While mainland Croatia has a surprising amount to offer in and of itself, I do have a soft spot for the many islands that lie off of this Adriatic country’s coast.
We’ve been fortunate enough to have spent a good amount of time exploring several Croatian islands and we know just how appealing a holiday there can be. But it can also be super overwhelming to plan – especially once you factor in ferry logistics.
So if you’re limited in time but want to see a few islands during your trip, this itinerary will help you get the most out of your holiday!
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How Many Days in Croatia’s Islands?
If you’re after an island-hopping itinerary that sees you visiting 2 or 3 islands, then make sure you carve out at least a week for your trip.
This will ensure that you can see some highlights on the mainland, easily get to the islands and have enough time to explore while there.
If you want to be able to see the iconic coastal cities of both Split and Dubrovnik, then planning a 10-day itinerary is going to be your best bet.
This will give you the best balance of chill-out time and activity time, while also accounting for the length of travel days.
Getting To & Around the Islands
This itinerary begins in Split and ends in Dubrovnik, though you could reverse it if that’s what makes sense for you. Both cities are home to small airports with connections across Europe and are accessible via bus from within Croatia.
I highly recommend hiring a car for this route as it gives you the most flexibility and ability to see some further-flung and harder-to-reach areas of all of the islands in question. You will also be able to maximise your time in each destination and make some stops while en route to other destinations.
We recommend browsing DiscoverCars.com to find great deals across several major companies.
To reach the islands in the itinerary below, your only option is by ferry and note that, with a car, you’re obviously limited to car ferries and not passenger-only ferries. Fortunately, this isn’t much of a problem and there are frequent routes.
The one downside is that you will have to return to the mainland to get between islands, but this just gives you time for more exploring in Croatia!
Ferries can book out fast in high season, so make sure to book in advance and try to get there as early as possible when boarding. Often, you can park in the queue and go have a coffee or a bit of a wander before it’s time to board the boat.
7- to 10-Day Croatian Islands Itinerary
For those who only have a week to spend in Croatia, follow this itinerary up through day 7. You will have to cut out a day on Korčula and won’t have time to visit Dubrovnik, but it will still give you the chance to visit 3 islands and get a good feel for the area.
Day 1 – Split
Split is a logical place to begin your trip as it has direct ferry access to countless islands. It’s also Croatia’s second-largest city and it’s worth spending a full day exploring here, as it’s packed with history and absolutely lovely.
The city centre of Split can generally be explored within the confines of a day, so you won’t be rushed. Wander through the historic Diocletian’s Palace, take in the Cathedral of St Dominus, see the sphinx at Jupiter’s Temple and, my favourite, browse through the markets.
There is a fish market in the centre and the Green Market is a bit outside of the old town area.
Of course, make sure to stroll along the seaside promenade (known as the Riva) and, if you’re after something active with great views, take a hike up Marjan Hill. From the top, you can get an excellent panorama of Split and also spot some of the islands you’ll be heading to in the coming days!
Where to Stay in Split
Il Giardino Luxury Rooms & Suites – Offering a beachside setting, this hotel has lovely rooms to choose from, breakfast, an airport shuttle and on-site parking.
Tchaikovsky Hostel – Located in downtown Split, this newly renovated hostel offers both dorm and private rooms, a good social atmosphere and clean common areas.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Split hotels!
Day 2 – Brač
On the second day, it’s time to make your first foray to the Croatian islands with a day trip to the lovely island of Brač.
Brač is the closest of the major Dalmatian islands to Split and it can be reached in just under an hour via car ferry.
The ferry leaves from Split’s main port and drops you at Supetar, the island’s largest town. I highly recommend getting as early a ferry as possible as this can help you maximise your time on the island.
From Supetar, head south across the island towards Bol. This town is home to Zlatni Rat, arguably Croatia’s most famous beach. Also referred to as the Golden Horn or Golden Cape, it’s a beautiful pebble beach positioned on a triangular spit of land.
It’s a super popular spot to visit (and for good reason!) so be prepared, but it’s also perfect for a swim. I honestly think it’s worth visiting even if you don’t plan to swim because it’s absolutely spectacular.
If time allows, pause at the village of Škrip on the way. It’s the oldest settlement on the island and has a small but interesting museum in an old fortress tower. By late afternoon, you can head back to Supetar, hop on the ferry and be back in Split in time for dinner along the Riva.
