Croatia Adventure: Zagreb to Dubrovnik — Self-Launched

Arrive in Zagreb at any time — the city is well connected by air and rail from across Europe. Check into your hostel or budget hotel in the Lower Town area, which puts you close to Jelačić Square and the lively café scene. In the evening, do your own orientation walk through the city: stroll up to Gornji Grad (Upper Town), spot the colourful tiled roof of St. Mark's Church, and explore the street art murals around the city. Head to Dolac Market area for a casual dinner at a local konoba (tavern). Budget around £25–30 for a meal and a couple of drinks.

🚌Arrive by train (from Ljubljana ~£15, from Vienna ~£30) or fly into Zagreb Airport, then take the airport bus to the centre (~£4)

🛏Hostel Chic Zagreb or equivalent budget hotel (~£25–35/night)

• →Self-guided orientation walk through Gornji Grad (Upper Town)
• →St. Mark's Church and Lotrščak Tower
• →Street art exploration around the city centre
• →Dinner at a local konoba near Dolac Market

Take an early public bus from Zagreb Bus Terminal to Plitvice Lakes National Park — buses run several times daily and drop you right at the park entrance. Buy your entry ticket on arrival (around £22 in peak season) and spend the day walking the wooden boardwalk trails past turquoise lakes and cascading waterfalls. The Lower Lakes loop (Route C or D) takes 2–4 hours and is the most spectacular. Stay overnight in the village of Plitvička Jezera to be right on the park's doorstep — there are several guesthouses at budget-friendly rates.

🚌Public bus Zagreb → Plitvice Lakes (~£8 one way, ~2.5 hrs)

🛏Guesthouse Plitvice or Rooms Katica (~£30–40/night including breakfast)

• →Public bus from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes (~2.5 hours, ~£8)
• →Self-guided walk through Plitvice Lakes National Park — Lower and Upper Lakes boardwalk trails
• →Swimming stop at designated areas (if visiting outside peak restrictions)
• →Sunset views over the lakes from the upper viewpoints

After breakfast at your guesthouse, take the morning bus south to Zadar. On arrival, join a self-bookable walking food tour of the old city via GetYourGuide or Airbnb Experiences — these typically last 3 hours and include tastings of local wine, cheese, pršut (cured ham), and olive oil as you explore the Roman Forum, the Sea Organ, and the Church of St. Donatus. After the tour, continue by bus to Krka National Park (or head directly to Šibenik and take a short local bus to Krka). Walk the riverside trail to the Skradinski Buk waterfall — the most famous in the park. End the day in Šibenik, check into your accommodation, and enjoy the atmospheric old town for dinner.

🚌Bus Plitvice → Zadar (~£10), bus/local taxi Zadar → Krka → Šibenik (~£10–15 total)

🛏Hostel Mare Nostrum Šibenik or equivalent guesthouse (~£25–35/night)

• →Bus from Plitvice to Zadar (~£10, ~2 hrs)
• →Walking food tour of Zadar old town — book via GetYourGuide (~£35–45pp)
• →Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun installation
• →Bus/taxi to Krka National Park — self-guided walk to Skradinski Buk waterfall (~£10 entry)
• →Evening arrival in Šibenik

Note: As of 2026, Prvic island's ferry port is under reconstruction, so today's island visit focuses on Zlarin. Take the local ferry from Šibenik harbour to Zlarin island — ferries run regularly and the crossing takes about 25 minutes. Zlarin is famously car-free and known for its coral craft tradition, stone houses, and sweeping Adriatic views. Walk the coastal path, visit the small church and historical monuments, swim in a quiet cove, and enjoy lunch at a konoba on the island. Return to Šibenik in the afternoon and join a self-guided walk through the old town — don't miss the UNESCO-listed Cathedral of St. James. Free evening for dinner and exploring the waterfront.

🚌Local ferry Šibenik ↔ Zlarin (~£4 return, 25 min each way)

🛏Hostel Mare Nostrum Šibenik or equivalent guesthouse (~£25–35/night)

• →Ferry Šibenik → Zlarin (~£4 return)
• →Self-guided walk around Zlarin — coral museum, coastal paths, historic monuments
• →Swimming at a secluded cove
• →Lunch at a local konoba on Zlarin
• →Self-guided walking tour of Šibenik old town and Cathedral of St. James (UNESCO site)

Take the morning bus from Šibenik to Split (~1.5 hrs, ~£6). Spend a few hours exploring Split independently — the highlight is Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the ancient Roman emperor's retirement home is now a living neighbourhood packed with cafés, boutiques, and galleries. Wander the Peristyle square, find the cathedral built inside the emperor's mausoleum, and stroll the Riva promenade along the waterfront. Grab lunch at the Pazar market near the palace. In the late afternoon, take the bus south to Makarska (~1.5 hrs, ~£6), a lively Dalmatian resort town backed by the dramatic Biokovo mountain range. Check in and enjoy a free evening on the promenade.

