Croatia is one of the most popular destinations in Eastern Europe. It gained fame after being featured in the hit HBO series, Game of Thrones, which was filmed in cities like Split and Dubrovnik. As a result, these cities have become very popular among tourists.
But there are also many other beautiful towns and cities in Croatia that are worth exploring. This 2-week backpacking itinerary will show you some of the best places to visit in Croatia.
In this itinerary, we will take you across Croatia starting from Zagreb, the capital city, and make our way down the stunning Croatian coastline, while stopping in beautiful natural wonders along the way such as the waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Park, before ending our journey in Dubrovnik, all in 2 weeks.
Without further ado, here is the ultimate 2-week backpacking itinerary for Croatia. First, let's take a look at all the places we will be visiting in this itinerary with the map below:
- 2 Weeks Backpacking Croatia Itinerary Map
- 2 Weeks Backpacking Croatia Itinerary
- When to Visit Croatia?
- How to Get to Croatia?
- How to Get Around Croatia?
- How Much Money Do I Need for 2 weeks in Croatia?
- Is it Safe in Croatia?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Croatia?
- What to Pack for Croatia?
- Further Reading for Croatia
2 Weeks Backpacking Croatia Itinerary Map
| ☀️ Day 1-2: | Zagreb |
| ☀️ Day 3: | Rovinj |
| ☀️ Day 4: | Pula |
| ☀️ Day 5-6: | Zadar |
| ☀️ Day 7: | Plitvice Lakes National Park |
| ☀️ Day 8-9: | Split |
| ☀️ Day 10: | Krka National Park |
| ☀️ Day 11: | Hvar |
| ☀️ Day 12-13: | Dubrovnik |
| ☀️ Day 14: | Mostar in Bosnia or Kotor in Montenegro |
2 Weeks Backpacking Croatia Itinerary
Day 1 - 2: Zagreb (2 nights)
Our itinerary begins in Zagreb, a city that people rarely ever include in travel itineraries, but since we have 2 weeks dedicated entirely to Croatia, there is no better place to get your bearings on a country like Croatia than its capital city.
Out of all the places we will be visiting in Croatia, Zagreb is unique in that it is a well-lived city with actual people living their day-to-day life, like a regular city, which is something that is not easy to find in popular cities like Split and Dubrovnik which is mostly designed for tourism.
Zagreb, on the other hand, is designed for the people who actually live in it, which is a great way for us to get a glimpse of what it must be like to be living in a country like Croatia.
- CROATIA SAIL - Split to Split (The Dalmatian Voyager) (8 days)
- The Croatian (11 days)
- Croatia Sailing Adventure (8 days)
Since we only have a day in Zagreb, we are going to hit the ground running and begin our exploration in Zagreb's Old Town, home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the city like St. Mark's Church, a beautiful church known for its iconic multi-colored tiled roof that has become the symbol of the city.
This Roman Catholic church, built in the 13th Century, is adorned with an iconic tile design with 2 coats of arms representing Zagreb (white castle on a red background on the right) and the Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia (the one of the left). It is one of the most iconic landmarks here and a great place to start your exploration of Zagreb.
Another popular landmark to visit in Zagreb's Old Town is Stone Gate, an ancient city gate built in the 13th Century as part of the city's fortification. It is one of the most well-preserved city gates in the city, and inside, you will find a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and it is a place of pilgrimage for many locals
While you explore the old town, be sure to drop by Lotrščak Tower, an ancient watchtower where the tradition of firing cannon often take place at noon every day.
Right around the corner, you will also find one of the most unique and fascinating museums in the world, the Museum of Broken Relationships, a museum dedicated entirely to telling real heartbroken stories of people from all over the world.
Inside, you will find a collection of personal items and mementos featuring a range of items from love letters and photographs to more unconventional items like a prosthetic leg and an axe.
These personal items were donated by people from all over the world, from Japan to the US, each with a story of a past relationship that has ended sometimes hilariously but also heart-wrenching stories that you wouldn't wish even on your worst enemies.
The museum, despite its morbid name, is surprisingly thought-provoking and provides you with an emotional experience that is both engaging and relatable. Out of all the museums I have visited in Croatia, this one is the most fascinating one to see.
There are other notable tourist attractions you should check out in Zagreb as well like Market Dolac, one of the most vibrant and lively markets in the city, Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, a beautiful neo-Baroque building dating to the 19th Century, hosting all kinds of shows from opera to ballet, and King Tomislav Square, a beautiful and historic public park, home to beautiful yellow-colored buildings, stunning fountains, and a garden that stretches from the train station all the way to Zagreb's Central Square.
As you can see, Zagreb is packed with activities that can easily fill up an entire day. If you are looking for more things to do in Zagreb as well as other excursions and day trips you can make from here, be sure to check out our complete guide with the link below.
Getting from Zagreb to Rovinj
To get from Zagreb to Rovinj, you should be able to catch one of the many buses that connect the 2 towns together from the Zagreb Bus Terminal. There are buses operated by Arriva and Nomago running between 7:55 AM to 6 PM every day.
