I've been eyeing Brac (Bol), Mijet, Korcula, and/or Vis, and trying to decide whether to stay a couple nights on an islands, or hunker down in 1 spot and just take multiple day trips. Here's where we are at:
Fly into Dubrovnik - Stay overnight 5 nights
Fly out of Split - 10 nights able to play with
From a base, we plan to do day trips to 1+ National Parks, Zadar, maybe Sibinek, and islands.
What we're trying to figure out is whether after Dubrovnik to go straight to Split and stay there 10 days and only do day trips to the islands, or after Dubrovnik stay a couple nights on an island, then hunker down in Split for day trips.
Is it worth staying on an island, or enough to just do several day trips?
It is 4 of us - 7, 9 year old and my husband and I
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
4432 posts
Personally, with that much time I would stay on an island for a few nights.
Yes, the ferries are convenient but they do take time and aren’t too expensive but aren’t cheap when purchasing 4 tickets. I think we paid around $32, per person, one way, from Split to Korčula September 2023.
Also, they do run on a schedule, they are not continuous, and not always direct, they sometimes stop at other islands. Depending on the times you might only be on an island for a few hours.
Check schedules at Croatiaferries.com.
From Dubrovnik you can take the local ferry to Lokrum Island for a nice day of hiking, swimming, and exploring. It is a national park. There is a small bar you can have drinks at and one cafe where you could have a lovely lunch. Or, bring a picnic. Those ferries are only about 15 min ride, are continuous and cost about €25. could be more by now.
As a disclaimer, of the islands you mention above, we have only been to Korčula, numerous times. Love it.
Read up about Mjlet because it is a national park and has an entrance fee. Besides the ferry cost. We actually had tickets (we won them at a dinner) but couldn't work out the ferry times from Dubrovnik to make it worth our time. I forget the problem. Anyway, we gave them to a friend who lives there.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Can you tell me more about why you love Korcula? Can't decide which island to stay on with the kids
Posted by
1110 posts
Oh, absolutely stay on an island for awhile. Day trips are taxing and you’ll just be throwing big chunks of the day away. Big vote for Korcula here too. Stunning setting, beautiful little town that I didn’t tire of exploring (even though it has like 8 streets.) I’d consider it very kid friendly too. There’s several small islands nearby connected by regular water taxis. The island of Badija was great for a swim and the dock is frequented by gentle black deer that come up to you for treats. These taxis also connect with Lumbarda which hosts some quaint wineries. There is actually a sand beach nearby (though a bit far I think there may be a bus connection?) that is great for kids, though I had gotten quite used to the rocky ones. Wherever you end up, make sure you get everyone outfitted with some good water shoes. Those pebbly beaches and sea urchins are no joke.
Posted by
Vancouver
203 posts
We stayed on Hvar for 5 days, you really need a car there but I’d highly recommend it, especially if you like beaches. There are endless little bays and beaches to check out. Wed pack a lunch and go hit up 1-2 beaches a day, swim have lunch and carry on