THE ULTIMATE DALMATIAN COAST ITINERARY

If you’re planning your first trip to Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast and don’t know where to start, this guide is for you!

I recently travelled along part of the Dalmatian Coast, starting in Split, continuing to the island of Korčula and finishing in Dubrovnik. Along the way, I explored several islands, swam in beautiful bays, visited medieval Old Towns and even crossed the border into Bosnia & Herzegovina for a day!

And the best part? I did the entire trip without renting a car.

First of all… what is the Dalmatian Coast?

The Dalmatian Coast is the southern part of Croatia’s Adriatic coastline, stretching from the Zadar area towards Dubrovnik and including hundreds of islands scattered along the coast. It is famous for its crystal-clear Adriatic waters, historic stone towns, beautiful islands and Mediterranean landscapes!!

Split and Dubrovnik are 2 of its most famous coastal cities, while islands such as Hvar, Brač, Vis and Korčula are among its most popular destinations.

I obviously didn’t explore the entire Dalmatian Coast on this trip. My route focused with accommodations on: Split → Korčula → Dubrovnik , with several island stops and day trips along the way.

How Many Days Do You Need?

I would recommend at least 7 days for the main highlights, but if you have 9-10 days like me, it is better. You’ll be able to travel at a more relaxed pace, spend more time on the islands and add a few extra beaches or day trips. Angel’s tip: I stayed 9 days but I needed one more to have a day trip to Montenegro too.

My Dalmatian Coast Route

• Flight: Athens → Split city / 2 nights in Split
  Island-hopping day trip from Split
• Split → Korčula island / 2 nights in Korčula
  Badija & nearby islands by taxi boat
• Korčula → Dubrovnik city / 4 nights in Dubrovnik
• Day trip to Kravica Waterfalls & Mostar booked from GetYourGuide
• Flight: Dubrovnik → Athens

Angel’s tip: I travelled in one direction instead of returning to the same city, which made the route very easy and saved a lot of unnecessary travelling. I recommend to do the same if possible!

Do You Need a Car?

For the itinerary I followed, no. I explored Split, Korčula and Dubrovnik without renting a car and I would happily do it the same way again.

I used:

• Airport buses
• Ferries/catamarans booked through here.
• Local taxi boats
• Organized boat tours
• Uber/taxis when necessary
• An organized day trip to Bosnia & Herzegovina booked online in advance from here
• And mostly… my feet!

The historic centres of Split, Korčula and Dubrovnik are very walkable, while ferries make travelling between the main coastal destinations and islands relatively easy.

Angel’s tip: A rental car can obviously be useful if you want to explore more remote beaches or inland Croatia, but it isn’t necessary for the route I followed.

When Is the Best Time to Visit?

• Summer is perfect if your priority is swimming, island hopping and beach time, but July and August are also the busiest and usually the most expensive months.
• For fewer crowds and slightly lower prices, I would consider late May, June or September, when the weather is generally still ideal for exploring the coast.

Angel’s tip: If you’re travelling during the high season, I recommend booking your ferries, accommodation and popular boat tours in advance. I booked my Split → Korčula ferry around two weeks before travelling.

Angel’s tip: Accommodation inside the historic centres can also get expensive, but I personally loved staying in the Old Towns. It cost me more, but being able to explore almost everything on foot was 100% worth it.

A Few Things to Know Before You Go

• Currency: Euro (€)
• Cards are widely accepted, but I still recommend carrying some cash as some places didn’t have POS.
• Budget: Croatia was more expensive than I expected, especially in the most touristy areas.
• Bring comfortable shoes – you’ll walk a lot on old stone streets.
• Ferries make it very easy to combine coastal cities and islands without a car.
• Don’t leave Croatia without trying plenty of ice cream – it was one of my food highlights!
  

  Split old town is a palace

1ST STOP: SPLIT

Split was the starting point of my Dalmatian Coast trip and a great introduction to this part of Croatia.

I flew directly from Athens to Split. The flight takes less than 2 hours, making Split an easy destination to reach from Greece.

Angel’s tip: Instead of taking a taxi, I used the airport shuttle bus, which cost me €10. Taxis and Uber are also available and usually cost around €30-€40, so if you’re travelling solo, the bus is definitely the more budget-friendly option.Where to stay in Split

I chose to stay inside the historic centre, close to Diocletian’s Palace. You can definitely save money by staying outside the Old Town, but personally I would choose the same location again. Accommodation inside the historic centre is more expensive, but being able to walk everywhere made my stay much easier.