The journey should take about 3 - 4 hours and costs around 30 EUR per person. You can look up the schedule and book the bus online here. I highly recommend you get the earliest bus you can so you have to explore a little bit of Rovinj when you arrive.
Day 3: Rovinj (2 nights)
After spending a day in the city, it is time to start exploring the beautiful coast of Croatia, and we begin our journey in the little charming city of Rovinj, home of the beautiful Venetian-style old town, crystal clear water, and best of all, not as many tourists as places like Split and Dubrovnik.
One of the first things I highly recommend you do in Rovinj is to check out the view from Rovinj Marina, a narrow harbor for small yachts stretching out into the Adriatic Sea providing us with an incredible view of Rovinj and its dynamic cityscape.
From this viewpoint, you will be able to see just how beautiful Rovinj's old town really is. From the colorful houses, all packed and stacked up onto the small hill while being towered by the Venetian bell tower of the Church of Saint Euphemia, it reminded me so much of places in Italy like Cinque Terre or Amalfi.
Rovinj is also home to some of the nicest coastal areas with the clearest water you can swim in, and it would be a shame if you travel all the way here without swimming in the Adriatic Sea.
A great place you can swim in Rovinj is at Plaža Balota, a coastal area that had been converted into a small recreational area with stairs and stone walking paths, allowing you to get to the crystal clear water from the Old Town and have a swim.
If you are not sure where to begin exploring the old town, I highly recommend you start from Balbi's Arch, an old town gate featuring beautiful carvings that marks the entrance to Stari Grad, Rovinj's Old Town proper.
The street will lead you directly to the Church of Saint Euphemia, one of the most prominent buildings in Rovinj's Old Town built by the Venetians in the 18th Century, and a place I recommend you visit next.
Now, if you are looking for the best sunset spot in Rovinj, I highly recommend you check out the Bunker, a wartime remnant of Croatia's troubling past when it was occupied by the Germans during WW2. The bunker was built by the Germans during the war to defend the city from naval attacks.
Since the bunker is located up on a rock with barely any obstruction, you won't find a better sunset view than here. If you want to see the sunset from here, be sure to align your time carefully.
Spend the first evening in Rovinj and visit some of these tourist attractions before we prepare for a day trip to Pula the next day and retreat for the night. If you can not cover everything in the first evening, do not worry. Traveling to Pula should only occupy 2/3rd of the day so you can spend the next evening visiting the rest of Rovinj or enjoy leisure time at Rovinj Promenada.
Day 4: Pula (Day Trip)
Did you know that there is a well-preserved Roman ruin in Croatia? I definitely did not know that until I arrived in Pula, a coastal town an hour away from Rovinj, and see its incredible ancient arena and other structures that are considered to be the most well-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy.
One of the first things you will see the moment you arrive in Pula is Pula Arena, an ancient amphitheater built in the 1st century AD by the Romans who, after years of conflicts, finally conquered the Istria region, and in typical Roman fashion, they started converting the towns and villages in the region to their design and built this massive structure.
Back in the day, the arena was used for gladiator battles and other public spectacles, and it is said to have been able to hold more than 23,000 spectators. The arena is so massive it is considered to be the sixth-largest surviving Roman arena in the world.
You can also get inside the area and walk around the interior, sit and relax in the cave, or you can check out the exhibitions often held at the underground museum located inside and learn a little bit more about this region of Croatia.
Another prominent structure you should check out in Pula is the Pula Fortress, an old fortress built by the Venetians, situated on a hill right at the heart of Pula's old town, offering an incredible view of the city and its coastline. You can see the ancient arena all the way from here.
While you are in Pula, you should also check out the Arch of the Sergii, an ancient Roman triumphal arch built between 29-27 BC dedicated to the members of a powerful family who run this newly formed Roman colony and retained their power over Pula for centuries.
The arch is connected to a pedestrian area with lines of shops, cafes, and restaurants you can indulge yourself in. There are also seating areas where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the chill vibe of Pula to your heart's content.
Other notable tourist attractions in Pula that you should definitely visit are Forum Square, the ancient town square surrounded by beautiful old buildings, some of which are more than 2000+ years old like the Temple of Augustus, an extremely well-preserved ancient Roman temple dedicated to the first Roman emperor, Augustus, adorned with 4 stunning Corinthian columns standing around 14 m (46 ft) high in front of the temple.
Since it is only an hour away from Rovinj, I highly recommend you make a day trip from there to visit Pula and check out all the beautiful Roman ruins and Venetian structures here. To get there, you just have to catch one of the many buses operated by Arriva from Rovinj bus station which will take you to Pula in 30 minutes and costs around 7 EUR per person.
Arriva operates around 10 buses per day between the 2 cities from 6:45 AM to 10:45 PM every day. You can check the bus schedule and book the ticket online from the Arriva official website here.
It should take you no more than 6 hours to explore Pula before you head back to Rovinj and spend the rest of the day relaxing at your own leisure before retreating for the night and preparing for our next destination, Zadar.
