One Week In Croatia: The Perfect Summer Itinerary

Day 5: Hvar Town (Or Anywhere On The Hvar Island)

Courtesy of Julia

Hvar Town, and Hvar Island in general, are incredibly popular summer destinations in Croatia. The beaches there are stunning, the nightlife is wild and the harbors are full of large boats. All of that attracts a lot of young people, but also a lot of rich people. But, there are plenty of things to do and see in Hvar that don’t include spending all of your cash. If you are more about exploring than splurging, this itinerary is going to be perfect for you!

Notice that there aren’t too many highlights I suggest you should see? That’s because we are going to spend most of our day on the beach! Yes, you’ve finally made it to a proper beach-vacation town in Croatia, and you simply have to take advantage of that. It’s the only way to truly realize why Croatia is such a popular summer vacation destination, and why so many people return there.

So, when you get to Hvar, head straight to the beach – if it’s still morning. My advice would be to go sightseeing between noon and 5-6PM, as at that time the UV index is the highest, and it’s going to be unbearably hot in the sun. You need to protect your skin and stay out of the sun during that period, and what better place to hide than a chilly fortress?

So, let’s start at the Port of Hvar. Go check out some of those huge boats, take a few pictures – after all, boats generally photograph really well and make for some stunning photos for your Instagram account.

Courtesy of Arnie Papp

To the right of the port is the St. Stephen’s Square. It stretches all the way from the port to the Cathedral of St. Stephen, and that’s where you’re headed. The Cathedral was first built sometime in the 14^th century, but its current design is actually from the 17^th century.

All architecture lovers will really be able to appreciate the mesh of renaissance, baroque, gothic, and many other design elements of its look. Oh and you can always grab some ice cream at the Square, at one of the many coffee shops and restaurants there.

But be sure to finish that ice cream before you head to the Episcopal Museum. It’s right next to the Cathedral, and the entrance fee is only 10HRK – which is probably going to be cheaper than that ice cream! You can see some stunning paintings there, as well as plenty of artifacts that are a historic part of Hvar culture. Just keep in mind that the museum is closed 12-4PM, and you won’t be able to get inside during the hottest time of the day.

Courtesy of Mario Fajt

From the Cathedral, you should make your way to the Fortica Fortress. It offers some beautiful panoramic views of the town, and there are some affordable restaurants and cafes there. Plus, the stone walls will provide you with some shelter from the heat!

From there, you can go back to the Old Town and just explore the streets and the little shops. Or you can head to any of the great beaches on Hvar and just relax for the evening. Even though a sunset on the beach sounds cliché, it is still an incredibly relaxing and stunning sight.

Day 6: Trpanj (Or Anywhere Else On The Pelješac Peninsula)

Kris Sliver via Wikimedia Commons

Trpanj is a personal favorite of mine, and I had to include it in this itinerary. It’s the perfect place to spend your entire summer and not just one day. But, you can pretty much go to any town on this peninsula, and you won’t regret it. It’s just that this town holds a special place in my heart.

Getting there from Hvar is a little bit tricky though if you are not driving. If you are driving, just get on a ferry to Drvenik, and then you have two options. You can either drive to Ploče and get on a ferry directly to Trpanj, or you can drive from Drvenik to Trpanj.

The latter is the longer (but cheaper) option, and it includes entering Bosnia and Herzegovina at one point, for which you are going to need your passport. On the other hand, if you are on foot, you can just get a boat ride from Hvar to Korčula, then a Boat from Korčula to Orebić and a bus from Orebić to Trpanj.

Anyway, once you are there you will surely want to relax from all the ferry hopping. And luckily, Trpanj is the perfect place for relaxation. It has just the right combination of beach and forest, which really impacts the climate. It gets really hot there in the summer, but luckily after 2PM it’s going to get windy, and the heat won’t bother you that much.

One of the things you must-do if you go to Trpanj is a jump from the pier. You will see many locals (and tourists) doing it, so there’s no reason to be afraid. And the feeling of flying into the water is 100% worth it. Just keep in mind that the ferry docks really close, and avoid jumping in the water while it’s there. Don’t worry, you will see it coming. :>

Other than that, this little town is probably the best known for the Virgin Mary statue. The Assumption of Mary (Velika Gospa) attracts people from all over Croatia there, for a mass on the sea and a concert in the evening.

Statue of Virgin Mary in Trpanj

So lie on the beach for the day, swim in the sea and just enjoy yourself. In the evening, you can go for a walk towards the village, and you can see the school, the church and some really cute painted houses that remind me of Amsterdam. Or you can go for a walk in nature, along the walking trail that goes along the shore and through the ‘forest’.

If you get hungry, there are several restaurants that you can go to. Žalo is a great one and definitely try the iced coffee there. Other good restaurants are Konoba Ribar and Pizzeria Veslo.

When it’s time to leave, you have a couple options if you don’t have a car. You can catch a bus directly from Trpanj to Dubrovnik, or you can take the ferry to Ploče, and get on a bus to Dubrovnik there.

Day 7: Dubrovnik

My guess is you’ve probably heard of Dubrovnik at some point. Maybe last year, when Roman Abramovič stopped by to refuel his humongous yacht? Or a couple of years before that, when Beyonce and Jay-Z serenaded each other there? Needless to say, it is a favorite of the rich, but there are some very good reasons for that, which could include all the things you can do in Dubrovnik.

Luxurious resorts, Michelin star restaurant and private beaches are just a few of those reasons. If you are in for a 5-star experience, book a room at the Hilton or the Excelsior, go out for dinner at the 360 Dubrovnik, and then go for some drinks at the Cave Bar More. The bar isn’t too expensive, but it offers some stunning views of the sea.

If you are more interested in exploring the city than just spending all of your money, I have a few ideas for you.

Dubrovnik is not a really big town, and you will easily be able to see all of these places in one day. So, let’s begin with a walk through the old town. The street that goes through the old town is called simply Stradun, and it’s one of the most beautiful places in Dubrovnik.

There are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops there, so you can always stop somewhere for a quick bite if you feel hungry. Just be aware that almost every place there is very expensive.

You can, however, get a one-day Dubrovnik card. It will give you discounts at many restaurants and shops all over Dubrovnik, as well as free access to some museums and the city walls. And since our itinerary includes visiting the Walls of Dubrovnik, I’d say it’s worth it!

Make your way through Stradun, admire the paved path and the stone walls that are everywhere. Slowly make your way down to the Walls of Dubrovnik – do you know that they filmed some scenes from Game of Thrones there? Anyway, go left to the Bokar Fortress, and enjoy the gorgeous views of the sea and nature.

And don’t forget to take some photos! Then you can go back to the Minčeta Fortress, which is on the other side of the town. From there, continue along the walls and go right until you get to the Dominican Monastery and Museum– another must-see in Dubrovnik. And that concludes your stroll on the walls that surround the city!

When you get back to the downtown from the monastery, you should start making your way towards the Dubrovnik Cable Car. It’s about a 7-minute walk – take the stairs to the downtown, and then continue onto the Revelin Bridge. You will pass by the Ploče Gate – another stunning sight – and then turn left onto Cavtatska Street. Finally, turn left onto Lokrumska Street and you will see the Cable Car.

The 4-minute ride will take you to the plateau at the top of the Srđ Hill, which offers panoramic views of the town below it. Have some cocktails or grab something to eat while you enjoy the views, and reminiscence upon your week-long Croatian adventure! And plan ahead so you make it to the top of the hill at sunset – it will be more than worth it.