Welcome to a compact yet deeply satisfying 8-day itinerary through Slovenia and Croatia. You’ll trace the Ljubljanica’s leafy banks and Plečnik architecture, climb Zagreb’s Upper Town to hear cannon blasts at noon, and end among Split’s marble lanes inside a living Roman palace. Expect morning markets, honest regional cooking, bold wines, and swims in clear Adriatic coves.

Slovenia and Croatia share a Habsburg thread and now share the euro, which simplifies travel. Overland borders are Schengen-open; trains and buses are punctual, clean, and scenic. Food highlights range from žlikrofi dumplings and Kranjska sausage to štrukli, peka, and Adriatic seafood; pair them with Malvazija, Graševina, or Plavac Mali.

Practical notes: carry a refillable bottle (tap water is excellent), pack good walking shoes for cobbles and coastal paths, and bring a light layer for caves and boat days. Book intercity tickets a few days ahead in peak season, and reserve popular restaurants for dinners in Split.

Ljubljana

Ljubljana is a small capital with a big heart—riverside promenades curve past pastel Baroque facades, and a hilltop castle keeps gentle watch. Architect Jože Plečnik shaped bridges, markets, and colonnades into a cohesive cityscape that begs to be strolled.

• Top sights: Triple Bridge, Dragon Bridge, Central Market, Ljubljana Castle, Tivoli Park, Metelkova art complex.
• Local bites: potica (rolled walnut cake), Carniolan sausage, buckwheat žganci; sip local Rebula and Blaufränkisch.
• Coffee and wine culture thrive—drop into third-wave spots by day, riverside wine bars by night.

Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO Ljubljana or hotels on Hotels.com Ljubljana. Specific picks: InterContinental Ljubljana (spa and skyline views) and the creative, budget-friendly Hostel Celica (former prison turned art hostel).

How to get to Ljubljana: Fly into LJU (or Venice/Trieste then transfer). Compare options on Omio Flights (Europe). Trains within Europe: Omio Trains; buses: Omio Buses.

Day 1 — Arrive in Ljubljana, riverfront first tastes

Afternoon: Check in, then orient yourself in Prešeren Square. Cross the Triple Bridge to the Central Market arcades, noting Plečnik’s columns and river views. Coffee at Čokl (tiny, quality-first roastery) or STOW (inside the City Museum) to shake off jet lag.

Evening: Ride the funicular to Ljubljana Castle for sunset over red rooftops. Dinner at Julija (Slovene classics like venison tagliatelle and trout) or Gostilna Sokol (hearty traditional fare). Nightcap at Nebotičnik’s rooftop bar with a 360° panorama.

Day 2 — Old Town, markets, and a food & wine walk

Morning: Breakfast at Le Petit Café (buttery croissants, omelets) near Congress Square. Wander the Open Kitchen (Odprta kuhna) if it’s Friday, March–October—rotating chefs and regional specialties fill the square with aromas. Explore the Cathedral, Dragon Bridge, and Butchers’ Bridge sculptures.

Afternoon: Join a guided tasting stroll to learn your potica from your pršut. Book the Ljubljana Small Group Food Walking Tour (craft coffee, cheeses, charcuterie, wines, desserts; small local spots, ~3.5 hours).

Refuel with gelato along the river, then stroll Tivoli Park and the Jakopič Promenade.

Evening: Tapas-style dinner at TaBar (Slovene ingredients, creative small plates) or riverside burgers and local beer at Pop’s Place. For a bohemian finish, try Tozd wine/coffee bar or peek into Metelkova’s street-art courtyards.

Day 3 — Day trip to Lake Bled (iconic island and castle)

Full day: Trade the city for alpine blue. Join the Lake Bled All inclusive tour from Ljubljana (castle, island with the wishing bell, and Bled cream cake; small group).

If you prefer caves and castles, swap in Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle—an underground train through vast chambers, then a castle built into a cliff.

Evening: Back in Ljubljana, grab a casual dinner at EK Bistro (river view, modern comfort food) or Slovenska Hiša (local cold cuts, cheeses, wines). Early night—tomorrow, Croatia.

Zagreb

Zagreb mixes Mitteleuropa poise with an easygoing cafe rhythm. Two medieval hills—Kaptol and Gradec—anchor the Upper Town, while grand 19th-century squares and parks unfurl below in the “Green Horseshoe.”

• Top sights: Cathedral spires, Dolac Market, Stone Gate, Lotrščak Tower (noon cannon), St. Mark’s Church roof tiles, Tkalčićeva Street.
• Food scene: štrukli (baked cheese pastry), grill houses, Central European comfort with Adriatic ingredients; excellent craft coffee and gelato.

Where to stay: See options on VRBO Zagreb and Hotels.com Zagreb. Favorites: Esplanade Zagreb Hotel (Art Deco icon), Hotel Dubrovnik (prime Ban Jelačić Square location), and Chillout Hostel Zagreb (budget, steps from Upper Town).

Getting there from Ljubljana: Morning train (2–2.5 hours, ~€15–25) or bus (2–3 hours, ~€12–20). Compare schedules and book on Omio Trains or Omio Buses.

Day 4 — Train to Zagreb, Upper Town and café culture

Morning: Depart Ljubljana by train. Grab pastries from Pekarna Osem to-go for the ride. Check in near Trg bana Jelačića and stretch your legs along the Green Horseshoe parks.

Afternoon: Ride the tiny funicular to the Upper Town. Visit Lotrščak Tower (time your visit for the noon cannon if you arrive earlier), St. Mark’s Church, and the Stone Gate with its votive chapel. Coffee at Cogito (roasted in-house; sleek and friendly) and a browse through Dolac Market’s red umbrellas.

