Category: Croatia

Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park

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Looking for things to do on your upcoming trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia? Look no further! Here’s a Dubrovnik Croatia Guide: the best things to do, see, and eat + where to stay!

Dubrovnik, Croatia Travel Guide

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Top Things To Do in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Explore the Magic of Old Town Dubrovnik

At the heart of the city and along the portside of Dubrovnik lies the historic Old Town. You’ll find loads of bars, seafood spots, and local Croatian restaurants around this area. Old Town has so much to do, but here are some of my favorite things you can find in this charming neighborhood:

Stradun of Dubrovnik: this 300-meter long pedestrian street is the main street of all of Dubrovnik and is filled with shops and eateries.

Dubrovnik Cathedral Treasury: when visiting the 12th century Dubrovnik Cathedral, don’t miss their “treasury”—a protected showcase of saintly objects including what’s said to be part of Jesus’ cross.

City Gates: there are four impressive gates built into the City Walls, one facing each cardinal direction.

Loggia Square: Old Town is the heart of Dubrovnik and Loggia Square is the heart of Old Town—so don’t miss grabbing a coffee here to do some people-watching.

Large Onofrio’s Fountain: One of the most impressive fountains you’ll ever see! The Onofrio Fountain is massive and was built in the 1400s.

Jesuit’s Staircase: These are like the Croatian version of the Spanish steps in Rome, a beautiful display of Baroque architecture that you can walk on.

Walk the Dubrovnik's City Walls

No Dubrovnik Croatia Guide would be complete without the City Walls! First constructed in the 13th century and completed in the 1600s, the Dubrovnik City Walls consist of a myriad of towers, fortresses, turrets, moats, and more.

You can either buy an entrance ticket when you arrive or enjoy a free trip to the walls with a Dubrovnik card.

Explore Fort Lovrijenac

First constructed all the way back in the 11th century, Fort Lovrijenac sits atop a 37-meter tall cliff overlooking the sea. The fortress was built into the rock face and has stunning views of the Adriatic Sea, creating one of the best photo opps in all of Dubrovnik.

And if you’ve got that handy Dubrovnik card, Fort Lovrijenac is considered part of the City Walls so you can enter for free!

Take a Stroll Through the Franciscan Monastery

This peaceful monastery is the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle you’ll find in the city of Dubrovnik.

When you’re in need of a little space and quiet, go for a stroll through the Franciscan Monastery and it’s lush gardens.

Not only is it one of the oldest churches in Dubrovnik, but it’s also home to an impressive library and pharmacy. The pharmacy is the third-oldest in the world and houses a museum of medicine, as well.

Enjoy Fun in the Sun at Dubrovnik Beaches

You’re right along the sea, which means you’re not too far from some pretty great beaches when you’re in Dubrovnik! Here are my top recommendations to enjoy some fun in the sun and surf:

Banje Beach is just along the city walls of Dubrovnik and has umbrellas and chairs for rent. (pictured below)
Sveti Jakov Beach is a nice secluded cove beach, complete with a bar and cafe.
Bellevue Beach offers a small pebble beach backed by rocky bluffs.

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Take a Game of Thrones Tour

In the last few years, Game of Thrones tours have exploded across Dubrovnik. Whether you’re team Stark, Lannister, or Targaryen, you won’t believe all the behind-the-scenes info you’ll get on the filming locations from the TV show.

You’ll actually wind up visiting many of the places already on this list, including the Jesuit Stairs and the City Walls!

Here are some of the highest-rated GOT tours:

Ride the Dubrovnik Cable Car

Dubrovnik has a cable car that’ll soar you up above the city streets for an incredible view of the red rooftops and ancient fortresses dotted around Old Town. The cable car ride costs $23 USD and will take you to the top of Srd Hill, known as one of the best places for sweeping views of Dubrovnik below. It is a MUST-DO!

If you want to have dinner at The Panorama Restaurant & Bar, I definitely recommend making a reservation in advance!

