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.
9 Day Venice to Split Itinerary, incl. Ljubljana and Plitvice Lakes
St Mark's Square in Venice leads to Split's ancient core on this 9-day tour. Rovinj's venetian-style St. Euphemia Church and Zadar's Sea Organ create melodic memories. Plitvice Lakes' turquoise waters and Sibenik's UNESCO-protected St Jacob's Cathedral shine while guests rest in premium accommodations.
- Day 1
Venice
Your journey begins in Venice. Take a water taxi from Marco Polo Airport to the city. Visit St. Mark's Square before 9 AM to avoid crowds. One traveler shared: "The early morning light on the basilica's golden mosaics is incredible, and the square is peaceful before the day tours arrive."
- Days 2-3
Slovenia (Ljubljana & Lake Bled)
Take the 2.5-hour drive to Postojna Caves. Bring a light jacket since the temperature stays around 10°C inside. After exploring the caves, head to Ljubljana to walk through the Old Town. Next stop is Lake Bled, your base for two nights. Make time for the cable car ride up Mt Vogel for views over Lake Bohinj. Go early in the morning for the best visibility before clouds move in. Take a traditional pletna boat to Bled Island. Keep in mind these wooden boats only leave when full, so you might wait a bit during slower times.
- Day 4
Istrian Peninsula
Travel to Croatia's Istrian Peninsula and stop in medieval Motovun, known for its premium white truffles. Your next stop is Rovinj, where you'll stay on a private island. If you get seasick easily, pack motion sickness medication. The boat transfer can get rough when it's windy.
- Days 5-6
Plitvice Lakes National Park
It's about 3 hours to Plitvice Lakes. Start on the park's wooden walkways early. They can get slippery in wet weather, so wear shoes with good traction. A visitor's tip: "Start at the upper lakes and work your way down. The morning light makes for better photos, and you'll avoid the largest tour groups who do the opposite route."
- Days 7-8
Zadar & Split
Check out Zadar's Sea Organ and Sun Salutation. Watch the sunset at the Sea Organ when the sound and light show is most beautiful. On your 2-hour drive to Split, stop in Šibenik to visit its UNESCO-listed cathedral.
- Day 9
Split
Finish your trip in Split. If you're staying longer, look for accommodation near Diocletian's Palace in the Old Town. Summer temperatures often go above 85°F (30°C), so plan indoor activities like palace tours during hot afternoons.
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.
Croatia and Italy 10 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
Adriatic Pearls
Premium Venice to Split
Pearls of the Adriatic: A Small Group Escape
Adriatic Discovery: Northern Italy, Slovenia and Croatia
Gondolas, Lakes & Split - 9 Days
Dubrovnik to Venice
Adriatic Explorer – Croatia, Slovenia & Italy, 10-Day Small-Group Tour
Sailing Croatia to Italy
From Croatia to the Amalfi Coast via Sicily
Adriatic Discovery: Venice, Istria & the Croatian archipelago
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.
