Croatia & Montenegro · Coastal Guide
Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik, Istria and an easy add-on to Montenegro
For a luxury Croatia trip, I recommend 10 days from Split to Dubrovnik, hopping between Hvar and Orebić by private boat, and adding Istria at the start if you have two weeks. Go in late May, June or September for warm seas without the peak crowds, and consider ending with a few days in Montenegro, just south of Dubrovnik.
I just returned from two weeks exploring Croatia from north to south, from the vineyards of Istria to the walls of Dubrovnik, touring seven hotels along the way. This guide is the route I'd plan for you, with the hotels and experiences I loved most.
01
When is the best time to visit Croatia?
The best time to visit Croatia is late May, June or September: the sea is warm, every hotel and beach club is open, and the crowds are lighter than in July and August. The coastal season runs from about May through October, and many island hotels close for the winter.
02
How many days do you need in Croatia?
Ten days is ideal for the Dalmatian coast from Split to Dubrovnik. With two weeks, start in Istria, and with a few more days, end in Montenegro.
The best way to travel between Split, Hvar and Orebić is by private boat. It turns a day of travel into an experience, and it doesn't even feel like you're on the move.
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Split
Fly into Split to begin your trip. Two nights here is enough to explore the old town and take a day trip into nature before heading to the islands.
Where to stay
Hotel Ambasador
A modern waterfront hotel within walking distance of everything you'll want to explore in town.
What to do in Split
- Tour Diocletian's Palace with a private guide. The 4th-century Roman emperor's palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the living heart of Split, with far more history than its Game of Thrones fame.
- Spend a day at Krka National Park, about an hour away, where the waterfalls are best explored by boat. Swimming at the falls is no longer allowed, so plan your swims for the coast.
04
Hvar
Next come the islands, and the best way to get from one to the next is by private boat, with swim stops along the way. On Hvar, choose your hotel by how you want to spend your days: resort-style living or steps from town.
Where to stay
Maslina Resort, Stari Grad
A Relais & Châteaux resort with an outdoor pool, a beach club and unmatched views, a short drive from town. Best for a relaxing, resort-style stay.
Virtuoso benefits when you book through usAn upgrade on arrival when available, daily full breakfast for two, a $100 hotel credit ($250 total in a villa), and early check-in and late check-out when available.
Palace Elisabeth, Hvar Town
A classic heritage hotel on the harbor, steps from the shops, restaurants and nightlife. Best for those who want to be in the heart of town.
Virtuoso benefits when you book through usAn upgrade on arrival when available, daily breakfast for two, a complimentary lunch or dinner for two once during your stay, and early check-in and late check-out when available.
What to do in Hvar
- Wander Hvar Town and climb to the Spanish Fortress for sunset views over the harbor and the Pakleni Islands.
- Spend a day on a private boat around the Pakleni Islands, with swim stops in clear coves and a long seafood lunch.
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Orebić and Korčula
From Hvar, a private boat takes you to lesser-known Orebić, on the Pelješac peninsula, one of our favorite discoveries of the trip. It's a quieter base surrounded by vineyards, with Korčula just across the water.
Where to stay
Hotel Katarina
An incredibly charming hotel with beautiful décor, spacious bathrooms, and a gorgeous outdoor pool with a private beach club.
Villa Korta Katarina
For groups, this eight-bedroom Relais & Châteaux villa can't be missed. It's perfect as a full buyout for a milestone birthday with friends or a multigenerational family celebration, with a stunning outdoor pool, enchanting décor, an on-site spa and a wine cellar. Best of all, every meal is included in your stay.
What to do
- Take a day trip to Korčula, the medieval walled town said to be the hometown of Marco Polo, just ten minutes away by boat.
- Taste the peninsula's wines. Pelješac is known for its bold Plavac Mali reds, grown on steep slopes above the sea.
06
Dubrovnik
Two hours south, end your Croatia journey in Dubrovnik. Walk the Old Town walls early in the morning, before the heat and the day-trippers, then venture beyond them.
Where to stay
Villa Dubrovnik
A stunning cliffside hotel with a beach deck and direct water access, a beautiful pool, an incredible spa and food that's truly exceptional. Did I mention the views from the rooms?
Virtuoso benefits when you book through usAn upgrade on arrival when available, daily breakfast for two, a complimentary three-course lunch for two once during your stay, a Villa Dubrovnik beach bag and two raffia hats per room, a $200 dining credit at Pjerin restaurant on stays of seven nights or more, and early check-in and late check-out when available.
What to do in Dubrovnik
- Tour the Old Town with a private guide, with the chance to walk the city walls.
- Pair a morning wine tasting with an afternoon on an oyster farm. This was one of our favorite days of the whole trip: a truly immersive experience.
- Craft your own gin using local botanicals, for something truly unique.
- Take a private boat to the Elaphiti Islands or Cavtat for swimming and a long seafood lunch.
07
Have two weeks? Start in Istria
With two weeks or more, begin in Istria, Croatia's northern peninsula. It has a Tuscan feel, which is no surprise, since it was part of Italy for years. Expect rolling hills, olive groves, hilltop towns and some of Croatia's best food and wine.
