13 Days in Croatia and Slovenia

Day by day itinerary

Arrival in Zagreb

Welcome to Croatia!

Your first stop is Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Zagreb is the largest city in the country and the one with the best position. The city is located in the heart of the country, which makes it an excellent starting point for exploring Croatia.

Zagreb (city tour)

Enjoy your stay and explore the main spots of Zagreb such as Ban Jelačić Square, Dolac open-air market, Kaptol Cathedral, and the famous Tkalčićeva Street that is full of bars and restaurants. Make sure to pay a visit to the Upper Town with the beautiful Church of St. Mark. Take a ride at the funicular and also visit the Flowers Square.
If you have more time to spare, take the bus and go further. Explore the Maksimir Zoo, the Dinamo Stadium, and the Mirogoj Cemetery.

More information about the capital is available here.

Zagreb – Lake Bled – Ljubljana 

Continue your journey in Slovenia. The charming Lake Bled is world-renowned for having a natural island right in the center of the lake. To visit the island you will have to embark on the one of the charming little boats called “pletna”. The ride is calm and takes about 25 minutes. After visiting the natural island, and the church on the lake, get to know the Bled Castle, which rises above the lake, on top of a rock. From there you will have the most beautiful view of the lake and of the mountains that surround it. For more info click here!

After exploring the Lake Bled, head towards Ljubljana, the charming capital of the country.

Ljubljana (city tour)

The capital of Slovenia is a lovely town by the river, famous for its numerous bridges, each of which stands out for its unique architecture. Ljubljana is a flat, delightful city, that can easily be explored on foot. Visit the main attractions in the center of Ljubljana, pass the main bridges over the Ljubljanica River, discover the sad love story of the writer Prešeren, the leading Slovenian poet, as well as the story of a Dragon, the symbol of Ljubljana. Ljubljana is also known as the “green capital”, so leave enough time to visit one of the parks!

For more tips on Ljubljana, click here.

Ljubljana – Postojna Cave – Karlovac

Continue your trip towards one of the most famous caves in Europe, the Postojna Cave. The Postojna Cave itself is more than 24 km long, but the part open for visitors is only 5 km long. The tour of the cave consists of 1,5km on foot and 3,5 km by an electric train. The cave was discovered as early as the 17th century and it is full of different cave formations that are result of the action of the Pivka River. Learn more here!

After visiting the cave, return to the Croatian territory, towards the city of Karlovac, which is known as the city of the 4 rivers and the city of parks.

Karlovac – Plitvice Lakes – Zadar

Leave Karlovac and start your journey to the south of Croatia. Make a stop at the most beautiful place in the country and visit the Plitvice Lakes National Park. The Park is a place of unique natural beauty and it was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are 16 larger lakes and several smaller lakes. The lakes are all interconnected as if they were a ladder – they are cascading one into the other over a number of beautiful waterfalls. The Plitvice Lakes National Park covers the area of around 300 km2 and it is home to more than 250 animal species and more than 1,400 plant species. Get more info on the link.

After making a stop at the National Park, continue your trip towards Zadar, in Dalmatia.

Zadar – Trogir – Split

Zadar is famous thanks to the world’s first and only Sea Organ. You can sit and relax on the marble steps of the organ and enjoy the sea breeze and the most beautiful sunset in the world! Right next to the Sea Organ, there is another interesting instalation called “Sun Salutation”.

Continue your journey towards the city of Split, but first make a stop in Trogir. The beautiful town of Trogir is one of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia. The historical center of the town is situated on a small island. The town is famous for Venetian Gothic architecture, which counts with several churches and many beautiful palaces. After exploring the city of Trogir, head towards Split.

Split (city tour)

The main attraction of the city of Split is the Palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, built in the 5th century BC. This palace is one of the best preserved in Europe and it is located on Riva, the seaside promenade of the city. You can also visit the Cathedral of St. Domnius, with the 57-meters-high bell tower. Next to St. Domnius Cathedral you will find the impressive Vestibule and the Peristyle, which was once the central square of the palace. Split is the second largest city in Croatia, which not only offers a beautiful architecture, but also has the best beaches and rich nightlife.

For more info about Split, open the link.

Split – Hvar (catamaran)

To get to the island of Hvar you need to take a catamaran boat. The port of Split is located close to the Riva, next to the Diocletian’s Palace. The easiest way is to go on foot, because cars are not allowed in this area.

It is important to be at the port at least 15 minutes earlier.

Hvar (boat ride or city tour)

Despite being well-known for its nightlife, for which it even earned the title of “Croatian Ibiza”, the city of Hvar welcomes the most varied public. For those who are not looking for a place to party, the island has other things to offer. Hvar is a city of long and diverse history, with beautiful architecture and rich culture. You can also visit one of the nearby beaches, take a boat ride or take a dip in the Adriatic Sea, which is even cleaner in this part of Croatia! 

Read more here!

Hvar – Dubrovnik (catamaran)

Your next stop is Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic. Dubrovnik is one of the most visited cities in Croatia, which became internationally known as the King’s Landing due to the famous “Game of Thrones” series.

To get to Dubrovnik you need to take the catamaran. It is important to be at the port of Hvar at least 15 minutes before the take off.

Dubrovnik (city tour)

The city of Dubrovnik is located at the very south of Dalmatia. This medieval city lies right on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. The old town walls date back to the 16th century and are among the best preserved in the world. The entrance to the walled city is free and the best way to visit it is to get lost in its streets.
There are two main gates to the city: Pile and Ploče. Entering the Pile gate, you will find yourself at the beginning of Stradun, the city’s “boardwalk”. There, you can also see the Franciscan Church with the bell tower and the Monastery.

If you wanna know more, click here.

Departure from Dubrovnik

Thank you for visiting Croatia! We hope you enjoyed your stay and wish you a lovely trip back home.

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