10-Day Croatia and Italy Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Croatia And Italy tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffCroatia and Italy travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Days in Adriatic Coast, incl. Venice and Dubrovnik

  Canals to castle walls define this 10-day Italian-Croatian adventure. Eleven cities including Split's Diocletian Palace and Plitvice Lakes await, with 4-star comfort at Hotel Poppy Venice and Valamar Lacrom Dubrovnik.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Venice, Italy

    Begin your Adriatic adventure in Venice. Skip the busy vaporetto and opt for a water taxi from Marco Polo Airport to reach the city in about 40 minutes. A recent visitor advised: "Get to St. Mark's Square before 8:30 AM—the morning light is magical and you'll beat the cruise ship crowds." On day two go beyond the tourist spots into the quieter Dorsoduro district where you can try authentic cicchetti (Venetian tapas) among locals.

    
  • Day 3

    Slovenia's Coast (Piran & Koper)

    Just a 2-hour drive takes you to Slovenia's coastal gems. Get to Piran's medieval walls early to enjoy panoramic Adriatic views without the midday heat. Stop for fresh seafood at the cafes around Tartini Square. Visit Koper's Praetorian Palace to see stunning Venetian-Gothic architecture before heading to Opatija Croatia's classic resort town for the evening.

    
  • Day 4

    Istrian Peninsula

    Croatia's heart-shaped Istrian peninsula offers plenty to explore. Start with Rovinj's winding cobbled streets. Make time for local experiences like truffle hunting and olive oil tasting near Motovun forest. Stop in Poreč to see the impressive 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica with its beautiful mosaics and take an evening walk along the seafront.

    
  • Day 5

    Plitvice Lakes National Park

    Get to Plitvice Lakes early since crowds pick up around 10 AM. One visitor recommends: "Take the upper lakes trail first thing in the morning when the wooden walkways are less crowded. Bring grippy shoes—the boardwalks can be slippery." Set aside 5-6 hours to properly see all the lakes and waterfalls.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Zadar to Split

    Visit Zadar's Sea Organ at sunset for the best experience. The scenic 3-hour coastal drive to Split includes time to explore UNESCO-listed Trogir. In Split visit Diocletian's Palace during early morning or evening to avoid peak heat. Local knowledge: the basement halls offer cool relief on hot summer days.

    
  • Days 8-10

    Dubrovnik

    Start your Dubrovnik visit with an early morning walk on the city walls when they open at 8 AM. Take the cable car up Mount Srđ before sunset for incredible photos. Spend a morning on peaceful Lokrum island away from the city bustle. For your final day catch a boat from the old harbor to the Elafiti Islands they leave every hour.

    

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• 10 Days in Adriatic Coast, incl. Venice and Dubrovnik

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Stay in Venice Mestre

    Stay in Venice Mestre for Days 1-2 to save money on accommodation. The main island is just a 15-minute train ride away. Get a multi-day vaporetto pass ($25) for unlimited water bus travel. Visit St. Mark's Square before 9 AM to avoid crowds. Want great photos? Stop by Accademia Bridge at golden hour for perfect Grand Canal shots.

    
  • Day 3

    Drive to Piran

    Drive 2 hours from Venice to Piran on Day 3. Walk the medieval walls early in the morning before it gets hot. The climb is steep but offers amazing views of the town. Stop in Koper for lunch and try some local Malvasia wine with fresh seafood by the river. Continue 2 more hours to Opatija on scenic coastal roads.

    
  • Day 4

    Rovinj and Istrian Countryside

    Day 4 starts in Rovinj. Get to the old town early as the streets become packed by midday. The Istrian countryside is famous for truffles and olive oil. Book a tasting tour at a local farm ($40) to sample both. Visit the Euphrasian Basilica in Porec later in the day when most tour groups have left.

    
  • Day 5

    Plitvice Lakes

    Drive 3 hours to Plitvice Lakes for Day 5. Use the quieter north entrance and take route C, which takes 4-5 hours. Bring good hiking shoes. The wooden walkways can get slippery. Morning or late afternoon light works best for photos.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Split Region

    Days 6-7 cover the Split region. It's a 4-hour coastal drive from Plitvice through Zadar. Stop to hear Zadar's Sea Organ at sunset. You only need about 2 hours for Trogir's UNESCO old town. In Split look for accommodation near but not inside Diocletian's Palace to avoid nighttime noise.

    
  • Days 8-10

    Dubrovnik

    Spend Days 8-10 in Dubrovnik after a 3-hour drive along the coast. Walk the city walls first thing at 8 AM ($35). They get hot and crowded later. Take the cable car up Mount Srđ before sunset for incredible old town views.

    

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• 10 Days in Northern Italy, Slovenia & Croatia, incl. Venice and Split

  Glide through Venice's canals, marvel at Bassano del Grappa's 13th-century Ponte Vecchio, and wander Split's historic center over 10 days. The Church of St Euphemia in Rovinj and wine tasting at Villa di Maser await, with carefully selected accommodations throughout.

  

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  • Day 1

    Venice

    Start in Venice's historic center. Skip the busy vaporetto and take a private water taxi from Marco Polo Airport (about €120). The entrance into Venice this way is spectacular and worth the extra cost. Stay in the Dorsoduro district where it's quieter than San Marco. If you're bringing heavy luggage look for hotels with canal-level entrances since many require climbing several flights of stairs.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Bassano del Grappa

    Travel north to Bassano del Grappa known for its wooden Ponte Vecchio bridge and grappa distilleries. Visit the Poli Grappa Museum in the morning when your taste buds are fresh. Take time to walk the medieval walls in late afternoon. The 2-hour drive from Venice goes through the Prosecco wine region and Villa di Maser makes a perfect stop.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Lake Bled

    Move into Slovenia for two nights at Lake Bled. Take a pletna boat to the island church before 10am to beat the crowds. A local guide says: "The best views of the castle are from the Ojstrica viewpoint. It's a steep 20-minute hike but worth every step. Bring proper shoes as the trail gets slippery." Try the famous Bled cream cake at Café Park while watching the sun set over the lake.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Rovinj

    Welcome to Croatia's Istrian peninsula. Wander through Rovinj's Old Town with its winding cobbled streets. Get to St. Euphemia Church's bell tower early for amazing Adriatic views before the midday heat and crowds arrive. Book ahead at Monte restaurant for excellent seafood with a view.

    
  • Day 8

    Plitvice Lakes

    Start early for Plitvice Lakes National Park. A visitor shares: "The wooden walkways can get extremely crowded by 11am. Start at the upper lakes when they open at 7am and work your way down. You'll have the trails almost to yourself." Wear sturdy water-resistant shoes since the boardwalks can be slippery.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Zadar & Split

    Visit Zadar's Sea Organ and Sun Salutation installations at sunset. The 3-hour coastal drive to Split offers great photo opportunities along the Dalmatian coast. Tour Diocletian's Palace in Split before cruise ships arrive. Finish your trip with dinner in the Varoš neighborhood which serves authentic Dalmatian food.

    

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