8 day National Parks of Croatia Tour
from 1599 €
A dreamy world for nature lovers. Visit 5 National Parks of Croatia adjusted to your pace. From forest hikes to sailing among the islands, freshwater lakes, and waterfalls – this is a tour for you! Are you a fan of historical towns? We visit cities like Dubrovnik, Split, Sibenik and take you to some additional hidden little towns. No chance for disappointment if you treat yourself with Croatian nature diversity combined with UNESCO protected towns.
SHORT ITINERARY
ABOUT THIS TOUR
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Type of Travel: escorted, with local guides
Group Size: max 8
Recommended for: families, couples, individuals, friends – private groups that want Safe travel
When to travel: April – November
Transportation: modern A/C van
Inclusive: main entrances
Accommodation: 4* hotels
Meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch
Physical Rating:
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Hapsburg town of Opatija with Italian, Austrian, and Croatian influence on architecture and food, yellow brick road shopping
Colors of Istrian peninsula, open train panoramic drive on the main island of Brijuni National Park, and Marshal Tito summer resort
Hike in Plitvice Lakes, one of Europe’s great natural wonders, drive through Velebit mountain range
Sailing paradise of Kornati National Park with lunch or Canyons in Paklenica National Park
Nature hike in the Krka Falls National Park in the Hinterland of Dalmatia
Split town, with a maze of streets incorporated into an Ancient Diocletian’s palace
Mljet Island National park hike with a boat ride on the lake
Scenic drive on Adriatic coastal road
Morning city tour of Dubrovnik, the pearl of Adriatic
Optionals in Dubrovnik: Resort town of Cavtat | Countryside in Konavle valley | Romantic dinner cruise
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1: OPATIJA, CROATIA – tour starts
Welcome to Croatia! Your tour starts in the afternoon when you meet your Travel Director who will take you to Your private orientation tour of Opatija, often referred to as a Hapsburg Imperial resort of Opatija. Opatija is a central European-looking town on the coast of the Croatian Adriatic Sea and famous for the mild climate and evergreen vegetation. Opatija is a perfect start to a Croatian Coast tour with its options, unique to other Croatian coastal towns, from relaxed walks on miles-long seaside promenade called ‘lungomare’, to shopping options on the yellow brick road. Fancy for some Austrian apfelstrudel, Italian gelato, or Croatian seafood? Opatija has it all. Evening at leisure.
Meals: /
Overnight: Opatija
DAY 2: OPATIJA – BRIONI ISLANDS – OPATIJA
Our first visit to the National Park of Croatia is called Brijuni (Brioni). To get there, we drive across Istria, the biggest Croatian peninsula, sitting in the Northern part of the Adriatic Sea. We embark on the boat, waiting for us in a small coastal town, and join a smooth sail towards the archipelago of Brijuni islands, easily spotted from the shore. Brijuni islands attracted people from Roman times on, mostly because of leisure purposes. We will join the official tour of the main island Veli Brijun, accompanied by the local guide, which includes a panoramic ride on the electric train across the islands. Enjoy the nature, beautiful landscape, and even a brief visit to Brijuni ZOO. Before returning to the mainland, we visit a museum dedicated to the former president of Yugoslavia, Marshal Tito, who built himself a summer resort here. Coffee break and continue to one of the most popular places in Croatia, Rovinj. The town of Rovinj will seduce you, with its numerous photo ops of Venetian-style architecture in a maze of cobbled streets. Late afternoon return to Opatija and evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Opatija
DAY 3: OPATIJA – PLITVICE LAKES – SIBENIK
After breakfast, we will drive to the biggest and most famous Croatian National Park – Plitvice Lakes, one of Europe’s great natural wonders. Get ready for a beautiful experience in nature, with zig-zagging timber footbridges over azure-colored lakes. The Lakes of Plitvice are a scenic wonderland of 16 interconnected lakes, flanked by waterfalls and primeval forest. The green forests of the park give way to pebble-dashed shores lapped by turquoise waters. After the hike in the Plitvice Lakes National park, we drive towards the Adriatic sea. Witness a dramatic change in landscape, as you travel through Mediterranean olive groves on your way to Sibenik. Sibenik is a great base for our activities in the next few days. Evening at leisure or a stroll through the old part of the town, dominated by St. James Cathedral, a beautiful masterpiece of Venetian art.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Šibenik
DAY 4: SIBENIK – KORNATI NATIONAL PARK or PAKLENICA NATIONAL PARK – SIBENIK
Highlights: Sailing paradise of Kornati National Park with lunch or Canyons in Paklenica National Park
Croatia has 1246 islands and the archipelago of Kornati Islands National Park is well known to all sailing lovers. The Kornati represents untouched nature in the middle of the Adriatic Sea. A relaxing boat trip to Kornati National Park will take us around the densest island cluster on the whole of the Mediterranean, made of 150 islands, islets, and cliffs. Today’s lunch with wine will be served with a special ingredient – the view over the numerous islands and shimmering waters of the Adriatic sea.
