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9-Day Croatia Itinerary: Split, Hvar & Dubrovnik

A practical nine-day Croatia itinerary from Split through Hvar to Dubrovnik, with seasonal ferry planning, car-free old towns, and an editable Huvver template.

9 days · 8 nightsPassenger ferry + local bus, transfer, and walking5 min read
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Croatian Adriatic panorama with Split stone waterfront, Hvar harbor, a passenger catamaran, and Dubrovnik walls

The route

Split → Hvar → Dubrovnik

An illustrated view of the route’s highlights. Open the Huvver preview for the interactive itinerary map.
Route
Split → Hvar → Dubrovnik
Overnight plan
3 nights Split · 2 Hvar · 3 Dubrovnik
Pace
Three coastal bases
Best for
First-time visitors
In this guide· 9-day route

Quick answer

The best route for 9 days · 8 nights

Spend three nights in Split, two in Hvar town, and three in Dubrovnik. Use a passenger catamaran from Split to Hvar and the seasonal Hvar-to-Dubrovnik sailing when it operates. Build a Split-plus-bus fallback before departure because coastal ferry schedules change by season.

Nine days is enough for three Adriatic bases without a rental car. Split provides Roman-era lanes and two mainland side trips, Hvar receives one complete island day, and Dubrovnik gets a full old-town day plus a lighter island-and-coast day.

The route depends on seasonal passenger ferries, so the itinerary stores ferry legs as ferry legs and includes transfer buffers. It never invents a driving route across the sea. Outside the direct sailing season, the correct fallback is usually Hvar back to Split followed by a reserved road connection south.

Why this route works

  • Three Split nights support the palace, Marjan, and a separate Trogir-and-Klis day.
  • Two Hvar nights create one full island day without using the town as a luggage stop.
  • Three Dubrovnik nights protect one complete old-town day and one flexible coast day.
  • The southbound open-jaw route avoids backtracking to Split after Dubrovnik.

Day by day

The complete 9 days itinerary

1

Day 1 · Split

Arrive in Split and find the ferry port

Transfer from Split Airport, check in for three nights, and walk the Riva and palace edge. Locate the passenger-ferry port while the route is quiet, but keep every attraction untimed.

  1. Split Airport
  2. Split Riva
  3. Palace exterior
  4. Split check-in
2

Day 2 · Split

Diocletian’s Palace and lower Marjan

Enter the palace cellars early, continue to the cathedral and old lanes, then have lunch in Varoš. Walk only to a lower Marjan viewpoint in the afternoon rather than hiking exposed slopes in peak heat.

  1. Palace cellars
  2. Saint Domnius
  3. Varoš
  4. Marjan viewpoint

Good to know: The palace is a living urban district. Leave room for ordinary streets and residents rather than treating it as one admission-controlled site.

3

Day 3 · Split

Trogir and Klis with a direct transfer

Reach Trogir early by bus or transfer, walk the old town and Kamerlengo waterfront, then use a direct taxi or organized transfer to Klis Fortress. Return to Split before dinner.

  1. Trogir old town
  2. Kamerlengo Fortress
  3. Klis Fortress
  4. Split return

Good to know: Trogir-to-Klis is not the day to improvise multiple local bus changes. Price the direct link before committing.

4

Day 4 · Hvar

Passenger ferry to Hvar town

Walk to Split ferry port, board the reserved passenger catamaran, and arrive directly in Hvar town. Check in for two nights and climb to Fortica only after the heat softens.

  1. Split ferry port
  2. Catamaran to Hvar
  3. Hvar harbor
  4. Fortica

Good to know: A ticket is tied to a vessel and departure. Confirm the operator, berth, baggage rules, and live schedule.

5

Day 5 · Hvar

Stari Grad and a weather-dependent swim

Use the island bus or licensed taxi to Stari Grad, walk a short part of its historic plain, and return to Hvar town. Add a Pakleni Islands water taxi only when sea conditions and return arrangements are clear.

  1. Stari Grad
  2. Stari Grad Plain
  3. Hvar return
  4. Optional Pakleni Islands
6

Day 6 · Dubrovnik

Seasonal ferry from Hvar to Dubrovnik

Take the direct passenger sailing when it operates, arrive at Gruž, and continue by local bus or official taxi to Pile Gate. Check in for three nights and leave the old town untimed.

  1. Hvar port
  2. Passenger ferry
  3. Gruž port
  4. Pile Gate

Good to know: Outside the direct season, return to Split earlier and use a reserved bus or transfer. Do not rely on a ferry shown for a different month.

7

Day 7 · Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik walls before the heat

Enter the city walls near opening, then use the Rector’s Palace or another museum during the hotter middle of the day. Ride the cable car only when wind and visibility are suitable.

  1. Dubrovnik city walls
  2. Rector’s Palace
  3. Old town lanes
  4. Optional cable car

Good to know: The walls are exposed, stair-heavy, and easy to underestimate. Carry water and avoid a midday start.

8

Day 8 · Dubrovnik

Lokrum and Cavtat, with one easy cut

Take the official old-port boat to Lokrum, return after a half day, then add Cavtat by bus or seasonal passenger boat only if energy allows. Either destination works alone.

  1. Old Port
  2. Lokrum
  3. Dubrovnik return
  4. Optional Cavtat
9

Day 9 · Departure day

Transfer to Dubrovnik Airport

Use the airport bus or official taxi and preserve extra time for summer traffic and old-town stairs. Keep the morning empty unless the flight is late.

  1. Dubrovnik checkout
  2. Airport transfer
  3. Dubrovnik Airport

Before you go

Make the plan dependable

Build the ferry fallback before travel

Record the direct Hvar–Dubrovnik sailing and the Hvar–Split-plus-road alternative. Recheck both when the seasonal timetable for your year is published.

Use the right Hvar port

Hvar town and Stari Grad are different ports. Passenger catamarans and vehicle ferries use different routes, so the place saved in the template must match the ticket.

Pack for stairs and boats

Old-town lanes, lodging without lifts, ferry boarding, and polished stone reward compact luggage and secure footwear.

Treat sea and heat as schedule constraints

Boat service, city walls, and exposed island walks all depend on conditions. Put the priority outdoor visit early and keep one easy cut each day.

Make it yours

Useful variations

For Korčula

Add two nights between Hvar and Dubrovnik. Do not turn it into a midday ferry stop with luggage.

For no ferry uncertainty

Base in Split and Dubrovnik only, using a Hvar day trip when the forecast is stable and a reserved road transfer between the cities.

For Plitvice Lakes

Add two mainland nights before Split with a separate transport plan. It is not a sensible day trip from this three-base coastal route.

FAQ

Common planning questions

Is nine days enough for Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik?

Yes. Eight nights provide two full Split days, one full Hvar day, and two full Dubrovnik days while keeping both ferry days realistic.

Do I need a rental car for this Croatia itinerary?

No. Passenger ferries, local buses, direct transfers, and walking cover the route. A car is a liability in the old towns and does not travel on the fast passenger catamarans.

Is there always a direct ferry from Hvar to Dubrovnik?

No. Direct service is seasonal and schedules vary. Recheck the operator timetable for your exact date and retain the Split-plus-road fallback.

Should I stay in Hvar town or Stari Grad?

Hvar town is the simpler base for this passenger-ferry route. Stari Grad is quieter and works well if you are using the vehicle ferry or prioritizing the historic plain.

Official planning sources

Planning sources checked on September 21, 2026. Schedules, prices, opening rules, weather, and access can change; confirm the live details before booking or setting out.

Editable Huvver template

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Copy the full itinerary into your account, add your dates, invite your travel companions, and adjust the plan against its map.

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