14 Days in Croatia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Discover Croatia: Zagreb, Istria, Plitvice, & Dalmatia

This 14-day adventure covers the highlights of Croatia, from the north to the south and from the Dalmatian Coast to the inland national parks.

Begin by exploring Zagreb's sites such as Tkalčićeva street and St. Mark's Square on your own. Head north from the capital on day two to Varazdin to see the impressive Trakošćan Castle. From there, you'll turn south toward Istria on day three to visit the hilltop village of Motovun, nestled among truffle country.

Spend day four hunting for truffles outside of Motovun and keep your fingers crossed for black gold. On days five and six, you'll transfer to Grabovac and Plitvice Lakes National Park where you will see the lush waterfalls and lakes on day seven, but will also have the opportunity to go horseback riding, cycling or rock climbing before overnighting in a treehouse. 

Drive to Split on day eight for your first glimpse of Dalmatia where you'll explore the Old Town including Diocletian's Palace and the Bronze Gate. Pick up the pace on day nine with a cycling tour of Split which will visit Marjan Park as well as cover the highlights. Visit Krka National Park on day ten where you can swim in the lakes, but you'll want to make it to notable Skradinski Buk waterfall, which is the last of seven.

Take a cooking class in the UNESCO-appointed port town of Trogir where you'll learn to prepare traditional Dalmatian cuisine on day eleven. Continue south to Dubrovnik on day twelve where you can spend a leisurely day walking the city walls, sipping local wine and eating delicious fresh seafood dishes. Cap off your trip with a visit to Srđ Mountain on day thirteen which provides breathtaking views of Dubrovnik Old Town and the nearby Elefiti Islands. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Classic Croatia: Zagreb, Plitvice, Brač, & Dubrovnik

This two-week trip is a great route for first-time travelers to Croatia and includes a day trip to nearby Montenegro. Beginning in the capital of Zagreb, experience the best highlights of the Dalmatian coast all the way to its most popular city, Dubrovnik.

Arrive in Zagreb with time to explore the city's sites such as Tkalčićeva street and St. Mark's Square on your own. Head north from the capital on day two to Zagorje and Varazdin to see the impressive Trakošćan Castle.

On day three, you'll turn south to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park where you will see the lush waterfalls and lakes that are beloved by so many. Continue south to Zadar on day four where you'll find the Monument to the Sun as well as the famous Sea Organ. Transfer to Krka National Park, which is similar to Plitvice but allows swimming and is home to notable  Skradinski Buk waterfall, before arriving in Split on day five.

You'll take a historic walking tour of Split on day six to cover all of the must-see highlights such as the Bronze Gate and Diocletian's Palace. Ferry to Brač on day seven where you'll wander through Bol and see impressive structures such as the Blacka Monastery. 

On day eight, you have a guided tour of Dragon's Cave before changing into your swimsuit for a leisurely afternoon on the Bol Promenade or sunbathing at Zlatni Rat Beach. Ferry to Hvar on day nine where you'll hike the Lavendar Road from stone village to stone village for a beautiful day in nature. Enjoy some of the island's best wines on day ten with visits to the Tomić, Duboković or Plenković wineries.

Ferry to Dubrovnik on day eleven where you can enjoy the city by walking the walls, sipping wine with a view or wandering the smooth white stone streets. You'll take a historic walking tour on day twelve, so don't worry about covering the highlights on your own. Take a day trip to Montenegro to see the stunning Bay of Kotor on day thirteen before departing Croatia from Dubrovnik. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Best of Croatia & Slovenia: Zagreb, Ljubljana, Istria, & Dalmatia

Experience the best of Slovenia and Croatia on this 14-day tour. Beginning and ending in Zagreb, you'll work through Slovenia from relaxed Ljubljana to its pristine lakes and rugged mountains of Triglav National Park, before turning your attention to Croatia's Istrian Peninsula and Dalmatian Coast.

After two days of touring Zagreb, head north from the capital on day two to Zagorje and Varazdin to see the impressive Trakošćan Castle.

On day three, you'll drive two hours west to the beautiful capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, where you have the day to explore the city on your own after checking into your hotel. Spend the day taking in notable Lake Bohinj and Lake Bled on day four with the opportunity to climb up to the castle with the Julian Alps in the background.

From Ljubljana, drive south to Rovinj within the Croatian Istrian peninsula where you can discover the colorful, Venetian-influenced Old Town on day five. Move between three of the best inland, hilltop villages on the peninsula with the most notable being Motovun on day six. On day seven, you'll venture back to coastal Istria to Fažana and Brijuni National Park for Roman ruins and a Byzantine fortress. 

Drive to Plitvice Lakes National Park on day eight and enjoy walking the winding paths between the lush waterfalls and lakes. Rise early on day nine for a sunrise over the waterfalls before heading to Zadar to see the renowned Monument to the Sun as well as the famous Sea Organ. On day ten, you'll continue south the Split with a stop in Šibenik before taking in the Bronze Gate, Iron Gate and Diocletian's Palace upon checking into your hotel in Split.

