How to spend an amazing 11 days in Croatia

Croatia truly is a magical destination and photographer's dream! If you’re dreaming of a place where sun-drenched coastlines, medieval towns, and turquoise waters collide—Croatia is probably on your travel bucket list. Whether you're a history buff, foodie, or just need a scenic place to unwind, Croatia delivers on every front.

We have visited Croatia twice - 2019 and 2025. And loved both times so much that we hope to return again! This itinerary is a combination of the best from both of these visits as a family with young children.

Tips and Insights

Before you leave home and arrive in Croatia here are a few things to consider:

• Croatia has moved to the euro - whilst you can use credit card in most locations and restaurants it is still handy to have some cash on you particularly for the smaller towns

• You won't need a vignette in Croatia but tolls for driving on the highways are paid at toll booths via cash or credit card

• Try and visit in the off-peak periods of May or September. During the peak summer months the tourist locations will be not only crowded by very hot!

• Parking in main tourist / Old Town locations can be a nightmare. We often plug in a public parking location into the GPS and factor in walking from the car park to the Old Town locations.

Day 1 - Zagreb

You will most likely arrive via the capital city Zagreb. Like most capital cities it has plenty of museums, historical sites, cathedrals, markets, cafes and main squares. Here are a few things to see and do whilst in Zagreb:

• Lotrščak Tower offers a panoramic view of the city—and if you’re there at noon, brace yourself: the Grič cannon fires every day like clockwork, a tradition dating back to the 19th century

• St. Mark’s Church, with its eye-catching tiled roof that proudly displays the coat of arms of Zagreb and Croatia

• Stroll down Tkalčićeva Street, Zagreb’s liveliest strip filled with cafés, bars, and boutiques

Accommodation: Recommend staying close to the Ban Jelacic Square. Met Boutique Hotel or Hotel Dubrovnik

Day 2 - Drive to Opatija (2 hrs)

Pick up a car in Zagreb and drive to Opatija. This is a beautiful seaside location to base yourself for a few days.

Accommodation: Heritage Imperial Hotel. This hotel is one of the oldest hotels on the coast and we had a balcony with wonderful views (see our Instagram post here). The breakfast is also one of the best we had and is in a beautiful ballroom. Parking is available onsite (which is needed if driving) but is about 20 euros per day.

Opatija is a coastal gem often called the "Pearl of the Adriatic"—and rightfully so. This charming town is all about old-world elegance, grand villas, and palm-lined promenades.

After checking into the hotel and parking the car (parking is difficult in town so make sure you get a hotel with parking!), wander along the Lungomare Promenade, a 12-kilometer coastal path that wraps around bays, cliffs, and stylish waterfront cafés and markets.

Dinner Recommendations - we had dinner at Lumber (recommend the pizzas and lumber burger), which is about 700m walk from the Heritage Imperial hotel. The food and service were great, and the prices were more reasonable than others that were closer to town.

Day 3 - Day trip to Krk Island

When people talk about Croatian islands, names like Hvar and Brač usually steal the spotlight. But tucked quietly in the northern Adriatic lies Krk Island—the largest island in Croatia but less flashy, more grounded, and every bit as beautiful. It’s a place where old towns meet olive groves, pebbled beaches meet turquoise waters, and time seems to stretch just a little longer. Krk isn’t loud or luxurious. It’s perfect for those who want the Croatian island experience without the crowds. Leaving Opatija early the drive to Krk is easy as it is connected by a large bridge and takes about 45 mins.

Krk - Our first stop was Krk town. Getting here early meant we could find a park close to town easily. The old town is easy to walk around with so much to see. From the medieval buildings such as the town hall and castle, old churches and the Cathedral of the Assumption. From the castle there is spectacular views of crystal waters. Make sure you grab some homemade ice cream from the town center for 2 euros.

Views from Krk Castle Walls

Baska Beach - Baska beach provides the opportunity to have a swim or just have a drink by the water. The water here is impossibly clear, and the surrounding cliffs make it feel like you’re swimming in a postcard. There are plenty of restaurants along the promenade or just relax and enjoy the sun!

Vbrnik- The tiny village of Vbrnik, perched dramatically on a cliff. This town is famous for Žlahtina, a crisp white wine you can only find in this region. We stopped at Ulika Winery for a late lunch. Highly recommend the sliced octopus! Vbrnik claims to have the narrowest street in the world!

Day 4 - Day trip to Rovinj and Pula (3 1/2 hrs round trip)

Ucka National Park - Leave early and on the way (30 mins from Optaija) drive up to Ucka Nature Park. The view from the peak of Vodjak is absolutely stunning and should not be missed!

