Croatia is absolutely the most underrated country in Europe. With incredible mountain ranges, crystal turquoise waters, Roman ruins, and castles, it truly has it all! After traveling all through Europe, Croatia is the place that surprised me the most with its beauty and history!
One thing that is really great (depending on what kind of traveler you are) is that it’s way more low-key than other countries in Europe. Rather than running around trying to see 30 different sights in a day, cities in Croatia involve a few epic sights, and then sitting on the beach or going to a national park. It’s such a laid-back and slow paced country and perfect for a restful (yet exciting) vacation! Here is your 12 day Croatia guide!
Another great thing about Croatia are the prices! It’s a relatively cheap country (unless you’re in bigger cities and famous streets). As a budget traveler, I’m usually all about the buses, trams, and metros, as they tend to be the cheapest way around. However, if you download the Bolt app, it is usually LESS expensive to take a Bolt or Uber than a bus! I relied almost solely on these apps for transportation (as well as FlixBus, which is how I got from city to city).
Lastly, as a female traveler (often traveling solo), safety is THE most important thing to consider! Croatia is one of the safest countries in the world, which is very reassuring. While you should always be safe and careful, you can breathe a little easier knowing that crime is rare. People are generally very friendly and very willing to help you!
Day 1: Arrive in Zagreb
- Zagreb is the easiest (and cheapest) airport to fly into in Croatia. While there are buses and shuttles to get from the airport to the city, I hopped in a Bolt for less than 6 euros! If you’re getting picked up by a taxi, a friend, or an Uber service, you need to go to the second level in the airport upstairs. All arrivals get picked up from there!
- Zagreb has a lot of great places to stay, but if you’re balling on a budget, I recommend using HostelWorld to find a place to stay. I stayed in Hi Hostel which was a very low-key hostel and very cheap (score)! It was safe and clean and only a ten minute walk to the city center! It’s not the most boujee place, but it gets the job done!
Day 2: Explore Zagreb
There is a ton to see in Zagreb. It’s the capital city of Croatia and it very unique. It has influences from all over Europe, and it is very interesting to see how it all works together to create its own culture! You’ll see Germanic influences in the Old Town and Italian influences in the food!
I actually have a whole post dedicated to Zagreb, which you can access here!
Day 3: Bus to Zadar
- After exploring Zadar, hop on a bus to Zadar! You can book a ticket through FlixBus. I usually book my tickets in advance (which saves you a little stress), but you can also get them the day of online or at the bus station. You can also check out the Arriva app, which is Croatia’s main bus app!
- Once you get to Zadar, check into your hostel and head down to the edge of Old Town to watch the sunset. One of the coolest things I’ve ever seen is actually in the Old Town! There is this incredible creation called the Sea Organ. Its all of these underground pipes and tubes created by an artist, and as the ocean waves flow in and out, it creates music and sounds like a giant organ! It is so bizarre and so awesome.
- Along with that, there is also another odd creation called Monument to the Sun. Its a ton of glass plates in the ground that represent the sun and the planets, and as the sun sets, it lights up! Again, so bizarre. But so cool.
- End the day with these crazy sights and the sunset before hitting the hay!
- I stayed at The Hostel (very creative name, I know) in Zagreb; it was a great price and a really nice location right next to the harbor! It’s also nearby several grocery stores where you can restock on any supplies.
Day 4: Explore Zadar
- Zadar is a spot that most travelers often miss. It truly shocked me with the amount of beauty and history it contains!
- Start your day by heading to Five Wells Square. Right next to the wells is a beautiful watchtower called the Captain’s Tower than you can climb for a few euros. Inside the tower is a ton of local art, as well as a guillotine (not sure how it is relevant to local art, but its pretty neat). From the top, you can get a breathtaking view of the city, the mountains, and the ocean!
- Right next to the watchtower is a small plaza with a random Roman column. There’s a small cafe where you can get breakfast, coffee, and juices! Stop here for breakfast.
- After breakfast, head through the Old Town down Kalelarga Street and check out all the shops and the architecture.
- Zadar dates all the way back to Roman times, and it still has incredible influences and monuments to the Romans! For example, you can check out the ruins of the Roman Forum right next to the coast! There’s also the Archaeological Museum right next to the Forum; all of this in held in the main square of Zadar!
