Discovering Croatia: A Family Summer Adventure
Days 1-2: Dubrovnik – Where Medieval Magic Meets the Adriatic
We kicked off our trip in Dubrovnik, a city that instantly makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a fantasy world. It’s hard not to fall in love with its medieval walls, narrow cobbled streets, and the way the shimmering Adriatic Sea frames the whole scene. Plus, if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you’ll instantly recognize some of the iconic filming locations. But even if you’re not, Dubrovnik’s beauty is enough to win anyone over.
We flew into Dubrovnik International Airport and grabbed a 20-minute taxi (about €20) to our Airbnb, perched on a hill just above the Old Town. The views from the terrace were stunning—you could see the red rooftops and the sea all at once. If you’re on a tighter budget, the airport bus is a cheaper option and takes around 30 minutes.
Once we settled in, we spent the day exploring the Old Town, which is compact and easy to get around by foot. My advice? Let yourself get lost in the charming streets, where every corner seems like a postcard moment. The town is peppered with local restaurants, quirky shops, and historic landmarks. If you need a checklist, here are a few must-dos:
For those with extra time, I highly recommend taking a boat trip to Lokrum Island. It’s a nature-lover’s paradise, filled with peacocks, botanical gardens, and a quiet serenity that makes you forget you’re just a quick ferry ride away from Dubrovnik’s bustling streets. Another great option is a tour of the Elafiti Islands, an archipelago known for secluded beaches and charming old villages.
If you are keen to explore Dubrovnik’s nightlife, you will not be disappointed. Apart from the many bars lining the streets of the Old Town, it is also home to many notable nightclubs suitable for international tourists, including Elyx Night Club and Culture Club Revelin. The latter has consistently been considered within the world’s top 25 clubs, situated inside a 500-year-old fortress and having hosted big names such as David Guetta and Tiesto.
Day 3: Pitstop at Ston, en Route to Split
The drive to Split took 3-4 hours, with amazing views along the way. Most notably we stopped by the Franjo Tudman bridge with panoramic views of the harbor, Gruz Bay.
On the way, we made a quick stop at Ston, a small coastal town famous for its oysters and the impressive Great Wall of Ston. Ston has such a laid-back, small-town charm that we ended up having a long, leisurely seafood lunch at Bota Šare Mali Ston. Their lobster pasta is to die for. After lunch, we dipped our toes in the water before hitting the road again.
Split welcomed us with a mix of ancient history and vibrant, modern energy. We stayed at Galeria Valeria SeaSide DownTown, a boutique hotel tucked away just off the busy promenade, which gave us the perfect balance of easy access and peace at night.
For dinner that night, we took a gamble on Sinemori based on a few mixed reviews. Turns out, we hit the jackpot—it had that cozy, home-cooked vibe, like you’re eating at your grandmother’s house (if your grandmother happens to be an amazing cook!). So good, we actually went back later in the trip to try their T-bone steak.
Days 4-5: Split and Hvar – Island Hopping and Beach Bliss
The next day was pure magic—Hvar! We hopped on a ferry from Split to Hvar in the morning, where we had a private boat tour lined up (highly recommend reaching out if you want my boat guide’s contact!). This was easily one of the best days of the trip. For around £110 per person, we spent seven hours island-hopping, swimming in pristine waters, and sunbathing on a catamaran.
We had our very own skipper who picked us up from Hvar’s port at 10 am and was very knowledgeable, introducing each island as we passed the Pakleni Islands, a group of smaller islands just off Hvar. He took us to a secluded cove near Mlini Beach, where the water was so clear you could see fish swimming right beneath you. The rocky beaches might not be the coziest, but trust me, the water makes up for it. There is also a restaurant if you would prefer a more comfortable spot, and an easy 10-minute walk will bring you on to the other side of the island with a larger pebble beach. For lunch, we docked at Bacchus Palmizana, a dreamy seaside restaurant (with its own port!) that’s a bit pricey but well worth it for the fresh seafood and views.
After lunch, we explored two other swim spots, one of which was a mini sandy beach, Perna Beach, which we had the option to go up on shore. The tour was the perfect balance between lazing about suntanning on the sundeck of the catamaran, as well as going for quick swims along the clear pristine waters.
The next morning, we explored Split before heading out. I would recommend having a stroll around the streets of the Old Town, including the Riva Promenade and People’s Square (Pjaca). At its very center, don’t miss the iconic historical sites surrounding the Perstyle square, including Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s essentially a city within a city, and the towering Cathedral of Saint Domnius. The view from the bell tower is totally worth the climb! My mother’s favorite spot was Split’s very own local market (Green Market, Pazar) with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and lavender products just outside its old town walls.
