This 5-day Croatia Itinerary is perfect for anyone flying into Split and wanting to explore southern Croatia.
*Updated for 2025*
Although 5 days is not much in gorgeous Croatia, it’s enough to visit Croatia’s most popular places. This itinerary will take you from the charming city of Split, to the sunny island of Hvar, Plitvice Lakes National Park, and the breathtaking Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic!
If this itinerary interests you, keep reading!
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WHY VISIT CROATIA?
Each year, Croatia brings more and more tourists to its coast. The main reason why many people want to visit Croatia is the stunning coastline. Croatia has crystal-clear blue sea, stunning little towns, incredible national parks, and delicious cuisine. All in all, Croatia has a lot of amazing experiences to offer and this 5-day Croatia Itinerary will help you plan out all those experiences!
Croatia’s coast has some of the most beautiful towns in Europe. Split, Dubrovnik, Korcula, and Hvar are only some of them, but there are plenty more you can choose from, depending on how badly you want to avoid the crowds.
The most popular city on the Croatian coast is Split. Split is the perfect city to fly into, because of its many connections to various big cities in Europe. Once you’re there, Split itself is a charming city with great food and nightlife, but it’s also the perfect city for day trips inland and island-hopping. You can easily rent a car and drive to several cities and national parks around, or you can hop on a ferry and explore many of Croatia’s islands.
Map of the Dalmatian coast:
HOW TO TRAVEL AROUND DALMATIA, CROATIA?
This 5-day Croatia Itinerary can be done with either a car or public transport (bus and ferry). The better option is definitely renting a car. The car will give you more flexibility and overall be a better experience. If you’re not able to rent a car, there are major bus companies like FlixBus and Arriva operating in Croatia.
The bus companies will provide you with easy access to mentioned locations, but the travel from place to place will last much longer. You can also use additional Croatian local bus companies like Samoborcek, Croatia Bus, Autotrans or Promet Makarska in order to find the best options for you. When it comes to islands, you can use the ferry service which very frequently operates from Split to many islands around Croatia.
5-DAY CROATIA ITINERARY:
DAY 1: SPLIT
This 5-day Croatia itinerary starts in Split. Split is one of Croatia’s most popular cities, and it’s because it perfectly combines the charm of the old town with lively nightlife and fun island-hopping. Here’s what you cannot miss in one day in Split!
STAY AT: Amphora Hotel, Heritage hotel Santa Lucia
MORNING IN SPLIT
Morning is the perfect time to explore the historic heart of Split. It’s not too hot and the crowds are smaller, so use that to your advantage. Start your day at Diocletian’s Palace, Split’s UNESCO World Heritage site. Built by Roman Emperor, the palace is one of the best-preserved Roman landmarks in Croatia. The entrance is free as it’s a part of the old town of Split, but you’ll have to pay a fee if you want to see the cellars.
After exploring the Diocletian’s Palace, wander through the narrow streets of the old town and discover amazing ancient architecture and plenty of charming shops all around the old town.
AFTERNOON IN SPLIT
Start your afternoon with a delicious Dalmatian cuisine for lunch. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local “konoba” (tavern), where you’ll find the best food prepared by experienced cooks excited to bring you amazing Mediterranean meals. Savor dishes like pasticada or fresh seafood, accompanied by a glass of local wine. Some restaurants you should check out in Split are Konoba Nevera, Trattoria Tavulin, and Bokeria.
If you have more time in Split >>> SPLIT: BEST 2-DAY ITINERARY
After lunch, some physical activity will do you good! Climb the lush Marjan Hill for panoramic views of the city and the Adriatic Sea. Marjan Hill offers a peaceful escape from the urban hustle and bustle, so you’ll love it in the afternoon when the old town is full of tourists.
From Marjan Hill continue to the Ivan Meštrović Gallery to see and admire the works of Croatia’s famous sculptor. His powerful sculptures often depicted themes of human suffering, spirituality, and the human form, which makes them incredibly interesting to see. The Gallery building itself was created by the sculptor and it’s one of the prettiest buildings in Split!
EVENING IN SPLIT
For a magical night in Split, all you need is a seat at a seaside restaurant along the Riva promenade. Have dinner while the sun sets and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Adriatic Sea. Afterwards, stroll along the Riva and enjoy Split’s vibrant atmosphere. For those not ready to turn in, there are plenty of bars and nightclubs just waiting for you!
DAY 2: HVAR ISLAND
The second stop on this 5-day Croatia itinerary is Hvar. There’s a reason why the sunny Hvar is Croatia’s most loved island. Visit it on a day trip from Split and see what the fuss is about! You can reach Hvar by ferry from Split, or by a private boat tour.
MORNING ON HVAR ISLAND
When you get to Hvar, start your day by exploring the charming Hvar Town. While the town is small, there are several landmarks you should see, such as St. Stephen’s Square, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Hvar Theatre, and Franciscan Monastery and Museum. After seeing the main landmarks, stroll through the gorgeous cobbled streets and explore the small shops, cafes, and restaurants.
AFTERNOON ON HVAR ISLAND
First of all, indulge in Mediterranean flavors at one of the seaside restaurants in Hvar Town. Hvar Town has many amazing restaurants with fresh seafood, so if you’re a foodie don’t skip out on this culinary experience. Some of the restaurants you can check out are: Gariful, Fig, and Dva Ribara.
