road trip croacia 7 dias

Epic Croatia Road Trip: 7 & 14 Day Itinerary [+ Local Tips]

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After a few Croatia road trips, I started thinking about how to break this stunning country down into manageable chunks so that it’s enjoyable for the amount of time you have and for the vibe you’re going for. 

In this post, I want to help you avoid rushing through a vacation or check-boxing a few highlighted sights without truly experiencing the Croatian pomalo spirit of taking it easy.

Because what’s worse than needing a vacation from your vacation!? So let’s start thinking through this.

Table of Contents

How Long Do You Have?

This is probably the minimum time for a road trip in Croatia. I recommend considering the vibe you want and focusing your energy on one region that gives you that.

If you’re into wine and a more luxurious getaway, stick to Northern Croatia .

If you want a cultural experience with more history, go for Southern Croatia.  

A week is also a great amount of time for a few island excursions . I love keeping one weekend free for a trip to the Island of Hvar or the little Island of Vis, my favorite island on the coast of Split. 

Jackpot! This is an ideal time for a Croatia Road Trip because you can do a little bit of everything without feeling rushed.

TRAVEL TIP: My favorite road trip through Croatia was this 2 weeks from Pula to Dubrovnik Like a Local – take what you need from it and explore at your leisure.

And with a little bit of logistical planning around car rental, ferry rides, and strategically placed tours, you can minimize the time on the road and maximize the time sipping wine, eating your way through truffle pasta, and sunbathing on the Dalmatian coast!

14-Day Croatia Road Trip Itinerary

This is the Croatia road trip I’ve done, and the one where I fell in love with this incredibly culture-rich and beautiful country. Here is the quick itinerary of the trip, with highlights and lodging tips.

Day 1 – 2: Rovinj

You’ll likely be landing in Pula by way of Zagreb. When you get to Pula, rent a car and head the short distance up to the special town of Rovinj. Get ready for an overload of winding cobblestone streets, cute bars and restaurants, and charming little houses.

• La Grisia  – This is the most popular (and biggest) street in Rovinj.
• The Church of St. Euphemia  – Great for sunset views!
• The Old Town  – Explore inside the city walls, no cars allowed!
• Punta Corrente Forest – Great park for a leisurely walk in a forest by the sea.

Where To Stay

I recommend booking lodging south of the Old Town so you will have the advantage of being in a picturesque area within walking distance of the town. As you may imagine, the Old Town itself is a car-free area.

📍 Mid-Range:  Room & Apartments Antea – More spacious and more adorable than the pictures give it credit for. I also loved the light in the space! 📍 Luxury: Hotel Casa Garzotto – While this little boutique is in the Old Town center, I recommend it because they do take care of your parking (it’s included), and it is SO cute and cozy to be right in the middle of everything!

Day 3: Motovun

This is all wine country. Here are a few of my favorite spots:

• Tomaz Winery:  A little outside of town, my favorites were their Rose’s.
• Fakin Winery:  Great tour of the cellars and delicious aged Malvasia. Pairs splendidly with their meat and cheese boards!
• ROSSI Winery & Distillery : Beautiful views, good wine selection, and even better gin cocktails!

This was my favorite all-inclusive tour: ➡️ Flavours of Istria Tasting Experience from Rovinj ⬅️

Day 4: Plitvice Lakes National Park

Just a 3-hour drive from Rovinj is Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a collection of stunning green & blue pools, over 90 waterfalls, and tons of caves. This will be a welcome change from the first few days of eating, drinking, and small-town life.

Where to Stay

I recommend the local bed & breakfasts around Plitvice Lake National Park.

📍 Mid-Range :  B&B Villa Sumrak – Think gorgeous sunsets and welcome drinks! 📍 Luxury: Ethno Houses Plitvice Lakes Hotel – You’ll notice this hotel as you head down to the dock to start your trail around the lakes. They gave me Colorado winter cabin vibes!

Day 5: Zadar

This is actually a lesser-known hidden gem of a town in Croatia. Once you get to Zadar, there are a few places to explore:

• Sea Organ  – An organ mounted underneath a staircase, played by the waves of the sea.
• The Land Gate  – The main entrance to the city.
• The Park of Vladimir Nazor  – At night, there is a magical little bar that opens up –  Ledana Lounge Bar & Club .
• Narodni Trg (People’s Square ) – Yes, the Croats need more vowels in their lives!

I loved the lodging selection inside the Old Town of Zadar.

📍 Mid-Range: Sweet Studio MARE – This is a great studio apartment in the city center – clean, bright, and priced at around $30 when I stayed. 📍 Luxury:   DeZign Superior Apartments – These apartments are great for one-night stays, especially great bang for your buck!

Day 6: Krka National Park

More fun with waterfalls today! I plan to spend half a day here before heading south to Split for the next few days. Because this is a road trip, pack a lunch and a wine, have a picnic in the park, and enjoy some light hiking!

Day 7: Split

My favorite city in Croatia. The old town of Split is very walkable, and that’s what you should do!

➡️ I booked this  Small-Group Walking Tour of Split because the guides are history professors!

This is also when you return your rental car , as you will not need it for the next week as you’re exploring the Islands and Dubrovnik.

The best places to stay in Split is inside or just outside the Diocletian Palace.

📍 Mid-Range:   Stara Kala Varos Apartment – Think old-world charm with brick walls, but with new appliances and a comfy bed, remodeled and cozy, right outside the Diocletian Palace and walking distance to everything. 📍 Luxury: Luxury Residence Mareta – In the heart of the Diocletian palace. While it is snazzy and well decorated, it’s a great value for your money because it’s Croatia!

Day 8: The Island of Mljet

Grab a quick morning ferry from Split to one of the largest islands off the Dalmatian Coast, the Island of Mljet ( pronounced Mil-yet ). I like this island because it’s off the beaten path when it comes to the usual Croatia road trip things to see, and has remained largely unspoiled, covered in forests, and surrounded by the sea.

PRO TIP:   Check ferry times here . Don’t miss the boat back to Split for the night, there are not a lot of options off this island.

Day 9 – 10: The Island of Vis

Take the ferry from Split to Vis (2.5 hours) and explore the old town in the afternoon. I rented a scooter for the 2 days I was on the island and it was well worth it. This is where you can visit the famous Blue Cave in Croatia . A few other local recommendations:

• Lola Konoba & Bar  – The perfect dinner date and atmosphere!
• Restaurant Vatrica  – Great for a seafood lunch by the sea!

📍 Mid-Range:   House Bava – A 2-minute walk from the ferry port, this place is cozy and quaint. 📍 Luxury: Heritage Apartment Lilly – Highly recommend it if it’s available, it’s super reasonable for the luxury it offers, and the views are stunning!

Day 11: The Island of Hvar

Grab the morning ferry from Vis to Hvar and settle into the city. This island is known for its party scene and is both a port and resort town. As you only have one night, I recommend enjoying the city, sampling the foods in the local Konobas, and getting lost.

Book ahead of time, as this is a popular spot on our Croatia road trip!

📍 Mid-Range:   Mar e Sol Apartments – You will 100% want to book early to grab this. 📍 Luxury: Heritage Hotel Park Hvar – In the heart of the city, this is one of those well-done remodels of a heritage stone hotel from way back when.

Day 12 – 14: Dubrovnik

Today is another ferry ride, this time from the Island of Hvar to Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik is the last stop on this Croatia road trip itinerary. Jump right into it with a  Walking Tour of Dubrovnik  to get a better sense of what you’re looking at and the history inside the city walls – the real history, not Game of Thrones history .

You can also take a boat out to Lokrum , a small island with tons of rabbits and peacocks, and a little museum area with an iron throne. Lastly, don’t miss the cable car up ot the top of the big mountain to get a good view of the entire city from Mount Srdj . The war museum is supposed to be excellent – the history of the region and politics is fascinating.

Fly out of Dubrovnik on the last day!

Staying in Dubrovnik is a bit tricky, as the town is very condensed and old.

📍 Mid-Range:   Eddie’s Sea View Rooms – Right in the old town, but not breaking the budget, this is a bright little spot to park your butt at the end of your trip! 📍 Luxury: Royal Princess Hotel – I stayed here ( in a suite with two big balconies overlooking the Adriatic! ). It takes about 15 minutes to take the bus into the walled city.

7-Day Croatia Road Trip Itinerar y

Below are 3 options for a 7-day Croatia road trip, so pick and choose how you want to build your own itinerary based on what you are into.

• Northern Croatia : Best for foodies, wine & dine vibes, waterfalls & hiking
• Southern Croatia: Best for culture, ancient cities, and island life vibes
• Islands of Croatia: Best for party life, taking it easy, and romantic getaways.

Northern Croatia Road Trip For Foodies & Wine

If you really want to dive into your foodie nature, the best region for Croatian wines, truffles, and meats is the Northern region of Istria . This area is influenced by its Venetian and Roman past and offers wineries, boutique restaurants, and growing culture of unique gins. 

There are also 2 wonderful National Parks in Croatia, both promising incredible waterfalls and windy hiking trails through the woods. Both of these parks are also on the Northern side of the country .

Day 1 & 2: Zagreb

Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia and is known for its food scene and wines. This beautiful city is also home to a few cultural sites, including a unique museum that I love, The Museum of Broken Relationships . This is likely where you will fly in and rent a car for your road trip through northern Croatia.

Day 3 & 4: Rovinj

Rovinj is just the most pleasant old town in Istria, straight out of a storybook. One of the days can be used to explore and eat your way through Rovinj, while the other can be used to take a little side trip to Pula just an hour south.

Day 5: Motovun

Motovun is about an hour north of Rovinj, sitting neatly on top of a mountain among many vineyards and gin distilleries. This is a wonderful place to get boozy and indulge in Croatian truffle pasta.

Day 6: Plitvice National Park

Plitvice National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a few hours’ drive from Rovinj. Take a picnic with you and spend the day exploring the trails and waterfalls.

Day 7: Krka National Park + Zadar

Krka National Park is about a half-day adventure and super close to another adorable Croatian city, Zadar. Both the old town and the waterfalls in the national park can be enjoyed in one day, and you can still call it a relaxing day.

Southern Croatia Road Trip For Culture

For ancient cities’ iconic culture and stories, the south is where you need to go. To explore the Diocletian Palace in Split, the iconic town of Dubrovnik, and everything in between, you’re best served by the Southern coastal area of the country. 

Day 1 & 2: Dubrovnik

The city of Dubrovnik needs no introduction, and the old town is exactly as you might imagine, but even better. The coolest part of the town is this massive wall they built to protect Dubrovnik from the Venetians in Split. That and the winding streets with tucked-in restaurants and bars, and a general vibe of a good time.

Day 3 & 4: Mostar

Mostar is technically located in Bosnia & Herzegovina, and it’s best to spend a couple of days in order to really enjoy the beauty of this town. A pro tip would be to stopover in the town of Ston on the way up from Dubrovnik – it is a village known for its oysters and salt.

Day 5 – 7: Split

My favorite city on this Croatian road trip! Split is equally as stunning as Dubrovnik, but a little less touristy. I would spend a day exploring the Diocletian Palace, in which you could spend a few days getting lost.

This is also the city where you can take a quick ferry to one or two islands for fun in the sun.

Islands of Croatia For Party

There are about 1200 islands on the coast of Croatia (only about 60 of them inhabited) that will give you the fix you need – among them my favorites are Vis, Hvar, Brac, and Mljet.

Don’t forget that Croatian beaches are not sandy, but rather pebble-y and rocky. This only serves to increase the allure for me not only because the contrast of lush green forest spilling over a rocky edge to meet the ocean is breathtaking, but also because you don’t get sand in all the weird places. 

Day 1: Split

This is likely where you’ll land and spend the day exploring the Diocletian Palace. You won’t need a car for this part of the road trip, just pay special attention to the Jadrolinea Ferry routes.

Day 2 & 3: Island of Vis

The Island of Vis is one of the smaller, less ‘party’ islands, and home to one of the Blue Caves. I loved spending a couple of days here exploring Komiza and the port of Vis. I will never forget a very special dinner date at the beautiful Lola Konoba & Bar.

Day 4 & 5: Island of Hvar

An island that needs no introduction, this is definitely a party island. Not only is the food scene and nightlife great, but exploring the town of Hvar during the day is just as pleasant.

Day 6: Mljet

This forest-covered island is best for hiking and swimming in its many salt-water lakes. Bring a packed lunch and wine, and unwind in nature.

Day 7: Island of Brac

A quick ferry ride from Split, this is one of the bigger islands off the coast of Croatia. You will need a scooter or car to explore this island properly. Alternatively, you can rent a boat for the day, sail around, and just play in the sea.

Croatia Road Trip Map

A quick visual of a few of the stops on the 14-day Itinerary around the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia.

Driving in Croatia

Here are a few tips and things to consider when driving in Croatia.

What to consider when renting a car? 

Definitely go for a small car so that you can fit into some of the tiny parking spots in Rovinj or Split. Otherwise, find the best bang for your buck – I use Discover Cars to see my options.

Check Prices & Availability ▶️ DISCOVER CARS ◀️

Be careful of high fees when you rent the car in one city and want to return it in another – I almost got charged $100 and so had to switch rental car companies for something more reasonable.

How do you handle tolls in Croatia?

Croatia has a system of toll roads, which you can pay with cash or a card at the booth.

Is driving difficult in Croatia?

The highway systems along the coast are in very good condition. Apart from a few potholes and slight congestion in the old towns, it’s simple enough to road trip Croatia.

I used my Google Maps to navigate everywhere without a problem and even managed to pay a few parking tickets I got along the way with the assistance of Google Translate and a few kind local’s help!

All in all, it is not difficult to drive in Croatia, and it feels like driving in any other western European country or America.

Croatia Road Trip Advice

Before you get going, here are a few things to remember as you start planning your adventures.

Is Croatia safe?

The short answer is yes. Croatia is a super well-touristed country for many reasons, and one of them is safety.

Despite the scary’ish history of being part of the former Soviet Union umbrella, Croatia is a beautiful country with good people. The towns are quaint, the pickpocketing is definitely less of a worry compared to Italy, and in general, most people speak English and are very helpful to tourists.

Regarding driving, the roads are in good condition and Croatian drivers are rule-abiding. That said, it’s important to be aware of safety before you hit the open road. If you’re traveling from the USA, you can review this FAQ on Travel Medical Insurance for any eventuality – I recommend this one because it’s inexpensive ( around $40 a month ).

This is what I use: ▶️ SAFETYWING: Nomad Travel Insurance ◀️

When is the best time for a Croatia road trip?

Summer or fall is the best time to visit Croatia, no matter what you do. High seasons are between the month of July and August, so if you want to avoid increased prices and decreased availability, shoot for a time slightly before or after.

Where should I start my Croatia road trip?

It really depends on how much time you have and which region you are sticking to. If you’re focusing on the North, then Zagreb is your airport. If you’re focusing on the Islands or the South, then Split or Dubrovnik is your hub.

Flights in and out of Zagreb and Split are the cheapest. That said, local flights go north to Pula and south to Dubrovnik for minimal cost. 

Where should I book lodging?

Airbnb is your friend in Croatia, as most places are renovated and well-kept. The best location to book for someone on a road trip is slightly outside of the old towns.

This will give you a walking distance proximity to the restaurants and old town, allow you a place to park your car as you cannot drive into most old town streets, and help out on the budget side as lodging tends to be a little cheaper. 

How Much Does a Road Trip in Croatia Cost?

Croatia is more affordable than most countries in Europe. And as of 2023, it will start adopting and using the Euro as its currency. That said, credit cards are widely used, and ATMs are everywhere.

A few tips to stay within your budget would be to avoid high season, choose to lodge outside of the old towns (it will still be within walking distance to everything you want), shop at the farmer’s markets outside of the old towns and cook at home if you can along your road trip.

Here are the average costs:

• Car Rental: $30-50 a day
• Lodging: $50-70 a night
• Meals: $10 for lunch, $20 for dinner
• Drinks: $5 a cocktail

Conclusion: Croatia Road Trip

These 7-day and 14-day Croatia road trips are great for visiting some of the best places in the country. Here’s the list of my favorite spots:

✅ Diocletian Palace in Split

The Diocletian Palace is a palace built for the Roman Emperor Diocletian in Split, and is not a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Palace is now part of the city of Split and home to more than 3,000 people. It is also one of the best-preserved examples of Roman architecture in the world.

✅ Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia. The city is known for its stunning architecture, medieval walls, and turquoise waters. Dubrovnik is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a must-see for history buffs and culture lovers alike.

Located on the Istrian Peninsula in Croatia, Rovinj is a picturesque fishing town that is known for its Venetian-style architecture and Mediterranean atmosphere. The town’s vibrant Old Town is situated on a small peninsula and is home to a number of historic churches, including the Church of St. Euphemia, which overlooks the Adriatic Sea.

✅ Krk National Park

Krk National Park is an absolute gem! It is well known for its beautiful scenery and diverse wildlife and is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers worldwide.

✅ Plitvice National Park

Located in central Croatia, Plitvice National Park is one of the country’s most popular natural destinations. The park is home to a series of 16 cascading lakes and numerous waterfalls and hiking trails. Visitors can explore the park on foot or take a boat ride across one of the lakes.

✅ Island of Vis

The Island of Vis is one of Croatia’s smaller islands. Situated in the Adriatic Sea, Vis is known for its dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear water, and the famous Blue Cave.

✅ Island of Hvar

The Island of Hvar is equally as pretty and is known for being a party island. Full of cute restaurants on white cobblestone streets and chic nightclubs, this is Croatia’s answer to Mykonos.

Zadar is located on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast and is a city with a long history dating back to Roman times. But Zadar isn’t all about history – there’s also a lively nightlife scene and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you’re taking a dip in the sea or hiking up one of the nearby hills, this is a Croatian gem.

The ancient town of Motovun in Croatia is one of the most picturesque and charming places in the country. Nestled atop a hill in Istria, the town offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and great wineries to partake in.

✅ Capital of Zagreb

Quickly becoming a foodie hub, the capital of Croatia should not be missed. Zagreb is known for its beautiful architecture, ranging from Baroque churches to Art Nouveau buildings. It is also home to numerous museums and galleries, as well as a lively nightlife scene.

Mariana Barbuceanu is the owner and author of the Road Trip EuroGuide, a blog that inspires fellow travelers to explore Europe more authentically through slower travel and digging deeper into the culture of a place. When she isn't writing about her adventures, she is planning trips for her community and coaching people on how to take that next step towards a much-needed sabbatical.

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Ruta por Croacia en 7 y 10 días (itinerario + mapa)

¿Quieres hacer una ruta por Croacia y no sabes por dónde empezar? En este post vamos a ayudarte a planificar el que estamos seguros, se convertirá en uno de los grandes viajes de tu vida. A lo largo de estas líneas podrás encontrar, además de varias propuestas de itinerarios por Croacia en 7 y Croacia en 10 días , explicaciones sobre cómo hacer los traslados entre un lugar y otro, cómo visitar todos los lugares de interés y atractivos turísticos, con guías de cada uno de ellos, y también recomendaciones de hoteles y restaurantes para que puedas organizar este viaje de la forma más cómoda y rápida.

Respecto a la mejor época para hacer un recorrido por Croacia, nuestra recomendación sería que te centres en primavera, verano y otoño, teniendo en cuenta que los meses de julio y agosto suelen ser muy turísticos y que el principio de la primavera y el final del otoño, suelen tener climas menos estables y las probabilidades de lluvias son mayores. Además de esto, también es importante valorar la forma de moverse por el país, ya que esto determinará en gran parte, los ritmos de los desplazamientos. En este caso, las propuestas que compartimos contigo están pensadas para realizarlas en coche, ya que esto te permitirá tener mayor flexibilidad horaria y también más libertad de movimientos. En caso de que no quieras o puedas alquilar coche, otra opción es hacer la ruta en autobús ya que Croacia tiene una buena red que cubre la mayor parte del país y atractivos turísticos o incluso, plantear un viaje haciendo base en alguna ciudad como Zagreb o Dubrovnik y desde ahí, ir haciendo excursiones o escapadas de un día.

Basándonos en nuestro viaje a Croacia , durante el que visitamos la mayor parte de lugares que ver en Croacia imprescindibles , te dejamos las que creemos, son las mejores  rutas por Croacia en una semana y 10 días . ¡Empezamos!

Croacia en 7 días (con escapada a isla)

Lo primero y quizás más importante en una ruta por Croacia en una semana es decidir qué lugares quieres visitar ya que 7 días es un tiempo relativamente reducido y probablemente, deberás descartar algún atractivo turístico. Otra cosa que es muy importante, es tener claro que la ruta que compartimos contigo es solo una propuesta, pensada para viajeros que quieran conocer lo máximo del país, y que la puedes adaptar perfectamente a tus gusto o necesidades. Es por eso que te recomendamos tomarte un tiempo para revisar qué lugares incluimos y sobre todo, si estos entran dentro de tus «imprescindibles» para que este viaje sea realmente tu viaje.

Otro aspecto al que prestar especial atención y que también, podrá determinar la ruta, es el aeropuerto al que llegarás. Los aeropuertos más importantes y utilizados en Croacia son los de Zagreb, Split y Dubrovnik, y dependiendo de la ruta que vayas a hacer, puede ser mejor entrar y salir por uno u otro. Nuestras propuestas están pensadas para entrar por Zagreb y salir por Dubrovnik ya que esto te permitirá hacer una ruta por Croacia en 7 y 10 días lineal aunque esto también conlleva que deberás recoger el coche de alquiler en una oficina y devolverlo en otra, con el consecuente incremento de precio. En caso de que esto no te encaje, siempre puedes entrar y salir por el mismo aeropuerto y hacer algunos kilómetros más.

• Día 0: Vuelo a Zagreb (visita a la ciudad)
• Día 1:  Zagreb – Parque Nacional de los Lagos Plitvice
• Día 2: Parque Nacional de los Lagos Plitvice – Zadar
• Día 3: Zadar – Trogir – Split
• Día 4:  Split
• Día 5:  Excursión a Hvar o Brac
• Día 6:  Split – Dubrovnik
• Día 7:  Dubrovnik y vuelo de vuelta

Mapas del itinerario por Croacia en una semana (con isla)

En el siguiente mapas podrás ver, de forma clara, la ubicación de los lugares que incluimos en la propuesta de ruta por Croacia en 7 días con escapada de un día desde Split a la isla de Hvar o a la isla de Brac.

Croacia en 7 días (con Península de Istria)

Otra opción para esta ruta por Croacia en 7 días sería incluir algunos atractivos de la Península de Istria, que sin duda es otro imprescindibles en cualquier viaje a Croacia por libre  y descartar la excursión de un día a Havar o Brac desde Split. Como te comentábamos al principio del post, te recomendamos leer con atención toda la información de cada uno de los lugares que incluimos para que puedas decidir cuál de ellos encaja más en lo que buscas.

• Día 1:  Zagreb – Porec – Rovinj
• Día 2:  Rovinj – Parque Nacional de los Lagos Plitvice
• Día 3: Parque Nacional de los Lagos Plitvice – Zadar
• Día 4:  Zadar – Trogir – Split
• Día 5:  Split
• Día 7:  Dubrovnik – vuelo de vuelta

Mapa del recorrido por Croacia en 7 días (con Península de Istria)

Aquí podrás ver la ubicación de todos los atractivos turísticos incluidos en este recorrido por Croacia en 7 días en el que se incluye una pequeña parada en la Península de Istria, visitando Porec y Rovinj, dos de sus lugares más famosos.

Croacia en 10 días

En esta propuesta de ruta por Croacia en 10 días te proponemos visitar gran parte de los atractivos del país, haciendo una combinación de las propuestas de las rutas anteriores además de algunos lugares más que complementarán este recorrido a la perfección. Al igual que las anteriores, está pensada para realizarla entrando por Zagreb y saliendo por Dubrovnik, para aprovechar el tiempo al máximo.

• Día 2:  Rovinj – Parque Nacional de los Lagos Plitvice – Rastoke
• Día 3: Rastoke – Zadar
• Día 4:  Zadar – Sibenik – Primosten – Trogir
• Día 5:  Trogir – Split
• Día 6:  Split
• Día 7: Excursión a Hvar
• Día 8: Excursión a Brac
• Día 9: Ston – Dubrovnik
• Día 10: Dubrovnik – vuelo de vuelta

Otra opción, si quieres cambiar un poco es descartar una de las excursiones a las islas de Hvar o Brac y ese día sustituirlo por una excursión a Mostar (Bosnia y Herzegovina) desde Dubrovnik, que sin duda, es uno de los lugares más increíbles del mundo.

Mapa de la ruta por Croacia en 10 días

En el siguiente mapa podrás ver las ubicaciones de todas las localizaciones que incluimos en esta propuesta de ruta por Croacia en 10 días.

Croacia en 10 días con Bosnia y Herzegovina

Otra de las posibilidades de esta ruta por Croacia en 10 días es plantearla añadiendo una posible incursión a Bosnia y Herzegovina. En este caso es importe saber que lo ideal sería entrar y salir por Zagreb, haciendo una ruta circular. Igualmente, es importante tener en cuenta que deberás hablar con la compañía de alquiler de coche para que esta te facilite la documentación necesaria para cruzar la frontera y circular por este país.

Como podrás ver a continuación, la ruta es prácticamente igual a la anterior, pese a algunas modificaciones para poder incluir las visitas a Mostar y Sarajevo. Ten en cuenta que este itinerario es bastante exigente y está pensado para viajeros que quieran ver lo máximo. Lo ideal sería hacerla con 1-2 días más (12 días sería ideal) para poder ir más relajado.

• Día 6:  Excursión a Hvar o Brac

Día 7: Split – Dubrovnik

• Día 8: Dubrovnik – Pocitelj (opcional) – Mostar

Día 9: Mostar – Sarajevo

Día 10: sarajevo – zagreb – vuelo de vuelta.

Mapa del recorrido por Croacia en 10 días con Bosnia y Herzegovina

Revisa este mapa para poder ver las ubicaciones de todos los atractivos que te recomendamos incluir en este recorrido por Croacia en 10 días en el que también incluimos una pequeña incursión en Bosnia.

Puntos de interés de las rutas por Croacia en coche en 7 y 10 días

Una vez compartidas las diferentes propuestas de recorridos por Croacia en 7 y 10 días, es este apartado encontrarás todos los detalles necesarios para organizar este viaje, con explicaciones sobre cómo realizar los trayectos entre los atractivos turísticos, artículos exclusivos de cada uno de ellos, en los que podrás ver los lugares que no puedes perderte, recomendaciones de itinerarios para un día además de posts con restaurantes recomendados para que también puedas disfrutar de la gastronomía que sin duda es, otro de los grandes atractivos de este fascinante país.

Como podrás ver, para compartir toda esta información contigo, nos basaremos en las rutas por Croacia en 10 días, que son las más completas. En caso de que vayas a realizar alguna de las propuestas de Croacia en una semana, tendrás que basarte únicamente en los lugares incluidos en las mismas.

Día 0: Vuelo a Zagreb y visita a ciudad

Capital del país, esta es una de las puertas de entrada más utilizadas por los viajeros que quieren realizar una ruta por Croacia. Cosmopolita y moderna, cuenta con un centro histórico precioso, repleto de edificios imperiales rodeados de un ambiente que se percibe en cada rincón. Sin duda, este es el lugar perfecto para iniciar tu viaje y empezar a enamorarte del que, estamos seguros, se convertirá en uno de tus destinos preferidos del mundo.

Entre los lugares que no puedes perderte en la ciudad destacan:

• Herradura Verde
• Plaza Ban Jelačić
• Catedral de Zagreb
• Mercado Dolac
• Puerta de Piedra
• Iglesia de San Marcos
• Museo de las relaciones rotas
• Torre Lotrscak
• Túnel Gric de Zagreb
• Teatro Nacional

Si quieres tener más información sobre estos lugares te recomendamos no dejar de leer este post sobre los lugares que ver en Zagreb .

• Hotel recomendado: Hotel Esplanade
• Información extra: cómo ir del aeropuerto de Zagreb al centro  y los mejores restaurantes donde comer en Zagreb

Día 1: Zagreb – Porec – Rovinj

El primer día harás una pequeña visita a la Península de Istria, la mayor del Mar Adriático y uno de nuestros lugares preferidos de Croacia, que estamos seguros, no te dejará indiferente gracias a sus encantadores pueblos costeros. Además, si tu ruta por Croacia es en verano, podrás aprovechar para visitar algunas playas y darte un baño en las aguas cristalinas tan características de este país. Desde Zagreb a Porec tienes un trayecto en coche de unas 3 horas por lo que te recomendamos madrugar para llegar allí sobre las 10-11 de la mañana y así poder pasar en la localidad unas 2-3 horas para después, seguir hasta Rovinj (trayecto de 45 minutos), donde te recomendamos pasar la tarde y alojarte.

Esta pequeña y encantadora población de costa, es la puerta de entrada perfecta a la Península de Istria. Aunque su centro histórico es bastante pequeño, te recomendamos dedicar un par de horas a recorrer las principales calles, que mantienen la antigua estructura romana y visitar los principales atractivos entre los que destaca la Basílica Eufrásica, declarada Patrimonio de la Humanidad de la UNESCO. Estos son los lugares que no puedes perderte:

• Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles
• Calle Decumanus
• Basílica Eufrasiana de Porec
• Plaza Marafor
• Salón de Asambleas de Istria
• Calle Sveti Mauro

Puedes encontrar más información sobre la localidad y los lugares que te recomendamos en este post sobre los imprescindibles que ver en Porec y en este con recomendaciones de restaurantes donde comer en Porec .

Conocido por ser uno de los lugares más bonitos de Croacia, este pequeño pueblo, antaño ubicado en una isla hasta que los venecianos lo conectaron con el continente rellenando sus canales, es uno de esos lugares que no debes dejar de incluir en tu ruta por Croacia en 7 y 10 días. Con un centro histórico digno de cualquier portada de catálogo de viajes, pasear por sus callecitas en pendiente, que te llevarán a la iglesia de Santa Eufemia, uno de sus atractivos más famosos, en sin duda una experiencia que no olvidarás. Te recomendamos no perderte:

• Arco de Balbi
• Calle Grisia
• Iglesia de Santa Eufemia
• Ulica Sv. Kriza
• Plaza del Mariscal Tito
• Puerto de Rovinj
• Playas de Rovinj

Si tienes que alojarte en la Península de Istria, nuestra recomendación es que lo hagas en Rovinj ya que además de ser la localidad más especial, y eso que todas en esta zona del país son bellísimas, cuenta con más infraestructuras hoteleras y de restauración.

• Hotel recomendado: La Casa di Loreto
• Información extra: donde comer en Rovinj

Tarjetas recomendadas para viajar Recuerda que para no pagar comisiones y tener siempre el cambio actual te recomendamos utilizar la tarjeta Revolut y la tarjeta N26 . Son las que nosotros utilizamos, son gratuitas y te supondrán un gran ahorro. Puedes encontrar más información en este artículo sobre las mejores tarjetas para viajar sin comisiones .

