Where is Croatia

Croatia, officially the Republic of Croatia is situated on the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe and is encircled by the brilliant company of other fascinating European countries, including Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

Given its position next to the attractive Adriatic Sea, Croatia is considered one of the best beach destinations in the Mediterranean, if not the whole of Europe.

Accommodations | Where to stay in Croatia

Croatia is up there with the best travel destinations in Europe, and I firmly believe that it’s still rising to take a shot at the title.

During my road trip, I stumbled upon a wide array of accommodation options, suiting pretty much every budget and travel preference – think budget-friendly hostels, comfy Airbnbs, and luxury hotels near the beach.

So whether you’re travelling on a tight budget, or looking to find a bit of extra comfort, accommodation in Croatia is simply brilliant.

Those travelling on a budget could find options for as cheap as €50,- per night, while those keen to spend a little extra have plenty of options within the €50 – €200 range.

As a solo traveller, my favourite website for finding accommodation in Croatia is booking.com.

I’ve also shared the accommodations I visited in Croatia, which I listed at the end of every destination within this itinerary.

Daytrip | Krka National Park

Croatia is home to some of the most impressive national parks in Europe, and one that I believe should be on any Croatia itinerary is the exceptional Krka National Park.

Named after the eponymous Krka River, the stunningly beautiful Krka National Park is an unaltered nature reserve that is defined by gushing waterfalls, picturesque lakes, and loads of rippling rapids and rivers.

The natural beauty of the park is simply breathtaking; Roški slap, Visovac Island, and the viewpoint at the Oziđana pećina cave, just to mention a few.

With its convenient location at only 1 hour north-west of Split, the Krka National Park is easily, and best visited in the form of a day trip – this can be done by car or as part of an organized tour.

I took part in this full-day Krka National Park + Sibenik tour and had the most wonderful time.

Day 4 – 6 | Zadar

After discovering Split and its surrounds, it’s time to head further west to Zadar, a laidback coastal town that wasn’t initially included in my Croatia itinerary.

But that’s what I love most about travelling, it gives you the freedom to go with the flow – and that’s exactly what I did.

And to me, Zadar was a welcoming surprise.

Not only is it the perfect base from which to explore the ‘must-see’ Plitvice National Park, but it’s also a town that knows how to impress travellers of its own accord.

The old town showcases the rich influences of ancient Roman civilization and has a lot of interesting things to see and do – while on the other hand, you’ll have the option to take it easy in one of the many trendy bars and restaurants.

Zadar Old Town provides its visitors with an authentic Balkan summer experience, and is the perfect place to chill out for a few days – so I advise spending at least two full days to take it all in.

ZADAR | MY HIGHLIGHTS

Zadar Sea Organ | Perched on the edge of the Riva is the Zadar Sea Organ, an architectural sound art object, that is without a doubt my favourite point of interest in Zadar. The innovative art installation follows the flow of the Adriatic and creates random, yet calming sounds via the 35 organ pipes that lay beneath the marble steps of the Riva. You have to hear it to believe it.

The Roman Forum | As mentioned above, Zadar was once part of the prosperous Roman empire, and as a result, it is teeming with beautiful architecture, with the Roman Forum at the heart of it all. Situated at the epicentre of Zadar Old Town, the Roman Forum is literally and figuratively unmissable, and that’s a good thing.

Bazen Kolovare | For those after a day of relaxing, make sure you visit Bazen Kolovare, a large natural swimming pool that is the perfect cure during the sizzling summer days. If you’re considering visiting, remember to bring your swimsuit, a good book and some suncream.

Day trip | Plitvice National Park

Plitvice National Park is, without question, one of the definite highlights of this two-week Croatia itinerary.

Just north of Zadar, and perfectly explored as part of a day trip lies the Plitvice National Park, an extensive forest reserve that truly is a spectacle to behold.

The UNESCO-listed National Park is marked by an exceptional mix of idyllic waterfalls, large interconnected lakes, and lush greenery all around.

That said, the extensive Plitvice National Park is divided into two sections – the Upper Lakes (Gornja Jezera) and the Lower Lakes (Donja Jezera), both equally beautiful and worthy of a visit.

Also, there is no shortage of adventurous walking trails, which makes it perfect for those after an active day in Croatia’s untouched nature.

Though you’ve probably seen it pass by on your Instagram feed over a thousand times, I’m here to say that it is even more beautiful up close and personal.

Day 7 – 10 | Hvar

Following a pleasant few days in Zadar, and an awesome day trip to the Plitvice National Park, the time has come to head for the next stop on this Croatia itinerary, the enchanting island of Hvar.

And as soon as I’d set foot on Hvar, the postcard-perfect island captured me with its charm.

Situated amid the Adriatic, off Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, lies the island of Hvar, a paradisiac island that is among the most popular destinations in Croatia, if not the most popular.

Like most places in Croatia, the old town is beautiful as ever – think intriguing Venetian architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and well-preserved ancient fortresses.

