Ultimate Croatia Itinerary 5 Days

There are so many amazing things to see in Croatia! I recently spent a week there and could have easily stayed for a month. I’ve pulled together my top recommendations for my ultimate five days in Croatia itinerary. Five days allows you to see many of the Croatian highlights, like Dubrovnik, Split & the islands.

Disclaimer: This article contains some links where I earn commission through booking. There is no extra cost to you, and I only recommend things I’ve used and love or places I’ve stayed and enjoyed!

Day 1: Split

Split is a great place to start your trip. It’s a must-see in Croatia and is easily accessible with an international airport. Split is a coastal city in Croatia that is known for it’s impressive history, lively night life & seaside Adriatic views. It also makes a great home base for taking day trips to other areas of Croatia.

Split is a small city, so you can explore most of the highlights on your first day, details below!

Where to Stay in Split

The two main neighborhoods of Split are Diocletian’s Palace & Riva. The two are right next to each other and the whole area is easily walkable. I definitely recommend staying in this area of Split, it’s also close to the bus station where the airport shuttle drops you off.

On my most recent trip I stayed at Procurator 7 Hotel it’s located right in Diocletian’s palace/Riva area. The hotel was simple, but clean and the location was convenient. It also had a rooftop terrace with excellent views.

Explore Diocletian’s Palace

Diocletian’s Palace was built by the infamous Roman Emperor, Diocletian, who is most well known for being the only Roman Emperor to ever abdicate power. He built his palace on the Split Coast a retirement plan, and as a strategic port for the Roman Empire.

Over the centuries the city of Split has built on, in an around Diocletian’s Palace. Now the area is a mix of historical preserved locations and hotels, shops and restaurants that have become part of the palace itself.

This area is filled with winding, stunning white stone alleys meant for wandering. I recommend getting out early before the crowds arrive. Some of the highlights to see are:

• the four “gates” (Gold, Bronze, Silver & Iron)
• Cathedral of St. Domnius & the Bell Tower – the Bell Tower can be climbed, but I prefer the view from here. It allows you to see the entire Split skyline and coast, including the bell tower.
• the basement of the palace, which is where the scenes of Game of Thrones are filmed where Daenerys Targaryen locks up her dragons while in Meereeen

Wander Through Riva

Riva is the oceanside neighborhood in Split. The strip is filled with a series of restaurants/lounges that all have outdoor patios that are the perfect place to grab lunch and an afternoon cocktail after exploring Diocletian’s Palace.

Check Out Klis Fortress

If you love a good panoramic view, or are a Game of Thrones fan, I recommend taking the trip to Kils Fortress from downtown Split.

Klis Fortress is located on a mountain about 20 minutes north of Split and offers a stunning view of the city and the Aegean beyond. It’s gained recent popularity after Game of Thrones filmed scenes that took place in Meereen there.

In real life, the fortress has been around for thousands of years and has been occupied by a variety of leaders, including the Roman Empire and Croatian Kings.

To enter and wander around Klis you’ll need to purchase a ticket, it costs about $10 for adults. It can be reached by car if you’ve rented one. Otherwise, it’s a fairly cheap taxi/Uber ride.

There are several local bus lines that go to Klis Fortress. This was how I got there but it was not a pleasant experience. The bus to get there was over an hour late based on what was on the timetable and the return bus never came!

Catch the Best Sunset in Split

Split has some insane sunsets, but there is one spot you can’t miss for the best sunset views!  Teraca Vidilica is a must on your trip to Split. It’s about a 15 minute walk from the Diocletian’s Palace (mostly uphill, but so worth it!)

If you can get a table or reservation I highly recommend having dinner and drinks here, if not, there is a public viewing area right next to it with the same views.

Day 2: Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice Lakes is one of the most incredible places in Croatia, and I highly recommend visiting during your trip. It can be visited as a day trip from Split, so you don’t need to switch hotels after one day, you can explore Plitvice as a day trip then head back to Split for a night out.

