Current as of: November 7, 2025 - 01:16

Croatia Adventure Trip Notes

  • Ways to Travel: Guided Group
  • Programmes: Culture
  • Activity Level:

    3 out of 7 - Moderate

  • Ages: 16+
  • Trip Code: ADM

Trip Overview

Hike, bike, and kayak: Uncover Croatia’s coast through land, sea and the expertise of your local tour leader

From Roman palaces to island trails and Adriatic coves, this week-long adventure reveals the many sides of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. Hike to the summit of Brač, cycle through pine forests in Mljet National Park, and paddle the calm waters off Korčula. Between activities, we taste local olive oil and full-bodied Pelješac wines, stroll Dubrovnik’s marble lanes and ferry between islands steeped in legend and sunshine. Guided by our local leader, who knows every shortcut and seaside taverna, we go beyond the postcards to experience the rhythm of coastal life, one adventure at a time.

Croatia Adventure

Highlights

  • Hike, bike and more to discover the natural beauty of the Dalmatian Coast
  • Summit Vidova Gora, the highest point in the Adriatic, followed by an olive oil tasting
  • Cycle around pine-fringed saltwater lakes in Mljet National Park
  • Kayak past islets and coves off Korčula’s scenic coastline
  • Sample rich local red wines on a vineyard in the Pelješac Peninsula

Is This Trip for You?

This trip is graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Adult min age: 16

Min group size: 6

Max group size: 16

Itinerary

Land Only

  • Start City: Split
  • End City: Dubrovnik

Land Only Itinerary

Day 1
Adventure begins in Split

Begin your adventure in Split, a coastal city where Roman history meets Adriatic flair. Its centrepiece, Diocletian’s Palace, has been the beating heart of the city for more than 1,700 years, now alive with cafes, courtyards, and local life.

Around 6pm, say zdravo to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and hear more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big Croatian welcome by arranging a group dinner featuring traditional Dalmatian dishes.

Want more time in Split? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation: Art Hotel Depandanca (or similar)

Meals included: Dinner

Day 2
Enjoy sweeping views from the summit of Vidova Gora on Brač island

Take the one-hour ferry to Brač island this morning, renowned for its white limestone once used in Diocletian’s Palace and, some say, The White House. We transfer (20 minutes) from Supetar to the tiny hamlet of Gažul, where our hike begins.

The trail to Vidova Gora, the highest point on the Adriatic islands (2,560ft/780m), rewards us with far-reaching views over Hvar, Korčula, and the Pelješac Peninsula. Along the route, our tour leader shares insights into Brač’s natural and cultural heritage, from ancient archaeological sites to the distinctive karst landscape.

After descending, we visit the Museum of Olive Oil in Škrip for a tasting and light lunch before returning to Split by ferry.

Accommodation: Art Hotel Depandanca (or similar)

Distance covered: 4mi (7km)

Activity hours: 3-4

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3
Choose your adventure: boat trip, e-bike tour, or free day

Today, you can tailor the day to your interests:

Option 1: Full-day boat excursion to Vis, the Blue Cave and Hvar
Leaving Split at 7.30am, journey across the Adriatic to visit the Blue Cave on Biševo island, pause for coffee in Komiža on Vis, admire Stiniva Bay, swim at the Blue Lagoon, cruise past the Pakleni Islands, and explore Hvar town before returning in the evening.

Option 2: Marjan Park e-bike tour
Ride through Split and up into Marjan Hill Park, a forested peninsula offering scenic views across the Adriatic. Stops along the way provide opportunities to photograph the coastline and learn how the local people use this green haven as their backyard playground.

Alternatively, enjoy a free day in Split, perhaps visiting the Palace cellars or taking a swim at Bačvice Beach.

Accommodation: Art Hotel Depandanca (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4
Walk and kayak on Korčula island

Travel south by ferry or catamaran (three hours) to Korčula, a medieval walled town said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. After checking in, we set out for a sea kayaking adventure along the coastline, paddling past small islets and pine-fringed shores with time for a swim.

