Planning a trip to Croatia? This guide covers the best route through the country — how to combine Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes, the coast and the islands depending on how much time you have.
✔ Best 7-day plan: Split + islands + Dubrovnik (skip Zagreb)
✔ Best for first-timers: 10-day route covering Zagreb, Plitvice and the coast
✔ Best experience: 14 days to properly island-hop and explore Istria too
7 Days: The Dalmatian Coast Highlights
If time is short, skip Zagreb and fly directly into Split. Spend 2–3 days exploring Split and Diocletian's Palace, then take a ferry to Hvar for 2 days of island life, before continuing to Dubrovnik for a final 2–3 days walking the city walls. See our full Split Travel Guide and Dubrovnik Travel Guide for the details.
Book Croatia Island Hopping
Ferries between Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik — book ahead in summer
Find Island Tours →10 Days: Zagreb, Plitvice & the Coast
Start with 2 days in Zagreb — the underrated capital, with its colourful Upper Town and Dolac Market. Continue to Plitvice Lakes National Park for a full day (an overnight nearby makes for an easier visit than a rushed day trip). From there, head to Split for 3 days including a Hvar day trip, then finish with 3 days in Dubrovnik.
Tip: Zagreb to Plitvice is around 2 hours by car or bus; Plitvice to Split is another 3 hours. Renting a car for this stretch is significantly easier than relying on public transport.
14 Days: The Full Croatia Route
With two weeks, add Istria to the route — Pula's Roman amphitheatre and the hilltop towns of Rovinj and Motovun offer a completely different, more Italian-influenced side of Croatia. Extend your island time to properly cover Korčula and Vis alongside Hvar, and consider a day trip across the border to Kotor, Montenegro, from Dubrovnik.
Book Plitvice Lakes Tickets
Croatia's most-visited natural attraction — book ahead in summer
Check Availability →❓ Croatia Itinerary FAQs
Is 7 days enough for Croatia?
Yes, if you focus on the Dalmatian coast — Split, one island, and Dubrovnik. It's not enough to properly add Zagreb or Istria as well.
Should I rent a car in Croatia?
Yes, for the mainland — it makes Plitvice Lakes and the drive between Split and Dubrovnik far more flexible than public transport. You won't need a car on the islands themselves.
Is Zagreb worth including?
Yes, if you have 10+ days — it's a genuinely underrated capital that most coastal-only itineraries skip entirely.
How do I get between the islands?
Ferries (Jadrolinija is the main operator) connect Split, Hvar, Korčula and Vis — book ahead in summer as popular routes sell out.