Día 2: Rovinj – Parque Nacional de los Lagos Plitvice

El segundo día de la ruta por Croacia en 10 días visitarás los Lagos Plitvice, uno de los lugares naturales más impresionantes no solo del país, sino del mundo. Declarados Patrimonio Mundial de la Unesco en 1979, este lugar se caracteriza por ser un entorno en el que las cascadas, cataratas y lagos son los máximos protagonistas. Además, el recorrido por las dos secciones en las que se divide el parque, se puede realizar de forma fácil, en gran parte a través de pasarelas, por lo que es una excursión apta para todo tipo de viajeros. Es importante saber que este es uno de los lugares más famosos del país por lo que, sobre todo en temporada alta y fines de semana, lo más recomendable es reservar las entradas con bastante antelación.

• Hotel recomendado: Hotel Jezero (Lagos Plitvice). Otra opción, también super recomendable, es hacer los 20 kilómetros que separan los lagos de la pequeña localidad de Rastoke, uno de los pueblos más bellos del país. En caso de que te decidas por esta opción nuestras recomendaciones para alojarte son Guest House Vučeta o Holiday House Kod Ajke , ambos con una excelente relación calidad-precio y una ubicación insuperable.
• Información extra: Cómo visitar los Lagos Plitvice

Día 3: Lagos Plitvice – Zadar

El tercer día de la ruta por Croacia en 10 días te trasladarás a Zadar (1:30h de trayecto), ubicada en la costa Dalmata, en el centro del país, y una ciudad con más de 3.000 años de historia que estamos seguros, no te dejará indiferente entre otras muchas cosas, por ser uno de los lugares en el que, según se dice, podrás disfrutar de uno de los mejores atardeceres del mundo. Pero no solo de eso puede presumir la ciudad, ya que es un lugar con una historia apasionante, gracias a las múltiples civilizaciones que han pasado por sus tierras, dejando una cultura que se mantiene viva en gran parte de los rincones de la ciudad. Estos son algunos de los lugares que te recomendamos no perderte:

• Puerta Terraferma
• Plaza de los 5 pozos
• Parque de la Reina Yelena Madievka
• Plaza Narodni
• Mercado de Zadar
• Catedral de Santa Anastasia
• Foro Romano de Zadar
• Iglesia de San Donato
• Museo Arqueológico de Zadar
• Iglesia de Santa María
• Órgano de mar
• Saludo al Sol

Puedes encontrar mucha más información sobre estos atractivos turísticos en este post sobre lugares que ver en Zadar .

• Hotel recomendado: Apartmentos Donat
• Información extra: restaurantes donde comer en Zadar

Día 4: Zadar – Trogir – Split

Llegamos al cuarto día de esta ruta por Croacia en 10 días acercándonos a Trogir (1:30h), otro de los lugares más increíbles de Croacia. Ten en cuenta que en caso de que el día anterior no te haya dado tiempo a visitar Zadar al completo, hoy puedes dedicar parte de la mañana a hacerlo ya que es un día relativamente tranquilo teniendo en cuenta que en Split, que es la siguiente parada, estarás también el día completo de mañana.

Trogir, con un precioso casco histórico declarado Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la Unesco, es otro de esos lugares que no dejan indiferente a ningún viajero gracias a su historia, su cercanía a Split y por supuesto, una belleza y ambiente que bien se han ganado ser uno de los lugares más visitados del país. Entre los lugares que te recomendamos no perderte están:

• Puerta Norte
• Museo de Trogir
• Casco antiguo
• Castillo de Camarlengo
• Iglesia de Santo Domingo
• Paseo Marítimo
• Catedral de San Lorenzo
• Palacio Cipiko
• Iglesia de San Salvador
• Palacio de los Rectores

Puedes encontrar mucha más información sobre estos atractivos en el post sobre lugares que ver en Trogir . Además, te aconsejamos leer este post con recomendaciones sobre dónde comer en Trogir para disfrutar al máximo de la gastronomía local.

Día 4: Zadar – Sibenik – Primosten – Trogir (primera propuesta de ruta)

En la primera propuesta este día cambia un poco y te recomendamos incluir también las visitas a Sibenik, una localidad preciosa y también Primosten, un pequeño pueblo encantador que seguro, no te dejará indiferente. En Sibenik te recomendamos visitar:

• Catedral de Santiago
• Plaza de la República de Croacia
• Centro histórico
• Iglesia de todos los Santos
• Jardines del Monasterio de San Lorenzo
• Fortaleza de San Miguel

No dejes de leer este post sobre los lugares que ver en Sibenik y este con recomendaciones de restaurantes donde comer en Sibenik .

Día 5: Split, un día clave en la ruta por Croacia

Llega un día relajado en esta ruta por Croacia en 7 y 10 días que dedicarás por completo a conocer Split, una de las ciudades más impresionantes del país, que estamos seguros, no te dejará indiferente. Con un centro histórico también declarado Patrimonio de la Humanidad y suficientes atractivos turísticos como para dedicarle un día completo, este importante puerto de la costa dálmata es uno de esos lugares que enamoran nada más poner un pie en ellos. Estos son algunos de los lugares que te recomendamos no dejar de visitar:

• Puerta Aurea
• Museo de Juego de Tronos
• Palacio de Diocleciano
• Sótanos del Palacio de Diocleciano
• Catedral de San Domnius
• Templo de Júpiter
• Plaza del Pueblo
• Mercado de Pescado
• Plaza de la República
• Plaza de la Fruta
• Paseo Marítimo de Split

Te recomendamos leer este post sobre los lugares que ver en Split para tener toda la información sobre la ciudad.

• Hotel recomendado: Apartment and Room Split Lea o en el Centro di Centri Rooms
• Información extra: restaurantes donde comer en Split

Día 6: Excursión a Hvar o Brac

El sexto día de la ruta por Croacia en 10 días te proponemos hacer una escapada de un día a la isla de Hvar o a la isla de Brac. Perfectamente conectadas en ferry (si vas con coche) o en catamarán (solo para pasajeros) con Split, ambas son islas que te permitirán conocer un poco más de cerca esta otra parte del país tanto o más interesante que la zona continental. Además, aunque inicialmente pueda parecer que todas las islas son iguales por cercanía, nada más alejado de la realidad. Cada una de ellas tiene un carácter propio y unas características muy determinadas que hacen que sean únicas. Es por eso que te recomendamos tomarte unos minutos para decidir cuál de ellas quieres visitar aunque también tenemos que decirte que, escojas la que escojas, seguro que será un acierto.

Probablemente esta sea una de las islas más conocidas de Croacia además de uno de los destinos más turísticos gracias a los jóvenes que la han convertido en la «Ibiza de los Balcanes». Pero que esto no te engañe. Si bien es cierto que en verano la localidad de Hvar y sus playas se convierten en una pasarela perfecta para aquellos que quieren lucirse, la isla no pierde ni un ápice de ese encanto de antaño que hace que te sientas como en casa. Aunque nuestra recomendación inicial sería que pases la noche, es perfectamente factible ir desde Split en un día (llevando coche o alquilándolo allí) y conocer sus puntos más emblemáticos entre los que destacan:

• Hvar (pueblo)
• Playa Dubovica

En caso de que no vayas con coche o lo alquiles allí también podrás moverte por la isla con transporte público. Tienes más información sobre el trayecto y la isla en estos post sobre cómo ir de Split a Hvar , este con recomendaciones de lugares que ver en Hvar y este con restaurantes donde comer en Hvar . Te recomendamos leerlos con atención para no perderte nada y disfrutar al máximo de esta visita.

Conocida por ser la isla más grande de Dalmacia y ubicada justo enfrente de Split, la isla de Brac es el lugar perfecto en el que desconectar en encantadores pueblos sin olvidar por supuesto una de sus grandes protagonistas, la playa Zlatni Rat que está considerada una de las más bellas del país. Ten en cuenta que en un día se pueden recorrer fácilmente sus principales puntos de interés, sobre todo si llevas coche o lo alquilas allí mismo. En caso de que no quieras o puedas, puedes optar por coger el autobús que recorre la gran mayoría de atractivos turísticos entre los que destacan:

• Playa Zlatni Rat
• Monte Vidova Gora

Puedes encontrar mucha más información sobre la isla en este post sobre lugares que ver en Brac y en este con recomendaciones de restaurantes donde comer en Brac . Además, para hacer el traslado te recomendamos revisar este post sobre cómo ir de Split a Brac .

Seguro de viaje para Croacia

Para viajar a Croacia, nada mejor que contar con un buen seguro de viaje. Nosotros siempre viajamos asegurados con Heymondo , con quien llevamos un seguro totalmente adecuado a las necesidades que vayamos a tener en el viaje. Contratando aquí tu seguro con Heymondo , sólo por ser lector de Viajeros Callejeros, tienes un 5% de descuento

Llegamos a uno de los puntos clave de esta ruta por Croacia en 7 y 10 días: la llegada y visita a Dubrovnik, una de las ciudades que visitar en Europa más increíbles. Ten en cuenta que el trayecto de Split a Dubrovnik es de unas 3 horas por lo que este día te recomendamos madrugar para llegar lo antes posible a la ciudad y así, disfrutarla al máximo durante gran parte de la jornada. Además, no te preocupes ya que el centro histórico es relativamente pequeño y se recorre a pie fácilmente por lo que en medio día podrás conocer los puntos principales y después, por la tarde, subir en funicular a la parte alta para disfrutar de las mejores vistas de la ciudad. Entre los lugares que te recomendamos no perderte están:

• Puerta de Pile
• Fuente de Onofrio
• Murallas de Dubrovnik
• Monasterio de San Francisco
• Calle Stradun
• Torre de la Campana
• Palacio Sponza
• Palacio del Rector
• Catedral de Dubrovnik
• Puerta de Ploce
• Puerto Viejo de Dubrovnik
• Fuerte de San Lorenzo

Recuerda leer este post sobre los lugares que ver en Dubrovnik para organizar tu visita y este con recomendaciones de restaurantes donde comer en Dubrovnik para disfrutar al máximo de su gastronomía.

• Hotel recomendado: Scalini Palace , Cinema View House y los Apartments Lepur . Es importante que sepas que la zona del centro histórico es peatonal y no hay parking. En caso de que te alojes en esta zona deberás dejar el coche fuera de las murallas. El precio de estos parkings suele ser de más o menos 100 euros al día por lo que te recomendamos dejarlo en las zonas alejadas del centro e ir andando o en autobús o buscar un hotel con parking.
• Información extra:   cómo ir del aeropuerto de Dubrovnik al centro

Día 8: Dubrovnik – Mostar

El octavo día de la ruta por Croacia en 10 días, empezará la breve incursión en Bosnia y Herzegovina, un país que estamos seguros, no te dejará indiferente y te sorprenderá a partes iguales. El trayecto desde Dubrovnik a Mostar es de unas 2:30h por lo que, como el día anterior, nuestro consejo es que madrugues para aprovechar el día al máximo. Si te hemos convencido de esto, también te recomendamos desviarte un poco de la ruta antes de llegar a Mostar para visitar Pocitelj, un pueblo bellísimo, ubicado a la orilla del río Neretva, que no te llevará más de una hora y seguro, será la mejor puerta de entrada al país. Después de esta breve parada podrás continuar hasta Mostar (40 minutos) para descubrir la que es, una de las ciudades más impresionantes de esta ruta. Con un casco antiguo declarado Patrimonio de la Humanidad, esta ciudad surgió de sus cenizas después de las heridas que tuvo que soportar durante la Guerra de Bosnia, algo que aún sigue respirándose y sintiéndose en cada rincón de su bellísimo entramado de callejuelas, salpicadas por mezquitas y bellísimas casas. Estos son algunos de los lugares que te recomendamos no dejar de visitar:

• Kriva Cuprija
• Calle Onescukova
• Puente Viejo
• Calle Kujundziluk
• Mezquita Koski Mehmed Pash
• Museo de las Víctimas de Guerra y Genocidio 1992-1995
• Mezquita Karadjoz Bey
• Casa Muslibegovic
• Plaza de España
• Sniper Tower

Para no perderte nada durante la visita, te recomendamos leer este post sobre los lugares que ver en Mostar y este con una selección de restaurantes donde comer en Mostar con los que podrás disfrutar de la deliciosa cocina bosnia. Ten en cuenta que la zona centro de la ciudad se puede recorrer perfectamente a pie y es bastante pequeña por lo que, en medio día, puedes conocerla perfectamente.

• Hotel recomendado: City Apartment One ,  Vila Zahumka  y  Hotel Bristol
• Información extra:   cómo ir de Dubrovnik a Mostar

Continuamos en Bosnia, el día de hoy haciendo un trayecto de 2:30h hasta Sarajevo, la que es la capital y ciudad más poblada del país además de uno de los esos lugares que no dejan indiferente a ningún viajero. Asediada durante años por la Guerra de Bosnia, algo que como decíamos el día anterior en Mostar, se siente en muchos rincones de la ciudad, al contrario de lo que puedas imaginar, esta ciudad es un lugar en el que la historia, la cultura y las tradiciones conviven de forma única junto a la modernidad que quieren retomar y que también, podrás ver claramente durante tu estancia en la ciudad.

En un día tendrás tiempo de recorrer los principales atractivos turísticos, que podrás visitar perfectamente a pie por lo que si llegas a media mañana, no tendrás problemas para conocer Sarajevo y tener una primera impresión de esta fascinante ciudad. Entre los lugares que no puedes perderte están:

• Barrio Turco
• Mezquita Gazi Husrev Bey
• Catedral Ortodoxa
• Catedral del Sagrado Corazón
• Sinagoga de Sarajevo
• Puente Latino
• Museo del Túnel de Sarajevo
• Biblioteca Nacional
• Galería 11/07/95, una visita desoladora al mismo tiempo que necesaria para entender, un poco más, qué sucedió en este país

Para no perderte nada y hacer una ruta lógica por la ciudad te recomendamos no dejar de leer este post sobre los lugares que ver en Sarajevo .

• Hotel recomendado: Hotel Boutique Libris
• Información extra:   dónde comer en Sarajevo

El último día del recorrido por Croacia en 10 días toca enfrentarse a la vuelta y para ello, deberás recorrer las 5 horas que separan Sarajevo de Zagreb, el aeropuerto que te hemos propuesto utilizar en esta ruta para así, poder realizar un itinerario circular y aprovechar el tiempo al máximo. Dependiendo de la hora del vuelo, lo ideal sería por la tarde-noche, incluso puedes pasar unas horas en Zagreb para acabar de conocer la ciudad y cerrar el ciclo de la que, estamos seguros, será una ruta por Croacia inolvidable.

Si dispones de más tiempo puedes seguir este itinerario por Croacia en coche en 15 días . Para más información puedes consultar esta lista de consejos para viajar a Croacia .

¿Quieres organizar este viaje a Croacia por libre? Consíguelo aquí: Las mejores ofertas de vuelos para tu viaje a Croacia aquí Los mejores hoteles a los mejores precios en Croacia: aquí Reserva tu seguro de viaje con un 5% descuento aquí Reserva los mejores tours y excursiones en Croacia en español aquí Alquila tu coche para viajar por Croacia al mejor precio aquí

Si quieres ayudarnos a ampliar la información de estas rutas por Croacia en 7 y 10 días puedes hacerlo en los comentarios.

Interacciones con los lectores

Artículos relacionados, 5 lugares que ver en la isla de brac (croacia).

Dónde comer en Zadar: restaurantes recomendados

Dónde comer en Hvar: restaurantes recomendados

Comentarios

Carmen dice

9 abril, 2024 en 23:19

Hola chicos! Volamos a Zagreb (ida y vuelta) a finales de mayo y no queremos darnos una paliza extrema de coche por 1 semana me recomendáis Istra, lagos Plitvice y hasta Zadar?? Muchas gracias de antemano! Me encanta leeros!! Un saludo

Vane y Roger dice

10 abril, 2024 en 06:29

Hola Carmen, Esto es algo muy personal ya que depende de cómo queráis enfocar el viaje. Haciéndolo así creemos que descartas Split, Trogir y Dubrovnik que probablemente son algunos de los puntos más «destacados» del país pero como te comentamos, es algo muy personal. Al final lo importante es viajar y visitar los lugares que te llamen más la atención y te apetezcan. Saludos

Aridane dice

24 marzo, 2024 en 11:18

Buenos días, vamos a ir a Croacia en junio volamos a Zagreb. Nos vamos a recorrer todo el país hasta Dubrovnik y luego volver a Zagreb. Sabría decirme un rent a car donde alquilar un coche que sea barata, he mirado en el enlace del blog y están mas o menos al mismo precio que las demás. Gracias de antemano, un saludo.

25 marzo, 2024 en 07:28

Hola Ariadne, Sentimos no poder ayudarte ya que las que conocemos son las que recomendamos en el blog. Saludos

Marta Padrès Serra dice

12 marzo, 2024 en 11:38

Hola buenos días , Felicididades por la página , estoy valorando ir este verano de vacaciones en Croacia. ¿Más o menos que sube de presupuesto alquilando coche, hoteles? Aprox 😉 Gracias , Saludos, Marta

12 marzo, 2024 en 18:17

Hola Marta, Nosotros gastamos unos 100 euros por persona y día pero piensa que los precios pueden variar muchísimo dependiendo de la época del viaje, el tipo de hotel…etc. Para tener una idea mucho más real te recomendamos mirar los vuelos, el alquiler de coche y algunos hoteles en las fechas que quieres viajar. Saludos

Camilo dice

8 marzo, 2024 en 16:00

Hola queria preguntar si existe alguna desventaja en armar alguno de estos itinerarios pero en dirección inversa. Por ejemplo comenzar en Dubrovnik y finalizar en Zagreb. Me refiero a si visualmente la carretera es mas bella en una dirección.

8 marzo, 2024 en 17:55

Hola Camilo, No hay ningún problema. Nosotros lo hicimos así por una cuestión de logística pero se puede hacer perfectamente al revés sin ningún problema. Saludos

Juanjo dice

31 enero, 2024 en 21:27

Hola. Muy útil la información. Me faltaría algo más de detalle sobre el comentario acerca de la documentación del coche de alquiler para visitar Mostar. Menos mal que lo habéis comentado! Como todo se contrata por internet, se puede consefuir a posteriori?

1 febrero, 2024 en 06:30

Hola Juanjo, Esto es algo que debes comentar con la empresa de alquiler de coches en el momento de hacer la reserva. Aunque hay compañías que tramitan la documentación en el momento de la entrega del coche, lo ideal es avisar con tiempo ya que hay otras que te avisan que se necesita una semana. Igualmente, en el contrato de alquiler, siempre hay una sección en la que explican cómo debes proceder para hacer un pase de país. Saludos

Estefanía dice

30 enero, 2024 en 18:07

Hola! Quería saber si alquilando un coche en Croacia se puede pasar por Bosnia sin ningún problema. ¿Hay libre tránsito? ¿O depende de cada agencia de alquiler? Gracias!

30 enero, 2024 en 18:18

Hola Estefanía, Justo en este mismo post en el que estás haciendo la consulta tenemos un apartado con una propuesta de ruta por Croacia y Bosnia en el que explicamos que hay que hablar con la compañía de alquiler de coche para que esta te facilite la documentación necesaria para cruzar la frontera y circular por este país. Te recomendamos leerlo 😉 Saludos

Juanitq dice

28 enero, 2024 en 19:13

Hola hola Sueño con visitar croacia. Soy de bogota Colombia pero los vuelos a zagreb son suuuper costosos. Tienen alguna idea de llegar a otro punto de Europa para desde allí lograr llegar a croacia? Puedo hacer el recorrido en transporte público? No tenemos licencia 🙁

29 enero, 2024 en 06:30

Hola Juanitq, Quizás podrías ver alguna combinación volando primero a Madrid, Barcelona, París, Roma…y desde allí enlazar con Croacia. Otra opción es volar a Dubrovnik que suele tener más conexiones. Respecto al transporte, sí se puede hacer en transporte público aunque probablemente necesitaréis invertir más tiempo para adaptaros a los horarios. Saludos

14 enero, 2024 en 13:09

No es demasiada paliza ir desde Zagreb a Porec? Según Google Maps, se tarda alrededor de 5 horas.

15 enero, 2024 en 06:31

Hola Fran, De Zagreb a Porec son unas 3 horas más o menos en coche. Saludos

Daniel dice

20 diciembre, 2023 en 01:22

Hola Vane y Roger, tengo idea de ir en Mayo a Croacia y hacer el recorrido de 10 dias en auto, empezaria por Zagreb, mi duda es donde se aparcan los coches en los diferentes pueblos (Porec, Rovinj, Zadar, Split etc), Desde ya muchas gracias y los felicito por la pàgina

20 diciembre, 2023 en 06:27

Hola Daniel, En todos los puntos turísticos encontrarás parking y además, en esas fechas, suele ser muy fácil encontrar plaza en las zonas más céntricas. Te recomendamos leer los artículos que incluimos de cada una de las ciudades ya que en ellos damos recomendaciones para aparcar antes de empezar cada una de las rutas. ¡Muchas gracias por leernos! Saludos

andrea dice

20 noviembre, 2023 en 20:06

hola! es indispensable coche para recorrer Croacia??

22 noviembre, 2023 en 11:25

Hola Andrea, No es indispensable pero sí que muy recomendable. De todas formas, dependiendo de la ruta que quieras hacer, es más o menos factible hacerla en transporte público o no. Saludos

Marcela Aracena dice

3 junio, 2023 en 19:03

Excelente pagina

5 junio, 2023 en 08:00

Hola Marcela, Muchísimas gracias por leernos. Nos alegra mucho saber que te ha gustado. Saludos

MÒNICA dice

21 abril, 2023 en 15:37

Día 0: Vuelo a Zagreb (visita a la ciudad) Día 1: Zagreb – Porec – Rovinj Día 2: Rovinj – Parque Nacional de los Lagos Plitvice Día 3: Parque Nacional de los Lagos Plitvice – Zadar Día 4: Zadar – Trogir – Split Día 5: Split Día 6: Excursión a Hvar o Brac Día 7: Split – Dubrovnik Día 8: Dubrovnik – Pocitelj (opcional) – Mostar Día 9: Mostar – Sarajevo Día 10: Sarajevo – Zagreb – vuelo de vuelta

Mostar ruta por Croacia en 10 días

CUANTO SALDRIA HACER ESTA RUTA,SALIR EL 1 AGOSTO DESDE BARCELONA Y LLEGAR EL 11 AGOSTO, FAMILIA DE 3 ADULTOS (49,49,19 ) Y UNA JOVEN DE 16 AÑOS.

21 abril, 2023 en 18:35

Hola Mònica, Sentimos no poder ayudarte ya que nosotros no somos agencia y no organizamos viajes. Estas rutas son propuestas para que cualquier viajero pueda tomarlas como ejemplo para realizarlas por libre. Saludos

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7 Day Croatia Road Trip Itinerary

Planning a 7 day Croatia road trip? It can be hard to decide where to go in Croatia for a week — there are so many beautiful destinations! While we were there for 7 days, we really only had 5 full days to explore, but we made the most of it! Here is an overview of our week-long Croatia road trip itinerary: 

• Fly into Zadar, Croatia
• Plitvice Lakes National Park
• Dinner in Zadar
• Drive to Split, Croatia
• Lunch in Sibenik
• Dinner and Drinks in Split
• Boating day tour 
• Split to Dubrovnik, Croatia
• Lunch in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Dinner and Drinks in Dubrovnik
• Exploring Dubrovnik, Croatia
• Dubrovnik Cable Car + Dinner
• Drinks in Old Town Dubrovnik
• Day 7: Fly out of Dubrovnik, Croatia

This site contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.

Croatia Road Trip Day 1: Zadar, Croatia

We decided to fly into Zadar and start our 7 day  Croatia road trip there! H onestly, we didn’t spend that much time exploring Zadar. Our flight got in pretty late at night and really only stayed here with the plans of taking a road trip out to Plitvice Lakes National Park .

We did walk along the port and checked out a couple of bars and restaurants in Old Town Zadar. One particularly cool one was The Garden Lounge . It has a great vibe and outdoor patio.

Here is a link to the rental we stayed in , it was clean and simple. There are tons of great other options available, check them out here . 

Day 2: Plitvice Lakes National Park

On day 2 of our Croatian road trip, we took a day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park and it was incredible! Only an hour and a half away from Zadar, this place is definitely worth the drive.

Check out this post to read everything you need to know about visiting Plitvice Lakes!

Day 3: Zadar to Split, Croatia

On the third day of our 7 day Croatia road trip, we left bright and early and started the drive from Zadar to Split! Normally it’s under 2 hours to get there, but we took a couple of detours along the route.

There are a lot of small villages and towns along the way, so we decided to stop in and explore one for lunch. We decided on Sibenik, Croatia, a small village located right on the water. 

If you’re curious on where to eat in Sibenik, we had lunch at Pizzeria Argola right along the seawall and got the seafood platter to share . It was delicious and plenty of food for two people!

After Sibenik, we continued on to Split and arrived about an hour later. We checked into our Airbnb (our’s is no longer available but this one is amazing ) and then headed to Split’s Old Town.

Related Post:   12 Things To Do in Split, Croatia

Day 3 - Evening: Split, Croatia

For dinner, Fife came highly recommended to us. Unfortunately, it was very busy and we weren’t keen on waiting.  We ended up in a nearby restaurant,   Dujkin Dvor , and it was pretty good as well! 

These are some of the other top rated restaurants in Split, Croatia:

• Bokeria Kitchen & Wine Bar
• Apetit Restaurant
• Villa Spiza

After dinner, we strolled around and stumbled upon a really cool cocktail bar in the middle of  Old Town Split : NOOR Fine Spirits & Cocktails . They make a great old fashioned is you’re in the mood for that!

We opted not to go out clubbing, but if you’re looking to do so, these are the most recommended places in Split to go out:

• Club Ghetto
• Bačvice beach club

See my Instagram story highlight from Split here . 

Croatia Road Trip Day 4: Split, Croatia

Even though we only had one full day in Split, we decide to take a sailing tour that included visiting Shipwreck Kontesa, Maslinica, Solta Island, and the blue lagoon! This is the exact tour we booked on Viator .

We had a great time snorkeling over a sunken ship at Shipwreck Kontesa. There wasn’t many fish but the water was super blue and crystal clear — check out this Instagram Reel !

After snorkeling, we had lunch on board before setting sail to our next destination. Lunch was not my favorite, I would recommend bringing something to snack on… The beer was good though!

The next stop on our full day sailing tour from Split was Maslinica on the Island of Solta. We had about an hour here to explore the little port city.

Following our stop at Maslinica, we continued on and sailed to our final destination of the tour: The Blue Lagoon. It was cool, but the water was a lot deeper so you didn’t see all that much while snorkeling. 

There are a lot of tours offering trips specifically to the Blue Lagoon, and I would say it’s not really worth it to only do that. Definitely pick a tour that takes you to other places as well.

Super important note on the Blue Lagoon: BEWARE OF SEA URCHINS! Shockingly, our tour did not warn us about the urchins close to the shore of the Blue Lagoon. Luckily I didn’t step on any, but unfortunately, Alex did. We spent hours that night trying to get the spines out of his toe. Just be careful and watch where you put your feet

After the Blue Lagoon, we sailed back to Split. That evening, due to the sea urchin incident, we had a pretty late dinner (it was just okay, the place isn’t worth mentioning) in Old Town and went out to another bar for drinks after.

You May Also Like: Croatia Packing List for Women

Croatia Road Trip Day 5: Split to Dubrovnik, Croatia

On day 5 of our Croatian road trip, we packed up the car and started the drive from Split to Dubrovnik ! Depending on the route and stops you want to make, it normally takes about 3 hours.

It’s an incredibly beautiful drive through the Croatian countryside. Something we didn’t realize at first is that you actually have to go through Bosnia and Herzegovina to get to Dubrovnik from Split!

The border crossing was fairly easy: we showed out passports, got a stamp, and drove on through! We ended up stopping in Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina for lunch on our way to Dubrovnik .

Day 5 - Lunch in Bosnia and Herzegovina

After lunch, we drove on through the Neum II border crossing. Once you cross through Bosnia and Herzegovina back into Croatia, it’s about an hour drive to Dubrovnik .

Upon arriving in Dubrovnik, we checked into our rental home … it had the most amazing panoramic sea view, and the best view of Old Town Dubrovnik! It was a splurge, but SO worth it.

Day 5 - Dinner and Drinks in Dubrovnik

We headed into old town for drinks and dinner. 

Something to be aware of when visiting Dubrovnik : there are SO MANY STAIRS. It was a serious workout in some spots. Both Alex and I are in fairly good shape and were completely winded after some of the sets of stairs.

You may recognize Old Town Dubrovnik from Game of Thrones, a lot of the filming was done here! They even offer Game of Thrones tours for die-hard fans.

I highly recommend checking out the “secret” cliff terrace bars on the edge of Old Town Dubrovnik. There are two of them: Bard Bar and Buza Bar II .  

We went to Buza Bar, and even on a weekday night it was PACKED. Luckily we ended up not having to wait too long though.

We had dinner at a pizza restaurant, it was late and everywhere was packed so we kinda just picked a random place that had a spot open. It was just OK and I can’t even remember the name so not going to bother sharing/recommending it.

These are some of the most recommended restaurants though and are worth saving when planning your trip to Dubrovnik:

• Lokanda Peskerija
• Stara Loza Rooftop Restaurant
• Restaurant Komarda

For other recommendations on the best restaurants in Dubrovnik, check out this post .

See my Instagram story highlight from Dubrovnik here .

You May Also Like: Dubrovnik, Croatia Guide: Best Things to Do, See, and Eat

Croatia Road Trip Day 6: Dubrovnik, Croatia

On our last full day of our Croatian road trip, we decided to take it easy (I had been on my Euro Trip for 16 days at this point). We slept in a little and then walked into Old Town Dubrovnik for breakfast  at Gradska Kavana Arsenal . T he patio had a great view of the ocean and port, and we even got to watch a pirate ship come in 😉

After we decided to take it easy and relax all day on the beach. We were tipped off by a local that we could sneak into the Grand Villa Argentina Hotel and hang at their beach!  It was a great little beach, not too crowded — perfect for relaxing in the sun with a few drinks in hand.

Looking for the best beaches in Dubrovnik? These are the most recommended:

• Banje Beach (most famous, pictured below)
• Sveti Jakov Beach
• Uvala Lapad Beach
• Copacabana Beach
• Bellevue Beach
• Suluci Beach

After the beach we headed to our Airbnb, showered off, and then headed up the Dubrovnik Cable Car for dinner at sunset. It’s about $25 USD round trip for an adult, and while you can buy tickets online , the most convenient way to buy them is just at the cable car stations. 

The view at the top is stunning!

If you want to have dinner at the restaurant at the top of the hill, Panorama Restaurant and Bar , it is HIGHLY recommended you make a reservation. We did not know this/think to look it up at the time, and were put on a wait list. Lucky for us, someone no showed and we were able to get a table.

The food was pretty good, a little pricey, but the views/experience made up for it!