Angel’s tip: The apartment I booked thought booking was “Luxury Rooms Bajamonti”

What to see in Split

The heart of Split is Diocletian’s Palace, a huge Roman palace complex built for Emperor Diocletian that today forms part of the Old Town.

Make sure you see:

• Diocletian’s Palace
• Peristyle Square
• Cathedral of Saint Domnius & the Bell Tower
• The Vestibule
• Temple of Jupiter
• Riva Promenade
• Marjan Hill for beautiful views and sunset

Split Old Town is very walkable, so you don’t need any transportation to explore the main sights. Angel’s tip: On my first evening, I joined a walking tour of Split for €14. I booked it through Airbnb experiences. I really recommend doing this at the beginning of your stay because it gives you a much better understanding of Diocletian’s Palace and the history behind the Old Town.

You can find similar activities here.

Where to Eat in Split

• Restaurants: Villa Spiza • Šug • Corto Maltese • Konoba Kod Joze (traditional food & peka) • Dvor (Michelin Recommended)
• Pizza: Bokamorra • Galija
• Focaccina for sandwiches
• Cantun Paulina for
• Gelato: Amare  (my favorite!) • Emiliana • Pumparella

What to Try: Don’t leave Split without trying some Dalmatian specialties: pašticada, black risotto, buzara seafood, soparnik, peka (usually needs to be pre-ordered), fritule & rožata.

Full-Day Island Hopping Tour 

One of the highlights of my stay in Split was a full-day speedboat tour around some of the most beautiful islands and bays in the area. The tour cost me €130 and included stops around: Biševo island to see the Blue Cave (additional €24 to enter), Vis island and Comiza town, Stiniva Bay , Budikovac / Blue Lagoon, Hvar island , WWII submarine tunnels

So my total cost for the experience was: €130 tour + €24 Blue Cave = €154

I booked one from GetYourGuide, link is here. 

Hvar island

It’s not a cheap day trip, but if you have limited time, it’s a great way to see several islands and beautiful swimming spots without having to stay overnight on each island.

2ND STOP: KORČULA ISLAND

After Split, my next stop was Korčula, one of the most beautiful islands along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. Often called “Little Dubrovnik,” its beautiful medieval Old Town, crystal-clear waters, vineyards and relaxed island atmosphere make it worth spending at least a couple of days here.

I spent 2 nights in Korčula Town, which was a great amount of time for what I wanted to see. The Old Town is compact, beautiful and very easy to explore on foot, while you can also take organized tours or small boats to discover more of the surrounding area.

I travelled from Split to Korčula Town by passenger catamaran (no cars). Duration was around 2 hours 45 minutes and I took it from Split old town, so no need for an extra transfer. Ticket was 30 euros.
Angel’s tip: I booked it 2 weeks before from this site.

Angel’s tip: When booking your ferry, make sure you select Korčula Town as your arrival port. Korčula is quite a large island and there are different ports, so always check exactly where your ferry arrives in relation to your accommodation.

Where to Stay in Korčula

For a short first visit, I definitely recommend staying in or close to Korčula Town. The Old Town, restaurants, bars and waterfront are all within walking distance, while local taxi boats to the small islands nearby are also very easy to access from town. Staying centrally may cost a little more, but for me the convenience was worth it – especially since I didn’t have a car.

Angel’s tip: I stayed at Fiorino Rooms. It is so close to Korčula Old Town and port, room is simple but clean with excellent location. I paid €90 per night.

Where to Eat

• Konoba Aterina
• Cakulona
• Konoba Adio Mare (great for seafood)
• Servantes
• Pizzeria Leut (great for pizza)

Drinks

• Cocktail Bar Massimo – An iconic rooftop bar inside a medieval tower and one of the coolest places for a sunset drink.
• LoLe Wine Bar – A lovely spot for local wine & tapas in the Old Town.
• VISTA Cocktail Bar – Great for cocktails with beautiful sea and sunset views.

What to Do in Korčula Town

• Korčula Old Town – Wander through its narrow stone streets, admire the medieval architecture and walk along the beautiful waterfront promenade. The town is small and easy to explore on foot.
• Pupnatska Luka – One of the most beautiful beaches on the island, known for its turquoise, crystal-clear water.
• Lumbarda – A small village surrounded by vineyards and known for its beaches (lovedddd its sandy beach) and Grk, a local white wine produced almost exclusively in this area.
• Vela Luka – A charming seaside town on the western side of Korčula Island.
• Domince beach – a small peaceful pebbly beach close to old town. It has a beach bar too.
• La Banya beach bar – Around a 15-20 minute walk from Korčula Old Town, with sunbeds, cocktails, food and beautiful sea views.

