9 Days In Croatia

After giving you all a glimpse into our honeymoon highlights, it’s time to experience the day to day. I’m kicking off the series with our 9 amazing, jam packed days in Croatia, a country that quickly nestled into our hearts. I will always remember what it felt like walking into the old town of Split, seeing the gleaming white marble of Dubrovnik and feeling like I was transported back in time with every step I took. Croatia is not a country to be missed and here’s how you can spend 9 of your own days experiencing all the Dalmatian splendour.

Day 1

Arrival in Zagreb 

• Arriving in Croatia’s capital is uncomplicated and relatively stress free. Word of warning though – car rentals are almost always standard and they only give you 5 minutes to get out of the parking lot at the airport. We failed to do so in time, which meant getting stuck between the gate and two buses trying to exit!! Other than that – stress free! Check in at Zig Zag Zagreb apartments and beat the jet lag by seeing some of the sights of this quirky city.

• Walk the square Ban Jelacic, and stop in at the Zagreb Cathedral before heading to the main street. Have a seat at a local pub to sip on Ojusko beer and take in the scenery.
• Sample some local cuisine at Agava before heading back to the hotel to get some much needed sleep! What a long day!

Day 2

• Start the morning by wandering up to the chestnut lined Strossmayer promenade, with coffees in hand, to catch great views of the still silent city. We loved how quiet this capital gets in the summer!

• After a quick orientation, head out of the city for a gorgeous drive, topped off with a visit to Croatia’s national treasure: the stunning Plitvice National Park. Famous for stunning colours of teal, turquoise, and deep blues & greys, the sixteen lakes are linked together with a series of gorgeous waterfalls. Picture perfect moments will be around every bend of your adventure in the park. But!! Try to go early if you’re travelling in the summer because it’s no secret how beautiful this place is and it will be packed before you know it!

• Back in Zagreb, you’ll be hungry! Try a delicious dinner at Pod Grickin Topom right on the hillside beneath the Lotrščak tower (where a canon is fired each day!)

• After dinner, visit the strangest and quite possibly, most interesting museum in Europe  – the museum of broken relationships. People donate items that tell the tale of a failed relationship with a lover, friend, parent, anyone! It was touching, at times profoundly sad and really poetic.

• Try some local brandy and jam at Crop and have a visit with the lovely owners! The perfect place to buy a souvenir or two!

Day 3

Arrival in Split

• Take the rental car and drive through the Croatia countryside, admiring the drastic change of scenery as you go. Another word of warning – driving in Split takes skill with the teeny tiny streets!
• After returning the car (thank god!! No more driving!!), check out the Old town – another UNESCO heritage site that’s home to 3000 people!

• It took our breath away! It is so well preserved and absolutely gorgeous. Take a walk around the palace and a trip up the steep staircase to the Bell Tower. Oh the views!!

• Dinner in Old town is a must, capped off with Gelato. Just try not getting lost in the winding, narrow streets!

Day 4

• A good breakfast is a short wander to Figa café, which will not disappoint. While the Old town is less busy in the morning, this is the perfect time to jump in the Cathedral, the Crypt and Jupiter’s tomb.

• Start exploring with a stroll down the boardwalk. That eventually leads to stairs (the endless stairs of this trip it will start to seem) to Marjan. Well worth the hike up to see stunning views of Split and the surrounding sea.

• A great lunch option: the farmer’s market right next to the Old Town!
• At this point, you’ll probably be itching to get some sun! Spend the afternoon at the beach near the port (though it’s not exactly a beach but a stone surrounding with different entrance points into the ocean – almost a glorified pool!).

• An evening stroll through Old Town could bring you back to Figa for supper, which wouldn’t be a bad thing – try the truffle pasta!! Heavenly!! Cap the night off with drinks in the main square (they put cushions on the staircases so you can sit outside) and listen to the live music that happens each night.

Day 5

Day trip to Hvar

• Head across the water for the next stop on your Croatia adventure to the oldest town in all of Croatia and a former Greek colony, Stari Grad. Located on Hvar Island – often listed as one of the 10 most beautiful spots in the world – Stari Grad is by far one of the most charming towns on the Croatian coast.

• Catamaran’s leave daily for Hvar Island and no trip to Split would be complete without a hop over to this beauty. Start exploring the island by either renting scooters or hiking up to the large, imposing fortress. Gorgeous views will once again impress!
• Descend and walk through some of the tiny side streets, have a small lunch and then grab a spot near the ocean to cool off. Locals throw towels on stone piers, large rocks, anywhere! Swim in the Adriatic and read a favourite book before finding a café with cold drinks.

• Dinner in Split was at Konoba Marjan (recommended by a local) and it was definitely a unique experience. A popular choice among locals, it serves the fresh catch of the day.

Day 6

Depart Split for Dubrovnik

• If you aren’t lucky enough to get a boat tour, book the Coastal bus route – even if it is a bit longer, the ocean views are spectacular. Arrive in the Pearl of the Adriatic, the place that completely enchanted George Bernard Shaw. He said “those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik and see Dubrovnik.” (I agree)

• Start by touring Dubrovnik’s old city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Admire the magnificent, imposing walls, white marble streets and baroque buildings. Walk the main pedestrian thoroughfare, Placa, with its melange of cafés and shops. Have dinner across from the main church.

• Finish your first day in Dubrovnik with a visit to the cliffside bar, Buza (the hole in the wall). Watch the sun set and have as many Ojuskos as you can before making the climb back home.

Day 7

• Have breakfast this morning at Soul Café in Old town. Take in the artistry and history of the numerous churches, monasteries and museums showcased in this beautiful city.
• One museum absolutely worth checking out is the War Photo museum, which is haunting but provocative and beautiful. It is so valuable to understand the recent war and the impact it had on the city of Dubrovnik.

• Wander to the port for lunch before jumping on the gondola to see the panoramic views of Dubrovnik. If you’re up for it, a quick stop in at the Homeland war museum is informational and provides even more insight into the country and its history.

• Have dinner aboard an old ship called the Karaca. The dinner cruise goes around the island of Lokrum and has stunning views of the city.

Day 8

• Have Breakfast on the main Stradun – the most beautiful street in the world – before taking the Game of Thrones tour! There is no shortage of things to see in this city and, even if you aren’t a super fan of the show, this is the perfect way to get to know Dubrovnik.

• You cover a lot of ground, many stairs!!!, and finish with a tour of the city walls themselves. Be prepared to sweat!

• Spend the rest of the afternoon at the Sveti Jakov beach…down a very long staircase on the other side of the church. Some swimming in the sea is definitely a must!

Day 9

The last day!

• Enjoy a quick trip over to Lokrum island, which is basically considered another neighborhood of Dubrovnik.
• Upon arrival, walk through the gardens and head into the mosque to see some information on Game of Thrones and a replica of the famous throne.

• Then saunter over to the small, salt water lake in the middle of the island that’s known as the Dead Sea. People perch on giant rocks with their towels, so follow suit and spend some time in the water.

• Try some Italian for dinner tonight at an amazing place nestled right next to the outer wall, Pizzeria Storia, followed by an outdoor movie theatre. It is actually a great experience – watching a movie outside, amid old buildings and an ancient wall! There’s nowhere else like it in the world!
• Finish your Croatian travels with another stop at Bar Buza! Why not!!

“Doviđenja” – until we meet again!

Next Tuesday – another Honeymoon destination: Montenegro!