Guide and tips about Croatia

All about Croatia

Within this article, I propose a possible itinerary if you wish to visit Croatia but you have only 10 days to travel, as it was my case. Different tours are possible, depending on what you want to do during your trip. Personally, we had to make choices but we tried to combine during this trip: city life, visiting national parks which are wonders of nature, and island life.

When should you leave?

The best time to travel to Croatia, ideally, is June and September.

Why?  Because there are fewer tourists and believe me, it can completely change your visit to Dubrovnik and the island of Bol for example. In addition, many ferries are closed between the islands of Hvar and Bol until May, which makes your trip much more restrictive. In addition, the weather is still capricious in May while in June (and September) it improves significantly and you can definitely take out the jersey to tan your complexion!

          1. Dubrovnik and its surroundings

The first stop on this journey is the famous fortified city of Croatia, Dubrovnik, famous thanks to the planetary serie Games of Thrones.

I advise you to walk around the streets outside the city centre to venture into cute little streets dotted with stairs and flowers of all kinds. You will see that the city is full of airbnb apartments! Then head downtown to enter this beautiful fortress. Stroll through the many alleys and have a drink by the harbour! Do not miss the visit of the ramparts, this will allow you to have views of the sea and the roofs of Dubrovnik, it is worth the detour.

Visit the monastery of the Franciscans (which is worth a visit), masterpiece of late Dalmatian Romanesque art, built at the beginning of the 14th century. The cloister of the monastery is a space of serenity and greenery away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The Sponza Palace can also be a stop in your visit to the city, as well as the churches present within the fortress such as the Saint Blaise Church in Dubrovnik or the Saint Saviour Church.

Stroll as far as possible in the small streets of downtown Dubrovnik, it has a crazy charm!

Finally, I advise you to visit for a day the Lokrum island, accessible by boat from the city center of Dubrovnik, a veritable haven of peace. If you are a fan of Games of Thrones, you will find the famous iron throne, but you will also discover an abundant and preserved nature that attracts many tourists. Stroll around the island and don’t miss the peacocks who wander around in this rough nature as they please.

          2. Paradisiacal islands tour

The second stop on this Croatian journey is the visit of the two islands, both charming: Hvar and Bol.

     - Hvar

I would say that what characterizes the island of Hvar is its absolute charm. Stones, small alleys, turquoise water, here’s something to delight you for two good days! Walk along the sea, swim and stop at Houla-Houla in the evening to drink a sublime cocktail at sunset, you won’t regret it! I also advise you to climb to the fort, without necessarily going inside; the view on Hvar is magnificent.

Spend a few days in Hvar to rest and enjoy the sun, it is an island that is worth a relaxing stop. Its charm will not leave you indifferent.

     - Bol

Second island not to be missed: Bol. Take a ferry, or catamaran directly from Hvar, to this island which has the largest and most beautiful beach in Croatia. We arrived on the 31st of May at 9am on this beautiful beach, under a healthy sun and without a living soul: it leaves you incredible memories.

There again, stroll along the sea on the landscaped promenade, eat by the beach and enjoy this beautiful beach for a few days. It is relaxing and vitalizing. The color of the water and the sunsets are worth the stopover in Bol.

          3. Split

Make a two-day stop in Split, this city is filled with beautiful alleys where the stone of the buildings plunge you into a very special universe. It’s the city of music and celebration! On the Peristyle place, the most recognizable place of the Diocletian Palace, to visit absolutely, are played every evening free concerts to delight your ears. People dance and laugh in the square, it is a unique moment of sharing.

A rather pleasant walk, once you have visited the port and downtown of Split, is to climb up to Marjan Park to have a splendid view as Split. There are many steps to get there, so don’t take this walk at noon at the warmest moment of the day. If you wish, you can also explore the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, the vestibule and the underground walls of the palace, which will probably amaze you.

The main thing is to walk around and stop in all the places that you want. This town is made for us to live in, so let it carry you!

          4. National Parks - Wonders of nature

From Split, head to the first national park: Krka. We decided to spend a night in Skradin, in order to start the early morning visit of Krka park and then leave in the afternoon towards the lakes of Plitvice. There is not much to do in the small village of Skradin, but I advise you to make a stop at the restaurant: Konoba Dalmatino. The servers were very pleasant and the food is excellent, I recommend!

Take the ferry to Krka Park and follow the marked routes. Enjoy the many waterfalls along your way, it’s splendid. And if you visit these falls in summer, you will also have the opportunity to swim so don’t forget your swimsuit!

Finally, the highlight of your trip: Plitvice lakes. If you love nature, you will have stars full of eyes, it is a marvel of nature and it is very well equipped to walk without damaging the environment. The only concern is the number of people who visit this natural park… You will probably not be alone. That’s why June and September are ideal months to visit: fewer tourists. However, to avoid a massive influx of tourists, the park limits the entrance to a certain number of people, so as soon as you know your travel dates, do not hesitate to buy your tickets in advance.

You have multiple walking options, we have chosen the longest: count about 8 hours walk. Take at least a real good day to visit the park. We did the tour in a day and a half but it is so beautiful that you will not regret to spend two full days there. Don’t forget your camera because you will have the opportunity to practice your photographic talents many times.

Extra : For people who can afford it: I advise you to cruise in Croatia on a sailboat, catamaran and visit all the islands and coves that border Croatia. It is a beautiful destination to sail in exceptional places still preserved from mass tourism.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require additional information or if you have any comments I would be happy to respond.