Day 3 – Hvar
On the third day, it’s time to leave Split properly and head to one of Croatia’s most popular islands, Hvar. Located about 50 kilometres off the coast from Split, there are several car ferries that leave from Split’s port daily and sail to the port of Stari Grad in about 2 hours.
Spend your first day on the island exploring the lovely and historic Hvar Town. The town is small, but it has a historic centre and and it’s also worth venturing up to the Spanish Fortress for great views of the town from above.
If you’re after a bit of beach time, I highly recommend visiting lovely Pokonji Dol beach. This pebble beach is about a 10-minute drive from the centre of Hvar and it’s one of the most popular on the island.
And if you want to maximise your time in the Adriatic, you could also opt for a boat tour to the nearby Pakleni Islands. You can find water taxis in Hvar Town that will ferry you to this small archipelago (it’s only a short ride) or you could opt for an organised tour or a kayak trip!
There are lots of swimming and snorkelling opportunities here and it’s a fun activity for a half-day.
Plan to spend the next 3 nights on Hvar.
Where to Stay on Hvar
Pharos Hvar Hotel – This hotel in Hvar town offers clean modern rooms, a gorgeous outdoor pool, 2 restaurants and a great location for exploring the island.
Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel – This high-end hotel overlooking Hvar Town has a few on-site restaurant, beautiful rooms, a spa, a swimming pool and a superb breakfast.
Hostel Villa Skansi – Great for budget and solo travellers, this hostel has a great location, dorms of various sizes, private rooms, kitchen facilities a bar and a good social atmosphere.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Hvar hotels!
Day 4 – Hvar
On your second day on Hvar, enjoy the slower pace of island life and spend some time lounging on one of my favourite beaches on the island, Dubovica Bach. This one requires a short, downhill trek to reach (I recommend wearing close-toed shoes for that part) but once there, it’s absolutely worth it.
Just make sure to bring plenty of water, a hat and maybe an umbrella here as there are no facilities and it can be quite exposed.
After the beach, head to the town of Stari Grad – a great place for lunch. This is the oldest settlement on the island, with evidence of tribes having inhabited the town as early as 384 BCE.
End your day in the lovely town of Vrboska, where you can enjoy the quiet vibes of this coastal town that lies a bit off the beaten tourist trail. If you’re after a delicious local meal, then we suggest Restoran Ruzmarin for great fresh seafood!
Day 5 – Hvar
Your final full day on Hvar can be spent exploring some places inland on the island and also heading to some further flung areas.
Start by visiting the village of Humac, which is one of the oldest settlements on Hvar. Here you can find stone houses with foundations that date back to the Stone Age.
And if you want to visit yet another beach, I highly recommend visiting Zavala. This is located on a less busy side of the island and it feels a world away from the lively atmosphere of Hvar Town.
There are some lovely beach areas (note that they are all pebble beaches) and a few restaurants and bars where you can get a bit to eat.
Finish your day by exploring the town of Jelsa. This is one of our favourite towns on the island and I think it has the perfect mix of liveliness and chilled-out vibes. It has a picturesque harbour, a lovely promenade and plenty bars, cafes and restaurants for a drink and some dinner.
Day 6 – Hvar to Korčula
It’s time to make your way to one of my favourite Croatian islands – Korčula! It’s an absolutely lovely journey to get here, however, so I recommend making the most of it and taking some stops along the way.
Rather than hopping on a return ferry from Stari Grad to Split, I recommend taking the ferry from the town of Sućuraj on the eastern tip of the island to the port of Drvenik, located about 100km southeast of Split. This will save you about 1.5 hours of driving, if not more.
From Drvenik, you can drive to the town of Orebić where you can grab the ferry to Korčula.
En route, you will have the opportunity to cross the Pelješac Bridge, which was opened in 2022 and connects the entirety of Croatia. Prior to its opening, you would have needed to cross the border into Bosnia, adding lots of time and distance.
The Pelješac Bridge links the mainland to the gorgeous Pelješac Peninsula, and I highly recommend exploring this place yourself. You will see countless vineyards around where you can sample some locally made wine. The area is also well known for its mussels and oysters, and you’re sure to notice many farms along the coastline.
The ferry from Orebić to Korčula Town is a short crossing and will only take about fifteen minutes. End your day with a drink in Korčula’s Old Town – perhaps sampling a local wine (I like Mariola Wine Bar)!
Where to Stay on Korčula
Apartments Milion – Offering double rooms, studios and apartments, this hotel has a great beachfront location and is the perfect base for exploring the island.
