Croatia Trip Itinerary Suggestions and how to get around

Thank you much appreciated. This is great advice. I did have Hvar on the radar so we will definitely go there for 2 nights. I assume 3-4 nights is sufficient for Dubrovnik, Split and Zagreb.

Wonderful suggestions. Thanks again

I agree with the suggestions mentioned above! As an example, this is a 10 day trip I did in summer 2016-
-Fly into Split, two nights in Split
-Ferry to Hvar for three nights, including a day trip to Zlatni Rat on Bol and another to Pakleni Islands (both on small boats, not ferries)
-Ferry to Korcula for two nights, including a day trip to Mljet (on the ferry)
-Ferry to Dubrovnik for two nights, fly home from Dubrovnik in the evening

This itinerary worked really well for us and didn't feel rushed (but everyone has their own pace). If you have more days you can also add on Zagreb as mentioned above, or even Plitvice Lakes. Good luck!

Rough outline: 4 nights in Dubrovnik - 3 nights on an island (Hvar/Korcula) - 2 nights in Split - add on from there. Dubrovnik has lots of day trip options, so while 3 nights might suffice adding another is an easy call. The islands may have different vibes but are similar experiences, RS basically sats pick one and don’t worry about it. Split also has some day trip options, but generally two nights will be enough for most.

Adding on further? Plitvice for sure imho. You’ll have to work to make sure you’re avoiding midday crowds at all costs, but the reward is worth it. I think Zagreb is underrated, and is worth a couple nights. Airfare can be a big decider here. I would try hard to fly into Dubrovnik. It can be a demanding place. Ideally, hit it with a full tank of gas then unwind on an island. Zagreb is a common and affordable place to fly in/out of. Connecting it with the coast involves a car or long bus ride (Plitvice can make a nice layover) but that may just be how the airfare shakes out.

Thank you. Sounds great itinerary. I was thinking similar amount of nights in each city and perhaps doing a day trip from each. It sounds like ferry is best way to get form Dubrovnik to Hvar and Split and probably fly in and out of Dubrovnik from Newark, NJ. (Ill check if easier to fly out of Split if they even have an airport)

Just confirming that Split does have an airport, it's a very popular destination for intra-Europe travel but not sure if it has intercontinental flights.

Split’s airport (SPU) is an international airport and has direct flights to 22 countries around the world.
The rail system in Croatia is skeletal and part of the reason is geographic— the mountains right near the coast and inland made it difficult for the former Yugoslavia to develop train routes.

Consequently, buses are the way to go between Zagreb and Plitvice National Park and onward to Split

Buses generally take 2.5 hours and up to reach Plitvice National Park from Zagreb and about 3.5 hours to get to Split from Plitvice National Park. Some buses run between Zagreb and Split in 5 hours. Split to Dubrovnik by bus takes at least 3:45.
Hvar is just a 1-hour ferry or Krilo catamaran ride from Split. Dubrovnik is another 3:20 from Hvar by catamaran with an intermediate stop at Korcula.
www.CrotiaFerries.com
www.BusBud.com

The weather in Croatia in September is relatively stable, but there is a small chance of rain. On rainy nights, the temperature may be around 10 degrees Celsius, and the humidity is relatively high. You may need to prepare a set of clothes to deal with this kind of weather.

Thank you. I assume I do not need a rental car if we are taking ferries to each location and then can taxi or Uber around or good old fashioned walking.

So far thinking about the following itinerary (I don't like to be rushed so want to make sure # of nights in each city is appropriate. If we need to add a night or so we have flexibility

4 nights Dubrovnik
3 nights Hvar
3 nights Split

Thanks

I like it. 4-3-3 is a solid breakdown. And yes, ferries are great, easy and cheap. You’re on your way!