Also, Hvar is home to some of the most idyllic beaches in the whole of Croatia. Add the mouth-watering Dalmatian cuisine, and Hvar turns into the island you’ve always dreamed of.

Be warned though, the laidback island life is pretty damn tempting, inviting you to spend all your time here. Look, it’s not a punishment – not at all, but there’s more of the good stuff waiting for you in the remainder of this itinerary.

For that reason, I recommend spending three to four days on Hvar. By doing so, you have all the time to explore the island, while there’s also enough time for sunbathing and swimming.

HVAR | MY HIGHLIGHTS

Hvar’s stunning beaches | Woohoo, the beach is part of your daily routine when on Hvar Island, and that’s an absolutely good thing if you ask me! With no shortage of picture-perfect beaches, Hvar is easily one of the best beach destinations on this Croatia itinerary, making it perfect for lazy days full of sunbathing and swimming. If you’re looking to uncover the best beaches of Hvar, make sure you check out my in-depth Hvar guide.

Hvar Fortress | Settled high above Hvar Town is the Hvar Fortress, a former stronghold that provides the most dazzling views of Hvar’s harbour and the stunning Pakleni Islands in the distance. The rustic fortress dates back as far as the 13th century, and a visit gives you an understanding of its eventful history. I’d highly recommend visiting just before sunset, especially if you’re into photography.

Franciscan Monastery | The ancient Franciscan Monastery is in my opinion the most iconic point of interest in Hvar. Luckily for you, this impressive monastery is easily admired on a relaxing morning walk on its adjacent promenade. For those into history, the monastery doubles as a museum, so make sure to have a look inside, it is worth it.

Day 11 – 12 | Korcula

After uncovering just about every square inch of Hvar, it is time to grab a ferry to the next destination on this itinerary; the island of Korcula, a scenic island that is all about local life and its traditions.

Even though Korcula is fairly compact, the eponymous old town isn’t inferior to other destinations included in this itinerary. It is in fact, one of the most authentic places that I visited during my two weeks in Croatia.

The historic old town is encircled by towering fortifications and is defined by charming little laneways, ornate time-worn buildings and a well-balanced mix of ‘real’ local eateries and bars.

It is, therefore, no wonder that Korcula is recognised as one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Mediterranean, and believe me, it’s more than deserved.

It’s a town where life slows down a tad, and to me, that was as a welcome surprise after several days of exploring and creating.

For the best experience, I advise spending at least one day in Korcula, allowing you to get a feel for the town and the magical ambience that prevails here.

KORCULA | MY HIGHLIGHTS

The Marco Polo House | One of the undisputed highlights on a visit to Korcula is the house of Marco Polo. Although we’ll never know for sure, local legend has it that famous world traveller Marco Polo was born in Korcula. Whether you believe it or not, the time-worn house is quite appealing, and therefore worthy of a visit.

St. Mark’s Cathedral | Situated in the heart of Korcula Old Town is the impressive St. Mark’s Cathedral, a towering church that is marked by locally obtained limestone, intriguing details, and an ornate Gothic-Renaissance style. For those looking to see Korcula from above, make sure you visit the bell tower, which is considered the highest point of the old town.

Day 12 – 14 | Dubrovnik

I often hear the saying, save the best for last, and this is clearly also the case with this itinerary.

That brings us to Dubrovnik, one of the places that I’ve dreamed of visiting, long before I planned this spontaneous road trip within Croatia.

The picture-perfect fortified city next to the turquoise waters of the Adriatic – internationally known as Kings Landing in HBO’s blockbuster series Game of Thrones, is without question the most appealing old town I’ve ever set foot in.

But it’s not just a pleasure for the eye – the medieval town is a vibe on its own.

To tick off the best things to see and do, and appreciate Dubrovnik fully, I believe you should stay at least two days here – you might even want to stay longer than planned – yes, it’s that awesome.

As with all destinations on this itinerary, Dubrovnik is best explored at a slower pace. If you somehow wish to squeeze it in a shorter visit, make sure you check out my Dubrovnik guide.

DUBROVNIK | MY HIGHLIGHTS

Dubrovnik City Walls | I believe it’s right to say that a visit to Dubrovnik isn’t complete without a walk atop of the town’s intriguing city walls. The two-hour walk provides the most fascinating vistas of Dubrovnik’s scenic time-worn buildings, with the shimmering Adriatic as its backdrop.

Mount Srd | Talking about views, another great point of call is Mount Srd, an extraordinary vantage point that rises high above Dubrovnik. From the summit, you’ll be welcomed by striking views of Dubrovnik’s iconic terracotta roofs, as well as Lokrum Island in the distance. All in all, Mount Srd makes the ideal place to watch a stunning Croatian sunset unfold.

Walk the old town | Any trip to Dubrovnik should obviously involve at least one full day to behold the ornate historical buildings that are dotted throughout the old-fashioned streets of the old town. However, as one of Croatia’s most visited destinations, it is wise to wake up early for this one, especially during the peak summer months. For those looking to join a guided tour, this 1.5-hour walking tour of Dubrovnik Old Town includes the most important structures.