Opposite the restaurant, there is a little viewing area. You can also walk down a path to get another view of the city. We were able to catch the sun just as it was setting. 

After we had drinks at another hole in the wall bar! These are some of Dubrovnik’s best bars :

• Sunset Lounge at Hotel Dubrovnik
• D’Vino Wine Bar
• La Bodega Dubrovnik

If clubbing is more your scene, these are the highest rated, best clubs in Dubrovnik:

• Culture Club Revelin
• Skybar Dubrovnik Nightclub
• Banje Beach Restaurant and Night Club

Croatia Road Trip Day 7: Dubrovnik, Croatia

Unfortunately, on day 7, we had to leave pretty early to catch a flight. But had we been able to stay and enjoy the full day, these are some of the other great things to do in Dubrovnik: 

• Walk Old Town Walls
• Game of Thrones Tour
• Sea Kayaking Tours or Jet Ski rentals
• Lokrum Island
• Explore the Elaphati islands
• Trsteno Arboretum
• Park Orsula
• Lovrijenac Fort
• St. John Fortress
• Franciscan Monastery

See my full guide to Dubrovnik here .

Need a car? Search for a care rental from Zadar airport to Dubrovnik here:

Hope this post is helpful in planning your 7 Day Croatia Road Trip! See all of my  Croatia blog posts here . Have any questions? Feel free to leave a comment or  DM on Instagram ! 

Related Posts:

• Croatia Packing List for Women
• Everything to Know About Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park

12 Things To Do in Split, Croatia

• The Best Road Trip Apps to Download

You Might Also Like:

Croatia Packing List for Women – Custom Printable Checklist

Dubrovnik, Croatia Guide: Best Things to Do, See, and Eat

Best Croatia Hashtags for Instagram

Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park

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45 thoughts on “ 7 day croatia road trip itinerary ”.

Great Post! Thanks for linking all your Airbnbs. The one in Dubrovnik looks amazing. I am trying to book this for our trip soon.

I am so glad to hear that! You will love Croatia 🙂 and that Airbnb was incredible, absolutely recommend it!!

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What a lovely, impressive sight! Can you tell me anything about festivals and markets?

Thanks for detailing your trip from Zadar. I cannot seem to open the airbnb links that you have posted- it just open the main airbnb site. Would be great if you could mention the names of the bnb’s. Another question- we need to get back to Zadar for our return flight, is it possible/doable to drive back directly from dubrovnik to Zadar in a one’er?

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Croatia Itinerary: Ultimate 7-Day Travel Guide

Enjoy 7 days in Croatia: one of the greatest vacation destinations in Europe, offering the best of the continent’s beaches, cities, islands, and natural parks. A road trip is a perfect way to explore the country as you weave between UNESCO valleys, Game of Thrones film sets , ancient fortress cities, waterfall villages, and turquoise shores — always being treated to warm Croatian hospitality and delicious food. Get ready for this unforgettable 7-day Croatia Itinerary!

Ultimate Croatia Itinerary (7 Days)

With so much to see and do in beautiful Croatia, you could easily stay for weeks, especially if you want to make the most of the beautiful beaches, islands, and national parks. That being said, seven days is still a good amount of time to see some of the country’s highlights. Follow this 7-day itinerary for Croatia to see a good mix of historical sights, natural spots, and must-see cities.

Also see our: 10-day Croatia Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Dubrovnik

Start your memorable journey in the medieval city of Dubrovnik on Croatia’s southern coastline. Set your alarm early so you can explore the famous ancient walls surrounding the city, taking yourself on a historical self-guided tour before the big tour groups arrive. The early alarm is worth it for the fantastic views of the picturesque town and the turquoise waters of the Adriatic sea — a great beginning to your 7 days in Croatia!

Read: Best things to do in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Next up, head to the beautiful Onofrio Fountain, the hidden Franciscan monastery, the elegant clock tower, and Rector’s palace. Take a rest after your morning of sightseeing, watch the world go by, and enjoy a delicious lunch on one of the lovely outdoor terraces.

At dusk, head to West Harbor for a stunning sunset and spectacular views before enjoying a drink at any of the many lovely beach bars. Beach Bar Dodo was our favorite!

Tip: Get the Dubrovnik Pass , which includes entrance to all the top sights.

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik

There is plenty of choice for accommodation in Dubrovnik, Croatia. If you are after a more authentic experience, stay inside the city walls close to all the main sights. We stayed at this hotel in the old town .

Hotels in Dubrovnik 😴

Please note that the accommodation in this part of town is generally smaller, more expensive, and not accessible by car. If you’re traveling by car, we recommend staying on the outskirts of town, where you’ll find more parking options. 

Day 2: Travel to Split via Klis Fortress or Nugal Beach

On the way to Split, stop at the incredible Klis Fortress or Nugal Beach. The Fortress, set in the mountains, was once an ancient defensive point with stunning panoramic views over the countryside, Split, and the Adriatic Sea. These days, it’s better known as one of the settings for Game of Thrones in Croatia ! 

Nearby is the stunning family-owned estate Stella Croatica, home to beautiful gardens, an olive oil museum, and a traditional tavern. 

Stella Croatica is included in the price of the Klis Fortress ticket. Open 10 AM – 3:30 PM every day except Monday. Book your ticket for Stella Croatica and Klis Fortress .

Nugal Beach

For an off-the-beaten-track experience in your 7 days in Croatia , you might prefer to stop off at the secluded Nugal Beach, which is about an hour from Split. Cool down in the clear turquoise water and marvel at the high cliffs and lush green forests that shadow the shores.  This is the exact location . To get to this beach, you must walk for about 30 minutes, as the beach is only accessible on foot.

Tip: Bring water shoes as most beaches in Croatia are pebble stones instead of sand and to protect from sea urchins.

How to get to Split from Dubrovnik

The total journey time from Dubrovnik to Split is about 3 hours if you choose to drive. You can rent a car or take the bus. 

We recommend to rent a car in Croatia through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here .

Tip: If you arrive in Split in the early evening, we recommend spending the rest of the night strolling around the car-free old town. Explore the ancient streets and courtyards, and enjoy the social atmosphere on the waterfront promenade by having drinks on one of the outdoor terraces.

Here are all your hotel options in Split.

Day 3: Split (Stunning city on your 7-day Croatia itinerary)

On day 3 of your Croatia itinerary (7 days), discover fascinating Split: the second-largest city in Croatia! Start your day by immersing yourself in buzzing Split local life at the traditional Pazar Farmer’s Market. Here, you’ll be able to watch locals shopping and negotiating and have the opportunity to try some local delicacies.

Read about all Things to do in Split, Croatia .

Once your belly is full, move on to the Diocletian’s Palace and Cellars. This incredible historical building sits at the heart of Split and was the setting for many famous Game of Thrones scenes. 

Visit the Diocletian’s Cellars on a Game of Thrones tour

Tip: Unusually, for such a large city, Split is just a stone’s throw away from a beautiful natural forest park. This means you can hike from the city itself directly into the luscious greenery of Marjan Hill, where you’ll find spectacular views of the city and sea. If you love a sunrise, this is the place! 

Where to Stay in Split

For first-time visitors, we recommend you stay in the Old Town around the Diocletian’s Palace. This beautiful area is home to some of the most fantastic buildings in the city. Plus, is close to all the best things to do in Split ! 

Hotels in Split 😴

Day 4: Krka or Plitvice Day Trip

After city hopping through Croatia, spend day 4 of your 7 days in Croatia immersed in one of these idyllic natural paradises! 

Krka National Park

Just a 1.5-hour drive from Split is the peaceful Krka National Park famed for its beautiful waterfalls, including the popular Skradinski Buk. Visit on a day trip to discover the fantastic hiking trails and peaceful surrounding nature. There’s even an island to explore just off the shores of the roaring waterfalls and rivers. 

Read all about Krka National Park and its Waterfalls .

Tip: To explore Krka National Park, park your car in one of the main parking areas. From here, you can use the shuttle bus to take you to the start of the trails. Alternatively, for more ease, join a guided tour. These usually include a boat trip to the island or one of the nearby towns.

Book your day tour to Krka National Park from Split

Plitvice Lakes National Park (Best of your 7-day Croatia itinerary)

An alternative (and our personal favorite!) is the oldest and largest national park in Croatia: Plitvice Lakes. Although it’s a little further away from Split, it’s well worth it to discover the 16 turquoise blue lakes — fringed by green forest and plummeting waterfalls. You have the opportunity to see nature up close as you walk along the many boardwalks and hiking trails of this stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Note: You are not allowed to swim at Plitvice Lakes (or Krka National Park) in order to protect nature. Read more about being a sustainable traveler . 

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia (Complete Travel Guide)

How to get to Krka and Plitvice

To get to the national parks on your 7-day Croatia itinerary, we recommend renting a car. It’s a 1.5-hour drive to Krka National Park or a 2.5-hour drive to Plitvice (from Split). You can also reach the parks by bus, but it will take much longer.  

If you choose to visit on a guided tour, you will return to Split at the end of the day. However, if you want to absorb the wonderful atmosphere of the parks in the evening, spend the night and drive back in the morning. 

Hotels in Krka 😴

Hotels in Plitvice 😴

Tip: We recommend you buy entrance tickets for both national parks online beforehand (boat ride included).

• Check availability for Krka National Park tickets .
• Order Plitvice tickets online via the park’s e-ticket system .

Day 5: Travel to Hvar

Discover spectacular Hvar, one of the highlights of any Croatia 7-day itinerary! This sprawling island offers everything you could want for a vacation: an upmarket town with excellent nightlife and restaurants, paradise islands just off the shore, and UNESCO -protected nature.

Take the day gently exploring the town of Hvar, meandering through the gardens and up to the Spanish Fortress for beautiful panoramic views, and stopping for coffee or gelato nearby. In the evening, discover the famous Hvar nightlife, with many great bars and clubs. The atmosphere of this luxurious town is infectious, so it’s a must-see on your 7 days in Croatia.

Read: Best things to do in Hvar, Croatia

How to get to Hvar from Split

There are plenty of ferries from Split Port to Hvar old town, with tickets costing 25-50 EUR for an hour’s trip (depending on the season). It’s best to book your tickets online before as it can get busy, especially in the summer. 

Book your ferry tickets from Split to Hvar

Tip: If you are driving, there is a car ferry to Stari Grad, which takes 2 hours.

Where to Stay in Hvar

We’d recommend staying in Hvar Town, with its lively atmosphere and range of accommodation and restaurant options. All the boat tours start from Hvar Town, and the passenger ferries arrive here, too. Please note that the car ferry arrives on the other side of the island.

Hotels in Hvar Town 😴

The downside to staying in Hvar Town is that it’s quite expensive in the high season and also busy in the evening when everyone gets dressed up to visit restaurants and bars.

Alternatively, base yourself in the quieter Stari Grad, the second biggest town on the island, and another great jumping-off point to explore the rest of the island.

Hotels in Stari Grad 😴

Day 6: Explore Hvar Island

There is a lot to see on the island, so spend day 6 of your Croatia itinerary exploring all its secret corners. We think it’s best to have your own car or motorbike to explore all the hidden gems. However, there are buses between the main towns if you are unable to drive. 

We recommend an epic Hvar Island loop, starting in Malo Grablje and stopping in Milna, Plaža Dubovica, Stari Grad, Stari Grad Plains, Vrboska, Beach Vitarnja, Jelsa, and Brusje. This loop covers all the highlights, including the lavender fields (June is the best month to see them), gorgeous swimming spots, and charming towns. There’s even a ghost town to explore!

Alternatively, explore Stari Grad Plain on this popular cycling tour from Hvar

Day 7: Travel Home via Trogir

It’s time to say farewell to this fantastic country, and there’s no better way to end your trip than with a final stop at beautiful Trogir ! The town is only a 15-minute drive to Split Airport, making visiting before you head home very convenient. 

Read more: Best Things to do in Trogir, Croatia .

Connected to the mainland and Ciovo Island by bridges, discover one of the prettiest towns in Croatia, home to charming streets, squares, and a waterfront promenade — which can all be explored in just an hour or two.

Tip: Trogir is located close to the airport, so it’s a great alternative to staying in Split, particularly if you’re looking for something quieter. In fact, this UNESCO town is car-free, making it even more tranquil! 

Hotels in Trogir 😴

How to Visit Croatia in 7 Days

Getting to croatia.

Your 7-day itinerary in Croatia starts in Dubrovnik and ends in Split, which both have international airports. You can rent a car from one airport and drop it off at the other. However, this is a more expensive option than dropping it at the same airport you collected from.

By Train: Many trains arrive in Croatia from other European cities, including overnight options. 

By Boat: Ferries depart from several ports in Italy (including Venice ) and travel to Dubrovnik and Split, among other Croatian destinations. 

Getting Around Croatia

Getting around Croatia is easy, with many great public transport options. Although the train network is limited, there are plenty of interconnected buses (and ferries) between the main towns/destinations. There are many more connections during the summer months, so bear this in mind if you are traveling outside of the high season. 

Book your transport tickets in advance online

However, for the ultimate freedom, we recommend renting a car to complete your 7-day Croatia itinerary. Please note that the roads are good in Croatia. However, traffic can be an issue around some towns in the summer, and car access is limited in many older parts of the cities.

Our Favorite Accommodations for a 7-day Croatia itinerary

Depending on your budget, there are many options for accommodation in Croatia, from exclusive hotels and seaside apartments to lively hostels or even camping. Below are our favorites:

• Dubrovnik: Villa Filaus , Guest House 44 , Liberty Rooms
• Krka National Park: Hotel Bonaca , Studio Apartment Skradin , Illyria Skradin
• Plitvice Lakes: Pansion Danica , Etno Garden , Villa Sumrak
• Hvar: Apartments and Rooms Bonkan Hvar , Apartments Haracic , Novak Guesthouse
• Stari Grad: Heritage Villa , Town House Rosario , Apartments Vukovic
• Split: Makarun Heritage Rooms , Apartment Marija , Villa Galla
• Trogir: Narancin , Villa Apartments Art , Trogir Apartments & Rooms

How Much Does 7 Days in Croatia Cost?

Once known as a budget-friendly destination, Croatia has got more expensive with its popularity in recent years. However, there are always ways to cut costs on your trip, such as buying local food from the markets or staying in self-catering accommodation. Additionally, your costs will be lower if you stay in smaller cities and towns and travel outside of the peak months. 

Costs of Traveling in Croatia

Travel on a budget in Croatia, from $580 − $730 USD weekly per person, mid-range $1390 − $2740 USD, and high-end from $2660 − $4160 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here

• Hotels: $70 − $300 USD Check available hotels
• Hostels: $25 − $40 USD Check available hostels
• Transport: $15 − $60 USD Book public transport
• Car Rental: $30 − $150 USD Book a rental car
• Food: $30 − $75 USD
• Activities: $10 − $60 USD See tickets & tours
• Sim: $1 − $3 USD Get an eSIM or SIM here
• Travel Insurance: $2 − $6 USD Get Travel Insurance

Tip: The water in Croatia is excellent quality from the taps, so bring your reusable water bottle with you to save on single-use plastic and travel plastic free !

Best Time to Visit Croatia

The months of May and June and September and October are generally the best times to visit this beautiful country. The tour operators and hotels are open, the weather is cooler, and the crowds are manageable in popular cities. 

If you are visiting Croatia for the National Parks, then our advice is to visit in the Spring. During this time, the lakes and waterfalls are at their fullest, and there are fewer visitors. If it is the party scene you are after, you might prefer to travel in July when the nightlife in destinations like Hvar, Brac, Dubrovnik, and Split is at its best.

Is it Safe in Croatia?

The crime rate in Croatia is low, and walking around during the day or night feels safe. However, if you are traveling solo, it’s always a good idea at night to stick to populated areas where you won’t be alone. Despite being a safe country, it is essential to always keep your valuables secure and exercise caution in busy areas where pickpockets may operate.

Read more about travel safety

Packing Sustainable Items 

• Refillable water bottle so you can travel plastic-free .
• Insect Repellent, which is non-toxic and doesn’t harm nature.
• Sunscreen without toxic ingredients ( reef-safe sunscreen is the best), so it doesn’t harm the environment or you!
• Reusable bag for shopping for local items.

By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support. ♥️

• Find Hotels via Booking.com
• Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
• Find Flights to Croatia via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go

Croatia Itinerary: Complete 10-Day Travel Guide

Visiting the medieval truffle town of motovun, croatia, kamenjak national park (croatia’s natural gem).

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The Ultimate 7-Day Croatia Itinerary: 3 Perfect Routes

Last Updated on November 23, 2023

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Planning the perfect Croatia itinerary is essential to ensuring you have the ideal trip to this incredible country.

Croatia is becoming an ever more popular European destination year after year as it has firmly cemented its beautiful Adriatic Riviera onto the pages of travel magazines, websites, and Instagram feeds. This incredibly diverse and welcoming country has endless opportunities to offer travellers.

While most visitors set their sites on Dubrovnik and the surrounding islands, they fail to dig deeper and explore the seemingly endless wonderful places to visit if you have 7 days in Croatia.

Croatia is a lot bigger and has a more diverse climate than most visitors expect, so it is essential to properly plan out your route before you go.

So if you’re visiting Croatia, these three itineraries are perfect guidelines for having the best trip possible.

Table of Contents

Best Time to Visit Croatia

Contrary to popular belief, Croatia isn’t all sunshine and sea every day of the year and the vast majority of the country really does experience all four seasons.

While winters in Dalmatia and on the coast tend to be mild compared to that of other European countries, the north of Croatia — in places like Zagreb or the Slavonia region — can expect to experience fairly heavy snowfall and average high temperatures that linger just above freezing.

It is also worth noting that a good majority of Croatia isn’t perennially blessed with endless sunny days. Zagreb, for instance, is actually quite wet and it is best to expect at least a few rainy days on your trip along the coast as well — depending on the season you are travelling.

In the most popular coastal cities in Croatia — like Split and Dubrovnik — you can expect a significant amount of rain in the winter months.

If you do want to avoid the hordes of tourist crowds, then winter can be an appealing option, especially if you’re not one to enjoy lazy beach and swimming days. It is worth knowing that many restaurants and tourist attractions are closed in the winter due to low demand.

The summer months of late June-August are the most popular times to travel to Croatia and if you plan to hit the most visited cities in the country, you can expect them to be very crowded. Temperatures can reach well over 30ºC (86ºF) on the coast and expect it to be even hotter in the capital.

Prices also mimic the high temperatures in the Croatian summer with everything from accommodation to restaurant costs inflated to take advantage of the tourism revenue. Places to stay tend to book out early, especially in July and August, so it is essential that if you’re planning a trip to Croatia , you plan well in advance if you are set on travelling in peak season.

Ideally, the best time of year to travel to Croatia is in the shoulder seasons directly surrounding summer. May and September have some of the best weather in Europe, where you can expect warm temperatures averaging around 25ºC (77ºF) and for the majority of your days to be sunny.

Most seasonal restaurants and tourist attractions will begin to open their doors again through the months of March-October so you will be able to see and eat everything that you could in the summer with a fraction of the crowds.

Getting Around Croatia

If you are only planning a one-week Croatia itinerary and want to make the most of your time, you need to be able to optimise your transport so you spend more time sightseeing and less time in transit.

If you want to rely on public transport when getting from point A to B in Croatia, then you’re going to need to get to know the bus network. Like many Balkan countries, Croatia doesn’t have an advanced train system and the majority of inter-city transport is dominated by the humble bus.

Bus connections between major cities are frequent, but they can book out early during the summer months. There are a number of different transit companies to choose from, some of which allow you to book tickets online.

Others might require you to buy a bus ticket at the station. You can check bus timetables and routes throughout Croatia on Busbud . Another thing to keep in mind is that most buses do charge to put luggage into hold — usually around €1-2.

If you can and your Croatia budget allows for it, a far better transportation option for one week in Croatia is to rent a car.

This will allow you to be more flexible with your departure times and reach places that aren’t as well-served by the bus network. Driving in Croatia is easy and going on a Croatia road trip is one of the best ways to see a lot of the country in a short amount of time.

If you only have a week, you are going to want to see as much of the country as you can and it isn’t always possible to do with irregular bus timetables and long travel times.

You can browse Rentalcars.com which compares car hire prices across major companies. Alternatively, check out Localrent which can connect you with smaller companies or individuals renting their cars.

If you’re flying into Croatia and are not hiring a car, you can organise a private transfer from the airport here.

Classic 7-Day Croatia Itinerary

If it is your first time visiting Croatia, then this is the one-week itinerary you should follow. It covers all of the main tourist highlights of Croatia with possible day-trip options to nearby national parks and beautiful islands.

We do recommend renting a car for this route, however, if you want to save money, a car is not necessary for the Zagreb portion of this trip. You can go ahead and rent a car when leaving the capital and save a couple of days of fare and parking fees.

Day 1 – Zagreb

The most logical place to start this route through Croatia is in the vibrant capital of Zagreb . For many years, tourists have treated Zagreb as merely a place to fly into before making a beeline for the coast — maybe spending a night there if their flight arrives late and leaving first thing in the morning.

However, in recent years, Zagreb has really come into its own as a tourist destination, which is why we recommend spending two days in the Croatian capital.

Zagreb has a gritty, artistic feel to it and has a number of interesting things to do. Take a walking tour of the city to get your bearings and explore some of the main historical sites like St Mark’s Church, the Stone Gate, the Zagreb Cathedral and strolling through the lush Green Horseshoe Park.

Where to Stay in Zagreb

Casablanca Boutique B&B   – This boutique bed and breakfast is one of the best places to stay in Zagreb if your budget allows for a little bit more than a hostel. They have a number of clean and comfortable rooms available, it is located very close to the city centre and all of the main tourist attractions, and breakfast is included in the room rate. 

Hostel Mali Mrak – This locally-run hostel is one of the best places to stay in Zagreb if you’re travelling solo or on a budget. They have an incredibly friendly staff, great common areas that make it easy to meet other travellers and have both dorms and private rooms available. 

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in Zagreb

Day 2 – Zagreb

Though you can certainly see the majority of the highlights of Zagreb within the confines of one day, spending two days in the city is ideal if you want to go at a slower pace and get your bearings in Croatia.

If you spent your first day in the Old Town there are plenty of other places you can visit on the second day.

For instance, consider hopping on a bus to see the massive and sprawling Mirogoj Cemetery. Or, if you’re a craft beer fan, there are plenty of great brewpubs to hop between. Those who love quirky museums will also like the Museum of Broken Relationships.

Zagreb is also an excellent place to educate yourself on the Yugoslav Wars, which were particularly devastating here. Many people tend to forget the horrific conflict of the 1990s when visiting Croatia, but it is important to see how far the nation has come in the past 30 years.

Two days in Zagreb is a perfect amount of time to spend in order to really get a feel for the city and will probably lend to you longing to return one day!

Day 3 – Plitvice Lakes National Park

The iconic and gorgeous Plitvice Lakes National Park is the second-most visited attraction in Croatia (after Dubrovnik) and it is for good reason — it is absolutely spectacular.

This massive network of lakes and waterfalls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is enough to charm even the most ardent of city people and visiting is a highlight of any trip to Croatia. While it can get very busy in the summer months, it is still an unmissable area to explore in Croatia.

While many people visit Plitvice as a day trip from Zagreb or Split, we recommend spending a night near the park so you can get there as early as possible, avoid the inevitable tourist crowds, and spend as much time as you can in the park.

You need at least four hours to see the majority of the park, but you can easily spend longer. Because of this, we recommend leaving Zagreb in the evening, spending the night near the park, visiting Plitvice Lakes in the morning and then driving onto your next destination by the afternoon or evening.

If you don’t have a car, you can organise a guided tour  from Zagreb or a group tour that includes transport from Zagreb to Split.

Where to Stay in Plitvice Lakes

House Turkalj — This cosy family-run guesthouse is an excellent affordable option for those looking for a little bit more than a hostel. They have a handful of private ensuite rooms available along with self-catering facilities. They also offer complimentary beer and rakija.

Falling Lakes Hostel — This is a great option for backpackers, budget and solo travellers who want a place near Plitvice Lakes. They offer both dorm and private rooms, self-catering facilities, and will arrange a shuttle to the entrance of the lakes should you not have your own vehicle.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in Plitvice Lakes!

Day 4 – Split

After spending two days of your week in Croatia soaking up the arts, culture, and nightlife of Zagreb and another day at the incredible Plitvice Lakes National Park, it’s time to head to the coast and Croatia’s second-largest city of Split.

The drive to Split is absolutely beautiful and there are lots of places in Croatia to stop and enjoy along the way, so make sure to spend your day taking advantage of seeing all there is on the Croatian coast.

Spend the next day taking advantage of all of the great things to do in Split . Walk around the UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace, stroll along the seaside promenade, enjoy a glass of Croatian wine at an outdoor cafe, or take a hike up Marjan Hill.

Where to Stay in Split

Il Giardino Luxury Rooms & Suites – If you’re looking for a little bit more luxury, then you can’t go wrong with this boutique hotel. They have a number of spacious and comfortable rooms on offer, are located close to both the centre of Split and within walking distance of the beach and have breakfast included and a restaurant on site.

Tchaikovsky Hostel  – This hostel is a great option if you’re travelling solo or on a budget. They are centrally located, have excellent ratings, and offer both dorm and private rooms.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in Split

Day 5 – Split

On your second day, consider taking one of the many potential day trips from Split . You could head to the towns of Sibenik or Trogir (the latter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site), visit the beautiful Krka National Park, or even make a trip to one of the islands off the coast — enjoy the laid-back nature of Brac or the lavender fields of Hvar for a day!

If you choose to visit Krka National Park, get an early start to beat the crowds – it’s located about an hour from Split. Here you can enjoy gorgeous lakes and waterfalls, swimming spots and nice walking trails.

The town of Sibenik is only about fifteen minutes from Krka, so it’s easy to also visit here. It’s small, but absolutely charming with great seaside views and plenty of winding, cobbled streets to get lost on.

If you want a jam-packed day, you could also tack on the town of Trogir on your way back to Split. This is an historic town on its own island (there is a bridge to get there) that is an absolute joy to explore.

Alternatively, consider taking a day trip to an island like Hvar or Brac. Brac is closer to Split but is a bit more sleepy – though it is home to the iconic Zlatni Rat Beach.

Hvar is a bit further away, but fast passenger ferries from Split can allow you to spend the day exploring the charming Hvar Town and swimming around the Pakleni islands.

If you have more than a week to dedicate to this particular itinerary, this is the time where it makes sense to spend more time. Spend an extra day or two in Split, for instance, and you can easily go on all of these day trips. If you have longer, head to an island like Hvar or Korcula for a few days before moving on to Dubrovnik.

Day 6 – Dubrovnik

The most popular place to visit in Croatia thanks in no part to  Game of Thrones , no trip to Croatia that covers the tourist highlights of the country would be complete without including the city of Dubrovnik .

Dubrovnik is the premier place to visit in Croatia and the image of its beautiful city walls is what automatically fills people’s imaginations when thinking of this Adriatic country. Keep in mind that Dubrovnik is small, can be very crowded, and is noticeably more expensive than anywhere else in the country.

That is not to say it’s not absolutely gorgeous and it is absolutely worth spending time in the city, especially if it’s your first time visiting Croatia. We recommend spending at least two days in Dubrovnik, one where you can stroll along the well-trodden tourist sites and another where you can try to explore outside of the Old Town.

Spend your first day in Dubrovnik taking in the highlights of the Old Town. Get an early start to beat the crowds on the City Walls and then continue on to visit the Pile Gate, the Dubrovnik Cathedral and the Rector’s Palace.

There are lots of day trippers and cruise ship crowds here, so the crowds can lessen significantly in the evenings. Take this time to enjoy a quieter side of Dubrovnik.

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik

Boutique Hotel Porto   – Located directly in the Old Town, this boutique hotel is a great option if you’re looking to add a bit of luxury to your time in Croatia. They have a range of clean, comfortable rooms on offer and it comes very highly rated. 

Old Town Hostel   — As the name suggests, this boutique hostel is located directly in Dubrovnik’s iconic Old Town. It is one of the highest-rated hostels in the city and has both dorm beds and private rooms available.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in Dubrovnik

Day 7 – Dubrovnik

On your final day, you can use it as an opportunity to explore more of Dubrovnik and get a bit beyond the old town.

You could spend your day lounging on one of Dubrovnik’s beaches or, perhaps, visit lovely Lokrum Island located just a few hundred metres from the shores of the old town.

You can grab a ferry to Lokrun Island and reach it in about ten minutes from the centre of Dubrovnik. It is a nature reserve known for its lush greenery. There are also plenty of lovely, secluded swimming spots for those who want to splash in the water!

Dubrovnik is also a great base to take a few day trips. It is incredibly possible to visit the beautiful city of Kotor, Montenegro or marvel at the Stari Most in divided Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina . If you spend one day exploring the old town, it is totally possible to tack on a visit to either of the cities on the second day.

7-Day Adriatic Coast Itinerary

If you’re interested in spending time on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast and want to see the highlights that lie in the cities, towns and islands of the Adriatic Sea, then this is the route for you.

It skips some of the inland attractions and concentrates solely on the coastal region. Keep in mind that this route is much easier to execute if you have your own vehicle.

Day 1 – Zadar

Begin your trip in the lovely town of Zadar . This historic town is located in the centre of the Dalmatia region and is actually home to its own international airport, so you can easily get here from plenty of other destinations across Europe.

Zadar is small but there is a lot to see and do in the town and it’s worth spending at least an entire day exploring. The pedestrianised old town doesn’t attract the crowds often seen in cities like Split and Dubrovnik.

There is a lovely seaside promenade complete with a delightful Sea Organ – a series of steps that plays music as the waves crash against it. There are also Roman ruins and beautiful churches to take in, along with swimming spots all along the promenade. There are also plenty of great cafes and restaurants to enjoy.

Where to Stay in Zadar

Art Hotel Kalelarga   — This boutique hotel offers modern, comfortable rooms and free breakfast in the morning in a fantastic Old Town Zadar location. It is one of the highest-rated hotels in Zadar and it is a great option for those looking for a bit of luxury. 

Downtown Boutique Hostel  — This small boutique hostel is located in the centre of Old Town Zadar. They have a number of room options available — from dorm beds to privates  — and a friendly and helpful staff. This is a great budget option. 

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in Zadar

Day 2 – Krka National Park & Šibenik

On your second day, plan to make your way to Split as your final destination. However, there are a couple of excellent places you can visit within easy reach of Zadar.

Start your day with a visit to Krka National Park. Though not located directly on the coast, this gorgeous natural area is absolutely worth a visit if you’re in this part of Croatia. Within the park, you will find beautiful waterfalls, swimming areas and walking trails.

Only about fifteen minutes driving from Krka, you will find the lovely town of Sibenik, which is our second destination for the day.

This is another excellently-preserved old Croatian town and it is a true delight to wander through. It attracts even fewer crowds than Zadar, so you can certainly have some of the quiet, pedestrianised streets to yourself.

From Sibenik, it’s about a 1-hour drive to Split, your destination for the next two nights.

Day 3 – Split

Your third day of this route should be spent exploring the highlights of the city of Split. Though it’s Croatia’s second-largest city, you can easily explore the compact old town in the confines of a single day.

Because you’ve spent the night here, you can beat the crowds in Diocletian’s Palace and get an early start!

You can also take the time to hike up Marjan Hill where you can get incredible views of the city below and of the surrounding islands.

Day 4 – Hvar

Try to get an early start and hop on the earliest ferry you can to get to Hvar , one of the most popular Croatian islands to visit. Car ferries from Split arrive in the port in the town of Stari Grad, which is only about thirty minutes from the far more popular Hvar Town.

Spend your first day exploring the sites in and around Hvar Town. Wander the delightful Old Town and then take the time to lounge on the beach – Pokonji Dol Beach is an excellent option!

Alternatively, you can also join a boat tour or hop on a water taxi to the lovely Pakleni Islands, little islands that lie just off the coast from Hvar Town. These are great places to swim and sunbathe.

Hvar Town is also known for its nightlife. So, if it interests you, you can party into the wee hours of the night at one of the many beach clubs. Those looking for a quieter stay will find plenty of other great places to stay elsewhere on the island .

Where to Stay in Hvar

Pharos Hvar Hotel – Located in Hvar Town, this 3-star hotel is a good option on the island. They have a number of comfortable rooms to choose from and a great location for exploring the island and the town.

Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel – This seaside hotel is a great luxury option in Hvar Town. They have an inviting swimming pool, an on-site spa and plenty of gorgeous rooms for guests to choose from.

Hostel Villa Skansi – This hostel is great for budget travellers looking to enjoy Hvar’s nightlife. They have a number of different rooms to choose from and social events organised each evening.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Hvar hotels!

Day 5 – Hvar

On your second day in Hvar, continue to explore this beautiful and tranquil island! Your second day should be spent on the gorgeous Dubovica Beach before wandering over to explore cool and quiet Stari Grad.

You can stop off at some iconic Lavender Farms before wandering over to Vrboska – a town that has a lot of charm but not a lot of tourists. It’s a great place to sample some local wines and get a great meal!

Day 6 – Korčula 

Day six of this itinerary sees you going to another gorgeous Croatian island – Korcula . However, if you’ve had enough of islands and would rather visit Dubrovnik, then consider heading there from Hvar instead.

If you decide to head to Korcula, it can also be a good idea to get an early start. The easiest way to get there from Hvar is to drive to the Sucaraj ferry terminal and take the ferry to the mainland, then drive to the Orebic ferry terminal and grab the boat from there to Korcula town.

Then, spend your first day exploring the beauty of gorgeous Korcula Town. Often marketed as a smaller Dubrovnik, this is an old and excellently preserved town that just oozes charm. There’s a lot to see here and there are also some great restaurants and lovely local wine bars to pop into.

Where to Stay in Korčula 

Apartments Milion – A great mid-range option in Korcula Town, this place offers both comfortable double rooms and apartments for guests to choose from. It makes for a great base when exploring the island.

Aminess Korcula Heritage Hotel – This plush hotel in Korcula Town has a beautiful location right on the seaside. They have plenty of beautiful rooms and a great breakfast available in the mornings.

Hostel Korcula – Backpackers visiting Korcula will love this cool hostel in the centre of Korcula Town. They offer both dorms and privates and there are great common areas to enjoy.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Korcula hotels!

Day 7 – Korčula 

On your final day in Korcula, you can spend it lounging on the beach and, in the afternoon, enjoying some of the incredible wine that makes this island a dream destination. In the morning, head to the lovely Pupnatska Luka Beach and soak up some rays.

If you want to sample some local vintages, then consider heading to the inland town of Smokvica where there are several wineries that offer tastings.

In the second half of the day, make your way to the town of Lumbarda for more wine tasting. This town is also home to some of the island’s (and Croatia’s) only sandy beaches so you can enjoy this, as well.

7-Day Istrian Highlights Itinerary

If it isn’t your first time in Croatia — or even if it is and you’re keen to venture away from the well-trodden tourist path — then consider heading to the northwestern region of Istria.

This triangular peninsula is often considered to be Croatia’s gastronomic heart and it offers incredible ancient historical sites, beautiful coastal cities, and imposing hill towns to rival those of Tuscany. So, if you want to take the road less travelled, take a look at this Istria itinerary :

Day 1 – Pula

Begin your trip in the historic port city of Pula. Pula has an international airport that serves a multitude of airlines and destinations but if you don’t arrive by plane, it is also well-connected by bus.

Three days in Pula is sufficient in order to be able to see all of the incredible sites that the city has to offer while also giving you time to take a day trip or two.

Spend your first day checking out the amazing Pula Arena, visiting the number of interesting museums in the city, browsing the bustling Pula market and learning about Pula’s history.

Foodies will love the House of Istrian Olive Oil, which is a museum that explains the history of olive oil in the region and also allows you to have some tastings. There is some delicious extra virgin olive oil to enjoy here!

Of course, the Pula Arena is really the draw of exploring this city and it is truly spectacular. Excellently preserved, it is smaller than the Colosseum of Rome, however, it attracts far fewer people, as well.l You can climb all around the arena so it’s a very cool place to visit.

Where to Stay in Pula

Boutique Hotel Oasi  – This small hotel is located very close to the beach and a short distance from central Pula. They have a number of rooms on offer, a restaurant on site, and breakfast is included in the room rate. 

Boutique Hotel Valsabbion  – If you’re the type to travel in luxury, then this boutique hotel is the place for you. Boasting sleek modern rooms, a fantastic swimming pool, an on-site spa, a beachfront location and much more, this hotel is sure to give you a great experience in Pula! 

Crazy House Hostel   – Located in the centre of the Old Town, this hostel is the perfect place for solo travellers on a budget and there is a fantastic outdoor terrace to relax on. 

Not quite what you’re looking for?  Click here to browse other places in Pula!

Day 2 – Brijuni Islands

You can spend your second day either taking in more of Pula itself or going on a day trip to the wonderful Brijuni Islands.

These were once the summer home of former Yugoslav dictator Josip Broz Tito and today are a wildlife park and nature reserve.

To get to the Brijuni Islands, you must take a ferry from the nearby town of Fazana. This is a pedestrian-only ferry as there are no cars on the island.

Once there, it can be a great idea to hire a bicycle and ride around the island – it’s quite flat and there are plenty of secluded beaches to enjoy.

Day 3 – Labin & Rabac

On the third day, you can either take a day trip to neighbouring hill towns like Labin or spend the day lounging on a nearby beach.

There is a lot to see in this area of Istria so using Pula as a base for 3 nights really makes sense even if you only spend one full day exploring the city itself. The hill town of Labin, for instance, is located only about 45 minutes from Pula and it can be a delightful place to explore.

Nearby, if you want some seaside charms, head to the small town of Rabac, which is absolutely charming and with wandering through, as well. There are also plenty of beaches you could choose to visit should you wish to have a lazy day of sunbathing.

Day 4 – Umag

After spending some time enjoying the history and atmosphere of Pula, it’s time to head to one of the most underrated towns in Istria: Umag.

Umag is a small seaside town in the northwest of Istria and has a quaint and compact old town, a number of stellar swimming spots, great restaurants, and is close to some of Istria’s best vineyards. Two days here should be enough.

Spend the first day exploring Umag itself and maybe take the time to visit a local vineyard for some wine tasting. You can even head to the beach and swim in the warm Adriatic.

Where to Stay in Umag

Vilola  – A small boutique hotel located close to some of the best swimming areas in Umag, Vilola offers air-conditioned rooms with their own balcony and breakfast included in the room rate. 

Hotel Arte Casa  – Another boutique hotel in Umag, this one also has a great breakfast included in the nightly rate, air-conditioned rooms, and free parking on the premises. 

Not quite what you’re looking for?  Click here to browse other places in Umag!

Day 5 – Istrian Hill Towns

On the second day staying in Umag, take to the car and head inland to visit some of the most picturesque hill towns in Istria. Buje, Groznjan, and Motovun are all within easy reach of Umag.

Here you can also dine on truffles and pasta for a fraction of the cost of elsewhere in the world.

This area of Croatia is completely different from the most popular tourist destinations and it is sure not to disappoint.

Day 6 – Rovinj

After enjoying the hustle and bustle of Pula and the laid-back nature and nearby hill towns of Umag, it’s time to head to the most iconic Istrian town: Rovinj.

Rovinj is an absolutely beautiful seaside town in western Istria and boasts a number of interesting things to do. Its proximity to some of the best beaches in the region is an appealing reason to visit Rovinj as well.

Spend one day exploring the Old Town and take the time to just let your feet wander and get lost. Walk around the harbour, stop in for a drink at one of the many seaside cafes, and even climb the bell tower of St Euphemia’s Church.

Day 7 – Rovinj

On your second day in Rovinj and last day of this Croatia trip, you can either spend it laying on the beach and soaking up the bright Adriatic sun or you can hop in the car and go on another day trip.

The small hill town of Bale or the lively seaside towns of Porec and Vrsar are both appealing options, as is the beautiful Lim Fjord.

Where to Stay in Rovinj

Hotel Angelo d’Oro   – A small hotel in the middle of old town Rovinj, this place has a number of rooms on offer and comes very highly rated. Breakfast is also included in the nightly rate.

Rooms Barbieri – Located only five minutes from the old town, this charming hotel is a great option for a place to stay in Rovinj. The rooms are large and comfortable and it also includes breakfast in the room rate. 

Not quite what you’re looking for?  Click here to browse other places in Rovinj!

Croatia is an absolutely gorgeous and welcoming country that just begs to be explored. However, mapping out the ideal 7 days in Croatia itinerary is paramount to ensuring you have the best Croatian adventure possible!

Are you planning to visit Croatia? Have any questions? Let us know in the comm

Related Posts:

The Perfect Hvar Day Trip from Split

10 Tips for Planning a Trip to Croatia

The Perfect One Day in Zadar Itinerary

About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

Hi, we are staying for 7 days. Our worry is that we arrive late at night around 00:30 in Zagreb. Do you suggest to immediately move out of Zagreb and then to return to Zagreb on the last two days (to avoid problems cause of the flight?) Also, at night which is the easiest way to travel and would Zadar be a good place to be based at? Thanks a lot!

Hi-is it reasonable to drive from Vienna to Croatia or is it better to fly & rent a car in Zagreb? Was thinking of focusing on Istrian area due to time constraints & found a hotel that caters to Vegan diets. Is there enough to do in that area for 6-7 days if your primary interest is pretty nature? Thanks

Hi Mark, especially if you’re heading to Istria and not further south in Croatia, it’s not unreasonable at all to drive from Vienna. In fact, it’s a gorgeous drive and you will have lots of opportunities for stop-offs along the way. The drive from Vienna to Pula is about 6 hours.

There is certainly enough to do in Istria to fill 6-7 days and I would highly recommend spending that amount of time there!

We are interested in visiting the Balkans at the beginning of November for about 11 days. We can rent a car but I would like to start from Sarajevo and end there. I thought of doing two countries only, maybe Bosnia and Croatia. Or Bosnia and a different country – which one? We would need to get back to Sarajevo. We are also interested in the Jewish background of the Balkans, both historically, after the expulsion from Spain through the Holocaust. Can you help me to put my head in order :-)?

For 11 days, I think you could easily visit some highlights of Bosnia along with bits of Croatia. Especially if you’re interested in Jewish history, Sarajevo can be a great place to visit.

Hi Maggie, we are planning a 20 day trip to Croatia late July/beginning of August with 3 kids (8, 12, 14). We are arriving and departing from Dubrovnik. We would like to end our trip in Dubrovnik and since there isn’t a convenient flight from Dubrovnik to Zagreb, we will have to hit the road as soon as we land. We would like to visit Istria, Lake Bled/Vintgar Gorge, Plitvice Lakes, Rijeka, Split, Hvar, Korcula, Dubrovnik with various day trips throughout. It would be nice to see Zadar and/or Zagreb as well but not sure if we will have time or if necessary. We love hiking, beaches and of course sight seeing. I’m trying to figure out what’s the best way to plan out our trip. Should we break up our initial 7 hour drive from Dubrovnik or go straight through? Where should we stop first and in what order should we make our remaining stops? I would like to see as much as we can but at the same time not be overwhelmed and have some beach time. Please help!

We are arriving in Croatia in the middle of June for 7 night staying in Lapad can you recommend where to start exploring first

We need to fly into Zadar or Zagreb either is fine and out of Split. Give or take a week. We don’t need a ton of hiking but would like to see some falls. Islands? Cities. We need a plan.

Hello Maggie,

As first, I want to say that I do like your overview of Croatia trip in general and thank you for it.

However, I must say that it is very sad how people focus only on coastal region of Croatia, with exception of Zagreb and Plitvice lakes, and completely ignore the continental part of it, which is definitely not fair.

Places like Vinkovci, the oldest settlement in Europe where two Roman emperors were born, then numerous wine cellars and vineyard, especially in the town of Ilok, whose wine was used during coronation of Queen Elisabeth II and on Price Harry and William weddings, city of Osijek with its baroque architecture, city of Djakovo with its royal breed of horses called Lipizzaner which are so beautiful – closest thing to Unicorns as they are called, then the City of Varazdin, called also a “Little Vienna”, formerly even a capital of Croatia (18th century) with a beautiful castle and mesmerizing baroque style architecture, Croatian Sahara, numerous castles all around, river sites, and as I like to say most important of all, the amazing food and the most warm and welcoming people of all. Of course, there are so many more that I didn’t mention, but I don’t want to keep this long.

At the end, this is not a criticism and have no negative connotations, but just maybe a pointer that there is another side of Croatia, that is far from the sea and common touristic spotlight, however still beautiful and wort to visit.

We are planning a trip to Croatia in March 2023. Our flight lands in Zagreb on 03/09. We fly out of Zagreb as well. Have about 8 days. I like your first itinerary, but we wanted to see Istria as well. We are not planning on going all the way to Dubrovnik on this trip. Any suggestions as to routes? Would like to hit Zadar, Split, Plitvice Lakes Park, and Istria. We will rent a car. Thank you!

Hi Sandy, unfortunately, it’s not very practical to include all you want on your itinerary – especially when considering travel times. Personally, I would suggest not planning on visiting Istria if you would like to see all of the other parts of Croatia, as well.

We are planning a trip next month for 7 days and interested into going to Montenegro from Dubrovnik. I think it would be too much to think we could get to the Plitvice National Park as well? What are your suggestions in Montenegro?

Thank YOU! Sharon

I am visiting Slovenia and Croatia next summer for approximately 8 days . We will arrive in Lublanja in the middle of the day and leave from Dubrovnik at noon the last day. We would like to spend 1/2 day in Lubalanja and 11/2 days in lake bled , a day in Novo Mesto, 1/2 day in Pula and2 days in Dubrovnik We we’re thinking of a tour to Mostar and Medjagorje one day Can we do this in the time allotted? We will not be driving Could you give us a time efficient itinerary that would make it possible?

Hi Jackie, this route seems far too rushed to be enjoyable and to actually spend any time in any of the places you’re keen to visit — you’ll be spending the majority of your time in transit. I would suggest planning to spend your entire time in Slovenia or visiting a bit of Slovenia and Croatian Istria. You can find our Slovenia itineraries here: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/slovenia-itinerary/

Hi Maggie, Thank you for writing one of the most thorough blogs about traveling in Croatia! I’d love to get your advice on my itinerary. I will be going to Croatia from Slovenia and will have 7 days and 6 nights. I’d like this to be a more relaxed trip if possible…and am so torn between chilling on an island an skipping Dubrovnik or fitting Dubrovnik in! My flight is out of Split so I do need to get back there somehow and figure out what to do with the car I rent. What are your thoughts on the following:

Option 1: Fly into Zagreb/stay overnight > Zagreb to Plitvice overnight > Plitvice during the day and drive to Split (overnight or head to Hvar/Brac) > 4 nights in Hvar or Brac > Depart from Split

Option 1: Fly into Zagreb/stay overnight > Zagreb to Plitvice overnight > Plitvice during the day and drive to Split (overnight or head to Hvar/Brac) > Hvar or Brac for 2 nights > Dubrovnik for two nights > Split overnight > Depart from Split

Option 2 honestly sounds pretty intense. That said, do you think it’s doable? If I were to go with Option 1, do you have any suggestions between Hvar or Brac and where to stay?

Thank you so much!

Hi Gina, happy you’ve found this article helpful! I do think that your second option is doable, however, it does sound quite rushed and exhausting, especially if you’re looking to chill out a bit!. Personally, I would opt for the first option to have a more relaxing trip 🙂

Hey Maggie I hope my message finds you well! We are planning with my partner a 6 days 5 nights trip starting and ending from Zagreb airiport, at the end of August with Flix bus and Ferries. We arrive in Zagreb at 14:00 Day one and Im thinking of after spending 3 hours in Zagreb to leave for either Pula or Rovijn, spend the Night and few hours the next Day. After I was checking if there is a way to travel with Ferrie directly to Split, spend the next evening there and travel with Ferrie to Dubrovnik for night number three. Next evening I was thinking of catching the evening Flix bus for Plivitce lake, in order to get in early in the morning. Later get back to Zagreb for an early flight the next Morning.

Is it possible you thhink with Bus and Ferrie, what should I leave back or add, any advices.

Hi Zak – honestly, I think your itinerary is way too hectic for the short time you have. I’d recommend concentrating on one of the routes I have outlined above for a less stressful and easier to coordinate trip 🙂

Thanks so much for this blog it is awesome! We are a family of four with two teenagers. Are we too late to plan a visit this summer? We are environmental scientists so I am mostly interested in enjoying the natural beauty of Croatia. What is your favorite island? I am obsessed with swimming holes and also clear blue waters…. What do you think two teenage girls would like the best?

Thanks for your comment, April, and I’m so happy you’ve found this article helpful! I don’t think that you’re too late to be planning a trip for the summer at all! Unfortunately, I don’t have too much experience travelling to the Croatian islands (I hope this changes soon, though!), but I do think that the island of Brac sounds like a good fit for you. It’s easy to reach from Split and has lots of great swimming areas. Hope you’re able to have a great trip!

Looking at booking Croatia for July/August 2021 and wanting to spend 14 days touring the country. What airport would you suggest to fly into and what airport would you suggest to leave out of? We are avid hikers and defiantly enjoy our ocean and water days. Enjoy the finer hotels and spas also. Very excited being my great grandmother and grandfather came from Croatia I want to experience the finest places the country offers.

Pat Williams

Hi Pat, I would recommend flying into Zagreb and out of Dubrovnik (or vice versa) if you want to see a good portion of the country in 2 weeks. Hope you’re able to plan a great trip!

Hi Maggie. I am planning a trip of about 7 days to Croatia the first part of June. I have heard such wonderful things about Rovinj and the Iberia peninsula, but we also want to visit Split and Dubrovnik. Any suggestions or is this just trying to cram too much into a week? Most of the itineraries that I see online are an either/or for visiting those areas..

Hi Karen, unfortunately, it will likely be a bit too rushed if you plan to visit Istria and also Split and Dubrovnik in just one week. You can very easily spend a week just in Istria and even more in Dalmatia, so I would recommend weighing which areas appeal to you most and concentrating on those. You just might have to plan another trip!

Hi. What is the best way to tour the islands? Day trips or charter a sleeping boat for a few days? Want to enjoy the coastal scenery without feeling rushed by a group boat. And, when does Summer/high season officially end?

Hi Cindy, if you don’t want to feel rushed on the islands, then I would recommend spending a few days overnight on the ones that interest you rather than going on day trips. A boat charter is also a great idea if you want to island hop with more flexibility! High season is typically over by the end of September and you will start to see tourists clearing out and some businesses closing up by this time. The weather usually stays very nice through October, though, depending on where you are in the country!

I am planning a trip for 2 and most likely following a schedule similar to your “Classic Croatia” route. I was interested in visiting Krka National Park as well. Do you think it is worth it or is similar to Plitvice and not necessary?

Hi Holly, thanks for your comment! Both Krka and Plitvice are similar, but you can still get different things out of them if you want to visit both. For instance, you can go swimming at Krka which is not allowed at Plitvice. I personally think that both are worth visiting but Plitvice is more stunning than Krka in my opinion.

Hi Maggie, My wife and I are planning a 14 day motorhome tour of Croatia in mid September 2020. Our trip starts in Zagreb and ends in Dubrovnik. We currently have no Itinerary but would like to spend equal time travelling the coast and inland areas. Could you advise any web sites that show motorhome overnight parking. Regards

Hi Peter, sounds like you’re in the process of planning a great trip! Unfortunately, I don’t know much at all about motorhome travel, so I can’t advise you in that area. Hope you have a great time in Croatia!

Hi Maggie, I have planned my visit to Croatia from 25th Feb to 02nd March 2020. It is going to be me and my wife only. We will land in Zagreb on 25th Feb and would move out from Dubrovnik on the 02nd of March (Flights already done). Can you suggest what all places to be covered in this duration and how is the weather going to be like? Also, I am a bit confused b/w taking a rental car (don’t know whether it is left or right hand drive) or taking public transport like bus or taxis.

Hi Apoorv, I have covered a week-long itinerary starting in Zagreb and ending in Dubrovnik as well as the average weather to expect above. Croatia, like most European countries besides the UK, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus, drives on the right-hand side. All major cities are well-connected by bus. Relying on taxis to get around is an option, however, it will be very expensive. Hope this helps and you have a great trip!

HI I’m travelling to Croatia in early May 2020. Land Zagreb, 7 days, finishing in Dubrovnik (probably fly into Athens from here I’m thinking). A friend told me that Plitvice Lake NP required 2days and to stay there a night. What’s your thoughts on this?? Many thanks Anne-Marie

Hi Anne-Marie, I think you would only need 2 days in Plitvice if you’re really into hiking and nature and that’s why you’re visiting Croatia. Especially since you only have 7 days, there are many more places to spend time in Croatia. Hope you have a great trip!

Where should one start its trip from? If we are skipping Zagreb, and want to cover places like Split , Plitvice, Dubrovnik. Any other place that should which is highly recommended?

Hi Archie, if you don’t plan on visiting Zagreb, starting in Split or Dubrovnik makes sense. If you want to visit another coastal town, Zadar will make a nice stop. Also, there are numerous islands (Hvar, Brac, Korcula, etc) that are worth visiting.

20 days in Croatia and neighboring countries

We are 6 active hikers booked a trip to Croatia for 10 days in early May, 20 2 nights Opatija 1 night Split 2 nights Dubrovnik 1 night Vodice 1 night Zagreb 2 nights Bled

We would like to stay 10 more days to go to neighboring countries as well as doing a little hiking, biking and kayaking the area.

We are planning our flight from Vancouver. Our trip starts at Opatija and ends at Bled. Any suggestions on a good itineraries for pre and post trip?

Thanks for your comment, Jennifer. For the rest of your trip, any of the itineraries in this article might be good for you. If you are curious about exploring more of the Balkans besides just Croatia and Slovenia, we also have some Balkan itineraries here: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/plan-balkans-travel-itinerary/

Hi , I would be landing at zadar airport in september and planned for a 7 day trip, could you suggest how should we plan.. About us- Couple with no historical interests but love nature, scenery , beaches. Have to use public conveyance only for travel within croatia.

We are looking for a relaxed trip not a rushed one.

Thanks in advance.. Silky

Hi Silky, I would recommend you rework the Adriatic coast itinerary above to begin and end in Zadar rather than Zagreb. Going from Zadar-Zagreb-Split-Zadar or Zadar-Split-Zagreb-Zadar both work equally well and are all easily accessible via public transit. Hope you have a great trip!

I briefly read the article and maybe you covered it already. But most people will fly into Zagreb. With a 7 day itinerary using a rental car, you will start at the North and end in Dubrovnik. One has to account the time to get back to Zagreb. Any suggestions on how best to do this?

Hi Jacob, thanks for your comment. Because many people start and end their Croatia trips from different areas of the country (there are numerous airports that people will fly into, not just Zagreb!), I’ve left out how to get back to your beginning point. However, if you’re planning on renting a car in Zagreb and making your final destination in Dubrovnik, I see no reason why you couldn’t just drive back to Zagreb. It is often a lot cheaper to pick up and return a rental car to the same location. There are also numerous bus connections to Zagreb from just about every major city in Croatia, including Dubrovnik, if you don’t want to drive back to the capital yourself.

Hi Maggie, How’s Croatia in the dead if winter? January end Feb beginning? Where do you recommend travelling and what’s there to see. Thanks b

It depends on what you’re after, but the seaside towns will be pretty sleepy in the winter months. It’s a good time to visit Dubrovnik as you can experience the city with far fewer tourists than in the high season. Across the board, you will find accommodation prices to be a lot cheaper than in the more popular months, but some businesses may not be open in the middle of winter. Hope this helps!

Hello, Maggie! travellers plan to travel to visit Croatia in June, 2019, it would be around from June 26 to July 2-3 return,trip planned sbout 7-8 days at the destination. We are coming and driving a minibus (minivan) so ,it means we are very flexible on route and in any destinstion, we are free and sould move to any place any fay. As we primary memtioned, our start of the itinerary would be Zagreb, Split or Dubrovnik. Is it right if westart our trip from Riga by bus? By our plans we have to cross Latvia, Lithuania? Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and then somehow enter the Croatia. Could you corret me and suhgest me the best trip option (7-8days trip) for us as necessary?! Best regards, Ieva Lukina (ieva@21. lv)

Hi Ieva, I think that if you only have 7-8 days for your trip, trying to drive from Riga to Croatia is going to take up a good portion of it and give you very little time to explore Croatia itself. Maybe, if you can, try to allot more time for the trip or concentrate on travelling a little closer to home instead, this time around.

It’s tough making a decision, there are so many places to see that are gorgeous. I’m honestly not a big fan of Zagreb, it’s not the real Croatia to me. It’s Central Europe. Croatia for me is Central Dalmatia and to a smaller extent, Istria. For me, the highlights of the country range along the coast from Zadar (with an excursion inland to Plitvice) to Dubrovnik (from where I think Kotor is a must see as you mention). So many great spots on the way though: Sibenik, Omis, Makarska, the island of Vis…and that’s not even including the islands on the south. So much to see.

Thanks for the comment, Frank! I agree with you that it’s so hard to plan a route in Croatia…you could easily spend months there and not see everything!

I’m going to have to disagree with you about Zagreb, however. While I’m the first person to say that a capital city isn’t necessarily reflective of a country on the whole, I’m not sure it’s right to say that it’s not the “real” Croatia. It’s certainly much different than the cities in Dalmatia, but it’s still a fantastic place to visit and I think including it on a Croatia itinerary is important to get a feel for all sides of the country…even if you only have a short period there.

Great suggestions elsewhere…I’ve only been to Šibenik out of the places you mentioned and thought it was absolutely lovely. Like you said…there’s just so much to explore!

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Croatia Road Trip Itinerary Ideas (7-14 Days)

Searching for the perfect Croatia road trip itinerary? You’ve just landed on the ultimate local guide to exploring Croatia by car!

I’ve been living in Croatia since 2014 and have been vacationing in the country my entire life – that’s nearly 30 years of experience exploring its every nook and cranny. And let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like a road trip in Croatia.

Personally, I believe its the best way to see the country.

From the sparkling coastline and turquoise waters to charming villages and breathtaking national parks, a road trip lets you discover its beauty at your own pace. And as a local, I can give you insider tips on where to go, what to see, and how to make the most of your time here.

In this post, I’ll give you options for Croatia road trip itinerary ideas ranging from 7 to 14 days. Each of these itineraries have been carefully created to give you just the right amount of time in each destination without stretching yourself too thin.

Table of Contents 👇

🌟 7 Day Croatia Road Trip

Day 1: zagreb.

Begin your one week Croatia road trip in Zagreb .

Not only is Zagreb home to the best airport to fly into Croatia , but the city itself is full of charm and culture.

For a European capital, it’s seriously underrated (although I may be slightly biased since I’ve lived in Zagreb since 2014).

Start your day on Trg Ban Josip Jelacic and walk up the steps to Dolac Market – the oldest and most famous open air market in Zagreb. Here, you can wander through the stalls and sample some of the local produce, nuts, honey and cheese.

If you’re a foodie, like me, then you’d love this Zagreb food tour where a local will take you to all of the best market stalls and restaurants in the city!

After visiting the market, make your way to the Upper Town to see the Stone Gate, St. Mark’s Church, and the best view of the Zagreb Cathedral at Plateau Gradec. Then take the Zagreb cable car down to the Lower Town and enjoy a coffee at one of the cafes on Cvjetni Trg before heading to Tkalciceva Street for a bite to eat.

This famous walking street is lined with some of the best restaurants in Zagreb , including many options for traditional and international cuisine.

Find the perfect place to stay in Zagreb 🤩

Day 2: Plitvice Lakes National Park

On your second day, you’re going to want to wake up early in the morning and drive from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Ideally, the earlier you arrive the better, especially if you’re visiting in the summertime as the park can get pretty crowded.

Start at Plitvice Entrance 1 or 2 and spend your day hiking along the trails and wooden pathways that meander over the lakes and waterfalls. About 4-5 hours is enough time to see most of the park, but you can easily spend an entire day exploring!

Book a guided walking tour with a local that knows every inch of the park and will share interesting facts and stories with you along the way.

Stay at Fenomen Plitvice Resort 🤩

Day 3: Zadar

It is day 3 of your road trip in Croatia and it’s finally time to head to the coast!

Make your way from Plitvice Lakes to Zadar, one of Croatia’s oldest cities filled with ancient Roman ruins and cultural charm.

Spend your day wandering through the streets of the Old Town, admire St. Donatus Church, and grab a seat at one of the cafes on Narodni Trg (“People’s Square”) to soak in the local atmosphere. Most of Zadar’s most famous sights are located pretty close together, so a few hours is enough time to see everything.

There are some really beautiful beaches around Zadar , so be sure to spend a few hours relaxing and swimming in the sparkling sea.

In the evening, don’t miss the opportunity to catch the sunset at The Greeting to the Sun that comes to life with a colorful light show each night.

Even Alfred Hitchcock was quoted saying “Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world”, so you’ll have to see it for yourself!

Where to stay in Zadar 🏨 Budget: Destino City Apartments Mid-Range: Luxury Apartments Villa Morea Luxury: Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera

Day 4: Split

Split is a cool city, and one of my favorite things about it is the fact that the entire Old Town is built around the ancient ruins of Diocletian’s Palace. This means that there is no “official” entrance to the palace; rather, it is seamlessly integrated into the city.

As you wander through the narrow streets and alleyways, you will stumble upon Roman columns, arches, and even a temple turned church. To make the most out of your visit and to really understand its history, book a guided walking tour . 

Then head to the Riva for some people watching and beautiful views of the Adriatic Sea. Don’t miss out on the best homemade gelato from Gelateria Emiliana – it is to die for! They also make their cones in-house and there is almost always a line out front, but the wait is totally worth it.