Plitvice Lakes Day Trip

Plitvice Lake is a little over three hours from Split, so it’s a bit of a long day trip, but I still highly recommend it. You have two options – either rent a car and make your own day trip, or take a guided tour.

By Guided Tour

On my recent trip I took this guided tour. It leaves Split early in the morning and you take a bus with a small group to Pltivice. The bus ride is a bit long, but they stop halfway there for a snack & bathroom break. Once there the guide handles your tickets and takes you on the path through the lakes.

I found this tour super convenient and easier than renting a car. We were able to see all 16 lakes, and the route we went was preferable in that we made our way down from the least impressive to most impressive lakes. We also didn’t have to deal with parking at one end of the park, finishing the hike at the other and making our way back to the car, as the bus dropped and picked us off at either end.

By Car

If you’d prefer to have your own car that’s totally doable as well. Some things to know:

• There are several parking lots at Plitvice. I recommend parking at Parking lot 2 – can be found on the map here. 
• Parking costs 8 HRK an hour
• Definitely buy tickets in advance, because they sell out (particularly in the high season)
• Ticket prices vary based on season. During peak season (Jun-Sep) you’ll pay the most, around 40 Euro. Shoulder season (Apr, May, Oct) it’s about 24 Euro. Off season offers the cheapest prices at 11 Euro (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar)
• Plitvice is comprised of 16 lakes. The upper lakes are made up of 12 lakes and the lower area has 4 lakes. If you’re short on time or don’t want to walk a lot, definitely prioritize the lower lakes – they are much more impressive than the upper set. This is where you’ll find the most dramatic waterfalls and bluest waters.
• If you have more time to explore and want to see the whole park I recommend Trail C. It covers all 16 lakes and takes about 4 hours. This route also includes a tram and boat ride (both included in your ticket)

Dinner at one of Split’s Best Restaurants

After a long day trip I recommend dinner at one of the many restaurant options in Diocletian’s Palace. I went to To Je Tako, a Mexican restaurant.

This place is small, with colorful little tables spilling onto the street. They don’t take reservations and they’re cash only. Expect to find lines outside, but it’s worth the wait if you don’t mind! If you’re in a larger group this is probably not the place for you as you’ll have a hard time getting a big table.

The whole experience was great & I definitely recommend checking this place out if you can. But there are tons of great options in Diocletian’s Palace if you don’t want to wait!

Experience Split’s Infamous Nightlife

Split is well known for it’s crazy nightlife and is a destination for younger groups looking to party. There are great organized bar crawls if you don’t want to explore on your own. It’s also a good way to meet other people.

Some of the best spots to check out:

• Charlie’s Bar – casual cocktails to start the night
• Inbox Club – must see Beach bar in the Riva neighborhood
• Vanilla Club – indoor club/lounge
• Trop Club – beach bar known as a late night spot

Day 3: Korčula

I recommend spending at least one day of your trip visiting a Croatian island. I visited Korčula on my most recent trip, and highly recommend it. It’s also easy to visit from Split (and a good stop on your way to Dubrovnik!)

Alternatively, you visit Hvar instead of Korčula. Hvar is known more for it’s party scene, while Korčula  is a bit more low key. I personally recommend Korčula, but both are great options. This itinerary covers spending day 3 in Korčula.

Getting to Korčula from Split

Korčula can be reached from Split by ferry. Ferries run daily and take about three hours. The scenery is great too! I always book my ferries through Ferry Hopper. They compare prices & times across all ferry companies, so you get the best deal. The ferry also offers excellent views of the Croatian coast.

Where to Stay in Korčula 

There are many areas of Korčula island, but I recommend staying in the Old Town area. This is where the majority of hotels and restaurants are, also it is where the ferry docks. I stayed at  Aminess Korčula Heritage Hotel. It was right on the harbor and super convenient for exploring the Old Town. This area also serves as a good base for exploring the rest of Korčula.

Spend a Relaxing Day at La Banya

I recommend heading to La Banya Beach Club, and spending a relaxing day by the ocean or enjoying their pool. They serve food & drinks as well. You can rent a cabana or some lounge chairs by the water.