Angel’s tip: One of the most unique is a bar called Massimo built into one of the medieval towers/walls of the Old Town, where you can enjoy a drink with views over the Adriatic.

Angel’s tip: Since I didn’t have a car, I chose an organized buggy tour combined with wine tasting to explore more of the area (we visited Adrian winery).

Buggy Tour & Wine Tasting

The experience cost me around €75 and was one of my favourite things I did in Korčula. Korčula has a long winemaking tradition and is particularly famous for its local white wines. I booked it on the island from the agency KORKYRA INFO and it was excellent.

• Pošip is one of the island’s best-known white wines.
• Grk is another local grape variety, particularly associated with the vineyards around Lumbarda.

Combining sightseeing with a wine experience was a great way to see more than just Korčula Town without needing to rent a car.

Visit Badija & Vrnik by Taxi Boat

Another really easy thing to do from Korčula Town is visit the small islands located just across the water. Local taxi boats connect Korčula Town with nearby islands such as Badija and Vrnik, making it very easy to add some swimming and island hopping to your stay.

I visited Badija, a small island just off the coast of Korčula. It’s a lovely place to escape the town for a few hours, walk around, relax and swim in the crystal-clear water. You can also continue to Vrnik, another tiny island nearby.

Taxi boats: approximately €8-€20 depending on the route and ticket.

This was one of the reasons I enjoyed staying in Korčula Town so much – even without a car, you can easily explore beyond the Old Town.

Do You Need a Car in Korčula?

This is important: I personally didn’t have a car in Korčula, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need one to explore the entire island. If you stay in Korčula Town for a short visit like I did, you can easily explore the Old Town and this part of the island without a car.

You can walk around town, take taxi boats to Badija, Vrnik and the small islands nearby, and book organized tours to visit wineries or explore farther away.

For my 2-night itinerary, this worked perfectly. However, Korčula is actually a large island. If you want to properly explore the whole island, visit different villages, discover more remote beaches and have the freedom to move around independently, I would recommend renting a car and stay longer.

Angel’s tip: Stay at least one night, ideally 2-3 nights if your itinerary allows it. Once the day-trippers leave, Korčula Old Town becomes much quieter and even more magical!!

My Thoughts on Korčula

Korčula was the perfect island stop between Split and Dubrovnik. After exploring busy historic cities, I loved having a couple of days with a slower island atmosphere, beautiful water, local wine and easy boat trips to the tiny islands nearby. For me, 2 nights in Korčula Town without a car worked perfectly as part of this itinerary. If I wanted to explore Korčula Island more extensively, however, I would stay longer and rent a car.

3RD STOP: DUBROVNIK CITY

After 2 nights in Korčula, I continued south to Dubrovnik, the final stop of my Dalmatian Coast itinerary.

Known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik is one of Croatia’s most famous destinations, known for its spectacular medieval Old Town, impressive city walls and beautiful location overlooking the Adriatic Sea. I spent several days here, which gave me enough time to explore the Old Town, visit some beaches, enjoy a beach club and even take a full-day trip to Bosnia & Herzegovina.

How to Get from Korčula to Dubrovnik

I travelled from Korčula Town to Dubrovnik by passenger ferry, which I booked through this link.

The ferry was part of the reason this entire itinerary worked so well without a rental car. I simply travelled south from Split → Korčula → Dubrovnik without having to return to the same destination.

Angel’s tip: Once I arrived at Dubrovnik Port, I could take the bus but I took an Uber (taxis were asking for 25 euros!)  to the Old Town for around €10.

You definitely don’t need a car if you are mainly planning to explore Dubrovnik Old Town. In fact, staying centrally made things much easier for me.

Where I Stayed in Dubrovnik

I stayed at Studio Square, right inside Dubrovnik Old Town. Accommodation inside the Old Town is generally more expensive, and you can definitely find cheaper options if you stay farther away.

However, this was one of the things I was really happy I paid extra for. Being able to step outside and immediately be in the middle of Dubrovnik Old Town was incredibly convenient. I could explore early in the morning, return to my room whenever I wanted and go out again in the evening without worrying about transportation.

