3 weeks island hopping itinerary around Croatia.

Dubrovnik 3 to 4 days

We arrived in Dubrovnik late evening and our accommodation was based on the high road above the town. Rather than get lost wandering down into the old town for food, we found a couple of cheap and cheerful places using Google Maps, one a little Italian and the other an authentic Mexican restaurant. We picked the Italian for the first night.

Following day we bought the Dubrovnik Pass, it’s easy to buy online. It allows you to roam the walls, and entry into some of the buildings and museums in the old town and Fort Lovrijenac just outside.

Fort Lovrijenac from the Old Town walls
Fort Lovrijenac from the Old Town walls

After walking the walls, which takes a couple of hours, spend time wandering the Old Town, explore the little side streets and find cute coffee spots, or tiny restaurants

We had booked our evening meal in advance and had a Lamb Peka in a restaurant overlooking the Old town and sea. Peka is a traditional way of cooking in Croatia, meat and veg are in a pot similar to a tajine shape, and coals are heaped under and over the pot for an event heat and cooked for several hours

Take the cable car up the mountain, have lunch and walk back down or book for an evening meal to watch the sunset

Take a day trip to Lapad or visit Mostar

Mijet island 2 days

The ferry from Dubrovnik to Mijet is around 2 hours and was on a flat calm sea with views of islands and mainland the whole way there 

We stayed in Polace, with it’s Roman ruins and little harbour. 

On day 2 we walked to the National Park which was quite easy. You can also bike along several different routes varying from a couple of Kms to about a 15km trail.

The park is pretty and has a small island in the middle of a lake which you can access by an electric boat that shuttles around the lake.

On the island is a lovely little monastery and you can walk round the whole island in about 20 mins. There are some areas where you can get into crystal clear water for a swim .

Mijet Island church ground
Mijet Island church ground

The boat then goes round to the smaller lake where you can get out and explore more of the park or just chill in the water.

Last stop is back at the start and the walk or bike back to base

Day 3 we should have moved onto the next island but due to Storm Boris we were marooned for another night. The decision was made to get accommodation in Sobra as that was where the ferry was supposed to leave from.

Unfortunately, the ferry from Sobra was cancelled for a second day.

TRAVEL LESSON.

When stranded, check all ports to see if other ferries are running.  If we had checked we could have travelled on our original day from a different port, Pomena, about 10 minutes drive from our original accommodation in Polace. Doh

Korcula 3 to 4 days

Korcula island is another pretty island, we stayed in Racisce which is about 30 mins from the main town. Rasisce has 3 restaurants, one for each night. 

Day 2 on Korcula we went into the main town by bus. Korcula old town is very similar to Dubrovnik but smaller and the little side streets are a tad wider. I really enjoyed this old town as it was less busy than Dubrovnik so more time to just wander and enjoy. 

A side Street in Koorcula town
A side Street in Koorcula town

We then decided to have a chill out day on Vaja beach, this was a bit of a trek to get down the hillside to the pretty pebble beach but it was worth it. The water was so clean. (Recurring theme in Croatia)

Vaja Beach, Korcula

Hvar, 3 or 4 days

TRAVEL LESSON 2.

Always check onwards travel. 

We arrived on Hvar and made our way to the bus station having been told we would only need to wait 20 mins.

Once we got there we realised the bus times had changed to the winter schedule, so instead of a 20 mins wait, we had a 2 hour wait 

When we got to Stari Grad we had a wander down into the town for a few beers and food. It’s a pretty oval harbour with a nice old town

Harbour view
Harbour view

We spent the next day hiding from another storm.

Then the day after we went exploring for beaches – these are mainly pebbly or just concrete slabs that people lie out on

Finally we had a day in Hvar, exploring the fortress above the town, the sea front and a monastery.

View of the Pakleni islands from the Fortress in Hvar Town
View of the Pakleni islands from the Fortress in Hvar Town

Brac, 2 days

Brac is known for the Golden Horn beach, locally called Zlatni Rat.

This beach shifts shape with the tides and wind but is mostly a “horn” sticking out. This was about a 3km walk from the main town of Bol, you could take one of those little trains to get there as well.

Zlatni Rat, or the Golden Horn, Brac
Zlatni Rat, or the Golden Horn, Brac

Split, 4 or 5 days

Split is a nice city with a small old town area and a nice promenade to walk or sit and watch the yatches go by.

Spend a day exploring Diocletian’s palace.

Diocletian's Palace in Split
Diocletian’s Palace in Split

Take a trip to either Krka (closest) or Plitvice national parks to see waterfalls and natural beauty. 

Another easy trip from Split is Trogir, a UNESCO site.

We spent a day or 2 on the beach as well before heading back to Dubrovnik to fly home

Summary

Would I change the route? No

But I would check out bus times better as taxis on the smaller island are expensive. No Uber, unlike the mainland

Also if caught out by a ferry cancellation, check all port options as one of the other ferry lines may still be running

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