Getting from Rovinj to Zadar
To get from Rovinj to Zadar, the fastest way is to catch the bus from Rovinj bus station to Pula at 10 AM which will cost about 7 EUR and take about 40 minutes. You should arrive in Pula around 10:40 PM, where you can then catch another bus operated by Nomago at 11 AM to Zadar, which should take another 6.5 hours to reach Zadar at around 5:50 PM and cost around 34 EUR.
In total, you will spend around 41 EUR for the journey, and it will take you an entire day. You can book the buses here.
You can also go with the Arriva bus that leaves from Rovinj at 4:40 AM to take you to Rijeka, and then from there, you can catch another bus to Zadar with a transit time of around 1.5 hours. The journey is a bit longer at around 9 hours but costs only 34 EUR. This is a good option for those who want a more comfortable transit time and do not mind waking up early. You can book the bus here.
Day 5 - 6: Zadar (3 nights)
After 4 days of exploration, visiting both the capital city and the Istria region, we have finally arrived on the beautiful Dalmatian coastline, home to some of the most beautiful coastal towns in the country, and there is no better place to start our journey than in Zadar.
Like most old towns in Europe, some of the coolest tourist attractions you will find in Zadar are located inside the old town area surrounded by medieval walls, and the only way you can enter the area is through the Land Gate, one of the most iconic landmarks and the first tourist attraction you will see here.
Right out of the gate, you will find the Five Wells Square, an iconic public square built in the 16th Century and is considered to be the oldest town square in the country.
The square features the five iconic stone wells, which is where the square got its name from, all built in a single row as well as a cistern below it, designed by the Venetians as a water supply system for the city. Surrounding the square, you will find all kinds of beautiful medieval structures like the pentagonal Captain's tower that you can climb up to the top for a view over the Old Town for 2.5 EUR.
And of course, you have to visit one of the most famous landmarks in Zadar, the Church of St. Donatus, an impressive circular church constructed in the 9th Century and is considered to be the largest Pre-Romanesque building you will find in Croatia.
The church was built on top of the ancient Roman Forum site, and you can still see the remaining structures of the ancient town square, like fallen Roman columns, buildings' foundations, and ancient sculptures scattered across the large courtyard surrounding the church.
Attached to the church, you will also find a 12th Century bell tower, standing over 56 meters high where you can climb to the top for an incredible view over Zadar's Old Town.
As you make your way towards the northeastern side of Zadar's Old Town, you will stumble upon the Sea Organ, a large experimental musical instrument and an art installation mounted beneath a staircase that descends into the sea, with a system of pipes and whistles hidden beneath them.
As the waves move in and out, the air is forced through the pipes, creating one of the most mesmerizing melodies that are both haunting and beautiful at the same time. The sound is so random and unpredictable as it changes with the ebb and flow of the sea, and I have never experienced anything quite like it.
I highly recommend you visit the Sea Organ at sunset when the place is the liveliest, and you will be able to witness the incredible tune while enjoying the beautiful sunset over the Adriatic Sea. It is probably one of the most unique tourist attractions you will find here.
Located right by the Sea Organ, you will also find another incredibly creative tourist attraction called the Greeting to the Sun, an awesome art installation designed by the same Croatian architecture that brought the awesome Sea Organ to Zadar.
Embedded on the floors of the waterfront area of Zadar, you will find a large circular platform that is covered in solar panels. The entire platform is lit up at night by the colorful LED lights embedded under it, creating an impressive light show straight out of the 80s disco era.
The way the art installation works is also incredibly genius. The solar panels capture the sun's energy during the day and use it to power the LED lights at night, creating a dazzling display that's both beautiful and environmentally friendly. If you wish to see the incredible light shows, be sure to drop by the Greeting to the Sun at sunset.
After spending the entire day exploring all the cool attractions in Zadar, it is time to find a nice quiet place to eat dinner before retreating for the night. If you are looking for a nice local place to eat some fresh seafood dishes, I highly recommend you check out Konoba Tovar.
This small little restaurant located in the heart of Zadar's Old Town is run by a local chef who meticulously cooks and serves all his dishes with love for his customers of only 5 - 6 tables. He doesn't serve more than that, and if you want to try his food, you either have to be there early or queue up for the table, which can be as long as 30 minutes or more. It is an awesome way to end the day in Zadar and spend the rest of the night preparing for our next adventure to Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Day 7: Plitvice Lakes National Park (Day Trip)
For the next day in Zadar, we are going to spend the entire day visiting the magnificent Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of my favorite national parks in the country and one that you should not miss while you are traveling in Croatia.
That national park is home to a series of 16 interconnected lakes, each of which has its own color, which ranges from azure to green, gray, or blue, depending on the mineral content and sunlight. The interconnected lakes are separated by natural dams of travertine, creating more than 90 cascading waterfalls throughout the park.
