Croatia is one of the most incredible countries we have ever been to. Our Croatia itinerary of 7 days was full of some unique and amazing experiences we couldn’t have gotten anywhere else in Europe. In this blog, we will go over a perfect 7 day Croatia road trip, tips for planning a trip to Croatia, how many days in Croatia is the right amount and the best time to visit Croatia.
Croatia is on the rise as a tourist destination. When people think of visiting a beautiful coastal city, it is typically in Positano, Italy or Barcelona, Spain, but Croatia should be right up there near the top of your travel bucket list! The sites, tastes, sounds, and smells made this country the crowned jewel of our time in Europe.
Plan your next trip before it becomes overly crowded with tourists! You won’t regret it. Now, let’s dive into the good stuff. First the perfect Croatia itinerary of 7 days – the ultimate 7 day Croatia road trip (quickly followed by tips for planning a trip to Croatia, how many days in Croatia is the perfect amount and the best time to visit Croatia.)
7 Day Croatia Itinerary
Day 1 – Zagreb
Zagreb is stop number 1 on our 7 day Croatia road trip. At just under 1 million people, this is the largest city in Croatia. Now, on our trip to Croatia, Zagreb was a stop en route to Plitvice Lakes National Park, which we were wildly excited about. The train we took ended in Zagreb and we rented a car in town.
However, that does not mean that Zagreb is just a stopover. We recommend 1 full day here. Start your day trying the free walking tour, which will give you a close-up view of Zagreb’s best landmarks and history of the city.
Then spend the rest of your day revisiting or checking out some of the sites the tour missed like Upper Town, Zagreb Cathedral, Ban Jelacic Square or Dolac Market.
Where to stay in Zagreb
End day 1 either checking into a Zagreb hotel, or taking the 2 hour drive to stop number 2 on our Croatia itinerary of 7 days. We recommend the latter so you have a full day at our second stop (and our favorite). But if you’d rather take it easy here are some wonderful places to stay in Zagreb.
Day 2 & 3 – Plitvice Lakes National Park
Okay, we have a lot to cover on this location. We’ll talk about the waterfalls and how to explore the park of course, but let’s start with how to get to Plitvice Lakes.
How to Get to Plitvice Lakes
Plitvice is located pretty deep in the Croatian countryside. The closest large city is Zagreb, which is why we recommend starting your Croatia itinerary of 7 days there. When we made the journey, that is exactly what we did, taking the train to Zagreb from our previous destination, Budapest. Or you could choose to fly into the Zagreb airport.
Either way the easiest way to get to Plitvice Lakes National Park is to rent a car in Zagreb and drive.
2 Days in Plitvice Lakes National Park
With 2 days in Plitvice Lakes, you can really take your time and see everything. We recommend buying tickets in advance on the Plitvice website and purchasing the 2 day pass right away. Make sure to pay attention to which entrance you choose for your ticket and pick the entrance closer to where you are staying near Plitvice.
Spend day 2 of your 7 day Croatia road trip exploring the lower lakes. Take your time strolling the boardwalk and admiring the bright blue lakes and waterfalls from ground level.
Then spend day 3 of your 7 day Croatia road trip exploring the upper lakes. This was our all time favorite day of our entire Croatia itinerary of 7 days. The view from the waterfalls from above can’t be beat in my opinion.
End day 3 driving to your 3 stop on our 7 day Croatia itinerary. It’s a 2.5 hour drive to the small coastal town of Trogir.
Where to Stay near Plitvice Lakes National Park
Guest House Plitvice Villa Verde – 0.9 mi from Entrance number 2
Apartment Perić – 11-minute walk from Entrance number 1
Day 4 – Trogir
Stop number three on our Croatia itinerary of 7 days is a beautiful one: Trogir. Trogir is a coastal city along the Croatian coast, and in our opinion is one of the most exotic places in Croatia. Along the coast, many people head to Dubrovnik, and some head to Split, but people rarely make Trogir a stop as well.
If you have the opportunity, make Trogir a stop! You will not regret it. This town is so so beautiful and is not at all full of tourists. There is a local Croatian experience with delicious food and wonderful sights ahead of you if you do.
Croatians know how to cook their seafood. Damn do they know how to cook their seafood! We had the best sea bass we’ve ever tasted in Trogir and ordered some Octopus, Calamari, and even Sardines when we were feeling frisky. We would recommend any and all of it, except maybe the Sardines…
Island Hopping
The coast of Croatia is lined with the Adriatic Sea and over 1000 islands (I say again, one thousand islands!). Every one of these islands is surrounded by the bluest water we have ever seen.
