Honeymooning in Hvar & Dubrovnik
When it came to planning our honeymoon, we wanted the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure.
Somewhere we could soak up the sun, lose ourselves in beautiful beaches, and still dive into a bit of culture and history. Croatia, with its stunning coastlines, turquoise waters, and charming old towns, was the perfect choice for us. Here’s how we spent our unforgettable 8-day honeymoon, from Hvar’s hidden gems to Dubrovnik’s scenic beauty, with plenty of tips if you’re planning your own adventure.
My Trip Overview:
Dates of Travel: Early October 2021
Trip Duration: 8 Days
Carry-On: Monos Carry-On
Day 1
Welcome to Hvar
We chose to spend the first half of our honeymoon on the island of Hvar because it felt like the perfect balance—gorgeous beaches to relax on after our hectic wedding week, but still plenty to explore, including easy day trips to spots like the Blue Cave and nearby islands. Honestly, after seeing a few Instagram shots of Hvar’s hidden beaches and dreamy coves, I was sold.
To get to the island, we flew into Split and pre-booked a private water taxi driver that picked us up at the airport and took us directly to Hvar Harbor. We opted for a private transfer over the ferry because, well… honeymoon vibes! We wanted to kick off our trip as soon as possible, and the water taxi got us there in just under an hour. Plus, it was such a romantic start to the trip with stunning views of the islands along the way. But if you wanted to go a much more budget-friendly option, there are several ferries from Split Harbor to Hvar. (I share all the details in my full Croatia itinerary!)
Once we arrived at Hvar Harbor, we walked up to our gorgeous villa that rented for our trip which was central within Hvar Town and had the most breathtaking views over Hvar’s harbor from the terrace. Some of my favorite views of the island were sitting there watching the sun rise over the harbor with coffee in the morning.
After settling in, we wanted to get a quick lay of the land so we wandered down to Hvar's lively harbor and drooled over all of the luxury yachts and sailboats that lined the docks. By that point, we were pretty exhausted (and jet-lagged) from our long day of traveling, so we grabbed a table at Central Park Club. They have a lively outdoor courtyard with live music and amazing people-watching, so it was the perfect spot to grab a quick bite before calling it a night.
Day 2
Sun, Sea & Sunset Vibes
For our first full day in Hvar, we were still deep in wedding recovery and jet-lag mode, so we officially declared it a do-nothing beach day!
We packed up our beach bags and headed down to the harbor for a leisurely breakfast at FORR Waterfront Restaurant. While the food was pretty standard (yogurt bowl for me, classic eggs, toast, and potatoes for him), the view itself was anything but. We sat on the patio, right on the harbor, watching as the crews prepped their yachts and sailboats for the day. It was a pretty picture-perfect morning.
From there, we strolled over to the popular Hula Hula Beach Bar to rent a beach chair for the rest of the afternoon. Hula Hula is all about the beachy, chill vibe—music playing, crystal-clear waters, and cocktails in hand. We had our pick of ocean-front beach chairs early in the morning (the perks of traveling in shoulder season!), and while the water was a little chilly, it felt refreshing after laying in the sun all afternoon. The bar serves food, so we had lunch directly from our beach chairs. It was the perfect spot to relax, sip, and swim all day long.
After soaking up the sun, we headed back to the villa to get ready for dinner. That night, we had reservations at Restaurant Park Hvar, where we dined on their romantic terrace overlooking the harbor. We enjoyed some delicious wine and classic Mediterranean dishes under twinkling lights—honestly, you can’t ask for a better vibe!
💡 Travel tip!
If you visit Hula Hula later in the afternoon, stick around for sunset! It’s said to be one of the best golden hour views on the island.
Day 3
Blue Cave Adventures
The next morning started with an early wake-up call because we had an exciting 7.5-hour Blue Cave tour booked! After rolling out of bed, we made a quick stop at Nonica Caffee Bar to fuel up with caffeine and sweet treats before meeting our tour group down in the harbor and hopping on our speedboat.
🚤 BOOK THIS TOUR!
We booked the Vis Island and Blue Cave Speedboat Tour through GetYourGuide for this trip. Click here to book.
