Plan the perfect 7 day Croatia itinerary
Explore Split, Dubrovnik, islands, Plitvice and Zagreb with a clear, realistic one-week itinerary
Seven days in Croatia is just enough time to feel the country’s rhythm — the old stone towns, the islands scattered across the Adriatic and the quiet forests leading to Plitvice’s turquoise lakes.
Whether you start in Zagreb or land directly on the coast, this one-week itineraries shows you how to experience Croatia’s highlights without rushing: a mix of culture, nature, beaches and a touch of island life.
Let’s map out the perfect 7-day Croatia itinerary for your trip.
🗺️ Croatia at a Glance
It helps to see Croatia as a few easy regions: Istria and Kvarner in the north, Dalmatia along the central and southern coast, and a softer, greener inland with rivers, lakes and castles.
Main regions for planning:
- Istria – wine roads, hilltop towns, romantic coastal bases like Rovinj.
- Kvarner & Gorski kotar – islands in the bay plus cool, green mountains behind.
- Northern & Central Dalmatia – Zadar, Šibenik, Split, national parks and nearby islands.
- Southern Dalmatia – Dubrovnik, Pelješac peninsula and southern islands.
- Inland Croatia – Zagreb, Plitvice, rivers, forests and castles.
A) Zagreb → Coast Routes:
Perfect if you’re flying into Zagreb and want to visit Plitvice Lakes before heading to the sea. These 7-day Croatia itineraries combine the capital, one national park and a relaxed coastal base.
A1: Zagreb → Plitvice Lakes → Northern Adriatic (Istria or Kvarner)
Ideal if you love food, wine, old towns, coastlines, and gentle landscapes.
Each itinerary has its own page with a full day-by-day plan, hotel ideas and transport tips.
Zagreb – Plitvice – Istria (Rovinj / Pula / Poreč)
Vibe: romantic towns, truffles, wine roads and gentle coves.
Perfect for: couples, foodies, relaxed coastal travellers.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–2: Zagreb
Day 3: Plitvice Lakes
Days 4–7: Istria (Rovinj as the best base)
Zagreb – Plitvice – Kvarner (Krk / Cres / Lošinj)
Vibe: island-hopping, clear coves, pine scents, harbour evenings and Adriatic calm.
Perfect for: couples, nature lovers, slow island travellers.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–2: Zagreb
Day 3: Plitvice Lakes
Days 4–7: Kvarner (Day 4: Krk · Day 5: Cres · Day 6–7: Lošinj)
Zagreb – Plitvice – Island Rab
Vibe: sandy bays, old-town sunsets, easy swims and laid-back summer days.
Perfect for: families, beach lovers, relaxed travellers.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–2: Zagreb
Day 3: Plitvice Lakes
Days 4–7: Rab (Rab Town as the base + beach days & easy island exploring)
Zagreb – Plitvice – Island Pag
Vibe: moonlike landscapes, salt pans, bold flavours (Pag cheese) and beach-and-drive freedom.
Perfect for: photographers, foodies, road-trippers, couples.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–2: Zagreb
Day 3: Plitvice
Days 4–7: Pag (base in Novalja or Pag Town + day trips across the island)
A2 Zagreb → Plitvice Lakes → Dalmatia
Explore authentic Adriatic Dalmatia — sunlit stone cities, island ferries, pine-scented coves and those long, golden evenings that make you stay out “just one more hour”.
Zagreb – Plitvice – Split
Vibe: Roman stone + beach breaks, café life, day trips to islands and waterfalls.
Perfect for: first-timers, couples, friends, “I want it all” travellers.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–2: Zagreb
Day 3: Plitvice Lakes
Days 4–7: Split (base for Trogir, islands, Klis, Krka)
Zagreb – Plitvice – Dubrovnik
Vibe: iconic walled city, sea cliffs, island escapes and cinematic sunsets.
Perfect for: couples, culture lovers, bucket-list Croatia.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–2: Zagreb
Day 3: Plitvice Lakes
Days 4–7: Dubrovnik (Old Town + Lokrum + coastal viewpoints)
Zagreb – Plitvice – Island Brač
Vibe: Zlatni Rat swims, olive groves, sleepy stone villages and island-road freedom.
Perfect for: beach people, families, chill island lovers.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–2: Zagreb
Day 3: Plitvice Lakes
Days 4–7: Brač (base in Bol or Supetar + island loops)
Zagreb – Plitvice – Island Korčula
Vibe: medieval lanes, wineries, cypress views, hidden bays and slow, elegant island days.
