Heading to Croatia? Five days gives you just enough time to focus on a single region such as Coastal Dalmatia or Istria in the north. If you do not mind a fast pace vocation and flying open jaw then you can cover countrywide highlights. With this, you can start your adventure north and work your way to the southern coast. Five days is also enough time to explore the Mediterranean paradise.
Embark on sailing adventures around beautiful islands. If you are not a boat person, that’s alright, we have you covered with a cycling trip down the famous Dalmatian Coast. Travel from Split to Brac Island and onto Solta. Enjoy humble villages, vineyards and olive groves. Here we have chosen the five best Itineraries for your five-day adventure in Croatia.
Itinerary Number One
Table Of Contents
You will explore one of Croatia’s most beautiful islands called the Island of Hvar and make your way to Dubrovnik or the Pearl of the Adriatic. Enjoy bike rides through lavender fields or enjoy swimming in the sea.
Highlights
| Day 1 | Start in Split! |
| Day 2 | Ferry from Split to Hvar, Sunset Sea Kayaking |
| Day 3 | Cycle Tour around Hvar Island |
| Day 4 | Ferry from Hvar to Dubrovnik |
| Day 5 | Depart Dubrovnik |
Day One
Your week begins after a forty-five-minute drive to the Old Town and hotel check inn. Here you will explore the beautiful sites built about 1 700 years ago by the Roman emperor Diocletian. The sights are; Cathedral of St Dominus, the Piazza and Diocletian’s Palace. You can then stroll along the seafront Riva before enjoying a bite to eat near the Bronze Gate.
Day two
You can enjoy a ferry ride to Hvar which is a popular Croatian Island in the Adriatic Sea. The climate is mild and the Historic city and nature await your arrival. Once you have finished exploring the old town in the morning change into your swimming cozzie for an afternoon on the water with a sunset kayak trip to the Pakleni Islands.
Day Three
Spend the morning exploring through the city centre before heading off in the afternoon for a day of easy riding through the stunning lavender fields, olive groves and vineyards before passing the villages of Jelsa and Verboska.
Day Four
Catch the ferry back to the mainland to Dubrovnik and wander the city’s 16th century stone wall. Visit the great sites such as Onofrio’s Fountain and the Church of Saint Blaise. This day is at your leisure. Take advantage of the fabulous restaurants and wine bars. Take a cable car to the top of Srd Mountain to enjoy stunning views of the city and the nearby Elafiti Islands.
Day Five
Enjoy the rest of your time in Dubrovnik before heading back to the airport. This is about forty-five minutes with normal traffic conditions.
Itinerary Number Two
Here you will spend five days exploring the wonderful sites around Dubrovnik and its surroundings. Sail away on an adventure to explore the beauty of the picturesque Elafiti Islands, Kolocep, Sipan and Lopud. Enjoy the wild terrain of the Peljesac peninsula.
Highlights
| Day 1 | Start In Dubrovnik |
| Day 2 | Walking Tour of Dubrovnik, Sea Kayaking around Lokrum Island |
| Day 3 | Sail the Elafiti Islands: Koločep, Šipan, & Lopud |
| Day 4 | Pelješac Wine & Oyster Tour from Dubrovnik |
| Day 5 | Depart Dubrovnik |
Day One
After checking in at the hotel, you will likely want to visit the Pearl of the Adriatic in the afternoon. Take a cable car to Srd Mountain to enjoy the sunset over the nearby Elafiti Islands or you could walk along with the limestone paved streets of the Old Town.
Day Two
Pick up the pace of vocation with a morning walking tour through the major sights in the Old Town such as; Onofrio’s Fountain, Rector’s Palace, the Church of St Blaise and enjoy the café lined Brsalje Street.
Day Three
Sail to the Elafiti Islands of Kolocep Sipan and Lopud. Here you will discover tiny islands and their beautiful nature. Visit a walled villa of the 16th-century shipowner. Stop at Lopud on your return journey to Dubrovnik which is home to the merchant fleet of the city’s former nobility.
Day Four
Leave Dubrovnik for the Peljesac peninsula for mussels and oysters, Dingac red wine and beautiful rugged landscapes. You will most likely spend the day drinking wine at two popular wineries before visiting Mali Ston where you will learn about oyster farming and a tasting is also in store.
Day Five
Depending on the time of your flight back home. You can spend your remaining time visiting a museum or wandering the walled street for one last time.
Itinerary Number Three
Enjoy the Istrian Peninsula during this five-day tour. Enjoy a scenic drive from Zagreb to Rovinj which is one of Croatia’s most attractive coastal cities. Venture the heart of the peninsula with a visit to the medieval hilltop towns of Groznjan, Oprtalj and Motovun.
Day One
Arrive in Zagreb and then transfer to your hotel and spend the day in leisure after check-in. Enjoy your day exploring the leafy green parks and gothic buildings. There are also lovely and modern shopping complexes; outdoor malls and endless dining and drinking opportunities in the city.
Day Two
Set out for Rovinj and enjoy a stop for lunch in Opatija, which is well known for its Mediterranean climate and Habsburg-era buildings. Have a stroll on the famous Lungomare to find a restaurant with a beautiful overlook of the Kvarner Gulf. In the afternoon, venture through the Old Town after arriving in Rovinj. There are centuries-old Venetian influenced architecture as you pass through the archways. Find your way to Balbi’s Arch and the St Euphemia Church.