You can find other places like this in my free Croatia Google Map !

If you’re craving a dip in the sea, stroll over to the Marjan Hill Forest park for some of the most beautiful beaches in Split .

Discover the best hotels in Split on the beach 🤩

Day 5: Boat Tour From Split

It’s finally time for some island hopping! Split’s perfect location lends itself to easy day trips to nearby islands. There are plenty of options for Split boat tours , but here are my top picks:

This private luxury boat tour is a fantastic choice if you want a highly personalized island hopping tour to places like the Blue Cave, Stiniva Cove, and the iconic Blue Lagoon. I’ve been lucky enough to visit the Blue Lagoon several times and the color of the water is out of this world! 

To experience the thrill of the Adriatic without the luxury price tag, I’d go for this small group tour . You’ll get to skip the line at the Blue Cave and visit the islands of Vis and Hvar! The best part is that it all takes place on a small speed boat that holds up to 12 people, so you won’t have to worry about large crowds.

Day 6: Dubrovnik Old Town

No trip to Croatia would be complete without a visit to the Pearl of the Adriatic !

For the longest time, Dubrovnik is one of those places that I thought would be overrated, but trust me – when you see the walls in person, you’ll understand why it’s a must-visit destination.

Get an authentic taste of Dubrovnik by joining this food and drink walking tour with a local guide. Your guide will take you to all of the city highlights while sharing stories and insights about the culture and history of this beautiful city. The best part is, you’ll get to indulge in traditional local specialties and drinks along the way!

End your visit with a walk around the city walls at sunset for breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea and the surrounding islands.

Where to stay in Dubrovnik 🏨 Boutique Hotels in Dubrovnik You’ll Love 😍 The Best Hotels in Dubrovnik With Swimming Pools 👙

Day 7: Day Trip to Lokrum Island

On your second day in Dubrovnik, and final day in Croatia, take a day trip to Lokrum Island .

This nature reserve, located just a short 15-minute boat ride from Dubrovnik’s Old Town pier, is a beautiful slice of paradise. You can spend the entire day strolling through the island’s botanical gardens, visiting the ruins of a 12th-century Benedictine monastery, and lounging on the rocky beaches.

Alternatively, you can explore the island on a kayak tour from Dubrovnik . Accompanied by a guide, you’ll get to paddle around the medieval walls of the Old Town, uncover unique beaches and rock formations around Lokrum, and even swim in an isolated cave!

🌟 10 Day Croatia Road Trip

Day 1: Pula

Spend the first morning of your Croatia road trip exploring the ancient city of Pula , formerly an important administrative center for the Romans.

An absolute must-see site is the famous Pula Arena. This Roman amphitheater was constructed in 27 BC, and is one of the best-preserved arenas outside of Italy. It is also the only Roman amphitheater in the world to have 4 entirely preserved side towers!

Other historic sites worth seeing in Pula are the Temple of Augustus and the Arch of the Sergii.

The afternoon of your first day is all about soaking up the sun! Make your way to the Verudela Peninsula and chill out at Hawaii Beach , one of my favorite beaches in Pula !

Better yet, if you’re up for an adventure, take a guided kayak tour around Pula’s famous “Seagull’s Rocks” where you’ll enjoy an afternoon of cave exploring, cliff jumping, snorkeling and swimming.

Day 2: Opatija to Šibenik

On the morning of day two, drive from Pula to Opatija, a darling town encrusted with immaculate gardens and Habsburg-era villas.

Spend some time strolling through town and enjoying the scenery before stopping for breakfast or a cup of coffee at one of the many terraces on the waterfront.

Afterward, continue your journey to Kanjon Zrmanje, a picturesque canyon with breathtaking views overlooking the Zrmanja River, for sunset. Download my free Croatia Google Map for the exact location and directions on how to get there!

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When the sun has set, continue your drive down the coast until you reach the town of Šibenik where you’ll spend the next 2 nights. 

Where to stay in Šibenik 🏨 Budget: City Rooms Šibenik Mid-Range: Armerun Heritage Hotel Luxury: D-Resort Šibenik

Day 4: Šibenik and Krka National Park

On day 4 of your Croatia itinerary, it’s time to explore one of the country’s most famous national parks, Krka.

Krka National Park is only about a 20-minute drive from Šibenik and is known for its beautiful waterfalls, crystal clear pools, and lush greenery. You can either visit on your own, or join a guided tour to learn more about the park and have lunch near the falls.

The main highlight of Krka National Park is Skradinski Buk, a series of 17 cascading waterfalls that are a gorgeous sight to behold. You can also visit Visovac Island, home to a stunning Franciscan monastery dating back to the 15th century.

Return to Šibenik in the afternoon and take some time to rest before embarking on a guided evening walking tour of the Old Town . The medieval town becomes extra magical when it’s all lit up at night, and your guide will take you to through its narrow winding streets to discover hidden gems and learn about its rich history.

Day 5: Primošten and Trogir

On day five of your Croatia road trip, you’ll begin your journey to southern Dalmatia. The first stop along the way will be the adorable town of Primošten.

A former fishing village, Primošten delights with its enchanting streets and a picturesque waterfront. Spend some time strolling along the 30-minute loop around the Old Town, taking a dip at Garbina Beach, or visit the most romantic spot in town – the Church of St. George.

If you love breathtaking views, be sure to stop at the Our Lady of Loretto Statue on your way out. It takes only about a ten-minute drive from the town of Primošten to reach this incredible spot, and the views are simply spectacular.

As you continue your drive down to Split, stop in the pretty little town of Trogir. Once the cultural center of Dalmatia, Trogir’s cobblestone streets are lined with Renaissance palaces, gothic and baroque architecture, darling boutiques, and gourmet restaurants.

There are many things to do in Trogir , but some of the highlights include visiting the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, climbing to the top of Fortress Kamerlengo, and strolling along the promenade.

Continue your drive down to Split and spend the night there.

Day 6: Split to Korčula

On day six of your Croatia road trip, you will be finally heading to one of Croatia’s most beautiful islands! Spend a few hours exploring Split before catching the ferry over to Korčula.

When in Split , be sure to check out the heart of the city’s everyday life – Diocletian’s Palace. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in the 4th century and serves as home to the city’s cafes, boutiques, and restaurants. While entrance to the palace is free, I would recommend getting there early to enjoy coffee on the steps of the peristyle before it starts to get crowded.

Some other noteworthy sites in Split include the Cathedral of St. Domnius and the “Let me pass” Street (the narrowest street in Split and apparently the world).

Grab some ice cream from Gelateria Emiliana before hopping on the ferry to Korčula.

Where to stay on Korčula 🏨 Budget: Apartments San Antonio Mid-Range: Aminess Korcula Heritage Hotel Luxury: The Fabris Luxury Inn

Day 7: Korčula

Day seven marks your first official day on a Croatian island ! This is where the fun really begins. As the famous birthplace of Marco Polo, Korčula has a lot to offer including history, beauty, culture, and of course, charm.

One of the finest fortified towns in Croatia, Korčula is made up of impressive stone walls and thick towers that still dominate the island today. Thanks to its monumental medieval architecture, the town has been lovingly nicknamed “Little Dubrovnik.”

This guided walking tour of Korčula will give you a taste of the island’s past and present. Instead of following a map, you’ll discover the beauty of the Old Town and learn about its history from a knowledgeable local guide.

Other activities worth considering are joining an island buggy safari tour , a wine lovers tour , renting a kayak or bike, and windsurfing.

Day 8: Korčula

Day 8 is all about exploring the beaches around Korčula. There are a number of beaches that are popular with both tourists and locals alike, including:

• Banje Beach: The oldest beach in Korčula and is the most easily accessible thanks to its close proximity to the center of the Old Town.
• Vaja Beach: A Mediterranean dream, this beach is just a short 15-minute walk away from the small village of Račišće. 
• Pupnasta Luka Beach: Considered to be the most beautiful beach in Korčula, this secluded cove boasts dazzling waters surrounded by lush green pine trees.
• Proizd Beach: A short boat ride away from Vela Luka, Proizd is ideal for anyone looking for untouched natural beauty.
• Bilin Žal: A rare sandy strand, this beach is perfect for families with small children.
• Skoji Islets: An archipelago of tiny islands located off the coast between Lumbarda and Korčula that offer plenty of snorkeling opportunities.

Day 9: Dubrovnik

End your Croatia road trip in Croatia’s pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik! Dubrovnik is simply a must-see for any first-time visitor to Croatia. The town, although swarming with tourists in the high season, is truly magnificent.

Famous for its stunning medieval town and impressive architecture, the one attraction you simply cannot miss when visiting Dubrovnik are the city walls . Originally constructed to ward off invaders, the city walls are now open for tourists to explore.

To really make the most of your experience, book a guided tour of the walls !

Some other activities worth doing in Dubrovnik are roaming the streets of the Old Town, going on a Game of Thrones Walking Tour , taking a cable car up to Mount Srđ , going on a kayak sunset tour , tasting local wines, or going cliff jumping. It is nearly impossible to run out of things to do in Dubrovnik!

Day 10: Dubrovnik and Lokrum Island

Lokrum is a small island located just 600 meters away from Dubrovnik, and it is the very place where you will be spending your final day in the country.

Getting to Lokrum Island is easy. There is a ferry service that leaves regularly from Dubrovnik, or you can join a guided kayak tour to Lokrum . Once you arrive on the island, you’ll immediately be enchanted by the lush greenery, peacocks wandering around, and secluded beaches.

There are plenty of things to do on Lokrum such as swimming in the “Dead Sea”. This small saltwater lake is one of the more popular attractions because it is so salty, you can float in it just like the Dead Sea! Some other things worth checking out are Fort Royal, the Monastery, botanical gardens, Charlotte’s Well, and the rocky beach.

🌟 14 Day Croatia Road Trip

Day 1: dubrovnik old town.

Start your 2 weeks in Croatia in Dubrovnik! Your itinerary will look similar to the itinerary above, but this time you’ll have more time to explore the surrounding area.

No visit to Dubrovnik would be complete without a stroll through the Old Town. Walk along the ancient city walls, visit the Rector’s Palace, and take a cable car up to Mount Srd for jaw-dropping views of the city.

Pro tip: The Dubrovnik super saver pass includes a guided walking tour of the Old Town and the city walls. 

Where to stay in Dubrovnik 🏨 Charming Boutique Hotels in Dubrovnik You’ll Love 😍 The Best Hotels in Dubrovnik With Pools 👙

Day 2: Lokrum

On day 2 of your Croatia road trip, take a day trip to Lokrum Island.

This nature reserve, just a short 15-minute boat ride from Dubrovnik, is a gorgeous paradise that feels like it’s worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the Old Town.

Spend the day leisurely strolling through the island’s botanical gardens, hiking around historic ruins, or cliff jumping into the sapphire sea.

For a truly unique experience, book a sea kayaking and snorkeling tour . Guided by an expert, you’ll paddle along the medieval walls of the Old Town, discover hidden beaches around Lokrum, and even have the chance to snorkel in a secluded cave.

Day 3: Elafiti Islands day trip

You can visit the Elafiti Islands via the local ferry, but a boat tour is an even better way to experience them! Board a beautiful wooden boat and spend the day sailing to the islands of Lopud, Sipan and Kolocep.

At each stop, you’ll have free time to explore old stone villages, enjoy a swim in the crystal clear water, and uncover Croatia’s hidden gems like the 15th-century former summer residence of a noble family. You can also enjoy a delicious Dalmatian lunch on board the boat, prepared with fresh local ingredients.

As you sail back to Dubrovnik, take in the stunning views of the city from the sea and watch as the sun sets over the Adriatic.

Day 4: Mljet National Park

The next 2 days are going to be spent on the lush island of Mljet. To reach this island, you’ll need to drive to Prapratno on the Peljesac Peninsula and take the car ferry from there.

Once you arrive, spend your first day exploring Mljet National Park, which makes up one-third of the island’s land.

A popular way to get around is to rent a bike or join a guided e-bike tour where you’ll discover the ancient Roman ruins of Polače, cycle around the lakes, visit St. Mary’s island, and ride through the oldest village in the national park.

Where to stay on Mljet 🏨 Budget: Villa Anita Mid-Range: Hotel Odisej Luxury: Pine Tree Boutique Apartments

Day 5: Mljet Island & Odysseus Cave

Out of all the things to do on Mljet , visiting Odysseus Cave was my favorite activity!

You can reach the cave either by land or sea. If you go the land route, be prepared for a 30-minute hike and wear comfortable walking shoes.

The play of sunlight on the water creates this gatorade-blue hue inside the cave that is just mesmerizing. There are several levels of cliffs for jumping into the water, so depending on your comfort level, you can start small and work your way up to the highest point (which is about 15 meters).

If you do go cliff jumping, please use common sense and make sure you have travel insurance just in case.

Built into the cliffs just above the cave is a super cool bar called MARS that is the perfect place to enjoy a cool drink and take in the laidback vibes.

Day 6: Drive to Split

Day 6 of your road trip through Croatia is a travel day, where you’ll drive up the coast to Split. This drive is incredibly scenic, with lots of interesting stops along the way.

You can either take the highway straight to Split, or cruise up the coast along the Makarska Riviera. I recommend taking a break in Makarska for coffee, lunch, or just to enjoy a stroll by the sea.

Makarska is a popular destination among European travelers, known for its beautiful pebbled beaches and crystal clear waters. It’s also home to the Biokovo Mountain Range, which offers hiking trails and an epic viewpoint, the Biokovo Skywalk .

As you continue your drive to Split, consider stopping at one of the many charming villages along the way, such as Brela or Omis . These smaller towns offer a more authentic Croatian experience and are perfect for a quick break from driving.

When you arrive in Split, you can drop off your rental car as you won’t need it for the remaining days of the trip.

Where to stay in Split 🏨 Budget: Rooms Zana Mid-Range: Best4Stay Luxury Rooms Luxury: Hotel Park Split

Day 7: Get to Know Split

Begin day 7 by getting to know Croatia’s second-largest city!

Split stands out because of its unique layout around the ancient ruins of Diocletian’s Palace. Unlike traditional entrances, this palace seamlessly merges into the cityscape, adding to its charm.

While wandering through Split’s maze-like streets, you’ll stumble upon remnants of Roman architecture like columns, arches, and even a converted temple-turned-church. To truly grasp its rich history, consider booking a guided walking tour .

After soaking up the city’s past, head to the waterfront promenade for some leisurely people-watching and relaxing views of the Adriatic Sea.

If you fancy a dip, take a stroll to Marjan Hill Forest Park, where you’ll discover some of Split’s most picturesque beaches.

Day 8: Day Trip From Split

Get ready for some epic island hopping adventures! Thanks to Split’s prime location, you’re in for a treat with easy day trips to nearby islands. With numerous boat tours from Split available, here are my top recommendations:

For those seeking luxury and personalized service, this private luxury boat tour is the way to go. Visit enchanting spots like the Blue Cave, Stiniva Cove, and the iconic Blue Lagoon at your own pace. Trust me, the electric hues of the Blue Lagoon will leave you speechless!

I realize that Croatia can be expensive , so if you want to experience the Adriatic without breaking the bank, a small group tour is an excellent choice.

This small group boat trip will allow you to skip the lines at the Blue Cave and venture to Vis and Hvar islands aboard a speedboat accommodating up to 12 people. You’ll still get a small group feel without the luxury price tag.

Day 9: Hvar

Now it’s time to head to one of my favorite Croatian islands, Hvar!

The ferry will take you from Split to Hvar in just about an hour and drop you off right in the heart of Hvar Town.

With a reputation for glitz and glam, Hvar is more than just a party town. This Mediterranean gem is made up of rustic stone streets, dreamy beaches, and stunning coastal views.

Spend your first day wandering through the town’s narrow alleys lined with quaint shops and cafes. Don’t miss the chance to climb up to Fortica Fortress for an unbeatable panoramic view of Hvar Town and the surrounding islands.

In the evening, head to one of Hvar’s many open-air bars or beach clubs for a taste of its famous nightlife scene. Or if you’re looking for a more relaxed vibe, enjoy a fine dining experience at one of the island’s top restaurants.

Where to stay on Hvar 🏨 Budget: White Rabbit Hostel Mid-Range: Amfora Grand Beach Resort Luxury: Palace Elisabeth

Day 10: Pakleni Islands

Situated just a short boat ride away from Hvar Town, the Pakleni Islands are a dreamy escape from the sometimes crowded streets of Hvar.

Hop on one of the many taxi boats that line the waterfront promenade and spend the day hopping from island to island, each with its own unique charm. There are three main islands that are highly frequented by both tourists and locals: Jerolim, Marinkovac, and Sveti Klement.

The one you choose to visit will depend on the vibe you’re looking for. Find out which Pakleni Island you should visit here .

Day 11: Day Trip to Vis

Today, visit one of Croatia’s most remote islands, Vis!

The best way to do this is do join a speedboat tour from Hvar . This small group boat trip will pick you up in Hvar Town and take you on a personalized adventure to some of the most incredible spots in the area.

Spend the day sailing around the Blue Lagoon, exploring sea caves, and swimming at surreal beaches only accessible by boat. Travelers say that this boat tour was one of the best experiences of their lives!

Day 12: Brac Island

It’s time to depart Hvar and board the ferry to Brac !

You’ll be going directly to Bol, a small but beautiful seaside town located on the southern side of Brac Island.

Get situated in your accommodation and head straight to the beach! Bol is home to what is perhaps the most renowned beach in all of Croatia, Zlatni Rat, also known as Golden Horn Beach. You’ve likely seen its unique shape gracing the covers of magazines and postcards.

Spend the day soaking up the sun and swimming in the crystal clear waters, or give windsurfing a try! Because of its position, Golden Horn Beach has ideal weather conditions for windsurfing, making it a popular spot for the sport.

In the evening, take a stroll through Bol’s charming streets and enjoy some delicious local cuisine at one of its many restaurants. If you like wine, stop into Stina Winery right on the riva for a wine tasting!

Where to stay on Brac 🏨 Budget: Pansion Ivan i Ivana Mid-Range: Villa Dalmatina Luxury:   Villa Giardino Heritage Boutique Hotel

Day 13: Brac Island

Brac Island isn’t just about the beaches, but it’s also a great place for outdoor activities!

For your second day on the island, consider renting a bike to explore the surrounding area. I recommend checking out Martinica Beach by the Dominican Monastery. It’s a lovely little spot with perfectly pebbled shores and shallow waters for swimming.

If you enjoy getting off the beaten path, then this private boat excursion around Brac Island is the perfect activity for you. You’ll get to uncover secluded bays and authentic Dalmatian villages that only locals know about. Plus, you’ll have the chance to swim in crystal clear waters and enjoy a delicious lunch at a lovely restaurant away from the crowds.

Day 14: Back to Split

Your 2 week Croatia road trip has come to an end and it’s time to head back to Split!

You can choose to spend your final hours in Croatia relaxing on the beaches of Brac or go back to Split and explore more of the city. If you choose to stay in Brac, make sure to catch a ferry back to Split in time for your flight.

Planning Your Croatia Road Trip

Where to rent a car.

My go-to car rental company is Discover Cars because they compare both local and international providers to make sure you get the best rate. They also give you an option to purchase car insurance as an add-on if it’s not already included in the quote, or covered by your credit card company.

My favorite travel credit card includes car insurance, so I always use that to book my rental cars. But if you don’t have that option, it’s important to make sure you are covered in case of any accidents or damages on your Croatia road trip.

Driving Rules in Croatia

Before hitting the road in Croatia, you will need a valid driver’s license from your home country along with your passport. There is no need for an international license as long as your license is written in the Latin alphabet.

In Croatia, drivers drive on the right side of the road and for the most part, follow the same common driving rules you would find in western countries. If you are coming from the United States, it is important to keep in mind that turning right on red is illegal in Croatia, and you could face a $300 ticket for doing so.

On the highway, the left lane is for passing, so once you’ve overtaken a car, be sure to move back into the right lane.

Local Tip: People can drive very fast on the highway in Croatia – keep an eye out for what are called “presretači” in Croatian , which are police in black sedans that will pull you over and issue you a ticket for driving over the speed limit.

Tolls in Croatia

Croatia road tolls can be found on all multi-lane highways which are marked with the letter “A”.

Upon entrance, you will simply take a ticket from the toll booth and pay when you exit. The tolls can be paid in cash (Euro) as well as credit or debit cards.

For budgeting purposes, you can check on the official price list online (only available in Croatian).

Best Time to Go

The best time to go on a Croatia road trip really depends on what you want to do and see.

For swimming and island hopping, June through September are the best months to visit. While the weather is hot and sunny, this time of year is also the busiest and when prices in Croatia are at their peak .

For hiking, sightseeing and exploring national parks, April, May and October are ideal. The best part is that there are fewer tourists during these months, so you’ll have many sites to yourself!

Island Hopping

If you plan to do any island hopping in Croatia , be sure to double check the points of departure and arrival since not all car ferries go to the same ports as the passenger ferries (or catamarans).

Also, some car ferries have multiple daily departures while others only run a few times per week.

Is Croatia good for a road trip?

Absolutely! The best way to explore Croatia is by taking a road trip.

Is it worth driving in Croatia?

Yes! Croatia’s highways are new and well maintained, making it easy to navigate around the country. Driving gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace.

Is it difficult to drive in Croatia?

Driving in Croatia is not particularly difficult. The highways are in great condition and Google Maps works well for navigation. However, it is important to note that roads can be narrow and winding in some areas of the country, so caution should be taken while driving.

Is it safe to travel by car in Croatia?

Yes, it is safe to travel by car in Croatia.

Is it easy for Americans to drive in Croatia?

Americans will find that driving in Croatia is relatively carefree on highways, but cities and towns along the coast can get particularly crowded in the summertime. Extra patience and alertness are required, especially when navigating the narrow roads of many small towns.

What countries can you drive to from Croatia?

Croatia’s central location in southern Europe makes it easy to drive to Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Montenegro, and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Final Thoughts

There you have it! Three different Croatia driving routes to choose from, each offering its own unique sights and experiences.

All of these Croatia road trip itineraries have been optimized so you can spend less time traveling between locations, and more time enjoying the best of what this Mediterranean gem has to offer.

Before you go , make sure you pack all of the right things for your Croatia trip !

You Might Also Like:

• Which Is the Best Airport to Fly Into Croatia?
• Is Croatia Expensive to Visit?
• How Expensive is Dubrovnik? (A Guide to Prices in Dubrovnik)
• Are Dubrovnik Walls Worth It?
• Is Dubrovnik Safe for Tourists?
• How Many Days in Dubrovnik is Enough?
• Italy and Croatia Itinerary Ideas (7-14 Days)
• Is There Uber in Croatia? (Local’s Guide)
• How to Pronounce Croatia (With Audio Example)
• How to Say Hello in Croatian (With Audio Examples)
• 15 Best Books About Croatia
• 15 Incredibly Cool Airbnbs in Croatia

Croatia Travel Planning Guide

💸 What is the currency in Croatia? As of January 1st, 2023, the official currency of Croatia is the Euro and NOT the Kuna (which is also the name of the national animal of Croatia ). 🇭🇷 What language do they speak in Croatia? Croatian is the official language of Croatia . Learn some phrases in Croatian before your trip with the Ling app ! 🚑 Should I buy Croatia travel insurance? 10000% YES – Seriously, don’t leave home without it . You never know what can happen on the road. I like SafetyWing because they provide excellent coverage for as little as $1.50 a day. 📱 Will my phone work in Croatia? Maybe – check with your provider to see if you’ll have service while traveling Croatia. If you don’t have service (or it’s too expensive) I recommend getting an eSIM like Airalo . Airalo allows you to have data while traveling without the high costs of roaming. They have super affordable plans available for 190+ countries, including Croatia. Download the app and get your plan before you leave home so that you have data as soon as you touch down in Croatia! 🏨 What’s the best way to book my Croatia accommodations? For Croatia hotels, Booking is by far the best site. 🛫 What’s the best site to buy Croatia flights? I always use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights. 🚗  Is it safe to rent a Car in Croatia? Yes! – In fact, renting a car in Croatia is one of the best ways to see the country! I recommend Discover Cars because they check both local and international rental companies to ensure you get the best deal. (Get your Croatia road trip itinerary here ) 💦 Is it safe to drink the water in Croatia? Tap water in Croatia is completely safe to drink , so bring your reusable water bottle and fill up! 🪪 Do I need a visa for Croatia? Depending on where you are coming from you may or may not need a visa to enter Croatia. Check the official Republic of Croatia Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for more information on who should apply for a visa.

Fueled by her passion for travel and her Croatian heritage, Olivia left the USA in 2014 to study abroad in Croatia where she has been living ever since. She founded Inspired by Croatia to share travel tips, destination guides, and exclusive local insights about the country she now calls home.

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Croatia Road Trip: Best of the Adriatic in 7 Days

What would your dream holiday in Europe look like?

What about picturesque historic towns, dramatic coast, crystal-clear waters, pretty islands, various National Parks and amazing views around every corner?

If it sounds good, a road trip to Croatia could be your next perfect holiday.

Croatia is a beautiful country located on the Balkan Peninsula in Southern Europe, and a road trip is the best way to explore it.

Driving will give you the flexibility and freedom to see what you want at your own pace, and you won’t miss all those stunning views in the countryside.

In comparison to the USA or Canada, the distances between the main sights in Croatia are relatively short, so you won’t spend too much time in the car.

Get inspired by our itinerary, and find out what to see and do, but also where to park to make your trip hassle-free.

Best Time to Visit Croatia

Every year millions of people from all over Europe drive down to the Adriatic Sea to enjoy their summer holiday.

If you want to avoid high prices, queues, traffic jams, and overcrowded beaches and sights, avoid travelling to Croatia in July and August if possible.

The best time to visit Croatia is in the shoulder season, which is June or September, when the sea is still warm and temperatures pleasant, there are not so many people around, and prices are lower.

The only downside is that some attractions might be closed or their opening hours reduced, so do your research before you go to avoid disappointment.

But this is just a small price to pay for a much better travel experience.

We visited Croatia in September, and we enjoyed our trip very much.

7-Day Croatia Road Trip Itinerary

Our itinerary is flexible, so you can do it in either direction or even change the order of the stops depending on what’s convenient for you.

If you have more time, you can stay longer in any of the places or add extra one-day trips.

We drove south from the Czech Republic , where we currently live, and we started in Plitvice Lakes and finished in Dubrovnik. We visited Zagreb on the way back home to cut down on the return driving time.

While in Dubrovnik, we also did one-day trips to Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

The following places are the highlights that will make your trip to Croatia unforgettable:

Day 1 – Zagreb

Day 2 – Plitvice Lakes

Day 3 – Split

Day 4 – Hvar

Day 5 – Hvar

Day 6 – Dubrovnik

Day 7 – Dubrovnik

Day 1 | Zagreb: Capital of Croatia

Even though most visitors to Croatia head to the coast, it would be a mistake to miss the interior.

Zagreb , the capital and the biggest city of Croatia, is located in the north of the country.

It might not be as well known as other European capitals, but it is becoming a popular city-break destination and definitely deserves more attention.

If you are looking for history, culture, art, architecture, nightlife or gastronomy, you will find it in Zagreb.

The city centre is compact and easy to explore on foot, so you can see most of the landmarks in one day.

The city centre contains two parts – the Upper Town (Gornji Grad) and the Lower Town (Donji Grad) .

Explore the Upper Town , which is Zagreb’s old town, where you can find most of the city’s oldest historic buildings and churches.

Don’t miss St. Mark’s Church (Crkva Svetog Marka) with its colourful roof, and watch the change of guards nearby.

The buzzing Dolac Market is another must-see, where you can try and buy some local produce. Croatian mandarins were our favourite, and we ate loads of them – they were so tasty and juicy.

For the best views of Zagreb, visit the area around the Lotrscak Tower (Kula Lotrscak) , where you can also find the famous city mini-funicular.

Continue downhill to the Lower Town , which is home to many parks, shops and restaurants.

Our favourite part was the green space around Strossmayer Square  ( Park Josipa Jurja Strossmayera), including the beautiful Art Pavilion (Umjetnicki Paviljon ).

PARKING: You can try parking at Lang Square (very narrow parking spots, busy, in the city centre), the public car park Tuskanac (a 10-minute walk from the city centre) or Kvaternikov Square (a 20-minute walk from the city centre or a few tram stops). It’s hard to find cheap parking in the city centre, and that’s why we booked an Airbnb apartment with complimentary parking and walked into the city centre from there.

Day 2 | Plitvice Lakes National Park: Mother Nature at Her Best

Plitvice Lakes National Park is another place in the interior of Croatia that is worth visiting.

This National Park is situated in central Croatia and is on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.

If you like nature, hiking and being outdoors, this will be your happy place.

Plitvice consists of 16 interconnected lakes surrounded by forest – there are 12 Upper Lakes ( Gornja Jezera ) and 4 Lower Lakes ( Donja Jezera ).

Each of the lakes has a different colour, from grey to dark blue, depending on the current weather and the number of minerals in the water.

The water in all the lakes is so clear that you can see the vegetation in it, but it’s not possible to swim in any of the lakes.

You can find many waterfalls here, too – the biggest one is the Great Waterfall ( Veliki Slap ).

It’s 78 metres (256 feet) high and is located in the lower part of the lakes.

There are a few walking trails that you can choose from depending on your abilities and how much time you have.

You can also get around the park by bus or boat – this service is included in the price of the ticket.

We visited Plitvice Lakes in mid-September, and the area got very busy during the day, so we can’t imagine how bad it must be during summer.

Some of the footpaths got congested by people taking photos, so we had to wait to be able to pass because the trails were too narrow.

We parked at the less busy Entrance 2, and we chose to follow Trail H because it included most of the park’s highlights.

We enjoyed the walk along the lakes, especially on the boardwalk, and soaked up the beautiful scenery (and took hundreds of photos in the process).

Try to avoid July and August because the park gets so busy that it can ruin your experience.

If that’s not possible, go there during midweek rather than at a weekend and arrive early.

It’s colder in Plitvice Lakes than on the coast, so wear warmer clothes and comfortable shoes.

It’s a good idea to bring some food and drinks with you because refreshment options in the park are limited.

PARKING: You can park at Entrance 1 if you are coming from Zagreb or at Entrance 2 from the Split direction. The car parks are located close to each other, so if one of them is full, you can drive to the other one.

Day 3 | Split: Vibrant City Full of History

The lively city of Split offers so much variety to its visitors, and there is something for everyone.

The historic centre has been built on the remains of the Diocletian’s Palace , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is an impressive example of Roman architecture.

The busy seafront promenade Riva is full of pretty buildings and palm trees and looks like a holiday resort.

Due to its location, Split is an important port and gateway to many Croatian islands, as many sailing trips start here.

There is even a beach within walking distance of the city centre – it’s called Bacvice .

This is a sandy beach with shallow waters, making it perfect for families. There are plenty of restaurants along the shores that are great for a meal or drink, and most of them offer ‘happy hours’.

