Guide to Croatia: A Week in Split and Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik 
Split
Heading to Croatia, we were ready for warmer weather, but had no idea what to expect. Our time in Split and Dubrovnik did not disappoint, and we’d already love to go back (maybe on a yacht next time….a girl can dream right?). Here’s our guide to Croatia and the stand-out spots in its two most popular cities:
The Nightlife
Revelin is a night club in Dubrovnik. It’s inside the walls of the fort (as are most of the city’s attractions and restaurants). It had a pretty cool vibe – dancers on stage, a DJ, and of course, a fire breathing shirtless bartender, but the drinks were pretty pricey (to be expected I guess) and the crowd was much older. It was worth it for us because we got free entry. But for it to be really impressive, we’d recommend going during peak season when big name DJs perform.
We didn’t get to go, but we heard about another club right outside the city called Lazareti. It was built inside what used to be a quarantine area for the sick of Dubrovnik, but it now just serves drinks named after these diseases.
Top Attractions in Split and Dubrovnik
Island hopping in Split was one of the highlights of our trip. We decided to go on a 6 island tour, which takes a full day. We saw the Blue Cave, the Blue Lagoon, Hvar and a few other small islands. It was a bit pricey at $110, but every tour is offered at the same price and goes to the same places. We weren’t impressed with our skippers, but the landscape speaks for itself.
Kayaking/Snorkeling in Dubrovnik. On our last day, we took a 3. 5 hour, 5 mile trip in the open waters surrounding Dubrovnik. The tour was informative and a killer workout. Warning: Croatian beaches aren’t the same as American beaches…they’re made of rocks. This trip will run you about $35 and includes a life jacket, snorkeling gear, lunch and a super knowledgeable guide who will tell you all kinds of stories about the history and myths of the area.
Another must-do is heading to Krka National Park. It was a little out of the way as we drove from Split to Dubrovnik, but it only added about 30-45 minutes to our trip. The park costs less than $10 to enter and is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls.
Stand-out Restaurants
Bona Fide: This Mexican restaurant down a side street of Dubrovnik was one of our favorite dinners of the trip. We went during Happy Hour from 4-6 p.m. where everything was 20% off, including food. We ended up having some of the best tacos of our lives at this place. The waiter was great, and he even gave us blankets and turned on the outdoor heater: giving back that blanket was sooo hard.
Momma’s Pot: Another stop down a side street of Dubrovnik (are you seeing a theme here?). We stopped here for a bit of breakfast, and they had some great options including pancakes stuffed with fresh fruit and covered in chocolate. The manager even kept breakfast open late just for us.
Croatia was quite the pleasant surprise for us. With its crystal clear water, beautiful and unique cities, delicious food and activities for both the adventurer and leisure lover, it was the perfect week-long vacation.
*More city guides in Europe are waiting for you here.
