We from Croatia4me have some great ideas and tips to help you plan a day or more days out in specific regions in Croatia. These are just ideas you can add to your own holiday plans, you can follow the day to day ideas we have written below, or mix it all up or pick one or two items that suit you best. We just hope you will enjoy your stay in Croatia to the maximum and that our ideas and tips will give you some new insights!
Day 1 Dubrovnik
Arrive in Dubrovnik by car or plane and take a rent-a-car as you will need a car for all the site seeing in the surrounding area of Dubrovnik. There is plenty of places to choose from where you want to stay. Depending on your location walk or take a bus to the old town of Dubrovnik, it is not possible to go into the old town by car and parking nearby is rather difficult. Walk around the old town along the ‘stradun’ the main street with it’s churches, small shops and café’s. Walk around the old fortified wall of Dubrovnik for great views over the town and the surrounding blue sea and green islands. Stroll through the small streets and look around in the churches, museums and souvenir shops. If you have time left take a 10 minute boat ferry ride to the nearby island of Lokrum where a monastery with cafe and a botanical garden are located. In Dubrovnik go for a great dinner and order ‘rozata’ as desert if you like the Spanish flan or French crème brûlée as this is the Dubrovnik version of this desert!
Day 2 Cavtat, Konavle and the southernmost tip of Croatia
Take your car and drive along the coast southward towards the coastal town of Cavtat. Park your car at the parking area and explore this mall town by foot. There is a small museum of a local artist, a church and a great sea side promenade where you walk under the green pine trees -enjoy a coffee break and or take a lunch depending on your day planning. Drive along southward towards the southernmost tip of Croatia, you will pass the airport of Dubrovnik in the town of Cilipi. The southern tip used to be a military area, but is now private property where you can rent-a-bike and drive along the old barracks and enjoy the local nature and sea views.
On your way back to Dubrovnik exit the main road in the village Gruda and drive to Konavoski Dvori, a lush green oasis along the river Ljuta. Follow the signs for ‘Restoran Konavoski Dvori’ for a very uniquely located and very nicely decorated in traditional style of south Dalmatia. The waiters wear traditional clothing and the terrace near the river is nice and cool during the warm summer months – enjoy the great traditional Dalmatian dishes!
You can opt for a more scenic drive home, via the inland road that runs along the other side of the airport, through the villages of Ljuta and Drvenik and this road will connect to the main road to Dubrovnik near Cavtat.
Day 3 The Peninsula Peljesac, salt works in Ston, sea food and great wine
Take your luggage and drive northwards to the peninsula Peljesac. At the beginning of the peninsula stop at the town of Ston, park your car and visit the salt works where since Roman times sea salt has been collected. In ancient times salt was a very precious commodity and to protect the salt works a great fortification was build and today you can still walk around the old stone walls around Ston. Take a lunch in one of the restaurants and if you like sea food – this is the place to be – as it is well known for it’s oysters and other sea foods specialties like black risotto.
Drive further on northward along the main road to Orebic. Along the way stop at local wineries for some taste of the great local wines. Visit small villages or turn of the main road for a short break and swim on a beach. In Orebic you can sleep for the night in one of the many hotels or apartments, take a dinner and enjoy the sea view.
See also article Sea-salt from Croatia, visit the historic salt pans!
Day 4 Ferry to Korcula and exploring the island of Korcula
Take the ferry in Orebic with your car to the town Korcula on the likewise called island Korcula. It is a short ferry ride and gives a nice view over the sea and the islands. Korcula is a great holiday destination, with many beaches, great food and wine. The inhabitants of Korcula proud themselves that Marco Polo has been born on this island, so you will find the name everywhere from hotels to restaurants and dishes! Look around the nice old town and walk through the winding streets and buy some of the delicious cookies that are produced here. Drive further along the main road and again stop by some wineries but especially along the western coast where the famous Dingac and Postup, local red wines, are produced. Try to find the small road (after going through a tunnel) and see how the grapes grown almost vertically on the steep rocky side of the island and be amazed at how the people are able to grow and harvest the grapes here. The unique location, constant exposure to the sea wind and plenty of sun shine gives the wine it’s special taste. Go and find some of the great beaches on the island and enjoy a swim, some sunshine and beach relaxation!