In the case of bad weather and rough sea, the trip To Kornati National Park will be replaced by the trip to Paklenica National Park. The park is in Dalmatia hilly area, a sprawling area full of natural beauty and wonder. Full of lush green, canyons, and more, it is a great place to spend a day and a great place to escape any stresses you may want to leave behind. Expect a moderate-paced 4-hour hike in the park. Return to Sibenik and evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Sibenik
DAY 5: SIBENIK – KRKA FALLS – SPLIT – SIBENIK
After breakfast, we take a short drive into the hinterland of Dalmatia to explore the beautiful nature of Krka falls National Park. Named after the river of Krka, the Park covers an area of just over 142 square km and includes two-thirds of the river itself. The top attraction of the Park is its magnificent waterfalls, including the famous Skradinski Buk falls which are one of Croatia’s most famous sights. A 1,5-hour walk in nature on the wooden paths between the green vegetation and running water will fulfill your soul. During the summertime, it is even possible to swim in some parts of Krka National Park. Afterward, we drive to Split, Croatian 2nd largest town, the hub of the Croatian region called Dalmatia, from its origins in Roman times up to the modern era. In case you are interested, an optional city tour with a local guide of Split is available. Late afternoon return to Sibenik and evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Sibenik
Optional Nm 1: Split city tour with a local guide (1,5 hours)
*Find a detailed description of optional tours under the price section
DAY 6: SPLIT – MLJET ISLAND – DUBROVNIK
After breakfast, we go on a scenic Adriatic coast road, towards the Southern part of Croatia. An hour away from Dubrovnik, we turn right, to the direction of the peninsula of Peljesac, where we embark the ferry to Mljet island. Mljet is among the greenest of all the Croatian islands, therefore, making it one of the most beautiful. It is covered with untouched green forests, clear bodies of water, and an unspoiled ecosystem under the sea. Our private local guide will show us the paths in the National park to Great and Small Lakes. An included boat ride will take us to the islet of St. Mary, sitting peacefully in the middle of the largest lake. In the afternoon we return to the mainland and enjoy a short drive through coastal towns and villages while we reach our final destination of the day, Dubrovnik.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Dubrovnik
DAY 7: DUBROVNIK – day at leisure or optional tours
After breakfast, our local guide will show us the old town of Dubrovnik, ‘paradise on earth’ according to George Bernard Shaw. In a walking exploration of the “Old Dubrovnik,” a UNESCO World Heritage site, you will get a glimpse into local life, as you will explore the stone-paved streets inside the 16th-century bastions of the Old Town. A city tour will pass Pile Gate, Onofrio’s Fountain, we will visit Europe’s oldest pharmacy in the Franciscan Monastery, admire Rector’s Palace and the Cathedral. We suggest ascending on top of the City Walls to see the town’s hidden spots, like stone ramparts, gates, bastions, forts, and towers that connect span nearly 2 kilometers (1.2 miles). From every point, the walls give visitors a glimpse into the city’s construction and centuries of defense. The medieval fortress makes for a memorable workout, that is for sure. Want to see more of Dubrovnik area? Choose between optional tours from Dubrovnik; Countryside Konavle Valley with lunch. Or visit a relaxed resort town of Cavtat. Or join a romantic sunset dinner cruise around Dubrovnik walls in the evening.
Meals: breakfast
Overnight: Dubrovnik
Optional Nm 2: Konavle Valley with dinner (half day)
Optional Nm 3: Resort town of Cavtat (half day)
Optional Nm 4: Dinner cruise around Dubrovnik walls (evening)
*Find a detailed description of optional tours under the price section
DAY 8: DUBROVNIK – tour ends
Possible transfer to the airport. Safe travels!
Meals: breakfast
Important message: If you need a transfer to the airport or want to continue with extension travel to neighboring countries, let us know – we will handle everything for you.
*Find a description of a Post-tour, below.
You like the area and want to visit more exciting places around here? Take a look at our suggestions, choose what you like and let us organize a Post-tour for you.