Where to stay
San Canzian Village & Hotel
Cozy rooms, an outdoor pool and a beautiful spa, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. It's undergoing an exciting expansion with new villas and residences.
Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery, Bale
An intimate wine estate set among the vines, with pools, a spa and a beach club, close to Rovinj and the region's best wineries.
Virtuoso benefits when you book through usAn upgrade on arrival when available, daily breakfast for two, a $100 hotel credit ($300 total on stays of seven nights or more), and early check-in and late check-out when available.
What to do in Istria
- Go truffle hunting with a local family. Those truffle scrambled eggs with local wine afterward? Unforgettable.
- Wander Grožnjan, a hilltop artists' village of galleries and cobblestone lanes.
- Explore Rovinj, a colorful Venetian-style harbor town that's perfect for a long dinner by the water.
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Add Montenegro: an easy extension from Dubrovnik
Montenegro is one of the easiest and most rewarding add-ons to a Croatia trip. The border is less than an hour south of Dubrovnik, and a private driver, boat or helicopter can have you at your hotel on the Bay of Kotor (Boka Bay) in time for lunch. Three to four nights is ideal.
Where to stay
One&Only Portonovi, Boka Bay
The first One&Only resort in Europe, on the edge of the bay near Herceg Novi, with rooms, suites and villas across a waterfront estate, a private beach and a beautiful spa. It's a short drive from Dubrovnik and the easiest base for exploring the bay.
Virtuoso benefits when you book through usAn upgrade on arrival when available, daily breakfast for two, a $100 resort credit, and early check-in and late check-out when available.
Aman Sveti Stefan
One of the most iconic hotels in Europe, a 15th-century fortified island village joined to the mainland by a narrow causeway, its stone cottages restored into intimate suites. The island reopened in July 2026 after a five-year closure, alongside Villa Miločer on the mainland, set among pine forests and olive groves with private beaches.
BenefitsAsk us about the benefits when you book through us.
Mamula Island by Banyan Tree
Banyan Tree's first resort in Europe, a restored 19th-century fortress on its own islet at the mouth of Boka Bay. There are just 32 rooms and suites, three pools, a private beach, and a spa in the fortress's original central tower. You arrive by private boat across the bay or by helicopter from Dubrovnik.
What to do in Montenegro
- Explore Kotor, a UNESCO-listed walled Venetian town of stone squares and churches. Climb to St. John's Fortress early in the morning for sweeping views over the bay.
- Spend a day on Boka Bay by private boat, stopping in baroque Perast, at the island church of Our Lady of the Rocks, and at the Blue Cave for a swim.
- Enjoy beach days at your hotel's private beach, or along the coast near Sveti Stefan.
Good to know: Montenegro uses the euro but isn't part of the EU, so you'll pass through passport control at the border. I arrange the transfer so it's seamless.
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Planning your Croatia trip
- Getting thereFly into Split and home from Dubrovnik (or from Tivat, in Montenegro), so you never backtrack. Summer brings seasonal nonstop flights from the US East Coast; otherwise, connect through a major European hub.
- Getting aroundPrivate boats between Split, Hvar and Orebić, and private drivers on the mainland. I arrange every transfer, so someone is waiting for you at each port.
- Money and entryCroatia uses the euro and is part of the Schengen Area.
- When to bookFor June through September, book hotels 9 to 12 months ahead, especially villas and the best sea-view rooms. I also reserve private boats, guides and the most popular experiences well in advance.
What to pack
- Light linen and resort wear, plus something chic for dinners in Hvar and Dubrovnik
- Flat sandals or sneakers: polished stone streets and steep steps are everywhere
- Water shoes: many beaches are pebbly
- A light layer for boat days and evenings on the water
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Croatia FAQs
How many days do you need in Croatia?
Ten days is ideal for Split, Hvar, Orebić and Dubrovnik. With two weeks, add Istria at the start, or Montenegro at the end.
What is the best way to get between the Croatian islands?
By private boat. It skips the crowded ferries, runs on your schedule, and turns a travel day into a day on the water.
Should I stay in Hvar Town or outside it?
Stay at Palace Elisabeth to be steps from the restaurants and nightlife, or at Maslina Resort for a quieter, resort-style stay with a pool and beach club.
Is Croatia good for groups and families?
Very. Villa Korta Katarina in Orebić is an eight-bedroom Relais & Châteaux villa with every meal included, perfect for a buyout for a milestone birthday or a multigenerational trip.
Can you combine Croatia and Montenegro?
Easily. The Montenegro border is less than an hour from Dubrovnik, and Boka Bay makes a beautiful final stop, with Kotor, boat days and beach time.
Why book Croatia through a travel advisor?
The best rooms, villas and private boats book up early. An advisor plans the route, arranges every transfer, and adds Virtuoso benefits such as daily breakfast, upgrades and hotel credits at many of the region's top hotels.
Begin your escape
Plan your Croatia escape with Bespoke Escapes
We've just returned from exploring Croatia from north to south, and we'd love to plan yours. I'll design your route, arrange private boats and transfers, and secure your hotels and experiences, with Virtuoso benefits at many of Croatia's and Montenegro's top hotels.
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