Rovinj - Then head onto Rovinj (approximately 1 hr) which is known for its pastel-colored buildings, and harbour. Grab a coffee and wander into the Old Town, a maze of cobbled alleys filled with tiny art galleries, local shops, and cats that clearly own the place.

At the top of the hill sits St. Euphemia’s Church, which not only has a fascinating history (and a saint who allegedly floated here in a sarcophagus!) but also offers panoramic views of the Adriatic and nearby islands. If you’re up for it, climb the bell tower—it’s a bit creaky but so worth it.

Pula - 40 mins drive from Rovinj is Pula. If you want Roman / Italian vibes then Pula is the town for you. The first thing that hits you is the Pula Arena, a massive, incredibly well-preserved Roman amphitheater! You can also do a tour inside. From there, wander down to the Forum and check out the Temple of Augustus. Recommend grabbing a late lunch on the promenade - there are so many restaurants to choose from.

Pula amphitheater

Drive back to Opatija (1 1/2 hrs).

Day 5 - Drive to Plitvice Lakes (2 -2 1/2 hrs)

Driving away from the coastline you will head inland and deep in the heart of the country to Plitvice Lakes National Park. We spent a whole day here and after spending a day hiking its trails and gawking at its waterfalls, we can honestly say: it’s one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen or visited.

I would recommend leaving Opatija as early as possible. We arrived as soon as the park opened — trust me, arriving when the park opens (7 AM) or as early as possible is key if you want to avoid the crowds and tour buses.

• Pro Tips:

  • Buy your tickets on line to avoid disappointment

  • If you have time, arrive the night before (and add an extra day to the itinerary) and hit the park as soon as it opens the next day.

  • Recommend bringing a packed lunch and snacks as well as plenty of water - remember to take all rubbish with you.

  • Wear comfortable and good hiking boots - you will do a lot of walking.

  • Avoid the summer / peak periods to avoid crowds but noting that the water levels in the lakes may also be lower in summer.

  
  

There are two main entrances to the park (park map,) and there are multiple hiking routes (labeled A–K), ranging from a few hours to a full-day adventure. Routes A, B, and C all start at Entrance 1. Routes E, F and H all start at Entrance 2 and are basically the same as A, B, C only they travel in the opposite direction. Route K is a full day hike through the entire park.

We went with Entrance 1, which offers immediate views of the Lower Lakes and the iconic Veliki Slap (Big Waterfall and the postcard view point) — the tallest in Croatia at nearly 80 meters. By starting from Entrance 1, you are walking slightly uphill most of the way but you are walking towards the waterfalls on the lower lakes. That means that you always get to see them in front of you. We chose Route C - see below.

Route A

This trail starts at Entrance 1, goes downhill to the boardwalk trails where you will see Veliki Slap and waterfalls along the lower lakes. At Kozjak Bridge you turn around and then walk or take the shuttle back to Entrance 1.  2 – 3 hours, 3.5 km, easy.

Route B

This is similar A but you cross Kozjak Bridge, take the boat to the other side of Kozjak Lake, and return to Entrance 1 by shuttle or by the walking trail along the lake.  3 – 4 hours, 4 km, easy.

Route C

Route C is a continuation of B. Once you disembark the boat on the far side of Kozjak Lake, you walk the boardwalk trails along the upper lakes and waterfalls. Take the shuttle back to Entrance 1.  4 – 6 hours, 8 km, easy.

Route E

Starting at Entrance 2, you ride the boat across Kojzak Lake and walk the trails through the upper lakes and waterfalls, ending back at Entrance 2.  2 – 3 hours, 5.1 km, easy.

Route F

From Entrance 2, take the boat across Kozjak Lake and walk the trails around the lower lakes. To get back to Entrance 2 take the shuttle or walk the hiking trail.  3 – 4 hours, 4.6 km, easy.

Route H

Take the shuttle from Entrance 2 to the top of the upper lakes (St3). Walk the boardwalk trails along the upper lakes until you get back to Kozjak Lake. Ride the boat across Kozjak Lake and walk the trails along the lower lakes. From Entrance 1, ride the shuttle back to Entrance 2.  4 – 6 hours, 9 km, easy.

Route K

This is an 18.6 km walk through all of the lakes of the park. Basically, you are hiking around all of the lakes without taking the boat or shuttle.

Accommodation: we stayed at the Guest House Jandric

Day 6 - Drive to Zadar (1 1/2 hrs)

Accommodation: Lavandula - this property is close to the Old Town and has free parking on site.

Zadar is one of our favourite seaside towns in Croatia. Tucked along Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, Zadar has all the charm of a seaside escape, but it’s also a city with serious history — Roman ruins, medieval churches, experimental art, and a vibe that’s just the right mix of laid-back and lively.