- Right next to this you can find the Church of St Donatus and the Bell Tower of St. Anastasia (which you can also climb!). To enter the church, however, you do need to have your shoulders and knees covered, so be prepared for that!
- After this, head down to the water and explore the coastline! If you walk all the way around the Old Town by the water, you’ll get to a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Zadar City Walls, which are gorgeous! You’ll also get to see a quaint marina with its colorful boats!
Day 5: Krka National Park
Today is the day you head to Krka National Park, which is full of waterfalls and rushing rivers! It’s absolutely beautiful. There are several different ways to visit this park. Many people take a guided tour from Split, which you can absolutely do. You can also go from Zadar to Krka and then straight to Split to spend the night. I found it easier to go from Zadar to Krka and then back to Zadar; that way, we didn’t have to bring all of my things with me all day to the park!
I also recommend booking your ticket to Krka in advance. There’s a student discount (yay!), but you will need to present your student ID if you buy your ticket in Skradin (the town next to the park).
There are a ton of things to see at Krka, but I felt satisfied by seeing the main falls, the old church and buildings, and taking a lap around the whole park. You can stay for as long or as short as suits you!
Krka National Park
- Wake up in Zadar! Today is a national park day! Wear something comfortable to walk around all day! Pack a towel, a bathing suit, and a good book, as well as a camera! Maybe throw some water and a couple snacks in there as well.
- Catch a FlixBus or Arriva bus to Skradin, which is a small town about an hour away from Zadar. The bus ride costs under 20 euros.
- Once you get to Skradin, you’re going to head down to the marina. There’s an information desk about Krka National Park where you can buy a ticket if you didn’t book it in advance.
- Beware though; sometimes tickets sell out! Try to buy it in advance!
- After you buy your ticket, hop on the boat that takes you to the park!
- It comes every 30 minutes, and it is a absolutely gorgeous ride! It takes around 30 minutes. Try to sit on the top of the boat so you can see the mountains as you ride by!
- I booked by ticket for 11:30, but they let me get on at 10; so I would book your ticket around when you think you’ll arrive, but I don’t think it matters that much.
- Once you get to the park, head to the main waterfall! It’s easy to find; just follow the crowd! There’s a bathroom (but you do have to pay, so bring a few euros). There are also a ton of food stands dn souvenirs shops. You can head to the viewpoint to check out the incredible views!
- This is where your trek starts! Cross over the bridge to the right of the waterfall for even better views! Once you cross the bridge, head up and to the left along the railing fence so that you can get different angles and view of the falls.
- Once that trail ends, head to the right of the trail; prepare for a TON of stairs. Those will bring you to an old church, as well as a few restaurants and cool historical buildings. After exploring that area and more viewpoints, keep heading around the loop. You’ll cross over bridges to see tons of crystal waters, fish, and more waterfalls! This will eventually take you all the way back down to the main “square”. You can grab lunch there.
- Explore as long as your heart desires, but once you’re ready to head back, hop back on the boat.
- The boat leaves from the same place you arrived, and it comes every 30 minutes.
Skradin
- Once you get back to Skradin, you have some options. You can explore the town or head to the beach! I was pretty tired after my hike around the park, so I opted for the beach! There’s a grocery store on the way to the beach where you can grab some lunch or snacks and water/drinks!
- If you’re wanting to explore Skradin, check out this blog post! It’s got a ton of great information about Skradin and really helped me out during my trip.
- I booked my FlixBus home around 5, which was perfect timing. I spend about 2 hours at Krka, 3 hours at the beach, then headed home!
- Head back to Zadar and hit the hay.
Day 6: Bus to Split
- Bye Zadar! Time for your next spot! Book your bus to Split (FlixBus or Arriva) and get ready for a gorgeous ride through the mountains! It takes around 2 hours to get there.
- Get to Split and get checked into your hostel. I CANNOT RECOMMEND EN ROUTE HOSTEL ENOUGH! This was the perfect place to stay. It’s around a 15 minute walk to the Old Town from this hostel, but I had everything I needed. Some reasons why I loved it here:
- Luggage storage!
- They let us check in around 1 p.m., which was a lifesaver.
- The beds are little pods that close up with curtains for privacy and have their own lights and outlets. The extra space and privacy was something that was so helpful.