Head to a Dubrovnik Museum (or Two)

Whether you’re an art lover or a family of five in need of a little entertainment, Dubrovnik has a museum or two that’ll serve you perfectly. Here are the most popular museums in the city of Dubrovnik:

Go for a Sunset Cruise

Because Dubrovnik is located along the Adriatic Sea, sunset cruises are a great way to soak in the beauty of the city and admire all its historical landmarks from a new perspective.

There are loads of sunset cruise tours available in Dubrovnik, and you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for you: choose from romantic champagne dinner cruises to family fun boat trips!

Best Rated Sunset Cruises:

Explore Nearby Islands

You probably don’t think of island-hopping when you think of Croatia, but Dubrovnik is actually a great hub to do just that! There are so many islands near Dubrovnik, and you really can’t go wrong going to any of them. That being said, here are a few of the most popular:

- Elaphiti Islands: the whole archipelago is fabulous, but the best is Lopud Island for its shallow sandy beach. Boat tickets cost 3 euros.

- Lokrum Island: home to Croatia’s very own mini Dead Sea! Lokrum’s “Dead Sea” is actually a small salt lake, but it feels just like floating in the real thing. Boat tickets cost 10 euros.
- Mljet Island: this island is great for an overnight trip—with its own national park and an island called St. Mary within the island of Mljet, this large island near Dubrovnik has so much for you to explore. Boat tickets cost 4 euros.

Wander Through the Trsteno Arboretum

As the oldest arboretum in the western hemisphere, Trsteno is the sort of outdoor wonderland you can get lost in for hours. Just a 15 minute drive from Dubrovnik, this is a great spot to bring a picnic and soak in the wide variety of flora and fauna originally brought back to Croatia by ship captains in the 15th century.

And definitely be sure to check out the Fountain of Neptune (pictured above), it’s beautiful!

Get Out On the Water

Why just lounge on the beach when you can get in on the action in the Adriatic Sea?! If you’re anything like me, after your sunset cruise you’ll be itching to get more up close and personal with the sparkling blue waters that surround Dubrovnik.

You can take jet ski safari tours, where you race around the islands near Dubrovnik on jet skis with your crew. If you’re looking for something more relaxing, try renting sea kayaks instead.

Highest-Rated Tours:

Enjoy the Views From Park Orsula

When it comes to sweeping vistas, I don’t know which takes the first prize: Srd Hill from the cable car ride or the stunning view from Park Orsula. This park overlooks all of Old Town, out across the City Walls, and as far as Lokrum Island on clear days.

Orsula also houses an outdoor amphitheater, so be sure to check if there are any live shows while you’re there!

Have a Drink On a Cliff Terrace

I love that Dubrovnik takes advantage of it’s unique cliffside position to offer visitors as many incredible views as possible. And what better way to enjoy the view of the Adriatic Sea alongside the city than at a terrace bar on the cliffs? Local favorites include Bard Bar and Buža II.

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Dubrovnik Croatia Guide: Best Places to Eat + Drink

Highest Rated Restaurants:

Here is a list of some of the highest-rated + best restaurants in Dubrovnik, Croatia:

Best Bars + Pubs:

Here is a list of the highest-rated bars, pubs, and clubs in Dubrovnik, Croatia:

- Bard Bar and Buža II (cliff bars)
- D’VINO Wine Bar
- Beach Bar Dodo
- Soul Caffe & Rakhija Bar
- The Gaffe
- Poco Loco Fusion & Cocktail Bar
- Cele Dubrovnik Gourmet & Lounge
- Banje Beach Night Club
- Cave Bar More
- Love Bar
- Promenada Bar
- Culture Club Revelin (Night club)

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Where to Stay in Dubrovnik

Amazing Airbnb with View

This is the exact rental property we stayed in, it was amazing and the view was INSANE! Highly recommend:

I will say it was a little further away from Old Town, but the views were gorgeous! For more info on this property or to book, click here.