PARKING: If you are lucky, you can find free parking spots on Setaliste Bacvice Street. From here, it will take you five minutes to walk to the Bacvice beach or 15 minutes to the city centre.

Day 4 and 5 | Hvar: Sunny Croatian Paradise

No trip to Croatia is complete without visiting at least one of the many Croatian islands in the Adriatic Sea.

We chose Hvar Island, the most popular and the sunniest island in Croatia – and we weren’t disappointed.

The best way to explore the island is by car or scooter – it will take you about an hour to get from one side to another.

There aren’t many roads on the island, and you can try to drive them all to see all the varied landscapes and stunning views.

Hvar has it all – romantic towns and villages, hidden beaches (most of them are pebbled or rocky), pretty lavender fields, vineyards and olive groves.

The main towns on the island ( Hvar Town, Stari Grad, Jelsa ) are worth visiting not only for their historic centres and picturesque harbours but also for their local shops and restaurants.

Head to Hvar Town if you are looking for vibrant nightlife.

Drive around the area of the Stari Grad Plain , which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you have time, head to the Pakleni (or Paklinski) Islands just off Hvar Town for a day trip.

We took a water taxi to  Palmizana on the Island of Sveti Klement and enjoyed the hike through the pine forest to Vlaka for amazing views of hidden bays and beaches, followed by cooling down on Palmizana Beach.

PARKING: There are many cheap car parks near the centre of Hvar Town. Most of them are located on Dolac and Ive Milicica Streets. If you are heading to the fortress (or just would like to get great views of the harbour) and don’t want to walk up, drive up, and you can park near the fortress for free.

Day 6 and 7 | Dubrovnik: Pearl of the Adriatic

On the way down to Dubrovnik, you are going to enter Bosnia & Herzegovina shortly, so make sure to check if you need a visa before your trip – the country currently is not a member of the European Union or Schengen Area.

Get your tank full while in Bosnia & Herzegovina – the fuel is much cheaper there than in Croatia.

Dubrovnik is the highlight for most people visiting Croatia, and it became even more popular after some of the scenes in Game of Thrones were filmed here.

The main landmark and must-see are the ancient  City Walls , which were built to protect the city against attacks.

Walk on the City Walls to see this beautiful city from above – admire its colourful roofs matching the dark blue waters of the Adriatic Sea perfectly.

We recommend walking the City Walls in the morning or late afternoon for a better experience, especially if you travel in summer – it’s just too hot during the day there because there is no shade.

Visiting the Old Town,  which is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, is a must – get lost in the cobblestone streets to discover hidden corners, museums, churches, galleries, shops or cosy restaurants.

Unfortunately, the price that Dubrovnik pays for its popularity is high – it’s crowded, especially in the Old Town.

That’s why it’s a good idea to start your sightseeing early, not only to avoid the crowds but also the scorching sun.

If you plan to visit the City Walls and other attractions in the Old Town, get the Dubrovnik Card to save money on the entrance fees.

It can also be used for local transportation, and you will receive further discounts.

Order it online to save a further 10 per cent.

You can pick it up in the Tourism Board office just off the Pile Gate that leads to the Old Town.

PARKING: Leave the car at your accommodation and use the local public transport, which is very efficient. Driving is not permitted in the Old Town at all and trying to find inexpensive parking close to the city centre is just too much hassle.

More Trip Ideas

If you still have some time to spare, why not explore more interesting places?

You can use Dubrovnik as your base and do a few one-day trips from there, or you can even explore two other countries nearby.

Mlini and Kupari, Croatia

Dubrovnik isn’t really a beach destination, there are just a few small and crowded beaches.

Instead, visit the beach and harbour in the seaside town of Mlini, which is just a 15-minute drive by car or bus.

Walk along the coast to get from Mlini to the abandoned hotel complex in Kupari – the hotel buildings look and feel like a ghost town with many scars of war.

There are plans to rebuild the Kupari area in future, so check it out before it’s gone.

Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Mostar is a beautiful small city in Bosnia & Herzegovina, just a 2.5-hour drive from Dubrovnik.

Walk around the Old Town, admire the iconic Old Bridge and locals jumping off it, learn about the difficult past of the city and enjoy the prices, which are much lower than in Croatia.

Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor in Montenegro is just two hours away.

The drive along the beautiful Bay of Kotor is an experience on its own – stop in the small towns on the way for great views and photo opportunities.

Explore the narrow streets of the Old Town in Kotor and climb the Town Walls (only 1,350 steps!) for stunning views of the town and the bay.

Where to Stay

Accommodation in Croatia can be very basic and outdated, so verify the other travellers’ reviews before you make the booking.

We like to use  Booking.com  for hotel searches, as we usually find the best value there.

If you look for a more ‘authentic’ experience, try  Airbnb for accommodation offered by local hosts.

The Best of Croatia

This is our recommended Croatia road trip itinerary to see the most beautiful sights of this interesting country in a week.

However, don’t get disappointed by the lack of sandy beaches.

The beaches in Croatia are mainly pebbled, rocky or even concrete, but there are so many other reasons to visit Croatia.

Let’s find yours…

What Do You Think about Our Croatia Road Trip Itinerary?

Are you planning to visit Croatia, or have you already been there? Which places would you like to see?  

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Itinerary for an amazing 7-day road trip through Croatia

Croatia is a beautiful country to visit on a Road trip. You can stop along the way several times as there are many stopovers, and everything is within driving distance from the next destination. Here we will explore an itinerary that will make you visit all the best destinations in Croatia.

If you have the time to explore other Balkan countries, we recommend you have a look at this Balkan road trip guide .

Page Contents

Croatia itinerary road trip

• Start: Pula
• End : Dubrovnik
• Duration : 7 days
• Distance : 1.100Km
• Itinerary : Pula -> Krk -> Zagreb -> Plitvice -> Zadar -> Krka -> Split -> Bol -> Makarska -> Dubrovnik

We recommend you check this packing list when planning a road trip through Croatia.

#1 Pula & Krk

Why start in Pula? Pula is a nice, inviting small town in Istria with beautiful surroundings. Starting in the north means that you’ll be able to see almost all the country. Oh, and Ryanair flies there…which means a cheaper fly-in flight.

Pula’s main attraction is the Roman Arena, the 6th Largest Roman Coliseum in the World. With a capacity of 25 000 people, it is one of the most famous landmarks in Croatia . It kind of symbolizes the massive influence of Italy in Istria.

Incredibly this arena is still used today! It’s difficult to imagine, but you can actually go to a music festival here . How fantastic is Croatia?

On our way to Zagreb, we decided to have a small detour to Krk. The only place we have been yet that doesn’t have vowels and one of the best islands in the Mediterranean .

The bridge connecting to the island is an engineering accomplishment – it was the largest in the world at the time of construction and is still the second largest. The clear green/blue water makes a very elegant setting.

The interior of Krk is very dry, we didn’t find it especially appealing. Our destination in Krk was Baška, a cute little village with a stunning beach. Although eye candy we didn’t dive in because it was a chilly, windy day.

Zagreb is the capital and the biggest city of Croatia, but it’s far from being the most interesting or touristy place in the country. Although having some interesting buildings, parks, and gardens, it lacks… something.

Zagreb’s architecture, style, and environment make me remember Budapest or Vienna , but it doesn’t have the same glamour. Don’t get us wrong, we liked Zagreb, and if you have a free day, you should visit it, but if you are short on time, don’t miss other Croatian attractions to go to Zagreb. And this is far more relevant in summer.

In Zagreb, we were introduced to our favorite Croatian treat, the Burek, a pastry made of spiral layers of phyllo stuffed with spinach and cheese or meat. It’s such a tasty snack… We ate those things the whole trip. After Zagreb, we headed to Plitvice.

#3 Plitvice Lakes National park

Travel bloggers tend to exaggerate and call everything the best or the most beautiful in the world. This happens because everyone wants to captivate your attention, but this is the time that it’s true. I can’t imagine anything more fascinating than the Plitvice Lakes and waterfalls. It is by far the most alluring, stunning, and dazzling waterfall we have been to.

It’s not one perfect waterfall and lake, or ten… there are literally hundreds of waterfalls, cascades, and cataracts. All of them are perfectly drawn and full of color. Prepare yourself to walk, and walk, and walk…  but you will be distracted and probably overwhelmed by what you see, always with water everywhere you look and always with waterfalls.

The wooden boardwalks go for a few km, on the shore, through the lakes, and really close to the falls. In the biggest lake, you will have a small ferry to take you to the other end of the lake. At the end of the park, fortunately, you can take a bus back to the start, so don’t worry about returning. You should definitely reserve a whole day for Plitvice Lakes waterfalls.

This road trip through Croatia continues to the relatively small but absolutely lovely historic old town of Zadar.

Therefore we suggest you leave the car outside the old town and then either lose yourself wandering in it or/and rent a bike for a few hours and have some fun riding through the small streets and then into Zadar’s waterfront. We did both, and it was very relaxing to wander about and have a drink and an Ice cream in the Roman and medieval ruins.

Zadar has a perfect vibe that is difficult to explain; I believe it’s the mixture of many small things, the sea always very close, the touristy atmosphere but not too much, the colors and smells, the sunset, the historical buildings…

Although having a Roman forum, the 5 bells square, the bell tower, St. Anastasia cathedral, the city walls, and so on, our favorite attractions were the sea organ and greetings to the sun.

The sea organ is a musical instrument that plays according to the waves. It’s located on the end of the waterfront and hidden in the marble stairs that go into the Adriatic sea. If you aren’t aware of its existence, you will be surprised by the relatively random but somehow harmonic sounds coming from the ground.

Greetings to the sun are right next to the organ and is a 22-meter circle array of solar panels embedded in the sidewalk. By day it absorbs solar energy; by night, it comes to live in a psychedelic but somehow soothing light show. Zadar is our kind of city!

#5 Krka & Split

After what we saw earlier, we were very anxious to get to Krka… We knew that Krka has one huge advantage over Plitvice, you can bathe in the lakes!! We are one of those people: we see turquoise water, we want to go in… and these have inviting waterfalls to top it off.

Krka is wonderful, and on another trip, it would be the #1 attraction, but this is Croatia. In Croatia, you have Plitvice, and the Krka’s cataracts aren’t as eye candy; neither the water is as pristine or colorful. It’s just a giant shoe to fill.

To enter the park, usually, you have to take a boat up the river. Unfortunately (or not), we didn’t arrive on time for the boat, so we had to rent a bike to go by ourselves. If you like biking, consider this option, as riding bicycles to the park was extremely fun. It’s not too far, so you won’t need to be in top shape to get there, but if you want to walk, you will lose valuable time before getting to the most exciting part of the park. After Krka, we headed to Split, where we would get the ferry to Brac.

We have just spent a few hours in Split, near the harbor, where we visited the Diocletian Palace. However, being considered one of the imposing roman complexes, we didn’t have time to explore it properly, as it’s huge and doesn’t look like a palace but a whole historic city center.

It’s a shame we didn’t have time to explore Split properly. It’s a UNESCO heritage site and a little underrated. Some people even prefer Split over Dubrovnik …

One great thing about this country is that you can go island hopping in Croatia and make a road trip simultaneously. There are so many ferries to the islands that will enable you to go from the mainland to the islands and even between islands and take your car with you.

We went to Brac because we wanted to go to Bol and see the most photographed beach in Croatia, Zlatni Rat, which means golden horn in English. Bol is a small touristy village where I assume little happens outside summer.

Even in June, very few people were on the boardwalk and the beach. It was a hot day, and having the stunning Zlatni Rat (and the other beaches) almost to ourselves made it even more pleasant.

The only downside of Bol (and, for what it matters, almost every other Croatian Beach) is the lack of sand. From the outside, it looks like white paradisiac sand, but once you get closer and step on it, you understand that it’s small rocks…

For us, it’s a bummer, but some people actually prefer having rocks instead of sand… Who are we to judge? 🙂 Funny thing about the golden horn, it actually changes in size and shape according to the currents. However, Zlatni Rat is only one of the best beaches in Brac . Probably the best, but there are a few others that you should have a look at, some of them also in Bol.

Alternatively, you can visit Korcula, which is another incredible Croatian island on the Dalmatian coast. Its amazing views and waterfront make it great for family holidays .

#7 Makarska to Dubrovnik

Having to leave Bol, we went back to the mainland, directly to Makarska, where we stopped for lunch and a short walk in the walkways lined with trees near the beach. Apparently, you can’t go wrong in Dalmatia. Then, we headed to Dubrovnik through Bosnia.

We decided to stop for a few minutes in Neum. These were a few weird moments; for some reason, we didn’t feel comfortable at all; everything looked less colorful, darker, and uglier… everyone seemed to be staring at us, confused by our presence. It was probably in our heads… but we all felt it and decided to continue our journey to Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik is the pearl of the Adriatic, the most famous town in the region, with its fantastic walls surrounding the old town. The walls of Dubrovnik are 2 km long, 4 to 6 meters wide, and up to 25 meters high… pretty impressive right? They were even used to inspire the Walls of King’s Landing in HBO’s Game of Thrones. Actually, a few spots in Dubrovnik were used as inspiration for King’s Landing …

You can walk around it, visit the towers and see the old town from above. If you add to it the clear green/blue water of the Adriatic sea, the orange rooftops, and the view of the historic building below, you get a fantastic and colorful postcard.

The old town is traffic free, so it’s a wonderland for wanders like us. The Stradun is the main promenade of Dubrovnik, the heart of the old town. This is the best place in Croatia to people watching while having a drink or an ice cream or just setting free your consumer spirit in the many shops along the way.

Dubrovnik is also a great place to splurge on luxury hotels. Dubrovnik is also full of bars and clubs, so you will definitely be at home if this is your thing. However, make sure you tour around Dubrovnik to enjoy this UNESCO heritage town fully!

The worst part? Parking in Dubrovnik near the old town is a nightmare and expensive. So if you find a spot, leave the car and have fun walking around.

From Dubrovnik, there are several day trips or an alternative for us to continue our journey. We strongly suggest you go to Montenegro and visit Kotor , another amazing small town in the Adriatic sea! Backpacking in the Balkan region is really entertaining and creates memories that last forever.

Our Recommended Travel Guide Books For Croatia

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Croatia

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15 thoughts on “Itinerary for an amazing 7-day road trip through Croatia”

Fingers crossed I’m going to Croatia next year and this post has got me really excited!

xoxo jessica from The Crown Wings

I have now visited Croatia numerous times from Australia as it became my favourite destination when I visited Europe ten years ago. A great trip but one recommendation would be to drive North to Rovinj from Pula before continuing your trip as many rate Rovinj the most beautiful place in Croatia. I also love the Town of Sibenik which is twenty mins from the Krka Falls. Croatia also has 1200 islands which are it’s Jewell. Murter and the Kornati archipelago, Losinj, Vis, Hvar, Korcula amongst the best of them which you didn’t visit. Other gems to google are Rastoke, Makarska and Varazdin. The country has way to many places to see, it’s so beautiful it takes numerous trips to soak it all in.

Croatia is one blessed country 🙂 We will need to go back and see what we missed

Croatia is extremely cool! Each city has its own gem, so everyone could find an appropriate activity.

Yes! Croatia remains one of our favorite places we have ever been to…

I wouldn’t even know what to expect in Croatia but these photos are beautiful. Those waterfalls are breathtaking!

I’ve done this road trip and to this day it’s one of my favourite vacations! It was like reliving it – thanks for sharing!

We completely agree, and we have done a few epic ones, through west coast USD, Alps and NZ…

Looks like a great destination!:) I would love to go there soon!

you should definitively go there soon:)

What an amazing road trip! I never knew Croatia was so lovely! Thanks for posting

yes it was:) thank you

Very nice roadtrip, Plitvice Lakes are on my list for a long time and I think it will be done next year. I would like to know how your trip goes on also in Bari. 🙂

Absolutely stunning pictures. And great job describing the trip. Have a question, though: Would you reccomend going to Croatia outside of Summer? Let’s say, in the Fall, when the beaches would be less appealing? Tks.

Keep’em coming. Cheers

Hello Duarte,

Search for Plitivice lakes in winter 🙂 But if it isn’t hot, there’s much less to do in Croatia, so outside June-September I would prefer a city break, like Budapest and Wien/Bratislava or Amsterdam & Bruges and leave Croatia for its full potential.

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Home » Destinations » Europe » Croatia » Croatia Road Trip: Build Your Ultimate 5-14 Day Itinerary

Croatia Road Trip: Build Your Ultimate 5-14 Day Itinerary

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Plan the Perfect Croatia Road Trip With Our Detailed Guide!

If you want to plan your perfect Croatia road trip, you’ve come to the right place! We love Croatia – and while we also recommend visiting the other Balkan countries, a Croatia road trip is never a bad idea.

Planning a Croatia driving itinerary can be difficult because of a variety of factors. From tolls on highways to hidden gems you might drive through without realizing, there is not one way to plan a road trip.

Another consideration is where you leave from and where you want to end your Croatia road trip. Leaving on a road trip from Zadar is going to look very different than if you leave from Zagreb.

Croatia’s unique geography makes it important to know the differences between the regions and what you can see and do in each of them!

So, whether you’re planning on doing a 5 day Croatia road trip, a 7 day Croatia road trip, or an ultimate 14 day Croatia road trip, we’ve got you covered. There’s a lot you can discover on a Croatia road trip in 2 weeks! Consider this your Croatia road trip planner. Ready to get exploring? Let’s drive around sunny Croatia!

Table of Contents

Things to Consider When Driving in Croatia

Aside from deciding on the destinations you want to check out all over Croatia, there are lots of other factors and details you’ll need to think about before you head off on your big Croatia road trip.

Driving Rules in Croatia

Generally, driving in Croatia shouldn’t be too difficult – especially if you are used to driving in other European countries. Many of the road signs are quite similar. In Croatia, people drive on the right side of the road – as is the case in most of Europe (minus the United Kingdom, Ireland and a few others).

Distances are given in kilometres (not miles)  and speed limits are given in kilometres per hour. The speed limit for roads within cities is usually 50 kilometres per hour, 90 km/hr for rural roads and 130 km/hr on the motorways . However, always follow the specific signage and speed limits specified where you are driving!

To be able to drive a car in Croatia, you must be over the age of 18. Of course, you also need a valid drivers licence. If you are from outside of the European Union you might need a valid international drivers licence in addition to your normal licence. Please double check before departure with your transportation board/agency. If you’re renting a car , the age restrictions of the car company might be different so keep this in mind, too.

Car Rental in Croatia

Renting a car in Croatia should be pretty straight forward as this is a pretty normal scenario for visitors spending time in the country.

However, depending on where you are driving, you should check whether you are allowed to take the car across international borders.

If you’ve read any of our Croatia transportation posts you might be aware that north of Dubrovnik there is a tiny part of Bosnia and Herzegovina that reaches the coast and thus separates Croatia into two parts.

If you’re driving from the north to the south of Croatia you, therefore, have to cross the Bosnian border. We will get into the details of this border crossing if/when they affect the itineraries below, so don’t worry just yet!

While generally, rental car drivers don’t experience any problems, you should double check with your agency about the rules of changing countries. This is even more important if you consider taking a day trip to Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina or Montenegro (which we would absolutely recommend if you have the time).

In both those cases, you would be crossing EU outer borders so you have to check with your rental agency whether this is allowed! You can compare rental car prices with this handy tool .

Tolls in Croatia

If you are driving on the motorway, you will have to pay tolls. During our month in Croatia, we never used the motorway so we can’t give you any specific details about our experience.

However, if you only have a limited amount of time and want to get from one place to another quickly, you might decide to use them instead. The A1 from Zagreb to Dubrovnik is probably the main toll road in the country.

While there is an option for electronic toll collection, this is probably not the best option if you are only in Croatia for a few weeks on holiday. You will most likely just pay the toll at toll gates that you pass through.

That said, make sure you have enough Croatian Kuna with you. In most cases, you can also pay with credit card and sometimes Euro.

Accommodation in Croatia

During our time in Croatia, we stayed in a few apartmani. This is just the local word for an “apartment”. We like to have our own space and cook our own meals when we stay in a place for more than just a few days.

That said, when doing a road trip you’ll have lots more options for places to stay since you can drive to places high up on the coast (with the best views). You won’t have to rely on staying only in the city centre or on bus routes to get you around/home.

Another bonus of our own apartment is that you’ll have cheap/free parking with the apartment.  We will mention suitable accommodation throughout the post, but if you want to get an idea of what’s out there right now, start searching below:

• For charming old towns – Check for Accommodations in Dubrovnik .
• For easy island hopping – Check for Accommodations in Split .
• For discovering the capital city-  Check for Accommodations in Zagreb .
• For seaside vibes- Check for Accommodations in Pula .
• For Roman ruins –  Check for Accommodations in Zadar .

If you’re on a budget – or you simply like to stay in more of a community – then you might book hostels in Croatia. Lots of hostels will have parking but not all of them.

It’s important to check the booking site and/or call the hostel if you’re unsure whether you can park your car there.  Check out hostels in Croatia here .

Top Activities in Croatia

If you’re planning a road trip around Croatia, you’ll likely find that there are lots of cities, towns, and attractions that you can visit. The amount of top things to do in Croatia is staggering!

As for things to do in each place, those can be a little more tricky to figure out. It’s important to do your research beforehand if you’re going to Croatia in the busy summer season from June to September. The best attractions and tours get booked up and it can make impromptu planning a little more tricky.

So, to help you out, we’ve included a few ideas of things that you can do while touring around Croatia. We’ve discussed things to do briefly in each of the cities we know best but to help you out, you can also browse the top tours and attractions before you start planning.

Remember, the summer gets busy – so best to plan and book the things you are absolutely keen on doing if you know your travel dates ahead of time!

Dubrovnik 3-Hour Sea Kayaking Tour with Snack – Kayak the Adriatic Coast Around Historic Dubrovnik! Zagreb: 2.5-Hour Walking Tour with Funicular Ride – Discover the Capital City + Admire the Views Hvar 5 Islands and Blue Cave Tour from Trogir and Split – Explore Beautiful Croatian Islands in a Single Day!

Croatia Road Trip – 5 Day Itinerary

If you planned on doing a shorter road trip in Croatia, it’d be best to fly into one of the larger centres, rent your car, take yourself to the main sights, and then drop it off and fly out. To do this, there are a few different versions of a 5 day Croatia road trip.

You COULD go top to bottom in 5 days but it would be a very rushed trip. In our opinion, you wouldn’t get to take in the sights in the places you stop because you’d be so conscious that you have to hop in the car and drive to the next location. Because of this, we suggest a Northern Croatia itinerary and a Southern Croatia itinerary – both of which are about 5 days long.

Croatia Road Trip – Northern Trip

This route includes more of the scenic national parks and less of the famed Adriatic Coast. It’s about 1,000 km if you hug the coast between Pula and Zadar and about 14 hours of driving time total . There are also tolls on this route. To avoid tolls, you’d take quite a few turns from Zagreb to Pula and would have to add a little extra driving time.

Day 1: Start in Zagreb Day 2: Pula/Rovinj/Poreč or Rijeka Day 3: Zadar Day 4: Skradin + Krka National Park Day 5: Back to Zagreb 

Day 1: Start in Zagreb

Ah, Zagreb – the perfect place to begin any Croatia road trip. The capital city is also Croatia’s largest, and there is no shortage of things to do and see. What makes the city unique is the fact that it’s NOT on the coast. While many of the coastal towns and cities get all the attention (and for good reason) Zagreb stands as a stunning centre of culture, tucked away – almost hidden – among the nearby bigger cities Europe.

Picking up a car in Zagreb would be easy seeing as it’s a huge centre of tourist activity. In general, Day 1 of your Northern Croatia itinerary is very dependent on when you arrive and how. Depending on when you fly or drive in, you will have more or less time in the capital city.

In any case, you can do what you like on the first day but we recommend you spend a night in Zagreb if you want to see more of the city that day and the following day as well.  Check here for accommodations in Zagreb . Specifically, Main Street Apartment is a gorgeous Zagreb apartment in the city centre with  free private parking.

If you have the time, you could consider an optional tag-on trip to Varaždin, which is about an hour drive north of the capital. This Baroque city has a medieval charm with the old town and fortifications to check out.

Day 2: Pula/Rovinj/Poreč or Rijeka

On Day 2, you’ll head for the northwestern coast of Croatia. There are lots of places you could set as your main destination. On the above map, we chose Pula to show you how far the drive could potentially be from Zagreb. The drive from Zagreb to Pula is about 3 hours . However, instead of Pula, you could just as easily drive to Rovinj or Poreč which are within the hour north of Pula on the coast.

Pula is the bigger centre that people gravitate to and then use it as a base to visit the other two towns on a day trip. However, you can easily stay in the other two to avoid the crowds – even though Rovinj is still quite popular. Check for your accommodation in  Pula or Rovinj or Poreč .

• If you end up in Pula, Park Plaza Histria is a relaxed resort hotel with  free parking.
• If you end up in Rovinj, Apartments Isabella is an authentic apartment with  free parking.
• In Poreč, Apartments Maj  are clean apartments with pools and free private parking .

If you didn’t want to drive all the way to the far west coast knowing you would see it in Zadar, then you could make your stop to sleep in Rijeka. This lesser-talked about city is actually the third largest in Croatia so it has lots to offer.

As a main seaport, the city has been a crossroads for the world of centuries and it shows in the architecture, the history, the layout of the city, and the things to do!

If you plan on sleeping in Rijeka, check here for hotels or apartments in Rijeka . Specifically, Casa San Vito is a bright, central apartment in Rijeka with cheap  parking available nearby.

Day 3: Zadar

On Day 3, you’ll head for Zadar. Eric visited Zadar on a trip with friends in 2013 and he’s been dying to get back. The drive to Zadar from Pula will take about 5 hours but will be less if you stop and sleep in Rijeka instead. Just remember to hug the coastline for a stunning drive. You’ll pass through tiny seaside towns in which you can choose to stop at or not – time depending!

This is a simple day and you’ll have time to explore the city once you get in. You’ll have a short driving day tomorrow so don’t feel guilty for stopping along the coast or getting into Zadar late. You can also explore Zadar the next morning before you head for Krka.

To sleep in Zadar, the best places are in the historic centre or on the coast – check out accommodations in Zadar . Check out Apartmani Natali , an authentic apartment with  free private parking.  You could even choose a hostel – the Mellow Monkey in Zadar made our list of our  favourite hostels in Europe !

Day 4: Skradin + Krka National Park

Day 4 is going to be a great day if you like exploring waterfalls! Today, you’ll drive to the small town of Skradin, which has one of the main entrances to Krka National Park! The drive to Skradin from Zadar is about an hour so it’s not too long. You can also choose to stop in Šibenik (a nice coastal town/city) on the way to Krka. That said, Krka is a popular spot so it’s best to get there early-ish to catch the ferry from Skradin into the park.

If you want to visit Krka National Park – we went and wrote a whole Krka National Park Guide so you understand the entrances, the fees, and other logistics. Krka can be confusing but once you read about the main details it will make more sense. We even made a great little video about exploring Krka !

There are actually two main towns/entrances to Krka National Park at the south end of the park. So, you could sleep in the town of Skradin or you can choose to sleep in the more remote Lozovac. Each entrance comes with different pros and cons to accessing Krka so choose the one that works for you.

The ferries go from Skradin, however, and that’s what we did. Book a place to stay in historic Skradin or check out Lozovac if you are interested in a more remote experience ! If you want free parking , check out Hotel Bonaca for a central hotel in Skradin!

Day 5: Back to Zagreb

On Day 5, it’s time to wrap up your northern road trip. The drive back to Zagreb will take about 4.5 hours if you head straight there from Skradin. That said, if you didn’t have enough nature on this road trip, you could always detour on the way north to Plitviče Lakes National Park. This stop will break the drive roughly in half which can help the driver get a nice break.

In the busy season, the Plitviče Park actually closes during the day to alleviate the number of guests so keep this as a side option and not as part of the itinerary unless you’re absolutely dying to go (instead of Krka). You can learn more about visiting Plitviče here .

Another consideration for your last day is the time you need to return the car by. Each dealer is going to be different so be sure to read the fine print and adhere to the times for drop-off. This way you make sure you don’t get charged late fees or other unnecessary fees.

Croatia Road Trip – Southern Trip

If exploring classic cities like Dubrovnik and islands like Hvar is in your sights, then perhaps a Croatia road trip of the southern portions of the country is for you? This itinerary above is just over 600 kilometres with a total driving time of just over 12 hours . Of course, this is including toll routes so if you want to avoid tolls then you’ll need to adjust the driving time.

Day 1: Start in Dubrovnik Day 2: Makarska Day 3: Split (Stop in Omiš on the way) Day 4: Skradin + Krka National Park Day 5: Ferry to Hvar Day 6: Back to Dubrovnik via Hvar

With this road trip route, there are a few considerations you need to think about. If you drive from Dubrovnik towards Split, you will cross through Bosnia and Herzegovina for about 15 minutes even though you stay on the same road.

Because it’s a formal crossing in and then out of Bosnia, you’ll need your passport or ID card handy for inspection. We did this exact crossing a few times in the span of a few weeks and wrote a whole post on our  experience at this Croatia-Bosnia border crossing when we travelled from Dubrovnik to Split on a larger bus trip !

This itinerary also takes you to the island of Hvar. To get there, you’ll need to consider the ferry schedules. We’ll dive into the logistics of the ferry down below. 

If you want to drive this route in the off-season or on the days that the ferries run don’t line up with your timeline, then you can simply make Hvar a day trip from Split or skip the islands all together and hug the coast to drive back down to Dubrovnik. There are plenty of beautiful towns to stay in/stop in to fill the time.

Day 1: Start in Dubrovnik

You’ll begin this itinerary in the south of the country in the popular city of Dubrovnik. You can read all about things to do in Dubrovnik here . The bottom of the country is a busy spot, but it means that the car rental industry is well-developed. This allows you to shop around for the best deal if you have the time.

If you’re flying in, pick up your car from Dubrovnik airport, perhaps settle into your apartment or hotel, and then take the day to explore the city. Since you’ll be sleeping in Dubrovnik, you can read our guide on the best places to stay in Dubrovnik or just go ahead and  check now for top accommodations in Dubrovnik . Specifically, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik is a gorgeous hotel with  free private parking.

Day 2: Makarska

For Day 2, you’ll wake up early and hop in the car. Drive up the coast towards Makarska . The drive is about 2.5 hours so not too long for a scenic day drive up the coast. Keep in mind, you will be crossing into Bosnia and Herzegovina at the coastal town of Neum so be sure to have your passports ready.

Depending on the season, this crossing might be very quick or you might be waiting for a few hours. The earlier you wake up, the earlier you are to beat the tour buses to the border as they head for places in the north of Croatia – like Split, Zadar, Zagreb, etc.

Get into Makarska, park the car at your accommodation, and go explore the seaside town. Since you’ll be sleeping in Makarska, you’ll likely find an apartment rather than a hotel. Luckily, the industry is well-developed here. Check for accommodations in Makarska here . Specifically, Hotel Park Makarska is a lovely seaside hotel with cheap  parking.

