Self-Launched: Walking North Croatia's Islands & Lakes
8 days · Croatia
Exodus charges £2,755
No-markup version: ~£595 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Explore the best of northern Croatia independently — from Zagreb's Austro-Hungarian boulevards and the cascading lakes of Plitvice, to the sun-drenched Adriatic island of Krk, the olive groves of Cres, and the legendary Lungomare coastal promenade at Opatija. This self-launched version follows the same route as Exodus's guided group tour, swapping hotel packages and tour leader fees for budget-friendly guesthouses, public buses, local ferries, and self-bookable activities. All the same scenery and experiences, at a fraction of the price. Costs are approximate estimates per person based on current budget traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Zagreb
Zagreb
Fly into Zagreb Airport (ZAG) and make your way to your accommodation in the city centre. From the airport, Croatia Airlines buses run regularly to the central bus station (~45 mins, ~£4), or take a taxi/rideshare (~£15–20). Zagreb is a walkable, welcoming capital — spend your first evening exploring the Lower Town's café terraces and bars around Tkalčićeva Street. Grab a craft beer and get your bearings before the adventure begins.
🚌Airport to city centre: Croatia Airlines bus ~£4 or taxi ~£15
🛏Hostel Chillout or Funk Lounge Hostel (dorm ~£18/night) or budget hotel such as Hotel Jadran (~£50/night private room)
- →Arrive at Zagreb Airport and transfer to city centre by airport bus (~£4) or taxi (~£15)
- →Evening stroll along Tkalčićeva Street and the Lower Town café district
- →Self-orient with a free walking map from your hostel/guesthouse
Zagreb City Walk & Maksimir Park
Zagreb
Start the day at the vibrant Dolac Market (open from 7am) picking up fresh produce or a coffee. Then walk the highlights of the Upper Town yourself — St Mark's Church with its iconic tiled roof, Lotrščak Tower (lift ticket ~£1.50), the Stone Gate, and the cobbled medieval streets. The Lower Town's Lenuci Horseshoe of parks and grand squares is also easily explored on foot. In the afternoon, take tram 11 or 12 east to Maksimir Park — one of the oldest public parks in Europe, free to enter — for a relaxed stroll around its English landscape gardens, baroque pavilion, and tranquil lakes. Spot herons, woodpeckers, and other birdlife. Book a table at a local restaurant in the evening — try Konoba Didov San or Agava for regional Croatian cuisine.
🚌Zagreb tram network day ticket ~£2
🛏Hostel Chillout or Funk Lounge Hostel (dorm ~£18/night) or budget hotel such as Hotel Jadran (~£50/night private room)
- →Morning visit to Dolac open-air market (free to browse)
- →Self-guided walk of Zagreb Upper Town: St Mark's Church, Lotrščak Tower, Stone Gate (~£1.50 tower entry)
- →Lower Town Lenuci Horseshoe park and boulevard walk (free)
- →Afternoon tram to Maksimir Park for wildlife spotting and lake walk (free entry)
- →Evening dinner at a local konoba restaurant (~£15–20)
Plitvice Lakes National Park & Onwards to Krk Island
Plitvice Lakes / Krk Island
Take an early public bus from Zagreb's central bus station to Plitvice Lakes National Park (~2 hrs, ~£8 one-way — operators include Samoborček and FlixBus). Arrive mid-morning and spend 3–4 hours walking the park's famous wooden boardwalks and trails past 16 terraced lakes and cascading waterfalls — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Park entry is ~£22 in peak season (buy tickets online in advance at np-plitvicka-jezera.hr to avoid queues). After exploring, catch an afternoon bus from Plitvice towards Rijeka or Krk (~3 hrs, ~£12). Cross the Krk Bridge onto the island by bus and head to Malinska on the northwest coast. Check into your guesthouse and grab dinner at a local konoba.
🚌Zagreb–Plitvice bus ~£8; Plitvice–Malinska/Krk bus ~£12
🛏Guesthouse Villa Anita or similar in Malinska, Krk (~£35–45/night private room)
- →Bus from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes (~2 hrs, ~£8)
- →Walk the Lower and Upper Lakes boardwalk trails at Plitvice (~3–4 hrs, entry ~£22 — book online in advance)
- →Spot wildlife including otters, herons, and endemic flora in the karst landscape
- →Bus from Plitvice to Krk island / Malinska (~3 hrs, ~£12)
Vrbnik Vineyard Hike & Wine Tasting on Krk
Krk Island — Vrbnik
Take a local bus or taxi (~20 mins) from Malinska to Vrbnik, a clifftop medieval town famous for Žlahtina — a crisp white wine unique to this corner of Croatia. From Vrbnik, pick up the clearly waymarked circular hiking trail (maps available at the tourist office in town) that winds through vineyards, dry-stone walls, and olive groves before reaching a panoramic Adriatic viewpoint. The loop is around 7 km and takes 2–3 hours at a leisurely pace. Back in Vrbnik, stop at a local winery for a Žlahtina wine and prosciutto tasting — try Gospoja Winery or Nada Winery, both offer tastings bookable direct or via GetYourGuide (~£12–18pp). Browse the medieval alleys before returning to Malinska.
