Itinerary for Croatia. Over the first couple of weeks of the school summer holidays, we took the boys on a trip to Croatia. It was our first time visiting the amazing country. We knew that we did not want to stay in one location but at the same time we did not want to do a full-on Croatian road trip as the heat would be too much in the Summer months of July and August. So instead we settled on an itinerary for Croatia which took in three locations along the Dalmatian coast. Our 2 week Croatia Itinerary had something for everyone, beaches, snorkelling, museums, national parks and plenty of exploring. Balancing the things-to-do list with lots of downtime for the kids. We tend to make sure that everyone has a say in what we do.
Our 2-week Itinerary for Croatia focused on the Dalmatian coast. We visited Sibenik, Split and Dubrovnik. Spent 7 days in Sibenik at a slower pace, 3 days in Split and 5 days in Dubrovnik. We had an absolutely wonderful time. To get around on our Croatia trip we hired a car for the first week and then relied on public transportation for the rest of the time. During our 14 day Croatia Itinerary
Itinerary for Croatia 2 weeks on the Dalmatian Coast – Sibenik
Day one arrival into Sibenik & settling in
For our Croatia trip on the Dalmatian coast, we flew into Split airport. Which can be reached from a number of different airports across the UK. Split airport is located 58 km and around a 50-minute drive from Sibenik where we started our Croatia trip. The airport is serviced by a number of airlines, we flew with EasyJet. It is a popular starting point for a vacation on the Dalmatian Coast as it is a lot closer to a number of the must-see national parks. I must admit I was very impressed with how smooth our arrival, passport control and collecting baggage were. We picked up the rental car from the airport.
Sibenik is a well-known beach resort which is popular with both Croatians and Europeans because of the beautiful beaches. We were surprised by how many German, Swiss and Austrian cars we saw on our travels. On the way to our apartment, we picked up supplies from Lidl which is located on the outskirts of Sibenik. We found the supermarket to be much cheaper than the smaller local ones in the city.
Sibenik Lidl address – Ul. Velimira Škorpika 10, 22000, Šibenik, Croatia
It is unlikely you will be able to check in to your accommodation much before mid-afternoon. We booked our apartment through Booking.com. It was located outside Sibenik 500m from a beach. I can recommend Villa Croatica II we had a very good stay, a great place for children and the fact that it had a pool was a bonus. Although because of where it is located you do need a hire car.
Driving in Croatia
Having a car is essential for this Itinerary for Croatia and the Dalmation Coast for the first week. Once in the major cities, we relied on public transport.
We have driven in various different European countries and found driving in Croatia straightforward. There are tolls on the Croatian motorways which take cash or card. We set the sat nav up to avoid the toll roads which took us along some main roads that were much quieter. But perfectly fine to drive on. Giving views of small olive groves, and stalls along the side of the road selling oils, garlic and other home grown produce. There were no cliff paths or unpaved roads. And in our experience the sat nav picked up addresses easily and without issue.
The road signs are easy enough to read and they also seem to be pretty chilled in their driving attitude. This could be because they get so many tourists. Although mind the wild boar signs did make me chuckle.
Day Two Podsolarsko Beach
After a quiet morning to get the kids accustomed to the heat we headed to the first beach of several that we visited during our time in Sibenik. The beach is a small one with a bar, water sports centre and a shallow bay. It is frequented by locals more than holidaymakers and is not very commercial compared to others. The sea is a fantastic turquoise colour and since it is the Adriatic sea, it is much warmer in comparison to others. It was the boy’s first experience of looking for sea life and were pleased to find sea urchins. Water shoes and snorkelling gear is a must. If you have time you may want to consider taking part in some of the water sports. I have included more detail in the post below.
READ MORE – 8 Sibenik beaches to visit during your stay
Day Three Krka National Park
One of the reasons we chose Sibenik for the first part of our break was because of its proximity to the beautiful national parks. It is only a twenty-minute drive to Krka National Park. It is possible to arrange an excursion from Sibenik but we wanted the freedom that the car gave us to arrive and leave when we pleased. I would recommend leaving a full day for your visit as it was one of the best places we saw on our Croatia trip. We did not get it all done although we did see the main sights and intend to return in the future to pick up some of the lesser-known walks. An alternative you may wish to consider is the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Although this is a much further drive from Sibenik taking closer to two hours to reach the Plitvice National Park compared to twenty or so minutes to Krka.
