Updated May 2025. Originally published October 2018.
After putting together this first-timer’s 10-day itinerary to Croatia, it had me missing our time here this summer. Croatia has one of the most beautiful coastlines I’ve seen, and I loved how relaxed the setting was. I can see why so many flock here during the warmer months.
The days were spent under the sun, jumping into the water, and enjoying the local food and wine. Croatia has a ton of destinations on offer and this itinerary is really only a sample of what there is to see. We opted for the “hits” as they had been on our bucket list. Next time we go, we will definitely branch out to see more!
Short on Time? Here is the Ultimate Croatia Itinerary for 10 Days:
Stop 1: Dubrovnik — 4 nights
Explore the historic city, take the cable car for panoramic views, visit museums, relax on local beaches, and take a day trip to Mostar.
- Hotel Excelsior, for the best luxury waterfront hotel
- St. Joseph’s, for the best Old Town hotel
- Grand Villa Argentina, for design for dollar hotel
- 2 Bedroom Condo with Private Terrace, for the best views
- 2 Bedroom Loft with Old Town View, for the best modern stay
- 2 Bedroom Renovated Apartment with Terrace, for the best updated stay
Stop 2: Hvar — 3 nights
Discover the island’s beauty, relax on beaches, rent scooters to explore, or find a secluded bay to unwind.
- Palace Elisabeth, Hvar Heritage Hotel, for the best luxury hotel
- Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel, for the best waterfront Hvar Town hotel
- The Moeesy Blue & Green Oasis Hotel, for the best new hotel
- 2 Bedroom Spacious Apartment, for the best clean stay
- 2 Bedroom Waterfront Apartment, for the best oceanfront stay
- 4 Bedroom Historical House, for the best group stay
Stop 3: Split — 3 nights
Wander through the bustling city, visit Diocletian’s Palace, and take a day trip to Plitvice Falls.
- Hotel Vestibul Palace, for the best overall hotel
- Briig Boutique Hotel, for the best boutique modern stay
- Hotel Ambassador, for the best luxury hotel
- 2 Bedroom Imperial-Style Apartment, for the best elegant stay
- 2 Bedroom Modern Apartment, for the best walkable stay
- 2 Bedroom Stone Townhouse, for the best historic stay
Travel Tips
- Get Cell Data Before You Arrive — We use Holafly unlimited data eSIMs (5% off!) for all international travel.
- Book an Airport Transfer in Advance — We use Welcome Pickups for our private transfers to and from the airport.
Helpful Guides to Plan Your Trip
Planning a trip to Croatia? Don’t miss my travel guides for Dubrovnik, Hvar, and Split and my recommendations for the best hotels in Dubrovnik and Hvar!
The First-Timer’s Croatia 10 Day Itinerary
Good to Know Before Traveling to Croatia
There is a lot to consider before traveling to Croatia, so I created an all-inclusive blog post that has my top tips for traveling to Croatia, check it out!
10 Days in Croatia: Dubrovnik – Hvar – Split
Day 1: Land in Dubrovnik
The first day always it a whirlwind. I like to get settled in our place, clean up, and head out for a walk around town. If you get in early, I’d recommend heading to the outer-wall to catch sunset.
Read: The Ultimate Dubrovnik Guide
Day 2: Exploring Dubrovnik
With an easily walkable city, you can spend a few hours early in the morning soaking in the ambiance pre-crowds. Some of my favorite things we did were taking the cable car up to the overlook, going to the War Photo Limited Museum, and sunbathing at the local beaches.
Read: A Four Night Itinerary to Dubrovnik
Day 3: A Day trip to Mostar
With close proximity to neighboring countries, we opted to go on a day trip to Mostar with a guided group. It was great as everything was arranged and just needed to bring our passports. It’s a full day event which is great as you get to see a ton along the way.
Read: Visiting Mostar for the Day
Day 4: Relaxing in Dubrovnik
With a few busy days prior, we opted for a full day in Dubrovnik to just chill. We woke up late, went to our favorite beach, Danče Beach for a full day of relaxing.
Day 5: Dubrovnik to Hvar
Seasonally you can grab a ferry that goes direct to Hvar island from Dubrovnik. It’s the perfect way to get there and incredibly scenic. After we got to Hvar, we grabbed lunch at Fig Cafe and walked to Hvar Beach.
Read: The Ultimate Guide to Hvar, Croatia
Day 6: Hvar Island
There is so much to see on the island — you could post up on a beach, rent scooters and explore, or find a secluded bay to relax on.
Day 7: Hvar Island
We opted for a day of relaxing here as we were both under the weather and we honestly could have spent a full week here. There is so much to see and it’s stunning.
Day 8: Hvar Island to Split
Grab a quick ferry to Split, one of the most bustling cities in all of Croatia. Once there, we spent most of the day just getting lost in the streets and popping into the local boutiques.
Read: How to Spend 48 Hours in Split
Day 9: Split
On our last day, we opted to see Diocletian’s Palace at sunrise (pre-crowds) and it was completely worth it. We were supposed to take a day trip to Plitvice Falls, but the weather had other plans. I would still say the day trip was the right call, but I will have to save something for next time!
Day 10: Head Home
Make your way home by way of Split or continue on to other neighboring cities or countries!
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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
1 Comment
Looking for a trip for me and my wife!