What to See in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is relatively compact and very walkable, but there is plenty to see.

My main highlights were:

• Dubrovnik Old Town: Get lost in the magic of Old town!
• City Walls : If you only pay for one major attraction in Dubrovnik, I would make it the City Walls. The walls stretch for approximately 2 km around the Old Town and offer some of the best views of Dubrovnik’s orange rooftops, historic buildings and the Adriatic Sea.Wear comfortable shoes and, during summer, try to avoid the hottest hours of the day because much of the walk is exposed to the sun – I went at 08:00 am.
• Fort Lovrijenac: Just outside the western walls of Dubrovnik Old Town you’ll find Fort Lovrijenac, an impressive fortress built on a rocky cliff overlooking the sea. Even if you’re not particularly interested in fortresses, the views back towards Dubrovnik’s walls and Old Town are worth it. Game of Thrones fans may also recognize several locations around Dubrovnik, as the city famously doubled as King’s Landing in the series.
• Rector’s Palace (€15) – A Gothic-Renaissance palace, once the seat of the Rector of the Republic of Ragusa. Today it houses the Cultural History Museum. (Included in the Dubrovnik Pass)
• Dubrovnik Cathedral: (free entry) – An impressive Baroque cathedral in the heart of the Old Town, known for its beautiful interior and treasury!
• Dubrovnik Cable Car: For one of the best panoramic views over Dubrovnik, take the Cable Car to Mount Srđ. I paid €30 for a round-trip ticket and I had booked it in advance from this site. From the top, you get an incredible view over the Old Town, Lokrum Island and the Adriatic. Angel’s tip: Go around sunset if you can.
• Buža Bar and Bard (Mala Buza) bar: Loved both of them! Dubrovnik’s unique places for a drink or a jump in the Adriatic sea, located on the rocks outside the Old Town walls. You literally pass through a small opening in the city walls and suddenly find yourself sitting on the cliffs overlooking the Adriatic.

Angel’s tip: Entrance for the walls is 40 euros but same is the Dubrovnik Pass. So you can buy the 24-hour Dubrovnik Pass for €40 if you plan to visit several attractions and museums during the same day. My tip is to plan your included attractions together (Walls with Rector’s palace and Fort Lovrijenac) so you can make the most of the 24-hour validity. Click here to book.

Beaches in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik may be famous for its history, but you can easily combine sightseeing with some beach time. My favorite:

1. Banje Beach: One of the easiest beaches to reach from the Old Town and offers beautiful views towards Dubrovnik’s walls. Because of its location, it can get quite busy during summer! Free to enter as it has space to sit but there is also a beach bar and restaurant that you can relax all day!
2. Sveti Jakov Beach: If you want another option away from the immediate Old Town area, Sveti Jakov Beach is a beautiful choice with views back towards Dubrovnik. 20 minutes walk from old town with a beach bar and sunbeds.
3. Coral Beach Club: On my last day in Dubrovnik, I decided to spend the day at Coral Beach Club. It is around 10-15 minutes by taxi from the Old Town fyi. I absolutely loved the setting, the music and the food!!  If you want to treat yourself to a relaxing beach-club day after several days of sightseeing, it’s a lovely option – just expect higher prices.
4. Pasjača Beach: Another spectacular beach in the Dubrovnik region is Pasjača Beach, located farther outside the city 40 minutes drive from Old town+15 minutes walk down a cliffside path. No facilities or umbrellas. Angel’ tip: I booked a car for only 1 day and one reason was this beach. I had rented online from this rental car super close to old town to avoid distances.
5. Visit Cavtat: If you have some extra time, you can also visit Cavtat, a small coastal town south of Dubrovnik that you can also combine for swimming. I visited Cavtat for a walk and really enjoyed the more relaxed atmosphere compared with busy Dubrovnik. It can be a nice addition if you have several days in the area and there are buses and boats easily connected with Dubrovnik.

Where to Eat & Drink in Dubrovnik

• Restaurants: Proto • Posat • Port 22 • Trattoria Carmen • Public Old Town Croatian Bistro
• Pizza: Ciao-la Cucina Italiana • Pizzeria Castro • Oliva
• Ice Cream: Peppino’s • Moritz
• Drinks: Cele • La Bodega

Angel’s tip: Dubrovnik’s Old Town is quite expensive for food and drinks, so expect higher prices, especially in the most touristy spots.