🚌Local bus or taxi Malinska–Vrbnik return ~£8
🛏Guesthouse Villa Anita or similar in Malinska, Krk (~£35–45/night private room)
- →Bus or taxi from Malinska to Vrbnik (~20 mins, ~£4–8)
- →Self-guided circular vineyard and olive grove hike from Vrbnik (~7 km, free)
- →Wine and prosciutto tasting at a local Vrbnik winery (~£12–18pp — book via GetYourGuide or direct)
- →Explore Vrbnik's medieval clifftop old town (free)
Olive Grove Hike on Cres Island
Cres Island
Head to the small port at Valbiska on Krk's west coast (local bus ~30 mins, ~£3) and take the Jadrolinija car and passenger ferry across to Merag on Cres island (~30 mins, foot passenger ~£4 each way — timetables at jadrolinija.hr). From Merag, a local bus or prearranged taxi takes you north towards the town of Cres. Pick up the stone-lined olive grove hiking trails that wind through groves tended by local families for centuries, with glimpses of the shimmering Adriatic below. The trails around the town of Cres are well-signed. Allow 2–3 hours of relaxed hiking. Back in Cres town, enjoy a coffee at the colourful harbourfront, browse the small marina, or take a dip before catching the return ferry to Krk in the afternoon.
🚌Bus to Valbiska ~£3; ferry return ~£8; local bus on Cres ~£3
🛏Guesthouse Villa Anita or similar in Malinska, Krk (~£35–45/night private room)
- →Local bus to Valbiska ferry port on Krk (~30 mins, ~£3)
- →Jadrolinija ferry Valbiska–Merag, Cres (~30 mins, ~£4 each way — book at jadrolinija.hr)
- →Self-guided hike through centuries-old olive groves on stone-lined paths near Cres town (~7 km, free)
- →Coffee and free time in Cres harbour town
- →Return ferry and bus to Malinska
Free Day on Krk — Boating, Swimming or Hiking
Krk Island
A free day to enjoy Krk at your own pace. Swim in one of the island's secluded coves — Oprna Bay and Soline Beach are among the most beautiful. For hikers, the 'Paradise Path' (Rajska Cesta) is a 10 km coastal trail linking Malinska and Porat, passing pine woods, seaside chapels, and the stone Fumak Cross, with plenty of shaded spots and swimming stops along the way — it's free and clearly marked. Alternatively, rent a kayak (~£20/half-day) or join a local boat excursion around the island's sea caves and beaches (book via GetYourGuide or at the Malinska harbour, ~£25–35). The island also has excellent seafood restaurants — treat yourself to a fresh catch at a local konoba.
🚌Local on foot or bicycle hire (~£10/day)
🛏Guesthouse Villa Anita or similar in Malinska, Krk (~£35–45/night private room)
- →Free morning swim at Oprna Bay or Soline Beach (free)
- →Optional: hike the Paradise Path coastal trail — Malinska to Porat and back (~10 km, free)
- →Optional: kayak rental (~£20/half-day) or boat excursion around Krk (~£25–35 via GetYourGuide)
- →Lunch and afternoon exploring Malinska town and harbour
Lungomare Coastal Walk — Opatija to Lovran, then Back to Zagreb
Opatija / Zagreb
Check out of your Krk guesthouse and take a bus north from Malinska to Rijeka (~1 hr 30 mins, ~£6), then onward to Opatija (~20 mins, ~£2 by local bus). Opatija was once the Riviera of the Austro-Hungarian Empire — a Belle Époque resort town full of grand villas and gardens. From here, follow the famous Lungomare seafront promenade heading south: the most scenic section runs 12 km from Opatija through Ičići and Ika to the charming coastal town of Lovran (~2.5–3 hrs at a relaxed pace — the path is flat and easy to follow). Pause in Lovran for a seafood lunch at one of the harbourside taverns. Afterwards, catch a bus from Lovran back to Rijeka (~30 mins, ~£2) and then a FlixBus or Croatia Bus back to Zagreb (~2 hrs, ~£8). Optional farewell dinner out in Zagreb to celebrate the trip.
🚌Malinska–Rijeka–Opatija bus ~£8; Lovran–Rijeka–Zagreb bus ~£10
🛏Hostel Chillout or Funk Lounge Hostel in Zagreb (dorm ~£18/night) or budget hotel (~£50/night private room)
- →Bus from Malinska to Rijeka, then on to Opatija (~1 hr 50 mins total, ~£8)
- →Walk the Lungomare coastal promenade from Opatija to Lovran (~12 km, free)
- →Seafood lunch in Lovran harbour (~£12–18)
- →Bus from Lovran to Rijeka to Zagreb (~£10 total)
- →Optional farewell dinner in Zagreb (~£15–20)
Depart Zagreb
Zagreb
Your adventure ends in Zagreb. Enjoy a final Croatian breakfast — try Štruklji (rolled pastry) at a local café — before heading to Zagreb Airport. The airport bus runs from the central bus station every 30–60 minutes (~45 mins, ~£4). If you have time before your flight, the Museum of Broken Relationships (Muzej prekinutih veza) is a quirky and unmissable Zagreb highlight just a short walk from most central accommodation (~£6 entry).
🚌Airport bus to Zagreb Airport ~£4
🛏None (departure day)
- →Final Croatian breakfast at a local café (~£5–8)
- →Optional: Museum of Broken Relationships — a unique Zagreb institution (~£6)
- →Airport bus from central bus station to Zagreb Airport (~£4)
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£595 | £2,755 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,160 per person (78%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£595
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched: Walking North Croatia's Islands & Lakes cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £595 per person for 8 days in Croatia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £2,755 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £595 — a saving of roughly £2,160 (78%) per person.
How long is the Croatia trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Croatia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a hiking, culture, beaches trip through Croatia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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