Explore the Old Town

For the late afternoon/evening you can explore Korčula’s charming Old Town. It’s small and filled with winding alleys that offer stunning glimpses of the Adriatic. There are a bunch of restaurants with ocean & sunset views to spend an evening after your relaxing day in Korčula.

Top Recommendations:

• De Canavellis – this restaurant is on the Kanavelić Tower and offers stunning views
• Wine Bar Roco – great ambiance
• G&T Club Lounge Bar – located the at the Aminess Heritage Hotel this lounge/patio is a great place for drinks after dinner

Day 4: Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a can’t miss on your trip to Croatia! I recommend spending you last two days exploring all that Dubrovnik has to offer. Dubrovnik has an international airport, making it a good place to end your trip.

Day 4 you’ll spend traveling from Korčula to Dubrovnik. After that I recommend relaxing on the beach before dinner in the Old Town, details below!

Getting to Dubrovnik from Korčula 

You’ll need to take the ferry from Korčula to Dubrovnik. It takes about two hours and runs several times a day. I like to use Ferry Hopper to compare prices and timetables across different ferry operators.

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik

I cannot recommend Rixos Premium Dubrovnik enough. This stunning five star resort is where I stayed on my most recent trip. The property and the views are unreal, and Dubrovnik’s infamous Old Town is an easy 15 minute walk or a quick cab ride.

Spend a Relaxing Day on the Adriatic

I recommend using the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the Dubrovnik Coast. If you’re staying at the Rixos Premium you don’t need to leave the resort to enjoy the water. The hotel offers a stunning patio/pool area that also has access to a rocky little beach (Dubrovnik’s beaches are generally rocky vs. sandy)

If you’re hotel doesn’t have beach access you can check out one of Dubrovnik’s beaches. Some of my favorites are:

• Beach Šulić – situated right next to the main gate (Pile) entrance to the Old Town. This rocky, little beach is a great place for a swim and cocktail.
• Banje Beach – located on the other side of Old Town from Beach Šulić, popular Banje Beach is a busy beach during the day that turns into a night club as the sun sets.
• You can see a full list of local Dubrovnik beaches here.

Grab Dinner with a View in Dubovnik’s Old Town

As the sun begins to set head towards Dubrovnik’s Old Town to grab dinner with a view. My top recommendation would be Dubravka Restaurant and Cafe. It offers a wide menu, good food and stunning views. Reservations can be made here.

Day 5: Dubrovnik

I recommend using your second day in Dubrovnik to explore the UNESCO Heritage site Old Town and its infamous walls. Make sure to get there early to beat the crowds, so you can explore at your own pace!

Walk the Walls of the Old Town

Head to the Old Town Walls right when they open to beat some of the crowds and explore at your own pace. Walking the Old Town Walls is a can’t miss experience while you’re in Dubrovnik. The walls encircle the entire Old Town and offer the best views of the infamous red roofs.

A ticket costs about $40 and can be purchases right at the entrance to the walls. Depending on your pace, it will take about an hour to walk the walls. Although I do recommend stopping at one of the cafes along the walls and have a drink or a coffee while taking some time to enjoy the view!

Explore Old Town

After finishing walking the walls of Dubrovnik you can explore the Old Town from the ground. Wander through the charming alleys, and check out some of the many shops and restaurants!

Catch the Best Sunset in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik has some of the best sunsets in Croatia, and the absolute best spot to see the sunset in Dubrovnik is at the Panorama restaurant. Definitely make reservations, because this place gets super busy. If you can’t get into the restaurant the whole area around it is perfect for watching sunset (and free!)

To get there you can take the cable car to the top. Details on the cable car can be found here. Check the site for up to date prices and to confirm it is running! It closes for the off season. A round trip ticket costs around $30!

I was running short on time, so I took an Uber and it was super quick & cheap! It ended up costing less (or about the same) for an Uber each way vs. taking the cable car.

Croatia 5 Day Itinerary Map

Check out my full Croatia travel guide here!