That is the itinerary I did at the recommendation of my Croatian neighbor. The Krilo Catamaran docks directly at Korcula Town. You can buy two separate tickets ( the price is the same) for Dubrovnik to Korcula Town and then Korcula Town to Hvar Town and have lunch on Korcula before continuing to Hvar.
There’s nothing more relaxing on a vacation than taking ferries to get everywhere— no planes, trains or automobiles. Just leave the driving to the Captain of the boat you’re on,
Have a great trip!

Thanks for all the advice. Anyone have any suggestions on hotels or even areas of city to stay at. Ill probably stay at the Hilton Imperial in Dubrovnik since I have points and it's highly rated.

If anyone know much about Hvar and Split I'm open to your advice

Thanks

Split is all about Diocletian’s Palace. Diocletian was the only Roman Emperor to live long enough to actually retire and this was his retirement home. Staying within the walls of the Palace is fun because the peristyle with all the Roman architecture ( including the completely intact Roman “Temple of Jupiter”) and other buildings are floodlit at night. It all is a great photo-op.

I have stayed at “Golden Gate Rooms” which consists of several rooms built into the fortified wall overlooking the vestibule of the Golden Gate of Diocletian’s Palace. In 300AD, this area served as the barracks for Roman soldiers charged with protecting the palace.
When you’re ready to take the ferry or catamaran to Hvar, Split’s ferry port is right outside Diocletian’s Palace.
Split’s great municipal beach, Bacvice Beach, is about a 15-minute walk. Good day trips include the town of Sibenik ( 1-hour by bus) and Krka National Park ( 20 minutes beyond Sibenik). Trogir, which is close to Split’s airport, also makes a pleasant excursion with one-hour ferries departing from Split’s ferry port.
On Hvar. I’ve stayed on beautiful Bonj Beach near the Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort, It’s about a 15-minute walk from central Hvar Town and the ferry port.
Stari Grad— one of the oldest continuously-inhabited towns on earth with Roman mosaics exposed under the sidewalks— is a 30-minute bus ride from Hvar Town with buses departing from near the supermarket by Hvar’s cathedral.
Have a great trip!

Thank you Kenko. Appreciate the insight and hotel suggestions. Looking forward to it.

Any suggestions for a quick day trip from Dubrovnik? If I use my Hilton points I can stay 5 nights for the same points of 4 nights so might as well do 5.

Thanks everyone

I would definitely suggest Mljet as a day trip from Dubrovnik if the ferry schedule makes sense (it takes an hour and a half)- it's a beautiful island which is mostly a national park and you can go cycling, canoeing, hiking, swimming, etc. It's quite different from the other islands.

You could do Mljet, or an excursion that stop on the Elafiti islands. There are kayak trips.
You can check at the tourist office to see what further-afield excursions are on offer. The last I checked, the bus schedule did not line up well for longer day trips like to Montenegro or Bosnia, but that could have changed.
Maybe something like the Trsteno Arboretum?

A 15-minute ferry ride from Dubrovnik’s Old Town Port by the Rector’s Palace will take you to Lokrum Island National Park.
Lokrum has enough to fill a day with beautiful beaches, pine forests, and a Benedictine Monastery with origins dating back to 1023AD when the site was an Abbey. Today, the Monastery houses the Iron Throne seen in the “Game of Thrones” series, and a cafe. A panoramic view of the walls and architecture of Old Dubrovnik can be taken from Fort Royal, a fortress Napolean had built on Lokrum Island after he added Dubrovnik to his Empire.

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

Anyone know how much in advance I should book the ferries from Dubrovnik to Hvar and than Hvar to Split and then back to Dubrovnik?

Our travel will most likely be in early September. Are the ferries easy to book? Any suggestions on which ferry or re they all similar

Thanks

In September I would not worry too much about it. We always just stopped by the kiosk the day before and bought tickets, but you can check the Krilo and Jadrolinija websites. I have heard that some catamarans have some outdoor space, but otherwise they are all just fast boats so I would go by schedule.

Thanks yeah wasn't sure if all boats were same type. Sounds easy enough.

Ill check website a few weeks before we go.