With so many waterfalls, Plitvice Lakes National Park offers us plenty of opportunities to hike around these stunning waterfalls, explore the untouched nature of Croatia, and experience the natural wonder up close and personal, which is definitely a much-welcomed change from all the artificial tourist attractions we see in Zagreb.
To get from Zadar to Plitvice, you can either go on an organized tour that will take you from Zadar to the national park and back in about 8 hours, which is a good amount of time to see all the highlights of the national park like Veliki Slap, Galovački buk, and Milanovac waterfall.
This option is great for those who are looking for an easy way to get to the national park and back without having to worry about the logistics. The tour should cost around 80 EUR per person, and you can reserve your spot here.
Now, if you want to do it independently, you can catch the morning daily Flixbus that leaves at 8:30 AM from Zadar Bus Terminal and it will take you to Plitvice Lakes in about 2 hours. Once you are done, you can catch another Flixbus back to Zadar at either 3:15 PM or 5 PM. Be sure to reserve the seat beforehand as it gets booked up quite quickly during the summer.
Be sure to get off at Entrance #1, as we will be entering from this entrance to start the hike. Also, make sure you buy the bus ticket in advance, especially if you are visiting the national park during the summer months.
From entrance #1, you can buy the ticket, which will include access to the park as well as a single boat ride and a bus ride which we will be relying on as we move around the park.
Once you enter the park, you will be met with an incredible view of Plitvice waterfalls from above. You can spend some time exploring the surrounding areas as well as get down to the lake and visit the famous Veliki Slap before making your way to the pier where we will be using our boat ride ticket to get to another part of the park.
Once you get off the boat, you will be at the other side of the park where you can continue and hike around to visit the lakes in the upper area of the park. The hiking path runs around each lake in a loop, and eventually, you will arrive at Bistro Labudovac, the resting stop on the upper part of Plitvice.
At this resting stop, there is a small bus stop where you can utilize the shuttle bus to take you to Entrance #2 where you can drop off and explore this part of the park (there's not much to see at Entrance #2 in my opinion) or you can continue sitting on the bus all the way back to Entrance #1 where you entered the park from.
I prefer the view at Entrance #1 more so I decided to catch the park shuttle straight to Entrance #1 to take photos and relax at the resting area before catching the bus back to Zadar from this bus stop. There is a bus operated by Flixbus at 3:15 PM for 14 EUR, which is the earliest bus you can get to go back to Zadar. With this itinerary, you have around 5 hours at the park, which is more than enough to see everything.
You can stay longer at the park if you wish, as the last bus to Zagreb is at around 5 PM, but from my experience, 5 hours of hiking is plenty of time for Plitvice Lakes. If you are looking to see some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country, you can't go wrong with Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Getting from Zadar to Split
To get from Zadar to Split, you can catch one of the many buses that run from 7 AM to 8:30 PM every day from the Zadar bus terminal. The bus will take about 3 hours and cost around 15 EUR per person. You can book the bus from here.
Day 8 - 9: Split (3 nights)
Split is one of the most popular coastal towns in Croatia that attracts travelers from all corners of the world to see its beautiful architecture steeped in history that dated all the way back more than 1,700 years.
And one of the greatest examples of Split's rich heritage and one of the most iconic landmarks in the city you should check out first things first is Diocletian's Palace, a stunning 4th century AD Roman palace located right in the heart of Split's old town.
This incredible ancient Roman palace was originally built as a retirement home for the Roman Emperor Diocletian before it was later used as a military fortress, and today houses museums, galleries, and restaurants in its Peristyle courtyard.
Due to the palace's central location, no matter in which direction you walk, you will eventually end up in Diocletian Palace's courtyard as the streets merge into the square. When you arrive at the courtyard, you will know right away that you are at Diocletian's Palace as you find yourself surrounded by the epic archways, full of stunning Roman columns on both sides.
Since the palace is a collection of buildings that were built as part of the old town, most of the areas are not closed off behind a gate, so you can stroll around any time you like for free, which is pretty awesome.
One of the most prominent buildings in Diocletian's Palace is Saint Domnius Cathedral and its imposing bell tower where you can make your way up to admire the view of Split and its coastal area from above.
The cathedral's architecture is a unique blend of Roman, Byzantine, and Gothic styles, and you can get inside it to check out the beautiful interior before you head over to its impressive bell tower and make your way up the 200 steps to the top.
From the observation deck, you will have an incredible 360° panoramic view of the entire cityscape of Split as well as its beautiful coastline and all the mountains and hills that surround it. It is quite a sight to behold and I highly recommend you make it all the way to the top of Saint Domnius Cathedral while you are in Split.
Saint Domnius Cathedral is open from 7:30 AM to 6 PM every day except on Sundays when it is open from 12 PM to 6 PM. To get inside, you are going to have to buy a Diocletian's Palace ticket which comes in 4 types, 2 of which include access to the Bell Tower.
If you are planning to visit all the attractions I listed here, I highly recommend you get the Purple ticket so you can access all the important sites in the city. You can buy the ticket from the ticket office located in Diocletian's Palace's courtyard.
