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🇭🇷 Itinerary · Croatia · 7 days

1-week Croatia itinerary 2026: Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik

7 days in Croatia: Split, the island of Hvar, then Dubrovnik by ferry. The essential first-timer route, with detailed budget and ferry times.

🔄 Updated June 1, 2026

📅 See the program 🔄 See variants

In brief

Duration

7 days

Stops

3 places

Average budget

€950-1,500

Total distance

~350 km

Profile

First time

Season

Jun, Sep

Split 2d · Hvar 2d · Dubrovnik 3d

Itinerary map

The route at a glance

Croatia 1-week itinerary map: Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Detailed program

7 days, day by day

1

~€65/pers

Split · Arrival and Diocletian's Palace

  • Morning Arrival at Split airport, shuttle to the centre (30 min, €6).
  • Afternoon Diocletian's Palace, a lived-in maze of lanes at the heart of the old town.
  • Evening Stroll along the Riva, fish dinner in the Varoš district.
🛌 🛌 Old town · e.g. Marmont Heritage Hotel (2 nights)·🚶 All on foot·Croatia guide →
2

~€55

Split · Marjan and a Trogir trip

  • Morning Marjan hill, panorama over the bay and the islands.
  • 2pm Trip to Trogir (30 min), a UNESCO-listed medieval town.
  • 7pm Back to Split, rooftop drinks, morning market for supplies.
3

~€70

Split → Hvar · To the island

  • Morning Catamaran Split → Hvar town (1h, €20-25). Check in facing the harbour.
  • 2pm Fortica fortress above the town, views over the Pakleni islands.
  • Evening Dinner on the Venetian square, one of the finest on the Adriatic.
🛌 🛌 Hvar town · e.g. Adriana Spa Hotel (2 nights)·⛴️ Catamaran Split-Hvar
4

~€65

Hvar · Pakleni islands and coves

  • Morning Water taxi to the Pakleni islands, swimming in turquoise coves.
  • 2pm Inland lavender fields or Dubovica beach to the south.
  • 8pm Sunset from the fortress, Hvar's famed nightlife.
5

~€80

Hvar → Dubrovnik · South

  • Morning Catamaran Hvar → Dubrovnik (3h-3h30 via Korčula and Mljet, €30-40).
  • 2pm Check in near the old town, first walk through the lanes.
  • Evening Drinks at the Buža bar, clinging to the cliffs outside the walls.
🛌 🛌 Ploče or old town · e.g. Hotel Stari Grad (3 nights)·⛴️ Catamaran Hvar-Dubrovnik
6

~€75

Dubrovnik · Walls and old town

  • 8am Wall walk at opening (€35), 2 km above the tiled roofs.
  • 1pm Stradun, Rector's Palace, Franciscan monastery.
  • 5pm Mount Srđ cable car for sunset over the city.
7

Flight

Dubrovnik → Home

  • Morning Sea kayaking along the walls or a swim at Banje beach.
  • Afternoon Dubrovnik airport (DBV), shuttle from the centre (40 min).
  • Evening Flight home (direct in season).

How much

Budget for this itinerary (per person, flight included)

Backpacker

€950

per person

  • ✈️ Return flight: €180
  • 🏨 Hostel / studio: €45/night
  • 🍽️ Konobas and markets: €22/day
  • ⛴️ Catamarans: €70
  • 🎫 Sites and trips: €110
Recommended

Comfort

€1,300

per person

  • ✈️ Return flight: €230
  • 🏨 3-4★ hotel: €110/night
  • 🍽️ Mixed dining: €42/day
  • ⛴️ Catamarans: €80
  • 🎫 Sites + Pakleni boat: €150

Premium

€2,600

per person

  • ✈️ Upgraded flight: €420
  • 🏨 4-5★ sea-view: €250/night
  • 🍽️ Harbour-view dining: €70/day
  • ⛴️ Private boat transfers
  • 🎫 Private tours + kayak: €280

Shorter, longer

Other possible durations

You're here

1 week

1 week

Southern Dalmatia, Split to Dubrovnik.

2 weeks

2 weeks

From Zagreb to Dubrovnik, parks and islands.

1 month

1 month

The grand tour, from Istria to southern Dalmatia.

How to get around

Itinerary logistics

A week linked by two catamarans along the Dalmatian coast, with no car. Split and Dubrovnik are walkable, Hvar by water taxi. Book catamarans online, they fill up fast in summer.

⛴️

Catamaran Split → Hvar

€20-25 · 1h · Jadrolinija or Krilo

⛴️

Catamaran Hvar → Dubrovnik

€30-40 · 3h-3h30 · via Korčula and Mljet

🚌

Airport shuttles

€6 in Split, €10 in Dubrovnik

Adapt by season

Adjust for summer crowds

Southern Dalmatia peaks from June to September, with a 24°C sea and guaranteed sun. But July-August overwhelm Dubrovnik and Hvar, with prices doubling and the walls packed. From late May to mid-June and in September, the sea is still swimmable, ferries run and the old towns breathe. Off season (October to April), some inter-island catamarans slow right down: check timetables before locking in an island stop.

Author tips

What I would redo (and change)

✅ Would redo

  • • In June 2024, the 4pm Hvar-Dubrovnik catamaran was sold out three days ahead, while the 7am one still had seats. On this seasonal link, book early and aim for the morning departure.
  • • Dubrovnik's walls from 8am, before the heat and before the cruise ships unload their passengers around 10am.
  • • The Buža bar on the first evening in Dubrovnik, clinging to the cliffs, to grasp the city's bond with the sea.

⚠️ Would change

  • • Swap Hvar for Korčula or Vis if you want calm rather than the party.
  • • Add a night in Split and a trip to Krka park if waterfalls draw you.
  • • On 7 days, do not attempt Zagreb or Plitvice in the north: too much driving for the time.

FAQ

Itinerary FAQ

Is one week in Croatia enough? +
Yes for southern Dalmatia: Split, an island and Dubrovnik. Trying to add Zagreb and Plitvice in the north over 7 days loses a full day of driving.
Do I need a car for this itinerary? +
No. Split and Dubrovnik are walkable, and catamarans link the islands without a car. A car only helps for a wider road trip towards the north.
Do I need to book ferries in advance? +
Yes in high season (July-August), especially the fast catamarans to Hvar and Dubrovnik, which sell out several days ahead. Book on Jadrolinija or Krilo.
Is this itinerary family-friendly? +
Yes, the legs are short and calm coves plentiful. Bring water shoes for the pebble beaches, common in Croatia.
What is the best time to go? +
Late May to mid-June and September: swimmable sea, reasonable prices, less crowded old towns. July-August are hot and packed, especially in Dubrovnik and Hvar.
How much does one week cost all in? +
Around €950 backpacker, €1,300 comfort and €2,600 premium, flight from Paris included, per person.

Marie Laurent ✓

·

Southeast Asia specialist · itinerary personally tested.

Last updated: June 1, 2026.

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