10 day itinerary croatia and montenegro10 day itinerary croatia and montenegro

And by the way, for Game of Thrones fans, this is Kings Landing. Cheers, Julie. First, you'll stop in Njegusi village and afterwards you'll visit Lovcen National Park, followed by the historical capital Cetinje and a cruise on Lake Skadar. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. The drive from Orebi to Dubrovnik takes about two hours. At Jablanica, in Bosnia & Herzegovina, you can take a series of smaller roads on a more northern route to Split. RentalCars.com gives you good rates for car rentals in Croatia. We ate an early lunch at Portofino, located in the main square of the old town. Hvar is a popular pick, a glitzy destination known for its party-like atmosphere and scenic harbor. Adding Krka and ibenik to your Croatia itinerary will add another 30 minutes of driving to your day. Otherwise, you can take public transportation. Start in Budva and end in Zagreb! This afternoon, sail to the island of your choice and spend the evening exploring. Its very popular, so get there early. This itinerary also gives you a lot of freedom to do what you want. The drive to Mostar is on mainly winding, mountainous roads in a very rural area. The Balkan wars are in the past; you have nothing to worry about today. Just make sure to have a full afternoon in Split, and to get an early ferry to Hvar to maximize your time there. I think you are fine with what you already have picked out in Kotor. This Balkan Peninsula itinerary is designed as a road trip. Design my custom trip. Plaa Divna, northwest of Orebi, is one of my favorite beaches in Croatia. Hi Julie, wanted to know, is it worth visiting the balkans in early march? The Ultimate Croatia Itinerary (7 to 10 Days) While it's not a lot of time to cover such an intriguing and beautiful country, this 10 days in Croatia itinerary will be a great taster, and you'll get a great overview in that time. And tiny family-owned wineries are everywhere, serving up that fantastic Dinga wine. (I kid, I kid, but it really is that beautiful.) I also recommend exploring both the Upper Town and Lower Town, dining outdoors on Tkalieva Street, visiting the Botanical Garden, and hitting up the many cool third-wave coffee cafes in the city center. Our tripstarted and ended in Sarajevo. Book your park ticket ahead of time if exploring independently, or you can book a guided tour if youd like. Better towns are waiting to be explored in Montenegro. The town of ibenik is just outside Krka, making it an easy add-on, and is home to a UNESCO World Heritage-listed cathedral. Places where adding more time would be beneficial are Kotor, Split, Dubrovnik, or Sarajevo. The food and the wine is amazing here. There are numerous museums and historical sites worth visiting within walking distance of the old town. Have fun planning your trip and let us know if you have any other questions. To save you the hassle, we've come up with an itinerary for Croatia that takes you from Split to Sibenik to Dubrovnik in just 10 days, covering day trips to amazing national parks, numerous Old Towns and several Game of Thrones locations. LEARN MORE: 2 Days in Montenegro: The Bay of Kotor and Beyond. I imagine that if they are a local company, they will know exactly what you need for your trip, but it always helps to double check the process so you dont have any unfortunate surprised once on your trip. Check out our 10 day Croatia itinerary for inspiration of where else to visit! Guide to planning a 10-day Montenegro road trip itinerary through Kotor bay, Podgorica and surroundings, Skadar National Park, and the Adriatic coast towns. Roads are in excellent condition, drivers are far more sane than elsewhere in the Balkans, signage is easy to follow, the scenery is breathtaking, and there are tons of interesting places to stop and explore. Thanks for sharing! This is a wonderful time to visit this part of Europe. This medieval city is so fun to explore and walkingthe walls is a must-do experience. Sveti Stefan is a beach town home to a spectacular little island (today a private resort currently under construction); Budva is a lot like a baby Dubrovnik with lots of towers; Perast is a cute little seaside town with church-topped islands you can visit, and Herceg Novi is a quiet and lovely coastal town. After checking out of your accommodation, take the car ferry from Korula Town to Orebi on the mainland. Sorry, I dont have the