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15 days in Croatia in May 2025

Hi, we are a British family of 3, mum (me!) and dad in our sixties, son in mid-20s. We're planning our first trip to Croatia in mid-May (12th to 27th) and will be there for 15 nights. We are flying from the UK and planning to use Airbnbs. We've had a few problems trying to find flights that suit but have probably settled on flying in to Zagreb, spending a few days then travelling to Split and then down to Dubrovnik and flying home from there.

This is a very loose outline that we're now trying to fill in. We arrive on a Monday and a tentative plan is to stay in Zagreb until the Friday, go south to Split and stay for a week. Then travel to Dubrovnik and stay until we fly home the following Tuesday. Ignoring the 3 days of travel that would be 3 full days in Zagreb, 6 in Split and 3 in Dubrovnik. Does this seem like a reasonable spread of days please?

We are not planning on having a car in Zagreb and are thinking of travelling to Split by train (keen to see the scenery from the train so we can all enjoy it). But I'm hearing quite a lot of negative reviews of it being uncomfortable and it takes 8 hours getting in at 10pm and then having to find our accommodation. There is a sleeper but then we wouldn't see the views anyway! Would driving be a better alternative? There is a bus service but I am prone to travel sickness so I'm not jumping for joy at that thought.

Assuming we take the train we would plan to pick up a car in Split after 2/3 days to enable trips to local towns and sights. After our time in Split we would either drive to Dubrovnik and return the car there on the assumption we wouldn't need it while in Dubrovnik or return the car and take the catamaran (but see above re travel sickness! I haven't ruled out bus or catamaran but I need to think about it).

The other thought is whether to split the holiday further and take a day from Zagreb and a couple of days from Split and go to the Istrian peninsula. It looks beautiful but maybe that's too much travelling?

Our interests are wandering around old towns, eating good food, finding local markets and anything quirky. Also our son enjoys anything animal-related - zoos, wildlife parks etc. We’re not beach people!

Sorry for the ramblings but I am trying to be as specific as possible. We'd be really grateful for any help.

Posted by
21778 posts

I would hire private transfers. Just part of the cost of the journey and I suspect when all of the costs are tallied not much more than renting a car. I think there is a shuttle service between Zagreb and Split too. If you are still having trouble with flights, look and see if anything out of Podgorica works for you.

Posted by
746 posts

My two cents....

  • Zagreb is doable in 2 full days
  • 6 days is way too much for Split itself, so I would definitely have side/day trips in the plan
  • if you can schedule it correctly, Plitvice Lakes is stunning. It could be done on the way to Split.
  • In general, private transfers can be pricey, but maybe not in Croatia.
  • keep in mind that having a rental car in Split or Dubrovnik may incur parking costs and hassles
  • apart from travel sickness concerns, buses are a clean and cost-effective to get around in Croatia where the train infrastructure is lacking
Posted by
1121 posts

I love Zagreb but more than two days is definite overkill. An overnight in Plitvice is a good way to break up the trip between Zagreb and the coast, and amazing in its own right. You can do this by bus, but convenience, schedule and comfort can be a bit of a mixed bag. Two days in Split is about right too. If you take those extra days in Zagreb and Split, you have a good week to spend between the Dalmatian islands: Hvar, Korcula, Bol. You’re just a smidge early in the season, but should still be very enjoyable weather and temps.

I probably don’t need to tell you, but these are very popular destinations and May is coming up fast. I would resolve your plans and get accommodations sorted asap.