The first stop was the Green Cave, where we actually got to swim inside and enjoy the natural green glow in the water. From there, we headed to the main event: the famous Blue Cave. We transferred into a much smaller boat because the cave is hidden inside this teeny tiny opening in the rock, and I honestly wasn’t sure we’d all fit through! But of course, they do this all the time, so we juuuust squeaked through the narrow entrance. Inside, once your eyes adjust from the bright Croatian sun to the dark cave, all of the water below you illuminates the cave with the vibrant, magical blue glow. It’s impossible to fully capture on camera, but the sight of fish swimming in the illuminated crystal-clear water was just incredible.
After our time in the Blue Cave, we cruised along the cliffs back to the speedboat and made our way to lunch at a local beach. There was a seaside restaurant right on the shore, where we enjoyed fresh seafood with a view that made the meal taste even better (if that’s even possible!).
The last stop of the day was Stiniva Beach, a picture-perfect cove you can only reach by boat. Once our boat anchored just outside the narrow opening to the cove, we swam to shore and were greeted by a stunning pebble beach and a little beach shack serving cold refreshments. We spent an hour relaxing on the beach with a couple of cold beers before heading back to the boat and sailing back to Hvar.
That night, we capped off the day with my favorite meal of the trip at Black Pepper. The restaurant’s tables line the stairs of a cozy alleyway, lit up by warm glowing lights that made the whole place feel romantic and intimate. I ordered the black truffle ravioli, which I’m still dreaming about years later. After a full day of swimming and indulging in delicious food, we crashed hard—but the day was so worth it.
Day 4
Hikes, Views, & Laid-Back Vibes
We kicked off Day 4 with breakfast at Coffee Snob. Their coffee is top-notch, and we grabbed a couple of pastries to fuel up for our morning hike.
From there, we set off on the easy walk up to Fortica Fortress. This hike from central Hvar Town takes you through some seriously gorgeous landscape, and it didn’t take long before we reached the top. Entry tickets are about $7 USD, and once inside, you’re free to explore the incredible 16th-century fortress. It has everything from old jail cells you can walk through to ancient cannons. You can also learn all about how the fortress was built to defend Hvar from the Ottomans. But for me, the real highlight? The panoramic views over the town and the Pakleni Islands. Absolutely a must see! We made sure to take our time wandering around, soaking in the views from all the vantage points, and exploring this stunning, well-preserved structure.
Before heading back down, we grabbed a quick snack and a drink from the small café tucked inside the fortress—it was the perfect spot to recharge and enjoy the scenery a little longer.
After making our way back down into town, we spent the afternoon shopping around the St. Stephen’s Square area. There are so many cute boutiques nearby, but some of my favorites were SeaMore, Meraki, Antika Jewelry Store, and the Coral Shop.
After our little shopping spree, we stopped for a late lunch at Fig, which is tucked away in a small alleyway. It’s one of those hidden gems you wouldn’t know existed unless you stumbled upon it. The food was amazing—definitely one of my favorite meals in Hvar!
The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing at Beach Križa, a local beach in town that was walking distance away, where we lounged for a couple of hours and just enjoyed the warm weather and crystal-clear waters.
That evening, we were still pretty full from lunch, so we decided to head out for drinks instead of a big dinner. We made our way to Ka'lavanda Bar for some live music and craft cocktails in one of the coziest settings ever. The tables are set beneath beautiful oleander trees, and the whole alley is illuminated— big romantic vibes. We spent the evening sipping cocktails and listening to live music under the stars—it was the best way to wind down after a day of exploring.
Day Five
ATV Adventures & Hidden Beaches
Spoiler alert: this day was hands-down my favorite of the entire trip. After waking up and grabbing a quick coffee and pastry at a local café, we headed into town to rent an ATV for a day of exploring some of the best hidden gem beaches on the island.
There are a ton of local rental companies right in the city center where you can rent scooters, ATVs, and more—same day, super easy. Once we got settled with our ATV, we ran across the street to the grocery store to grab a couple of waters for the road, and then it was off to explore!
