The Ultimate 10-day Croatia Itinerary
Are you craving a solo summer vacay? Somewhere where the warm breeze soaks into your skin, where you get to TRULY relax, and where the views keep you captivated for hours? I have the perfect destination for you… Croatia!
You’re bound to enjoy the sunshine almost year-round in this beautiful European country. While working on your tan, don’t forget to work on your fjaka! This is a Croatian word that loosely translates to “the art of doing nothing.” It’s all about chilling out and *not* feeling bad for doing so! That’s the mentality that ALL visitors on vacation should have in Croatia!
Croatia is one of the BEST solo female travel destinations I’ve visited, with a well-established tourism infrastructure, low crime rates, and lots of fluent English speakers. As a solo female traveler, Croatia is a destination where you’ll feel safe wandering on your own, providing endless options from historical sites to beautiful beaches. PLUS, with so many rushing to Croatia in the summer, you’ll have no trouble meeting new friends! Or, just spend your days lounging on the beach reading a great book. Your opportunities are endless and there’s so much to explore!
Check out my Ultimate 10-day Croatia Itinerary, perfect for solo female travelers!
Croatia Itinerary Highlights:
Day 1: Split
Day 2-9: Dalmatian Islands
Makarska (Dalmatian coast, south of Split)
Korčula Island
Mljet Island
Vis Island
Hvar Island
Day 10: Dubrovnik
Day 1: Split
Starting your Croatia itinerary in Split enables you to take advantage of the prevalent air connections and ferries to nearby islands, while also diving into the city’s rich history and vibrant scene. Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and was communist until the 90’s under the former Yugoslavian rule. If history is your thing, you’re going to have a great time wandering around the city learning all about the long list of countries that have sought to take ownership of Croatia. You’ll see architectural remnants of ancient Roman ruins across the street from more-recent socialist-era concrete blocks. If you’re more into partying than history, Split is going to fill that part of your soul up too! This city is home to the world-famous Ultra Europe electronic dance music festival.
Top Things to See and Do in Split:
Visit the Roman ruins of Diocletian's palace — This beautiful palace is the heart and soul of Split, intertwined with cobblestone streets that are packed with bars, shops, restaurants and people. The palace was built as an imperial residence, military fortress and town for Diocletian, the first Roman emperor to voluntarily abdicate. Whilst wandering through the archways and looking at some of the original sarcophaguses and columns, make sure to visit the incredible Jupiter’s Temple as well as the Saint Domnius Cathedral; you can climb the bell tower for an epic city view! Also, Game of Thrones fans will NOT want to miss a visit to the basement chambers at Diocletian’s Palace. You’ll remember this area from the scenes where Daenerys Targaryen first locked up and trained her dragons!
Take a group tour — Learn about this city/country's communist past under the former Yugoslavian rule and get your bearings on Split’s layout along the Adriatic coast.
Relax at the beach — No doubt you’ll be looking to escape the heat, so why not check out some local beaches like Kašjuni or Bačvice
Soak up Split’s plentiful restaurant scene — Some great dining options in Split include Bokeria Kitchen & Wine Bar (where solo travelers will love the opportunity to sit at the bar and socialize with the bartenders), Ikra Fish & Wine (for unbelievably fresh seafood), and Portofino (where you can dine al fresco!). For lunch, I’d recommend a stop at MakaMaka for a delicious poke bowl!
Stay at a boutique or local accommodation — There are SO many great accommodation options in Split. My favorites include Vida Boutique Hotel, Balatura, Time Boutique Hotel, and Briig Hotel, which are all trendy, boutique hotels. There are also MANY Airbnb and VRBO options, which enable you to live like a local within the city walls of Diocletian’s Palace! Just make sure to book way in advance, because these small homes go quickly!
Basing yourself in the city of Split means you can easily get away for a wonderful day trip. Some popular nearby destinations include Krka Waterfalls, rafting the Cetina River, visiting the historical city of Trogir, or my personal favorite, hiking around Plitvice Lakes National Park!
Plitvice is a Croatian National Park that is downright stunning! Nature lovers will love exploring the park’s 16 connected lakes and various waterfalls. The water is an unnatural-looking turquoise color from an over-saturation of sodium bicarbonate... it’s absolutely beautiful to see in person! But, beware: Plitvice is absolutely MASSIVE and gets quite crowded. Make sure to arrive early to miss the crowds, and if possible, avoid weekends!
