Quick answer: 10-day Croatia itinerary. Best months: May-June and September-October. July-August is peak (and overcrowded with Game of Thrones tourism).. Total cost: US$1800-2600 mid-range / US$5000+ luxury per person. Includes ferry transport + accommodation..
Ten days covers Croatia’s classic Adriatic strip — Dubrovnik, Split, the Dalmatian islands (Hvar, Korčula, Brač), plus Plitvice Lakes for inland scenery. This itinerary uses ferries (Adriatic coast) + a rental car (Plitvice access). Built across 2 personal Croatia trips.
Day-by-day breakdown
Day 1
Arrive Dubrovnik. Stay inside or near Old Town. Walk City Walls at golden hour (less crowded after 5pm). Dinner at Konoba Veranda.
Day 2
Dubrovnik Old Town: Stradun + Rector’s Palace + Cable Car for view. Game of Thrones walking tour. Beach time at Banje Beach.
Day 3
Day trip from Dubrovnik: Mostar (Bosnia, 2h drive) for the Ottoman bridge + medieval bazaar. Visit Kravice waterfalls.
Day 4
Ferry Dubrovnik → Hvar (4h) or Korčula (3h). Settle in for sunset on the marina.
Day 5
Hvar: walk Old Town + climb fortress + beach time. Sunset at Hula-Hula beach bar. Croatian seafood dinner.
Day 6
Ferry Hvar → Split (2h). Walk Diocletian’s Palace. Evening: dinner at Konoba Mateo or Apetit.
Day 7
Split day trip: Krka Waterfalls (1h drive) — swim at base of waterfalls. Or Trogir UNESCO old town (30 min drive).
Day 8
Rent car Split → Plitvice Lakes National Park (3h). Book accommodation in Mukinje nearby. Lower lakes afternoon hike.
Day 9
Plitvice Upper Lakes morning (6am gate opens, no crowds first hour). Drive to Zagreb (2h).
Day 10
Zagreb morning: Upper Town walk + Cathedral. Train or flight from Zagreb home. Or return Split for departure.
What to book ahead
- Plitvice tickets: Online 2-4 weeks ahead. Peak season tickets sell out. €40 in summer, €25 in winter.
- Ferries Dubrovnik-Hvar-Split: Book 1-2 weeks ahead for July-August. Jadrolinija or Krilo Shipping.
- Dubrovnik accommodation: Book 3-6 months ahead for summer. Cheaper alternative: stay in Lapad (15 min walk to Old Town).
- Game of Thrones walking tour: Book 1-2 days ahead. €25-35 for 2-hour tour.
A local insider tip
Skip Hvar Town (touristy and expensive) and base in Stari Grad on the same island instead. Stari Grad is the oldest town in Croatia, 30 min drive from Hvar Town’s nightlife, beautiful UNESCO field of Greek-Roman agricultural patterns. Half the prices, none of the cruise ship crowds.
Best time for this trip
May-June and September-October. July-August is peak (and overcrowded with Game of Thrones tourism).
Frequently asked questions
Is 10 days enough for Croatia?
Yes for the Dalmatian Coast + Plitvice. 14 days adds Istria (Pula, Rovinj) or Zagreb. 21 days for full country.
How much does 10 days in Croatia cost?
Backpacker: US$900-1300. Mid-range: US$1800-2600. Luxury: US$5000+. Peak season prices double.
Best time for Croatia?
May-June and September-October are ideal. July-August peak crowds + heat.
Is Croatia expensive?
Mid-range US$80-130/day. Cheaper than Italy, more expensive than Eastern Europe. Coast is 30-50% more expensive than inland.
Do I need a rental car in Croatia?
Not for the coast (ferries work). YES for Plitvice + inland regions (Istria).
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.