A long weekend in Central Croatia

If you are seeking a brief or weekend getaway to Croatia to experience nature, you are in the right spot! Below is a 3-day itinerary for central Croatia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nab-uX7zvZY

This itinerary is from our September 2017 trip. There are various chartered flights available to Zadar from different European cities. We arrived in Zadar from Bristol, UK on an evening flight and took a taxi to our accommodation.

Exploring Zadar

On our initial day, we dedicated our time to discovering the historic district of Zadar. The day commenced with a delightful breakfast at a nearby café, followed by a stroll past the University structures, a visit to the harbor to admire the unique Sea Organ, and an exploration of the old town.

During the afternoon, we took a boat/ferry to one of the nearby islands, where we explored and relaxed. Afterward, we returned by boat and had a meal in Zadar.

Plitvice lakes

On the second day, we took a tourist bus from Zadar bus station to Plitvice lake, with a travel time of approximately 2 hours each way. We caught an early bus to the park, which was relatively quiet upon our arrival. Visiting late in the season worked in our favor as it was not overly crowded. Keep in mind that the lakes are situated in the mountains, so the weather may be colder and potentially rainy compared to the coastal areas.

Starting from the lower entrance, we hiked past several lakes before reaching the final ones where we could board a boat, and then we hiked back. Keep in mind that the boat fees are covered in the entrance fee, so be sure to plan your itinerary accordingly.

There is a lot to explore in this area, so it's worth dedicating an entire day to it. Various walking paths are available, catering to different preferences for walking distances, so be sure to review these options and enjoy your exploration. Please remember that swimming is not permitted in the lakes, making it a day exclusively for hiking.

Krka National Park

Our last complete day in Croatia involved another bus trip to Krka National park. This journey lasted approximately one hour. Upon arrival, you purchase your entrance tickets and board the boat to explore the national park.

You have the opportunity to swim in the river and waterfalls here, and I strongly recommend it. A swimming spot is located close to the boat drop-off point. We enjoyed a brief swim here before continuing to explore more of the park. There are plenty of attractions to discover, making a few days here ideal. Following our exploration, we returned to Zadar for dinner on our last night.

Heading home

On our last day, we were set to return home. With an afternoon flight scheduled, we decided to further explore Zadar in the morning and enjoy brunch at a cafe before making our way to the airport.

Until next time, happy travelling!

Katherine x