Another ancient ruin you should check out while you are exploring Diocletian's Palace is Jupiter's Temple, a small ancient Roman temple that should allow you access for free as the temple is included in the Purple ticket you bought for Saint Domnius Cathedral.
Other notable tourist attractions you should check out in Split are Diocletian's Cellars, a series of ancient underground chambers located within Diocletian's Palace, Vestibule, a beautiful dome-shaped rotunda where you can find local performers singing their heart's out, putting the acoustics of the place to the text, and Riva, a beautiful waterfront area full of restaurants and cafes you can indulge yourself in.
If you are looking for something active to do in Split that will also reward you with an incredible view, I highly recommend you go on a hike to the Vrh Telegrin lookout point located at the top of Marjan Hill, a prominent hill on the western side of Split.
The hill is about 178 meters tall and offers stunning panoramic views of the city and the Adriatic Sea. The hill is covered in lush Mediterranean vegetation, including pine trees, cypress, and agave plants, which provide a nice shady area for us to hike around.
It should take about 30 minutes to hike from Split's Old Town to Vrh Telegrin lookout point, and along the way, you will find all sorts of cool attractions that will keep you busy the entire time like this viewpoint, a small St. Nicholas Church, a natural history museum and zoo, and Marjan observatory.
After you are done, you can spend the rest of the day hanging out at the People's Square or find a nice seafood restaurant to enjoy like Fife, a local restaurant that serves delicious local cuisine ranging from fresh seafood like fried squid and grilled sea bass with baked potatoes, one of my favorite dishes from here, to regular street food style dishes like Cevapi and more.
Retreat for the night and get a good rest as we will be spending the next 2 days in Split going on a few day trips to tourist attractions located not too far from the city, like Krka National Park, with a bit of hiking to do, as well as the beautiful island town of Hvar you can relax in.
Day 10: Krka National Park (Day Trip)
For the second day in Split, we are going to go on a day trip and explore Krka National Park, a beautiful natural wonder, home to a series of stunning waterfalls, crystal clear lakes, and lush greenery where you can spend a day hiking around in.
At Krka National Park, you will have the opportunity to do some hiking around its extensive network of wooden boardwalks and walking trails that will take you through some of the prettiest waterfalls you will see in Croatia.
The most famous waterfall in the Krka National Park that you should definitely visit is Skradinski Buk, a spectacular cascade that drops 45 meters into a series of turquoise pools below. It is one of the first big waterfalls you will see in the national park, and you can hike around or go uphill to have an even better view of the national park from above.
There are also other notable attractions deep inside the park that you can visit with a boat tour, like Roški slap, another dramatic, multi-tiered cascade with a cave, a wooden walkway, and a restaurant you can check out, Visovac Monastery, a picturesque Franciscan monastery located on an island in the middle of the lake, and so much more.
You can easily spend an entire just exploring all the attractions inside Krka National Park, so be sure to spare enough time to do all the hikes and boat tours you wish to do. Even then, do not expect to be able to do them all in a day, as there are way too many things to see inside the national park.
To get from Split to Krka National Park, the best way is to go on an organized tour which will allow you to visit Krka National Park without having to worry about the logistics of it all and you will be able to dive even deeper into the national park and visit further away places that you might not have been able to do it independently.
Places like Visovac Island and Roški Waterfall are not easy to see, especially for day-trippers that travel independently, as it requires at least 2 - 4 hours on a boat excursion to travel there and back. With the guided tour, you will be able to get there and back as well as provide time to hike around and explore the main area of Skradinski Buk.
If you are planning to visit Krka National Park from Split, there is no better way to do it than with an organized tour. You can browse through some of the great deals on day trips and tours from here.
The whole trip should take you the entire day, so if you have a day to spare in Split, be sure to make it to Krka National Park! The national park is open from 8 AM to 6 PM every day, and the entrance ticket is around 30 - 40 EUR per person, depending on the season.
Day 11: Hvar (Day Trip)
And on our last day in Split, we are going to hop on a ferry and visit Hvar, a beautiful charming seaside town located on an island with the same name, around an hour's ferry ride away from Split.
Hvar is known for its small charming old town and beautiful coastline and there is no better way to appreciate it than to climb up to the top of Fortica Fortress and admire the view of the city, the Adriatic Sea, and the surrounding islands from up there.
Fortica Fortress or Spanish Fortress is a historic fortress built by the Venetians in the 16th Century as a way to fortify and defend the island from intruders. The fortress is situated on top of a hill behind Hvar's old town, which offers a great vantage point over the entire area.
To get up there, you are going to have to hike up the hill, which is not particularly hard as you stroll along the cobblestone street up through the staircase of the old town onto the foothill before it zigzags its way up to the fortress which you should be able to complete in under 20 minutes.
The views up there are pretty amazing, and it was definitely worth every sweat you shed along the trail. You can spend a few hours exploring the rampart, relaxing, and enjoying the view from the park benches in the fortress, or stroll around the museum inside.