READ MORE – Do it yourself day trip to Krka National Park
Day Four Exploring Sibenik
We drove into Sibenik and parked in one of the car parks close to the city centre. There are various parking options if you are not staying in the city but we chose to park central as it was a hot day. The closer you are to the centre the more expensive it is.
We spent the day exploring some of the key sights including the UNSECO Cathedral XX, The Mediterranean Garden, Fort Micheal and the back streets. It is more laid back than Split and Dubrovnik with plenty of places to stop for a drink or a bite to eat. Make the tourist information centre your first stop to pick up a detailed map of the town.
Sibenik Tourist Information Office address – Obala palih omladinaca 3, 22000, Šibenik, Croatia
READ MORE – The best things to do in Sibenik & top tips for your visit
Day Five Relizate Beach & Dalmatian Water Park
After the adventures of the last two days a relaxation day at Relizate beach also known as Brodarica beach, was much needed. This beach is 6km outside of central Sibenik, It was a 15-minute walk from our apartment. However, the is a large car park right in front. This is a much more commercial beach than Podsolarsko Beach with paid-for bamboo parasols, sun beds (if you want them), toilet facilities, a play area and plenty of places to get something to eat.
If you fancy something a little more than a day at the beach then close by is the Dalmatian Water Park. You will need to drive from Relizate Beach to the water park which is located next to Solaris beach resort 10 minutes away. Suitable for children under the age of ten. It is not a cheap excursion. When we visited it cost 250kn for adults and children over 120cm. 1000kn (£120) is a lot for a water park that looked like it revolves around a lazy river and giant splash down only. Even if that splash-down included some slides. So we decided to give it a miss choosing to spend slightly more on a whole day boat trip to the Kornati National Park. However, if you have younger kids then it may be worth considering. You can find out more about the Dalmatian Water Park on their website.
Day Six Kornati National Park
As we flew in over the National park and looked down at the beautiful islands, I knew that it has to be part of our Itinerary for Croatia. We found the most suitable Kornati boat trip for kids left the small town of Vodice which is about a twenty-minute drive (13km) from the centre of Sibenik. This was a large boat that served food rather than a small speed boat. Not only was it a lot cheaper but it also had plenty of shade and toilets. If you would prefer to have a private tour or to go on a rib then there are plenty of tours operating out of Sibenik. Just head to the harbour area and you will see various kiosks selling tours. You can also buy a tour of Krka National Park from here as well.
However we chose to use the specialist tour company operating out of Vodice, the staff were super helpful, the food was good and we had a three-hour stop which gave the boys plenty of time to go swimming and explore the salt lake. The total cost of the trip was 1125kn (£134) which puts the cost of the water park into perspective.
READ MORE – Kornati & Telascica National Parks
I would also recommend taking some time to explore Vodice on your return. We had a delicious meal in Taverna Ivano which is right next to the waterfront. There are various ice cream parlours, shops and bars to explore. The tourist office is located next to the main car park on the waterfront, here you can pick up a map of the town and area. It is most definitely on our list to explore further when we return.
Day Seven White Beach & St Nicholas Fort
Head to the only sandy beach near Sibenik – white beach. It is located behind the Amadria Park Hotel complex. But is a public beach and has a full range of facilities, including lovely parasols and sun beds (paid for), toilets and plenty of options for food and drink. Also as it is sandy the water looks even more turquoise. Due to its location, there is much more of a breeze compared to its neighbours. I am sad that we only discovered this beautiful beach on our last day otherwise we would have definitely visited again. Although I do think that the beach resort would like to keep it for paying guests only if you visit only one beach in your time in Sibenik then make it this one!
More details on parking and facilities can be found – 8 Sibenik beaches to visit during your stay.
In the late afternoon, we headed to St Nicholas Fort another UNESCO sight in Croatia. The sea fort dates back to the 16th Century and is very impressive from the ariel pictures. We thought that we would be able to walk across the island. Which we could have done if the tide has been out. Unfortunately at high tide, the pathway is covered. Although we saw some people wading across. However, it is no longer possible to enter the fort from this side. the entrance has been closed and now you have to get a boat trip from Sibenik. Which does seem a bit ridiculous when a wooden walkway has been put in. You can find out more about boat trips to St Nicholas fort here.