Day 3: Split

Good morning! Today, you’re going to Split. We lived outside of Split for a few weeks in early 2018 and loved every second of it. The drive to Split from Makarska is about 1.5 hours if you hug the coast and drive through Omiš. Speaking of Omiš, this seaside town makes a great stop-in to break up the day drive.

That said, don’t spend too much time here because you’ll need to get into Split to be able to explore it to the max! Split has so much to offer – from the stunning old town to serving as a gateway to island hopping adventures. There are also lots of great day trips from Split which we cover in another post if you are interested in modifying the itinerary to suit your needs!

For this itinerary, we’d suggest sleeping in Split and booking the accommodation for two nights. It’ll make the rest of the itinerary easy to execute.

You can check here for accommodations in Split or read our guide on where to stay in Split . Specifically, Marta Sea Residence is a lovely apartment with  free parking  available in front of the accommodation. Split parking can be a real challenge so this is a pretty good deal.

If you want to see the beautiful Split Old Town, you can watch our video on our YouTube Channel here .

On Day 4, you’re going to drive to Skradin from Split to where you can enter and explore Krka National Park. The drive (depending on Split morning traffic and where you stay) can take anywhere from 1-2 hours . We’ve covered this in the above itinerary but, again, if you want to visit Krka National Park – here is our Krka National Park Guide  that has all the essential information you’ll need to visit.

The difference in this itinerary from the one above is that instead of sleeping close to Krka National Park, you’ll return to Split because the next morning you’ll hop onto the ferry to Hvar from Split. Once again, here’s where to look for places to stay in Split .

Day 5: Hvar

On Day 5, you’re going to head to the famous island of Hvar. For this itinerary, you slept in Split and so you can take an early ferry from Split with your car. This ferry schedule for Split to Hvar with a car is here  – with the journey taking about 2 hours to Stari Grad on Hvar.

In the summer, there are more frequent ferries but in the off-season getting to Hvar can be trickier. If you are taking a car, it’s recommended to be there 1-2 hours early to load the car given the other traffic that needs to get to the island as well. There is a chance you don’t get on the ferry if you don’t book ahead or if you aren’t there early enough with your car.

It’s also important to consider the price of a ferry ticket with your car. These two ferry crossings are among the few in Croatia that allow for cars. Many of the other island hoppers on catamarans are “foot traffic” only.

Either way, the trip is worth it. Hvar is a very cool island to explore and having a car makes it easy to discover lots of different places that the buses simply don’t reach. Check out our guide on the best things to do in Hvar . You can also rent a car ON the island but you’ll need to ditch your old car (or just leave it in Split and grab it again if you want to come back to Split?).

We suggest you spend the night on Hvar so you don’t have to worry about the ferry crossing twice in one day. Check here for accommodation on the island of Hvar . Specifically, Labranda Senses on Hvar is a tranquil resort with  free parking.

Alternatively, if you want to leave the island hopping for its own day trip and leave the car in Split, you might consider an island hopping tour that takes you to 5 islands (including Hvar). Read about our Croatia Island Hopping day trip  because it was an absolute blast of a day and well worth the money!

Day 6: Back to Dubrovnik via Hvar

On the last day, you’ll return to Dubrovnik. There are a few ways you can do this depending on how you got to Hvar and what you took with you. If you took the car on the ferry, then you can drive the length of the island (1.5 hours) and leave the island via the Sucuraj-Drvenik Ferry . The ferry schedule for Sucuraj to Drvenik (with a car) is here .

From Drvenik, the drive back to Dubrovnik would be just over 2 hours and you’ll cross through Bosnia again on the highway. If you did a day trip to Hvar (or skipped Hvar altogether) and you are leaving for Dubrovnik from Split , then the drive is about 3.5 hours down the highway you came up.

Croatia Road Trip – 7 Day Itinerary

Our version of a 7 day Croatia Road Trip would be a mix of both itineraries above. With one week to drive around, you could very well drive the length of the country to see the best spots and still have the time to see smaller gems along the way.

We’ve already covered most of the places below in the itineraries above but we will cover them again with respect to this itinerary! So, your updated 7 day Croatia road trip itinerary could look something like:

Day 1: Start in Dubrovnik Day 2: Makarska Day 3: Split (Stop in Omiš on the way) Day 4: Krka National Park + Skradin Day 5: Zadar Day 6:  Pula/Rovinj/ Poreč or Rijeka Day 7: Back to Zagreb

For this road trip, the total distance is about 1000 kilometers with a total driving time of about 14 hours . This is similar to the northern Croatia road trip itinerary we presented except that one is a loop from Zagreb.

Isn’t it crazy – you can cover the length of the country in basically the same time/distance! Of course, these are rough estimates. The actual time is dependent on traffic in the centres you pass through, border crossings into and out of Bosnia and Herzegovina (which we covered above), and a variety of other factors.

You’ll notice that this itinerary takes you from bottom to top of the country but you could easily reverse the order. Since it doesn’t take you onto any islands, there are no ferry schedules to worry about.

This route as planned also includes tolls but you can avoid them. If you do so, you’ll end up on smaller roads and not the major routes. While this is generally safe for travel, it’s a good idea to have (or rent) a GPS so that you don’t end up getting turned around and lost in the Croatian countryside!

Day 1 – 3: Start in Dubrovnik, Makarska, Split

The beginning of this itinerary is the same as the “5 Day Southern Trip” outlined above. Start in Dubrovnik and drive to Makarska. Remember the border crossing through Bosnia.

Then drive from Makarska to Split – stopping in Omiš on the way. If this is how you want to start your 7-day itinerary around Croatia, then you can get started looking for accommodation in Dubrovnik , Makarska , and Split .

• Starting in Dubrovnik, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik is a gorgeous hotel with  free private parking.
• In Makarska, Hotel Park Makarska is a lovely seaside hotel with cheap  parking.
• In Split,  Marta Sea Residence is a charming apartment with  free parking  available in front of the accommodation. Split parking can be a real challenge so this is a GOOD find.

Day 4 – 5: Krka National Park + Zadar

On Day 4 and 5, you’ll drive from Split to Krka National Park. We discussed Krka National Park in length above in the “5 Day Northern Trip” itinerary above in this post. The drive takes between 1 and 2 hours . For this itinerary, we suggest sleeping in Skradin as opposed to returning to Split. This is because you will be heading to Zadar after Krka which is continuing up the coast in a northern direction.

However, since the drive from Split to Krka/Skradin is only like an hour, you don’t HAVE to sleep in Skradin – just a suggestion. Sleeping in Skradin allows you to see more of the park later into the day since you don’t have to drive home as far!  Book a place to stay in historic Skradin  close to Krka. Again, Hotel Bonaca in Skradin has  free parking.

For Day 5, you’ll drive to Zadar up the coast from Krka, as we mentioned. This drive takes about an hour. We’ve discussed Zadar in the Northern itinerary above so consider spending your night in Zadar . Again,  Apartmani Natali  is an authentic apartment with  free private parking

Day 6: Pula/Rovinj/ Poreč or Rijeka

On Day 6, you’ll head up from Zadar to any of the following places: Pula, Rovinj, or Poreč on the coast, and Rijeka tucked away more inland.  The map for this itinerary has “F” as Pula but it is more to show the general location of this leg of the journey. We’ve covered all of these locations in brief in the above itineraries.

The drive from Zadar to Pula is about 5 hours but is reduced if you stop in Rijeka instead. Check for your accommodation in  Pula or Rovinj or Poreč  and if you’re thinking Rijeka, check for hotels and apartments in Rijeka .

• In Pula, Park Plaza Histria is a relaxed resort hotel with  free parking.
• In Rovinj,  Apartments Isabella is an authentic apartment with  free parking.
• In Rijeka, Casa San Vito is a bright, central apartment with cheap  parking available nearby.

Day 7: Zagreb

On the last day, you’ll finish up your week long Croatia road trip in Zagreb. The drive from Pula is about 3 hours but less if you stayed in Rijeka. We cover Zagreb in the top itinerary on “Northern Croatia – 5 Days” itinerary but if you nee to stay over in Zagreb, check here for accommodations in Zagreb . Again, Main Street Apartment is a beautiful city centre accommodation in Zagreb with free private parking.

That concludes our epic itinerary for a 7 day Croatia road trip. As we mentioned, you can reverse the order if you want to start in Zagreb. Feel free to swap out cities and towns for ones that you want to check out. This is only to serve as a driving guide to show you distances and help you plan! That said, you COULD travel this as is – if you do, let us know!

Croatia Road Trip – 14 Day Itinerary

Here it is. The big one. The epic road trip. If you wanted a two week Croatia road trip, this could be the itinerary for you. 14 days to drive around Croatia is quite a while but you would certainly see a great deal of this awesome country.

Our version is written from south to north, so from Dubrovnik to Zagreb. As with most of our itineraries, you can reserve the direction if you feel like going from inland Croatia to the coast instead. So, to really see the whole country, your updated 14 day Croatia road trip itinerary might look something like this:

Day 1: Start in Dubrovnik Day 2: Makarska Day 3: Ferry to Hvar Day 4: Hvar Day 5: Ferry to Split Day 6: Day Trip to Omiš Day 7: Kaštela Day 8: Day Trip to Trogir Day 9: Krka National Park + Skradin Day 10: Šibenik Day 11: Zadar Day 12: Pula Day 13: Rovinj or Poreč Day 14: End in Zagreb

This road trip would be a beast. As planned above with the scheduled day trips you’d cover around 1300 kilometres . The driving time would be around 20 hours – but of course, this varies by traffic, border crossings, ferry crossings, which day trips you opt to take, etc. You should also consider the price of renting a car for two weeks to see if there are any companies that offer discounts!

Depending on the ferry schedule and season, you could cut the two nights in Hvar and stick to the mainland coast, doubling a night in any one of the following places: Dubrovnik, Omiš, Šibenik or Rijeka. Alternatively, you could also add on Varaždīn at the end.

To make this modification, you would just go from Dubrovnik to Split through Makarska and add on things to see/places to stop in the north of the country. Alternatively, you could just slow the pace to see another national park like Plitviče (you’d get to it from Zadar or Rijeka).

Day 1 – 2: Start in Dubrovnik, Makarska

Like we’ve mentioned in the above itineraries, start in Dubrovnik and drive to Makarska on Day 2. The key here is that you don’t extend the drive to Omiš – you’ll see Omiš later on this trip. The drive from Dubrovnik to Makarska is 2.5 hours . Get started looking for accommodation in Dubrovnik  and  Makarska .

• In Dubrovnik,  Sun Gardens Dubrovnik is a gorgeous hotel with  free private parking.

Day 3 – 4: Ferry to Hvar

You’ll have to take the Sucuraj-Drvenik Ferry we discussed in the 7 Day itinerary. You’ll explore Hvar Town and sleep in Hvar Town this evening. The drive from the ferry crossing to Hvar Town on Hvar is about 1.5 hours – or the length of the island of Hvar, basically. On Day 4, you’ll explore Hvar but move to Stari Grad and sleep in Stari Grad to catch the ferry the next day. You can’t get the ferry from Hvar Town.  Check here for accommodation on the island of Hvar . As mentioned above,  Labranda Senses  is a tranquil resort with  free parking.

Day 5 – 6: Split and Omiš Day Trip

On Day 5, you’ll take the ferry from Hvar to Split and sleep in Split for two nights. This is because you’ll use it as a base to do a day trip on Day 6 to Omiš. The drive from Split to Omiš about an hour one-way .  Check here for the best accommodations in Split .

In Split, Marta Sea Residence is a lovely apartment with  free parking  available in front of the accommodation. Split parking can be a real challenge so this is a GOOD deal.

Day 7: The Kaštela

On Day 7, you’ll explore the area outside of Split as you head up the coast towards Zadar and Krka. Kaštela is one town made up of seven small seaside villages that were created centuries ago and remain to this day. Located about 30 minutes outside of Split, they are a great getaway from the busy city.

As small fortified fishing villages, there is a ton of history packed away in these small towns. We stayed in Kaštel Kambelovac for a few weeks and we think you should stay in one of the Kaštela as well! Check here for apartments in the seaside Kaštela outside of Split . Check out Vasto Apartments – comes with  free parking  in Kaštel Kambelovac! – but you can use this place as a base for two nights if you so choose!

Day 8: Trogir

On Day 8, you can take a day trip to thew historic town of Trogir. Trogir is known for its medieval old town that sits on its own island and was a strategic point in Croatia’s defense and trading many, many years ago. Today, the rich history draws visitors in huge numbers and it’s worth checking out!

We suggest sleeping in your place in the Kaštela since you have the car and it’s very close. However, since you are heading to Krka after Trogir and you’d be backtracking to go back to your base you COULD sleep in Trogir since it’s very popular and there are SO many places to book. Check here for accommodations in historic Trogir . Specifically,  Hotel Brown is a trendy beach house & spa just outside Trogir with  free parking .

Day 9: Krka National Park + Skradin

On Day 9, head to Krka National Park – which we have covered in detail in the above itineraries. The drive from Split would be about 1.5 hours and slightly shorter from the Kaštela or Trogir since you’re already outside the busy city centre traffic.

We suggest sleeping in Skradin since you’ll be continuing up the coast.  Check here for a place to stay in historic Skradin close to Krka!  Again, Hotel Bonaca is a central hotel with  free parking  in Skradin!

Day 10: Šibenik

On Day 10, you’l drive from Skradin to Šibenik. This is a very short drive (20 minutes) so you’ll have loads of time to explore the two places. Alternatively, you can keep your base in Skradin and make Šibenik a day trip. However, since you’ll head to Zadar tomorrow changing your sleeping base to somewhere on the highway/coast would be worth it.

So, if you want to sleep in Šibenik, search for accommodations in Šibenik on the coast ! Specifically, Apartment Luka is centrally in the Old Town BUT the host will guide you to cheap parking !

Day 11: Zadar

On Day 11, head for Zadar up the coast from Šibenik about 1.5 hours . The next few days are pretty simple and we’ve covered them above but we’ll do it again if this is the first time you’re reading this itinerary. Check out accommodations in Zadar . Again,  Apartmani Natali  is an authentic apartment with  free private parking .

Day 12 – 13: Pula and Rovinj or Poreč

Day 12 takes you to Pula from Zadar, a drive of about 5 hours along the coast. Day 13 takes you from Pula to Rovinj or Poreč. The drive would be very short – about 40 minutes to an hour if you go to Poreč . Depending on what you want to see, you can choose to stay in one of these coastal places and day trip to the other, or just choose one and make it easy. Check for your accommodation in  Pula  and  Rovinj or Poreč .

Day 14: Zagreb

Finally, on Day 14, you’ll drive from the coast (wherever you stopped) to Zagreb. The drive is about 3 hours from those locations but will vary depending on traffic and other factors. If you need to drop off the car, remember to be mindful of the drop-off hours so you don’t get fined or charged extra! Staying in Zagreb? Check for accommodations to spend a night in Zagreb . Again, Main Street Apartment is a gorgeous Zagreb apartment in the city centre with  free private parking.

And there you have it – some of the best put together Croatia road trip itineraries out there! Obviously, these can be travelled as is or modified how you like. We just tried to give you the baseline knowledge to put together the road trip of your dreams.

We loved Croatia and look forward to exploring even more of it with a car. Don’t forget to make arrangements for your rental car before you start your adventure!

Even though we spent a few weeks there, we know there is so much more to discover! Have you road tripped around Croatia? What do you think of these itineraries? Get in touch and let us know if you end up travelling one of them! We’ve love to hear it!

As always, Happy Croatia Road Trip Waddlin’, – L&E

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The 7 best road trips into the heart of Croatia

Mar 16, 2024 • 7 min read

Drive the most scenic road in Croatia – and more - with these top road trips © Solovyova / iStockphoto / Getty Images

With a glorious Adriatic coastline that reveals one beauty spot after another for more than 1770km (1100 miles), it’s little wonder that Croatia has become one of Europe's most best destinations for a road trip.

Away from the coast-hugging and serpentine Adriatic Highway, scintillating back routes lead to national parks, dramatic mountains, medieval hilltop towns, and seemingly endless olive groves and vineyards.

Here are some of the best road trips in Croatia that take you right to the country’s heart – allowing ample room for detours and exploring within the region.

1. The Istrian triangle

Best road trip for food lovers Opatija–Pula; 166km (103 miles); allow 7 days

The heart-shaped peninsula of Istria in Croatia’s northwest stashes gastronomic riches that include renowned truffles, cheeses, wine, lamb, seafood, and prosciutto, to name just a few local delicacies. From the elegant town of Opatija overlooking the Kvarner Gulf , catch the two-lane highway hugging the Mirna River and drive through the truffle-laden forests surrounding the hilltop town of Motovun .

Head west to Poreč , with its UNESCO-recognized 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica, before turning down the coast past the Limski Kanal, the source for mussels and oysters served by local restaurants. Carry on to Rovinj and its tangle of cobbled streets framed by pastel-colored buildings hanging above the water. The final leg rolls through the town of Vodnjan, famous for small-scale, world-class olive oil, before arriving in Pula with its well-preserved Roman amphitheater and Temple of Augustus .

Detour: Following either Motovun or Pula, head into the center of the Istria peninsula to Pazin, whose 100m-deep (328ft) chasm and three underground lakes inspired Mathias Sandorf by the French author Jules Verne.

2. Croatia's national parks

Best road trip for natural wonders Plitvice Lakes National Park–Krka National Park; 354km (220 miles); allow 7 days

Starting from Plitvice Lakes National Park , perhaps Croatia’s most famous attraction, this trip uncovers the country’s natural soul in five of its eight national parks .

After strolling along the wooden walkways that connect Plitvice’s pristine lakes and hidden rivers that feed awe-inspiring waterfalls, go west for cool ridge-top breezes in Northern Velebit National Park . Here, atop the nation’s best-loved mountain range, you can admire panoramas of Adriatic sunsets reflected against the Dinaric Alps.

From mighty peaks, travel to epic gorges and canyons loved by rock climbers in Paklenica National Park before getting the island-hopping vibe (leave the car in the town of Murter) in Kornati National Park , which protects 89 of the Kornati archipelago’s 140 islets. Finish in Krka National Park , home to a fragile ecosystem and stunning waterfalls along 72km (45 miles) of the Krka River and its estuary.

3. Adriatic Highway: Zadar to Split

Best road trip for Roman history and sweeping views Zadar–Split; 163km (101 miles); allow 6 days

This drive across the northern half of Croatia’s Dalmatia region takes in an incredible set of ancient ruins and sweeping Adriatic views. Start from Zadar , with its UNESCO-listed Venetian-era defensive walls, Roman forum, and millennia-old street layout. Just an hour down the road is Šibenik , a seaside treasure with its own UNESCO World Heritage site, the 16th-century St James’ Cathedral .

Another hour, another UNESCO-listed destination – this time the gorgeous old town in  Trogir , which has many intact and beautiful buildings from its golden age between the 13th and 15th centuries. You’ll end the trip in spectacular style inside the palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian in Split , Croatia’s second-largest city.

Detour: To complete your Roman architecture tour by taking the ferry from Split to beautiful  Brač , where the limestone used for many of the buildings you've just seen was quarried from the island 's Klesarska Škola Pučišća (Stonemasonry School of Pučišća).

4. Journey through castle country

Best road trip for sheer romance Senj–Čakovec; 308km (191 miles); allow 5 days

The castle-littered corridor along Croatia’s northern edge was a one-time stomping ground for noble families. Start your ignition in Senj, where the 16th-century Nehaj Castle stands guard over the sea, before heading northwest to the 13th-century castle of Ozalj, perched above the Kupa River.

The capital Zagreb , where a medieval Upper Town melts into a park-strewn Lower Town, is a good layover spot and one of Europe's most walkable cities.

An hour north takes you to Trakošćan Castle , a 14th-century gem combining Romanesque and Gothic features. A drive of around 45 minutes to the east extends the journey to the gothic-Renaissance fortress in the baroque city of Varaždin. Onwards to the city of Čakovec, near the Slovenian border, home to the Zrinski family’s lavish 16th-century abode, which today doubles as the regional Museum of Međimurje .

5. A Slavonian exploration

Best road trip for gastronomy lovers Požega–Ilok; 206km (128 miles); allow 4–5 days

Bordering the Sava, Drava, and Danube rivers, the rich, fertile farmland of Slavonia has been the nation’s breadbasket for generations. Today, this history-soaked region is still one of the country’s most important cultural and gastronomic quarters , serving up many chances to sample flavorsome Croatian wines.

A drive east across this lush, vineyard-cloaked landscape starts in the wine-centric towns of Požega and Kutjevo before rolling through some of Croatia’s most treasured small towns. Pause in Đakovo, with its 19th-century neo-Romanesque cathedral , and Osijek, with its 18th-century citadel . Enjoy one of Europe’s largest wetlands at Kopački Rit Nature Park , which is home to more than 290 bird species, before continuing to Vukovar and Ilok, looming over the Danube near the border with Serbia.

6. Adriatic Highway: Southern Dalmatia

Best road trip for knockout coastal scenery Split–Popovići; 254km (158 miles); allow 6 days

The Adriatic Highway, or Jadranska Magistrala, hugs the entire Croatian shoreline, but the Dalmatian coast between Split and Dubrovnik is the most popular stretch. Cliff-top views and white-knuckle turns will make you feel as if you’re flying over the sea, while the islands of Brač, Vis , and Korčula glitter below you on a cobalt-blue horizon.

At Drvenik, take a detour via the 15-minute car ferry to the less frequented eastern tip of Hvar Island. A turn-off onto the Pelješac peninsula will give you a roadside seat for fresh Ston oysters and superb red Plavac Mali wine. You can finally drive across the new Pelješac Bridge, which opened in 2022 and evade Bosnia’s tiny bit of coastline (and the inevitable border delays).

Once you’ve explored Dubrovnik’s city walls , continue south to the rustic Konavle region, famous for its vineyards and the secluded beach of Pasjača outside tiny Popovići.

7. A Kvarner island odyssey

Best road trip for mixing culture and beach life Rijeka–Jablanac; 130km (81 miles); allow 4 days

Rijeka , Croatia’s third-largest city, is more than just a jumping-off point for coastal island-hopping in the Kvarner Gulf. Combining dignified Habsburg architecture with the streak of anarchy that’s always characterized this vibrant port city, Rijeka has enough cultural attractions to more than merit its status as a former European Capital of Culture back in 2020.

Once you’ve checked out the hilltop Trsat Castle , follow the road that takes you over the bridge to the island of Krk . Head south to wander through the ancient walled old center of Krk Town, followed by a swim at one of the town's beaches , before taking the ferry to Rab .

Not only will you find nearly two dozen sandy beaches on this compact island, but Rab Town is also one of the most exquisite settlements in Croatia. Finally, hop back to the mainland at Stinica and stop at Jablanac, where the cliff-fringed inlet of Zavratnica is a place of astonishing beauty.

Detour: If you want yet more island action, head to the craggy coast of Cres , whose hidden coves and hard-to-reach beaches still feel undiscovered. 

Tips for driving in Croatia

Croatia is a fairly straightforward destination for visiting drivers. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• The motorways are subject to tolls, which you can pay by card or in cash.
• Watch your speed! The speed limit on motorways varies between 110km/h (68mph) and 130km/h (80mph). Stick to 90km/h (56mph) on main roads outside built-up areas, and 50km/h (31mph) if you’re in a built-up area.
• Alcohol limits are low in comparison with some countries: 0.05% for drivers of private vehicles, and zero if you’re under 24.
• Police can issue on-the-spot fines for traffic offenses and can hold on to your passport until you pay the fine.

This article was first published June 2021 and updated March 2024

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7 Day Croatia Road Trip Itinerary

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Looking to plan the perfect 7 day Croatia road trip to see and experience all the best of this magical country? Let me help!

Croatia is easily one of the world’s most lusted-after summer destinations. With its iconic old towns, lush national parks, blue water beaches and more, it is the perfect place to spend a week exploring and enjoying. In 7 days you will be able to see a lot of the country, but not everything. This itinerary includes the top things you must see while on your Croatia road trip and what can be skipped for a future date.

Discover the perfect 7 day Croatia road trip below!

(Disclaimer: Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning if you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and you may even receive a small discount. See  disclosure  for more information.)

In This Post

7 Day Croatia Road Trip

Day 1-2: dubrovnik.

There is no better place to start your Croatia road trip than in Dubrovnik. This is easily the most popular and one of the most beautiful cities in Croatia and a must-visit while here.

There is an international airport just 20 minutes from the city center with plenty of car rental companies stationed right at the airport exit for easy access. Dubrovnik is the best first stop to start your trip off with a bang in one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

With two days in Dubrovnik, you will have just enough time to get a taste of the city. The highlight of Dubrovnik is of course the old town which is one of the best-preserved in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spending a day or two exploring the old town and its surrounding attractions is the perfect amount of time in this amazing city.

Day 3-4: Split

Take a 3 hour drive from Dubrovnik and arrive in the magical city of Split. Split is the perfect coastal city with plenty of beaches, many attractions, and a vibrant atmosphere. The best thing about stopping here is that you can set up a base for a few days so you can avoid moving around too much during your 7 days in Croatia.

Spending 2 days in this city exploring all the facets of Split is a must. The drive in the summer sometimes takes more than 3 hours so you will likely only have 1.5 days in Split so make the most of them. Go to one of the many beaches, hike, and enjoy the nightlife. Find the best things to do in Split here!

Day 5: Hvar

Hvar is an amazing island off the coast of Split and a place regularly visited by the rich and famous. It is one of the most beautiful islands in Europe and a visit here will show you why. The best way to explore Hvar is via a day trip from Split where you can leave your car in Split and take a ferry over to Hvar. There are so many amazing things to do in Hvar from boat tours to hikes and more!

Day 6: Krka National Park and Sibenik

Take your car and drive about 1 hour from Split and you will reach one of the most beautiful national parks in Croatia called Krka National Park. It is known for its stunning nature trails and 7 series waterfalls you can swim in! This is one of the best places to visit in Croatia to admire the natural beauty of the country and see and experience the vast nature.

After visiting Krka it is best to spend the rest of the day and sleep in Sibenik. This is a beautiful town along the coast that is not nearly as touristy as Split or Dubrovnik. It is the perfect place to wind down in a more authentic environment.

Day 7: Zadar

Finish off your Croatia road trip in the cultural city of Zadar. A lovely city that is known for its Roman and Venetian architectural design and beautiful old town. It is a city full of history and culture and the ideal place to end your Croatia adventures. Here you will also find an international airport so you can depart with ease!

This Croatia road trip is a busy one, but sure to create memories to last a lifetime! There is no better time to visit Croatia than now.

Like this post? Pin “7 Day Croatia Roadtrip” for later!

Samantha Karen is the owner and author of the travel blog Sam Sees World, a travel blog dedicated to sharing the world's most beautiful and unique travel destinations. As a full time traveled she has visited over 50 countries with more on the way.

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Croacia en 7 días

La guía fue revisada y actualizada en:

Croacia está escalando en el ranking de destinos más populares de Europa a una velocidad asombrosa y no es de extrañar. Gracias a su rico patrimonio, playas paradisíacas, ruinas romanas y ciudades amuralladas, un destino que tiene mucho por ofrecerte.

Destino genial para ver en una semana es imprescindible que uses un coche de alquiler para poder recorrerla y disfrutar todo lo que ofrece a los turistas y viajeros, que es muchísimo: naturaleza, ciudades de piedra, paisajes de películas (y de Juego de Tronos), playa, Parques naturales…

En este itinerario por Croacia en 7 días , voy a ayudarte a descubrir este asombroso lugar, visitando sus lugares más fascinantes.

Que ver en Croacia en una semana

En este post, vas a descubrir los lugares más preciosos de este país, qué destinos son los que no te puedes perder y la mejor forma de desplazarte por Croacia, disfrutando al máximo de sus playas y paisajes más espectaculares. ¡Venga, vamos!

Para seguir esta ruta te aconsejamos que dispongas de un coche, ya sea alquilándolo o viajando con el tuyo propio.

Día 1: Dubrovnik

El primer día es para descubrir esta ciudad medieval, conocida por sus imponentes murallas y fortalezas.

Un día es más que suficiente para recorrer su compacto centro histórico, declarado Patrimonio de la Humanidad.

No te pierdas la opción de realizar un Free Tour por Dubrovnik . Aprovecharás tu visita, ya que durante 2 horas un experto te mostrará la ciudad amurallada y todos sus puntos de interés. el Tour es en castellano y la reserva es Gratis. Se agota muy rápido por lo que te recomendamos que lo reserves cuanto antes.

Esta urbe, de grandes calles de mármol ha sido escenario de la serie Juego de Tronos para el desembarco del rey.

Visita sus murallas, la Plaza de la Luza con algunos de los monumentos más importantes y el Palacio del rector. ¡Una ciudad de película!

Día 2: Dubrovnik y alrededores

Aprovecha para despedirte de Dubrovnik, una visita a la isla vecina de Lokrum es un gran plan, por la tarde podemos ir camino a nuestro siguiente destino, pero antes pararemos a ver STON dónde se encuentra la “Gran muralla china de Europa” y es una fantástica muralla de varios Kms que se puede visitar. Además son famosos los vinos y ostras de Ston por lo que podrás disfrutar de una degustación fantástica este día. Seguiremos nuestro camino hasta nuestra siguiente parada SPLIT.

Día 3: Split y Trogir

El segundo día dirígete a una de las ciudades más preciosas de Croacia , llamada Split.

Es un museo al aire libre, con numerosos lugares y destinos turísticos que disfrutar totalmente gratis.

Pasea por el mercado de las catacumbas, visitar el Templo de Júpiter, camina por el barrio Veli Varos y disfruta de las vistas del mirador Marjan, donde conseguirás unas impresionantes panorámicas de la ciudad.

Gracias a su ubicación es ideal para explorar sus alrededores, es una ciudad encantadora en la que te recomiendo hacer noche para descubrirla también de noche.

Estás de suerte ya que este día también tenemos la opción de realizar un Free Tour por Split . Se suelen realizar en los meses de verano, a partir de junio. Aprovecharás tu visita visitando todos los puntos de interés del centro histórico, y durante 2 horas un experto te mostrará todo a pie. el Tour es en castellano y la reserva es Gratis. Se agota muy rápido por lo que te recomendamos que lo reserves cuanto antes.

Muy cerca, a tan solo unos 20 minutos en coche encontraremos una ciudad preciosa llamada Trogir , es totalmente de piedra, parece que te sumerjas en un cuento de la edad media. Merece la pena visitarla además en un par de horas puedes verla ya que su centro se recorre fácilmente a pie. ¡No te la pierdas!

Día 4: Isla Brac

Al día siguiente toma un ferry para dirigirte a una de las islas más preciosas que verás en el país croata.

Para llegar toma un ferry desde el Puerto de Split, que puedes comprar directamente allí, tarda 50 minutos de trayecto.

El viaje finaliza en el Puerto de Supetar, a la vuelta de todo el día en la playa puedes visitar este pequeño pueblo pesquero. ¡Realmente encantador!

