22 days in Croatian Coast Itinerary

It's the mild climate and calm seas of Pula that draw visitors to the southernmost point of the Istrian peninsula, but the city's ample Roman architecture is a key reason they stay.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Dvigrad and Food & Wine station Trapan. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Istrian de Dignan - Ecomuseum and Oil mill Grubic. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Pula: Hilltop Walled Ancient City of Motovun (in Motovun), Groznjan Hilltop village of artists, Istria, Croatia (in Groznjan) and Food Tours (in Buzet). There's much more to do: experience rural life at Chiavalon Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, pause for some serene contemplation at Iglesia Del Espiritu Santo, stop by Dolija 08, and admire the landmark architecture of Arco dei Sergi.

To find reviews, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Pula trip planner .

Zurich, Switzerland to Pula is an approximately 2-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight; or drive. Prepare for a bit warmer weather when traveling from Zurich in December: high temperatures in Pula hover around 13°C and lows are around 2°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Thu) so you can catcht the bus to Rijeka.

Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third-largest city in Croatia (after Zagreb and Split). On the 13th (Fri), explore the world behind art at Rijeka City Museum, step into the grandiose world of Trsat Castle, then see the interesting displays at Peek & Poke Computer Museum, and finally don't miss a visit to Gradski Toranj (City Tower). Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 14th (Sat): get a taste of the local shopping with Aura Distillery, then take a stroll through The town of Hum, and then get to know the fascinating history of Korzo.

For maps, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Rijeka sightseeing planner .

Traveling by bus from Pula to Rijeka takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Traveling from Pula in December, expect somewhat warmer with lows of 7°C in Rijeka. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Sat) early enough to travel to Bol.

An hour boat ride from Split on the island of Brac, Bol boasts a charming old town, pebble beach, and great windsurfing conditions. Historical charm abounds here in the form of stone houses, narrow pedestrian streets, and historical attractions marked with panels.

On the 15th (Sun), take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Vidova Gora and then contemplate the long history of Dolina Blaca.

To see ratings, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Bol tour planner.

Traveling by combination of car and ferry from Rijeka to Bol takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, flight, and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Traveling from Rijeka in December, you will find days in Bol are a bit warmer (17°C), and nights are about the same (9°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Sun) early enough to drive to Split.

Experience an authentic Adriatic lifestyle in Split, the largest city along the sea's coast.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Knin Fortress and Split Archaeological Museum. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Starigrad Fortress and Galerija Mestrovic. Change things up with these side-trips from Split: Hilltop 15th Century Church of St. George in Old Town Primosten (in Primosten), Omis (Omis and Cetina River & Origin Croatian Cosmetics) and Trogir (Kairos Collection & Trogir Square). The adventure continues: see the interesting displays at Live Museum Split, test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, explore the galleries of Jaksic Gallery, and take an in-depth tour of Etnografski muzej Split.

For photos, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Split trip builder tool .

You can drive from Bol to Split in 2 hours. Traveling from Bol in December, Split is slightly colder at night with lows of 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Thu) early enough to drive to Hvar.

The Croatian island of Hvar serves as a picturesque location for a Mediterranean holiday, with a range of offerings from quiet coves to a lively medieval town.

Step off the beaten path and head to Tvrdalj Castle and Tomic Winery. Do some cultural sightseeing at Stari Grad Plain and St. Stephen's Cathedral. And it doesn't end there: enjoy the sand and surf at Dubovica Beach, admire the striking features of Franciscan Monastery, head off the coast to Jerolim, and take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To find more things to do, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Hvar online itinerary planner .

You can drive from Split to Hvar in 1.5 hours. In December in Hvar, expect temperatures between 17°C during the day and 9°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Dubrovnik.

Along the Dalmation Coast, the city of Dubrovnik has become famous for its pedestrian-only Old Town surrounded by fortress walls, and its historical heft has earned it World Heritage Site status.

Step off the beaten path and head to Cavtat Cemetery and Minceta Fortress. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Upper Corner Tower Foundry Museum and Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola. When in Dubrovnik, make a side trip to see Stonske zidine - Ulaz in Ston, approximately 56 minutes away. There's lots more to do: browse the exhibits of Vlaho Bukovac House, make a trip to Brsalje Street, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Church of Saint Blaise, and examine the collection at Love Stories Museum.

For other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, read our Dubrovnik planning site .

You can ride a ferry from Hvar to Dubrovnik in 4 hours. Other options are to do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of ferry and bus. In December, daily temperatures in Dubrovnik can reach 15°C, while at night they dip to 6°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Korcula Town.

Korcula Town perches on the edge of the island's eastern coastline.

Kick off your visit on the 29th (Sun): view the masterpieces at Bags by Kristina, cast your line with a fishing tour, take in the exciting artwork at Vapor gallery, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at St. Mark's Cathedral, and finally take an in-depth tour of Bishop's Treasury Museum.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Korcula Town online travel route planner .

You can drive from Dubrovnik to Korcula Town in 3 hours. In December, plan for daily highs up to 17°C, and evening lows to 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Sun) early enough to travel to Zadar.

Situated along the Adriatic Sea, Zadar preserves a medieval old town that is entirely contained on a peninsula.

Kick off your visit on the 30th (Mon): take in the views from Stone Bridge and the Old Gate, make a trip to The Forum, pause for some serene contemplation at Zadar Cathedral, then take in panoramic vistas at Bell Tower, then examine the collection at Archaeological Museum Zadar, and finally don't miss a visit to Paseo Maritimo. On the 31st (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: put a fun spin on your tour with City Game Zadar, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at The Church of the Holy Cross, then admire the striking features of City Sentinel, and finally appreciate the extensive heritage of Narodni trg u Zadru.

For traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Zadar trip planning tool .

Getting from Korcula Town to Zadar by combination of ferry and car takes about 5 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry and bus; or take a bus. Traveling from Korcula Town in December, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be little chillier in Zadar, with lows of 0°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Tue) to allow time to travel back home.