Hike and Swim Croatia — Self-Launched Island Hopping Version

Land or arrive by bus into Split and settle into a guesthouse or hostel in the old town or Varos district. Late afternoon, walk up Marjan Hill — the 7 km loop to the peak and back is a good leg-stretcher after travel, or take the 14 km full circuit if you're keen. Finish with a wander through Diocletian's Palace and the Riva promenade, then a cheap meal of gregada or grilled fish in Varos.

🚌Arrival by bus/train/flight; on foot and local city bus around Split

🛏Hostel or family guesthouse in Split old town (£22–35/night, dorm or private depending on budget)

• →Marjan Hill walk (7–14 km self-guided)
• →Diocletian's Palace
• →Riva waterfront evening stroll

Book a standard coach excursion to Krka from Split (around £30–40 with entrance included, bookable via GetYourGuide or Klook) or do it independently: bus from Split to Šibenik (~£7, 1h15), then local bus to Lozovac and walk the marked trails down to Skradinski Buk. Either way, spend 3–4 hours on the forest paths and wooden bridges above the waterfalls, and visit the restored watermills. In the afternoon explore Šibenik and St James's Cathedral (UNESCO). Return to Split by evening bus (~£7).

🚌Local bus Split–Šibenik (~£7 each way) plus park shuttle, or organised coach excursion (~£30–40)

🛏Same Split guesthouse/hostel

• →Krka National Park self-guided waterfall trails
• →Skradinski Buk boardwalks
• →Watermills and stone workshops
• →Šibenik old town and St James's Cathedral

Take the morning Jadrolinija catamaran from Split to Supetar or Bol (~£6–9, 50–60 min). Hike Vidova Gora from Bol — the classic route up to the highest point on the Adriatic islands is about 13 km round trip with 3–5 hours walking, with a longer 16 km option via the villages. Reward yourself with a swim at Zlatni Rat beach before catching the afternoon/evening ferry back to Split. Buy the return ticket when you arrive to be safe.

🚌Passenger catamaran Split–Bol/Supetar return (~£12–18); hiking on foot

🛏Same Split guesthouse/hostel

• →Self-guided hike to Vidova Gora (13 or 16 km)
• →Swim at Zlatni Rat
• →Island cove swimming stops

Morning catamaran from Split to Vis (~£9–12, 1h20–2h). Check into a guesthouse in Vis town, then walk the bayside path (10 or 16 km, 2–4 hours) out towards the coves. In the afternoon visit the 2nd-century Roman baths site, climb to Fort George for sunset views, and seek out the old Yugoslav submarine tunnel — bring a torch. Evening swim and a drink at a waterfront lounge bar.

🚌Catamaran Split–Vis (~£10); everything on foot

🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Vis town (£25–38/night)

• →Vis bay coastal walk (10 or 16 km)
• →Roman baths ruins
• →Fort George
• →Submarine military tunnel

Early hike up into the hills above Vis bay (7 km, 2–3 hours) through olive groves, vineyards and fig plantations — pick up Hib, the local fig cake, from a bakery. In the afternoon take the local bus (~£3) to the fishing village of Komiža, and if sea conditions allow, join a Blue Cave (Biševo) boat trip or a kayak/SUP tour of the eastern archipelago (book via GetYourGuide/Klook, ~£35–50). Catch the evening bus back and finish with a wine tasting on the waterfront.

🚌Local bus Vis–Komiža (~£3 each way); optional boat tour

🛏Same Vis guesthouse

• →Hill hike above Vis bay (7 km)
• →Hib fig tasting
• →Komiža fishing village
• →Optional Blue Cave or kayak/SUP tour
• →Local wine tasting

Take the morning catamaran from Vis to Hvar (~£9–12; in season there are direct sailings, otherwise it's via Split or Korčula — check Krilo and Jadrolinija timetables). Afternoon in Hvar Town: explore the old town, visit the old municipal theatre, then climb to Španjola Fortress for the classic harbour view, followed by the pine-shaded walk to Napoleonic Fort. Spend the late afternoon swimming on the Pakleni Islands — the water taxi from Hvar harbour is ~£5–8 return.

🚌Catamaran Vis–Hvar (~£10); water taxi to Pakleni Islands (~£6 return); on foot

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Hvar Town or Stari Grad (£28–40/night)

• →Hvar old town and theatre
• →Španjola Fortress climb
• →Napoleonic Fort walk
• →Pakleni Islands swim

Hike the interior of Hvar from Stari Grad or Hvar Town: a 12 km, 3–4 hour walk through lavender fields and olive groves, past an old shepherds' settlement, dry-stone walls and abandoned hamlets, with a coastal rocky return path. Check whether lavender is in bloom (roughly June–July) — out of season the trails are quieter but no less beautiful. Swim from a rocky cove on the way back, and in the evening seek out 7th-century historical sites and the Venetian loggia in Stari Grad.

🚌Local bus Hvar Town–Stari Grad (~£3) or on foot

🛏Same Hvar accommodation

• →Lavender fields and olive grove walk (12 km)
• →Former shepherds' settlement
• →Traditional village and stone-wall trails
• →Coastal swim
• →Stari Grad historic sites and Venetian loggia

Morning swim and a slow breakfast, then catch the catamaran or ferry from Hvar to Split (~£10–15, 1h) for onward connections. If your flight is late, store bags at the port and take a final lap of Diocletian's Palace. Ferries fill up in July and August, so book your onward sailing a day or two ahead.

🚌Catamaran/ferry Hvar–Split (~£12), then onward bus or flight

• →Morning swim
• →Ferry transfer to Split