Croatia Without a Car in 10 Days

The airport coach reaches Zagreb’s main bus station in roughly 35–40 minutes, before traffic delays. ZET 290 is another option, but its Zagreb terminus is Kvaternikov trg. Choose the connection that suits the accommodation, then leave your bags and walk around Zrinjevac and Ban Jelačić Square. With an earlier arrival, continue through the Stone Gate towards the Upper Town; with a late flight, eat near the room. There is another full day in Zagreb tomorrow, so the first evening can stay short. Check how you will reach the main bus station on day three.

• Zrinjevac and the main square
• Stone Gate if arrival time allows
• Check the day-three station journey

Overnight: Zagreb

Visit Dolac’s food market in the morning, then walk up to St Mark’s Square and the streets of Gradec. The church’s patterned roof is a useful landmark even if you do not enter. The Museum of Broken Relationships is an indoor option nearby if its collection of objects and personal stories interests you; check opening arrangements, including holidays. Later, return to the Lower Town gardens for a slower walk or a café stop. Before dinner, collect food and water for tomorrow’s journey, download the coach and park tickets, and arrange an early breakfast if needed.

• Dolac and the Upper Town
• An optional museum visit
• Prepare tomorrow’s tickets and day bag

Overnight: Zagreb

Arriva gives roughly two and a half hours for Zagreb–Plitvice, with actual departures and stops depending on the date. Reserve an early arrival and a park entry time that leaves room for traffic and getting off the coach. The park confirms free luggage storage at Entrances 1 and 2 and Flora; ask staff how to leave and retrieve your case. From Entrance 1, Programme C covers both lake areas over eight kilometres in four to five hours; B is a shorter Lower Lakes option of four kilometres and three to four hours. Add queues, lunch and bag collection. Reach the accommodation using the walking route or transfer agreed beforehand.

• Booked coach and timed entrance
• Programme C or shorter B route
• Collect bags and reach the nearby room

Overnight: Plitvice Lakes

Use the dated coach booked before reserving the park room. Arriva’s route page gives about five hours and 35 minutes for Plitvice–Split; seasonal traffic can lengthen it. Confirm the exact entrance stop, road side and baggage arrangements. Have breakfast and a short local walk only if the departure leaves time, then reach the stop with a margin. On arrival in Split, the main bus station is beside the passenger port. Leave your bags before deciding how much sightseeing fits. A Riva stroll and dinner may be enough after the long journey; the palace interiors can wait until tomorrow.

• Confirmed southbound pickup
• Allow most of the day for travel
• Riva and dinner after check-in

Overnight: Split

Walk from the Riva through the Bronze Gate towards Peristyle, then choose a paid interior such as the cathedral complex or palace substructures, subject to opening times. The old palace contains streets, homes and businesses as well as ticketed sights. The Green Market is east of the Silver Gate; the fish market lies on the western side of the old centre. After lunch, choose a Marjan walk or Bačvice time according to the weather and your energy. Before returning to the room, check the operator’s information for tomorrow’s ferry berth and boarding requirements.

• Riva, Peristyle and one interior
• Green Market or fish market
• Marjan or Bačvice in the afternoon

Overnight: Split

A dated example is TP Line 654: in its published 2026 season, the boat leaves Split at 09:00 and reaches Hvar at 10:20, calling at Milna. Confirm the actual sailing and boarding time before travelling. Once ashore, leave your bag at the accommodation and explore St Stephen’s Square, known as Pjaca, and the Arsenal frontage. Continue along the waterfront towards the Franciscan monastery, or take a longer break by the harbour. Fortica stands above town and involves an uphill walk; choose cooler conditions for the climb. Stay in Hvar Town tonight and tomorrow, with no need to change rooms for the full island day.

• Split–Hvar passenger boat
• Pjaca and the waterfront
• Fortica if conditions suit

Overnight: Hvar Town

In settled weather, arrange a boat or water taxi to a suitable Pakleni stop for swimming and lunch. Ask which quay it uses, what is included and when the last return leaves. The overland alternative is Stari Grad: confirm transport from Hvar Town and its return before setting out, then spend time around the old streets and waterfront. The nearby Stari Grad Plain is a separate agricultural landscape recognised by UNESCO; visiting it requires extra time and transport planning. Choose one main outing for the day and return to the same Hvar room. Check tomorrow’s Dubrovnik boat status and keep the operator’s contact details handy.

• One main island outing
• Confirm the return to Hvar Town
• Check the next day’s sailing

Overnight: Hvar Town

TP Line’s published 2026 line 654 leaves Hvar at 10:40 and arrives in Dubrovnik at 14:15, with a call at Korčula. The Hvar–Dubrovnik adult fare is €50 (about US$56). These are dated examples for the 8 May–18 October season; check the exact travel day. On arrival at Gruž, use the local bus or a taxi appropriate to the hotel district rather than beginning a long walk with luggage. After checking in, explore the nearest waterfront or make a short Old Town visit. Keep the wall circuit for tomorrow, when you can start earlier.

• Hvar–Dubrovnik via Korčula
• Arrival at Gruž passenger port
• A short first evening in Dubrovnik

Overnight: Dubrovnik

Start the wall circuit near opening time if the weather and your mobility suit its exposed paths and stairs. Carry water and allow breaks. Back in the Old Town, walk Stradun and choose one interior that interests you, checking admission and any pass inclusions before paying. For the afternoon, Lokrum is an option when the boats and sea conditions allow: leave from the Old City Port and check the last return. Lapad offers an alternative waterfront walk without that boat trip. Return for dinner in the district you prefer, and confirm tomorrow’s airport departure time and pickup point.

• An early wall walk
• Stradun and one interior
• Lokrum or Lapad

Overnight: Dubrovnik

For an early flight, go directly from checkout to the chosen transport. With a later departure, leave time for a nearby coffee or short walk after arranging bag storage. Platanus lists outbound airport-shuttle stops at Gruž main bus station, Grawe and the Cable Car stop near the Old Town. Its advertised journey from the main station is around 35 minutes before traffic delays, and the one-way fare is €10 (about US$11), including one suitcase. Read the city-to-airport timetable for the actual date. Add the walk to the stop and the airline’s check-in margin; a room inside the walls still needs a luggage journey to vehicle access.

• Gruž, Grawe or Cable Car pickup
• Allow traffic and check-in time
• Reach the stop with your luggage

Overnight: Departure day