10-Day Croatia Island Hopping Itinerary: Explore the Beautiful Islands

Croatia Island Hopping is definitely one of my favourite trips that I have been on. Whenever someone asks me where I would recommend for them to visit in Europe in the summer, Croatia is always one of the top destinations on my list. With beautiful crystal waters, stunning beaches, beautiful old towns, and amazing food and wine, it’s the perfect destination for your next summer holiday.

In this post, I am sharing my exact 10-day island hopping itinerary, as well as my recommendations on each city and island I visited.

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How to get between the islands of Croatia

The easiest airports to fly into are Split and Dubrovnik, so I chose to start at one and then end at the other. There are several beautiful islands you could visit between Split and Dubrovnik:

Korčula
Hvar
Brač
Vis
Mljet
Elaphiti Islands

You can travel between the islands via Ferry. I booked all of my tickets in advance before I arrived on Ferry Hopper. Some of the islands such as Vis don’t have as regular ferries as Hvar and Korčula so make sure to check this in advance.

10-Day Itinerary for Croatia Island Hopping

Day 1: Dubrovnik

On my first day in Croatia, I arrived in Dubrovnik. This was by bus from a previous trip to Montenegro, however, normally I would have flown here. You can start your trip in either Dubrovnik or Split depending on where you can get the cheapest flights to. If you choose to start in Split, just work through the itinerary backwards.

As soon as I arrived in Dubrovnik, I checked into my Airbnb which was located in Lapad. Lapad is a 15 minute drive from the Old Town. There is a regular bus which takes about 30 minutes, or you can get an Uber. I chose this location as the Airbnb’s were working out a bit more affordable there, and the beaches in Lapad are also stunning. However, for a first time trip to Dubrovnik I would recommend staying in the Old Town if possible.

Then my day in Dubrovnik consisted of:

Exploring the Old Town– I spent a couple of hours just wandering around this area, through Stradun
Getting an Ice Cream from Peppino’s– 10/10 would recommend
Cable Car to the top of Mount Srd– this costs around €27.
Lunch at Panorama Restaurant– I would recommend booking a table, and unfortunately they don’t have an area just for drinks
Drinks at Buza Bar– a little bar hidden behind the Walls, has such a nice vibe
Dinner at Pizzeria Papillon

Day 2: Dubrovnik

The second day in Dubrovnik I fancied a more chilled day around Lapad to see a different part of the city.

This day consisted of:

Beach Day at Lapad Beach– this is a lovely beach, they have activities to do there so I spent most of the day here
Lunch and drinks at Cave Bar More– this is such a cool bar, there’s a cave inside, but because I went in the day I chose to sit outside which was also lovely, overlooking the sea and the beach
Drinks at Mr Fosters Cocktail Bar– this bar had such amazing cocktails
Drinks at Fratello’s Prosecco Bar– this is such a stunning prosecco bar, with really pretty views. I would recommend going before sunset so you can see the views at sunset.
Dinner at Taj Mahal– this restaurant served traditional Bosnian food and is in a lovely street in the Old Town.

Day 3: Dubrovnik

On the final day in Dubrovnik, I went to Banje Beach Club. This was a really nice day, I rented a sun lounger and had lunch and drinks here. You can see the view of the Old Town from here, and it’s a good area for swimming too.

For dinner, I would recommend Restaurant Orsan for amazing seafood with a beautiful view.

Other Dubrovnik Recommendations:

Things to do:

Walk the Dubrovnik Walls– if you buy the Dubrovnik pass, this includes access to the city walls, several museums and public transport.
Visit Lokrum Island– you can get a boat from the Old Port, this takes around 15 minutes and you can buy tickets on the day or online beforehand
Kayak Tour– the Kayak tours take you around the city walls and then to Lokrum Island
Game of Thrones Tour

Restaurants:

Restaurant 360– this is a Michelin star restaurant with views of the Old Town and the Harbour
Nautika Restaurant– this is a lovely seafood restaurant with a great view of the Fortress
Konoba Dubrava– this restaurant is a family run restaurant serving authentic local recipes. It is a 10 minute drive out of the Old Town.

Bars:

D’Vino Wine Bar– serves Croatian wine and tapas
Revelin Culture Club– this is a nightclub located in a 16th century Fortress
Irish Pub Karaka
Buzz Bar
The Gaffe Pub

Day 4- Korčula

On day 4, I got the ferry to Korčula Island. This is probably my favourite island in Croatia that I have been to. I checked into my Airbnb, this was located in Korčula town not far from the Ferry port. When I am island hopping, I usually like to stay near the port to make it easier when travelling and I would choose to stay in the town again. It’s such a stunning Old Town and there are so many lovely bars and restaurants there.

On this day I:

Took the bus to Lumbarda– this has a lovely town, beaches and vineyards. I spent the day at the two beaches Pržina Beach or Vrbovica Beach.
Of the evening, I strolled around the Old Town at sunset
I had dinner at Aterina Restaurant– I would recommend to try their local dish ‘Žrnovski Makaruni’.

Day 5- Korčula

This was my favourite day of the whole trip. I took a taxi boat to Badija Island, Vela Island and Vrnik Island. Badija Island was my favourite of the three. It was originally settled by monks and is home to a 15th Century Monastery. The island also has crystal clear waters and several stunning beaches, and as soon as you step off the taxi boat, you will be greeted by deer. They aren’t scared of tourists at all; they will come up to you!

I got the tickets for the Taxi Boat at the pier in Korčula Town on the day. It’s a hop-on hop-off boat with lots of different times going to each island. It only takes about 15 minutes to get to each island and the service is really easy to use.

Of the evening, I had a cocktail at the top of a castle! The cocktail bar is called Massimo, it has stunning views over the Old Town, and is perfect for a cocktail at sunset. However, you do have to climb a very steep ladder to the top of the tower.

Day 6- Korčula

This morning I had breakfast at Ignis which was amazing. I then spent the day relaxing at LaBanya Beach club. This was another great day, I hired a sunbed and the beach and sea were perfect, food was great and they also had paddle boards you could go on, and a float in the sea that you can jump off into.

Of the evening, I went to De Canavellis. This restaurant is located in the Old Town with a great view of the sea, and the Kanavelić Tower. It does amazing pizza and wine!

Other Korčula suggestions

Visit a winery- Vitis and Popic
Beaches- Pupnatska, Samograd Bay, Zitna Beach, Pupnat Beach
Hiking at Kocje Nature Reserve

Day 7- Hvar

On day 7, I got the Ferry to Hvar Island, checked into my Airbnb and then went to explore the Old Town. I think the beautiful Old Towns is one of my favourite parts of Croatia, the narrow cobblestone streets and buildings are so pretty. I then walked up to the Hvar Fortress which has a great view of the town.

In the evening I went to Ka’Lavanda Music Bar which has such a nice vibe and they did Whispering Angel which is always a plus. I then had dinner at Don Armando which does amazing Argentinian street food.

Day 8- Hvar

On day 8, I took a taxi boat to the Pakleni Islands, these had some amazing beaches and the sea was so crystal clear. I got the taxi boat tickets at the Harbour and they had several times running to and from Hvar to choose from.

Of the evening, I went for a cocktail at Vintage Bar which was really nice, and then dinner at Fig.

Day 9- Hvar

This day I wandered around the town in the morning. I had a coffee at Back Lane and then an ice cream at L’amore Per II gelato. I then spent the afternoon at Podstine Beach.

I loved the vibe at Back Lane so I went back in the evening for a cocktail before dinner at Restaurant Mizarola.

Other Hvar recommendations: