Hey, firstly this article will help you out answer all the main questions CROATIA TRAVEL 101 (Great info for first-time travelers)

Other than that really depends on how much time you have but I would decide on sightseeing Istria or Dalmatia, for first time I would go Dalmatia just because there are more notable things in its vicinity and would give you larges options, so going to Split or Dubrovnik makes sense or Zadar even and then sightseeing rest of Dalmatia from there. 

North or South Croatia Guide

10 Most Beautiful Cities in Croatia to visit

10 Most Beautiful Small Towns in Croatia to escape the crowd!

10 Things to Know About Croatia Before Visiting

Heres some additional great info for your Croatia vacation and to navigate more easily. If you will want you can drop your itinerary in the forum and we will check it and give suggestions!

If it’s your first time planning a Croatia vacation, the good news is that Croatia is incredibly easy to plan whether you want beaches, history, island hopping, food, or nature. Here’s a simple way to start planning a memorable Croatia trip.

Quick Answer: How to Start Planning a Croatia Trip
First-time visitors to Croatia should start by choosing 1-2 regions max (Dalmatian Coast, Istria, or Zagreb + Plitvice), deciding trip length (7–10 days ideal shorter can be good for city exploration and day trips), and planning around ferry/bus routes. Popular starting points include Split or Dubrovnik and both serve as great hubs to sightsee plenty around, with islands like Hvar or Korčula as add-ons, you dont need a car but having it is a big plus. All Croatia guides karlatypes.com

Firstly Decide What Kind of Croatia Vacation You Are Interested In

Before picking destinations, decide what you’re most excited about. Croatia offers a bit of everything and you can get a combination of these in most of locations you visit in Croatia:

• Historic cities & culture → Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Pula, Rovinj

• Island hopping & beaches → Hvar, Brač, Korčula, Vis, Mljet, Vis, Lopud

• Nature & waterfalls → Plitvice Lakes National Park, Krka, Brijuni National Park in Istria

• Food & wine → Istria (Rovinj, Poreč), Pelješac Peninsula

• Relaxed coastal towns → Makarska Riviera, Šibenik, Istria

This step alone helps narrow your Croatia vacation ideas quickly. I linked relevant articles for the topic so you can research more details and to see if its really something that interests you.

Best Places to Visit on a First Croatia Trip

If you’re unsure where to start with your Croatia trip, these are the most common stops that work perfectly for first-timers as you get to see the main attractions and do plenty of day trips from each of these locations. 

Dubrovnik

• Walk the medieval city walls, grab a drink at Buza bar for the amazing sunset, go to Lopud to enjoy sandy beaches

• Explore Old Town and museums

• Take a boat trip to Lokrum Island its ideal for history lovers and scenic views but if you dont plan on swimming you can spend about 3 hours there

Split

• Diocletian’s Palace right in the city center and easy to explore as everything of importance is in walking distance

• Great base for day trips and ferries to near by islands 

• Lively food and nightlife scene which is great for younger tourists 

Hvar

• Crystal-clear water and beaches near the Hvar town and some further away which are of course nicer

• Easy island hopping to Vis, Brac or Korcula

• Mix of relaxation and nightlife, since the implementation of the sound restrictions the party scene has fallen off but not fully, during the day there are still people partying.

These three alone make an excellent 7–10 day Croatia vacation.

Getting Around Croatia

• Ferries make island hopping easy, for car ferries from Split you can reserve your spot but if you are taking a car ferry from Drvenik or Makarska you need to arrive well in advance to reserve your spot no matter that you have a ticket.

• Renting a car is great for inland areas and flexibility as bus connection between cities is great but to reach smaller old historic towns, like the ones in Istria, its best to have a car. Also note car rentals charge additional fee if you take your car on a ferry or cross a border, but usually its one off fee or 15-20 euros per day.

• Buses are reliable between major cities

Heres a Simple Croatia Vacation Idea (10 Days)

• Days 1–3: Dubrovnik

• Days 4–6: Split + day trip to Krka or islands

• Days 7–9: Hvar or Brač

• Day 10: Return to Split or Dubrovnik

Of course you can add many more locations here and big factor is the way of your preferred way of travel, ferry, car or bus. 

Final Tip

Croatia is very compact so easy to reach everything with a car, safe, and extremely traveler-friendly with most locals speaking English. Start with a few key destinations, don’t overpack your schedule to truly be able to relax and experience the Croatian fjaka way of life, and let each place surprise you. No matter your travel style, it’s hard to go wrong with a well-planned Croatia vacation and we do it each year so drop any questions you might have!

Click the links to great articles on the subject of Croatia travel all written by KarlaTypes Croatian travel blogger.

Amazing! This is very helpful, thank you!

finding great info in the linked articles and thanks for answers on my questions!