Itinerary for Croatia – Split
Day Eight Transfer to Split and get your bearings
This is incredibly easy to add Split into your Itinerary for Croatia as the city so easily accessible. We dropped the hire car back at the airport and picked up a coach transfer into the city. Spit itself is large and sprawling, being the fourth largest city on the Dalmatian Coast. Although we could have dropped the hire car back in the city. We would have still needed to transfer to the old town also thought as of the city center where we were staying.
The coach transfer brought us directly to the port which is really convenient. There are plenty of places to stop for a drink, ice cream or a snack while waiting for check-in. As you are by the port it is s good opportunity to book any ferries you may want to catch during your visit.
READ MORE – How to get from Split airport to Split Old Town
Again we chose to stay in an apartment and could not check in until mid-afternoon. Once checked in we headed into the old town to get out bearings. There is also Green Market which is located close to the Diocletian Palace Silver Gate. This is open until around 2pm so could be a good place to stock up on local fruit and vegetable, cheese, meat and bread. Alternatively, there are a couple of small supermarkets outside of the palace to pick up supplies.
READ MORE – Green Market Split
Top Tip – Many of the restaurants we found in Split took reservations which did make it more difficult to find places to eat. If you can I would book restaurants in advance or try and eat earlier by 7 pm it was very busy. Those that did not offer reservations had queues well into the evening. Unfortunately, our first restaurant experience was not a good one. But I do share below some others that we enjoyed.
Day Nine Diocletian’s Palace
We took a whole day to explore the Palace. As well as the five paid-for attractions which include a 180-step climb up the bell tower. As you walk around the streets various buildings of interest have plaques on the walls. These are in Croatian and English and tell you all about the building with small back and white photos of things to look out for. There are lots of pathways to explore and plenty of shops to buy souvenirs. There are also a couple of museums.
READ MORE – The Diocletian Palace Split everything you need to know
We found a particularly nice bar which we frequented a couple of times during our visit. Called Teak Caffe address – Ul. Majstora Jurja 11, 21000, Split, Croatia. Not only did they have misters outside which really helped in the heat but the drinks were very well priced. For dinner, you may want to consider Restaurant Spalatin which had a three-course set menu for 195kn (£23) each. Set in the Platz der Republik there was a nice outlook, watching the boats coming and going with the evening sun lighting up the red buildings.
Day Ten Blue Cave Boat Trip
This went very wrong. I would not recommend the tour company we used as they did not communicate with us that the blue caves were shut. They missed out on one of the key snorkelling locations, anchored in open water for swimming where the current was far too strong to be safe and instead of seeing five islands we only saw three. It was expensive and unfortunately a waste of money.
However, The Blue Caves of Split are one of the big excursions of the area and it is something we hope to do on another visit. If you book this then you do need to be aware that it could be that due to the weather conditions you can not visit the blue caves. As the entrance to the caves is very small and low, adverse waves can mean that it can be extremely dangerous to enter the caves. So make sure you choose a trip that offers other points of interest as well as the caves. A tour that you would be happy to go on without the blue caves.
The only highlight of the day was visiting Hvar Island and Hvar Town which you can also do on a day trip from Split. If your budget does not cover the blue caves tour. Hvar is a lovely place to explore with a fort that overlooks the town and gives great views of the town and the surrounding islands.
READ MORE – A day trip to Hvar all you need to know to plan your own trip
READ MORE – Day trips from Split
Itinerary for Croatia – Dubrovnik
Day Eleven Transfer to Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is actually quite a long drive from Split and we were reluctant to use a hire car. On the basis, that parking is quite difficult in the old walled town. Yet I knew I wanted to include the UNESCO world heritage site in our Itinerary for Croatia. Everything we wanted to see was in the city itself. So instead we chose to use the Split to Dubrovnik Ferry which I think is one of the easiest ways to get around. It departs twice a day and takes around five hours giving views of the surrounding islands on the route. It was very straightforward to use. We opted for the early morning Ferry which meant we arrived in Dubrovnik around 12.30 pm.
READ MORE – Split to Dubrovnik Ferry everything you need to know
The ferry brings you into the new town which is around a ten-minute drive from the old city. There are plenty of taxis it cost around 120kn (£15). The new town is where many of the Dubrovnik beach resorts are located if you want to add one of these to your Itinerary for Croatia.
