3-Week Croatia and Italy Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Croatia And Italy tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffCroatia and Italy travel expert at TourRadar

• 17 Days in the Balkans & Italy, incl. Dubrovnik and Rome

  The 17-day route weaves through Croatia's coastal treasures and Italy's cultural capitals. Walk Dubrovnik's UNESCO walls, take refreshing swims at Elafiti Islands, and witness Plitvice Lakes' cascading waterfalls. The Italian leg features Venice's iconic gondolas, Cinque Terre's charming villages, and Florence's Renaissance masterpieces before concluding in Rome.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Dubrovnik & Elafiti Islands

    Visit Dubrovnik's UNESCO-listed Old Town. Get to the city walls by 8 AM before cruise ships arrive. You'll need good walking shoes since the limestone streets can be slippery. On your second day take a boat to the Elafiti Islands from Gruž Harbor. The water taxi ride takes about 45 minutes. Take plenty of water and sunscreen since there isn't much shade on the islands.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Split

    The coastal bus from Dubrovnik to Split takes 4 hours. Grab a seat on the right for the best ocean views. Visit Diocletian's Palace later in the day when it's less busy after 4 PM. A frequent visitor shares: "The morning market near the Silver Gate is fantastic for local cheese and prosciutto - go early before vendors pack up around 1 PM."

    
  • Day 5

    Plitvice Lakes & Zagreb

    Start early for Plitvice Lakes. It's a 4-hour drive but worth it. Use Entrance 2 to avoid the biggest crowds on the wooden walkways. From there it's 2.5 hours to Zagreb. Watch the sunset in the Upper Town where they still light gas lamps by hand.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Ljubljana & Lake Bled

    The train to Ljubljana takes about 2.5 hours. Stay near the Triple Bridge for convenience. Lake Bled makes a perfect day trip by bus (50 minutes). Boat rides to the island cost €14. A recent visitor suggests: "Skip the crowded castle and instead hike Ojstrica viewpoint for the best photos of the lake. It's steep but only takes 20 minutes."

    
  • Days 9-11

    Venice

    Buses arrive at Piazzale Roma. Water buses cost €7.50 per ride but multi-day passes are good value for longer stays. The city is at its best early morning or after dinner when most tourists leave. Look for hotels in Dorsoduro or Cannaregio for better prices and a more local feel.

    
  • Days 12-13

    Cinque Terre

    Stay in La Spezia and use trains to visit the five villages. Get a Cinque Terre Pass for unlimited train travel. Start with the easier Riomaggiore-Manarola path before trying harder trails. A regular hiker notes: "The path between Monterosso and Vernazza is challenging but offers the best views - start early and bring plenty of water."

    
  • Days 14-15

    Florence

    Fast trains from La Spezia take 2.5 hours. Book museums online to skip long lines. Visit the Uffizi later in the day when crowds thin out. The Santa Croce area offers good access to sights but quieter evenings than around the Duomo.

    
  • Days 16-17

    Rome

    Take an early train from Florence to make the most of Rome. Book Vatican Museums ahead for early access. Try the Palatine Hill entrance for shorter Colosseum lines. Spend your evenings in Trastevere where locals eat at authentic trattorias after 8 PM away from tourist spots.

    

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• 16 Days in Venice to Dubrovnik, incl. Split and Korcula

  From Venice's St Mark's Square to Dubrovnik's walls, this 16-day tour captures Croatia and Italy's essence. Guests participate in truffle hunting in Motovun, wander through Plitvice Lakes, and visit Split's ancient palace before evening sailing.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Venice & Slovenia

    Start in Venice before visiting Slovenia's Postojna Caves. The caves include a 2km open-top train ride, so bring warm layers. Explore Ljubljana's Old Town, then head to Lake Bled. Consider booking an afternoon departure from Venice to avoid morning water taxi congestion.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Lake Bled & Istrian Coast

    Take the cable car up Mt Vogel to see the lake, then ride a traditional pletna boat to Bled Island and climb the 99 steps to St Mary's Church. Next day, visit Croatia's Motovun for truffle hunting and wine tasting before reaching Rovinj. The walk up to Motovun is quite steep, so pack sturdy shoes.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Plitvice Lakes & Zadar

    Visit Plitvice's turquoise lakes and waterfalls early at 8am before the crowds arrive. Spend the next two days in historic Zadar. One visitor shared: "The sound of waves creating music through the sea organ pipes was mesmerizing, especially at dusk."

    
  • Days 8-10

    Split

    Stay in Split's historic center and take a walking tour with local artisans. Visit Diocletian's Palace during early morning or evening to avoid crowds. The Varoš neighborhood just west of Old Town offers the most authentic local experience.

    
  • Days 11-13

    Korcula Island

    Take a 2.5-hour ferry to Korcula. Visit Vela Spila cave and local wineries. The best beaches are on the south coast, with Vela Przina being a standout. Bring water shoes for the pebbly beaches and plan swimming for mornings before the winds pick up.

    
  • Days 14-16

    Dubrovnik

    Finish in Dubrovnik, stopping at Trsteno's arboretum on the way. Walk the city walls early morning or before sunset to avoid midday heat. Take a sunset boat trip around the Elafiti Islands on your last evening. Summer temperatures often reach 95°F (35°C), so plan outdoor activities for cooler hours.

    

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• 15 Day Italy & Croatia Itinerary, incl. Rome and Split

  Embark on a 15-day journey featuring 8 Croatian and Italian UNESCO sites. Stay at 4-star hotels like Albanopolis Tirana and cruise Croatia's islands. Highlights include Florence's Duomo, Venice's Palazzo dei Dogi, and Hvar's famous Carpe Diem beach club.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Rome

    Start in the Eternal City with an evening to settle in. The next day visit the ancient sites early. Enter the Colosseum through the Gladiator's Gate and explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. One traveler shared: "Watching the sunrise over the Forum was magical, but bring comfortable shoes—there's more walking than you'd expect."

    
  • Days 3-4

    Florence & Tuscany

    Stop in medieval Assisi and Siena on your way to Florence. Get to the Duomo by 8:30 AM to avoid the crowds. Take an afternoon walking tour of the Baptistery, Palazzo Vecchio and Santa Croce. You can also take an optional trip to Pisa which takes about 3 hours round trip.

    
  • Day 5

    Bologna & Venice

    Visit Bologna's historic center and walk under its medieval porticos. You'll get to try local specialties like mortadella and tortellini. In the afternoon take a 2.5-hour transfer to Venice where you'll stay in Mestre for better accessibility.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Venice & Tuscany

    Start at St. Mark's Square before the crowds arrive. Visit the Doge's Palace then stop at a local bacaro for cicchetti (Venetian tapas) and prosecco. The next day travel through Tuscany's wine country with a stop in Montepulciano for wine tasting.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Rome to Tirana

    You can take an optional full-day trip to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast for 150 EUR. The next day fly to Tirana and take an evening walk through the Blloku district which was once only open to Communist party elite.

    
  • Days 10-11

    Montenegro & Dubrovnik

    Take a 4-hour drive through Montenegro's mountains to UNESCO-listed Kotor. After seeing the medieval walls continue 2 hours to Dubrovnik. Spend the next day exploring before your cruise. Take the cable car up Mount Srd to watch the sunset.

    
  • Days 12-15

    Croatian Island Hopping

    Your sailing journey includes Korčula (said to be Marco Polo's birthplace), Hvar with its lavender fields and ends in Split. A recent guest noted: "The island-hopping was the highlight—each port had its own character, from Hvar's buzzing nightlife to Korčula's quiet charm."

    

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