Our first stop was a pair of beaches: Plaža Malo Zaraće and Plaža Velo Zaraće. Plaža Malo Zaraće has the most jaw-dropping stone staircase built right into the cliffside, leading down to beautiful teal waters. There was only one other boat nearby, so the beach felt like our own private paradise. We stayed for a couple of hours before walking over to Plaža Velo Zaraće, which has a more accessible beach with equally stunning water—and it was completely empty.
Next, we made our way to Plaža Dubovica, which turned out to be my absolute favorite beach of the whole trip. This secluded bay, surrounded by olive groves and pine trees, honestly felt straight out of a postcard. We laid our towels on the pebbled beach, grabbed a couple of cold beers from the small beach bar settled right there in the bay, and spent the rest of the afternoon lounging, swimming, and just soaking in the peaceful vibes. The beach bar also served a small selection of food, including a delicious meat and cheese plate, so we grabbed a spot at their picnic tables when we got hungry.
After a few hours, we finally tore ourselves away and made the 20-minute drive over to Stari Grad, one of Croatia’s oldest towns with over 1,400 years of history. There are tons of great restaurants and local shops in the area, so you could easily spend a whole day exploring here! We wandered around for about an hour, popping into local boutiques, before having a late lunch at Antika, a much-recommended restaurant that serves Mediterranean and Dalmatian specialties.
Once our stomachs were full and the sun was starting to set, we hopped on our ATV and headed back to Hvar Town for a romantic sunset dinner at DiVino to toast to our last night in Hvar! This restaurant has incredible wine and gourmet dishes, with a stunning terrace overlooking the harbor. It was the perfect final view of Hvar.
Day Six
From Hvar to Dubrovnik – Scenic Journey
The next morning, we caught the High Speed Ferry over to Dubrovnik. We had booked our tickets in advance, and the whole experience was super smooth—the ferry ride took about 3 hours and offered some gorgeous coastal views along the way.
Once we arrived in Dubrovnik Harbor, we took a quick taxi to our Airbnb. This place had panoramic views of Old Town and the harbor from the large terrace (can you tell I love a good terrace view?) While it was definitely a splurge (again, honeymoon vibes!), it was the perfect base for exploring the city.
After getting settled, we wandered down to Old Town and spent a couple of hours getting lost in all the twists and turns of the medieval streets. There are so many unique shops and stunning views around every corner. We even stumbled upon the famous Shame Staircase, which any fellow Game of Thrones fans will instantly recognize!
To end the day, we headed to Buza Bar, which was super high on my bucket list. This incredible spot is literally built into the side of the cliffs outside the walls of Old Town. You walk through a small cutout in the wall, turn the corner, and boom—you’re greeted with one of the most stunning views you’ll ever see. Tiny café tables are perched on multi-level cliff edges right along the ocean, with a small bar at the center. Some people were even cliff jumping into the water for an evening swim. We were able to catch the sunset from one of the tables with a Hugo Spritz in hand. It was my dream.
There are actually two different Buza Bars hidden within the edges of Old Town, for those who are determined to find them. (Or for those who download my Croatia itinerary 😉). The second Buza Bar is actually my favorite!
We ended our evening at Gradska kavana Arsenal Restaurant which is a gorgeous restaurant located right near the Ploce Gate entrance of Old Town. We actually loved this restaurant so much that we came here a second time during our stay in Dubrovnik. I got the truffle pasta (no surprise here) which was incredible, and the restaurant had the most beautiful view overlooking the harbor.
Day Seven
Sky-High Views to Sea-Level Lounging
The next morning, we grabbed coffee on our walk over to the Dubrovnik Cable Car! This stunning 4-minute ride takes you all the way to the top of Mount Srđ, and the views on the way up are unreal. Old Town Dubrovnik is sprawled out beneath you, with the coastline and distant islands stretching out on the horizon. It’s pretty incredible.
Once we reached the top, the view was even better—you can see the entire city, the sparkling Adriatic, and the surrounding islands. We spent some time wandering around, soaking in the panoramic views and snapping photos, before grabbing an early lunch at Restaurant Panorama. Honestly, the name says it all! You feel like you’re floating between the blue sky and sea, with the most breathtaking view right from your table.
