Croatia has always been on my bucket list due to its unique geographical location. Most of my travels have been centered around central and western Europe, so I’ve been craving a change of scenery. Its proximity to the sea also intrigued me, offering a fresh experience along with exciting new culinary options.
The goal for the trip was to keep things relaxed, with a primary focus on trying different cuisines and casually enjoying the sights and surroundings.
Travelers: 4/5 people who live in Germany
Apps/Websites used.
1. Transport : Ryanair, Flixbus, Uber
2. Stay : HostelWorld, Booking.com
3. Experience : GetYourGuide
Itinerary:
Day 1 : Memmingen -> Zadar (Ryanair) . Stay in Zadar (Hostel)
Day 2 : Zadar -> Split (Flixbus). Stay in an apartment (Booking.com). Explore Split.
Day 3: Explore Split (Boat trip across Islands)
Day 4: Split->Plitvice National Park (Flixbus). Explore Plitvice. Plitvice->Zadar (Flixbus). Stay in Zadar (Hostel).
Day 5 : Explore Zadar
Day 6 : Zadar -> Memmingen (Ryanair)
Travel Methods
Airports : Memmingen/Zadar
Flight Cost: 55 euros, Ryanair only a backpack (https://www.ryanair.com/gb/en). Additional baggage requires an extra fee. Be sure that the travel backpack confirms the Ryanair guidelines, as they could fine you if it exceeds the maximum dimension. Try to book flights for the weekdays, as this would be cheaper as compared to travelling on weekends. Additionally, Memmingen/Zadar are small airports that serve mostly low-cost airlines; the travel rush is great, as well as their security check is small. Ensure that the airport is reached well in time before the departure (at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure time)
Flixbus (https://global.flixbus.com/)
It was really hard to find train transportation while checking omio.com for intra-city travels. Bus travel was the best option shown.
Suggestion: There is also the option of travelling between the cities using ferry service, which was not considered while planning. It could be a different experience.
1. Zadar to Split. Duration of travel : 3:30 hours
2. Split to Plitvice : Duration of travel : 3:30 hours
3. Plitvice to Zadar : Duration of travel : 2:00 hours
Cost : Average cost per bus : 17 euros
Stay :
1. Zadar : Downtown Boutique Hostel (https://downtownboutiquezadar.com/en.html)
Avg Cost: $25 per person/night. It is subject to change depending on when it is booked as well as if the person booking has some offers.
We’ve stayed here twice—first in a 4-person shared dorm and later in a 6-person shared dorm. The location is fantastic, just a 5-minute walk from both the old town and the sea, with plenty of restaurants nearby to explore. It’s also convenient, about 13 km from the airport, which can be reached by public bus or Bolt/Uber. An Uber ride costs 13 euros for 4 people, while the bus is around 5-6 euros per person. Booking was done through HostelWorld, which is especially useful for solo travelers, as it offers a chat feature that connects you with other travelers in the same city or hostel. While the hostel is a great place to stay, especially for meeting new people, the on-site restaurant is pricey, and the bathroom facilities are a bit lacking, given the number of guests per floor. Overall, it’s still a solid choice for a convenient and social stay.
2. Split
Room : https://www.booking.com/hotel/hr/domus-anno-1900.de.html
Avg Cost: 32 per person/night. It is subject to change depending on when it is booked as well as if the person booking has some offers.
This is a comfortable apartment near the town of Split, perfect for a group of 4-5 people. It has a pleasing aesthetic and includes most of the essential amenities for a pleasant stay. The location is convenient, with easy access to local markets, the harbor, the Netflix stop, and the railway station.
Things to take
1. Important documents
2. Cash, as small shops do not accept cards. Carrying 50-100 euros per person is a good option.
3. Sunscreen/Mositurizer.
4. Mobile data for Croatia, although it is in the EU.
We flew with Ryanair from Memmingen Airport to Zadar Airport, a quick 1-hour flight. Upon arrival, we booked an Uber to our hostel. If you get a good driver, they can be an excellent source of local tips. Ours was incredibly friendly, recommending places to visit and restaurants based on their cuisine and food timings. After checking into the hostel, we headed out for dinner, though choosing where to eat was challenging with so many nearby options.