Best Durbovnik Airbnbs/Rentals:

There are so many awesome rentals in Dubrovnik with amazing views — check out a curated list here.

I hope this Dubrovnik Croatia Guide was helpful! Dubrovnik is such a magical city, you’re sure to have an incredible trip no matter what you get up to! Have a question? Feel free to send me a DM on Instagram!

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xx Chels

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Dubrovnik, Croatia Guide: Best Things to Do, See, and Eat

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Split, Croatia is a beautiful city and should absolutely be on your destination when traveling to Croatia! Here are the top 11 things to do in Split, Croatia – these attractions are not to be missed!

Best Things To Do in Split, Croatia

Stroll along The Riva

The Riva in Split is a large promenade located right on the seafront. Its lined with palm trees and has tons of cafes and restaurants you can eat at for great views of the sea.

Explore Split's Old Town

Old Town Split is full of rich history! Meander through the streets yourself, or join a small walking tour of Old Town!

Learn the history of Diocletian’s Palace

Diocletian’s Palace is one of the best preserved Roman remains in the world! It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that tons of tourists visit daily. It was originally a palace built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian as a retirement home.

One of the most famous attractions in Diocletian’s Palace is the Perystile, a beautiful courtyard (below). For those wanting more info on the history of this place, I suggest booking a small group history tour — they’re usually under $30 per person!

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Climb the Cathedral of Saint Domnius Bell Tower

Located in Diocletian’s Palace, the Bell Tower of Cathedral of Saint Domnius can’t be missed! Apparently, it is regarded as the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world that remains in use in its original structure.

You can climb to the top of the bell tower, and the view of the city of Split is incredible:

Visit Republic Square

Republic Square is located in the center of Split, just off the Riva. It’s hosts many cultural events and has several cafes as well. It’s pretty to see, but you don’t need to plan to spend a lot of time here necessarily.

Visit Marjan Hill Park for the best views of Split

If you’re looking for one of the best views of Split, visit Marjan Hill Park. It has an amazing lookout/observation (Prva Marjanska Vidilica) point that overlooks the entire city!

Check out the beaches in Split

Unlike Dubrovnik, Split doesn’t necessarily have the best beaches. There are several that are worth visiting though!

Bacvice beach is definitely one of the most popular and the closest to Old Town. It can hold up to 10,000 people and is always busy during peak tourist season.

Another popular beach near Split is Kasjuni Beach (Beach Kašjuni). This pebble beach is about 3.5 km outside of the city and much quieter than Bacvice.

Kaštelet, Bene, Ovčice, Trstenik and Žnjan Beaches are also mentioned as some of the best beaches to visit in Split.

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Day trip from Split to the nearby Islands

There are many islands just off the coast of split, the most popular being: Hvar, Brač, Korčula, Šolta, and Vis. You can take a ferry out to the islands and stay for a night or two, or make a day trip out of it!

There are many tours that offer day trips to see the islands + the Blue Lagoon and Blue Cave:

Drive out to the Fortress of Klis

How incredible does this Fortress of Klis look?! It’s only 20 minutes north of Split, and definitely worth the drive. Tickets are 60 kn (about $9 USD) for adults, and half that for children. Tickets include a visit to the Interpretation Centre at Mejdan Square, the Klis Fortress, and the Ethno-Agro park Stella Croatica.

For any of you Game of Throne fans, this might look familiar — it was the location in season four where Daenerys overthrew the Meereen! Speaking of Game of Throne fans…

Go on a Game of Thrones Tour in Split

Game of Thrones filmed at many locations in Croatia, including some in Split! Book a GOT tour to see all the spots where the famous TV show was filmed.

Explore Krka National Park

An hour away from Split, Krka National Park sits on the Krka River and is most known for its 7 waterfalls. Unlike Plitvice Lakes National Park, you can swim here! Either drive your own vehicle or book a tour and spend the day exploring this beautiful natural wonder.

