Lake Bled and the Dalmatian coast

The island church in the middle of Lake Bled, the castle on the slope and the Vintgar gorge, beside the Julian Alps; then the Adriatic, with Diocletian’s Palace in Split and the walls and Stradun of Dubrovnik.

Day by day Open the itinerary in the app

Bled → Split → Dubrovnik · 6–9 days

The route on the map, in the itinerary’s order.

SloveniaBled
Days
2–3
When
May–Jun · Sep
Per person/day
Average 125 EURMid-range · per person/day
Cost scope
Per person per day: accommodation, meals, urban transport, visits and a small allowance for extras. Flights excluded; larger purchases vary. Editorial estimate, not a quote.
CroatiaSplit
Days
2–3
When
May–Jun · Sep
Per person/day
Average 196 EURMid-range · per person/day
Cost scope
Per person per day: accommodation, meals, urban transport, visits and a small allowance for extras. Flights excluded; larger purchases vary. Editorial estimate, not a quote.
CroatiaDubrovnik
Days
2–3
When
May–Jun · Sep–Oct
Per person/day
Average 150–220 EURMid-range · per person/day
Cost scope
Per person per day: accommodation, meals, urban transport, visits and a small allowance for extras. Flights excluded; larger purchases vary. Editorial estimate, not a quote.

Who it is for

For anyone who wants mountains and a lake before the sea, and would rather walk than sit on a beach.

Not for anyone who doesn’t want a full travel day, since Bled and Split are more than 500 km apart by road.

The strategy

Bled comes first, arriving at Ljubljana airport, about 36 km away; check the bus for your date or book a transfer. Vintgar requires an access booking and only opens in season. The leg to Split is the longest of the trip: by car it takes a good part of a day, by bus with a change it takes longer, and it is worth comparing with a connecting flight; keep that day free of sightseeing. From Split to Dubrovnik the bus takes about 4h30 along the coast. The flight home leaves from Dubrovnik airport, 20 km from the centre, with a bus timed to the flights. May, June and September suit all three stops.

What you will see

Blejski otok, Bled. The island contains the Church of the Mother of God, bell tower and other visitor spaces.
Peristil, Split. The square among columns was a ceremonial space within the palace.
City walls, Dubrovnik. A closed 1,940 m circuit walked in one direction, with walls up to 25 m high and 6 m thick facing the mainland.

Day by day

Bled

1
Day 1: The shore, island and castle history
1. Zdraviliški parkOne to two hoursWorth a visit
2
Day 2: Vintgar in season, or Bled without the gorge
1. OjstricaOne to two hoursWorth a visit
2. StražaHalf a day or moreWorth a visit
3
Day 3: Western shore and an optional viewpoint · if you have more time

Split

4
Day 4: The palace and the centre’s squares
5
Day 5: Fish market, Varoš and sculpture in Meje
Day 6: Urban beach and time for your own choices · if you have more time

Dubrovnik

7
Day 7: The walled city, from the top down
1. Rector's PalaceUp to half an hourWorth a visit
2. Sponza PalaceUp to half an hourIf there is time
Day 8: Market, island, and hill
Day 9: Ston, salt and oysters · if you have more time

Open the itinerary in the app