7 days in Croatia itinerary: including the best cities and things to do in croatia

Croatia has so much to offer as it is one of the best country’s in Europe to visit. Whether you rent a car and do a roadtrip around Croatia or move around the country using public transportation, you will want your 7 days in Croatia to be the most efficient possible. Here’s a 7 days in Croatia itinerary to make sure you hit all the best cities and highlights. 

Croatia has something for everyone, including amazing hikes, beautiful beaches, medieval towns, great food, and so much history. If you are traveling Croatia with your dog, I added tips to make it the best dog friendly holiday. 

Day 1: Zagreb – Arrival & Explore the City

Stay: Bed and Breakfast Sky City Center is right in the center of town and some rooms have balconies with city views. It is a great dog friendly hotel in Croatia. 

Activity: The capital city is definitely a must visit in Croatia! Start your journey by exploring Upper Town and the WWII Tunnels. See the elegant spires of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the beautiful tile roof of St. Mark’s Church and then head to Dolac market for a taste of Croatia’s local foods.

Tip: Make your trip unique by going to unusual museums like Zagreb 80’s Museum or Museum of Broken Relationships, and Museum of Hangovers. 

Day 2: Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes National Park to Zadar

Drive Time: ~2 hours (130 km) from Zagreb to Plitvice and another ~2 hours from Plitvice to Zadar

Stay: If staying in Plitvice, Ethno Garden Exclusive is a great option or stay at Hotel A’mare in Zadar in a great location and both are pet friendly

Activity: Buy tickets online in advance to skip queues. Explore the breathtaking Plitvice Lakes. Follow the H or K trail for a full-day hike covering both Upper and Lower Lakes. See Veliki slap from the observation viewpoint by Entrance 1 and more Plitvice tips here.  

In Zadar (~2 hrs drive) have dinner and watch the sunset while you listen to the Sea Organ. 

Tip: Get there early, take advantage of the boat and train rides in Plitvice, and make sure to bring enough water.

Day 3: Zadar to Split

Drive Time: ~2 hours (150 km).

Stay: Villa Nepos Hotel– stay in this four star pet friendly hotel inside Split Old City 

Activity: Split is an amazing city to explore Croatia, we spent 3 days here during our roadtrip to Croatia! Explore Diocletian’s Palace on a walking tour and the Riva promenade in Split. The city has several delicious restaurant and we enjoyed strolling around the old streets at night.

Tip: During the summer, see the Roman changing of the guards in the peristyle at noon and klapa singers inside the vestibule in Diocletian’s Palace.

Day 4: Split  

Activity: Do a boat tour of the islands and amazing beach coves. Walk up Marjan Hill for panoramic views of Split and to catch the perfect sunset. 

Tip: There are many beautiful beaches close to Split, some are even dog friendly beaches.

Day 5: Split to Dubrovnik

Day 6: Dubrovnik

Activity: Walk the City Walls early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Take a walking Game of Thrones tour of Dubrovnik to see the highlights and visit Fort Lovrijenac. End a perfect day at Gradska kavana Arsenal Restaurant for amazing views and food. 

Tip: Dubrovnik is quite popular, so start your exploration early to avoid crowds.

Day 7: Goodbye Croatia

You can use Day 7 to make your way to where you are departing from. If leaving from Zagreb, take into account it takes About 6 hours from Dubrovnik to Zagreb (~600km). 

Trip Essentials for Traveling with Dogs

• Dog Paperwork: Prepare all the entry and travel documents your dog will need while traveling around Croatia. Croatia is in the EU so remember they need a microchip, EU pet passport or EU animal health certificate, rabies vaccination, and tapeworm treatment— specific to Croatia and some other EU countries. For more information on traveling to Europe with a dog check out this post.
  
• Leash & Harness: Always keep your dog on a leash in public places. Use a harness for a safer way to be able to control your dog. 
  
• Travel Crate: Bring a carrier for traveling or a crash tested dog harness to ensure your dog is safe during travel. This dog carrier backpack served us well as it doubles as public transport carrier and backpack to pack all of our dog’s travel things.
  
• Food & Water: Carry enough food, treats, and water for your pet, especially for longer drives. Bring a stainless steel water bottle to keep their water cool while exploring Croatia. 
  
• Health: Check local vet clinics along the route in case of emergencies and bring your dog’s necessary medications with prescription. Bring a pet first aid kit to be prepared for small emergencies. 
  
• Cleanliness: Bring more compostable poop bags than you may need, dog wet wipes, grooming tools, and shampoo in case they need a quick rinse after swimming in the ocean or a long mountain hike. We like using this paw washer to really clean their paws after walking dirty city streets.
  
• Transportation: Renting a car is the best option for a dog friendly vacation in Croatia as buses can reject your dog and the Croatian train system is not very robust. 
  
• Pet-Friendly Guides: Don’t forget to see my dog friendly travel guides to make your Croatia trip the best experience for you and your dog.