After a few days of indulging in Croatian cuisine, we were craving some comfort food. My husband ordered a burger, and I went for a ham and cheese melt, and they were exactly what we needed. Simple, satisfying, and paired with the best view ever? 10/10.
After lunch, we caught the cable car back down and decided to go from sky-high views to a swim in the deep blue sea. We headed over to Banje Beach, which is the iconic beach you’ve probably seen in every photo of Dubrovnik. We rented ocean-front beach chairs and settled in for a lazy afternoon by the water. They serve snacks and drinks right to your chair, so we spent the rest of the day lounging in the sun, sipping cocktails, and soaking in the views of Old Town with its stunning turquoise waters. (This is definitely where you’ll want to snap your Instagram photo!)
💡 Travel Tip: If Banje Beach gets too crowded, Sveti Jakov Beach is a quieter option nearby!
We also walked over to the nearby Hotel Excelsior to snap some photos from their beautiful property. They have an incredible pool which is carved directly into the rocks and fills itself with water from the ocean—it’s absolutely stunning and was on my “Bucket List Trips” Pinterest board for years, so I had to come see it in person.
To wrap up the day, we joined a Walking Food & Wine Tour of Dubrovnik, which is one of my favorite ways to explore any new city! Not only did we get to sample a variety of local dishes and wines, but our guide also gave us a walking history tour, offering cultural insights about Dubrovnik along the way. I’ll be honest—some of the food was a bit outside my comfort zone (I’m more of a chicken fingers and cheesy pasta girl), but it was still such a cool way to experience the city. If you’re a foodie or an adventurous eater, this tour will be right up your alley!
After the tour, we headed back to our Airbnb to relax and enjoy the view of the Old Town lights from our terrace—no complaints here.
Day Eight
City Walls, Wine Tasting, & Pasta Cravings
We started the day with a caffeine fix at Cogito Coffee Shop, which has some of the best coffee in Dubrovnik, before heading out for a self-guided tour of the Walls of Dubrovnik. This 1.2-mile pathway of medieval stone leads you around Old Town and offers jaw-dropping views of the Adriatic. It’s like walking through history, with glimpses of the city’s defensive fortifications and a bird’s-eye view of Old Town below. No matter how much time you’ve spent wandering the city, Dubrovnik always has a hidden gem or two waiting to be discovered, and the walls are the perfect way to spot those places you missed. Your ticket also includes entry to Fort Lovrijenac nearby which offers even more sweeping views of the coastline and Old Town from a higher vantage point!
After our tour, we headed back to our Airbnb to freshen up because we had something special planned for the afternoon—a Wine Lover’s Tour of the Pelješac Peninsula! We had actually registered for this tour as part of our wedding registry, and it ended up being just the two of us on the tour, which made it feel even more special. Our guide took us to three different wineries, where we tasted a variety of wines, explored the cellars, and got to hear some incredible stories from the families who run the wineries.
The experience was magical—we learned all about Croatia’s rich wine culture, and naturally, we brought home a bottle (or three) as souvenirs! Each stop had its own charm, and the wines were all so unique. It was a perfect day of sipping our way through the heart of Croatia’s wine country.
With a bit of a wine buzz and no worries yet of how we were going to repack our suitcases with our souvenirs, we made our way back to Dubrovnik and realized we couldn’t stop thinking about the delicious pasta we had at Gradska Kavana Arsenal Restaurant earlier in the trip. So, of course, we went back for round two and it did not disappoint the second time around.
Finally, we headed back to our Airbnb to sleep off the day, before waking up the next morning to pack, catch a taxi to the Airbnb, and say goodbye to incredible honeymoon.
Thank you so much for coming along with me on this incredible journey through CROATIA!
From hidden beaches and wine tastings to epic sunsets and delicious food, this trip truly gave us memories we'll treasure forever. Whether you're a beach lover, a history buff, or a foodie, Croatia has something magical waiting for you.
I hope you found some inspiration for your own travels and maybe even discovered a few new places to add to your bucket list. And hey, if you're ready to copy-paste my trip for yourself, don't forget to download my full itinerary for all the details, links, and insider tips!