- There’s a great kitchen with food storage.
- It’s so clean and very safe. The staff is super helpful.
- The common section is really fun, with couches and tables to hang out at; we made some fun friends here!
My travel experience here: I actually got some kind of virus right before heading to Split, so I was feeling pretty terrible by the time I got there. I am SO grateful that this is where I decided to stay, because I closed myself up in my little pod all day and watched movies; it was so nice to be able to be sick and feel gross in private. Then I would get up, go to the kitchen, make some tea, and sit by the window with the wind blowing in my face. It was so lovely. Anyways, I can’t recommend it enough. You can book a bed at En Route Hostel here.
- After you check into your hostel, head down to the Old Town and just explore. The Old Town of Split is basically all inside Diocletian’s Palace. Check out the history of Split to discover more about this Roman emperor and the purpose of his retirement home in Split (AKA the palace!).
Day 7: Explore Split
Warning for Split: this city is VERY touristy. Be prepared for massive crowds and high prices. You can avoid paying an arm and a leg for food by grabbing food from street markets, bakeries, and grocery stores. However, the food is fantastic, so treat yourself to at least one nice meal while in this incredible city!
Another tip: you can get a packaged deal to see certain sights; for example, the catacombs, the Bell Tower and the Cathedral. There will be stands selling entry tickets in those areas.
- Wake up and head down to the Old Town! Grab breakfast at one of the MANY bakeries on the way!
- Wander through and around Diocletian’s Palace.
- Head straight to the Bell Tower at the Cathedral of Saint Dominus. You can climb to the top for only a few euros and get an incredible view of Split and the coast.
- After that, check out the catacombs!
- Next, head to the cathedral. Be sure to have your shoulders and knees covered so you don’t get denied entry.
- You can also go to the baptistery and the treasury in this same area.
- After this, walk along the Promenade and explore the coast!
You may be ready to take a break from the main city after this! If you’re feeling ready for some nature…
- Head to Marjan Park! It’s got great history and beautiful walks and viewpoints! There’s a ton of great hikes as well.
- By the park, you can go to Kasjuni Beach! It’s a wonderful place to lay out and chill!
- Watch out for sea urchins! The crystal clear waters bring MANY sea urchins, which would NOT be fun to step on!
- Another place you can head to is Klis Fortress, which is a little outside the city.
All of these activities are, thankfully, either very cheap or free! However, there are some really great tours that offer history and cool information about the city! Also, if there are any Game of Thrones fans out there, there are tons of ways to see ALLLL of the filming areas in Split!
- For a super cheap walking tour of Split and the Palace, click here!
- For a rafting trip near Split, click here!
- For a kayaking tour, click here!
- For a party boat to the famous Blue Lagoon, click here!
- For a Game of Thrones tour, click here!
Day 8: Boat Tour and Beach
A boat tour is a classic Split activity. There are several nearby islands that are very popular to visit, such as Hvar or Trogir. Depending on your price range, you can find a ton of different tours that are super fun! Again, if you’re balling on a budget, you can skip the tour and head to a nearby beach; however, I really recommend heading to the Blue Caves, nearby islands, or a sunset cruise!
A few tips:
- Book boat tours in advance. You will see people EVERYWHERE selling different tickets, but it saves you a headache to book early.
- When you’re heading to your tour, be sure to get there 30 minutes early!
Click here to explore some tours!
The most budget friendly tour (which is the one I went on) is linked here! It has lunch and free wine, and you get to explore an island, a shipwreck, and a blue lagoon!
Day 9: Travel to Dubrovnik
There’s a ton of ways to get from Split to Dubrovnik. The most budget friendly way is to take a bus. I have a post about my favorite apps and websites in Europe, and it specifically talks about transportation!
You can also take a ferry or a boat. However, it’s not the most budget-friendly option. It’s beautiful, sailing past all of the islands and the coastline, but it’ll be much more expensive!
Once you get to Dubrovnik, head to your hostel. I stayed at Youth Club Lina (book here). It was one of my favorite places I’ve ever stayed! It’s a small family run hostel overlooking the harbor with a beautiful terrace covering in grape vines and flowers! It’s also next to a grocery store and a bakery.
Keep in mind that Dubrovnik is expensive!!! However, you can avoid high prices through little bakeries, grocery store food, and taking buses rather than Ubers.
