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Croatia has been on everyone’s radar for a while now, and for good reason — it’s that rare destination that delivers on the hype. Ancient walled cities, turquoise water, national parks with waterfalls you can walk through, and food that’s far more interesting than most people expect. Add a day trip to Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor and you’ve got one of the best trips in Europe. Here’s how I’d spend 8 days.

Quick Facts

Trip Length	8 days / 7 nights
Route	Dubrovnik → Montenegro (day trip) → Split → Plitvice Lakes → Hvar → Krka Waterfalls
Best Time	May–June or September–October (shoulder season = fewer crowds, great weather)
Getting There	Fly into Dubrovnik, fly out of Split
Currency	Euro (Croatia joined the Eurozone in 2023)
Trip Style	Culture / Coastal / Adventure

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Day 1: Arrive in Dubrovnik

Settle into your hotel and ease into the trip. Take the cable car up to the viewpoint above the city — the panorama of Dubrovnik’s terracotta rooftops against the Adriatic is one of those views that actually makes you gasp.

Where to stay: Ambassador Hotel — Right on the water with views of the old city. A solid luxury base for your Dubrovnik days.

Dinner: Chao La Cucina Italiana — Italian food done really well, with a Croatian twist. Follow it up with gelato from Peppino’s (you’ll walk past it and you will not be able to resist).

Tip: Get the Dubrovnik Pass which gives you access to all the major sights as well as discounts

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Day 2: Dubrovnik City Walls

Walk the city walls. This is the thing to do in Dubrovnik and it earns every bit of its reputation. The full loop takes about 1.5–2 hours and gives you 360-degree views of the old town, the harbor, and the coastline. Go early in the morning to beat the heat and the cruise ship crowds.

Lunch: Paninaro — Casual and delicious. Perfect for a quick bite between exploring.

Dinner: Restaurant 360 — Fine dining inside the old city walls with views of the harbor. This is your splurge night. Book a table in advance.

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Day 3: Dubrovnik — Explore the Old Town

Spend the day wandering the old town at your own pace. Lose yourself in the limestone streets, visit the churches and monasteries, find a cliff bar for an afternoon drink (Buza Bar is the famous one, perched on the rocks outside the walls). This is your day to soak it all in without a schedule.

Lunch: Holy Burak — Try the bureks (savory pastries). Cheap, filling, and a local staple.

Dinner: Taj Mahal — Yes, really. This is a beloved Bosnian restaurant in Dubrovnik and the food is fantastic. Don’t skip the ćevapi.

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Day 4: Day Trip to Montenegro — Bay of Kotor & Perast

Cross the border into Montenegro for one of the most stunning day trips in Europe. The Bay of Kotor is a dramatic fjord-like bay surrounded by mountains, and the medieval town of Kotor is completely walled and wonderfully preserved. Take a boat from Perast to the tiny island church of Our Lady of the Rocks — it’s the kind of experience that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a painting. [Affiliate link: book a guided day trip on Viator/GetYourGuide]

Dinner (back in Dubrovnik): Pizzeria Oliva — Keep it casual tonight. You’ll be tired from a full day of exploring and this is exactly the kind of low-key, delicious meal you’ll want.

Book: Day trip to Kotor with transport

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Day 5: Drive to Split

Make the scenic 3.5-hour coastal drive from Dubrovnik to Split. The road follows the Adriatic for much of the way and it’s one of the most beautiful drives in Europe. You’ll briefly pass through Bosnia & Herzegovina (the Neum corridor), so keep your passport handy.

Where to stay: AC Hotel by Marriott Split — Modern, clean, and well-located. A solid base for the Split portion of the trip.

Dinner: Keep it easy and eat at the hotel tonight — you’ve got big days ahead.

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Day 6: Plitvice Lakes National Park

This is a long day but absolutely worth it. Plitvice Lakes is about 3 hours from Split, and you’ll want 3–4 hours in the park itself, so plan for a 10-hour day total. The park is a series of 16 terraced lakes connected by waterfalls, with boardwalks winding through emerald-green water and thick forest. It’s one of the most beautiful natural places in Europe, full stop.

Dinner: Eat at the hotel — you’ll be exhausted in the best way.

Book: Plitvice Lake National Parks Tour with Transport

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Day 7: Hvar Island Boat Day

After yesterday’s marathon, today is all about island vibes. Take a boat or ferry from Split to Hvar — Croatia’s most glamorous island. Wander the charming harbor town, swim in the crystal-clear Adriatic, and soak up the lavender-scented air. A boat tour that includes stops at the Pakleni Islands and the Blue Cave is the way to go if you want to see the best of the coast.

Dinner: Fig — A gorgeous restaurant with creative Mediterranean dishes. One of the best meals of the trip.

Book: Boat tour

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Day 8: Krka Waterfalls & Departure

End the trip with a bang. Krka Waterfalls National Park is only 45 minutes from Split, making it perfect for a half-day trip before your flight. The star attraction is Skradinski Buk — a massive cascading waterfall that you can walk right up to (swimming is no longer allowed at the falls, but the views alone are worth it). The park also has beautiful riverside trails and a tiny island monastery.

Last dinner in Split: Mokosh — Modern Croatian cuisine in a cozy setting. A perfect farewell meal.

Book: Krka waterfall tour with transport

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The Verdict

Croatia gives you so much variety in a small footprint — medieval cities, island glamour, national parks, incredible food, and that impossibly blue Adriatic around every corner. Adding Montenegro for the day makes the trip feel even more expansive. Eight days is the sweet spot: enough time to go deep without rushing, with a mix of adventure days and slower, soak-it-in days. This is one of those trips that genuinely lives up to the hype.

Planning your own trip? Browse more travel itineraries or check out the Worth the Detour series for more destination inspiration.