7-Day Adventure in Croatia and Slovenia

7 Day Tour of Split and Ljubljana

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Trip Map
Itinerary
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7 Days 6 Nights

Best Time: Jan-Dec

Nature Lovers

Beach Lovers

See stunning natural beauty in Croatia & Slovenia on this 7-day adventure. Begin in historic Split, exploring Diocletian's ancient palace and charming Venetian alleyways. Enjoy panoramic views from Klis Fortress and relax on Bačvice Beach. Venture to the picturesque island of Hvar, known for its medieval charm and lively atmosphere. Travel through scenic landscapes to Ljubljana, where you’ll explore its vibrant old town on a private guided tour. Marvel at the breathtaking scenery of Lake Bled and explore the mystical Postojna Cave & dramatic Predjama Castle. Enjoy a seamless experience with private guided tours & our detailed travel guidance.

Wander through the ancient ruins of Diocletian's Palace in Split.
Enjoy the panoramic views from the commanding heights of Klis Fortress.
Relax on the beautiful sandy shores of Bačvice Beach.
Discover the enchanting old town of Ljubljana on a private guided tour.
Experience the stunning landscapes of Lake Bled and the awe-inspiring Postojna Cave.

Wander through the ancient ruins of Diocletian's Palace in Split.
Enjoy the panoramic views from the commanding heights of Klis Fortress.
Relax on the beautiful sandy shores of Bačvice Beach.
Discover the enchanting old town of Ljubljana on a private guided tour.
Experience the stunning landscapes of Lake Bled and the awe-inspiring Postojna Cave.

Diocletian’s Palace

Castles & Chateaux

Bačvice Beach

Natural Beauty

Veli Varoš & The Marjan Peninsula

Architecture

Triple Bridge

Architecture

Ljubljana Castle

Castles & Chateaux

Old Town

Historic Landmarks

Must see sights

Diocletian’s Palace

Castles & Chateaux

Bačvice Beach

Natural Beauty

Veli Varoš & The Marjan Peninsula

Architecture

Triple Bridge

Architecture

Ljubljana Castle

Castles & Chateaux

Old Town

Historic Landmarks

Starting from

$1390

per person

4.8 (365 reviews)

Not included

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Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Split

Day 1

Arrive Split

To Be Determined

Transfer from Airport by Taxi or Shuttle Bus

Split has one main airport, Split Airport, also known as Resnik Airport. Taxis are available directly at the terminal exit, or you can arrange a private transfer for added convenience. UberX is also available in Split for those with the mobile app. It will cost about 250 HRK to reach the city by car. Keep in mind that if staying in Old Town, your driver will likely need to drop you off near your hotel as cars are not allowed in the pedestrian zones. If you need help with your bags, you should arrange it beforehand with your hotel or a private transfer. If you want to save money, there is a direct shuttle bus line for 35 HRK which departs from in front of the terminal and drops off at the Split bus station, from where it is a relatively short walk to the historic center of Split. If you really want to save money, the public bus line no. 38 picks up near the airport as well, but of course you'll need to make a lot of stops along the way and it may not be the most convenient way to travel if you have bags.

Day 1

Arrive Split

To Be Determined:

Transfer from Airport

Mid-Day/Afternoon:

Diocletian's Palace

Late Afternoon:

Fishermen's Quarter

Day 1

Arrive Split

Day 1

Arrive Split

To Be Determined

Transfer from Airport by Taxi or Shuttle Bus

Mid-Day/Afternoon

Explore Palace Ruins & Venetian Alleyways in Old Split

Split's Old Town started out as a luxurious retirement palace for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. As Roman emperors often met bloody ends, about half of the palace consisted of a less luxurious fortress designed to accommodate a large garrison of loyal Roman soldiers. Within the palace's high walls there were also temples, streets, and large courtyards, meaning it was only natural that long after the Diocletian was gone and the empire fallen, much of the palace was incorporated into Split's Old Town. Indeed about half of the Old Town consists of the former palace area. Despite falling into disrepair and constant reconstructions over the intervening millennia, the Palace remains one of the best-preserved examples of Roman architecture in the world. It's principal set-piece buildings, such as Diocletian's mausoleum and the Temple of Jupiter still remain. But the palace is far from being just an archeological site and it continues to this day as a living and breathing historical monument with 2,000 to 3,000 people still resident within its ancient walls. This means that so much tinkering has gone on over the centuries that it's no longer immediately recognizable as an ancient Roman structure. On the other hand, up close and personal you can still make out the remains of some of the imperial apartments that are used today as outdoor bars and cafes and shops. And the medieval tenements built by the Venetians were built in large part from the stones scavenged from Diocletian's original buildings. The tangled mass of alleyways, small squares, and narrow lanes just outside the Palace is also well worth exploring. The Venetian architecture makes the setting particularly enchanting (Split was ruled by the Republic of Venice for centuries).

Late Afternoon

Marjan Peninsula & the Fisherman's Quarter of Veli Varoš

Veli Varoš is a neighborhood situated at the western end of the old town that is crammed full of charming old stone houses and apartments characteristic of Dalmatia, and narrow cobbled streets that wind up the Marjan Hill. The district once represented the poorer part of Split developed by farmers and fishermen looking to make a better living in the city and seeking shelter from Ottoman military incursions. Today property prices have accelerated northwards, but it's still well worth reconnoitering the maze of paths and traffic-free lanes as you head to the top of the neighborhood to catch magical views of the city. Venture beyond the Fisherman's Quarter and you will be surrounded by typically Mediterranean forest landscape on the Marjan Peninsula.

Day 2

Split

Day 2

Split

Day 2

Split

Day 2

Split

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Walking Tour of Split Old Town & Diocletian's Palace

This two-hour guided tour will take you to the Roman emperor Diocletian's 1700-year-old palace which was built as his personal rest home. Walk from the Bronze Gate through the central hall of the ancient cellars is the main communication line between the busy waterfront promenade, the Riva, and the palace's main forecourt, the Peristyle. You'll also stop by the Cathedral of St Duje, one of the most beautiful cultural attractions on the Adriatic coast, the Roman temple of Jupiter (latterly a Christian baptistry), the fabulous Golden Gate, and the medieval Croatian bishop who introduced the Croatian language in religious services.

Mid-Day/Afternoon

Excursion to Klis Fortress

For thousands of years the mighty and imposing Klis Fortress, with its grand views of the Dalmatian Coast, has been guarding the strategic mountain pass just above Split. For many modern visitors, however, more significant than the real history of the castle is its use as a film set for the city-state of Meereen in Game of Thrones. In either case, ciimbing the fortress's steep trails and exploring its ruins makes for a fascinating visit. The remarkably intact structure with grand views of the Dalmatian Coast was first fortified by the ancient Illyrian tribe of the Dalmatae, and later by Romans. In medieval times it was a seat of power for the expanding medieval kingdom of the Croats, even repelling a Mongol army in 1242. Klis was later defended by a band of irregular Croatian defenders, the Uskoks, who managed to hold off repeated sieges by the Ottoman Turks until finally being defeated in 1537. Within the fortress you'll find an interesting exhibit on the Uskoks. Retaken from the Turks in 1648, the fortress changed hands several more times, and saw its last military action during the Second World War when it was a stronghold for Italian and German occupation forces. These days, you can easily conquer the fortifications yourself via the local bus line 22 from Split. Even more easy is the Promet tourist bus which leaves from the main bus station and reaches the fortress in 20 minutes. Of course most convenient is take a guided tour which can explain both the real and the cinematic story behind the fortress.

Afternoon to Early Evening

Swim and Sun with the Locals on Bačvice Beach

A rare sandy beach, Bačvice is a favorite among Split locals and hence a great place to indulge in some covert people watching while lapping up the sun. Just a few minutes' walk from the bus and train stations and the ferry terminal, Bačvice beach is also the spiritual home of the traditional Croatian water sport of picigin - a form of volleyball in which a group of players tries to keep a ball in the air in shallow water using the most athletic and acrobatic moves possible. There are showers and changing rooms at both ends of the beach, while Café Zbirac has a reputation for good food and drink. Immediately behind the beach is a swanky modern three-tier pavilion with several cafes and a couple of chic eating places inside. It's a popular venue for after-dark drinking and feasting whatever the time of the year. A coastal path leads from Bačvice past a couple smaller bays and many more cafes; it's a pleasant area for late afternoon or evening perambulations all year round.

Day 3

Split

Day 3

Split

Day 3

Split

Day 3

Split

Early Morning to Afternoon

Excursion to Beautiful Hvar Island

Hvar has a reputation as the Croatian Ibiza, i.e. lots of young people partying as if their lives depended on it, but it's actually much more than that and remains relatively unspoiled and comparatively affordable in relation to the mainland coast. Both of its main towns, Hvar and Star Grad, are lovely medieval towns full of traffic-free alleys surrounded by ancient stone houses; these act as a romantic backdrop to the towns' many cafes from where you can indulge in people-watching and view the fancy yachts filling up the harbor. In the summer, you can take a passenger-only 1-hour catamaran trip directly to Hvar Town. In other months, Hvar is still relatively easy to get to via a 2-hour car ferry to the main island port of Stari Grad. If you do take the ferry, it's still just a short bus or taxi ride to Hvar or Stari Grad - you can even walk to Stari Grad from the ferry port. Keep in mind though that you must be quick off the ferry to catch the bus. If you can afford it, taking a private boat is the ultimate way to experience Hvar, as you can swim, snorkel, and sunbathe along the way. Also keep in mind that while Hvar is happening in the warmer months, it is quite sleepy in the off season. Many restaurants and attractions will be closed, but if you enjoy exploring in peace and quiet, it is the perfect time to visit.