Catch the ferry on day eleven to explore Korčula's Old Town, Bishop's Treasury, and St. Mark's Cathedral. Transfer to Dubrovnik by ferry on day twelve with time to yourself upon arrival. A drink at Buza Bar is a wise choice and a must-see while in the "Pearl of the Adriatic" just as walking the city walls are. See all of the best sites on day thirteen on a historic walking tour on your last day in Croatia. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Classic Croatia: Dubrovnik, Korčula, Split, & Zagreb

Spend 14 days heading north through Croatia, taking in many of the popular highlights. Begin in southern Dalmatian's "Pearl of the Adriatic," Dubrovnik before working your way up the coast through the wine region of Pelješac Peninsula and to the islands of Korčula, Hvar, and Vis, ending your stay in Zagreb.

Spend your first day at leisure in Dubrovnik, walking the city walls or eating amazing seafood after checking into your hotel. On day two, you'll cover all of the best sites on a historic walking tour. Head to Konavle for a day of wine tasting at Crvik, Ljubić family and Karaman family's wineries. On day four, you'll continue through the Pelješac Peninsula, which is known for its robust red wines and fresh oysters in Ston. 

When you're ready, you'll continue on by ferry to Korčula, where you overnight and have day five on your own. Head south on day six from Korčula Town to Lumbarda for a cycling wine tour of the village. Continue on to Hvar by ferry on day seven for an afternoon of sea kayaking the fourteen Pakleni Islands.

Take a day trip from Hvar for a full day of sailing around Vis with plenty of chances to take a dip in the cool Adriatic waters on day eight. You'll stop at Biševo Island, Ravnik Island and visit the village of Komiža. On day nine, ferry to Split where you will take a guided historical city walking tour to see and learn about the top sites like the Bronze Gate and  Diocletian's Palace. Swim among the pristine waters of Krka National Park before venturing to the ancient coastal city of Šibenik on day ten.

From Split, you'll drive to Zadar on day eleven where you'll find the Monument to the Sun and the Sea Organ. Continue north to Plitvice Lakes National Park on day twelve where you will hike from lush waterfall to waterfall and lake. Transfer to Croatia's capital on day thirteen where you have time to wander the picturesque city, tour the Museum of Broken Relationships or see St. Mark's Square. Transfer to the airport on day fourteen, which is a half-hour drive in normal traffic conditions. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Croatia Multisport: Zagreb, Plitvice, Paklenica, Hvar & Dubrovnik

For the active adventurer, two weeks of high-octane fun through the landscapes of Croatia is a perfect fit. Start your adventure in the capital of Zagreb before working your way down the Dalmatian Coast. Along the way, you'll marvel at the beauty of Plitvice Lakes, raft the rapids of the Zrmanja River, and hike part of the popular Paklenica National Park.

Wander the streets of Zagreb on day one to find Upper Town, St. Mark's Square and the Museum of Broken Relationships. On day two, venture down to Plitvice Lakes National Park with a stop at the watermill town of Rastoke for a day of hiking the trails along the stunning waterfalls and lakes. Raft and kayak the waters of the Zrmanja River on day three before arriving in Novigrad for the night where you can relax in the quiet bay.

A guided hike in Paklenica National Park is arranged for day four, which promises to be a stunning day of climbing limestone cliffs to incredible views. Drive to Zadar to overnight where you'll find the Monument to the Sun as well as the famous Sea Organ. Head to Split with a pit stop in the beautiful town of Šibenik on day five, but save time to see Diocletian's Palace, the Bronze Gate and the Iron Gate in Split.

On day six, take to the Cetina River for rafting, canyoning and zip-lining, with the highest being 492 feet (150 m), provide amazing bird's eye views, for a full day of adrenaline-pumping adventure. Ferry from Split to Hvar on day seven with time to see the Old Town and take in a sunset from Španjola Fortress overlooking the nearby Pakleni Islands. 

Sea kayak around the Pakleni Islands on day eight with tons of time for swimming, snorkeling and enjoying the coastal landscape. Spend day nine exploring Korčula's Old Town and its sites such as the Land Gate and St. Mark's Cathedral. On day ten, you'll embark on a cycling wine tour to Lumbarda with a visit to Bire Winery. Hike through Pelješac Peninsula on day eleven before transferring to Dubrovnik later in the afternoon. Enjoy seeing and learning all about the "Pearl of the Adriatic" during a historical walking tour on day twelve. Head just outside of the city on your last day in Croatia to Konavle for visits to Crvik, Ljubić family and the Karaman family's award-winning wineries. Learn more

More Great 14-Day Croatia Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Croatia trip? Check out these other 14-day Croatia itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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