expertise or knowledge to help you out here. This is a long hike up steps plan for 90 minutes round-trip. You can tour Trogir in just an hour or two, if you move super fast, but a half-day or longer is ideal. If you want to visit Croatia in spring or fall, I recommend an itinerary less-centered on Croatias islands and small beach towns, though you can still enjoy Dubrovnik, Split, the Plitvice Lakes, Zadar, Zagreb, and much of Istria. There are so many cool beaches to explore, little towns like canal-filled Vrboska, as well as Jelsa and Stari Grad. As you can tell by this point, Croatia means a lot to me, and I hope it ends up meaning a lot to you, too. If you see Dubrovniks must-see sights today, that gives you the option to take a day trip out of the city tomorrow. Also, since you have a rental car, make sure you choose a ferry that allows cars. Balkan Peninsula Itinerary: Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia & Herzegovina, Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina: How to Plan the Perfect Visit, 11 Best Things to do in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Hop on one of the many buses from Dubrovnik to Kotor. And finally, our day ended in Kotor, with a hike up the Kotor Ladder, a trail with 72 switchbacks, offering stunning views over the entire area. It probably still feels like you just got here. Find more places to stay in Dubrovnik here. Croatians know visitors arent going to learn their language, and act accordingly. Plus, we found that it was much cheaper to fly into and out of Sarajevo than other cities in the area, such as Split, Dubrovnik, and Kotor. Also we will be travelling with two kids ages 14 and 8 and this will be their first time really travelling abroad. The nearby town of Vodnjan is a must, filled with some of the best street art in Croatia, some memorable architecture, and actual mummies. However, it is just wide enough for two cars. Have read some review recommending local rental company that offer much cheaper rate with good service. You can visit Zadar. For more inspiration, journey through Montenegro in 22 beautiful photos. On your last morning, wake up early and hike to St. Johns Fortress. Finish your evening at a bar or cafe in the Old City. And if you want to be more active, take a sunset yoga class or go on a bike tour! Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. Croatia Tourism Croatia Hotels Croatia Bed and Breakfast Croatia Vacation Rentals Croatia Packages Flights to Croatia Croatia Restaurants Finish your trip with a flight out of Dubrovnik. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. You can either drive on your own which is great, as it allows you to stop for photos or book a rafting day trip from Kotor that includes transport. For several hours, we toured the tiny and very beautiful town of Trogir. We had the penthouse suite, a three bedroom, three bathroom apartment with kitchen and living room. What an incredible trip. Stari Most, the old bridge in Mostar, looks like something out of a fairytale. Thanks for your input. As far as doing this in 2021 or 2022, you will have to check the restrictions for each country as well as the requirements to return to the USA. 2 days is all you need to see the highlights of Montenegro. Do they charge you for crossing border fee? Your email address will not be published. EUROPE TRAVEL INSPIRATION: For more great ideas on where to go in Europe, check out our article 30 Beautiful Places to Visit in Europe and the 20 Best Hikes in Europe. LEARN MORE: Photographing the Famous View of Lake Skadar: Pavlova Strana. DRIVING IN EUROPE: If you have plans to rent a car in Europe, read our article Things to Know Before Renting a Car in Europe for lots of helpful tips. If you want to splurge on a meal, the tasting menu at Cap Aureo will blow your mind. It is a little bit chilly to go to the beach (but you will have it almost all to yourself! I recommend arriving in time for dinner, as you wont be exploring the lakes until the following morning. High on a hill above Sarajevo sits the abandoned, somewhat eerie bobsled track from the Winter Olympics. From our windows we could look out over the Dubrovnik Walls and Lovrijenac Fortress. Im so excited to share this with you! I recommend early June if possible; late September is another good option. If you rent a car and drive in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, or several other countries in Europe, you will need to have