Perfect for: couples, food & wine lovers, scenic-road travellers.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–2: Zagreb
Day 3: Plitvice Lakes
Days 4–7: Korčula (Korčula Town + Lumbarda + beach coves)
B) Fly-Straight-to-the-Coast Routes
Perfect if your arrival airport is Split, Zadar, or Dubrovnik.
Ideal for a full week by the sea.
Dalmatian Coast & Islands (Classic 7-Day Route)
Vibe: old towns, ferries, beaches, wine and sunsets.
Perfect for: couples, solo travellers and first-time visitors.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–2: Split
Days 3–4: Hvar
Day 5: Korčula
Days 6–7: Dubrovnik
Coast & Lakes Combo (Zadar → Split → Trogir)
Vibe: nature + culture + beaches, without too many transfers.
Perfect for: travellers who want Plitvice and time to relax on the coast.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–2: Zadar
Day 3: Plitvice Lakes
Days 4–5: Split
Days 6–7: Trogir
C) 7-Day Croatia Itineraries by Travel Style
These options work beautifully for travellers with a clear preference:
Choose the one-week route that matches your travel personality — beaches, adventure, slow islands or a fun, party-focused week.
Beaches Only (super relaxed, minimal movement)
Vibe: soft mornings, clear water, calm bays, easy swims.
Perfect for: beach lovers, couples, anyone wanting simplicity.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–7: One base such as Makarska, Brač (Bol), Pag (quiet areas) or Šibenik Riviera
Adventure Croatia (hiking, canyons & rivers)
Vibe: epic views, waterfalls, river canyons, hiking trails.
Perfect for: hikers, paddlers, outdoor lovers.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–2: Zadar (base for Paklenica)
Day 3: Paklenica National Park
Day 4: Plitvice or Rastoke
Day 5: Mrežnica River
Day 6: Biokovo Skywalk
Day 7: Split (Marjan hiking + kayaking)
Slow Islands & Quiet Coves
Vibe: silence, pines, tiny harbours, no crowds.
Perfect for: peace-seekers, couples, stress-free travellers.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–2: Šibenik → Zlarin or Prvić
Days 3–4: Mljet (lakes + forests)
Days 5–7: Pelješac (Orebić / Žuljana)
Party Week (Hvar · Split · Zrće)
Vibe: beach clubs, cocktails, late nights, festival energy.
Perfect for: groups, friends, party-seekers, summer lovers.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–2: Hvar Town (beach clubs + sunsets)
Days 3–4: Split (bars + waterfront nightlife)
Days 5–7: Pag – Zrće Beach (festivals + afterbeach parties)
D) National & Nature Parks – 7 Day Itineraries
Explore Croatia’s wildest landscapes — lakes, canyons, forests, waterfalls and sea lakes — through these one-week nature-focused routes.
7 Days Around Plitvice & Northern Nature
Vibe: turquoise lakes, wooden trails, waterfalls, quiet forest stays.
Perfect for: photographers, couples, nature lovers.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–2: Zagreb
Days 3–4: Plitvice (Upper + Lower Lakes)
Day 5: Rastoke
Day 6: Barać Caves
Day 7: Slunj / Return to Zagreb
7 Days in Paklenica & Velebit
Vibe: canyon walls, rock climbing, deep forest trails, epic views.
Perfect for: hikers, climbers, adventure travellers.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–2: Zadar
Days 3–4: Paklenica (Velika & Mala)
Day 5: Tulove Grede
Day 6: Zavratnica Bay
Day 7: Velebit Scenic Road
7 Days Around Krka Waterfalls
Vibe: waterfalls, river boardwalks, old stone towns, island monasteries.
Perfect for: families, couples, easy walkers.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–2: Šibenik
Days 3–4: Krka (Skradinski Buk + Roški Slap)
Day 5: Visovac Island
Day 6: Skradin
Day 7: Primošten / Šibenik
7 Days in Mljet Island & South Coast
Vibe: sea lakes, pine forests, hidden beaches, slow island life.
Perfect for: couples, solo nature-lovers, silence seekers.
Suggested flow:
Days 1–2: Dubrovnik
Days 3–5: Mljet National Park (lakes, Montokuc, Odysseus Cave)
Day 6: Saplunara
Day 7: Dubrovnik return
Practical Tips for Planning Your Croatia Itinerary
Is 7 days enough to see Croatia? +
What is the best 7-day Croatia itinerary for first-time visitors? +
Should I rent a car for a 7-day trip to Croatia? +
Is Plitvice Lakes worth adding to a 7-day itinerary? +
Which Croatian island is best for a one-week trip? +
Is Croatia expensive for a week? +
Should I start in Zagreb or Split? +
How many islands can I visit in 7 days? +
What is the best month to plan a 7-day Croatia itinerary? +