Split to Dubrovnik via two islands: the balanced first-timer's itinerary, with the exact ferry links and the right pace.
Published 6 August 2026 · By Patrick Faust
Ten days is what it takes to travel down the Dalmatian coast without rushing: two UNESCO-listed cities, two islands with opposite personalities and a day of waterfalls, linked by catamaran rather than by car. The itinerary runs north to south — fly into Split, fly out of Dubrovnik — so you never double back.
The itinerary at a glance
| Days | Stop | The essentials |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Split | Diocletian's Palace, the Riva, the Pazar market |
| 3 | Krka National Park | Skradinski Buk by boat from Skradin |
| 4–5 | Hvar | The Pakleni islands, the fortress at sunset |
| 6–7 | Korčula | The walled old town, the Lumbarda vineyards |
| 8–10 | Dubrovnik | The walls at dawn, Lokrum, Mount Srđ |
Days 1 and 2 — Split, the city inside a palace
Start with Split and give it two nights: the city reveals itself early in the morning and late in the evening, once the day-trippers have gone. The peristyle of Diocletian's Palace at dawn, a coffee on the Riva, the Pazar market for fruit and cheese — this is a city to live in rather than sightsee. Climb the cathedral bell tower to get your bearings on the harbour, where all your catamarans will depart.
If you already know Split or prefer small towns, Trogir — thirty minutes by bus — offers a UNESCO-listed island old town, much quieter at the end of the day.
Day 3 — The Krka waterfalls
From Split, an hour's drive or bus ride brings you to Skradin, where the park's boat runs upriver to Skradinski Buk, the great terraced waterfall. Arrive for the first departure: from 10 am in summer the boardwalks fill up. In the afternoon, push on to the Visovac monastery or head back for a swim at Bačvice.
Choosing Krka over Plitvice is deliberate: as a day trip from Split, Plitvice means four hours of driving round-trip. Save it for another trip, or for an arrival via Zagreb.
Days 4 and 5 — Hvar, the open sea
The Split–Hvar town catamaran takes about an hour. Drop your bags and sail for the Pakleni islands: crystal coves and lunch by the water at Palmižana. Next day, walk up to the Spanish fortress late in the afternoon — the view over the harbour and the archipelago at sunset is the island's defining moment — then cross to Stari Grad and its UNESCO-listed plain, Hvar's quiet agricultural other half.
Days 6 and 7 — Korčula, the medieval one
In summer a direct catamaran links Hvar to Korčula in about an hour — this is the crossing to check and book first, as it sells out. The old town, laid out in a herringbone pattern to cut the wind, takes an hour on foot; the rest belongs to the bicycle: Grk vineyards in Lumbarda, south-coast coves, Pošip tasted at the producer's in Čara or Smokvica.
Days 8 to 10 — Dubrovnik, the finale
The seasonal catamaran reaches Dubrovnik in two hours. Three nights are not too many: walk the walls right at opening time (low light, no crowds), take the Mount Srđ cable car at the end of the day, and keep half a day for Lokrum island, fifteen minutes by boat from the old port. If the city overwhelms — it happens on cruise-ship days — the Elaphiti islands offer a car-free escape.
Bookings: what sells out
- The inter-island catamarans (Hvar–Korčula, Korčula–Dubrovnik): book as soon as your dates are set, especially in July–August.
- The Dubrovnik walls: buy online, first slot of the day.
- Old-town accommodation in Hvar and Korčula: the intramural supply is tiny.
For companies and routes in detail, see our guide Getting around without a car.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to rent a car for this itinerary?
No — it would actually work against you: catamarans link every stop directly, and a car becomes a liability on the islands and in Dubrovnik, where parking is scarce and expensive. Rent one locally for a day if you want to explore inland Korčula or day-trip from Split.
Which direction should I travel?
North to south: the summer ferry schedule flows naturally southwards, and ending with Dubrovnik gives the trip a crescendo. The reverse works too if flights are better placed — the itinerary is symmetrical.
Can this itinerary be done outside summer?
From May to early October, yes. Off season, the direct Hvar–Korčula and Korčula–Dubrovnik catamarans stop running: you have to route back through Split or rely on local ferries, adding half a day per leg. See When to visit Croatia? to pick your window.
Are 10 days really enough?
For this stretch of coast, yes — at a comfortable pace of at least two nights per stop. With two weeks, add Vis or Mljet between the islands, or finish north in Zadar and the Kornati.