Elafiti islands hopping (full day)
Take a private speedboat to Elafiti islands, one of the country’s most popular destinations and a popular day trip from nearby Dubrovnik. A cluster of 14 islands along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast makes it a popular day trip from nearby Dubrovnik. We will visit the archipelago’s largest three, car-free islets, Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan, stop for swimming and snorkeling.
Mostar and Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina (full day)
Why not visit another country? The UNESCO protected town of Mostar and a famous pilgrimage site of Medjugorje, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This makes a great day trip for you to get a look into an oriental flavored Mostar and an important Roman catholic religious site of Medjugorje. We will have an orientation tour in Mostar and Medjugorje.
Kotor bay and Kotor town in Montenegro (full day)
Visit Montenegro, a country south of Croatia, offering magnificent views while driving on the coastal road in UNESCO protected Boka bay. Visit the only artificial island in Adriatic, Our lady of the rocks, and explore another UNESCO-protected town of Kotor, hidden behind the centuries-old walls. We will make several photo-stops in Boka bay, visit the island church and enjoy free time in the town of Kotor.
PRICE: from 1599 € per person
Included in the price:
- Small groups of a maximum of 8 travelers
- All transfers and sightseeing per itinerary in modern A/C van
- A return ferry ride to Mljet island
- 7 nights First Class accommodation (2 nights in Opatija, 3 nights in Šibenik, 2 nights in Dubrovnik)
- City hotel taxes, Tourist taxes
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch
- Entrance fees: Brijuni National park entrance, Plitvice Lakes National Park entrance, Kornati islands boat tour (in case of bad weather Paklenica National park tour), Krka falls National Park entrance with a boat ride, Mljet Island National Park, Franciscan Monastery in Dubrovnik
- Services of local English-speaking Tour guide throughout
- Services of local guides in Brijuni islands, Mljet National Park and Dubrovnik
- Comprehensive, guided sightseeing
- Active itinerary with unique features
Not included in the price:
- Transfer from/to the airport (from 29 EUR per person one way)
- Everything that is not listed in the ‘Included in the price’ sector
- Personal expenses (meals, drinks, shopping, etc.)
- Optional Split city tour with a local guide (1,5 hrs)
- Optional tour Konavle Valley with dinner (half day)
- Optional visit to a resort town of Cavtat (half day)
- Optional Sunset dinner cruise around Dubrovnik walls (evening)
- Gratuities
- Supplement for single room from 330 EUR (per person per tour)
For groups bigger than 8, please contact us.
OPTIONAL DAY TOUR FROM SIBENIK
DAY 5 – Optional Nm 1: Split city tour with a local guide (1,5 hours)
Enjoy your private city tour of Split and use the chance to learn about Split, Croatian 2nd largest town, the hub of the Croatian region called Dalmatia, from its origins in Roman times up to the modern era. Your local guide will take you on a journey back in time to discover the story of the famous Roman emperor Diocletian who build a palace for his retirement in Split. You will see how the palace was later integrated into the medieval town. Diocletian palace’s well-preserved substructures, Jupiter temple, and St. Duje cathedral are just some of many interesting points which you can find on the streets and squares, while you meet locals doing their everyday errands and enjoying a break in many cafes.
OPTIONAL DAY TOURS FROM DUBROVNIK
DAY 7 – Optional Nm 2: Konavle Valley with dinner (half day)
Konavle valley is often compared to Tuscany, a must-visit destination for lovers of nature and foodies. We will visit an ancient fort on a cliff, Sokol tower, that was most likely used for military purposes. The countryside of Dubrovnik offers peaceful surroundings, breathtaking scenery, and excellent restaurants serving great local wines. Delicious dinner included.
DAY 7 – Optional Nm 3: Resort town of Cavtat (half day)
Cavtat is a small place located 45 min south of Dubrovnik. It is known as the oldest settlement in Dubrovnik region, with the first inhabitants known to live there during ancient Greece time. Today, Cavtat is popular among reach and famous yacht owners, seeking privacy and normality of everyday life. After an orientation tour, free time to explore this cute little town and perhaps ascend to Mestrovic designed mausoleum of the historic Croatian family Račić, sitting in the cemetery with a magic view over Adriatic. Or simply stroll the promenade with a gelato in your hands.
Day 7 – Optional Nm 4: Dinner cruise around Dubrovnik walls (evening)
When sunset begins, we sail out and take a tour around Dubrovnik. A dinner cruise is an authentic Dubrovnik-style experience that you can’t miss! Approximately two hours of cruising, a romantic dinner at sunset, and the view of the town walls from the sea is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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