🚌Bus Šibenik → Split (~£6), bus Split → Makarska (~£6)

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Makarska (~£25–35/night)

• →Bus Šibenik → Split (~£6, ~1.5 hrs)
• →Self-guided exploration of Diocletian's Palace (free to wander the complex)
• →Cathedral of Saint Domnius and Peristyle square
• →Riva promenade walk and lunch at Pazar market
• →Bus Split → Makarska (~£6, ~1.5 hrs)
• →Evening stroll along Makarska promenade

A more relaxed day centred around Makarska's famous beaches and the surrounding nature. In the morning, consider a hike up into Biokovo Nature Park — the main trail to Sveti Jure peak is demanding but the views over the Adriatic are extraordinary. Alternatively, take a short bus or taxi to the village of Bistrina (near Ston, accessible via Split — or ask locally for organised oyster farm visits closer to Makarska) to sample freshly farmed oysters and mussels straight from the water — a true Dalmatian coastal experience. Return to Makarska for an afternoon on the beach and a leisurely dinner at a seafood restaurant on the promenade.

🚌Local bus or taxi to Biokovo trailhead (~£5); local taxi or tour for Bistrina (~£15–20)

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Makarska (~£25–35/night)

• →Hike into Biokovo Nature Park (free or small entry fee ~£4)
• →Oyster and seafood tasting — book a local oyster farm excursion via GetYourGuide or ask your accommodation (~£15–25)
• →Afternoon on Makarska beach
• →Seafood dinner on the promenade

Take the coastal bus from Makarska south towards Dubrovnik — this is one of the most scenic bus rides in Europe, hugging the Adriatic coastline the entire way. The route passes through Ploče and crosses the short Neum corridor into Bosnia & Herzegovina and back into Croatia (bring your passport). The journey takes approximately 3.5–4 hours. Arrive in Dubrovnik and check into your accommodation in the Lapad or Pile area — staying just outside the Old Town saves money while keeping you very close. In the evening, walk through the Pile Gate into the Old Town for your first glimpse of the limestone streets and fortress walls at sunset — a moment that never gets old.

🚌Direct coastal bus Makarska → Dubrovnik (~£12–15, ~4 hrs)

🛏Hostel Angelina Old Town or equivalent guesthouse in Lapad (~£30–45/night)

• →Scenic coastal bus Makarska → Dubrovnik (~£12–15, ~3.5–4 hrs)
• →Check in and settle into Dubrovnik accommodation
• →First walk through Pile Gate into the Old Town
• →Stradun (main street) evening stroll
• →Sunset drinks at a cliffside bar

Make the most of a full day in one of the world's most beautiful walled cities. Start early with a walk along the famous City Walls (book online to skip the queue, ~£25) — the full circuit takes about 2 hours and gives unbeatable panoramic views over the red-roofed Old Town and the Adriatic. In the afternoon, book a sea kayaking session around the walls and along the coast — available directly with operators like Adriatic Kayak Tours or via GetYourGuide (~£35–45). This is the self-launched equivalent of the optional G Adventures kayaking add-on, and well worth it. In the evening, explore the Old Town freely: visit the Franciscan Monastery and its medieval pharmacy, wander to Fort Lovrijenac, and dine at a restaurant tucked into the limestone lanes.

🚌Walking and local bus within Dubrovnik (~£2 per journey)

🛏Hostel Angelina Old Town or equivalent guesthouse in Lapad (~£30–45/night)

• →Dubrovnik City Walls walk (~£25 — book online in advance)
• →Sea kayaking around the city walls — book via GetYourGuide or Adriatic Kayak Tours (~£35–45)
• →Franciscan Monastery and medieval pharmacy (~£5 entry)
• →Fort Lovrijenac (included with walls ticket)
• →Stradun and Old Town exploration
• →Dinner in the Old Town

Your final morning in Croatia — make the most of it before your departure. If you haven't already, take the Dubrovnik Cable Car up Mount Srđ for sweeping views over the Old Town and islands (~£13 return). Alternatively, catch an early water taxi to Lokrum Island (just 15 minutes offshore, ~£5 return) for a peaceful morning walk through its botanical garden and visit to the ruined fort. Head back to the city for a final coffee on the Stradun and transfer to Dubrovnik Airport — take Bus 11 from Pile Gate (~£2) or a taxi (~£15). Flights depart to major European hubs from Dubrovnik Airport.

🚌Bus 11 to Dubrovnik Airport (~£2) or taxi (~£15)

🛏Check out — no accommodation needed

• →Dubrovnik Cable Car to Mount Srđ (~£13 return) OR water taxi to Lokrum Island (~£5 return)
• →Final coffee on the Stradun
• →Airport transfer — Bus 11 from Pile Gate (~£2) or taxi (~£15)