Day 6: Plitvice Lakes – Hiking and Waterfalls
We arrived at Plitvice Lakes National Park ready for adventure. If you’ve ever seen pictures of turquoise lakes and cascading waterfalls, that’s Plitvice. We opted to stay overnight at a hotel inside the park, which made it easy to wake up early and hit the trails before the crowds arrived. It also provided a nice view and refreshing evening while we enjoyed our buffet dinner out on the terrace, with the sunset and towering trees as a backdrop.
We spent the morning hiking through the park, making sure to stop at key sights like Veliki Slap (the largest waterfall) and Kozjak Lake. My top tip? Go early! By late morning, the park gets packed, and we had to queue nearly 45 minutes for a ferry. There was also an outdoor eating area with a few food booths. While the food was not amazing, the view overlooking the lake and good weather definitely put everyone in a good mood.
For those who want to truly explore more of the National Park, I would even recommend two nights there as there is definitely more that Plitvice could offer. There were routes of varying lengths and distances, catering to people of all fitness levels.
Days 7-8: Rovinj and Pula – Coastal Charm and Roman Ruins
After our Plitvice adventure, we drove to Rovinj, a small coastal town that felt like stepping into a painting. We checked into a charming Airbnb in the heart of the Old Town, which wasn’t accessible by car, so the host picked us up in a golf buggy. Rovinj is full of small surprises like that!
The next day, we spent hours getting lost in Rovinj’s winding streets, which are filled with colorful boutiques, art galleries, and local markets (in the mornings, you will find a market near the port, filled with fresh fruits as well as booths selling trinkets).
Stari Grad is the perfect spot for Instagram-worthy photos, especially with all the vibrant flowers and street art lining the walls. Another recommendation would be to walk to the tip of the peninsula to visit the Church of St. Euphemia—the views from here are breathtaking. It is also surrounded by a park, perfect for some shade in the summer months or a picnic.
We found a couple bars by the waters called La’Moura and Mediterraneo Cocktail Bar (the latter was easily a favorite as it is perched on the edge of the port), which allowed us to view the sunset while grabbing some pre-dinner cocktails.
In the evening, we lucked out and snagged a table at Puntulina, a Michelin-recommended restaurant. The sunset views here are spectacular, and the food? Even better. Fresh seafood, great wine, and that soft pink glow over the water—it was a perfect evening.
If you walk along the port at night, you would definitely come across lots of buskers (as well as people dancing along), and there even happened to be a mini festival where a band was performing on a stage, bringing a small crowd which was great fun.
We decided to do a day trip the next day. Pula, just an hour from Rovinj, is a perfect day trip for history buffs. The star attraction here is the Pula Arena, an ancient Roman amphitheater that rivals Rome’s Colosseum. After our history fix, we indulged in some pizza and gelato before heading back to Rovinj. Pula is small but worth a visit for its Roman ruins and relaxed vibe.
Days 9-10: Zagreb – City Lights and Farewells
Our final stop was Zagreb, a city that feels like a blend of old-world charm and modern city life. We stayed at Hotel Jagerhorn, a cozy boutique hotel in the heart of the city. We spent our last day wandering around Zagreb’s parks, squares, and lively streets. We started off with Zagreb’s more modern parts of town such as the Croatian National Theatre, State Archives, Botanical Gardens, King Tomislav’s Square, Art Pavilion, as well as some of the smaller streets filled with food and shops such as ul.Nikole Tesle and Supernova Cvjetni.
In the evening, we opted to go north towards the old town, starting with taking the Funicular up to the Lotrscak Tower, which had fantastic panoramic views of the city. We passed by the City Assembly before slowly making our way downhill along Ivana Tkalcica Street, where bars, restaurants, and shops line the bustling avenue. We ended our stroll back at the Zagreb Cathedral and main square.
By night, Zagreb comes alive. The pubs and bars spill out into the streets, and you can feel the city’s pulse through the laughter and live music echoing through the streets. Given it was a family holiday, my parents and I opted to have a stroll around, occasionally stopping to enjoy the buskers on the streets. We ended up at a pub to watch a football game that night, before retiring for an early morning the next day to catch our flight.
Croatia is a place you can’t visit just once—it lingers with you long after you leave. The food, the people, the scenery—it all just draws you back. This trip was packed with adventure, relaxation, and memories that will last a lifetime. Safe to say, I’m already dreaming of the next visit.
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