Aminess Korcula Heritage Hotel – Located right on Korčula’s harbour with views of the Pelješac, this high-end hotel has several plush rooms to choose from, a restaurant and plenty of amenities.
Hostel Korcula – Situated in a 500-year-old building in the heart of Korčula town, this hostel has a range of dorms and private rooms, good facilities and convivial common areas.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Korčula hotels!
Day 7 – Korčula
Spend your first full day on Korčula exploring the highlights of Korčula Town and the nearby village of Lumbarda. You will likely find Korčula to be a little bit more laid back and relaxed compared to Hvar, and this is generally true.
Korčula Town is a gorgeous old town with an imposing stone gate, a lovely harbour and a lots of really picturesque cobbled streets. It’s the alleged birthplace of Marco Polo, as well!
Heading a bit outside the Old Town, you can find the Sveti Antun Church – this is a bit of a hike up here, but the views from the top are spectacular. You can also stop at OPG Komparak nearby and sample some locally made honey or gin.
In the afternoon, I highly recommend visiting the town of Lumbarda – only a few kilometres from Korčula Town. This town is known for its wine and particularly the white grape variety – Grk. You can hop between vineyards here either independently or on a wine tour, sampling some local vintages in a beautiful setting.
If you only have a week for this itinerary, I really can’t think of a better way to round out your trip! However, if you have more time, there is definitely more to see on Korčula.
Day 8 – Korčula
Today is time to venture away from Korčula Town and explore deeper in the island. I recommend starting at the beautiful Pupnatska Luka Beach. This is a lovely pebble beach with a lot of room to spread out a towel and louge – and the water is especially inviting on a warm day!
From the beach, head to the town of Vela Luka, which is on the other side of the island from Korčula Town. This isn’t as touristy as the former, but it’s nice and laid back and a great place to visit for a change of pace.
If you’re a wine lover (Korčula is a great island for you!), then head to the village of Smokvica en route back to Korčula Town. This inland town is home to the unique Posip grape (another white grape variety), but there are lots of wineries offering degustations of many different styles of wines!
End your day with dinner in Korčula Town – Konoba Aterina is a great option.
Day 9 – Dubrovnik
The final 2 days will be spent in arguably Croatia’s most famous city – Dubrovnik. The easiest way to reach Dubrovnik is by getting back on the ferry to Orebić and, from there, it’s about 1 hour and 45 minutes to Dubrovnik. I recommend getting as early a start as possible in order to maximise your time.
Once in Dubrovnik, get to know the city by wandering the Old Town and taking in the highlights. You can go on a walking tour, or just let your own two feet do the guiding.
Stroll down Stradun, the main thoroughfare in Dubrovnik, and don’t miss the beautiful Dubrovnik Cathedral. I also recommend taking the time to tour the Rector’s Palace.
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik
Boutique Hotel Porto – This hotel is well-located for exploring Dubrovnik. They have an array of modern, clean rooms to choose from, an airport shuttle, private parking and an on-site restaurant.
Old Town Hostel – This cool boutique hostel is located in the centre of the old town. They have a range of room options, a great common room and shared kitchen facilities.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Dubrovnik hotels!
Day 10 – Dubrovnik
Save your final day in Croatia for Dubrovnik’s most famous activity, walking the iconic city walls. This gets incredibly popular so I highly recommend booking as early a spot as possible to avoid the crowds. Some crowds are inevitable, however, so this is just something you’re going to have to be at peace with.
This is a fantastic activity and you can really appreciate the beauty of this historic city from the walls.
Later in the day, I recommend taking the views of Dubrovnik from above Mount Srd. This sits just behind the Old Town and offers incredible views over the city and the Adriatic beyond. It’s lovely any time of day, but it’s particularly stunning at sunset.
Have More Time?
If you have more time, the most logical option would be to add on another island or two! If you only have an extra day or two to play around with, then consider visiting the island of Vis before heading to Hvar. This island is easily accessible from Split.
If you want to begin in the city of Zadar rather than Split, then consider spending a couple of days on the island of Ugljan! This is easy to reach from Zadar, but it doesn’t get a lot of international tourism.
I have a soft spot for this particular island, as it’s where we spent our honeymoon, so I do recommend a visit if you have time.
Island hopping in Croatia is one of the most memorable European holidays. Each island has something different to offer and you’re sure to have an unforgettable time.
Are you visiting the Croatian islands? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!