If you are driving, then I would recommend parking in one of the public car parks close to the Old Town. Zadar’s Old Town is a delightful mix of Roman ruins, medieval churches, and Croatian café culture. Here are just a few things to see and do:

• Climb the city walls – restored in 2020

• St. Donatus Church – a 9th-century masterpiece and one of Croatia’s most important pre-Romanesque buildings

• St. Anastasia’s Cathedral – climb the bell tower for sweeping views of Zadar and the sea

• The Land Gate, erected in 1543, stands tall above the sea, adorned with a carved image of Saint Krševan on horseback and the lion of Saint Mark, symbol of the Republic of Venice

• Roman Forum is one of the oldest and largest in Croatia, and you can still see its original columns and stone foundations right in the middle of the city

• The Sea Gate, also known as the Gate of St. Krševan, was built in 1573 to commemorate the victory of the Christian army over the Ottoman Empire at Lepanto. As you pass through these gates, take in the stunning views of the city and its beautiful gardens, perched high on the walls

• Marvel at the Sun Salutation - Get ready to witness a spectacular play of light that will leave you mesmerized! The Sun Salutation is a masterpiece by the award-winning Zadar architect Nikola Bašic. This urban installation comprises three hundred multi-layered glass panels that absorb sunlight during the day and turn on at night, creating a breathtaking display of light. Recommend you experience the magic of Salutation to the Sun at night, with the soothing sounds of the Sea Organ in the background. It’s quite an experience!

Sun Salutation at night

• But our favourite place to visit in Zadar is the Sea Organ - designed by local architect Nikola Bašić, the Sea Organ is a series of marble steps that descend into the sea. Hidden beneath are pipes and chambers that use the movement of the waves to create haunting, harmonic tones. The result? The ocean literally sings to you. It is truly mesmerizing, and you will want to sit there and take it all in for hours!

Sea Organ at night

Need a swim after all that exploring? Head to Kolovare Beach, just a short walk from Old Town. It’s pebbly, clean, and offers both shady spots and clear, calm water. There are cafés and beach bars nearby, making it easy to turn a quick dip into an afternoon affair.

Day 7 - Drive to Split (via Sibenik or Krka National Park - 2 1/2 hrs)

Accommodation: Bambino Apartments. These apartments are wonderfully spacious with a full kitchen and washing machine. But more importantly they offer a free car park which is VERY important in Split. It was an easy 10 min walk into the old town.

Sibenik (1 hr drive from Zadar) - is tucked between Split and Zadar. This coastal city is a fortress town of steep alleys, medieval charm, and seriously stunning views. Your first stop has to be St. Michael’s Fortress, perched high above the town. The climb up is worth every step — the views over the terracotta rooftops and the shimmering bay are spectacular. Next stop, right at the heart of the Old Town is St. James’ Cathedral (Katedrala sv. Jakova) — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Krka National Park - Alternatively (or if you have time as well) you may want to add another famous National Park with amazing waterfalls to your itinerary - Krka National Park.

In 2019 we visited Plitvice so in 2025 we visited Krka National Park (but not the whole park). Whilst Plitvice is our preference, Krka provides a really relaxing and quiet (not so many visitors) alternative.

There are five entrances to Krka National Park:

• Lozovac (the main entrance) - you can access the Skradinski buk waterfall from this entrance. This entrance charged the full fee (which at the time of writing this article and our visit was 20 euros per adult)

• Skradin - this is a beautiful little town which is worth a visit on its own. To access the National Park from Skradin you will need to catch the ferry or hike 3.4km

• Roški slap waterfall/Laškovica

• Burnum/Puljane

• Kistanje/Krka monastery

We didn't have a full day so we decided to enter via Roški Slap, which was 14 euros per adult. Roski Slap is a 650-meter-long waterfall on a beautiful stretch of the Krka River. Beginning with shallow steps, it continues in a series of small cascades known as “the Necklaces” before becoming the 15-meter-high main waterfall. If you spend a couple of hours near the falls, you can see the pools change color from shades of blue to shades of green.

A short drive up from Roski Slap is the Manojlovac falls, which is the tallest and most spectacular waterfall at Krka National Park. With a drop of 59.6 metres, it is situated at the point where the river makes at a sharp turn. Hike up to the lookout point on the cliffs facing Manojlovac, from where you can see the most awe-inspiring sight of the falls, the steep river canyon, and the blue river flowing through it. It is one of the park’s most visited attractions as well as one of the most photographed

View of Manojlovac

In the afternoon, head towards Split. If you have time, stop by the small town of Trogir. It has a lovely Old Town to explore.

Day 8 - Explore Split

Start the day by heading into the Old Town. From our apartment, we were able to walk along the Riva Promenade, where you can walk along the sea, surrounded by palm trees, street performers, and endless cafés. This is Split’s social heartbeat and there are plenty of restaurants to stop for breakfast or a coffee.