Once you are done with the fortress, you can spend the rest of the day exploring the beautiful charming old town and check out places like St. Stephen's Cathedral, and Franciscan Monastery, or spend the day and walk around its coastline or relax at Plaža Lučica beach.
Hvar is an awesome place to visit with a lot to offer, from hiking to relaxing at the beach, so if you have a day to spare, be sure to go on a day trip and visit Hvar. You can visit Hvar as part of an organized tour which will take you to other tourist attractions in the area like the Blue Cave or you can travel independently as I did.
To travel to Hvar independently, you are going to have to buy a boat ticket the day before and catch the boat from Split Pier here. There, you will find the TP Line ticket booth where the boat will depart from. You can buy the boat ticket here.
Be sure to get the 9:15 AM one so that you will arrive at 10:30 AM and have enough time to explore the island before heading back to Split on the 5 PM ferry. The ferry should cost around 20 EUR per trip, so 40 EUR in total, making it a great budget way to explore Hvar.
Getting from Split to Dubrovnik
To get from Split to Dubrovnik, you can catch one of the many buses leaving from Split Bus Terminal between 5:15 AM to 6:45 PM every day. The journey should take about 4 hours and cost around 25 EUR per person. You can book the bus here.
Day 12 - 13: Dubrovnik (3 nights)
And we have finally arrived in Dubrovnik, the last city we will be visiting in Croatia for this backpacking itinerary. Out of all the places we have visited, I think Dubrovnik is to most picturesque of all. It is also the most crowded, thanks to the HBO hit series, Game of Thrones, which put the beautiful coastal town onto everyone's radar due to its breathtaking medieval architecture and imposing fortress walls that lend themselves very well to the show's medieval fantasy setting.
Since we will have 2 full days here, we are going to spend the first day exploring Dubrovnik's Old Town, starting by walking the entire circuit of Dubrovnik's City Walls, a historic fortification, one of the most well-preserved medieval structures of its kind, that surrounds the entire old town of Dubrovnik.
The walls were built in the 13th Century and are incredibly well-preserved, with impressive defensive features still intact, including towers, bastions, and gates scattered along the walls, providing us with a ton of things to do as we explore the city walls and walk the entire circuit of around 1.9 km (1.8 miles) in length.
Since it is almost 2 km long, expect to spend at least 2 hours walking the entire length of the city walls. That said, there are so many things you can do along the walls that you won't even notice how long it took you to walk, and you will be right back at the entrance in no time.
Some of the notable stops along the walls you should check out are Fort Puncjela, a small fort providing an incredible view of Lovrijenac and its coastline which we will be visiting later, Fort St. Peter, a great stop to take in the view of the Adriatic Sea, and Tvrđava Minčeta, a fortress with a tower you can climb for an even better view of Dubrovnik from the top.
The walls can get pretty crowded, and in order to avoid them during your visit, I highly recommend you start the city walls walk as early as possible to avoid being stuck behind large tour groups. You can avoid even more tourists and visit Dubrovnik in early October, and you should have to whole place to yourself as I did.
After you are done with the wall, you can then proceed to Stradun, a beautiful limestone-paved pedestrian street that runs through the heart of the city, stretching from Pile Gate to Ploče Gate, with many side streets splitting out all across the town making for a great beginning point to start exploring Dubrovnik's old town.
The street is also known for its stunning architecture, lined with beautiful buildings and palaces that are steeped in history like Orlando's Column, a stone pillar with a statue of the legendary knight Orlando, which symbolizes the city's freedom and independence.
You will also find other notable attractions along Stradun, such as St. Blaise's Church, a beautiful Baroque-style 18th-century church that is often used for weddings, Large Onofrio's Fountain, a 15th-century circular springwater fountain decorated with ornate, carved-stone masks, a great meeting point in the old town, and so much more.
Located right on the street of Stradun, you will also find the Franciscan Church and Monastery, one of the oldest functioning Franciscan monasteries in the world, dating back to the 14th century.
The monastery complex is known for its exquisite Gothic-Renaissance architecture, with its intricate stone carvings, rose windows, and slender columns. The interior of the church is also adorned with stunning frescoes, altars, and religious artifacts, including a famous Pieta sculpture by Italian sculptor Pietro Cantera.
You will also find one of the oldest pharmacies in the adjacent building that houses an incredible collection of manuscripts, old prints, and ancient pharmacy tools, which makes for a great place to visit while you explore Stradun.
Another awesome fortress you should visit in Dubrovnik is Lovrijenac, the fortress you saw from the city walls that are located on a rocky outcrop outside the western walls of Dubrovnik's Old Town.
The fortress provides a great view over the Adriatic Sea as well as Dubrovnik's Old Town and its magnificent fortification, which will allow you to really appreciate the true scale of Dubrovnik's city walls from afar. You can access the fortress for free with the Dubrovnik Walls ticket, so be sure to drop by there while you are here.