a green card. I recommend checking the terms and conditions of rental companies you are considering to see if they allow you to drive from Sarajevo to Croatia. By July and August, the water levels are lower and the trip is much calmer but the scenery is so beautiful that its still very much worth it. We dont operate tours. BALKAN ITINERARY: For a recap of our experience in the Balkans, read our post 10 Days in the Balkans. Today we touredSplit, taking in the view from Marjan Hill and the Cathedral of St. Domnius, as well as exploring Diocletians Palace. Do you think we will get more of the full experience if we go then? Great! More than one local person told us horror stories about crowds flooding the streets of Dubrovnik, making it torture and almost impossible to walk the walls. This is a strenuous 6 to 8 mile hike with a stunning view over the Bay of Kotor. And yes, it is easy to drive there (just like driving in the USA). This is mainly ferry transportation and without a car, youll have more options. To get here, Tim navigated some seriously tricky, almost dangerous roads in order to have this awesome view. Todays road trip ends in Kotor. This small capital city has quite a lot to offer, even as its lived in the shadow of Europes most popular capitals. Your email address will not be published. Start your next day by taking the ferry from Hvar to Korula. Cheers, Julie. You can even take an overnight train from Prague to Split! I have issues with agencies in past that deny me entry to Bosnia because of crimes, but these were dropped. how to visit the fairytale town of Mostar. All 10 Day Croatia Tours & Packages 2021/2022. Experience the best of Montenegro in 10 days. Cheers, Julie, This is a great itinerary. Krka National Park is often compared to the Plitvice Lakes, with its waterfalls and bright green rivers, but its much lower-key and a pleasant place to enjoy nature. LEARN MORE: Mostar, How to Plan the Perfect Visit. Before driving into Split, there are two optional destinations to consider. Its perched on top of the landscape, surveying everything for miles. Or, you can drive from Dubrovnik to Orebic (2 hours) and take a ferry from Orebic to Korcula (15 minutes, multiple ferries per day). Not too much. We stopped at Cavtat, in Croatia, along the way, but did not have the best experience. Ultimate Guide to Rovinj, Croatias Prettiest City, rafting day trip from Kotor that includes transport, book a day trip to wild Northern Montenegro, day trip from Dubrovnik to Mostar and Kravice Falls, searching for flights to Croatia on Skyscanner. This town is basically the Austrian Riviera (lol) so you can find lots of elegant cafes with sumptuous cakes! With the Explorer tour Private: Montenegro & Croatia - 10 days, you have a 10 days tour package taking you through Budva, Montenegro and 12 other destinations in Europe. Note: This post contains affiliate links. You can walk the entire town in an hour or less. I have concerns about past dealings that could be issue at border. There are a lot of narrow, winding roads like that one in the area. And the best photo you can take of Motovun is actually from a cafe south of town called Cafe Bar & Fast Food Vidik. From Dubrovnik, you can visit Mostar as a day trip. Where We Stayed:We stayed at thePalace Judita Heritage Hotel. journey through Montenegro in 22 beautiful photos. To avoid most of the tourists, late spring and early fall are your best bets. Its a bit of a steep walk up to Motovun, but from the top, youll have stunning views over the landscape. I would like to know how to rent a car from one nation to another? Or not. We also have a guide on Where to Eat in Dubrovnik and an article about how to walk the Dubrovnik Walls. You can absolutely shave off a few days to make the itinerary work. You'll begin in Croatia's Zagreb before venturing south to explore the Adriatic coastline and turning inland to navigate a scenic route through Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, and Montenegro. If you want more time on the water, take a boat trip to Mljet or the Elafiti Islands. Let's start your 10 days Montenegro itinerary right. LEARN MORE: Walking through the Beautiful Town of Trogir. LEARN MORE: Why We Fell in Love with Brac Island, Croatia and Hiking Vidova Gora. Also, did you have to get tested to go back to the states. Read more: Complete Guide to Korula, Croatias Coolest Island. Keep in mind that without a car, you can take passenger-only catamarans