Hit up a nightclub in Split

Last but not least, you’ve got to check out Split’s bars and nightclubs! They are often packed on the weekends, especially during peak tourist season.There are lots of great places around Old Town/the City Centre to check out:

Central Club (photo below from their Facebook page )
Academia Club Ghetto
inBOX

Vanilla Club is a hugely popular nightclub that’s about a 20 min walk or 5 min taxi from Old Town.

If you wander a little outside of old town to Bacvice Beach, you’ll find tons of clubs. Some of the most popular include:

Have any other questions on things to do in Split, Croatia? Feel free to comment below or sending me a DM on Instagram, I am happy to help! I also saved highlights from our Croatia Road Trip on my “Croatia Story” on Instagram.

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xx Chels

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Looking for the best Croatia hashtags for travel photos on Instagram? I always spend a lot of time researching hashtags before I go on any trip, and I figured I might as well help out others and share my list. I have also included accounts to tag that will repost your Croatia Instagram photos!

Here is a list of hashtags I’ve used on all my Instagram posts from my 1-week Croatia Road Trip:

Croatia Hashtags for Instagram + Accounts to Tag

#Croatia #Crostagram #Unlimitedcroatia #CroatiaFullofLife #CroatiaLove #BeautifulCroatia #CroatiaPostcards #VisitCroatia #CroatiaTrip #TravelCroatia

#croatie #CroatiaOnMyMind #CroatiaFullOfNature #TimeoutCroatia #IgCroatia #Instacroatia #CroatiaTravel #croatiancoast #WonderlustCroatia #CroatiaVacations

#dalmatia #Croatia_Photography #LoveCroatia #DiscoverCroatia #igerscroatia #Croatia_Instagram #CroatiaFullOfMagic

@croatia_instagram @croatiaweek @unlimitedcroatia @croatiafulloflife @timeoutcroatia @wonderlust.croatia @croatia_vacations

Plitvice Lakes Hashtags + Accounts to Tag

#plitvicelakes #plitvickajezera #plitvicelakenationalpark #plitvicenationalpark #plitvicelakesnationalpark #plitvicefullexperience #plitvice #VisitPlitviceLakes #PlitviceLakesCroatia

Zadar, Croatia Hashtags + Instagram Accounts to Tag

#VisitZadar #Zadar_Region #LikeZadar #ZadarCroatia #FeelZadar #ZadarTravel #LikeZadar #FeelZadar #Zadarskariva #Zadar

@Zadar_Region @likezadar

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Split / Hvar Hashtags + IG Accounts

#VisitSplit #VisitSplitCroatia #Split #SplitforLife #SplitCroatia #hrvatskasplit #BestofBrac #VisitHvar #HvarIsland #HvarCroatia #VisitBrac

@visitsplit @gradsplit @hrvatskasplit @VisitHvar @BestofBrac

Dubrovnik, Croatia Hashtags + Instagram Accounts to Tag

#dubrovnikoldtown #dubrovnik #visitdubrovnik #dubrovnikcroatia #dubrovnikonmymind #dubrovnikcitywalls #experiencedubrovnik #lovedubrovnik #dubrovnikriviera

@experiencedubrovnik @dubrovnikriviera

I hope these Croatia hashtags and Instagram repost accounts were helpful! If you use these in your Croatia photos, I would love to see them, tag me @onechelofanadventure on Insta!

Looking for more Instagram/hashtag ideas? Check out some of these other posts:

xx Chels

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Planning a 7 day Croatia road trip? It can be hard to decide where to go in Croatia for a week — there are so many beautiful destinations! While we were there for 7 days, we really only had 5 full days to explore, but we made the most of it! Here is an overview of our week-long Croatia road trip itinerary:

Day 1:
- Fly into Zadar, Croatia
Day 2:
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Dinner in Zadar
Day 3:
- Drive to Split, Croatia
- Lunch in Sibenik
- Dinner and Drinks in Split
Day 4:
- Boating day tour
- Dinner and Drinks in Split
Day 5:
- Split to Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Lunch in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Dinner and Drinks in Dubrovnik
Day 6:
- Exploring Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Dubrovnik Cable Car + Dinner
- Drinks in Old Town Dubrovnik
Day 7: Fly out of Dubrovnik, Croatia

Read on to see more details of what we did, where we ate, and where we stayed on our Croatian road trip! Also check out my Croatia Packing List for Women post!

