How to spend 8 days (in the north or south)?

Yes- Eight days is only adequate time in the south for Dubrovnik, Mostar in Bosnia , Split, and one island such as Hvar or Korcula. For Slovenia, eight days is enough time for Ljubljana, Lake Bled or Lake Bohinj and the Skocjan Cave plus Rovinj or Pula in Northern Croatia.
With an interest in history and historic urban landscapes you would probably enjoy southern Croatia more.

@Kenko, do you have an itinerary you’d like to share with me? Within this forum it sounds like a few people don’t care for Mostar. So you think it’s worth it?

“I enjoy history and charming, old, historical cityscapes.”

I’m a historical architecture enthusiast myself and was in heaven in Diocletian’s Palace in Split. The only Roman emperor ever to retire built a miniature city within its walls here. There is even a completely intact Roman temple of Jupiter near the vestibule. You can stay in a small hotel that was built into the walls of the Palace’s “Golden Gate.”
The ancient coastal town of Sibenik is just an hour from Split and medieval Trogir is even closer. Both are reasons to stay in Split an extra couple days.
Dubrovnik is incredibly intact for a small town that was once its own republic. On Lokrum island, just a mile offshore, there’s a 15th-century monastery and Fort Royal- built by Napolean after he took Dubrovnik.
Of the offshore islands, walled Korcula Town—with its gateways and parapets—looks like a movie set. Legend has it that Marco Polo was born here.
Hvar is another amazing island with a castle set in the hills above the town.
Mostar is worthwhile also, but with just eight days and so much to see in Croatia, the border crossing formalities are a big time sink. It can take 7 hours roundtrip from Dubrovnik to Mostar.

Slovenia’s a 50/50 blend of nature and urban, with Ljubljana rebuilt mostly in the 20th century after an earthquake leveled it in 1895. Architect Joze Plecnik redesigned it for pedestrians— so he actually was ahead of his time ( or perhaps appreciated the old city centers of Europe).
Slovenia is known for the Julian Alps, alpine rivers and lakes such as Bled and Bohinj.
Piran, on the coast. is one of Slovenia’s only coastal towns. The campanile looks like the one in Venice because Piran was part of the Venetian Republic for 500 years.

8 days? With 8 days if you do some research and pick out what really interests you and find the necessary transportation (i know someone who can help with that), you can easily hit 3 or 4 locations from Zagreb to Dubrovnik. 2 or 3 nights in Dubrovnik is enough. I am not a huge fan of split so one night there was enough. Plitvice lakes .... eeeeeek not in the tourist season. Zagreb wonderful for 2 or 3 nights, then an islad for a night or two. Little to do on the islands but take in the beauty.

Mostar? Havent been yet. I should go i guess because I have been back to Bosnia a few times. My best trip to Croatia was Dubronik to Perast to Budva to Stari Bar to Ulcinj .... 8 days works for that

It really just depends--if you wanted to do a straight line Zagreb-Plitvice-Dubrovnik or Zag-Split-Dbv, you could see all three in eight days. That's a bit more travel than I would personally choose, but it is possible. Or if you can fly roundtrip to SPU, just focus on that area.
Are you going to rent a car or use public transport?

This region is really a planning conundrum because travel between destinations tends to take a lot of time. It basically means you’re spending a night somewhere, or often two to make it worth the effort. Day trips are long affairs, and ymmv as to how enjoyable that is.

The good news is, this region is amazing and I honestly don’t feel like you can go too wrong. I would plan a little bit like this is an incomplete checklist from the jump, and tell yourself you will come back. With that in mind, an easy one is: Dubrovnik 3/4 nights, Hvar/Korcula 3/4, and Split 2. Somewhere in there, you could arrange an overnight for Mostar or Plitvice. That all depends on what your flights look like too.

Flights are one area I would nail down and set with your itinerary. It may dictate the terms. I would book it as soon as you’re able really. I booked early, and the fare only went up after.
If airfare necessitates a flight into or out of Zagreb, I would add a night there to your itinerary.

