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How many days in Croatia? A 7-day route from Zagreb to Dubrovnik
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Croatia runs from the green, continental north around Zagreb to 1,700 km of Adriatic coast and more than a thousand islands. Seven days fits the classic north-to-south route: Zagreb, the waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes, the sunset city of Zadar, the falls of Krka, Diocletian's palace in Split with a day on Hvar, and the walled city of Dubrovnik. Travel one way (fly into Zagreb, out of Dubrovnik) and use buses, a car or ferries along the coast.
Short answer
Five days covers Zagreb or Plitvice, Split and Dubrovnik. Seven days lets you add Zadar, Krka and an island.
The 7-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Zagreb
Morning. Walk the Upper Town (Gornji Grad): St Mark's Church with its tiled coat-of-arms roof, the Stone Gate shrine, and the Lotrščak Tower, where a cannon fires at noon every day. Ride the funicular, one of the world's shortest (66 metres).
Afternoon. Visit the Museum of Broken Relationships (about €7), a collection of objects donated by people after break-ups, then the Dolac market under red umbrellas and Ban Jelačić Square.
Evening. Have dinner in Tkalčićeva street, lined with bars and restaurants, and try štrukli, baked cheese pastry.
In December, Zagreb's Advent market has been voted one of Europe's best Christmas markets.
Day 2: Plitvice Lakes National Park
Morning. Travel about 2 hours by bus or car to Plitvice Lakes (UNESCO), 16 terraced lakes linked by waterfalls in shades of turquoise. Book a timed entry online; tickets cost about €40 in summer and less out of season.
Afternoon. Follow the wooden boardwalks of the lower and upper lakes (routes take 3-6 hours), including the Veliki Slap, the largest waterfall (78 m), and a short electric boat across Kozjak, the biggest lake. Swimming is forbidden.
Evening. Sleep near the park (Mukinje, Rastovača) to start early the next morning, or continue to Zadar (about 2 hours).
Arrive at opening: by 10:00 in summer the boardwalks are crowded with tour groups.
Day 3: Zadar
Morning. Drive or take the bus to Zadar (about 2 hours). Walk the Roman Forum and the 9th-century round church of St Donatus, and climb the cathedral bell tower for the view.
Afternoon. Swim from the stone promenade or take a boat to the nearby islands of Ugljan or the Kornati archipelago (day trips).
Evening. Sit on the steps of the Sea Organ, whose pipes play sounds created by the waves, and watch the sunset that Alfred Hitchcock reportedly called the most beautiful in the world. After dark, the Greeting to the Sun, a solar-powered circle of glass panels, lights up.
Zadar is a cheaper and quieter base than Split for exploring the northern Dalmatian coast.
Day 4: Krka National Park and Šibenik
Morning. Drive about 1 hour to Krka National Park (about €40 in summer), with the Skradinski Buk waterfalls and boardwalks; swimming has been banned since 2021. Take the boat from Skradin into the park.
Afternoon. Visit Šibenik and its Cathedral of St James (UNESCO), built entirely of stone without mortar, with 71 sculpted heads on its apse, then continue to Split (about 1 hour).
Evening. Arrive in Split and walk along the Riva waterfront at night.
Go early to Krka; the Lozovac entrance has more parking than Skradin.
Day 5: Split
Morning. Explore Diocletian's Palace, built by the Roman emperor around AD 300 and still lived in, with shops and homes within its walls: the Peristyle, the Cathedral of St Domnius (originally the emperor's mausoleum) and the cellars.
Afternoon. Climb Marjan Hill for the view over the city and the islands, and swim at Kašjuni or Bačvice, a sandy beach where locals play picigin, a ball game in shallow water.
Evening. Have dinner in the old town, then a drink on the Riva.
See the separate Split guide for more detail on the city and its day trips.
Day 6: Hvar
Morning. Take a fast catamaran from Split to Hvar town (about 1 hour). Climb to the Fortica fortress for the view over the harbour and the Pakleni Islands.
Afternoon. Take a water taxi to the Pakleni Islands for coves and beach bars, or visit the lavender fields and the old town of Stari Grad (UNESCO-listed plain).
Evening. Return to Split on the evening catamaran, or stay on Hvar for its nightlife.
