One-week itinerary in Croatia (Split)

Hi there,

I’m in the middle of planning our trip to Croatia. We’re arriving in early September for a week in Split and leaving from Split as well. We’re a couple with a 20-month-old little girl. We’re renting a car directly at the airport, which I still need to book (I have a GOLD debit card). I hope that won’t be an issue because, logically, with this card, I shouldn’t need to take out extra insurance from the rental company. If you have any recommendations on that, I’d love to hear them.

As for the itinerary I’m planning, I’ve already ruled out Plitvice and Zadar because we don’t want to spend too much time on the road—this is a vacation, after all—and some travelers told me Zadar can be seen quickly and isn’t worth the long drive. For the nights, someone already suggested we spend the last two in Trogir to consolidate.

I particularly love beautiful towns, historic centers, ports, taking photos, shopping, beaches, and seeing stunning places. We’re not big on museums, and hiking with a little one makes long or steep hikes tricky, especially with the heat we might encounter.

Here’s the initial plan I’ve come up with:

Day 1:

Activities: Arrive in Split in the morning, pick up the car, explore the historic center, Marjan Hill... Klis Fortress, and see what else we can add before evening. Night: Initially planned near Plitvice (2 min away).

Day 2:

Activities: Day at Plitvice—check out Entrance 1 or 2 with the baby. Night: Lozovac (2 min from Krka, 16 min from Šibenik, and 1 hour from Zadar).

Day 3: Activities: Zadar and Šibenik. Night: Lozovac (2 min from Krka, 16 min from Šibenik, and 1 hour from Zadar).

Day 4: Activities: Krka National Park (someone recommended going after 4 PM and seeing the "circular" waterfalls) + Primošten. Night: Lozovac (2 min from Krka, 16 min from Šibenik, and 1 hour from Zadar).

Day 5: Activities: Hvar (exploring the island). Night: Jelsa.

Day 6: Activities: Omiš + Starigrad Fortress. Night: Omiš.

Day 7: Activities: Trogir city center, Čiovo Island. Night: Trogir.

I haven’t updated the plan yet because I’m still looking for the best way to optimize it. Someone suggested Makarska and Brač as alternatives to Plitvice.

Given that I’m already planning to visit Hvar with an overnight stay, is it worth adding Brač? If so, maybe taking the ferry without the car—would we still be able to enjoy the day without being too limited? Did I forget anything essential? Thanks in advance—I know answering all these questions can be repetitive, but it’ll save me so much time and help optimize our vacation. I also like to take my time and enjoy being there rather than stressing over preparations, which is why I’m planning just enough. What’s most important to me is optimizing the route and staying in places that let us explore easily. I think we’ll come back another time to enjoy Dubrovnik, which we didn’t include in this itinerary because it’s over two hours away with a border crossing.

What I really want to see: Trogir, Split, Krka, Hvar…

There’s no longer a border to reach Dubrovnik since the Pelješac Bridge opened, but you’re right: it’s too far for 1 week—there’s plenty to do around Split.

Is this your first big trip with your daughter? She won’t have the same patience as you (and obviously not the same interest). You’ll want to avoid overpacked days. For example, Day 1 of your initial itinerary won’t work at all—you’ll still need to be at the airport by, say, 5:30 AM...

The upside of Trogir is that it’s close to the airport, but it’s far from the best place to relax in the area.

You don’t have enough time for two islands: choose either Hvar or Brač. Hvar involves more driving and a longer ferry from Split, but you’ll see more, including the entire Makarska Riviera from Drvenik. I get that you want to "not miss anything," but to fully enjoy Dalmatia, you need to slow down and wander without a schedule :)

Here’s a fun itinerary I put together:

Day 1: Visit + lunch in Trogir, beach in Rogoznica. Stop in Primošten if you’d like. Night in Skradin (or Šibenik/Lozovac/etc.). (1 hour of driving total) Day 2: Krka. In September, you won’t have the same crowds as mid-summer. Personally, I’d prioritize an early morning visit, then return to your place for a nap or a stroll in a park, followed by Šibenik in the late afternoon. You could do the reverse, but if your daughter is cranky in the afternoon, you can always arrive later in Šibenik or skip it, whereas the park has more constraints. Accessing the park via Skradin (with the boat) isn’t essential, but it’s nice, and Skradin is a lovely village. Second night in the same place. Day 3: Drive to Omiš, visit, then drive + beach + evening/night in Brela. (1h45–2h of driving total) Days 4–5: Brač or Hvar via Makarska. Half a day on the coast, then ferry and 1.5 days on an island—plenty to do. Days 6–7: Ferry back to Split and spend 2 nights as close to the center as possible. The best time for the old town is early evening, when the cruise crowds have left.

Hi there,

Thank you so much for your reply and all your valuable tips!! We already traveled with her last year to Greece and the Canary Islands, and now that she’s older, she only takes one nap a day, which will make getting around easier :)

You’re right—arriving at 8 AM on the first day was too packed, so I adjusted it based on your suggestions.

Day 1: Visit + lunch in Trogir, beach in Rogoznica. Stop in Primošten if you’d like. Overnight in Skradin (or Šibenik/Lozovac/etc.). (1 hour total by car) Day 2: Krka in the morning + Šibenik Day 3: Drive to Omiš, visit, then drive + beach + evening/overnight in Brela. (1h45–2h total by car) Day 4: Hvar via Makarska. Half-day on the coast, then ferry and 1.5 days on an island Day 5: Hvar—decide whether to leave around noon or in the afternoon... or stay overnight? Day 6: Day 7: Full day in Split (market + beach + old town) and sleep in Trogir to be close to the airport? Day 8: Departure—be at the airport by 10:30 AM to return the car

The question I’m asking myself is: Is it worth going to Zadar? I read that two or three hours is enough, and maybe adding Nin + Pag by shifting, for example, the third day after Krka since we’ll be sleeping in Lozovac? I saw the recommendations for the Kornati Islands, but with a little one, a full day on a boat might not work since she won’t have much freedom of movement...

Thanks again a million times—I love planning the trip in advance so we can make the most of it once we’re there :)

Otherwise, what should we include for now?

Could anyone give me your thoughts? I’d like to cancel the nights I’d originally booked before redoing the route... Thanks so much! :)