My first impression of Zadar was that it felt like a charming, quaint old town, with its beautiful white stone-paved streets and a lively restaurant and shopping scene. The narrow streets were bustling with people, which was surprising since we assumed it would be the off-season.
We dined at a restaurant with a lovely indoor garden. The dishes we ordered included a seafood platter, seafood spaghetti, tuna salad, Ćevapi, and chicken steak. Everything was delicious, though the seafood platter wasn’t quite a hit with our group.
After dinner, we went for a walk to the sea organ, which is a tourist spot. There are pipes built underwater that make sound as the waves hit the shore, hence the name. It is a pretty cool spot to relax and chill. It has a small park nearby as well.
We caught a FlixBus at 9 a.m. from the bus terminal, about 1.5 km from the Downtown Boutique Hostel, which is roughly a 15-20 minute walk. Along the way, there are small coffee shops, though they don’t accept cards. We boarded the bus on time; if you can, try to sit on the right side. The route follows the coastline, and the breathtaking views of the pristine blue sea will keep you glued to your window seat.
Suggestion: We decided against renting a car since traveling between cities by bus was worthwhile, and a car wouldn’t be necessary for getting around within the cities. That’s why we opted for FlixBus. However, if it's within your budget, renting a car from Zadar to Split could be a great option to enjoy the road trip, with the freedom to take breaks at scenic spots along the way.
We reached around 12:30 pm at Split Flixbus Terminal. We went to have lunch at Lola (https://lolasplit.com/), which served great food. Highly recommended; they have a lot to offer from the dalmatian region. We tried whitefish options (grilled, fillet), black cuttlefish risoto (a famous cuisine from Split), and chicken steak. The food was also served outside, in the street.
We checked in to our room in Split later at 3 pm. As mentioned, it is quite close to the various spots in Split.
With only half a day left, we decided to spend it exploring the city and relaxing. We mainly stayed around the harbor and the nearby market square, enjoying the atmosphere. It was a perfect way to soak up the evening and wrap up our time in the city. We also had a full day activity the next day which would start around 7:30 am, so we hoped in the nearest supermarket to have some breakfast/water to have before it started. The most common supermarkets around are Tommy and Spar.
We had our dinner at Soul Kitchen (https://soulkitchen.restaurant/). The ambience and setting were great, but not the general food we tried out.
From GetYourGuide app we had booked an island hopping experience (https://www.getyourguide.com/split-l268/from-split-and-trogir-5-islands-day-trip-t390071/?utm_source=getyourguide&utm_medium=sharing&utm_campaign=activity_details)
We embarked on a speedboat adventure, with our first stop after a 1.5-hour ride. I highly recommend applying sunscreen and wearing sunglasses or a cap (though it may fly off!). A jacket or windbreaker, which they provide, is also essential. The views along the way were stunning, but I didn’t take photos due to the high chance of my phone ending up at the bottom of the Adriatic. The sea's vivid blue color was mesmerizing, and our skipper was fantastic—slightly crazy, in the best way! The jumps over small waves caused by larger boats and ships kept the ride exciting.
Our first destination was the Blue Cave. We were transferred to smaller boats for the cave tour, which costs €12 per person, payable in cash. The cave’s interior is breathtaking, though the visit lasts only about 10 minutes due to the constant flow of tourists. The magical blue glow is created by sunlight filtering through a gap in the rocks, illuminating the water inside.
After the blue cave ride, you are taken to the other side of the island of Vis, in the town of Komiža. We had an hour to explore as well as have some food. We had a brunch at the Fabrika restaurant in town. You could also take some bakery food and get more time to walk around the town.
Afterward, we visited a few more spots before heading to the Blue Lagoon, nestled between two smaller islands. We had an hour to swim, and snorkelling gear was provided. It was an incredible experience, both relaxing on the beach and swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the sea. Just be mindful of the sea urchins scattered around the area!