If you are looking for the sunset best spots in Dubrovnik, there is no better place to be than at the top of Mount Srđ, a towering mountain peak that overlooks the entire area, providing a perfect vantage point to witness the golden hour over the picturesque city, the Adriatic Sea, and the surrounding islands.
Up at the top, you will find an old fortress that was constructed to serve as a strategic point for defense during Dubrovnik's tumultuous past, a restaurant where you can dine as you watch the sun go down, and an observation deck at the Cross stone monument where you can sit and enjoy the magic hour.
Since the mountain is around 412 meters (1,352 feet) above sea level, you have a few options to get to the observational deck. The most convenient way is to ride the cable car from Dubrovnik Cable Car Station and it will take you all the way to the top in just 4 minutes.
After sunset, be sure to spend some time exploring the beautiful streets of Dubrovnik before calling it a day. The city is especially beautiful at night as the cobblestones on the streets glitter with reflections created by the artificial lights that dimly illuminate the streets.
Day 14: Mostar in Bosnia or Kotor in Montenegro
On our last day in Dubrovnik, we are going to go across the border and explore some of the beautiful places in Croatia's neighboring countries. For today, you can choose whether you want to explore the mountainous region of Kotor in Montenegro or the picturesque stone bridge of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
To visit these 2 places as a day trip from Dubrovnik, you are going to have to rely on an organized tour to take you there and back in one day. There are so many things to do in these 2 countries it is impossible to do it in a day, but for those who have limited time, you will be able to get a glimpse of what it is like in these 2 Balkans countries and hopefully inspire you to visit them later on.
If you like mountains and beautiful coastlines, I highly recommend you visit Kotor in Montenegro with this organized tour. The tour will take you to Perast, to see a church on an artificial island located in the middle of the bay called Our Lady of the Rocks, explore the beautiful old town of Kotor, and the coastal resort towns of Budva, one of the largest towns in the Kotor Bay area.
Kotor, in particular, is an incredible place to visit with its beautiful old stone houses, narrow streets, and beautiful coastline which is like Dubrovnik but on a smaller scale but is surrounded by way more epic mountains. It is one of my favorite towns in Montenegro, and if you have a chance to see it during your trip to Dubrovnik, go for it. You are going to love the vibe of the place.
The tour should take around 11 hours in total, starting and ending from Dubrovnik, which is perfect for those who are looking for a day trip to make from here. You can book the tour here.
If you prefer beautiful structures, rich in history, a place with diverse cultures and friendly people, and a place that feels different from what you have experienced in Croatia, I highly recommend you go on a day trip and visit Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The tour will take you across the border and visit Kravica Waterfall, a beautiful waterfall tucked away in the mountainous region of Bosnia, and then they will take you to Mostar to see its iconic archstone bridge over the Neretva River as well as explore the old town.
If you spent a large amount of time in Croatia, you will find Mostar and its diverse architectural styles like a breath of fresh air as instead of Catholic churches, you will find mosques, carpets with symmetrical Islamic pattern designs, and a culture that reminds me more of Albania or Turkey which goes to show just how diverse the Balkans are.
The tour will take about 10 hours and you can book the tour from here. Bosnia is one of my favorite countries in the Balkans, and if you have a chance to see it on this trip, I highly recommend you go for it.
After 2 weeks in Croatia, with a day in either Montenegro or Bosnia, we have finally completed our 2-week itinerary. Congratulations! You did it! You have finally traveled across Croatia from north to south. From Dubrovnik, you should have no trouble finding a flight out as the city is one of the most popular tourist hubs in the country.
When to Visit Croatia?
The best time to visit Croatia is between late April to early October when the weather is nice and warm, perfect for outdoor activities while also increasing the chance of clear days which will make your trip to places like Dubrovnik and Split even more awesome as these are some of the best places to watch the sunset in the country.
That said, Croatia does get a lot of tourists during the summer months between June to August, and that can drive the price up significantly as the demand is sky-high. If you wish to avoid the tourist crowds as well as the high season price hike, I highly recommend you stick to either late April or early October.
Although, statistically, the weather might not be as good, there are still chances of nice beautiful clear days with great weather during this period. The crowds are also getting thinner while the prices are starting to come down. Either way, if you stick to the recommended period, you should be able to enjoy Croatia to the max.
How to Get to Croatia?
From the US, there are no direct flights to Croatia, and the best way to get to the country is to fly into its capital city, Zagreb, via airlines like KLM and Turkish Airlines transiting through Amsterdam and Istanbul respectively. You can browse through great direct flights from here.
From Europe, you can find plenty of flights flying from major European hubs to Zagreb Airport (ZAG) via either Croatian Airlines or low-cost airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet that will take you to Zagreb in no more than 3 hours.
From Asia, you can either fly into Europe via local airlines and then fly to Zagreb via low-cost airlines like Ryanair, or you go with Middle Eastern airlines like Qatar and Turkish Airlines and transit in their respective countries before heading to Croatia. The journey can take between 12 - 14 hours, depending on the transit time.
To find a cheap flight to Croatia, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.
How to Get Around Croatia?
