12 Days in Croatia

Split is large and has other attractions, but you can certainly check out the palace in an afternoon while waiting for a ferry. That would save you from a hotel change, and allow you one full day for the Kornati trip and one full day for SIbenik.
For Plitvice, you typically don't need three days, but if you are an avid outdoors person, it will be nice to have one full day for your kayak excursion.
Priozd: Be sure the ferry is running before making the trek to Vela Luka.

When I was in Croatia I stayed one night in Trogir and then headed to Split in the morning before boarding my ferry to the islands in the late afternoon. Luggage storage was very easy. I had more than enough time to visit Diocletian's Palace and have a leisurely lunch. I would have liked to visit the Ivan Meštrović Museum, but that felt like it would be a rush.

Trogir is delightful, so if you decide to stay one night in Split, you might want to consider staying in Trogir instead. I'm not sure what the public transportation options would be (I had a rental car when I was there).

What a well-thought out plan! I like all the places you have chosen and that you aren’t rushing from place to place - and you are giving yourself time based on the fact that you are using public transportation.

The only place place I am not familiar with is Sibenik (just stopped for a couple of hours). It is small but if you have a full day trip from there for one of your days, it will be enjoyable.

I did not check the catamaran schedule from Split to Korćula, but that timing would make a difference in whether or not to stay one night in Split instead of 3 nights in Sibenik. My ferry last Sept. left at 8:40am. Unlike Lane, while I enjoyed my one night in Trogir, I wouldn’t go out of my way to spend a night there instead of Split when the ferry leaves from Split.

Hi all,

Thank you so much for your helpful responses! Based on your advice and the ferry schedule, I’m leaning toward 3 nights in Sibenik and a quick stop in split before heading over to Korcula. Glad to hear that luggage storage is doable. I’ll definitely double check the water taxi to Proizd!

Really appreciate it :)

I don't mean to confuse you but we spent 4 nights in Split and loved it!!!! It's a beautiful city architecturally with a lovely location on the water. Great restaurants! We hired Maya Benzon, recommended by Rick Steves, for a private guided tour of Diocletian's Palace, which is well worth it. We did visit Hvar Town for a day from Split. It is beautiful! And we visited Trogir from Split. I realize you don't have the time to spend 4 nights in Split, but if it were my trip, and it isn't, I would spend at least a night or two in Split.

I recently was in Croatia taking the Krilo Catamaran from Dubrovnik to Korcula, Hvar and Split. I would recommend cutting Korcula to 2 nights and adding nights to Split. Split has a nice beach near Diocletian’s Palace called Bacvice. It’s about a 20-minute walk and has cafes, loungers, and showers. Korcula Town is quite small and requires less time. Hvar Town is fantastic for beaches, ( Amfora beach) hiking around the medieval town and up to the castle. There’s much more of interest around the island.
Have a great Trip!

There aren't a lot of folks on this forum who stay in hostels, but I did in 3 of your locations last summer so I will comment on that in particular!

Dubrovnik: Hostel Angelina Location is awesome as it is right in the old town close to numerous attractions, the busy but enjoyable Banje Beach and the ferry to Lokrum. I loved being able to walk back quickly to get on wifi, charge my phone, grab a forgotten item, etc. It is an old building so a little oddly put together. Fine common area. Friendly vibe but lots of turnover so I didn't chat too much with people (fine with me). They do put together group activities. Big caveat- it is right over a noisy public square. I found this to be white noise and actually liked it just fine for sleeping.

Dubrovnik Backpackers club run by a lovely family. A hike or a bus ride from old town. I stayed here my last night and they drove me to the airport in the morning. It is close to several nice beaches on the 'other' side of Dubrovnik and close to an area with tons of restaurants. I stayed in a single with AC and it was heaven. And basically a room in their family's apartment! Dorm rooms seemed more conventional. Common space and kitchen. I liked it, but was glad I'd been in old town when actually exploring.

I spent 2 days here. 1 for walls, cable car, major sites, Banje. 2nd for the remaining sites and Lokrum island.

Split Outlanders Tribe Hostel Owner was great and booked a Plitivce tour for me. Location is a short (safe at night) walk out of town so it is quiet but very convenient. However the layout was odd, poor common spaces. A little rundown and musty. Pillows terrible. I also am biased due to a horrible snoring roommate, I basically didn't sleep for 2 nights! Lots of long term travelers who did things like play video games on the porch right outside my window at 1 am. At least the cats were nice.

I spent 2 ish days here. 1 for a Plitivce day trip. The other for the major Roman sites (great!) art museum, various little museums and underwhelming public beach. I had a few hours layover on my way back and checked out Froggyland. If I were to go back I'd love to check out Marjan park which has a lot of trails and seemingly nicer beaches.

Sibenik Hotel Scala This hostel was fantastic, super clean and new with a great pool! Only downsides were HOT room and there are minimal cooking facilities, because while you can store some food in a fridge, they have a working restaurant. However, the restaurant is great and the food prices in Sibenik are reasonable.

I spent 2 days here and it 100% didn't go as anticipated. I arrived on a Saturday and saw the town (it is not large). I was shocked to discover the only option to see Krka park, which is only 20 min away, would be by taxi. The tours only run on certain days due to the much lower tourist volume then towns like Split and there weren't that many operators. Due to high winds the tours that normally ran on Sunday to the Kornati islands were all already cancelled. I ended up on a 3 island boat trip on Sunday, which was fun, especially as I didn't make it to any other islands like Korcula. But still, if you need to do a certain activity, make sure you look up in advance.
I spoke to 2 particularly nice operators. If you want them on Whatsapp, Mauela is +385 92 130 1677 and another young lady was +39 327 741 1109 (both are advertised numbers)

To answer your basic question, unless you like to chill, I would not spend more than 2 days in Sibenik unless you add another activity like islands or Krka. I would be bored. There is more to see in Split.

You really should spend more than a day in Split because there is lots to explore! Bol is an awesome island you should check out as well (you can go from Split) We spent a month in Split and had a great time. The beaches there are way better than Dubrovnik! If you decide to only stay one day here are some fun things to do during that time in Split.