Travel

The Best 5 Days In Croatia Itinerary

Croatia is a beautiful country located right along the Adriatic Sea. Check out this 5 days in Croatia itinerary to see all the best places this beautiful country has to offer.

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Croatia is a stunning country located in Europe. It lies right on the Adriatic Sea which separates the Italian Peninsula and the Balkan Peninsula. The Artaic Sea is located in the northern part of the Mediterranean Sea which connects to the Atlantic Ocean.

Croatia is known for its beautiful nature, culture, history, mouthwatering cuisine, and so much more. There are so many amazing places to see while in Croatia like Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes, Split, the beautiful islands of Hvar and Korcula, Dubrovnik, and more.

Here you will see how to spend the best 5 days in Croatia, what to see in Croatia in 5 days, the ultimate Croatia travel itinerary, where to stay in Croatia, how to spend the perfect summer in Croatia, and more.

This post is all about the best 5 days in Croatia.

The Best 5 Days In Croatia

Day 1: Zagreb

Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia, and it is located in the northern part of the country. This city is filled with beautiful Austro-Hungarian architecture. Zagreb is a great place to begin your 5 days in Croatia trip because it isn’t flooded with tourists like its coastal cities.

There are so many wonderful things to see and do in this city like visiting Ban Jelacic Square, visit Polac which is a beautiful outdoor market. Enjoy the Kaptol Cathedral, visit the Church of St. Mark, and check out Flowers Square. Also, be sure to walk along Tklaciceva Street, this street is famous for its amazing bars and restaurants. End your day here while enjoying s beautiful traditional Croatian dinner with some amazing drinks.

Where To Stay In Zagreb

One of the best places to stay while in Zagreb for an authentic Croatian experience is the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel. This beautiful hotel is located right in the center of Zagreb and is close to the main railway station. This hotel also has a beautiful restaurant terrace and is one of the most prominent buildings in the city. There is the Zinfandel Restaurant and the Le Bistro Restaurant both of which offer traditional Croatian food from amazing chefs. There is a spa on-site and a fitness center, and it is located close to Ban Jelacic and Tklaciceva Street. Also only 15 minutes from Zagreb airport.

Another great place to stay while in Zagreb is the Best Western Premier Hotel Astoria. This hotel is elegant hotel is located in a quiet place still close to the city center. Also features an amazing restaurant with local and international cuisine.

You could also stay at the Sheraton Zagreb Hotel. This is the top-rated 5-star hotel to stay in while in Zagreb. It is located a short walk from the main square. It also has amazing city views, a heated indoor pool, marble bathrooms, a gym, a bar, and a restaurant.

Day 2: Plitvice Lakes

About a 2-hour drive south of Zagreb is Plitvice Lakes. This is the most beautiful and unique part of Croatia. Plitvice Lake National Park is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will find many lakes, some large so small all connected by little waterfalls. They cascade into one another, offering stunning views and making it a beautiful place to spend the day.

Along with the stunning waterfalls, there is so much beautiful nature here as well. There are lots of animal species roaming around and lots of different plants and vegetation, making it a must-see for anyone who loves nature.

Although swimming is forbidden in Plitvice Lakes, you can still enjoy the beautiful scenery by hiking along the trails. There are 8 different hiking trails that you can take, all of which take you by beautiful lakes and waterfalls.

Where To Stay In Plitvice Lakes

The best place to stay while in Plitvice Lakes is Hotel Plitvice. This hotel is located right at the entrance of Plitvice Lakes National Park. It is a small hotel with about 50 rooms. It is very clean and the staff is amazing.

Another great place to stay while in Plitvice Lakes is Hotel Jezero. This hotel is located right in the heart of Plitvice Lakes National Park. The hotel has regular rooms and suites making it great if you are traveling with a family. Also features 2 restaurants, a spa, a sauna, and a hot tub.

Day 3: Split

About 2 and a half hours drive to the south you will be in Split. Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest city on the Dalmatian Coast and the Croatian Coast. It is known for its fascinating history and historic sites like the ruins of the Palace of Diocletian.

Split is located right on the waterfront and there are lots of bars and restaurants you can enjoy right along the water. Be sure to try the amazing seafood here as well.

While here be sure to relax and one of Split’s clear water beaches, and check out the ruins and beautiful buildings. This city has so many stunning views you won’t regret visiting here.