Evening: Dinner at Vinodol (grilled meats, baked štrukli, and Dalmatian pasticada) or Pod Zidom (market-driven bistro, Croatian wines). For a guided overview earlier in the day, the Zagreb Small Group Guided Walking Tour with WW2 Tunnels brings history to life underground and in the Old Town.

End with dessert at Vincek (classic Zagreb patisserie) or a cocktail in the leafy Swanky Monkey Garden.

Day 5 — Plitvice Lakes on the way to Split

Morning–Afternoon: Make the transfer an experience: take the Guided transfer from Zagreb to Split with Plitvice Lakes stop (UNESCO-protected cascades, boardwalks, boat across Lake Kozjak; typically 10–12 hours total).

Expect €100–130 per person depending on season, tickets included on many departures. If you prefer direct travel, buses take ~5 hours (~€20–35) and trains ~6 hours (~€22–30) via Omio Buses or Omio Trains.

Evening (Split): Check in inside or just outside Diocletian’s Palace. Celebrate arrival with seafood at Konoba Fetivi (black risotto, grilled Adriatic fish) or grab a stool at Villa Spiza (tiny, seasonal chalkboard menu). Gelato at Luka Ice Cream & Cakes, then a twilight stroll along the Riva.

Split (Split-Dalmatia)

Split is a city within a palace—Roman Emperor Diocletian retired here in AD 305, and his UNESCO-listed complex is now woven with cafes, homes, and shops. Beyond the marble lanes lie pine-scented hills, clear coves, and islands made for day trips.

• Top sights: Peristyle, Cathedral of St. Domnius and bell tower, Vestibule a cappella echoes, Marjan Hill viewpoints, beaches like Kašjuni and Bačvice.
• Flavors: octopus salad, peka (slow-baked meat/seafood), pasticada, local olive oil, and Plavac Mali reds.

Where to stay: Explore VRBO Split for stone-walled apartments, or hotels on Hotels.com Split from boutique boltholes to seafront stays.

Arriving from Zagreb: See Day 5 options above. For onward island ferries (if extending), check Omio Ferries.

Day 6 — Diocletian’s Palace and Marjan viewpoints

Morning: Breakfast on the Riva at Brasserie on 7 (eggs Benedict, seaside tables). Dive into the palace: Peristyle, Vestibule (listen for singers), Temple of Jupiter, and climb the bell tower for a sweeping harbor view. Coffee break at D16 Coffee (top roaster tucked inside the palace).

Afternoon: Either hike or e-bike Marjan Hill for pine-framed overlooks, then descend to Kašjuni Beach for a swim. Prefer wheels and stories? Book the Eco City Tour Split by e–tuk-tuk (local guides, breezy panoramas in 2–3 hours).

Evening: Aperitivo and Croatian wines at Zinfandel Food & Wine Bar. Dinner at Bokeria Kitchen & Wine (Dalmatian-modern plates; book ahead) or rustic Konoba Matejuška. Nightcap in the palace at Marcvs Marvlvs (literary bar in a 15th-century house).

Day 7 — Blue Cave & Hvar: Five islands in a day

Full day: Spend today on the water with the Blue Cave and Hvar Tour – 5 Islands from Split (usually Biševo’s Blue Cave light show, Stiniva Bay, lagoon swims, Komiža on Vis, and free time in Hvar Town; small fast boat).

Bring a light jacket (sea breeze), reef-safe sunscreen, and water shoes for pebbly coves. If seas are rough, operators pivot to alternate coves and caves.

Evening: Back in Split, toast at Dvor’s garden terrace above the sea (try grilled fish with local olive oil), or keep it casual with fried small fish at Fife. If you’ve energy, a seaside promenade along the West Coast waterfront shimmers at night.

Day 8 — Markets, one last swim, and departure

Morning: Browse Split’s Green Market (Pazar) and the fish market (Peškarija) to glimpse daily life. Brunch at Kat’s Kitchen Deli (wholesome bowls, smoothies) or a quick espresso at 4Coffee Soul Food. Time for one last dip at Bačvice before packing.

Afternoon: Fly out of SPU (Split Airport)—compare options on Omio Flights. If you’re continuing by bus or train along the coast, see Omio Buses and Omio Trains.

Optional foodie add-ons (fit where you like): In Split, the Split Food Tour: Discover Split One Bite At A Time layers tastings into palace history.

In Zagreb, a dedicated tasting walk like the Zagreb: Restaurants, Food & Old Town Walking Tour pairs local bites with stories.

At-a-glance dining and coffee favorites:

• Ljubljana: Le Petit Café (breakfast), Čokl/STOW/Tozd (coffee), Julija and TaBar (dinner), Slovenska Hiša (wine and plates), EK Bistro (casual).
• Zagreb: Dolac Market (produce), Cogito (coffee), La Štruk (baked štrukli), Vinodol or Pod Zidom (dinner), Vincek (cakes), Swanky Monkey Garden (drinks).
• Split: Brasserie on 7 and D16 (breakfast/coffee), Villa Spiza and Konoba Fetivi (dinner), Bokeria and Zinfandel (modern plates and wine), Dvor (sea-view dinner), Luka Ice Cream & Cakes (dessert).

Getting around is straightforward and scenic. For all trains, buses, flights, and ferries in Europe, use Omio to compare and book: Trains, Buses, Flights, Ferries. Peak summer (June–September) sells out; reserve intercity seats and popular tours a few days ahead.

Trip summary: In eight days you’ll savor three distinct moods: storybook Ljubljana, cultured Zagreb, and sun-splashed Split with a whirlwind of islands. From Lake Bled’s bell chimes to Plitvice’s cascades and Hvar’s harbor, this route captures the Alps-to-Adriatic arc—and leaves just enough undone to bring you back.