Croatia Itinerary Advice

Rather than a series of two-night stays, I suggest three three-night stays, visiting Bol as a day trip from Split.
I’ve only been in May and June, but I’d also shoot for late September—I’ve always wanted to return and do a fifth visit in September so the sea would be warm (it’s frigid even in late May!)
If you are only interested in seeing Zlatni Rat, a day trip will suffice. You could possibly also cobble together transit to stop in Bol the day you head to Korcula, but I have not looked at the ferry schedules to see if that would be easy or a hassle. Krilo and Jadrolinija are the primary catamaran operators.
Alternatively, if you don’t have a ton on your list for Split, a day would be enough to see the palace, if your interests lie more toward island time, as Brac has a few pretty villages and could easily fill the time.

I think you could do well with another night at any of those places. Korčula is a good choice. Dubrovnik you can do in one full day with Dubrovnik pass. Note that Bol may not necessarily be any sleepier as it has very popular beach.

Last week of September would be fine but any time in September would be fine. The later the trip then you get into autumn, if the weather is good the days are beautiful, if the weather is bad you may see rain all day.

You could even potentially lose Bol and spend three nights in Split, Korčula, and Dubrovnik if you do not want to travel too much. But the beach day in Bol would be fine as well.

Also note Bol and Korčula are not necessarily easily connected, you will have to get to Milna for the ferry to Korčula. Most ferry routes are mainland to island. Maybe someone has done this.

Also note most accommodations will probably not be on sale for next year yet. At least not apartments. Not sure about hotels. Most places reset after the end of the year.

Before you assign the number of nights at each, you really ought to look at what you are going there for.

For instance, the big draws at Korcula include:

• Walking the old town / St Marks Cathedral / The Marko Polo Museum
• Maybe a winery
• boating and fishing https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSGPQ3B2zfmri6nXuzHr3IVLpumLo1nnRrBg0TX6HxzXRIfv2ETRv0gwro&s=10
• Plus, whatever you come up with.

How much time do you need for that with some style and relaxation … or what ever your travel style is? I would give it not less than three nights if on the first day I arrived early.

Then repeat with the other destinations. Then if you end up in the same fix that I do, I find out I am short on time and start to have to make value decisions. One place I would study closely would be Bol. I have never been, but it does appear to provide a lot of potential for the sort of holiday that I enjoy. There is a winery or two and boat and fishing charters. That might mean more days for me than for you. Then Dubrovnik would be last and that might be good as it will be later in September and there will maybe be a few less cruise ships in the port.

But only after looking at the possibilities in each stop do I have an idea of how many nights. And my count doesn’t necessarily line up with anyone else’s because I am particular in what I enjoy and don’t enjoy.

When? Again, only you can be an expert. Anyone interested in Beach time? Or boating time? You always play the odds for good weather for outside things but outside is what the Balkans excel at … well for my taste.

Split Rain: September 1–10: ~17% to 19% chance of precipitation (generally clear, sunny, and dry with occasional light passing showers). September 11–20: ~19% to 22% chance of precipitation September 21–30: ~22% to 25% chance of precipitation (higher likelihood of occasional afternoon storms or passing rain systems, totaling around 66–82 mm across the latter half of the month).

Split Temperatures: September 1 average high 84 and low 65F which is beach and boating weather. September 30 average high 75 and low 59F which is not great beach and boat weather.

Tourism Load: I read a bunch of data but trying to distil it is near impossible. Split and Dubrovnik and Korcula are what they are; and my attitude is just to deal with it.

There is a reason that all those tourists come in warmer weather … why should I deny myself the same enjoyment. And I like nature when I can actively participate in it. For me that means boating, maybe fishing, swimming, walking and sitting outside with a beer in the sun. So, for my taste and for my enjoyment I would arrive in Croatia no later than the 11th of September if my departure date was the 21st. Doesn’t mean I am right, just means that those dates might give me the odds that I would want for the greatest amount of enjoyment for my taste while giving me some break from the overtourism that plagues Croatia.

Sorry, not much help.

I did a trip almost identical to yours several years ago, but replacing Bol with Hvar (tho we did do a day trip from Hvar to Zlatni Rat on Bol). We really loved Korcula and I would agree with giving the extra night there. That even gives you time to do a day trip to Mljet, which we enjoyed a lot.

Regarding time of year, we do a Mediterranean beach holiday every year around mid September, as that's when it starts to get a little quieter (kids are back in school so fewer people travelling) but the weather is still good. The further you get into September the more you start to get a bit of rain and cooler temperatures. Our trip to Croatia was in late August and the weather was beautiful tho it was a little crowded.

Good luck with your planning!

I feel like 4 destinations in 9 nights is pushing it a bit. You could put that 3rd night anywhere right now, and that’s kind of the crux of the problem.

If you drop Bol as a stay, then you’re doing an easy 3-3-3 or 2-3-4 with Split, Korcula and Dubrovnik. That paces things much more comfortably. Seeing Bol, Hvar or Trogir as a day trip out of Split works a little better imo. And as much as we love to have a go at Dubrovnik, it does have the most going on. Dubrovnik’s strength is options: a day trip to Cavtat, a day on Lokrum, an island excursion, day trips to Mostar, Montenegro or just time on the beach. These are all easy things you can do, even at the last minute. You could also make an argument FOR a one-nighter in Bol if you were dead set, as it then goes 2-1-3-3. That’s better I think, but still if it were me I’d drop it.

Personally, id go earlier rather than later. Much is made of the crowds here, but crowded here can have a different meaning. For the most part, things seem to expand/contract to accommodate the tourists. And it’s not a crowd of exhausted tourists trying to push through the Vatican or something, it’s much more of a vacation vibe. Yes, Dubrovnik will get crushed by tour groups midday, that’s why you’re staying there and are at the beach relaxing while they sweat it out. I’m sure people will argue (perhaps rightly so) but I found it all a little overblown and easy enough to avoid the worst of. (FYI I’ve visited twice, end of June.)

This is all very helpful everyone. Thank you. I appreciate the brainstorming. I'm not sure there is a definitive answer so all opinions help. I think you have convinced me to move up my timing as much as possible. I can't speak for everyone in my group by I personally enjoy beach/pool time.

There is so much value in seeing a place when you can exploit what it has to offer to its fullest. If tourist crowds impact that to the point that you cant enjoy, then its time to look elsewhere; and there is a loy waiting to be discovered.

We just came off the RS tour that includes three of your four towns. I would say that Korcula deserves three nights because it’s an island and you have to ferry over there and back. Our tour stayed at the Aminess Marko Polo which is a resort hotel about 1km from the old town. The rooms were a little worn but the pool deck and other facilities were very good. There is also another Aminess Porto9 resort a little further up the coast on a pretty bay that has an Aquapark swimming and beach. But the later is not really within walking distance to the old town especially at night. Anyway the old town is interesting if not huge. Some tour folk went on a bus wine tour they liked.