We waited until the last minute and just booked our flights this week for a 9 night trip at the end of June.
We are flying into Split and out of Zagreb. We did this b/c we are adding on 2.5 days in Paris and the best flights worked out that way. We are a family of 4-kids ages 11 & 13.
Here is our rough plan:
6/27-land in Split around 2pm
6/28-Split -maybe do an island Korcula or Hvar
6/29 - Split-Diocletian's Palace
6/30-drive to Dubrovnik
6/30-6/3 --spend 3 nights in Dubrovnik
7/3 -Drive to Zadar
7/4-Zadar to Zagreb
7/5 Zagreb
7/6 Fly to Paris
We know it's a fair amount of driving but it is what it is now b/c our flights are booked. Just wondering if we should add a stop somewhere to break up some of the driving.
Thinking maybe Krka National Park for the waterfalls. We are also not tied to this itinerary so open to other suggestions.
Thank you!
Posted by
4961 posts
If you particularly wanted to drive, Croatia is not a difficult place to drive (parking can be a pain at times--you'll want your accommodations to have parking or be able to advise you on where to park), but I would try to make better use of the car. You could also take a catamaran from Split to Dubrovnik, shaving some time off the rental. Croatia Air also offers cheap flights, so you could check on Dubrovnik to Zagreb flights, negating the need for the long drive and giving you more time on the coast.
Posted by
TX, USA
4816 posts
Personally, I would flip your first 2 days and see Split on your first day so you don’t have to have an early morning full day trip right after you arrive. I am not sure what kind of boat trips leave from Split but you will have plenty of options for a day somewhere.
Second, I would ferry to Dubrovnik and wait to get your rental car as you leave. Not only will it save rental costs, but it will save parking headaches - you sure don’t need a car in Dubrovnik. If you use the catamaran, it makes brief stops (you couldn’t get off) in both Hvar and Korćula.
Zadar - parking is tricky but doable. Parking app (extremely useful) for many cities in Croatia: https://paydo.hr/
Krka might make a nice extra stop on your driving day Dubrovnik to Zadar. You can do it in a half a day, with only about an hour more of driving afterwards. It is pretty and not overwhelming for kids.
It’s beautiful!