While island hopping, you need to stop and snorkel in the Adriatic Sea. We did an island hopping tour and loved our time exploring the Blue Cave, snorkeling, the island of Hvar and a few hidden gems our tour guide showed us.
Where to Stay in Trogir
Spend the night in Trogir before heading to the final stop on our 7 day Croatia itinerary.
Trogir Stars – Located in the real heart of Trogir, with city views and surrounded by the sea.
My Dalmatia – Also in the heart of Trogir with a rooftop terrace.
Day 5, 6 & 7 – The Walled City of Dubrovnik
There are many reasons why Dubrovnik is one of the best cities in Croatia. Dubrovnik is full of history! Zach, being a history buff, could have spent days on walking tours learning facts about the distant and recent past of this coastal castle. What is a city if not for a collection of stories and treasures, after all?
How should you spend your 3 days in Dubrovnik?
We recommend you spend a day shopping in Old Town and take the time to walk the wall. Which wall? Well, the wall that surrounds Dubrovnik to protect it from attack! On top of the wall you will have a beautiful view of the bright orange rooftops contrasting with the bright blue sea. Plus, this is the only walled city that hasn’t been taken over in battle…ever!
Spend the next day relaxing at the beach. Banje beach is easily accessible from Old Town Dubrovnik. If you’d prefer a more local experience visit Sveti Jakov Beach.
Your last day in Croatia is filled with adventure. Take the cable car to the top of Mount Srd for incredible views of Old Town and the surrounding islands. If you’re up for more, plan to explore a nearby island for the final afternoon in Croatia. Lokrum is easily accessible by ferry!
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik
Nono’s House – Beachfront place in Old Town.
Hilton Imperial – Hotel with pool, walk to Old Town and top Dubrovnik sights
Hotel Excelsior – Beach front 5 star hotel
Tips for Planning a Trip to Croatia
Here are four essential things to know when planning a trip to Croatia.
Currency and Costs
Currency: Croatia uses the Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted but plan to have some cash for smaller shops or markets.
Costs: Croatia is overall a very affordable country to visit. However, popular places like Dubrovnik and Hvar can be pricey, especially during peak season.
Plan Your Visit Wisely
Peak Season: Summer (June to August) is most popular due to the warm weather, lively festivals and bustling atmosphere. Of course prices will be higher during peak season and you can expect more crowds.
Shoulder Season: Late Spring (May) and early Autumn (September to October) offers mild weather, fewer crowds and lower prices.
Weather and Packing Tips
Summer: Hot and sunny, perfect for beaches and island hopping. Pack lightweight clothing, sunscreen and a hat.
Spring/Autumn: Milk weather, ideal for exploring cities and parks. Bring layers and comfortable walking shoes.
Winter: Costal areas are mild but quiet, while inland, like Zagreb and Plitvice Lakes can be cold and snowy.
Transportation Options
Driving: Roads are in excellent condition, therefore we think renting a car and driving is the best option for getting around. You’ll see way more and be able to check some off the beaten path destinations.
Public Transport: Buses can be easily used to get around cities if you rather leave the car behind.
Ferries: Make sure to book in advance especially during peak season.
How Many Days in Croatia
A 7 day Croatia road trip is the perfect amount of time to experience Croatia’s stunning diversity, balancing iconic sights, cultural immersion, and leisurely exploration.
With manageable driving distances and scenic coastal routes, the journey itself is as memorable as the destinations. A week allows time to unwind at cafes, explore hidden gems like small villages or secluded coves, and even enjoy activities such as wine tasting or hiking. Seven days provide a well-rounded introduction to Croatia’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and warm hospitality, leaving you with unforgettable memories.
Best Time to Visit Croatia
In our opinion, the best time to visit Croatia is during the Summer months, or even late-Spring or early-Fall. Sometime between May-September is the best time to visit Croatia and all of these incredible sights. Why? well a few reasons!
At Plitvice Lakes National Park, what is almost as incredible as the waterfalls is the greenery. The plants will be lush and deep green is you visit in the Spring or Summer, giving you great contrast between the blue of the water and the green of the plants.
Temperatures in Croatia are not particularly extreme. The Summer highs reach the high 80s (in Fahrenheit) and the Winter temperatures typically still reach the 50s (again, Fahrenheit). Therefore, March-September is the best time to visit Croatia since it will be T-shirt weather and the water temperature will be nice for swimming.
We absolutely adored our Croatia experience, and we are fully confident that you will have the time of your life as well. Croatia was a wonderful country, and will be the jewel of any European adventure you choose to take in the future.
Also, we got engaged there, so…we like it!
Enjoy Your Croatia Trip
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