Map created with Wanderlog, the best trip planner app

This site contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.

Croatia Road Trip Day 1: Zadar, Croatia

We decided to fly into Zadar and start our 7 day Croatia road trip there! Honestly, we didn’t spend that much time exploring Zadar. Our flight got in pretty late at night and really only stayed here with the plans of taking a road trip out to Plitvice Lakes National Park.

We did walk along the port and checked out a couple of bars and restaurants in Old Town Zadar. One particularly cool one was The Garden Lounge. It has a great vibe and outdoor patio.

Here is a link to the rental we stayed in, it was clean and simple. There are tons of great other options available, check them out here.

Day 2: Plitvice Lakes National Park

On day 2 of our Croatian road trip, we took a day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park and it was incredible! Only an hour and a half away from Zadar, this place is definitely worth the drive.

Check out this post to read everything you need to know about visiting Plitvice Lakes!

Day 3: Zadar to Split, Croatia

On the third day of our 7 day Croatia road trip, we left bright and early and started the drive from Zadar to Split! Normally it’s under 2 hours to get there, but we took a couple of detours along the route.

There are a lot of small villages and towns along the way, so we decided to stop in and explore one for lunch. We decided on Sibenik, Croatia, a small village located right on the water.

If you’re curious on where to eat in Sibenik, we had lunch at Pizzeria Argola right along the seawall and got the seafood platter to share. It was delicious and plenty of food for two people!

After Sibenik, we continued on to Split and arrived about an hour later. We checked into our Airbnb (our’s is no longer available but this one is amazing) and then headed to Split’s Old Town.

Related Post: 12 Things To Do in Split, Croatia

Day 3 - Evening: Split, Croatia

For dinner, Fife came highly recommended to us. Unfortunately, it was very busy and we weren’t keen on waiting. We ended up in a nearby restaurant, Dujkin Dvor, and it was pretty good as well!

These are some of the other top rated restaurants in Split, Croatia:

After dinner, we strolled around and stumbled upon a really cool cocktail bar in the middle of Old Town Split: NOOR Fine Spirits & Cocktails. They make a great old fashioned is you’re in the mood for that!

We opted not to go out clubbing, but if you’re looking to do so, these are the most recommended places in Split to go out:

Academia
Club Ghetto
Bačvice beach club

See my Instagram story highlight from Split here.

Related Post: 12 Things To Do in Split, Croatia

Croatia Road Trip Day 4: Split, Croatia

Even though we only had one full day in Split, we decide to take a sailing tour that included visiting Shipwreck Kontesa, Maslinica, Solta Island, and the blue lagoon! This is the exact tour we booked on Viator.

We had a great time snorkeling over a sunken ship at Shipwreck Kontesa. There wasn’t many fish but the water was super blue and crystal clear — check out this Instagram Reel!

After snorkeling, we had lunch on board before setting sail to our next destination. Lunch was not my favorite, I would recommend bringing something to snack on… The beer was good though!

The next stop on our full day sailing tour from Split was Maslinica on the Island of Solta. We had about an hour here to explore the little port city.

Following our stop at Maslinica, we continued on and sailed to our final destination of the tour: The Blue Lagoon. It was cool, but the water was a lot deeper so you didn’t see all that much while snorkeling.

There are a lot of tours offering trips specifically to the Blue Lagoon, and I would say it’s not really worth it to only do that. Definitely pick a tour that takes you to other places as well.