I loved Mostar one of my favorite places I have been. It was so much fun and that was unexpended making it even better. We stayed two nights and wish it was three. I would not have wanted to day trip there as it was packed with tourists during the midday time frame making it hard to walk. The mornings and evenings were wonderful. The views of the mountains are amazing, so was hearing the call to prayer and the church bells, we could see 8 minarets from our Airbnb patio. The call to prayer would start at the far end of the valley and work its way up to the "big guy" across the street. Eight days (or 7 nights?) is not a lot of time. I would pick two towns to see, maximum 3 towns, and not waste precious travel time moving long distances. Since you like cities I would split the time between Split and Dubrovnik, unless you have seen them before. J

I loved Mostar one of my favorite places I have been.

Me, too!

I agree that Split, Dubrovnik and Mostar would be plenty for 8 days, and sound like the best option for your interests.

ZAGREB I enjoyed the simple city. Interesting and just all around enjoyable but not earth shatterig in any regard. https://youtu.be/WR6i5x5ejzs?si=y4RdhdW-GlCsmxsJ (sorry, best i could find).

SPLIT When I was in Split the schools were out (I guess) and the city was packed full of drunk european trustfund brats. One of the least enjoyable cities I have ever been to. But may have been just the one day in each 10 years .... I doubt it. Architecturally and historically from the aspect that its somewhat intact the city was about a 6 if Rome is a 10, in my humble opinion. Aesthetically not not terribly bad. With few tourists and fewer drunks i think I might have enjoyed the 19th and 20th century parts of the city quite a bit. Cost wise? Surprisingly not a bargain if you wanted anythng somewhat above average tourist level. https://youtu.be/i8VrAoiZ5Ro?si=iA7fzt5F7CtIL9-k and https://youtu.be/QTNlAXM9mKc?si=Pc5Ij7mTXDfsyEtz

DUBROVNIK Within the historic walls, so overly restored and so completely devoid of local culture that it is Disneyland in every aspect. BUT, it is among the most beautiful of places I have experienced. I have been back twice, but knowing what it is and what it is not and enjoying it for the best of what it is. Also, somewhat expensive. https://europebetweeneastandwest.wordpress.com/2014/10/12/you-must-remember-this-dubrovnik-the-architecture-of-survival/

MOSTAR Never been. Read the reviews before you go. Mixed depending on your interests.

SARAJEVO One of the great cities of the world in my opinion. I keep returning. Culturally it can not be beat. Architecturlly ehhhhh but the culture makes up for it. https://europebetweeneastandwest.wordpress.com/2017/05/26/a-few-steps-from-europe-to-the-orient-collision-course-sarajevo-between-east-west/ https://youtu.be/bejCig2XoEw?si=aBGgAgQqq7VD6VZM

PERAST Becoming a bit over touristed, but for the hill side town architecture and the stunning views across the bay while having dinner .... hard to beat for a night or two. https://youtu.be/jtYm047M1MI?si=gwWXc8S_EmL-h3JV

KOTOR If you saw Dubrovnik, then go elsewhere. Kotor is great, but a small Dubrovnik. https://youtu.be/cgUBxONzr-k?si=9CdraMgEULqzgvfW

BUDVA The small old town in the walls is cute. The beaches not bad. Not the density of tourism I experienced in other places. I relaxed reall well there. https://youtu.be/yCecJNUo8Cw?si=mb7AfvMzXBnrpcrh

STARI BAR Have you ever seen a medieval ghost town? Worth it. Spend the night. https://youtu.be/TF3fS74o1sw?si=xi_M01e3BrtP_C5H

ULCINJ noting slick or polished here. Picture a dubrovnik like town on a hill overlooking the water. In expensive and full of locals and local culture. Part christian part muslim where east and west really do meet .... well like Sarajevo in that regard. https://youtu.be/MI0F8bY5-CU?si=LwZCqL0CVXVNgYsd

Now the whole region is less than spectacularly easy to travel. You either have to use buses or private transfers. In Croatia buses because the private transfers can be expensive. In Montenegro private transfers are pretty economical. Planning is the key to using 8 days effectively. For that I would spend a few bucks and hire an expert, and of course I just happen to know a good one for that. She does Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia.....

Dijana Krkotic
Guide & Tour Designer
Doclea Travel 
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