Game of Thrones in Dubrovnik

If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, Dubrovnik is a must! The city was one of the main filming locations for King’s Landing, and many iconic scenes were filmed around the Old Town.

📍 Lovrijenac Fortress – Used as the Red Keep in several scenes.
📍 Jesuit Stairs – Famous from Cersei’s “Walk of Shame.”
📍 Pile Gate – Featured in several King’s Landing scenes.
📍 City Walls – Used extensively throughout the series.
📍 West Harbour – Appears as Blackwater Bay.

Angel’s tip: You can easily visit these locations independently while exploring the Old Town, but there are also organized Game of Thrones walking tours (online in Get Your guide or there) if you want to see the exact filming spots and compare them with scenes from the series.

Do You Need a Car in Dubrovnik?

I personally didn’t need a car for most of my stay. I stayed inside the Old Town, explored almost everything on foot and used organized tours for day trips. You can also easily reach nearby islands, such as Lokrum, by boat. If, however, you want to explore more of the coastline, nearby towns and beaches independently, renting a car can definitely be useful.

I rented one for just one day for around €45 to drive along the coast and visit Pasjača Beach, Cavtat town and I combined it with a stop at Coral Beach Club. Coral is outside the Old Town and normally requires a taxi anyway, so having the car that day was convenient.

Angel’s tip: You don’t need a car just for Dubrovnik, especially if you stay in or near the Old Town, but it’s worth renting one for a day or two if you want more freedom to explore outside the city.

Getting from Dubrovnik Old Town to the Airport

At the end of the trip, I took an Uber(taxi) from Dubrovnik Old Town to Dubrovnik Airport. I paid approximately €27.

My flight back to Athens took around 1.5 hours, making Dubrovnik a very convenient place to finish the trip. 

My Thoughts on Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik was definitely the most touristy and one of the most expensive stops of my trip, but it’s also a place I think you should see at least once!!  The medieval Old Town is stunning, the City Walls are a must and the views from Mount Srđ are beautiful.

What I particularly liked was that Dubrovnik wasn’t only about sightseeing. I could combine history with beaches, a beach-club day, nearby coastal towns and even a completely different country.

For me, it was the perfect place to finish my Split → Korčula → Dubrovnik itinerary along the Dalmatian Coast.

How I booked my transport :

✈️ Athens → Split: Direct flight
🚌 Split Airport → city: Airport shuttle, around €10
⛴️ Split → Korčula island: Ferry booked through Ferryhopper
🚤 Around Korčula: Local taxi boats
⛴️ Korčula → Dubrovnik: Ferry booked through Ferryhopper
🚕 Dubrovnik Port → Old Town: Uber, around €10
->Bosnia & Herzegovina: Organized day trip booked through GetYourGuide
🚕 Dubrovnik Old Town → Airport: Uber, around €27
✈️ Dubrovnik → Athens: Direct flight

THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE VISITING CROATIA

• You don’t necessarily need a car. For an itinerary like mine, ferries, buses and organized tours work really well.
• The Italian influence is strong, especially in the architecture and food — pizza, pasta and gelato are everywhere. And the ice cream is excellent!
• Croatia is expensive, particularly in touristy areas like Dubrovnik.
• Carry some cash. Cards are widely accepted, but there are still places where cash is useful or necessary.
• Stay in the Old Towns if your budget allows. It costs more, but for me the convenience and atmosphere were 100% worth it.
• Book popular ferries in advance during summer. I booked my Split–Korčula ferry around two weeks before travelling.
• Pack comfortable shoes – you’ll walk a lot, often on old stone streets.

The Dalmatian Coast is perfect if you love historic towns, islands, crystal-clear water and travelling by boat. What I loved about this itinerary was the variety: Roman history in Split, island life in Korčula, medieval Dubrovnik, Adriatic boat trips and even a day trip to Bosnia & Herzegovina!

Croatia was more expensive than I expected and, personally, the food wasn’t a highlight, but the scenery, beautiful Old Towns and easy island connections made the trip absolutely worth it.

For a first visit, Split → Korčula → Dubrovnik is a beautiful and easy route — no rental car needed!

BONUS: DAY TRIP TO BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA 

One of my favourite things about staying in Dubrovnik was how easy it was to add another country to the trip. You can read more in my separate article on the blog.

Click here to read more about my choice.

Click here to book yours.

You can check more photos and details on my instagram!

IG: explorewith.angel

Angel

Thanks for reading my article! Feel free to comment or ask any question you may have :) xxx

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