Super important note on the Blue Lagoon: BEWARE OF SEA URCHINS! Shockingly, our tour did not warn us about the urchins close to the shore of the Blue Lagoon. Luckily I didn’t step on any, but unfortunately, Alex did. We spent hours that night trying to get the spines out of his toe. Just be careful and watch where you put your feet

After the Blue Lagoon, we sailed back to Split. That evening, due to the sea urchin incident, we had a pretty late dinner (it was just okay, the place isn’t worth mentioning) in Old Town and went out to another bar for drinks after.

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Croatia Road Trip Day 5: Split to Dubrovnik, Croatia

On day 5 of our Croatian road trip, we packed up the car and started the drive from Split to Dubrovnik! Depending on the route and stops you want to make, it normally takes about 3 hours.

It’s an incredibly beautiful drive through the Croatian countryside. Something we didn’t realize at first is that you actually have to go through Bosnia and Herzegovina to get to Dubrovnik from Split!

The border crossing was fairly easy: we showed out passports, got a stamp, and drove on through! We ended up stopping in Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina for lunch on our way to Dubrovnik.

Day 5 - Lunch in Bosnia and Herzegovina

After lunch, we drove on through the Neum II border crossing. Once you cross through Bosnia and Herzegovina back into Croatia, it’s about an hour drive to Dubrovnik.

Upon arriving in Dubrovnik, we checked into our rental home… it had the most amazing panoramic sea view, and the best view of Old Town Dubrovnik! It was a splurge, but SO worth it.

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Day 5 - Dinner and Drinks in Dubrovnik

We headed into old town for drinks and dinner.

Something to be aware of when visiting Dubrovnik: there are SO MANY STAIRS. It was a serious workout in some spots. Both Alex and I are in fairly good shape and were completely winded after some of the sets of stairs.

You may recognize Old Town Dubrovnik from Game of Thrones, a lot of the filming was done here! They even offer Game of Thrones tours for die-hard fans.

I highly recommend checking out the “secret” cliff terrace bars on the edge of Old Town Dubrovnik. There are two of them: Bard Bar and Buza Bar II.

We went to Buza Bar, and even on a weekday night it was PACKED. Luckily we ended up not having to wait too long though.

We had dinner at a pizza restaurant, it was late and everywhere was packed so we kinda just picked a random place that had a spot open. It was just OK and I can’t even remember the name so not going to bother sharing/recommending it.

These are some of the most recommended restaurants though and are worth saving when planning your trip to Dubrovnik:

Nautika
Lokanda Peskerija
Kamenice
Stara Loza Rooftop Restaurant
Restaurant Komarda

For other recommendations on the best restaurants in Dubrovnik, check out this post.

See my Instagram story highlight from Dubrovnik here.

Croatia Road Trip Day 6: Dubrovnik, Croatia

On our last full day of our Croatian road trip, we decided to take it easy (I had been on my Euro Trip for 16 days at this point). We slept in a little and then walked into Old Town Dubrovnik for breakfast at Gradska Kavana Arsenal. The patio had a great view of the ocean and port, and we even got to watch a pirate ship come in 😉

After we decided to take it easy and relax all day on the beach. We were tipped off by a local that we could sneak into the Grand Villa Argentina Hotel and hang at their beach! It was a great little beach, not too crowded — perfect for relaxing in the sun with a few drinks in hand.

Looking for the best beaches in Dubrovnik? These are the most recommended:

Banje Beach (most famous, pictured below)
Sveti Jakov Beach
Uvala Lapad Beach
Copacabana Beach
Bellevue Beach
Suluci Beach

After the beach we headed to our Airbnb, showered off, and then headed up the Dubrovnik Cable Car for dinner at sunset. It’s about $25 USD round trip for an adult, and while you can buy tickets online, the most convenient way to buy them is just at the cable car stations.

The view at the top is stunning!

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If you want to have dinner at the restaurant at the top of the hill, Panorama Restaurant and Bar, it is HIGHLY recommended you make a reservation. We did not know this/think to look it up at the time, and were put on a wait list. Lucky for us, someone no showed and we were able to get a table.

