Classic Croatia: Zagreb to Dubrovnik

A classic first-time route from the capital via Plitvice Lakes, Zadar, and Split to Hvar and Dubrovnik.

The first half of the trip is a self-drive connecting the inland lakes and Northern Dalmatia. After returning the car in Split, continue by catamaran. Spend one or two nights at each stop, keeping the pace active but avoiding night driving, making it ideal for first-time visitors. Istria and Korčula are omitted to allow for more complete stays along the main route.

The catamaran from Hvar to Dubrovnik is a seasonal route operating roughly from April to October; check the schedule for the current year.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Zagreb: Lower Town & Kaptol

Zagreb（Ban Jelačić Square、Dolac Market、Zagreb Cathedral、Tkalčićeva Street）

Take the airport bus or a taxi to the city center (approx. 30 mins), and explore on foot and by tram.

Dolac Market operates mainly in the morning; if you arrive in the afternoon, visit the next morning instead.

Stay: Lower Town (Donji Grad)

Day 2 · Upper Town Stroll & South to Rastoke

Zagreb（Stone Gate、St. Mark's Church、Museum of Broken Relationships、Lotrščak Tower & Zagreb Funicular） → Plitvice Lakes（Rastoke）

Explore the Upper Town on foot in the morning, pick up your rental car, and drive via Rastoke to Plitvice Lakes (approx. 2.5 hours).

Stay: Park Entrance 2 Hotel Area

Day 3 · Morning at Plitvice Lakes & Drive to Zadar

Plitvice Lakes（Lower Lakes、Veliki slap (Great Waterfall)、Lake Kozjak、Upper Lakes） → Zadar（Sea Organ、Greeting to the Sun）

Enter the park as soon as it opens and explore for about 5 hours, then drive to Zadar in the afternoon (approx. 2 hours).

Tickets are sold for specific entry time slots; book online in advance during peak season.

Stay: Zadar Old Town

Day 4 · Zadar Historic Sites & Krka Waterfalls

Zadar（Roman Forum、Church of St. Donatus） → Split（Krka National Park）

Explore Zadar in the morning, drive about 1 hour to Krka National Park, then drive another hour to Split to return your rental car.

Swimming is no longer allowed under the Krka waterfalls; you can only view them from the boardwalks.

Stay: Diocletian's Palace Old Town

Day 5 · Diocletian's Palace & Trogir

Split（Diocletian's Palace, Split、Split Green Market (Pazar) & Fish Market、Riva Promenade, Split、Trogir Old Town）

Explore the Old Town on foot in the morning, and take a suburban bus to Trogir and back in the afternoon (approx. 40 mins each way).

Stay: Diocletian's Palace Old Town

Day 6 · Ferry to Hvar Old Town

Hvar（Hvar Island、St Stephen's Square & Cathedral, Hvar、Fortica (Spanish Fortress), Hvar）

Take a morning catamaran from Split to Hvar Town (approx. 1 hour), and explore the island on foot.

Stay: Hvar Town

Day 7 · Pakleni Islands Boat Trip

Hvar（Pakleni Islands、Hula Hula Beach Bar）

Take a water taxi from Hvar Town harbor or join a kayaking tour (approx. 20 mins journey).

Stay: Hvar Town

Day 8 · Coastal Cruise to Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik（Stradun (Placa)、Franciscan Monastery & Old Pharmacy、Old Port of Dubrovnik）

Take a morning catamaran via Korčula and Mljet to Gruž Port (approx. 3.5 hours).

Catamarans may be canceled in high winds; do not schedule tight connections on the day of arrival.

Stay: Ploče

Day 9 · City Walls Walk & Mount Srđ

Dubrovnik（Walls of Dubrovnik、Rector's Palace、Fort Lovrijenac、Mount Srđ Cable Car）

Walk the city walls early in the morning to avoid the cruise ship crowds, and take the cable car up Mount Srđ in the evening.