Itinerary Summary
Fly into Zagreb and out of Dubrovnik: the trip opens in Zagreb's upper town, buses down to the Plitvice Lakes boardwalks, then follows the coast through Zadar's sea organ, Split's Diocletian's Palace,…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Zagreb arrival, Ban Jelacic Square and the Upper Town lanes
14:00
2.5h
Zagreb Airport transfer to the Upper Town
Clear passport control at ZAG, then take the shuttle to the main bus station and a tram or short taxi up to the Upper Town. Buy the shuttle ticket at the desk inside arrivals; drivers charge more on board.
📍 Zagreb Airport to Upper Town
17:30
1.5h
Evening walk from Ban Jelacic to St Mark's
Ride the short funicular from Tomiceva Street, then follow Strossmayer Promenade past St Mark's Church with its tiled roof. The lanes are quiet after 18:00 and most kitchens serve until 23:00.
📍 Zagreb Upper Town
19:30
1.5h
Dinner of strukli in the Upper Town
Try strukli, a baked cheese or apple pastry, at a konoba near St Mark's with a glass of Grasevina white. Book ahead at weekends; portions are filling, so one plate each is usually enough.
📍 Zagreb Upper Town
💡 Pro Tip: Zagreb airport (ZAG) is 15 km from the centre; the Pleso Prijevoz shuttle runs to the main bus station in about 30 minutes, and tram 290 continues into town. Croatia uses the euro, and clocks run on UTC+1, moving to UTC+2 from late March to late October. Entry rules depend on your passport, so check the Croatia visa section before booking. Many city museums close on Mondays.
Days 2-12 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$1,31035%
Mid-range hotels, 11 nights
Food & DiningUS$75020%
Coastal tavernas and peka dinners
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for Croatia on a 12-day Zagreb to Dubrovnik trip?+
Croatia follows Schengen short-stay rules, so US, UK, Canadian, Australian and Japanese passports usually enter visa-free for 90 days in any 180. Other nationalities need a Schengen visa arranged before travel. Rules depend on your passport, so check the Croatia visa section and confirm validity of three months beyond departure.
When is the best time for a 12-day Croatia itinerary with Plitvice and Hvar?+
May, June and September give 20-28 C, swimmable Adriatic water and far thinner crowds than July and August. The Plitvice boardwalks are green and flowing in late spring and early autumn. High summer is hottest and busiest, with the highest ferry and hotel demand, so book early if you travel then.
Do Jadrolinija ferries between Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik need booking ahead?+
Foot passengers can usually buy tickets a day or two ahead, but car ferries and summer weekend crossings sell out, so reserve on the Jadrolinija site as soon as dates are fixed. Split to Hvar town takes about an hour by catamaran, while the car ferry to Stari Grad takes closer to two hours.
How much does this 12-day Croatia trip cost excluding international flights?+
Expect roughly $2,990-4,490 (about EUR 2,600-3,900) per person for comfortable hotels, ferries, buses and daily meals. July and August lift Dubrovnik and Hvar rooms sharply, while May, June and September cut rates. Add extra for Plitvice entry, cable cars and boat excursions.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 12 days
- Budget: Comfort · approx. $2,990–4,490 (≈ €2,600–3,900), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best for: City Explorers
Budget Spreadsheet
Download the customizable budget template for this itinerary.
Unlock Budget DownloadPrint / Save as PDF
Open a print-ready version, then choose Save as PDF in the print dialog.
Unlock Print / PDFYou May Also Like
- Plitvice Lakes: Waterfalls & Boardwalks in 5 DaysCroatia · 5 days · Comfort · approx. $1,350–2,090 (≈ €1,170–1,820), excl. int'l flights
- Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Walking Tour: King's Landing in 6 DaysCroatia · 6 days · Comfort · approx. $1,790–2,690 (≈ €1,560–2,340), excl. int'l flights
- Adriatic Island Hopping: Snorkelling & Kayaking in 6 DaysCroatia · 6 days · Comfort · approx. $1,940–2,840 (≈ €1,690–2,470), excl. int'l flights