Zagreb
Zagreb is relatively small, and you can reach most of the sights by foot. You can easily catch any tram and start an exciting day from the Ban Jelacic Square, right in the middle of the city.
Check out the beautiful white cathedral called the church of St. Mark and the Dolac Market. There, you can buy everything you need for a good picnic – however, make sure to get here early to get the best and freshest vegetables, as the market starts as early as 7.00 am. Another great experience to try out is the Zagreb city cable car. You can try it out for pretty cheap, and you’ll have a great view over the city. For art lovers, the art pavilion is the perfect place for you to admire many art exhibitions.
Stay in one of the local hostels for €13 a night and get a bed in a 10-person dorm.
Zadar
You can get to Zadar by bus for about €10. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to listen to a sea organ, powered by the waves. You’ll also find a modern work of art in honor of the sun right on the beach. The whole thing consists of solar collectors, which provide a great play of colors at night. There’s also a museum of antique glasses with a glassblowing show where you can even buy souvenirs. The cathedral of the city offers you a spectacular view, as it is richly decorated inside and built in Romanesque style. There are plenty of cozy pubs in the old town, and many young people there speak English. You can get your dose of evening entertainment by the Lounge Bar Ledana or the Backstage Bar, where you can get coffee during the day or beer at night, and all of that while chilling to some live music!
You can get a bed in a 4-person dorm for €18 a night in one of the local hostels.
Sibenik
You can reach Sibenik by bus for about €5. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the town cathedral, which is registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Built in the 15th century, it portrays the head of over 70 citizens living in the city at that time, carved out in
stone. The medieval monastery garden of St. Lovro holds over 100 spices and medicinal plants, as well as figs and pomegranates. There is also a small fountain in the middle.
Besides a great beach life, you’ll also get a wonderful view over Sibenik’s old town from Banj. Here, you can enjoy a game of volleyball and beach soccer. The white beach also has a small bar where you can get some refreshments. If you want pure water action, then be sure to visit the Aquapark, located about five kilometers from the city center. Float in the lazy river or stop under the big water barrel, which drops over 120 liters of water every few minutes. Visit the town museum and the fortress of Sibenik to have a perfect cultural end to your trip.
You can sleep in one of the local hostels in Sibenik and get a bed in an 8-person dorm for €14 a night.
Split
We continue our trip by heading to Split. You can get there by train for about €8. If you like cultural spots, you’ll adore Split. The beautiful Dalmatian city is also a great place to be for people who love sunbathing. You can get some ice cream and go shopping on the Riva promenade.
The Marjan mountain is located a bit west of Split, at 180 meters above sea level. From up there, you'll have a unique panoramic view of the region. Art lovers shouldn’t miss out on the Mestrovic Gallery, which is part of the Imperial Palace’s park. The statue of Gregor of Nin near the Golden Gate is also worth a detour. Another popular destination is the Klis fortress, about 10 km away. The beautiful old town is worth visiting, with its heart in the middle being the palace. You’ll find the Palace at the heart of the city’s old town. You’ll also come across a museum, a temple, and a cellar vault, among others.
Fuel up for your next day at one of the city’s hostels. You can get a bed in a dorm for €18.
Hvar
We continue by ferry to Hvar for about €5. The small island is also called the St. Tropez of Croatia. The city only has about 4,300 residents. From the city of Hvar, you can admire the Spanjol fortress. You’ll get a breathtaking view over the old town and maybe catch a glimpse of the neighboring Palinski Otoci islands.
You’ll find cafés and restaurants in the yacht harbor, while the center of the city provides nice views over St. Stephen’s Square and Cathedral. There are still some monks living in the Franciscan monastery of Krtznog Puta. There’s a museum on-site that you can also visit. Of course, you can also swim and sunbathe on one of the many beaches of Hvar. Crystal clear water and fine sand make the island the perfect place to relax by the beach.
We recommend staying at one of the local hostels, where you can get a bed in an 8-person dorm for €14 a night.
Dubrovnik
You can reach our final destination, Dubrovnik, by ferry for about €15. The old town has plenty of nice stops, like cafés, shops, and restaurants. The city was built on a slope, so you’ll have plenty of stairs to climb. At the old port, you can sit and watch the boats. Not too far away, the waves crash against rocks, so you might get wet pretty quickly if you’re not careful. The best way to explore the city is with a tour, as it is not too expensive, and you’ll get to see and learn a lot about the main sights.
For €20, you can also get a wonderful view over the old town and the harbor when walking alongside the city walls. You might recognize some buildings, as Game of Thrones was shot here. You can also explore Dubrovnik by sea by renting a kayak. Furthermore, you can also easily reach the Srd Mountain by cable car and dine at the restaurant located on top of the mountain. There are also plenty of beautiful beaches in Dubrovnik!
Before catching your flight home, you can stay in one of Dubrovnik’s hostels, where you can get a bed in an 8-person dorm for €31 a night.
So what are you waiting for?