The food was pretty good, a little pricey, but the views/experience made up for it!

Opposite the restaurant, there is a little viewing area. You can also walk down a path to get another view of the city. We were able to catch the sun just as it was setting.

After we had drinks at another hole in the wall bar! These are some of Dubrovnik’s best bars:

Buzz Bar
Sunset Lounge at Hotel Dubrovnik
D’Vino Wine Bar
The Gaffe
La Bodega Dubrovnik

If clubbing is more your scene, these are the highest rated, best clubs in Dubrovnik:

Croatia Road Trip Day 7: Dubrovnik, Croatia

Unfortunately, on day 7, we had to leave pretty early to catch a flight. But had we been able to stay and enjoy the full day, these are some of the other great things to do in Dubrovnik:

Walk Old Town Walls
Game of Thrones Tour
Sea Kayaking Tours or Jet Ski rentals
Lokrum Island
Explore the Elaphati islands
Trsteno Arboretum
Park Orsula
Lovrijenac Fort
St. John Fortress
Franciscan Monastery

See my full guide to Dubrovnik here.

Need a car? Search for a care rental from Zadar airport to Dubrovnik here:

Hope this post is helpful in planning your 7 Day Croatia Road Trip! See all of my Croatia blog posts here. Have any questions? Feel free to leave a comment or DM on Instagram!

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xx Chels

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Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park

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Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park? This post answers all your questions and tells you everything you need to know to plan your visit to see the amazing Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, including:

when and where to buy tickets
the best time to visit
what to except
what you can and can’t bring
how to get there
and more!

Read on to learn everything you need to know about visiting Plitvice Lakes!

What to Know Before Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park: All Your Questions Answered

This site contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.

Is Plitvice Lakes worth visiting?

First things first, Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia really is as beautiful as the photos make it seem and it is definitely worth visiting. Much like the rest of the country, the scenery and landscape is stunning.

I have never seen anything like it before. Even though we didn’t have the best experience (more on that later), I would still highly recommend visiting this incredible National Park.

I’d argue that Plitvice Lakes National park is one of the most beautiful places in all of Croatia.

How much does it cost to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Below is the price list (prices in HRK, convert to dollars here) for how much tickets to Plitvice Lakes National Park cost during certain times of the year:

For more info, visit their website here.

When should you buy tickets to Plitvice Lakes National Park?

You should DEFINITELY buy your tickets online ahead of time. In the summer, during the peak season, if you don’t buy your tickets beforehand, they may sell out and you won’t be able to get in!

Be aware of your entrance time, they are strict about that. We watched several people get turned away because they were too early for their designated time slot. Purchase tickets ahead of time here.

What time should you get to Plitvice Lakes National Park?

The earlier in the day, the better — especially during peak season. Book an early entrance time to Plitvice Lakes to avoid the crowds (and heat in the summer). It means waking up earlier, yes, especially if you’re doing a day trip and driving from Zadar like we did, but it’s worth it.

What time of year should you visit Plitvice Lakes?

In my opinion, visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park during the shoulder seasons is best: spring, early summer, or late summer/early autumn. During the middle of summer, while beautiful, it can be very crowded (more on this later).

While the weather is cooler, the colors in autumn are said to be beautiful. The photos of Plitvice Lakes in autumn below prove that:

Is winter a good time to visit Plitvice Lakes? While it gets very cold, the lakes do look beautiful in the snow! If you can bear the cold weather, then it might be worth it.

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Is Plitvice Lakes National Park crowded in the summer?

Very. Unfortunately, no matter what time you go during the peak summer months, Plitvice is going to be packed. Like miserably packed. Like freaking Disney World miserably packed.

Thousands and thousands of people were crammed on this narrow boardwalk trying to get THE photo. This video shows it below (or you can see it in my IG story highlight):

https://onechelofanadventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IMG_4546.mov

It was unfortunate and really kind of ruined the experience for us. We don’t regret going and look back fondly on it now, but at the time it sucked. I think if I had been more prepared and expected the crowds it would have been a little different.