In the evening, stroll the narrow lanes of Korčula Old Town or sample local pošip wine in a family-run konoba (tavern).

Accommodation: Aminess (or similar)

Activity hours: 3hr-3hr 30min

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5
Cycle around saltwater lakes in Mljet National Park

A morning catamaran (approximately 45 minutes) takes us to Mljet, often called Croatia’s greenest island. We cycle a circular route around Veliko and Malo Jezero, two tranquil saltwater lakes surrounded by pine forest.

There’s time to visit St Mary’s Islet, home to a 12th-century Benedictine monastery, before returning to Korčula in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Aminess (or similar)

Distance covered: 11mi (17km)

Activity hours: 4

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6
Sample wines on Pelješac and walk Dubrovnik Old Town

Departing Korčula by ferry (approximately 30 minutes), we reach the Pelješac Peninsula, famous for its Dingač and Plavac Mali reds. We stop at a vineyard for a tasting paired with local snacks, before continuing (approximately two hours) to Dubrovnik.

This afternoon, a guided walking tour reveals the highlights of the UNESCO-listed Old Town – from the limestone-paved Stradun to Renaissance palaces and mighty city walls that once guarded the Republic of Ragusa.

Accommodation: Hoteli Maestral (or similar)

Activity hours: 2

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7
Adventure ends in Dubrovnik

You’ve hiked to Brač’s highest point, paddled around Korčula, and tasted Pelješac wines, but now it’s time to begin your return journey home.

Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our range of extension options in Dubrovnik or beyond.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

A selection of hotels

We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.

Worth knowing

  • Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.
  • Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Food & Drink

Croatian cuisine reflects a blend of Mediterranean, Central European and Balkan influences. Along the coast, seafood dominates, prepared simply with olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs. Local specialties include peka (meat or seafood slow-cooked under an iron dome), ćevapi, and cheeses. Fresh produce, wine, and olive oil are staples, while pastries, such as strudels and fritule, highlight the diverse culinary heritage of the country.

Transport

Our transfers are in a private minibus and we cross the Adriatic by ferry.

Weather & Seasonality

Croatia has one of the sunniest climates in Europe. We generally travel outside the high season, so you should expect some variation in temperature and possibly some rainfall. Temperatures can be high, particularly on the July and August departures.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: Art Hotel Depandanca, Slobode ul. 41, 21000, Split
Phone: +385 21 302 302
Recommended arrival time: There is a welcome briefing iat 6pm, followed by dinner
Airport: Split Airport (SPU)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 35 minutes’ drive from the airport. We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Catching your return flight

There’s one group transfer to the airport, which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Split
Location end: Dubrovnik

What To Take

Essential Equipment

There’s no specialist equipment you need for this trip. For more information on what you might need to pack, please see our packing guide.

Practical Information

Visa

Croatia

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Croatia. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/croatia
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/croatia
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/croatia/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Croatia.html

Vaccinations and Health

Croatia

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Local Time

Croatia's time zone: Europe/Zagreb (UTC +01:00)

Electricity

Croatia's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins, European standard) and F (two round pins) – 230V, 50Hz

Croatia Adventure

Money

Croatia's currency: Euros (EUR)

ATM Availability

ATMs and banks are available throughout the trip. You can use credit cards in most shops and restaurants in Croatia. However, we recommend taking some cash with you for smaller purchases, such as drinks, snacks and souvenirs.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

Allow €45-€55 per day for simple lunches and dinners, consisting of a soup, main course and salad. It is possible to spend a lot more, depending on what you choose to eat.

Optional excursions

  • Full-day boat tour on Day 3: From €149
  • Marjan e-bike tour on Day 3: From €65

Tipping

Our local staff are paid fairly for their work. Tipping is at your discretion, but many wish to tip their leaders and driver at the end of the trip. We suggest €30 per person for the guide and €15 for the driver. Most groups prefer to present the money to the leader at the end of the week with two separate envelopes (one for the leader and one for the driver). This is completely at your own discretion and to be used as a guideline only.

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.