Start your day in the heart of the city. The entire Old Town of Split is built into the remains of a 4th-century Roman palace. Diocletian’s Palace isn’t a single building — it’s a labyrinth of stone alleys, courtyards, columns, and secrets. Start with a visit to St. Domnius Cathedral, which is located within Diocletian’s Palace. This is the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world, completed in the 7th century AD. If you are up for a steep climb, buy tickets to climb the Bell Tower, for the best view over the city.

For lunch try Villa Spiza, a tiny but popular spot tucked into a narrow alley.

If it is hot, you may want to walk (approximately 10 mins from the center) to Bačvice Beach, a shallow, sandy bay where the locals hang out. The beach is casual, family-friendly, and has beach bars where you can rent loungers, grab a cocktail, or take a nap under an umbrella.

In the afternoon, if you have a car, head out to Klis Fortress. This ancient fortress has a long history, being the site of multiple battles with the Knights Templar, Ottomans, and the Mongols. Now, the ruins of the fortress sit high on the hillside, overlooking Split.  Not only does Klis Fortress offer panoramic views of Split and the Dalmatian Coast, but it is also the Game of Thrones filming location for Meereen.

Kliss Fortress

Day 9 - Take a tour to the islands

For today, we would highly recommend pre-booking a boat trip to some of the Croatian Islands. There are so many islands and tours to choose from. We have personally done the two outlined below and loved both.

A highlight of our 2025 trip was a speed boat tour to the Blue Cave, Kozima and Hvar Islands. We chose this particular speed boat as it was fully covered and shaded. A speed boat was necessary as the trip to the Blue Cave takes about 1 hr 45 mins. This is the first stop and the boats try to arrive early in the morning to beat the rush. Afterwards, the speed boat guide took us to the Blue Lagoon, Hvar and Kozima (aka Mamma Mia Island). We had free time at all locations. The speed boat goes very fast so it isn't a 'relaxing' day out. But it was fun and allows you to get to the outer islands.

Hold onto your hat!

In 2019, we did a slower paced boat trip (as we were travelling with a 14 month old at the time). On this tour we were taken to smaller coves for swimming, snorkeling with lunch included. This boat also had a slide on the back!

Both trips were great but very different!

Day 10 - Drive to Dubrovnik (via Omis 3 - 4hrs)

If you are driving, then today you will see some amazing views of the coastline and it will be hard not to stop along the way! If you do have time, stop off at any of the Plazas or beaches to soak up some sun and enjoy the views!

The first stop should be Omis - this sleepy little seaside town is great to walk around. Make sure you stop by the amazing little bakery / pastry shop called 'Gemelli'. OMG!

Arrive in Dubrovnik around lunchtime, check into your hotel and relax.

Day 11 - Visit Dubrovnik

Accommodation: La Vita e Bella V

Start early to beat the cruise ships and tour groups. Enter through the Pile Gate, one of the main entrances to the Old Town, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another century. The streets are paved with polished white limestone, and every alley leads to something beautiful — a centuries-old church, a hidden café, or a view of the sea that stops you in your tracks.

No visit to Dubrovnik is complete without walking its iconic medieval city walls, which stretch for about 2 kilometers around the Old Town. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours at a relaxed pace — longer if you stop for photos (which you will, often) or there is a crowd.

From up here, you’ll get:

• 360° views of red-tiled rooftops

• The deep blue Adriatic stretching out to infinity

• Tiny gardens, church towers, and fortress views

Pro tip: Go early, bring water, and wear sunscreen as there’s little shade but endless beauty. Pre-book tickets if possible here.

After the wall walk, you will need to take a break. Stop by one of the cafés lining Gundulićeva Square or tucked in the alleys off the Stradun.

Dubrovnik has no shortage of great places to eat, but if you want lunch with a serious view, head to Panorama Restaurant, at the top of the Dubrovnik Cable Car. Take the quick ride up to Mount Srđ, and you’ll be rewarded with a bird’s-eye view of the Old Town and the islands.

In the afternoon, Even if you’re not a superfan, it’s fun to recognize filming locations from Game of Thrones around the Old Town. You can do a guided tour, or find your own way to:

• Fort Lovrijenac (aka the Red Keep)

• Jesuit Stairs where Cersei’s walk of shame began

• The Pile Gate where many key scenes were shot.

Day 12 - Fly Home

If you have more time, then you may want to consider visiting:

• A day trip to Montenegro (2 hrs to Kotor from Dubrovnik)

• A day trip to Mostar (2 hrs from Split) - refer to our separate blog on visiting Bosnia

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out.

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