By Buses: Buses are the cheapest way to get around Croatia. There are several buses running between big cities, national parks, and along its coastline that will take you to all the places I recommended in this itinerary every single day. There are several bus operators in Croatia but the 2 big bus operators you can rely on are Flixbus and Arriva. You can book the bus ticket online here.
I spent more than 2 weeks traveling around Croatia by bus and have absolutely no complaints about it. They are often on time and quite easy to find. If you are looking for an affordable way to travel around Croatia, this is the way to go.
By Tours: For some cases, you might want to rely on tours to travel further and deeper into remote places like Krka National Park as the organized tour will help organize all the logistics for you. For places along the Dalmatian coasts like the Blue Cave near Hvar, you will also have to rely on a boat tour to get there. Other than that, you should be able to navigate most of the countries without having to rely on it.
There are plenty of tours you can check out for Croatia, available here.
By Rental Cars: You can also rent a car straight from Zagreb Airport and drive around Croatia, but for this itinerary, you won't need it. If you insist, hit the link below to rent a car in Croatia:
How Much Money Do I Need for 2 weeks in Croatia?
From this 2 weeks itinerary, we can calculate approximately how much money you will be spending here as follows:
Accommodation: For 14 nights in Croatia, you can expect to pay around 308 EUR for accommodation, considering you are staying in budget guesthouses or hostels.
Food: For 14 days, 3 meals a day in Croatia, you can expect to pay around 294 EUR for food, considering you eat out every day. It will be significantly cheaper if you buy your own groceries and cook yourself instead.
Transportation: For this itinerary, you can expect to pay around 158 EUR for buses and ferries you will take on this itinerary.
Activities: Depending on how much you want to do in Croatia, you can expect to pay approximately 198 EUR for entrance fees for national parks, organized tours, and other tickets.
Total Budget for 2 weeks in Croatia: 958 EUR
Is it Safe in Croatia?
It is extremely safe in Croatia. I spent more than 2 weeks traveling around the country, and I didn't experience anything out of the ordinary.
That said, it is always a good idea to exercise precautions by not leaving your belongings unattended, especially when in crowded places, and ALWAYS keep an eye out on your belongings at all times. Keep your hands in your pockets when entering or exiting crowded places to secure your phone and wallet. Other than that, you should be perfectly fine traveling around Croatia independently.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Croatia?
There are 3 major carriers in Croatia, Hrvatski Telekom, A1, and Telemach, that offer prepaid sim cards tourists can buy while they are traveling in Croatia. That said, if you are looking for a more convenient way, I highly recommend you look into getting esims instead, which is something that you can buy prior to your arrival in Croatia.
If you have a smartphone that supports esims, I highly recommend you take a look at these esims. They have a variety of data packages, price points, and durations for you to choose from.
The setup is fast and instant, and you can buy it prior to your trip, so you don't have to scramble your way to get one at the airport after a long flight. The data speed is also equivalent to what you get with a local sim card with 4G speed across the entire country.
Or if you are traveling to Croatia as part of a bigger Europe trip, I highly recommend you get the regional Eurolink esim which will give you access to data from over 39 countries across Europe. I have personally used this esim on my 3-months trip around Europe, and it has worked wonders.
For more information on esims in Croatia, click here: Check Croatia's Available eSim.
What to Pack for Croatia?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Croatia:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Croatia
I hope you found this Croatia travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Croatia, here is a selection of articles you might like:
- Want to plan a trip to the Balkans, but not sure where to go? Here is the 31 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Balkans.
- For a complete itinerary to the Balkans, check out: 2 Months Backpacking Balkans Itinerary.
- Zagreb may not be on everyone's radar, but the city does have its charm, and it is a great place to see what life is really like in Croatia outside of touristy towns. Here are the 14 Best Things to Do in Zagreb.
- If you want to hike around Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of the best national parks in Croatia, be sure to check out: A Complete Hiking Guide to Plitvice Lakes National Park.
- Pula is a charming city in the beautiful region of Istria, home to some of the most well-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy. If you are planning to visit Pula, be sure to check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Pula.
- One of the most charming coastal towns that doesn't get as many tourists as other places in Croatia, Rovinj is one of the best places to visit in Croatia. Here are the 10 best things to do in Rovinj.
- Krka National Park is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Croatia. If you want to visit the park, make sure to check out: A Complete Travel Guide to Krka National Park
- Home to the stunning Diocletian's Palace, Split is one of the best places to visit in Croatia. For those who are planning to visit the town, here are the 12 Best Things to Do in Split.
- From swimming in the crystal clear waters to walking around the quaint town, Hvar is a great island to visit to escape the typical touristy towns in Croatia. Wondering what you can do there? Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Hvar.
- You can't come to Croatia without visiting Dubrovnik, one of the most famous travel destinations in Europe, home to so many cool things to do and places to see. If you are planning to visit the town, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Dubrovnik.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- To see all the articles about Croatia, visit the Croatia Travel Guide page.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Balkans Travel Guide, Eastern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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