We are visiting Croatia for the first time in late Aug/early Sep - flying into Zagreb and out of Dubrovnik for a total of 10 nights.
So far we have booked the following: 2 nights in Zagreb, 1 night in Plitvice National Park and 4 nights in Dubrovnik. Between Plitvice and Dubrovnik, we have 3 nights open and I'm trying to decide if we should stay 3 nights in either Split, Hvar or Korcula or 2 nights in Split and 1 night in either Hvar or Korcula. If we decide to stay in Split for 3 nights to minimize packing/moving, would we be able to visit Hvar or Korcula as day trips? Would love to hear suggestions.
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
4259 posts
I would stay in Split for the 3 nights. Korćula is similar to Dubrovnik and almost 3 hours on the ferry one way. Hvar is only 1 hour and could be a day trip, as is Trogir. Check croatiaferries.com for timetables and links to order tickets. The ferry port is a short walk from the palace. In Split, stay within the palace walls. We always stay at the Peristil Hotel. Great location, lovely owners, and a good breakfast.
Posted by
4961 posts
I'd choose an island. It will still be very hot, and the beaches will be much nicer on an island versus in Split. You can take a catamaran to Dubrovnik from either island. You can spend a morning/afternoon in Split and see Diocletian's palace.
You could also alter the nights a bit--Dubrovnik is quite small, and while I like the idea of a four-night stay at some point, you could stay one night less and still see everything (unless you had day trips in mind).
Zagreb could also be a night fewer, depending on arrival time. I like Zagreb, it's an underrated city, but many feel the coast is a major highlight of the country.
Posted by
TX, USA
4816 posts
I think the answer totally depends on how you want to travel and what you enjoy. So none of the answers are bad. My thought is just what I might enjoy given a short amount of time…..
First, I agree with valadelphia to steal a night from Dubrovnik - unless you have a day trip planned from there already.
If you are driving from Plitvice and need to return the car in Split, you may have to stay at least one night in Split, based on your schedule for Plitvice and the ferry schedules. And if you want to see anything in Split, that may take you to two nights there, for one full day (I took a morning ferry last September but have not checked schedules for this year to see if afternoon is even a possibility). Then 2 nights on either Hvar or Korćula (my favorite) before your final 3 nights in Dubrovnik.
Just my 2 cents!
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
4259 posts
Just want to add that we are on Korčula today and It is very hot. If you want beaches then I agree with above posters, korčula is better. I don’t like the beaches in Split. We haven’t been to Hvar so I can’t comment, but I read that the beaches are beautiful.