10-Day Croatia and Italy Tour Packages
Think about ten days digging deeper into Croatia and Italy - does it grab your attention? Visit Venice and the Villa di Maser for wine, head to Lake Bled, and the Croatian coast. Check out Piran with Venetian buildings, and Istria for truffle hunts and wine tastings. Plitvice Lakes is a must visit, where you can explore cascading waters and walk across wooden boardwalks. Italian artistry meeting Croatian natural beauty.
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.
- 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.
10 Days in Adriatic Coast, incl. Venice and Dubrovnik
Ten days connect Venice's canals to Dubrovnik's walls along the Adriatic coast. Piran's Venetian architecture and Rovinj's cobbled streets lead to Plitvice Lakes' waterfalls and Split's ancient Diocletian's Palace. Three regional lunches and stays at Valamar Lacroma Hotel round out the journey.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
Croatia and Italy 10 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
Adriatic Pearls
Pearls of the Adriatic: A Small Group Escape
Adriatic Discovery: Northern Italy, Slovenia and Croatia
Premium Venice to Split
Gondolas, Lakes & Split - 9 Days
Dubrovnik to Venice
Adriatic Explorer – Croatia, Slovenia & Italy, 10-Day Small-Group Tour
From Croatia to the Amalfi Coast via Sicily
Cycling from Trieste to Pula
Sailing Croatia to Italy
What people love about 10-day Croatia and Italy tours
- Adriatic Pearls
This was a fantastic trip!! We decided on the Adriatic Pearls itinerary because it made sense to visit Venice and then places in Istria and down the Dalmatian coast that had been ruled by Venetians. We also liked that the last day would be a free day. As it turned out, my husband and I were the only two people who had booked this tour, which not only allowed us flexibility with the itinerary, but a delightful and informative connection to Dejan, our terrific guide and driver from Venice to Dubrovnik. Dejan made the trip so easy, interesting and wonderful in so many ways!!! The trip offered us new information about a part of the world that had been unfamiliar to us, an opportunity to enjoy beautiful coastal towns, hiking in the incredible Plitvice National Park, delicious food, and exquisite hotel stays. This was truly a memorable trip!! The tour operator, Palma, did a great job communicating with us from the time we booked the trip to the final day. Kristina was so patient with all our questions and she insured that everything went smoothly. Palma had also chosen personable and very informative guides in Venice, Split and Dubrovnik. Book this tour, request Dejan, and you’ll have a memorable experience!!!
The actual trip was great but I would have appreciated more scenery and nature stops rather than just mentions that we were passing them Also I didn’t appreciate our guide stating our driver was paid tip money because it was a premium trip but failed to mention she was also given tip money so all passengers tipped her according to the guidelines set out by Intrepid
Premium Venice to Split
- Sailing Croatia to Italy
Sandre was an excellent captain. The group was lovely. Pula and Isola were the highlights.