rather than car ferries, which are faster and give you more options. My two-week itinerary for Croatia doesnt include any time in Istria, the Italian-flavored peninsula in northwest Croatia. Majestic Croatia & Montenegro Cruise Tour. Today you will explore the awesome city of Dubrovnik. We have crafted the best Croatia itinerary that lets you explore the best of Croatia in 14 days from the unique capital of Zagreb to the historic coastal cities of Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik, and Rovinj to Croatia's famous national park of Plitvice Lakes to the stunning island of Vis (one of the hidden gems in Croatia) to the day trip to neighborin. If you have time, I recommend spending three days in Vis, basing in Vis town (Hotel San Giorgio is a great place and my favorite), and spending a day taking a boat trip around the island to the Blue Cave, Green Cave, Stiniva Bay, and more. The driving time from Perast is usually between 1h 30m and 2h 10m. We did not need a visa, just our passport to cross between these countries. You will have to do a Google search on how to contact the embassy. If You Rent a Car, You Will Need a Green Card, More Information for Your Trip to the Balkans. I have a little more information about this, and what we needed in this part of Europe, at the end of our 11 Day Balkan Peninsula itinerary. Youll need it about a week into your trip. Take a Game of Thrones tour if youre a fan. And dont forget my favorite Dubrovnik restaurants: Proto for seafood, Azur for Asian-Adriatic fusion fare, and Kopun for capon (a different kind of chicken). Dont try to see everything today. Just wandering the streets of Rovinj is a good use of your day but you can also explore Zlatni Rat Park and St. Katerina Island, rent a bike and explore, or relax on the surrounding beaches. At the very southern tip of the Istrian peninsula, the point of the heart, youll find Rt Kamenjak, a collection of rocky beaches. Thank you Julie. Check out a perfect 10 day itinerary in Montenegro, learn some travel tips for driving in Montenegro & discover when to visit! Explore 219 Croatia 10 day trips from 142 experts with 1,508 reviews. To get from Split to these islands you will take a ferry. This 11-day, 10-night tour begins cruising from the ancient city of Split, island-hopping to favorites like Korcula, Brac, Vis, Hvar and Mljet before culminating in medieval Dubrovnik. Perast, Montenegro Back to Croatia: Dubrovnik. I fear that I will be stopped at Bosnia border if I go to Croatia because of past dealings. BEST OF MONTENEGRO: On the quickest of visits, 2 days is all you need to see the highlights of Montenegro. Unless you are really curious about what Cavtat is all about, Id skip it. Where We Stayed in Kotor:We stayed in Kotor atResidence Portofino. This is now a luxury resort and only those with a reservation are permitted in the town. Your tour of the Balkan Peninsula begins in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina. After a series of tight switchbacks you will have a stunning view over the Bay of Kotor. Read More: Complete Guide to Split, Sunny City on the Adriatic. They look great! A good place to start is the old town, located in the city center. I highly recommend making a reservation at Panorama Restaurant in advance the food is surprisingly great and the views are FABULOUS. Montenegro is a fantastic little country and works well as an add-on to a Croatia trip. Follow the travel itinerary below to see the best of Croatia from Split to Dubrovnik in just 10 days! If youre intent on visiting more of Hvar than Korula, feel free to spend two nights in Hvar and one in Korula. Day 4 - 5: Ljubljana and Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle (or Lake Bled) Day 6 - 7: Travel to Split. Our day ended back out on the Adriatic Coast to see Sveti Stefan. If you get to the ferry too late, you may not get a spot, even if you have a ticket for that time slot. Bosnia & Herzegovina is a gorgeous country, much prettier than we expected it to be, with a mountainous landscape that almost resembles parts of China in some places. If you want to chill out and lie on the beach, thats cool, too. The main things you practice as a safety-conscious traveler are the same as anywhere else: research your destinations in advance, keeping an eye on your belongings, not getting too drunk, and keeping in touch with someone at home who knows your itinerary. Answer 1 of 4: Hi everyone! Seeing the Olympic Bobsleigh Track was our favorite experience in the city. If you want a place to visit, FALKO Beach Bar is a great place to chill and a short walk from Hvar Town, while Hula Hula Bar has more of a party vibe as the sun goes down. Looking for the ultimate Croatia itinerary? From our balcony we had awesome views of the Bay of Kotor. But this also gives you enough freedom to do your own thing, whatever that may be. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Here are the highlights from our whirlwind tour of the Balkan Peninsula. With 10 days in Croatia, we would recommend using our Croatia 2-Week Itinerary, but slimming it down a little (or eliminating some places altogether). For 10 awesome days we toured the Balkan Peninsula, visiting Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Learn how your comment data is processed. I recommend doing it first thing in the morning for heat reasons (andif you go early enough you wont have to pay), and on the last day to make a stunning ending to your time in Montenegro. Cheers, Julie. Croatia. Personally, Im more of a Korula fan, but either would make a great choice. If youre keen on visiting the Blue Cave on the island of Vis, it makes the most sense to visit from Hvar, as its closest. If you want to rely on public transport when getting from point A to B in Croatia, then you're going to need to get to know the bus network. LEARN MORE: Photographing the Famous View of Lake Skadar: Pavlova Strana. Our trip came full circle when we arrived back in Sarajevo on a very wet and chilly day. This place is a great value for the moneyclean, quiet, spacious, and modern. Complete Guide to Hvar, Croatias Sunniest Island. There was just enough time in the day to see several of the main sites. journey through Montenegro in 22 beautiful photos. If you have more time, you can hop from island to island via the network of Croatian ferries. If you dont have a car, I think your best option is storing your luggage in Kotor, taking the bus to Sveti Stefan, taking the bus to Budva, taking the bus to Kotor and picking up your bag, then taking your bags to Perast and/or Herceg Novi if you have time. From here, head to your accommodation (you will soon realize just how big of an island this is!) things you practice as a safety-conscious traveler. Spend the remainder of the day visiting the sights in and around Sarajevo. And the ferries that zip back and forth between the islands of Croatia dont really get going until June. If you have more time, you can visit a coastal town in northwest Istria. We have a post with tips on Renting a Car in Europe that should answer some of your questions. As for earlier spring and late fall, just know that the islands in particular wont have as much open. 30 Stunning Mediterranean Islands To Visit In Your Lifetime, Why Korula, Croatia, is the Coolest Island of All, Vis, Croatia, is a Quietly Stunning Island, 30 Fabulous Things To Do in Split, Croatia, 21 Unforgettable Things To Do In Zagreb, Croatia, Guide to Rovinj, Croatias Prettiest City, Places to Visit in Istria, Croatias Italian-Flavored Peninsula, Day 2: Zagreb, drive to Plitvice Lakes National Park, Day 1: Drive from Dubrovnik to Kotor, explore Kotor, Day 3: Explore the coastline, return to Dubrovnik. We had a penthouse apartment (apartment Ariel) with two bedrooms, one bathroom, a full kitchen and living area. Trogir is a separate coastal city just 35 minutes away by car or bus and one hour by ferry. Your email address will not be published. But wait, theres even more! Today is all about visiting two memorable hill towns in Istria: Motovun and Gronjan. In March, some hotels and restaurants will be open, but you wont get the full experience. The ferry schedule between islands will be very limited. Because Bra is the closest island to Split, its very popular with families. Or, for those with more time, continue on to your next destination. We did this in April and some hotels and restaurants on the coast were just opening up for the season. Closer to Dubrovnik, the town of Trsteno is home to Trsteno Arboretum, one of the prettiest gardens in Croatia that was featured on Game of Thrones. Make sure that your rental car company will permit you to drive into Bosnia and Herzegovina because some companies have restrictions. The drive from Plitvice Lakes National Park to Split takes about 2.5 hours, and you could drive straight there, or you could take a few detours along the way. Heres the Croatia