Day Three
Discover charming villages and taste the best olive oil and wine. The first stop is at Groznjan with a medieval hilltop town that is surrounded by terraced olive groves and beautiful vineyards that is now a city of artists. Next is to Oprtalj which lies on the north side of the Mirna river valley and is home to marvellous examples of Istrian and Venetian architecture. Venture on to Motovun which is high above the Mirna river on the south side. Here you can taste the local wines and enjoy truffle laced meals from nearby forests.
Day Four
Take your time exploring the city. Enjoy the site of the arena. This is the 10th largest Colosseum that the Romans ever built. Then begin your trip back to Zagreb. Enjoy one final walk through Kaptol before choosing a restaurant to enjoy dinner at.
Day Five
Depart from Zagreb with a short half an hour drive to the airport under normal traffic conditions. If time allows, enjoy one last stroll in the green parks.
Highlights
| Day 1 | Start in Zagreb |
| Day 2 | Zagreb to Rovinj, Lunch in Opatija |
| Day 3 | Into the Heart of Istria: Grožnjan, Oprtalj, & Motovun |
| Day 4 | Walking Tour of Pula, Return to Zagreb |
| Day 5 | Depart Zagreb |
Itinerary Number Four
Enjoy five days of sailing on a private boat between three of the most popular Adriatic Islands; Brac, Hvar and Vis. You will soak in the sun on the deck. Enjoy the island setting as you the Historic Split and the mainland behind for the islands.
Day One
Arrive in Split with enough time to explore the historic city at your leisure after you have checked in to your hotel. Walk the city’s streets to view the best sights such as Diocletian’s Palace which is one of the best-preserved Roman buildings in the world. View the Iron Gate or the 15th century Town Hall.
Day Two
Set off for Brac which is the largest of the central Dalmatian islands. Enjoy the historic sights dating back to Ancient Greece and the Middle Ages. Venture out for a swim and snorkelling in secluded bays before heading on to Hvar. Here you will spend the night on board the boat with the possibility to see Hvar Town and the 16th-century Spanjola Fortress.
Day Three
Venture off for the Pakleni Islands archipelago which is just off the coast of Hvar. From there you will move up the east coast of Bisevo Island to drink in the lovely bright blue waters of Modra Spilja known as the Blue Cave. After Visiting the cave you will sail into the picturesque village of Komiza on Vis Island. You will spend the night here.
Day Four
You will return to Split with the option of stops to swim and snorkel again. Stop for lunch at Stomorska on the Island of Solta near Brac. Once you have arrived back in Split, enjoy time on the Bacvice Beach before settling down for your final night.
Day Five
Depart from Split with a short forty five minute drive to the airport with normal traffic conditions. If time allows, explore the Green Market or take one last stroll through Old Town in the morning before leaving.
Highlights
| Day 1 | Start in Split! |
| Day 2 | Sail from Split to Hvar via Brač Island |
| Day 3 | Sail from Hvar to Vis, Stopping at Pakleni Islands & Blue Cave |
| Day 4 | Sail from Vis to Split |
| Day 5 | Depart Split |
Itinerary Number Five
Mix history and culture together to enjoy a five-day adventure. Enjoy dramatic landscapes from an active view with a well-rounded experience of what Croatia has to offer. Venture south from Zagreb the Capital where you will walk through the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Set off to experience the ancient coastal city Zadar. Then hike karst rock formations in Paklenica National Park. Enjoy a self-guided tour of Split’s Roman ruins.
Day One
Check into your hotel and then explore the Capital. Walk from Lower Town through the main square to Upper Town which is a great way to explore the city. Visit one of the many museums like; the Museum of Naive Art or the Museum of Broken Relationships. Venture to the 17th-century architecture found at Zrinjevac Park and the Croatian National Theater. Enjoy your time spent outdoors. Visit one of the oldest botanical Gardens in Europe named Botanical Garden Park.
Day Two
Head to Plitvice Lakes with a stop in a small, charming village Rastoke. Enjoy its beautiful waterfalls and old water mills at the confluence of two rivers. Explore the lakes at your own steady pace and choose from eight different hiking trails. The upper lakes tend to be less crowded during peak season.
Day Three
Continue on to Paklenica National Park with the most accessible hiking area in the Velebit mountains. Velika Paklenica and Mala Paklenica, two popular limestone gorges provide plenty of hiking and rock climbing activities. Perfect for a mid-morning hike through black-pine and beech forests under the karst cliffs. Continue to Zadar after the hike to make your way to the Sea Organ to enjoy a colourful sunset.
Day Four
Continue to Split making a stop in Sibenik for lunch. Wander the city centre to enjoy popular stops at the Iron Gate, the Diocletian’s Palace and the 15th century Town Hall.
Day Five
Leave Split with a short forty five minute drive to the airport under normal traffic conditions.
Highlights
| Day 1 | Welcome to Zagreb! |
| Day 2 | Explore the Wonders of Plitvice Lakes National Park |
| Day 3 | Hike the Rugged Mountains of Paklenica National Park |
| Day 4 | Zadar to Split, Stopping for Lunch in Šibenik |
| Day 5 | Depart Split |
There are many more activities that you can choose from if you happen to change your mind when you are in Croatia. One of the many activities would be to visit the Tvrdic Honey farm. Or Visit five springs in the Dalmatia Explorer tour. Try eating frogs legs in Sinj, who knows you might like them. Enjoy white water rafting in Omis. These weren’t added in the Itineraries, because most of the activities would require a full day out. Do not let this stop you from enjoying your beautiful adventure around Croatia.