Start the trip with a morning hike up Marjan Hill, which offers stunning views of the Split harbor and surrounding islands. The park has several trails to choose from and is filled with Mediterranean pine trees and historic churches. Afterward, make your way down to the beach at Kašjuni Bay for a relaxing swim and some beach time.
Experience the beauty of Croatia’s natural park system with a full day trip to Krka National Park. Start at the Skradinski Buk waterfall and explore the surrounding trails, stopping for a swim in the crystal-clear water if you’d like. Move on to Roski Slap, a series of smaller waterfalls that are less crowded and equally captivating.
Take a scenic drive along the Peljesac Peninsula, popular with oyster and wine enthusiasts. Stop for a fresh seafood lunch at a local village. Then, take a ferry to Korcula Island and meander around the car-free old town, peppered with medieval churches and towers. Enjoy a sunset dinner and some local wine.
Enjoy Mljet National Park’s stunning natural beauty away from the crowds. Rent a bike and cycle around the paths that encircle the two salt lakes or canoe around St. Mary Island, where you can visit an old Benedictine monastery. In the afternoon, visit Odysseus Cave on the southern side of the island.
End the trip with the awe-inspiring views from the top of Dubrovnik's City Walls. Walk along the walls to see the entire walled city and the Adriatic Sea. Later in the afternoon, take a boat to the nearby Lokrum Island, home to botanical gardens, ruins of an old Benedictine monastery, and peacocks roaming around. Take one last swim before heading back to the mainland.
A rental car is needed for day 2 and day 3. A one-way car rental from Split to Dubrovnik is approximately 500 HRK (75 USD) per day, and a one-way ferry from Korcula Island to Orebic is approximately 150 HRK (22 USD) per person. Stop by the end of the third day to save some time and to avoid any last-minute rushes.
If you have more time, head north to Istria or Plitvice Lakes National Park. If you have less time, remove day 3 or day 4 from the itinerary.
Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) is the nearest airport to Split and Dubrovnik, with an estimated 30-minute drive from Dubrovnik’s city center. Another airport near Split, Split Airport (SPU), is about a 30-minute drive from the city center.