We spent the afternoon settling into our accommodation before heading out and exploring Luza Square and the Jeusit Staircase. Which I am told is a significant location in the TV series Game of Thrones.
Although just walking around you will naturally pick up a number of them. Be aware that Dubrovnik is a very popular destination with cruise ships and so many of the sights get very busy. When we visited Dubrovnik in August it was very hot, and although technically cooler than our previous stops in Split and Sibenik. The walls meant there is very little airflow so consequently felt a lot hotter. We took our first afternoon to try and climatise the boys and purposefully built in extra time in the beautiful city for this reason. We wandered, ate ice cream, sat and had cold drinks and finished our first afternoon with giant pizza at Pizzeria Tabasco which was enough to feed the four of us.
READ MORE – Dubrovnik with kids
READ MORE – Day trips from Dubrovnik
Day Twelve Dubrovnik Beach & Exploring the Old Town
Our host has recommended Dubrovnik’s main beach, Banj beach as a good place for the kids. So we decided to head there in the morning. Be warned like many of the city beaches in Croatia it is small and busy! We arrived around 10.30 am and it was already pretty much full. Although we did manage to find space for an umbrella (50kn) and there is always the overly priced but trendy beach bar next door. Unlike some of the beaches in Sibenik, there is not much of runoff into the water. So the boys did not venture very far. But we did find sea glass which is the first place we had found it in Croatia.
READ MORE – Banji Beach Dubrovnik
We spent most of the day at the beach and it does give lovely views of Lokrum Island and also the old port area. In the late afternoon, we found the tourist office which is located in the Luza (main) square of the Old Town. Right next to the clock tower near the Pile Gate entrance. Here you can pick up a map which gives you details of all of the points of interest in the city and main tourist attractions.
Dubrovnik Old Town Tourist Information Office address – Brsalje ul. 5, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
We chose to start around the old harbour. There are plenty of places to sit and if you walk around the harbour wall. Which I am reliably informed is a filming location where scenes from Game of Thrones were shot. If you are a Game of Thrones fan then you may want to consider a guided tour of the main sights. And add in a day trip to Klis Fortress when stopping in Split.
There is a small well priced boat bar (for Dubrovnik) although don’t expect ice. Lots of people milling around, some swimming, some fishing and also giant pirate boats going in and out of the harbour on the sunset cruises. We sat and watched one of the old ladies catching fish which she was feeding to a stray cat. The boys thought it was brilliant especially as it ate them in one go. As the sun goes down it reflects on the white stone almost making it glow.
READ MORE – Free walking tour of Dubrovnik
Day Thirteen Walking the City Walls and Museums
If you are visiting during the summer heat then I would recommend getting to the walls when they open. When we visited this was 8 am. By the time we left the walls around 10.30 am it was very hot and there was not much in the way of cover. However, it is the thing to do! And most definitely one if not the highlights of our visit to Dubrovnik if not our whole Itinerary for Croatia. There is so much to look at that the boys were quite happy and did not complain once. I have shared more about what to expect, entrances and prices in the post linked below.
READ MORE – Walking the city walls of Dubrovnik – things you need to know
As we brought a Dubrovnik card which meant that we could essentially visit the museums for free once you have taken off the cost of walking the walls. We visited the Old Pharmacy museum which is located in the Franciscan Monastery. Although the museum is not large and you can not take photos it is interesting to see all the old jars. Although my favourite part of the museum was the cloisters outside. Which surrounded a small but beautiful garden. Saved from the midday heat it was very relaxing and not at all busy. Unlike so many other parts of the old town.
We spent the rest of the afternoon hiding from the heat before heading out for dinner. There are so many restaurants to choose from and unlike Split, we did not need to book in advance. I found it to be a much more relaxed dining experience. Then we would get ice cream and soak up the atmosphere of the city. A popular place to sit and eat ice cream and watch the sky turn pink is overlooking the city walls and small bay. Exiting the city at the main gate – Pile Gate and then turning into the square area. There are also several restaurants here that afford the same view.