Day 2-9: Dalmatian Islands
Makarska (Dalmatian coast, south of Split)
Korčula Island
Mljet Island
Vis Island
Hvar Island
After soaking up the history of Split, you’ll be ready for some Croatia island hopping! And the gorgeous Dalmatian Islands are the place to do JUST that! With over 79 islands, you will be spoiled for choice in making that all-important decision on which islands to visit... luckily, you can’t go wrong!
Ferries leave daily from Split to the islands, which means you can easily rent a motorbike and hop from one island to the next. If you’re light on luggage, this is a great option for traveling through Dalmatia, because it’s budget-friendly and allows you complete flexibility with your itinerary.
Still, if you have the budget for it, a boat tour around the islands is hands-down your BEST option! For solo travelers in Croatia, joining a boat tour is your best bet for meeting other like-minded travelers! If you’re traveling with family or a group of friends, consider renting a catamaran or small yacht where you can split the cost and keep things private.
Traveling through the Dalmatian Islands by boat is ideal, because it means that you can unpack your bag once and then cruise around without lifting a finger! If you’re a solo traveler, I highly recommend checking out Sail Croatia, which has some epic itineraries to/from Dubrovnik. You can either reserve your own private cabin or be paired up to share with another solo traveler. I absolutely loved my experience on Sail Croatia’s 8-day Croatia island hopping from Split to Dubrovnik, where I woke up to sounds of waves crashing on the sides of the ship, explored the islands with other solo travelers (aka, my new friends!), and spent my evenings sipping cocktails from the boat’s rooftop hot tub! Not a bad way to spend a solo vacation! ;)
If you’re interested in booking a similar solo vacation through the Croatian islands, reach out to me directly for advice or assistance!
Makarska (Dalmatian coast, south of Split)
The first stop of my Sail Croatia boat tour was a port town on the Adriatic Sea called Makarska, just south of Split!
For all of you hikers out there, you’ll appreciate that Makarska is home to a very popular hiking destination, Biokovo National Park. The trail up the mountain winds through olive groves, vineyards and pine forests… you’ll definitely want to take your camera along!
The town of Makarska is a beautiful place to stroll along the Adriatic Sea at sunset and then pop into a cute restaurant for a delicious dinner.
Partiers shouldn’t miss a visit to Deep Makarska, which is an extremely unique club that is set in a beachfront cave! Dance the night away, then re-board your yacht for tomorrow morning’s sail to Korčula!
Korčula Island
Welcome, to Korčula! Spend your time strolling through the island’s adorable cobblestone streets and sampling bites from so many great restaurants! I particularly LOVED the wine flights and cheese plate at Wine Bar Bokar, a local gem located in a tiny alley!
The most important building in Korčula Old Town is the Cathedral of St. Mark, with its gothic-renasissance style and bell tower, which promises some fantastic views of Korčula’s harbor. Though if you’re heading up the bell tower, hold onto your hats! It can be REALLY windy at the top!
I *definitely* recommend ending your day on Korčula with a sunset drink at Massimo Cocktail Bar. You do need to climb up a small ladder to get to the top, but I promise it’s worth the extra effort!!
Mljet Island
Next up, Mljet! This island will have you getting back into nature with a visit to the beautiful landscape of Mljet National Park. Spending an afternoon at this park feels like *complete* relaxation! You can rent a bike or take a dip in the park's pristine turquoise waters, which are a mix of salt and fresh water. Make sure to explore the ancient Church and Benedictine monastery, which sits on a tiny island called St. Mary’s Island. Yep… it’s an island on an island!!
Vis Island
Time to head to Vis! This island has a fascinating history under Yugoslavian rule, and it wasn’t open to visitors until 1989. For that reason, it doesn’t particularly touristy, which is refreshing! I’d recommend taking a tour of Vis’ underground WWII bunker tunnels, which were used by the Yugoslavian National Army. It’s an incredibly unique and immersive experience!
For dinner, visit Roki’s for a traditional Croatian meal of Peka (a blend of vegetables and meat drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with herbs, and then baked to perfection under a bell-like dome).
No trip to Vis Island is complete without a visit to the nearby Blue Cave! This grotto is famous because light sneaks in through underwater holes in the rocks and appears to GLOW at certain times of day! It’s mesmerizing!! If you’re not already on a boat tour around the islands, make sure to book a day tour to this amazing cave from either Vis or the island of Hvar!
Hvar Island
Your trip around the Dalmatian Islands isn't complete without a stop at the prestigious, Hvar Island! Beyoncé has a house here after all!!