Day 10: Explore Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is SO EPIC!!! It’s by far my favorite city in Croatia! If you have limited time and can only go to one city, do to Croatia! Also, I stayed at the BEST hostel! It’s small and beautiful overlooking the city! Youth Club Lina is run by a precious family, and when I arrived, the “mom” of the hostel brought me juice and sat me down to show me a map of the city and tell me her favorite things! Book it here!
- Wake up and head down from your hostel! Near the hostel is a great bakery and a supermarket! Grab some food and head toward the city!
- Once you get to the city, explore! Start out by buying the Dubrovnik pass! I’m usually not one for spending money on passes and tickets and entrances, however this is an absolute necessity for Dubrovnik! 10000% need! It gets you into all museums, the fortress, and the city walls!
- Buy it here!
- Another great thing about this pass is that you get all public transportation for free while you have the pass.
- Spend the first part of the day walking through Dubrovnik. Take as long or as short as you need!
- Be sure to check out the Old Town.
- Head down the Main Street as well, called Stradun.
- Explore the Rector’s Palace Museum! It is absolutely incredible, both inside and out.
- Also, you can exit the city and head over to the Fort Lovrijenac, which is a fortress you can climb.
- Visit the Cathedral, Onforio’s Fountain, and Ploce Gate.
- Buy it here!
- Head up to the city walls and walk up the stairs. Explore the incredible views of the ocean, the city, and the fortress.
- You will need the pass for this.
- After exploring the city walls, you can head down to the harbor to see the boats!
- There are a ton of different places to eat; grab lunch and dinner as you’re exploring!
- To end the day, head to Cave Bar More! It’s so epic; it’s at the bottom of a hotel in a “cave” right by the water! Here’s the link for the address!
- Head back to your hostel and hit the hay!
Another budget tip is to download the app Bolt! There are buses that work really well, however Bolt ends up being cheaper than the buses some of the time! You can get rides around for under 3 euros, which is the cheapest I’ve ever found it in Europe.
Day 11: Lokrum Island and Beaches
There are a couple options of what to do today. There are some epic beaches in Dubrovnik, so if you feel like it, make it a chill beach day! There’s also an island off the coast of Dubrovnik that you can get a boat to straight from the harbor in the city. Make today your own!
Some of the best beaches and spots are listed below!
- Copacabana Beach
- Sveti Jakov
- Banje Beach
- Sunj Beach
- You can also go outside the city walls and cliff jump off the rocks! That’s what I did; laid in the sun on the slabs on rock and jumped off the cliffs! It was SO FUN and this is what I recommend if you’re looking for some more adventure.
As I budget traveler, I opted out of Lokrum Island because the ferry tickets were a bit more than I was willing to spend. However, it is one of the top recommendations of Dubrovnik, and so if you have the time and the funds, go for it! Here is a great website on how to get there and what to see!
My favorite budget travel tip! Want to save a couple hundred dollars during your trip? GO TO THE GROCERY STORE! For lunch every day, I spent around 8 euros at the store and got fruit, nuts, a cocktail, water, bread and peanut butter, and more! The stores in Croatia especially are incredibly cheap, and you can pack a picnic lunch and go to the beach all day! Otherwise, especially in these big cities, you’ll spend upwards of 30 euros on food and drink.
Tours:
Day 12: Fly out of Dubrovnik
BYE CROATIA!
Extra Time? Check Out These Spots!
- Plitvice National Park
- Paklenica National Park
- Hvar island
Budget Tips
- Head to the grocery store for meals! Obviously, there are times to experience cultural foods and treat yourself, however, you’ll be able to save hundreds of dollars on food if you opt for the store!
- Bolt is an app similar to Uber that is SUPER cheap in Croatia for some reason. You can get a ride for 3-5 euros! It can be cheaper than a bus and is way more convenient.
- Watch for tourist traps! Many places in a city center, Old Town, or near the water will be extra expensive just because its often where tourists congregate! Walking down little side streets a little out of the center will often help you find authentic food for much better prices.
- Hostels > hotels! So fun to meet people, and it’ll obviously save you $$$>
- Book buses for long distances! Download apps FlixBus and Arriva to find cheap bus tickets.
I HOPE YOU LOVE CROATIA! SEE YA LATER!
