Croatia Island Hopping [7 Day Itinerary + Map]
👉 Jump to: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 & 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Map | Tours | FAQ
Dreaming about island hopping in Croatia but unsure how to plan your adventure? By the end of this post, you’ll be prepped and ready to explore Croatia’s best islands.
Island hopping in Croatia is one of the best experiences you can have on the Adriatic Coast and a great way to string together your Croatia itinerary.
Back when I was planning my own Croatia island-hopping adventure, I had no idea what a dream itinerary should look like, so I planned my route slowly and steadily. This article contains a ton of tips and advice for where and how to island hop.
7-Day Island Hopping in Croatia Itinerary
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Day #1 – Dubrovnik & Lokrum Island
Let’s say that, for the sake of this Croatian island hopping holiday itinerary, you’ll start your journey in the southern Croatian mainland city of Dubrovnik (although it can be done in reverse, starting in Split).
Dubrovnik is a major Croatian hub and is filled with incredible restaurants, history, art, and adventure.
While in Dubrovnik, I recommend walking the old city walls, taking the cable car to the top of Mount Srd, relaxing on Uvala Lapad Beach, and exploring Lokrum Island. Lokrum is a short 15-minute ferry journey from the Dubrovnik port. The ride costs about €6 Euro ($6.50 USD), give or take.
While Lokrum Island doesn’t have any human inhabitants, it is home to a shallow inland saltwater lake, a nude beach, Benedictine Monastery ruins, and a ton of wildlife.
🛏️ Where to Stay in Dubrovnik – Hotel Dubrovnik Palace (the hotel where celebrities stay)
Day #2 – Mljet
A small island home to just over 1000 people, Mljet is the relaxing nature escape of your dreams.
To get to Mljet, take the ferry from the Dubrovnik port to Sobra on Mljet. This journey will take about an hour.
The island is dotted with quaint small towns, picturesque Adriatic Sea views, and an incredibly lush National Park. While here, I recommend visiting St. Mary’s Island, trying out the mom-and-pop restaurants, and hiking to Odysseus Cave.
🛏️ Where to Stay on Mljet Island – Villa Mirosa (incredible views from the hot tub!)
Day #3 – Korcula
Next up is the island of Korcula — a destination known for its dense forest, wine production, beautiful caves, and spectacular old town.
While definitely not the most visited place on this list, it’s also not the least — as a tourist, you’ll find Korcula has a great tourism infrastructure but without the crowds. The Old Town is reminiscent of Dubrovnik in that it has fortified walls and is right on the coast, but it stands out as notably less crowded.
To get to Korcula, take the ferry from the Pomena port on Mljet to the Korcula port. This journey will be about 30 minutes.
For a unique way to get around once there, snag a ticket for the Korcula Yellow Taxi (if available during your visit, that is). This “hop on, hop off” style catamaran ticket will enable you to visit 4 destinations in Korcula with ease! 100% worth the cost.
🔥 Hot Tip: Keep in mind that this ferry does not run year-round. In the high season, there is one journey per day, and in the winter, it does not run at all. Check out all my Croatia travel tips to help prepare for your trip.
🛏️ Where to Stay on Korcula Island – Aminess Lume Hotel (super popular, tends to sell out)
Days #4 & 5 – Hvar
A 90-minute ferry ride from Korcula, Hvar may be known for its excellent nightlife, but there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. For that reason, I recommend two days in this top Croatia destination to really get your bearings.
In particular, I recommend hiking up to Spanjola Fortress, checking out one of the lavender fields, exploring the adorable towns of Stari Grad and Vrboska, and spending time in Hvar Town.
In regards to the parties, some of the best clubs on Hvar include Hula Hula Beach Bar, Falko Beach Bar, Carpe Diem, and Splash.
🛏️ Where to Stay on Hvar Island – Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort (the pool is unbelievable!)
Day #6 – Brac
A 30-minute ferry from Hvar, Brac is a long and elevated island that sees fewer tourists and is much more relaxing than Korcula and Hvar.
While in Brac, I recommend lounging on Zlatni Rat beach near Bol and exploring the medieval town of Skrip and Supetar — the island’s main entry point and largest town.
Another reason why Brac is special is that it’s a major hub of olive oil production. In fact, the island is home to more than a million olive trees that the ancient Greeks planted millennia ago.
🛏️ Where to Stay on Brac Island – Bluesun Hotel Elaphusa (a huge resort with everything from tennis courts to a bowling alley)
Day #7 – Vis
An island known for its pristine nature and luxurious atmosphere, Vis is worth an explore.
Although not too far away, only one ferry runs from Brac to Vis (in the high season) per week. For this reason, I recommend either timing your trip to Vis so perfectly that this works out, or simply making the 2.5-hour trek from nearby Split.
That said, Vis Island is 100% worth the trip. This island not only features pristine nature, but it’s also home to great beaches (Stiniva in particular), WWII history, and excellent scuba diving. Plus, just a short distance away on Bisevo island is the famous Blue Cave — a stunning natural grotto that turns completely blue when the sun is at its peak.
Oh, and it was notably the shooting location for the movie Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again — in case that means something to you!
🛏️ Where to Stay on Vis Island – Hotel San Giorgio (a gorgeous family run boutique)
Croatia Island Hopping Itinerary Map
Here is a Google Map with all the stops, attractions, and hotels mentioned in this post.
The Best Croatia Island Hopping Group Tours
Taking a group tour is an excellent way to see multiple islands without planning the trip yourself.
There are many to choose from out there, but Contiki is a brand that has a special reputation for throwing incredible group tours in Croatia. Here are two awesome island hopping group tour options to consider:
⛵ Suggested Group Tour #1 – Contiki’s top rated Croatia Island Sail tour is 8 days long, includes a full sailboat crew, and will take you to six unique islands including Hvar, Korcula, and Dubrovnik.
🚴 Suggested Group Tour #2 – Contiki’s Sail, Cycle, and Yoga tour is also 8 days long but is geared towards people who love – you guessed it! – cycling and yoga. It also boat transportation and covers 10 destinations.
Note that, even if you prefer to self-organize your trip, it’s still REALLY worth it to find a way to get onto a yacht or boat at some point. You can use peer-to-peer boat rental sites like Sailo to find yacht rentals at prices that are probably less than you think, although you’ll have to factor in Croatia travel insurance.
Most come with their own skippers, but if you know how to sail, you can also take the wheel yourself!
Croatia Island Hopping FAQ
Is one week enough for Croatia?
Although one week in Croatia is a great taster of the country, there are a ton of islands and inland destinations that can’t be covered in just one week. If you can, I recommend spending three weeks to a month traveling to Croatia.
What are the best islands in Croatia to visit?
How do you get around Croatian islands?
The easiest way to get around is by taking the ferry. The ferry system in Croatia is easy to use, affordable, and it services all the main islands. The two main ferry systems are Jadrolinija and Kapetan Luka. If you’re traveling in the summer (peak season) be sure to book your ferry transportation well in advance.
What is the best way to travel around Croatia?
While island hopping in Croatia is best done by ferry, taking a road trip is the best way to travel to Croatia’s inland area. Renting a car and driving in Croatia is a great way to get off the beaten path.
How much money do you need per day in Croatia?
Croatia is a country that can be done on pretty much any budget, but for the best experience that won’t break the bank, I recommend allotting at least $ 50 USD / day.
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That’s it for my Croatia island-hopping itinerary! I hope this gave you a ton of inspiration for your upcoming trip, as there is truly a ton to discover in Croatia. Up next, check out our comprehensive Croatia Travel Guide.
Have fun in Croatia!
can i do the above itinerary with a car, or is it complicated. also, you do not mention split . is it worth visiting?
Hi Helena! Thanks for stopping by Travel Lemming. You should be able to visit the island mentioned without a car, it just may limit your ability to explore some of the larger ones. But the towns are all very walkable. In terms of Split, since it’s not an island it’s not this post, but Taylor has written a lot about Split in other articles including this one: https://travellemming.com/croatia-destinations/
I hope that helps I hope you enjoy Croatia!
What is the name of the ferry company? Do they run in October? Do the rides require reservations or can you show up at the port? Thank you.
If I book a Jadrolinija ferry from Dubrovnik to Bol that stops in Korcula and Hvar on the way to Bol, am I able to hop off at one or both of these islands on my way to Bol on that same ferry ticket? I haven’t been able to find an answer to this question anywhere. Thanks.