Should you start at Entrance 1 or 2 at Plitvice Lakes National Park?

I recommend parking and starting your day from Entrance 1. We got there around 9 AM, and it was already tough to find a parking spot. Walking to the entrance from where we parked was a hike in itself. But, when we got to the entrance, the line wasn’t too bad. Unlike Entrance 2….

That was the line to get on the trolly from Entrance 2. I’ll take a longer walk over waiting in a line like that.

How long do you need to spend at Plitvice Lakes National Park?

The amount of time depends on the trail/route you choose and how much want to see. I think realistically, 5 hours is a good amount of time to see most of the park, which is how long we were there.

You could see the highlights in less time and if you really powered through. On the other hand, you could spend even more time if you chose the longer routes.

Which Plitvice Lakes trail/route is best?

Honestly, I found the Plitvice Lakes Park maps/routes kind of hard to figure out. On the website, they have several “programs” you can do, but it still a little confusing on which is the best choice.

I think we did a pretty good job of seeing the park and would recommend our route. Here is what we did:

started at Entrance 1 of the park
walked out to the main overlook and took a left toward St1 (there were less people that way)
walked to St1 and got on the train/shuttle
got off the shuttle at St3
had a snack/bathroom break
took a right and hiked back down toward P2
got on the ferry at P2 and took it across the lake to P3
walked from P3 (another good place for bathroom/snack break) to the big waterfall
finally we hiked from the big waterfall back to Entrance 1

It was a good route, not too difficult if you’re in decent shape!

Is Plitvice National Park stroller and wheelchair friendly?

We saw a couple strollers and wheelchairs attempting to navigate through the park. While it is doable, it will be very difficult. The walkways are very narrow and uneven. Just something to keep in mind!

Can you swim at Plitvice National Park?

While the water is incredibly clear and blue, unfortunately, you cannot swim in Plitvice Lakes.

You are prohibited to swim in hopes to preserve the National Park and keep it beautiful for visitors.

You can swim in lakes at Krka National Park though, another famous park with waterfalls in Croatia. We didn’t have time to visit during our trip, but I’ve heard good things!

What to bring to Plitvice Lakes National Park?

When planning a trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park, I would suggest packing these items along:

Water bottle
Snacks
Camera (this is what I use)
Hat
Bug Spray
Sunscreen
Fan (in the summer months)

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Are drones allowed at Plitvice Lakes?

While you’ll see many photos like the one below, it was not taken with a drone! In fact, drones are prohibited in Plitvice Lakes National Park, and Croatia as a whole.

Luckily, there are tons of places around Plitvice to take stunning aerial photos without a drone!

PS – if you’re looking at getting a drone, I have the DJI Spark and love it!

Where should you stay in Croatia to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park?

When visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park, you can either stay nearby the National Park or day trip in from a bigger nearby city like Zadar, Zagreb, or Split.

If you’d rather stay in a bigger city, it is very doable to day trip to Plitvice Lakes Park from Zagreb, Zadar, or even Split. Many tour companies offer tours:

We personally stayed in Zadar and did a day trip on our own since we had already rented a car.

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How do you get to Plitvice Lakes National Park?

From Zadar, Croatia to Plitvice Lakes, it was a fairly easy drive and only took us about an hour and a half. There are several tolls along the way. We panicked at the first one thinking they were cash only (of which we had none), but luckily, they do take cards as well.

From Zagreb, Croatia it is about a 2-hour drive. Google directions are linked here or see map below:

Driving to Plitvice National Park from Split, Croatia is a little further of a journey. It’s about a 2.5 hour drive, but still doable as a day trip. Google directions linked here or see map below:

For more details on how to get to Plitvice lakes National Park visit their website.

I hope this article was helpful in planning your trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park! Have more questions? Feel free to leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram!

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xx Chels

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