Croatia has been a lively tourist hotspot for six or seven years. This small country of four inhabitants, shaped like a Boomerang and bordering Bosnia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia, is well above its weight. You can spend time relaxing on the sunny Adriatic Sea, jumping among hundreds of rugged and isolated islands, enjoying Italian cuisine or traveling inland and visiting stunning waterfalls and lush National Parks.

Although there is a lot to see and do here, most travelers limit their visit to Dubrovnik or Split. And of course, these are cool cities. But Croatia has much more to offer.

But if you only have a week and you want the sun, I understand why you want to focus on this part of Croatia. (Pro tip: As in many Southern European countries, it is best to avoid Croatia during the hot summer months. In addition to high temperatures and high prices, they share the country with an army of tourists. If you are traveling in winter, the weather is cooler and the prices are much milder, but many tourist cities such as Dubrovnik have practically closed from the end of October to mid-April. Your best challenge is April-May and early September – early November. The quantity will decrease and the prices will not exceed the ceiling.)

To help you plan your trip, I have created this ideal seven-day itinerary for southern Croatia. It covers the highlights and also takes you off the smack track. You will see cities, beaches, villages and have a lot of time to enjoy the local rhythm of life.

Days 1 and 2: Dubrovnik

A breathtaking view of the old town of Dubrovnik, Croatia with the Adriatic Sea in the distance
Dubrovnik is a coastal city of only 40,000 inhabitants, but due to its Popularity, one might think that it is much larger. It is the most popular destination in the country, thanks to its fortified medieval old town, or Stari Grad, which can be full of tourists, especially during the high summer season.

While most of Croatia is surprising, Dubrovnik is no longer inexpensive. Many cruises stop here now and prices have skyrocketed in recent years. That said, there are a few things here that are worth paying outrageous fees for:

Walk through the walls of the old town

A walk through the medieval walls is a must if you are here for the first time. The entrance fee is not inexpensive at 35 , but the Promenade offers an incredible view of the old town and the sparkling Adriatic Sea. It’s 60 to 90 minutes of honesty and the price is definitely worth it.

Summit Of Mr. Srd

Take the cable car to the top of the mountain. SSR. It surprises the old town and costs 27 EUR, but once you have made the trip and seen the view, you will find that it was worth it. If you have a limited budget, you can also hike to the top. There is a dirt road that will take you to the top, but it is a difficult hike. Give yourself about an hour each way. Once at the top, you can sit in the Restaurant and sip a saturated drink while admiring the stunning views.

Visit the War photo Museum Ltd.

There are not many great museums in Dubrovnik, but be sure to visit War Photo Ltd., a gallery founded by New Zealand-born Wade Goddard, a former war photographer. The permanent exhibition about the Balkan wars of the 1990s will help you superior understand what happened here 30 years ago. It is sobering, but eye-opening. Admission is 10 EUR.

Explore Gruž

If you want to escape the crowds of tourists, especially if a cruise ship is in the port, head to Gruž, a once dark area of the marina that today houses several excellent restaurants and cafes. It is also home to the Dubrovnik drink Company, the first and only brewery in the city. The cavernous Taproom is a nice place to sip a local drink after a busy day.

If you’re hungry in Gruž, head to the kiosk, an unusual outdoor place that serves dishes from the Dalmatian coast with some global twists. Or for something really memorable and very Dalmatian, book a place at Marija’s House, where during the warm months, Chef Marija Papak opens her house to visitors and prepares a nightly feast of Peka cuisine-lamb, pork and/or squid cooked slowly under a bell-shaped lid on the grill, which makes the meat incredibly tender