After lunch, relax on some of the nicest beaches in Croatia. Enjoy a swim on beaches such as Pokonji Dol (close to Hvar Town) or Dubovica (15 minutes by car/taxi from Hvar Town). If you’re into beach clubs, Hvar has 2 amazing options – Carpe Diem and Hula Hula Beach. Whatever you choose, you’ll have an incredible time enjoying the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea.
EVENING ON HVAR ISLAND
Hvar Town has one of the best sunset-watching spots in Croatia, and you cannot skip it. The incredible sunsets you can watch from Hvar Fortress, a fortress situated on a hill overlooking the town of Hvar, with the best panoramic views of the Hvar Town, Adriatic Sea, and Pakleni Islands. It’s a bit of a hike getting up there, but trust me it’s worth it!
DAY 3: PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK
Plitvice Lakes is a destination you must experience on your Croatian holiday. Luckily, it’s easily reachable from Split! The easiest way is to rent a car in Split and drive to Plitvice Lakes. The drive is around 2 hours long, and it’s the most comfortable option. You can also book a private transfer or a tour if you don’t feel like driving. In addition to those options, you can also catch a bus from Split to Plitvice for 20 euros, but the fastest bus ride is 3.5 hours, so it doesn’t leave you much time to explore the national park.
For this 5-day Croatia itinerary I chose Plitvice Lakes as a must-see, but if you have extra time visit Krka National Park as well.
Once you’re there, immerse yourself in the gorgeous natural beauties this national park offers. Plitvice Lakes is the oldest and most beautiful national park in Croatia, bringing over a million tourists to Croatia every year. The park consists of 16 Upper and Lower lakes, all connected by winding wooden trails. Along with the lakes, the park has around 90 waterfalls which will astound you!
There are several paths you can take around the park, depending on the complexity and length of the walk you want to take. Read my detailed Plitvice lakes guide to choose the best option for you!
DAY 4: PELJEŠAC AND DUBROVNIK
On your way from Split to Dubrovnik, stop and explore Pelješac peninsula. Pelješac is known for amazing local wineries and charming small towns and it’s worthy of being in this 5-day Croatia itinerary.
MORNING ON PELJEŠAC
While driving to Pelješac, you’ll cross the new, stunning Pelješac Bridge which connects the south of Croatia with the rest of the country. Once you’re on Pelješac, explore the picturesque villages such as Trpanj or Orebić. Along sightseeing, visit local wineries and savor the region’s robust wines. Some of the most popular wineries on Pelješac are Korta Katarina Winery, Matusko Winery, and Milos Winery.
AFTERNOON ON PELJEŠAC
Continue your short drive to Mali Ston for lunch where you can indulge in fresh oysters and mussels. Mali Ston has plenty of oyster farms which means you’ll have the most delicious fresh seafood for your meal of choice. Definitely try their oyster soup!
After lunch go to Ston and explore the small town. The most interesting landmark in Ston is the Ston walls. The walls are often called “European Wall of China” as they’re the second-longest preserved fortification system in the world, right after the Great Wall of China. The entrance tickets to the the walls are 10 euros!
Once you’re done exploring, continue to Dubrovnik!
EVENING IN DUBROVNIK
Once you’re in Dubrovnik, check-in and continue your way to the Old Town. Take a stroll through the magical Stradun in the evening and marvel at the stunning sight of Dubrovnik illuminated at night.
DAY 5: DUBROVNIK
End your 5-day Croatia itinerary in the best way possible – by exploring Dubrovnik! This pearl of the Adriatic deserves all the hype it gets because it’s absolutely stunning. Here’s what to do in one day in Dubrovnik!
STAY AT: Rixos Hotel or Hotel Excelsior. Read our Dubrovnik hotel guide for every budget to get additional information.
MORNING IN DUBROVNIK
Start your day by exploring the gorgeous old town of Dubrovnik. Walk the City Walls in the morning – you’ll avoid the crowds and extreme temperatures that way, and you’ll be done with the busiest landmark in Dubrovnik by the time the town wakes up. You can enter the city walls from 8 a.m. and the tickets during high season are 35 euros. It’s absolutely worth the money! Here’s a detailed guide on the City Walls for all additional information.
After the City Walls, get lost in the streets of the Old Town. Visit Stradun, Dubrovnik’s old port, and Lovrijenac Fortress. Do a Game of Thrones walking tour if you’re a fan of the show!
AFTERNOON IN DUBROVNIK
Have lunch at one of several great restaurants in the Old Town. Some of the best views you’ll get from restaurants such as Dubravka and Gradska Kavana Arsenal. You can check out my Dubrovnik restaurant guide for more options depending on your budget!
After lunch, hop on a boat to Lokrum island. This gorgeous green oasis is only a 15-minute boat ride from Dubrovnik, but it’s much calmer and less crowded than the old town. Explore the island and bring your bathing suits for some swimming on Lokrum’s rocky beaches!
If you don’t feel like going to Lokrum and want to enjoy your time near the Old Town, check out beaches like Banje Beach or Sv. Jakov Beach and enjoy swimming with the views of the Old Town.
EVENING IN DUBROVNIK
Get an Uber or a cable car up to Mount Srđ for the sunset. Mount Srđ is the most beautiful viewpoint in Dubrovnik with iconic panoramic views of the old town. You can either just get to the top of the mountain and watch the sunset, or you can book a dinner reservation at Panorama, one of the most beautiful restaurants in Dubrovnik with direct views on the old town.
I hope you liked this 5-day Croatia itinerary and that it will serve you as inspiration in planning your own trip to Croatia!