itinerary that I would personally recommend for 7 days: Which island is better, Hvar or Korula? Sports sandals An easy, comfortable way to get around, especially for climbing rock slabs, and a better alternative to flip-flops. A significant hub for sea travel since pre-Roman times, the region boasts remarkable ancient structures like the Pula Amphitheatre, which is a must-see attraction. This is your full day at the Plitvice Lakes! There is plenty to do in Dubrovnik to justify spending a second day here. I'll be travelling with a friend and we'll be backpacking so on fairly low budgets and. While in Croatia, you should take the time to visit at least one island. What an incredible trip. If you are visiting during the summer months, make your dinner reservations in advance. Is it easy to drive there? This town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and youll be captivated from the moment you enter. From Budva, it is just a 30-minute drive to Kotor. Lake Skadar is the largest lake in the Balkans, and one of the largest in all of Europe. For Day 8, I recommend driving around and exploring the island of Hvar in depth. For dinner, we ate at a wonderful, local restaurantin Bol, Konoba Dalmatino, dining on grilled octopus and veal. Would like to hear your thought as you might gone through the process of looking for car rental options before your trip. And cocktails at waterside bar Valentino are a must. With your guide, you will discover the Dinaric Alps from east to west of the country, through the wide open spaces of this small and very contrasted country. Dont miss walking the medieval walls, the view from the cable car, wandering the old town, and visiting Fort Lovrijenac. This is also the Game of Thrones filming location for Meereen. We obtained the green card through Europcar, paying $2.34 USD per day (in 2017). I definitely recommend prioritizing one day in the middle to chill out without any plans. Totally your call. The 24 hours we would spend on Brac would be one of our best memories in Croatia. RentalCars.com gives you good rates for car rentals in Croatia. This is an awesome experience, similar to walking the walls in Dubrovnik. In fact, Id be happy to swim in Dalmatia as late as early October, though it wont be swimming weather further north in Istria. So, just based on timing, I think Turkey is great. Hotel staff met us at our car, picking us up in a golf cart and driving the four of us and our luggage to the hotel. What do you think? I think the end of March is a bit early for the Croatia. As you walk through the picturesque streets, youll hear musicians practicing in their rooms above! I did a solo trip and used this as my baseline. This morning, after breakfast in town or at your hotel, drive to Croatia. Day 5: Dubrovnik Its too much for us to keep up with COVID restrictions in each country, since it is constantly changing. Activity Level : Strenuous. However, the allure of the coastal vistas is rivaled . We will be tested to get into Croatia, but after that, can we drive through the border crossings with no problem between the countries? This one comes highly recommended; you can also just take the ferry to Pomena and explore independently. When searching for a ferry, make sure you put in the correct dates. Spend a few days on Bra. We got some rain but overall it was very nice and not busy. Gronjan is a tiny town close to Motovun that is famous for its music school in the summers. From Split, you have the option to cruise to one of several islands on the Adriatic Sea. Ok thanks you Julie. There is a boat connecting the two of them. Most of today will be spent exploring Split. Depending upon where you are arriving from, you may have limited time and energy today. Just confirm that you can take the rental car into all of the countries you list. Julie Last updated: May 23, 2023 Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro 51 Comments. The next year we went to Turkey, and they loved this even more (they were 8 and 10). (Im still thinking about their squid cacio e pepe. Sarajevo hosted the Winter Olympics in 1984. You might need a visa, depending on your country of citizenship. Here's a complete 10 day Croatia itinerary from Dubrovnik to Zagreb that will take you through Croatia's best landscapes and cities. Perast, also located on the Bay of Kotor, is the place to take a ferry out to Our Lady of the Rocks, a small church sitting all alone on its own tiny private island.