Where To Stay In Split

A great place to stay while in Split Croatia is Hotel Luxe. This luxury hotel is located right in the city center with super modern, spacious, stylish rooms with beautiful views of the sea. It also has a fitness center, a sauna, a jacuzzi, a gym, and offers massages. This hotel is a short walk from Diocletian’s Palace and Bacvice Beach. Definitely one of my favorite hotels to stay at while visiting Split.

Another fantastic luxury hotel to stay at while in Split is the Jupiter Luxury Hotel. This hotel is situated right in the Old Town. It has saunas, a la carte gourmet restaurant, a hot tub, a rooftop terrace with a stylish lounge bar, and much more. There are many different shops, galleries, restaurants, bars, and cafes located very close to this wonderful hotel. This hotel is also in a perfect spot for those that want to experience the nightlife scene in Split which is super fun. Jupiter Luxury Hotel is about 500 meters from ferries that can take you to the islands of Croatia like Brac, Hvar, Korcula, and more.

Day 4: Hvar/ Korcula

Hvar is the most popular island in Croatia in the Adriatic Sea. It is a beautiful place to come and relax as it is known for being a luxurious resort town. Hvar is a very popular and must-see tourist destination for those visiting Croatia.

Hvar is filled with cobblestone and marble streets that have the best restaurants in Croatia. Also, Hvar is known to have a very lively night scene. This beautiful island has lots of stunning white sand, clear water beaches, and one-of-a-kind luxury guest houses.

If you are feeling adventurous you could also take a private boat tour to the beautiful island of Korcula which is about 45 minutes away. This way you can enjoy a beautiful scenic boat ride through Croatia that you definitely won’t regret. Korcula is also another magnificent island in Croatia and it is known for its dense forest and beautiful medieval buildings. Once you’ve explored Korcula take the private boat tour back to Hvar for some nighttime fun.

Where To Stay In Hvar

One of the best places to stay in Hvar is Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort. This luxury resort is a 2-minute walk to the beach and also has a one-of-a-kind multi-level pool, breathtaking views of the sea, and is a short walk to Hvar’s city center. This beach resort has beautiful lounge areas, poolside restaurants, a two-level terrace, and a rooftop restaurant with lots of windows to offer panoramic views of the Hvar Archipelago and the Amfora Bay. Just a wonderful resort you will absolutely love and never want to leave.

A great hotel to stay at while in Hvar is Heritage Hotel Park Hvar. This amazing hotel features a beautiful garden, a restaurant, a bar, rooms with a balcony with city views, and much more. This hotel is also close to Beach Bonj, Franciscan Monastery Beach, and Amfora Beach.

Another great hotel to stay at while visiting Hvar is Riva Marina Hvar Hotel. The hotel has been newly refurbished and looks amazing. It is located in the perfect spot in the city center and is a. great place to watch the mega-yachts coming in from the terraces. The rooms inside this hotel all have individual themes which is a very cool feature. This unique hotel has some of the best food and cocktails that Hvar has to offer. Also located right next o to the Riva Hvar Yacht Harbour.

Day 5: Dubrovnik

The perfect way to finish off your 5 days in Croatia is by visiting Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is located in Southern Croatia and is also along the Adriatic Sea. Dubrovnik is known for its one-of-a-kind “Old Town“. The town is circled with large stone walls, inside you will find beautiful medieval old buildings.

Here you will also find King’s Landing, the most famous city in the television series Game Of Thrones. The setting here is so beautiful and perfect production used all the scenery as it was and didnt need to build anything extra for the background settings.

The best way to finish off your 5 days in Croatia is to check out the history and beautiful architecture here in Dubrovnik, explore the amazingly clear water beaches, and take in the breathtaking views of stunning Croatia.

Where To Stay In Dubrovnik

A great place to stay in Dubrovnik is Boutique Hotel Porto. This hotel has great accommodations and. gardens, a terrace, a restaurant, and a bar. It is also within walking distance of Bellevue Beach, Lapad Bay Beach, and Beach Sulic. Als the airport is about a 20-minute car ride.

Another great place to stay in Dubrovnik is the Pearl of Adriatic Apartments. These apartments were renovated recently and offer beautiful rooms and terraces with sea views. Located right in the city center and just a very short walk to the Old Town.