In summer, book catamaran tickets online in advance; boats sell out at peak times.
Day 7: Dubrovnik
Morning. Travel to Dubrovnik (about 4-4.5 hours by bus along the coast, or by catamaran in summer). The road passes briefly through Bosnia and Herzegovina at Neum, so keep your passport handy, though the new Pelješac Bridge now bypasses it for many routes.
Afternoon. Walk the city walls in the late afternoon, when the cruise ships have left, and the Stradun.
Evening. Sunset at the Buža cliff bar or the Srđ cable car. See the separate Dubrovnik guide for a full plan.
Fly home from Dubrovnik to avoid driving back up the coast.
Only have 5 days?
With 5 days, skip Zagreb and Zadar: fly into Split, go to Krka or Plitvice as a day trip, then Hvar and Dubrovnik.
Got extra days?
With more time, add Istria in the north-west (Rovinj, Pula's Roman arena, truffle hill towns), the island of Korčula, or a sailing week through the Dalmatian islands.
Where to stay in Croatia
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Apartments (sobe) in each town | Private rooms and apartments, the best value in Croatia. | €60-100 |
| Mid-range | Old towns of Zadar and Split | Walk to the sights and the ferries. | €120-200 |
| Mid-range | Near Plitvice | Guesthouses that allow an early start in the park. | €80-140 |
| Comfort | Boutique hotels in Split and Dubrovnik | Historic buildings with sea views. | €250-500 |
Getting around
Croatia's buses are frequent and cover all of this route; a rental car gives more freedom for Plitvice and Krka. Jadrolinija and other operators run ferries and catamarans to the islands and along the coast. Zagreb, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik have airports. Croatia uses the euro and is in the Schengen area.
What to eat in Croatia
Croatian food changes from north to south. In Zagreb: štrukli, purica s mlincima (turkey with baked pasta) and kremšnita (custard cake from nearby Samobor). On the coast: grilled fish, black risotto, pašticada (beef braised in wine) and peka, meat or octopus slow-cooked under a bell covered with embers, which must be ordered in advance. Try Pag cheese, pršut (cured ham) and local wines such as Plavac Mali and Pošip. Dinners cost €20-40 per person, more in Dubrovnik and Hvar.
Best time to visit
May, June and September, with highs of 23-28°C on the coast, warm sea and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy, with high prices. Plitvice is spectacular in autumn colours and, with snow, in winter, but the coast is quiet and many island services stop from November to March.
Month-by-month weather for Croatia →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | €35 | €75 | €200 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €45 | €90 |
| Parks, boats & sights | €15 | €40 | €80 |
| Buses, ferries, car share | €15 | €30 | €60 |
| Total per person, per day | about €90 | about €190 | about €430 |
Approximate 2026 high-season prices in euros. Croatia charges a small tourist tax per person per night.
Before you go
Common questions
Plitvice or Krka?
Plitvice for the most spectacular lakes and waterfalls; Krka is closer to the coast and easier as a day trip from Split or Zadar. With time, see both.
Can I swim at Plitvice or Krka?
No. Swimming is banned in Plitvice, and at Krka's Skradinski Buk it has been banned since 2021 to protect the falls.
Do I need a car in Croatia?
Not necessarily: buses connect all the main places. A car is easier for the national parks and quieter villages.
Which island should I visit?
Hvar for beauty and nightlife, Brač for the Zlatni Rat beach, Korčula for the medieval town, Vis for remote beaches.
Is Croatia expensive?
Prices have risen sharply, especially in Dubrovnik and Hvar in summer. Private apartments, konobas (taverns) and travelling in May or September keep costs down.
How do I get from Split to Dubrovnik?
By bus (about 4-4.5 hours) or by catamaran in summer, stopping at the islands. The Pelješac Bridge now avoids the Neum border crossing for cars.
Is Croatia good for families?
Yes: safe towns, calm seas, national parks and plenty of apartments with kitchens.
How this guide was made
Written by hand, without AI, from experience planning Adriatic trips. Prices are approximate for 2026; confirm on the official Plitvice Lakes, Krka National Park, Jadrolinija and Croatian bus operators' websites before booking.
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