Day 4

Split to Ljubljana

Day 4

Split to Ljubljana

Day 4

Split to Ljubljana

Day 4

Split to Ljubljana

8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Private Transfer from Split to Ljubljana

A private transfer with door-to-door service is certainly the most convenient way to travel. The 5.5 hour journey to Ljubljana takes you through the scenic landscape of of Dalmatia and southern Slovenia, transporting you from the rugged and arid coastline into the verdant green uplands of Slovenia. Since the tourism dollars of European travelers are so important to Croatia, the country has expended large sums on building an impressive highway system to facilitate their drives south. However, once in Slovenia, most of the journey will be along two lane highways. Unfortunately, there are no good train or bus connections between the cities, as any bus or train trip would require a connection and several extra hours of travel. So while private transfers are expensive and not-so-carbon-friendly, they are the best option in this case.

Afternoon/Late Afternoon

Wander Ljubljana's Charming Old Town

Ljubljana may be one of the smallest and newest European capitals without world-famous monuments, but what it lacks in renown it more than compensates for in spark and self-confidence in comparison to the introspection of Europe's larger cities. Having suffered little trauma from the breakup of Yugoslavia other than the 'Ten-Day War' in 1991, the Slovenian capital is now an obviously prosperous and self-assured place that has successfully absorbed and integrated a whole variety of external influences from Austria, the Mediterranean and the Balkans over the centuries, and then adapted and tailored them to produce a unique distillation that's remarkable in such a small country. It's one of the continent's greenest and most liveable capitals, having been awarded by the EU with the coveted Green Capital of Europe title for 2016. Car traffic is restricted in the center as one street per year is pedestrianized, leaving the leafy banks of the emerald-green Ljubljanica River, which flows through the city's heart, free for pedestrians and cyclists. There's even a free taxi service in the car-free city center, which is a golfcart-like electric vehicle called Kavalir. It travels slowly around the pedestrianized streets and you can jump on and off anytime you like (it holds up to 5 people at a time). In summer, cafes and restaurants set up shaded seating along the river, making it one of the liveliest (and busiest) open-air dining areas around.

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Guided Walking Tour of Ljubljana

On this private walking tour, you get to know the unique character of Ljubljana Old Town, where distinct Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture combines with masterly creations by the 20th-century architect Jože Plečnik. See the city's best-known sights, like the Triple Bridge, the four squares of the Old Town, the areas dedicated to the city's famous outdoor market, and the beautiful Secessionist architecture around Miklošičeva cesta.

Day 5

Ljubljana

Day 5

Ljubljana

Day 5

Ljubljana

Day 5

Ljubljana

Morning to Evening

Excursion to Postojna Caves & Predjama Castle

Two of Slovenia's most famous and impressive attractions are located about 6 miles (10km) from each other, meaning that it's a no-brainer to see both of them on the same excursion. The other-worldly Postojna Caves are some of Europe's most impressive, while the wonderfully dramatic Predjama Castle, 9km north of the cave, is built into a setting as unforgettable as it is improbable.

Day 6

Ljubljana

Day 6

Ljubljana

Day 6

Ljubljana

Day 6

Ljubljana

Morning to Evening

Self Guided Excursion to the Picturesque Lake Bled

With its mountain setting, dark turquoise waters, boats rowing passengers out to the island church, and dramatic cliff-top castle, Lake Bled is picture-postcard perfect, making it the most popular destination in Slovenia for both international and domestic tourists alike. You can take a walk or ride a tourist train around the lake, row out to the island, and dine alongside the enchanting shoreline. With enough time to spare, you can also take in the dramatic Vintgar Gorge and the beautiful medieval village of Radovljica. Lake Bled is about an hour-and-a-half trip from Ljubljana. You have two options for getting to there by public transport - bus or train. Buses depart Ljubljana more frequently and arrive at a very convenient location near the lakeshore in Bled, but they can get very crowded during the summer, especially at the weekends when seemingly every young backpacker in the country wants to get there, while the train departs more infrequently and doesn't arrive directly in Bled, but it isn't as crowded. Of course you can also just take a guided excursion if you want to keep it simple.

Day 7

Depart Ljubljana

Day 7

Depart Ljubljana

Day 7

Depart Ljubljana

Day 7

Depart Ljubljana

To Be Determined

Transfer to Ljubljana Airport by Taxi

Ljubljana has one main airport, Ljubljana Airport, also known as Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, where almost all visitors depart. You can also arrange a private transfer for added convenience. If you are picked up about two hours and forty-five minutes before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about two hours to spare, depending on traffic. The cost should be about 35 EUR. It is a very small airport so you should have little trouble finding your way upon arrival at the airport.

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7-Day Adventure in Croatia and Slovenia

7 Day Tour of Split and Ljubljana

$1390

Secure Your Customizable Trip Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.

Trip Map & Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Transfer from Airport by Taxi or Shuttle Bus

Secure Your Customizable Trip
Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary
Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.