Day Fourteen visiting Lokrum Island and the Cable Car
Another early rise to get to a short fifteen-minute boat ride across to one of the nearby islands Lokrum. It is not possible to book tickets in advance and with it being a popular day trip for an Itinerary for Croatia. We wanted to try and get the first boat over at 9 am. If you also have a Dubrovnik card then you get a 20% discount on the boat and entrance price to the reserve. It cost 200kn (£24) for an adult full price and children were 30kn (£3.50) with under 7s free. In theory, the boats run every hour, although in high season we found that they run much more frequently than this.
I was surprised by just how long we spent on th Island and we did not walk the whole route! Charlie found a peacock feather as we got off the boat much to his delight. They are wild and free to roam on the island. There are lots to see there including a small game of thrones museum in the monastery, a salt lake, a beach area, gardens and restaurants. We caught a boat back around 3 pm and could have easily stayed longer.
READ MORE – A day trip to Lokrum Island Dubrovnik
In the late afternoon, we headed to the cable car. It is possible to buy tickets in advance although we just brought them at the counter. Again not a cheap activity priced at 200kn for a return (£24) for an adult and 50kn (£6) for children four and over. But we wanted to try and see the sunset. Becuase of where the old town is located th only way to see th sun set fully is to either go out into the sea or go up high. At the top, there is a viewing platform and also a restaurant. The restaurant is extremely popular and books up well in advance. As we were early we managed to get a table by walking up. But we were really lucky as they turned many people away.
If you are going purely for the sunset then you may want to consider a boat trip instead. As they have not made the most of the area. And it is very difficult to get a pure uninterrupted view of the sunset.
READ MORE – A trip on the Cable Car in Dubrovnik & dinner at the Panorama Restuarant
Day Fifteen Photos, Green Market, Museums and Souvenir Shopping
I know this is meant to be a 2 weeks in Croatia itinerary. But we purposefully took an extra night in Dubrovnik to make sure we had enough time to explore fully. If you are visiting without children or at a cooler time of year outside of peak season or have limited time. Then everything we did on our last day you would probably fit in around some of the other activities. If you want to get photos of the old town before it gets busy then you will need to be early. As we were staying close by I went in around 6.30 am and captured some photos without people. Although I had not thought about the delivery drivers and white vans that lined the streets.
Green Market was also starting to stir at this time in the morning. Located in Gundulić Square the traditional fruit and veg market is now much more aimed at the tourist trade. Selling gifts, souvenirs and Croatian delicacies. Although if you go early you will still spot the locals doing their daily shopping.
We spent most of the day picking up the Dubrovnik Museums we had yet to visit. All apart from the aquarium are included in the Dubrovnik Card. Most are quite small which is good for the kids as it holds their interest just long enough. We visited the Rectors Palace, Maritime Museum, Natural History Museum, Ethnographic Museum and the Argelogcal Museum. As well as the aquarium, which was the only one with air conditioning. All within walking distance of each other and with plenty of opportunities to stop for ice cream, sweets, snacks and drinks. And of course souvenir shopping in narrow streets.
READ MORE – The Best Dubrovnik Museums
Day Sixteen Depart
Although we flew into Split airport our Croatia trip on the Dalmatian coast departed from Dubrovnik. Getting to Dubrovnik airport is very easy. There is a shuttle bus which you can book for 55kn for adults, 30kn for children under 7s going for free. This can be done at the shop opposite the cable car entrance. They run in conjunction with arrivals and departures and will be able to tell you the best time to catch it.
We were not that organised and ended up catching a taxi from the taxi rank next to Polce Gate. Reassured by the list of prices on the board. In theory, it should have cost us 270kn to get to the airport. In reality, it cost 320kn because we travelled on a bank holiday. Not that we were told this. So make sure you check the price before you get in. It takes around half an hour to get to the airport.
READ MORE – Dubrovnik or Split?
Itinerary for Croatia Related Blog Posts
We had such a good time on our trip to Croatia, probably evidenced by all the other content I have written about our stay. Most of which are linked through this post. Although if you are considering a trip to Croatia and the Dalmatian Coast then you may also find these other blog posts useful.
The best food in Croatia
Tips for holidays in Croatia with kids
Do let me know if you have any questions about our Itinerary for Croatia. I will be happy to answer anything I have not covered. Just leave them in the comments below and I will come back to you.
Have you been on a Croatia trip? Our first trip has given us the bug. And we can not wait to go back and explore other coastal towns and areas of this beautiful country.
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