As a starting point for your visit to Hvar, I recommend visiting Fort Fortica, where you’ll get a gorgeous view of the harbor from above. This medieval castle sits on the site of an ancient Illyrian settlement dating back to 500 B.C.! Word of warning though, you have to climb quite a few steps to get up to the fort, so wear walking shoes! Believe me, the view is worth the trek!
The adorable tiny side streets of Hvar town also have tons of cute shops and dining spots. Spend some time strolling around exploring, and don’t forget to buy some local lavender products for loved ones back home!
Want to feel like a VIP on your vacation? There are a number of luxe beach clubs around Hvar town where you can sip a cocktail in style with the sound of waves crashing in front of you. Be sure to check out Hula Hula Bar, which serves up some major Hamptons beach vibes!
While the town of Hvar can get VERY crowded, Hvar island is actually quite large and has a lot to offer outside this busy port.
Rent a scooter and check out Hvar Island’s other large town, Stari Grad, for a change of scenery and slower pace. Stari Grad is also close to some fantastic wineries for wine tasting experiences! Croatia is very proud of its wines and I can see why; not much beats a flight of locally produced grapes in such a beautiful country along the Adriatic Sea!
Day 10: Dubrovnik
After a week at sea, you’ll be ready to get back on land. Last, but certainly not least, don’t forget a visit to Dubrovnik on your solo trip to Croatia!
It’s hard to accurately describe the beauty of Dubrovnik’s Old Town… but I’ll do my best! Limestone streets polished to a shine from centuries of footsteps, baroque-style buildings that instantly transport you back in time, and a shimmering blue sea that crashes right up against the city’s old castle walls. There’s a reason they call Dubrovnik “the pearl of the Adriatic”; my solo trip to Dubrovnik sparked feelings I won’t soon forget!
Top Things to See and Do in Dubrovnik:
Join a group walking tour — Learn about this city’s incredibly interesting history from a local expert during a group walking tour of Dubrovnik! You can even join a specialized Game of Thrones walking tour that will take you to some popular filming locations within the city walls! Don’t miss the iconic Jesuit Staircase where Cersei took her memorable ‘walk of shame’ through King’s Landing!
Walls of Dubrovnik — This was one of my *favorite* activities during my solo trip to Croatia! Walk high above Dubrovnik on top of its city walls during a self-guide tour… I recommend going at golden hour, just before sunset. The red-tiled roofs of Dubrovnik seemed to glow; it was pure magic!
Head up Mount Srd — Get even MORE Dubrovnik views by taking the cable car to the top of Mount Srd. Take in the beautiful views and learn about Croatia’s break from Yugoslavian rule in the 90’s at the Museum of the Croatian War of Independence. While you’re up there, don’t miss a visit to Panorama Restaurant for a delicious lunch or dinner, ideally for sunset views!
Have a cocktail or two — After a day perusing Dubrovnik’s hot city streets, grab a table for a relaxing cocktail at popular, Buza Bar. This cafe is built right into Dubrovnik’s rocky cliffs, with epic views overlooking the Adriatic. Feeling adventurous? Bring your swimsuit and join the cliff divers!
Dine within the old town walls — Candidly, I found most of the restaurants in Dubrovnik to be VERY touristy, over-priced, and lacking flavor. While I wouldn’t consider it a great city for foodies, I’d definitely recommend Taj Mahal (which, despite the Indian name, has fantastic Bosnian food!), Stara Loza (with fine dining and rooftop views), and Fast Food Republic (for casual midday burgers). Regardless of where you decide to dine out, make sure to make a reservation if you’re visiting in peak summer months! Tables book up VERY quickly and you’ll have many more options if you’re able to book at least a week out!
Stay at a local accommodation — Similar to Split, many of your best accommodation options in Dubrovnik are Airbnb and VRBO’s situated within the Old Town city walls! You’ll be centrally-located to restaurants and activities, and get the chance to live like a local!
Similar to Split, Dubrovnik is a major city that serves as a fantastic jumping off point. Because of Croatia’s proximity to various other European countries, you can actually check some other countries off your list during day trips! Why not pop over to other popular summer vacation spots like Montenegro, Slovenia, or Bosnia & Herzegovina?! Again, I’d recommend booking yourself on a group tour to ensure safety and socialization with other travelers!
Some popular destinations close to Croatia include:
Kotor, Montenegro — Approximately 2 hours from Dubrovnik
Lake Bled, Slovenia — Approximately 2.5-hour drive from Zagreb
Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina — Approximately 2.5-hours from Dubrovnik and/or Split (pictured below!)
That’s a wrap on my 10-day Croatia travel guide! Have I convinced you to add it to your solo travel bucket list?
