7-Day Croatia Yacht Itinerary–Split to Dubrovnik

Dock at ACI Marina Split in the southwest part of Split’s harbor near the waterfront Riva promenade. You’ll be just a short stroll from the top attraction in the city, Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. This UNESCO-listed site was birthed when Diocletian decided to build his residence here. Constructed over the late 3rd and early 4th centuries, it makes up nearly half the historic center. 

When walking the historic streets and alleyways of the maze-like complex, you’ll notice Greek, Roman, and Venetian influences throughout. It holds some of the world’s most well-preserved Roman architecture, including Saint Dominus Cathedral, built in 305 AD. The palace and historic core are also a center of daily local life with unique boutiques, galleries, wine bars, cafes, and restaurants. 

“Game of Thrones” fans can explore multiple filming sites, like the palace cellars where Daenerys trained her dragons. It’s also worth the short trip to Klis Fortress. Set on a rocky hillside behind Split, it served as the city-state of Meeren in the show and also offers a spectacular view from its lofty vantage point. Afterward, return to the Riva promenade. Here you can sip a glass of Dalmatia’s Plavac Mali while enjoying what the locals refer to as fjaka, which literally means the art of doing nothing, a state of mind where time stops and worries so you can enjoy the moment.

The Hvar Town harbor is limited in space with room for roughly 20 yachts, so you might want to anchor at nearby ACI Marina Palmizana in the Pakleni Islands, which is better protected and provides close proximity to Hvar via water taxi. Afterward, you might explore Old Town Hvar with its cobbled streets and landmarks like Europe’s oldest still active public theater, opened in 1612, the 17th-century St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Fortica Fortress soaring above from a 328-foot-high hill. 

If you want to explore more of the island, it’s worth taking a tour to discover charming villages, the famous lavender fields when in bloom between mid-June and July, and hidden beaches. Touring and tasting at some of the top wineries, where you can even chat with the winemaker, is possible too. Stari Grad, the oldest town in Croatia, founded in 384 BC by the ancient Greeks, can be explored too. Nearby, the UNESCO-listed Stari Grad Plain is a system of field division that the ancient Greeks invented and is still preserved today.

Before continuing to unspoiled Vis, the furthest island from the mainland, consider sailing through the Pakleni Islands. If you’ve docked there, it makes even more sense and the archipelago is renowned for its forested gems surrounded by picturesque beaches and crystal-clear turquoise water ideal for swimming. 

As you near Vis, you can anchor at Komiza or Vis Town harbor. Vis Town is where you’ll find more shops, restaurants, and other amenities, along with an archaeological museum and fortress where you can sip island-made wine while watching a sunset from the top. Komiza is a traditional fishing village overlooked by nearly 2,000-foot-high Mount Hum. There are several small beaches within walking distance, along with eateries serving authentic traditional fare with fresh fish and seafood the highlight. 

History enthusiasts can also explore Tito’s Cave on Mount Hum, which was the secret hiding place of the resistance leader during WW11. It still contains some of his equipment, and from this high position, panoramic views over the island can also be enjoyed.

Depart Vis early to visit the Blue Cave before cruising to Korcula. When conditions are right (typically between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.), the sun beams its rays into a crack in the cave’s roof and reflects off the white limestone bottom, bathing the interior in a surreal blue glow. 

Enjoy the beauty of the Adriatic as you make your way to Korcula, ideally anchoring at ACI Marina Korcula just east of the Old Town Gate. The top thing to do is explore the walled historic center by climbing the steps that lead to the imposing gate. Step through to discover narrow streets and alleyways designed in a “fish-bone” layout to help protect residents from the elements. You’ll notice significant Venetian influence throughout the centuries-old buildings, including the Gothic-Renaissance St. Mark’s Cathedral with its pair of winged lions. 

Visitors can also explore the stone home alleged to be the birthplace of international explorer Marco Polo, with a small museum where you can learn about his life and legacy. At the Folk Museum and Ethno House, some 3,000 artifacts showcase peasant life in Korcula. Nearby in the small town of Vela Luka, don’t miss Vela Spilja Cave, one of the most important prehistoric archaeological sites with finds dating to around 3,200 BC.

As Mljet National Park is the top attraction here, anchor at the harbors of Pomena or Polace, which are both near its entrance, with the large and well-protected cove at Polace the most popular. It’s just a short walk to the saltwater lakes, which have small beaches along their shores ideal for sunbathing and swimming. You can walk around the lakes and the paths that wind through the woods, with many scenic trails here, but the top thing to do is ride the boat to St. Mary’s Islet at the heart of Great Lake. It’s topped with a 12^th-century Benedictine monastery and includes a cafe and gift shop on its grounds. 

If you bring a snorkel and mask, the visibility in Great Lake is excellent and you can see small grottoes, rock formations, anemones, a variety of fish, and sponges. Divers might want to take a diving excursion from Pomena village to explore shipwrecks from World War II and even Roman antiquity. Off the southern shores of the island, there is abundant marine life, including octopus and barracuda.

As you make your way to Dubrovnik, stop at Slano on the Peljesac Peninsula. This traditional fishing village is the gateway to Ston, home to the world’s second-longest walls, and Europe’s longest, stretching nearly 3.5 miles. You can walk atop them for a beautiful view before sampling Ston’s famous oysters straight from the sea on a tour that typically includes a wine pairing too. 

Continuing to Dubrovnik, which served as King’s Landing in “Game of Thrones,” before docking you’ll want to sail alongside the massive 13th- through 17th-century walls that surround the Old City for an incredible up-close look. There are multiple marinas, but ACI Marina Dubrovnik is the most popular and well-equipped, a little less than four miles from the Old City.

Take the bus, a taxi, or Uber to the Old City and spend most of your day here. Step through Pile Gate (featured frequently in the first few “GoT” seasons, the main entrance on the western side of the wall, with an inner gate dating to 1460 and the outer gate erected in 1537. From here, stroll the Stradun, a limestone-paved pedestrianized main street that will bring you to historic landmarks like Onofrio’s Fountain that supplied the city’s drinking water for 500 years, Sponza Palace, Rector Palace, and the Franciscan monastery complex that includes one of the oldest still active pharmacies in Europe, opened in the 14th century.

One of the top things to do is walk the two-mile-long City Walls, which “GoT” fans saw in the battle of Blackwater. You’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the sea and nearby islands on one side, while the red-tiled roofs of the historic center are on the other. Afterward, you might conclude your time here with dinner and a sunset view in one of the rooftop eateries.