Dalmatia Adventure: Split, Brač, Hvar, Korčula, & Dubrovnik - 7 Days

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Split!

Welcome to Split, a 1,700-year-old Roman town. Start your morning with a walk along the coast, passing beautiful bays and beaches and following the trail which will lead you to Marjan Park-Forest—a popular recreation area for locals. Discover charming churches, winding paths, and amazing viewpoints of Split, the sea, and nearby islands. Later in the evening,  continue your walk and discover the old walls and basements of Diocletian’s Palace, before dining in your choice of the city's many cafés and restaurants serving fresh Mediterranean food.

Hiking distance: 4 miles (7 km) for a short loop, or 8.5 (14 km) for a longer exploratory walk

Day 2: Ferry from Split to Brač, Explore Brač

Start the day with a boat ride from Split to Brac Island. Once you arrive, you will have two options for hiking. The west side loop takes you along olive groves, the laid-back village of Sutivan, and then back along the coast to the city of Supetar. For a shorter hike, you can enjoy the easy coastal trail from Lovrečina Bay. Whatever path you choose today, you will enjoy great views, discovering the ancient Greek and Roman ruins and sleepy fisherman's villages.

One of Brač's trademarks is the fine stonework that adorns many of the island's buildings, thanks in large part to the old stone quarries in the area—the White House in Washington D.C. and Diocletian’s Palace in Split were both built with stone from Brač. What to do in the late afternoon is up to you; spend your time at one of many beaches surrounding Supetar or discover historical sites and local culture before returning to Split.

Distance: 10 miles (16 km) for the west side loop, or 8.5 miles (14 km) from Lovrečina

Day 3: Ferry from Brač to Hvar, Hike the Lavender Road

Today you depart for your visit to Hvar, one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Cultural and historical sites, lavender fields, crystal clear turquoise waters, and charming villages are just some of the highlights this island offers to its visitors. Take a cultural walk along the narrow streets of Stari Grad, literally translated as the Old Town. Stroll through the numerous charming squares, restaurants, and cafés of Stari Grad before setting off to the island's southern coastline. Along the way, you will pass through lavender fields, olive groves, and hidden beaches.

In the afternoon treat yourself to a well-deserved coffee or aperitif in one of the island's numerous bars in a Venetian-style piazza before dinner.

Distance: 7.5 miles (12 km)

Day 4: Hvar and Korčula Island

This morning, you'll take a stroll to Fortica Španjola, the fortress located above the 16th-century town of Hvar. A hike to the fortress will give you unforgettable panoramic views of the city, its surroundings, and the Pakleni Islands. Located in the fortress, you'll find a museum with antique exhibits from the Middle Ages.

If you are interested in some real beach time, take a taxi boat to the Pakleni Islands, a small, but beautiful archipelago located right in front of Hvar Enjoy easy walks, swim in secluded bays, and have a nice lunch overlooking the Adriatic. Later in the afternoon, you will depart by boat to the town of Korčula, where you will spend the next two days.

Distance:  1-2 miles (2-3 km)

Day 5: Korčula, Marco Polo’s home

You will be waking up on your third Dalmatian island: Korčula. The island holds the hometown of Marco Polo and was once a Greek colony dating back to the 4th century, known at the time as Korkyra Melaina. Nowadays, the island is famous for the production of the best Croatian white wines, Pošip and Grk.

Your hike today will take you through a nature preserve with dolomite rock formations and plenty of wildlife to observe. The walk itself is very peaceful and relaxing, in an unusual landscape for the Dalmatian Karst region. You'll reach the ancient Napoleon path, walking through olive groves, small vineyards, and beautiful fields of sage and oregano. The hike ends in the village of Pupnat, where you will have the option to enjoy a unique lunch prepared by a Farac family. Most of the ingredients are grown in the fields you walked through on your hike.

Spend the afternoon in the town of Korčula and explore its cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings, and other architectural masterpieces made in Gothic and Renaissance style.

Distance:  7-14 miles (11.5-23 km)

Day 6: Pelješac and Dubrovnik

The morning begins with the short boat ride to Peljesac Peninsula and the town of Orebić. The town itself was founded in the 15th century as a part of the Republic of Dubrovnik (Ragusa). As it was famous for its maritime tradition, there are many charming stone villas of the once-famous sea captains.

Your hike starts from Orebić, going along the southern slopes of Mt. Ilija, where you will be passing by secluded vineyards and an old Franciscan monastery, enjoying great views of Korčula and the Pelješac archipelago. When you get back to the coast, you'll enjoy a scenic walk along the waterfront of Kučište and Viganj, laid-back Dalmatian villages.

Later this afternoon, you will make your way to the mainland. En route pass through Ston, where you will have to chance to discover the second longest stone wall in the world, ancient salt works, and the important role this area had in the 14th century for the Republic of Dubrovnik. After a short break, you will set off to the town of Dubrovnik—the "Pearl of the Adriatic"—where you will spend your final evening.

Hiking distance: 5.5 miles (9 km)

Day 7: Farewell

Today after breakfast you can take a walk in the old city town of Dubrovnik, the marble streets and Baroque buildings, and discover the rich history of Dubrovnik. This walk will conclude your Dalmatian coast adventure. Return home enriched by the discovery of this small but beautiful Mediterranean country!

This trip is included in Europe's best 7-day itineraries. See the full list