Our last stop of the day—and my favorite place so far—was the island of Hvar. It’s a truly picturesque location, with its charming architecture and vibrant atmosphere. The streets were bustling with people enjoying the beautiful weather, and many shops were open. We made our way to the fortress perched above the town, offering breathtaking views of the Adriatic and the surrounding islands—an absolute marvel. After spending some time exploring the island, we had a leisurely late lunch before heading back to Split.
Suggestion for Split
You could easily spend 2.5 to 3 days in Split, with enough time to explore nearby islands like Hvar and Vis at a leisurely pace. The city of Split itself is worth a full day of exploration. As for dining, trying out restaurants can feel like a gamble—almost every place has great ratings, but in the end, it’s your personal taste that determines how the food will appeal to you.
We started our trip from Split at 7 AM and reached Plitvice Lakes by 10:30 AM via FlixBus. We had pre-booked our tickets online, though it’s also possible to buy them at the park. However, be prepared for long lines at the ticket counters. There’s a free luggage storage area outside, which is quite convenient.
You can book tickets through the official website: https://np-plitvicka-jezera.hr/en/ . The park offers four hiking routes and has two main entrances—Entrance 1 and Entrance 2. FlixBus stops at both, so make sure you get off at the correct one. We chose Route B, one of the shorter trails, estimated to take 3–4 hours. We opted for this route since we had limited time, with a return FlixBus to Zadar at 5 PM (the last bus of the day). However, if you’re traveling from Zadar, Plitvice is much closer, and you may have more time to explore a longer trail and enjoy the park more thoroughly.
There were a lot of tourists that day. The ticket includes boat rides across the lakes, but the queues were long, which made us rush through some parts of the hike. If you're visiting on a sunny day, the views are stunning—the vibrant colors of the lakes really pop. However, on a cloudy day, the scenery might not be as striking. You can bring your own food or eat at the park’s restaurants, which are convenient and well-maintained, just like the park facilities.
After the hike, we took the last Flixbus back to Zadar. We checked in at the Downtown Boutique Hostel were we stayed on the first night. We had dinner from the restaurant that was suggested by our Uber driver on the first day, Bruschetta (http://www.bruschetta.hr/) and was as good as he suggested.
We spent a full day exploring Zadar on our penultimate day. We started with the Old Town and its surrounding areas, where we visited the fascinating Museum of Ancient Glass . Later, we ventured beyond the area where we were staying to explore other parts of the city. Zadar offers many experiences, such as trips to the Kornati Islands and Krka National Park—both highly recommended by fellow travelers if you have time for a visit.
There are also free walking tours around the city, which offer valuable historical insights. For lunch, we dined at Stomorica Tavern. While the food was excellent, the service left something to be desired. In the evening, we spent time near the famous sunset point by the Sea Organ, a unique experience in itself. For dinner, we tried Proto Food and More, a restaurant recommended during our walking tour, where we sampled Pašticada, a traditional local dish. We spent the rest of the evening relaxing by the seaside, soaking in the calm atmosphere.
We had our flight at 12 pm. We checked out from the hostel had some breakfast and left for the airport.
Looking Back
Since we didn’t have a full week, we unfortunately missed out on visiting Dubrovnik. If you can include it in your itinerary, I highly recommend it. You could fly into Zadar, spend half a day exploring the city, and then head to Plitvice Lakes National Park the next day for more time to enjoy its stunning beauty. From there, you can travel to Split and spend 2-3 days soaking up the vibrant atmosphere. Finally, make your way to Dubrovnik, where you can spend a day before flying back.
Overall, this trip was one of the best experiences I’ve had in Europe. The weather was fantastic, contributing to the trip's success. I suggest visiting in September when you can enjoy sunny days, cooler temperatures, and fewer tourists. The food is delightful, and most people speak English, making communication easy. While I expected lower prices, costs are comparable to other Central and Western European countries. Since Croatia is a popular tourist destination, don’t expect it to be cheap.
I highly recommend visiting if you’re in a landlocked country or one without easy access to the seaside, as the coastal experience offers a refreshing change that you won’t want to miss.