Read: Offbeat Split: A 2-3 Days Travel Itinerary + Best Things To Do

The Best of Croatia in 7 to 10 days

Day 1-2: Zagreb, Croatia

Think of Zagreb, Croatia as a bustling town with a cozy, small-city atmosphere.

It's easy to navigate, offering delightful outdoor markets where you can sample fresh fruits and grasp what makes Croatia a popular destination.

My first trip to Zagreb since it joined the EU revealed a city with higher prices but also hidden culinary gems blending Mediterranean and Slavic flavors.

Despite ongoing construction, particularly post-earthquake, the city maintains an inviting charm, avoiding excessive tourist crowds.

Here are some must-see attractions:

sampling croatia street food at heritage

Sample Croatian street food at Heritage with the best cooks from Masterchef

Take a stroll along the Green horseshoe
Have strukli (local salted cheese lasagne) at La Struk
Visit the Museum of Broken Hearts and Chocolate Museums (these are some of the best museums that I had visited)
Visit Zagreb Cathedral
Walk to the panoramic viewpoint of Zagreb in the corner of the upper old town
Take in Zagreb’s social scene at Ul. Ivana Tkalčića

Where to stay

Day 3-4: Plitvice Lake National Park

on your croatia itinerary be sure to visit plitvice lake national park

It is almost iconic to be able to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park. The park itself boasts an impressive 73,000 acres.

If you’re hiking, just know that there are well-marked hiking trails, carefully arranged into seven distinct routes, promising a diverse and exciting exploration of the park.

One day is more than enough to explore the trails in Plitvice Lake National Park. With one day, you can still explore some of the main attractions, such as the lower and upper lakes sections, the boardwalk trails, and the iconic Veliki Slap waterfall.

You could take this tour from Zagreb which allows you to visit the lakes and discover the fairytale village of Rastoke and see its 17th-century watermills.

Also Read:

Korenica Croatia Travel Guide: What to do + Eat Near Plitvice Lakes National Park

What to see and do

Spend the whole day dedicated to Plitvice Lake National Park
(If you have time) Hike MrSinj Grad on a day hike or hike Gola Pljesevica
Have affordable fine dining food at Bistro Time

Where to stay (if you’re staying one night)

Falling Lakes Hostel (the best hostel in that area if you’re there to hike and explore Plitvice Lake National Park)
10 minutes by the lake
Sweet home
Plitvice Lakes Lower Room
B&B Green Serenity Plitvice Lakes

Day 5-6: Split

From Plitvice Lakes National Park or from Zagreb, it's straightforward to hop on a Flixbus bound for Split. Alternatively, you could make it a road-trip and rent a car HERE and drive straight to wherever you need.

I boarded the bus and set off for Split, Croatia's second-largest city nestled along the Adriatic coast.

The city's Roman heritage is visible everywhere, making it quite fun to take a stroll along the promenade and offering glimpses of locations featured in Game of Thrones.

Seafood restaurants line the waterfront, providing a perfect backdrop for indulging in local delicacies while soaking in the ancient traditions.

Honestly, all you need is a wine-filled afternoon allowing you to immerse yourself in the city's ambiance at your own pace.

Also Read: These Best Islands in Croatia (Near Split) Beat Everything I've Seen!

What to see and do

Visit the Diocletian’s Palace where the Roman emperor had built as a retirement home in 305AD.
Explore Peristil Square, the 57-meter-tall belfry or climb up to take stellar views of the city
Head to Marjan hill for a short walk/hike to see windswept views of Split
Stop at Jezinac Bay along the way for beachside quiet time
Visit the Ivan Meštrović Gallery which pays tribute to the celebrated Croatian sculptor
Dine at Mazzgoon restaurant for some courtyard feels and local cuisine

Where to stay

Leonilda Rooms (We stayed here and it was perfect!)
Kovacic rooms
Ivona

Day 6-8: Explore the Dalmatian Islands (Split-Brac-Hvar)

a view of the dalmatian islands from hvar

Hvar, Brac and even Korcula — you’ve probably heard a ton about the Dalmatian Islands.

This is essenially the go-to place for seeing the Adriatic coast and the lesser-known islands while sampling some of the world’s best truffles and olive oil.

There are stunning fortresses, miles and miles of vineyards and the shiny blue jeweled sea that’s perfect for a quick dip.

You can even do it on a tour by doing this: explore 5 islands in the Adriatic Sea on a 10-hour tour of Hvar, Biševo, Vis, Budikovac, and Pakleni.

Brac

The first island from the coast of Split — I found Brac to be gorgeous and the perfect place to stay in their cute stone houses found on Bol island.

The gorgeous island is home to Zlatni Rat, the Golden Horn Beach. During summers, it can be quite the party place but off season it is a gorgeous little place with access to trails, history and a lot of sunbathing.

You could also hike the Vidova Gora, a 770 metres mountain that’s 5km long.

Hvar

Perhaps the most popular of all the islands simply because of its Venetian architecture and cobbled streets with an amazing nightlife and incredible beaches.

For me, it was the outskirts and journey towards Hvar that was the most mesmerising.

Hvar Town is estimated to draw around 20,000 people a day in the high season and that explains its growing popularity and prices ofcourse!

The real draw are its olive trees and the ability to visit one. We stopped at “Olive oil tasting Radojkovic” for olive oil and cheese tasting.

Day 8-9: Dubrovnik

The allure of Dubrovnik is hard to resist — travelers from all over Europe continue to flock to its old town charm and iconic forts, reminiscent of scenes from Game of Thrones.

Upon arrival, the bustling streets are filled with the sounds of rolling suitcases and gelato and cute quaint shops.

Dubrovnik's vibrant energy can be overwhelming at first as navigating the city's endless stairs and crowds requires more time than anticipated.

But whatever it takes, Dubrovnik offers a rich cultural experience worth the trip no matter what.

From historical sites to scenic cable car rides and refreshing ocean activities like paddle boarding, you can’t deny there’s something about this town.

What to see and do