Disfruta de la Playa Zlatni Rat, una playa paradisiaca de la que no te vas a querer marchar.

Vuelve a Split para hacer dormir y recargar fuerzas para continuar el viaje. O continúa hasta nuestra siguiente parada: Zadar.

Día 5: Zadar

A menos de 2 horas se encuentra Zadar, una combinación perfecta entre modernidad e historia y antigüedad.

Otro destino que nos brinda la oportunidad de realizar un Free Tour por Zadar a pie . Durante 1,5 horas un guía experto te mostrará los puntos de interés a pie. Ideal para aprovechar tu visita y después seguir por tu cuenta. El Tour es en castellano y la reserva es Gratis . Se agota muy rápido por lo que te recomendamos que lo reserves cuanto antes.

Pasea por su muralla y aprovecha para atravesar su popular Puerta Zara, descubre los restos de su foro romano, sus impresionantes iglesias.

Pero sobre todo, acércate hasta el Órgano del Mar , donde puedes escuchar los sonidos que produce el mar cuando toca el órgano. Es un momento mágico.

Se dice que los atardeceres de Zadar cuentan con la luz más bella. No te pierdas un atardecer desde su muelle.

Día 6: Lagos de Plitvice

Este fascinante lugar fue declarado Patrimonio de la Humanidad y se trata de uno de los parques naturales más preciosos de Europa.

Te recomiendo que visites este lugar durante todo un día, aunque en una tarde puedes disfrutar de su belleza.

Un gran bosque, lagos y unas impresionantes cascadas para el azul turquesa de sus aguas, en el puedes hacer una infinidad de rutas, indicadas en mapas a la perfección. ¡Prepárate para caminar!

La ruta más popular y que más territorio recorre del parque, es la conocida como la ruta H.

Entrar a su interior tiene un coste de 180 Kunas en temporada alta, pero varía dependiendo de la fecha que visites el parque.

Día 7: Zagreb

El último día es para conocer la capital, Zagreb. Destaca por su arquitectura austrohúngara, mercados, galerías y espacios llenos de arte.

Es una ciudad perfecta para visitar a pie , pero con numerosos monumentos que visitar y lugares por conocer.

Comienza visitando la Catedral, uno de los símbolos de la ciudad, además, en sus alrededores debes visitar la Fuente de la Maddona, con sus ángeles de oro.

Sube a la Torre Lotrscak con unas vistas fascinantes de la ciudad, pasea por su centro y disfruta de las numerosas terrazas y el genial ambiente de Zagreb.

Entre sus atractivos turísticos principales destacamos: la puerta de piedra, con una espectacular leyenda, la Iglesia de San Marcos, el peculiar Mercado Dolac y su Teatro Nacional.

Además pasea por sus parques y zonas verdes y acércate a admirar la Estación de Trenes.

Para finalizar, como despedida especial del itinerario de una semana en Croacia , toma el funicular para ir de la parte baja a la alta de la ciudad, con un coste de 4 Kunas, a pesar de ser un trayecto corto es ideal para ver la ciudad desde otra perspectiva.

Si quieres conocer la historia, curiosidades y anécdotas de la capital croata, siempre recomendamos hacer un Free Tour por Zagreb a pie. Durante 2 horas un experto te mostrará los mejores puntos de interés a pie. El Tour es en castellano y la reserva es Gratis . Se agota muy rápido por lo que te recomendamos que lo reserves cuanto antes.

Top Actividades recomendadas en Croacia

Además de todos los destinos mencionados, una idea estupenda es realizar algunos tour organizados por estos lugares, conociendo con más detalle la esencia de este país.

En el primer día, en la ciudad de Dubrovnik puedes disfrutar de este Tour al completo, en el que conocerás, con una visita guiada los lugares más emblemáticos de la ciudad.

En Zagreb uno de los días puedes realizar esta Excursión al castillo de Trakoscan y Varazdin, que incluye la entrada a este majestuoso castillo y una visita guiada por la ciudad de Varazdin, además de una cena típica croata.

Presupuesto viaje Croacia 7 días

Aquí te voy a mostrar qué presupuesto es necesario aproximadamente para realizar un viaje de una semana en Croacia.

✈️ Precio del billete de avión desde España: 400€ por persona aproximadamente, ida y vuelta, con maleta facturada incluida.

Las conexiones con Croacia son económicas, debido a las compañías de bajo coste que operan entre estos destinos.

Noche de hotel: Habitación doble un precio medio de 50€ la noche. Que suman un total de 350€ para los 7 días de viaje.

Comer en Croacia: 25€ por persona, comida y cena, al día. (175€  aproximadamente para los 7 días) Este precio es aproximado en un restaurante de gama media.

Alquiler de coche en Croacia: desde 15€ por día. (Total: 95/100€)

Esta opción es la más recomendada, pues te ofrece mucha más libertad a la hora de desplazarte y de una forma económica. Puedes comprobar el coste y la disponibilidad en nuestro comparador recomendado Rentalcars.com

Coste total aproximado del viaje: 1200€ es el precio para dos personas de un viaje de 7 días por Croacia. En este precio los gastos en comida, bebida y compras no están incluidos, ya que dependen de cada persona. Por lo tanto, es un destino con coste asequible , pero ideal para conocer destinos asombrosos, sin querer marcharte del país.

Alternativas a la ruta de Croacia en 1 semana

A parte de todas las opciones y destinos nombrados en los anteriores 7 días por Croacia, a continuación te voy a dejar algunas alternativas. ¡Este país tiene una gran variedad de lugares!

El tercer día tienes la opción de ir a descubrir la Gruta Azul , próxima a la ciudad de Split, uno de los destinos turísticos más importantes del país.

Es un lugar mágico, pues cuando los rayos del sol entran en su interior, el color azul turquesa del mar se refleja por toda la cueva. ¡Pura magia!

El séptimo día puedes visitar la Isla de Hvar , es la isla más grande del país.

Para llegar a ella tienes que atravesar el puente que la une con el territorio croata, es uno de los lugares con más historias de todo el país. Puedes disfrutar de los yacimientos arqueológicos que tienen una antigüedad anterior a Cristo.

Disfruta de sus lugares más pintorescos y sobre todo de su paradisíaca playa.

Península de Istria : Pula y Rovijn. La peninsula de Ístria cuenta con 2 ciudades realmente bellas, primero Pula que cuenta con el segundo mayor coliseo de la época romana (después del de Roma) y después la bella ciudad de Rovijn. Si lo deseas puedes modificar el orden para visitarlos después de Zadar.

Parque Nacional de Krka : Impresionantes cascadas rodeadas de naturaleza y… puedes bañarte! si viajas a partir de mayo podrás disfrutar de un baño impresionante en las aguas y piscinas naturales del parque. Realmente impresionante en la cascada principal del parque.

En conclusión, este destino ofrece una combinación perfecta de diferentes destinos asombrosos, un país sorprendente y cada vez más visitado por los turistas. ¡Te va a enamorar!

Consejos para una ruta de 7 días en Croacia

Lo primero a tener en cuenta es saber qué documentación es necesaria para viajar . Pues bien, al ser ciudadano de la Unión Europea, solo es necesario llevar el DNI o Pasaporte en vigor, por lo que no es necesario conseguir un visado.

La moneda oficial de Croacia es la Kuna , los cambios puedes realizarlos en el aeropuerto, casas de cambio o incluso en algunos hoteles.

Allí te saldrá mejor el cambio de moneda, por lo que te recomiendo llevar un poco dinero en efectivo desde España y después hacer si es necesario más cambio en el país.

Allí se aceptan pagos con tarjeta en casi todos los establecimientos, no tendrás problema al utilizarla.

A pesar de que el idioma es el Croata, en los destinos más turísticos se habla el inglés , alemán o italiano de forma fluida.

Por lo que si no hablas demasiado bien ninguno de los idiomas, puedes llevar apuntadas las palabras más básicas o que puedes necesitar a lo largo del viaje.

¡Otra cosa importante! Los enchufes son de tipo europeo, pero en algunos lugares los enchufes son de ranuras planas por lo que te recomiendo llevar un adaptador por si acaso.

Como último consejo, la mejor forma de desplazarse por el país es en coche, por lo que te recomiendo alquilar uno, para poder descubrir todos los rincones preciosos de este mágico país.

Cuándo viajar a Croacia

La mejor época para visitar Croacia es de Mayo a Septiembre . En esos meses tiene un clima agradable y el agua en las zonas de costa es perfecta para bañarse.

Este país tiene dos climas muy diferenciados, dependiendo de la zona del país. En la costa el clima es mediterráneo, en invierno el clima es agradable y en verano hace bastante calor.

Mientras que en las zonas de interior, los inviernos son muy fríos y los veranos calurosos.

Cómo llegar a Croacia desde España

La forma más rápida y muy económica es llegar por el aire. El mejor aeropuerto para llegar desde España es el aeropuerto de Dubrovnik.

Este aeropuerto es uno de los principales del país y el más barato.

Desde las ciudades de Madrid o Barcelona hay vuelos directos a un precio excepcional, gracias a que desde ambas existen vuelos con aerolíneas low cost.

Croatia Road Trips: Five Incredible Routes

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One of the best ways to explore the beautiful country of Croatia is by taking a road trip, where you can drive along winding coastal roads, visit charming towns and villages, and discover off-the-beaten-path hidden gems.

Known for its picturesque coastline, stunning national parks, and rich history, Croatia is full of surprises. From the Ventian-inspired architecture of the Istrian Peninsula, and the rivers and lakes of the mountainous interior, to its gorgeous islands, Croatia is well worth exploring.

In this Croatia road trip guide, we’ll share some of our favorite road trip routes and destinations in Croatia, along with tips for planning your perfect Croatia road trip. Get ready for an unforgettable journey through one of Europe’s most captivating countries!

Where is Croatia?

Croatia is situated in Central and Southeast Europe, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Hungary is to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro to the southeast, and Slovenia to the northwest.

The crescent-shaped country features low mountains and highlands near the Adriatic coastline, flat plains that hug the Hungarian border, and a multitude of islands. The Croatian archipelago has 1,244 natural formations, of which 78 are islands, 524 are islets, and 642 are cliffs and reefs.

Croatia joined the Schengen area on 1 January 2023, and at the same time swapped the official currency from the Croatian kuna to the euro.

You may notice the letters HR being used in website domains and on car number plates. This is because HR stands for Hrvatska , the country’s name in Croatian.

Getting to Croatia

Whether you’re traveling in Croatia by car, motorcycle, or campervan from Europe, or picking up a hire car, self-driving is absolutely the best way to explore this fantastic Balkans country.

You can stop whenever you want, try new activities, visit places you see along the route, and have the freedom to change plans at the last minute.

Fly into Zagreb, Dubrovnik or Split airports . With direct flights from North America, Europe , and the UK , we recommend booking through Skyscanner for live deals and the best prices.

Are you planning to rent a car in Croatia? As one of the largest car hire aggregator companies in the world, we recommend Rentalcars.com because they have massive purchasing power which enables them to secure the best car rental prices, which benefits you when you’re planning your Croatia driving tour.

For a real adventure, hire a motorhome or campervan to road trip through Croatia. We recommend Motorhome Republic , an aggregate booking site who pull together all the best deals from a number of rental agencies, to offer you a wide choice of options alongside an excellent English speaking expert motorhome Concierge Team.

Best Time for Visiting Croatia

Croatia’s climate is continental and gets more Mediterranean towards the Adriatic and equator. The sea has a big influence on the coast’s weather and in the north, the Pannonian Plains are responsible for the weather patterns. The central Dinara mountains are always cooler than the coast and it rains less as you go east due to the low-lying Danube valleys.

The weather generally improves as spring moves into April, however, the notorious Bura winds also blow along the coastline through spring, making it an unpredictable time weather-wise.

May is a much better time to plan a Croatian road trip when the sea becomes warm enough for swimming and there are many more warm and sunny days than not, and the wind risk reduces.

A Croatia summer trip promises heat, warm water, and sea breezes. In August coastal temperatures can be in the high 30s, making it uncomfortably hot without air conditioning.

Summer is also the busiest and most expensive time to visit, and cities like Dubrovnik and Split can feel very crowded as cruise ships pull in and disgorge their passengers for the day.

Autumn is generally warm, with September being our favorite time to road trip Croatia, although temperatures stay in the low 20s well into October. Everywhere is quieter, hotels actually have free rooms and flights, and accommodation and tours are much less expensive than in the summer season.

RELATED POST: Autumn in Europe: 23 Stunning Destinations for Fall

Winters in Croatia are seriously wet, but coastal areas can be warm and the sea water in winter is slightly warmer than the air. Although it will be quiet, this would be our least favorite time to roadtrip in Croatia!

Make sure you have travel insurance you can trust when visiting Croatia . We recommend True Traveller for their 5-star TrustPilot reviews, variety of cover options, best activities cover as standard, great prices, and excellent service.

Croatia Road Trip Map

These five routes through Croatia can be as flexible as you need them to be. Take a long weekend and road trip the Istrian Peninsula, or go island hopping on the Dalmatian coast.

If you have longer, string a few of the road trips together for a one or two week Croatia road trip itinerary, or connect Krka to Split to create a Zagreb to Dubrovnik road trip.

• Get the Essentials
• Reusable Water Bottle: We love our LifeStraw Go 2 personal water filter bottles, knowing we can top up anywhere and anytime.
• Snorkel & Mask: Make sure to take this Kuyou snorkel set – watching the sea life around the islands is a must-do!
• Water Shoes: You really need water shoes in Croatia, and we love the Teva Hurricane for their style and functionality.
• Microfibre Towels: These Dock and Bay beach towels are perfect for all the wild swimming you’re going to want to do!
• Flask: If you watch us on YouTube , you’ll know we love a cup of tea, especially mid-way through a hike or day trip! We’ve used our Lifeventure vacuum flask for years
• Get the Travel Guides
• Lonely Planet Croatia
• The Rough Guide to Croatia
• DK Eyewitness Croatia

Best Road Trips in Croatia

Zagreb to krka national park road trip.

This 5-7 day Croatia road trip starts in the capital fiesty capital of Zagreb and covers the northwestern part of Croatia, as well as two famous national parks.

Zagreb – Samobor – Rastoke – Plitviče Lakes National Park – Krka National Park

• Distance: 346km | 215 miles
• Drive Time: 5 hours
• Length: 5-7 day itinerary

Zagreb , the capital of Croatia, is a vibrant and charming city with a mix of historical landmarks, cultural attractions, and modern amenities. 

The city’s history dates back to the Middle Ages, and it has been influenced by various cultures and empires throughout the centuries. Today, Zagreb is a cosmopolitan city that blends its traditional charm with modernity and innovation.

One of the most notable aspects of Zagreb is its architecture. The city boasts a diverse range of building styles, with 18th and 19th century Austro-Hungarian architecture taking prominence. Some of the must-see buildings in Zagreb include the Croatian National Theatre, the 13th century Church of St. Marks, Lotrščak Tower, the Gothic Zagreb Cathedral, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

We loved exploring the city’s historic districts of Gradec or Gornji grad and Kaptol, which are filled with charming narrow streets, colorful buildings, and picturesque squares, or head north for a spot of tombstone tourism and explore the wonderful tree-lined Mirogoj Cemetary at the foot of Medvednica.

Zagreb is also known for its vibrant culture, which is reflected in its museums, galleries, theaters, and festivals. Some of the top cultural attractions in the city include the Museum of Broken Relationships, the Zagreb City Museum , the Museum of Illusions, and the Zagreb Film Festival.

For sustenance, head to Dolac Market and try traditional Croatian dishes like Ćevapi , grilled kofta-style meat, Pašticada , beef in a sweet and sour sauce, and Kremšnita , a sweet custard cake, or grab a local beer or glass of Croatian wine at one the city’s many bars.

RELATED POST: Best Cities in Croatia for an Amazing Visit!

Samobor is a historic town to the west of Zagreb’s city center and makes a nice change from the always busy capital.

Samobar has a long and fascinating history that dates back to the Roman Empire and visitors can explore ruins of ancient settlements. A slightly newer ruin is Samobar Castle, although it’s still well over 750 years old!

A stone fortress, Samobar Castle was originally built for the Czech king Ottokar II of Bohemia in the 13th century before Croatian-Hungarian forces retook the castle for their own. If you’re interested in Croatian history, Samobor Museum is set in a beautiful location and well worth a visit, and the Samobor Open Air Museum has traditional Croatian houses and buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries. 

To the east is the Žumberačko-Samoborsko Gorge Nature Park, where there are plenty of easy scenic hikes, which are all accessible from Samobor. If you don’t have much time, the hike from Smerovišće to the Cerinski waterfall will only take a couple of hours.

Wine lovers will enjoy the abundance of wine cellars in the town, which is close to the Plešivica Hills, a large wine-producing area, where Portugizac, a young and fruity red, is the signature variety.

Rastoke is a small village south of Samobor, famous for its picturesque waterfalls and traditional wooden houses and watermills. This watery paradise sits on the rivers Korana and Sluncica, crystal clear rivers that flow south to create Plitviče Lakes, and is perfect for a spot of wild swimming or kayaking.

In the village of Rastoke itself, you can admire the Rastoke Waterfalls, which are a collection of small waterfalls over a large surface of water, explore the traditional wooden houses, which have both Croatian and Ottoman influences, and visit Stari Mlin or Old Mill to learn about the traditional milling process.

Top Tip: Make sure to visit Restoran Petro , a traditional Croatian restaurant situated over the water where you can enjoy delicious grilled trout from the river.

Plitviče Lakes National Park

Plitviče Lakes National Park is Croatia’s most beautiful natural attraction, where a series of sixteen interconnected lakes drop over an altitude of 636 to 503 meters (2,087 to 1,650 ft) and create many waterfalls.

The pristine lake system is surrounded by lush forests and a boardwalk weaves between the lakes and waterfalls to create paths from the upper to lower lakes, or vice versa , depending on your start point.

There are 8 different routes, which can take from two to eight hours to complete, and you can go from the upper lakes down, or the lower lakes up, but all routes have a similar amount of elevation gain. On each route you will also take a boat trip at some point, to transport you over Kozjak, the largest lake.

Plitviče National Park gets very, very busy in the summer months and the sheer number of people can mar the experience a little. If you do visit in summer, we recommend buying your tickets online in advance and starting from car park 2 at 7am when the park opens.

Top Tip: We chose route H, which involves getting a bus to the start point (many of the routes use buses due to the topography of the park), and managed to get off the bus first. We upped the pace for the first 10 minutes and then enjoyed 90 minutes of absolute peace and tranquility before we met the hordes coming the other way from Car Park 1!

RELATED POST: Most Beautiful Places in Croatia: 17 Scenic Places to Visit

Krka National Park

Krka National Park rivals Plitviče Lakes for its waterfalls, but luckily you don’t have to make a choice, as Krka is the next stop in this itinerary!

The Krka National Park is centered around the jade-green Krka River and offers more than just waterfalls to explore, with bike trails, five medieval fortresses, and the small island of Visovac, which was settled in 1445 by Franciscan monks and features a monastery with a library and preserved artifacts.

The Krka waterfalls are formed in a series of terraces, as the Krka and Čikola Rivers cascade over seventeen travertine steps into deep pools before flowing into the next set, creating Skradinski Buk that stands tall at 45 meters (148ft) high and helped power the world’s second oldest hydro-electric plant.

You can take a boat trip to see the Roski Slap waterfall, which is made up of twelve separate falls flowing over 450 meters (1,476ft), including one that’s an impressive 60 meters (197ft) wide and 22 meters (72ft) high.

Top Tip: There are ten different entrances to the park, with the Skradin entrance the best if you want to take the boat ride through the canyon to Skradinski Buk. Note that although it was possible to swim here, in 2021 a ban on swimming was introduced to protect the national park.

Don’t forget your road trip essentials! Our free road trip checklists help you remember everything, including road trip snacks , podcasts , and road trip songs for the journey!

Split to Dubrovnik Road Trip

This 7-10 day Dalmatian Coast road trip from Split heads south along the coast, exploring several of the beautiful islands that Croatia is famous for before ending in iconic Dubrovnik.

Split – Brac – Hvar – Korčula – Dubrovnik

• Distance: 486km | 302 miles
• Drive Time: 14 hours
• Length: 7-10 day itinerary

Split  is a vibrant coastal city in Croatia founded by the Roman Emperor Diocletian in the 4th century BCE, and his palace still stands as the heart of the city. The Palace of Diocletian is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the best-preserved examples of Roman architecture in the world.

Explore the palace, its peristyle and underground cellars, and the bell tower of St Dominus Cathedral for a stunning view of the city before hitting the old town. A maze of narrow streets, courtyards, and ancient buildings, it’s the perfect place for wandering and soaking up the history to your heart’s content.

The city’s modern architecture is also worth exploring, with new buildings like the Croatian National Theatre and the St. Francis Church adding to the city’s rich cultural heritage.

After all that culture, the beach might be calling! Split is known for its beautiful beaches, which are among the most popular attractions in the city. One of our favorites is Bačvice Beach, a sandy beach located just a short walk from the city center, closely followed by Žnjan Beach, a long pebble beach with plenty of facilities, and Kasjuni Beach, a secluded beach located at the foot of Marjan Hill.

Top Tip: If you can’t find accommodation in Split or you’re on a budget, look for somewhere to stay in nearby Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved Romanesque and Renaissance architecture. There is a regular ferry from Trogir which takes 30 minutes to arrive in Split – the journey is all part of the adventure!

A picturesque island near Split, Brac is known for its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters. To get there, hop on the Split to Supetar ferry, which takes around 50 minutes.

Brac is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers, with plenty of things to do and see. Hiking is a popular activity with the trails to the top of Vidova Gora, the highest peak on the island, and UNESCO Blaca Monastery, which can only be reached by hiking through a narrow canyon, being amongst the best.

Brac is known for its beaches, with Zlatni Rat near Bol, being one of the most famous. The beach is a great place to swim, sunbathe, or enjoy water sports like windsurfing and kiteboarding. Other popular beaches on the island include Lovrečina Bay, which is a secluded sandy beach with crystal-clear waters, and Supetar Beach, which is a sandy beach located near the town of the same name.

Once you’re beached out, head to one of the most famous sites on the island, the Dominican Monastery in Bol, which features stunning Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Other popular attractions include the Parish Church of the Assumption of Mary, which features beautiful Baroque architecture, and the Olive Oil Museum in Skrip, which offers a unique look into Brac’s olive oil industry.

There is no car ferry from Brac to Hvar , so head back to the mainland on the Sumartin to Makarska boat and then cross to Hvar on the Drevenik to Sućuraj ferry.

One of Croatia’s best-loved islands, Hvar is the longest and sunniest island in Croatia and is considered one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

Part of the central Dalmatian archipelago, the island’s bustling hub and most popular destination is Hvar town surrounded by 13th century walls and beautifully ornamented Gothic palaces. With stunning architecture, natural beauty, and mild climate it’s the perfect place to stop for a few days of rest and relaxation on your road trip.

Hvar town also loves a party and many come here for the town’s reputation as Croatia’s premier party destination, but if that’s not for you, or you want to escape the town for a day, head out to discover the fragrant flower-filled island.

Make time to visit white-washed towns and historic cobbled streets of Stari Grad, Vrboska, and Jelsa, swim from the numerous beaches, explore the Pakleni Islands by boat, and take a Blue Cave tour.

There is no car ferry between Hvar and Korčula so you need to get the ferry back to the mainland and drive south along the coast to Ploče. From here, either catch the 60 minute crossing to Trpanj or take our preferred route over the newly built Pelješac Bridge.

Pelješac Most was built to enable people to drive from the northern to the southern part of Croatia without having to cross the thin strip of coastal land that belongs to Bosnia and Herzegovina. From the bridge, make for Orebić on the Pelješac peninsula and catch the car ferry to Korčula town on the island of Korčula , also known as the Emerald Isle.

The gorgeous Dalmatia town of Korčula, with its labyrinth of cobbled streets, incredible restaurants, wine bars, and eclectic stores is famous for being the birthplace of the renowned explorer Marco Polo and is affectionately nicknamed ‘Little Dubrovnik’ due to its similar architecture and Old Town structure.

Korčula island tends to be quieter and more couples-oriented than Hvar and nearby Vis, and is known as a wine island with unique varietals – perhaps that’s why we loved it so much!

Renting a bike and cycling around the island between wineries is a popular activity, as is hiring a boat to explore the islands of Mljet and Lastovo. You should also make time to see a performance of the Moreška, a traditional Croatian sword dance that tells the folk tale of two kings fighting for the love of a kidnapped princess.

The jewel of the Adriatic coast of Croatia, known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, Dubrovnik is known for its medieval architecture, crystal-clear waters, and its history, which dates back to the 7th century.

One of the top things to do in Dubrovnik is to walk around the 13th century city walls, which offer fantastic views of the old town’s terracotta rooftops and the sea. The complete 2km (1.2 miles) circuit is a must-do that will take you back in time to the city’s medieval past.

From here, it’s easy to dive into the maze that is Dubrovnik’s UNESCO old town, featuring beautiful squares and historical landmarks such as the Rector’s Palace, the Franciscan Monastery, the Church of St. Blaise, Baroque-style Dubrovnik Cathedral , and the Large Onofrio Fountain built in 1438 as part of a water-supply system that involved bringing water from a nearby spring.

Just outside of the old town you can take the scenic cable car ride to Mount Srd and visit the War Museum and the Imperial Fort. Game of Thrones fans will also want to visit the nineteen filming locations in the city, which doubled as King’s Landing in the show.

Plan to spend a few days in Dubrovnik and once you’ve explored the city, head for Lapad and explore the beaches or discover the breathtaking Elafiti Islands, perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling.

Top Tip: The old town of Dubrovnik is car-free. We recommend staying outside and taking public transport or walking into the old town. Make sure to book accommodation with free parking, as it’s super-expensive in the city.

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Rijeka to zadar road trip.

This road trip in Croatia explores the Hapsberg-era port city of Rijeka and the islands of the north Dalmatian archipelago before ending in the gorgeous city of Zadar.

Rijeka – Krk – Rab – Pag – Zadar

• Distance: 222km | 138 miles
• Drive Time: 7 hours
• Length: One week itinerary

Rijeka is the third-largest city in Croatia, located on the northern coast of the Adriatic Sea. A bustling port city, Rijeka is known for its rich cultural heritage and lively atmosphere, as well as being the gateway to Croatia’s Kvarner Bay islands.

Culture vultures will enjoy the contemporary art museums, historic palaces, and historic Trsat Castle perched on a hill above the city. Rijeka’s busy promenade of Korzo and the lively central market provide retail therapy and the chance to try local foods, and if you happen to be visiting between late January and early February, the city’s annual carnival is considered to be one of the liveliest in Croatia.

Rijeka is also a perfect destination for swimming, snorkeling, diving, and sailing, and if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, you can try windsurfing, jet skiing, and parasailing.

Head south and cross the Krk Bridge onto the island of Krk , the largest island in the Adriatic and a historic center of Croatian culture.

A treasure trove of attractions and experiences, Krk offers something for everyone, be it culture, nature, or lively tourist hotspots. This diverse island boasts a wealth of options, from ancient towns like Omisalj, Vrbnik, and Krk town, to charming rural villages like Brzac, secluded swimming bays, olive groves, and your choice of restaurants, bars, and cafés.

Krk town is famous for the 12th century St. Mary’s Cathedral, the  Frankopan Castle  that was finished in the 14th century and guards the town against attacks from the sea, and the unique 11th century Church of St Quirinus and is probably the best place to stay for a few days – unless you want a sandy beach. If you do, head for Baška, which is famous for its sandy  Vela plaža beach.

From Krk, it’s a 90 minute crossing to Rab on the Valbiska to Lopar ferry, which sails four times a day in the high season and twice a day in the low season.

Rab is one of Croatia’s greenest islands, covered in fragrant pine forests, the smell of which reminds me of childhood summer holidays in the south of France .

The main resort on the island, Rab town, is where most of the island’s sights are located. You’ll find medieval buildings dating back to the 13th century, the 11th century Romanesque Rab Cathedral, old town walls that are still visible in some places, several Medieval churches, and the town loggia (a type of portico) that was built in 1509.

Elsewhere, Rab is home to some fabulous beaches, including a group of sandy beaches around the town of Lopar, including Paradise Beach, popular for its shallow waters and soft sand. If you fancy a spot of nude sunbathing, check out Sahara Beach, the best-known naturist beach on the island.

If you’re ready for a bit of activity, hire a bike or go hiking in Kalifront Forest, Kamenjak Hill, and the Dundo Forest, or rent a boat and explore Goli Otok Island , a nearby island once used as a political prison during the communist era. 

There is no car ferry from Rab to Pag, so you need to head back to the mainland, drive south and catch the ferry from Prizna to Zigljen or take the E65 to Posedarje (which will take around 90 minutes) and then pick up the 106 over Paški Bridge to Pag island.

Pag is a captivating island with unique geographical features shaped by the Bura winds, a vibrant community, and a rich cultural heritage including the famous Pag cheese, or paski sir , made from sheep’s milk, and UNESCO-listed Pag lace.

The main resorts on Pag are Novalja in the north, one of Croatia’s premier party destinations, and Pag town, in the center of the long and skinny island. Unless you’re a real party animal and relish the noise and all-nighters of the open-air clubs, we suggest heading for Pag town.

Other things to see and do on Pag include visiting the fascinating Salt Museum , wandering in the old town of Pag, hitting the beaches of Zrće, Simuni, or Mandre, exploring the Pag Triangle, a curious land formation, and visiting some of the world’s oldest olive trees at the Lun Olive Grove , which you can explore by bike.

Zadar is a beautiful coastal city known for its maritime history, stunning architecture, and breathtaking sunsets, best seen from the extraordinary Sea Organ whose subterranean pipes give song to the tide.

Zadar is also home to an old town crisscrossed with Roman streets, the ancient Roman Forum, St. Anastasia’s Cathedral, and St. Donatus Church, an early-Byzantine church that was built in the year 800 and remains in a near-perfect state of preservation. Over time, St. Donatus’ tall, rounded outline has become a symbol and a source of pride for Zadar.

Another must-see attraction is the Museum of Ancient Glass, which houses one of the largest collections of ancient glassware in the world. You can see glass artifacts from the Roman and Medieval periods, as well as contemporary glass art. We highly recommend taking one of the workshops where you can learn the art of glassblowing.

Make sure to try the seafood here – think octopus steeped in garlic and wine and bluefin tuna, sustainably farmed around Ugljan Island. Both work superbly well with the zesty and full-bodied Pošip wine made in Korčula. Finish with Maraschino, the local cherry liqueur served on ice, a popular tipple in the bars of Zadar’s old town.

Want to plan your own road tri p? Get our step-by-step road trip planning guide to help you organize the perfect road trip, or check out our Europe road trip ideas .

Pula and Istria Road Trip

This northern Croatia road trip explores the Ventitian-inspired Istrian Peninsula, which is actually shared between Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia.

Pula – Rovinj – Poreč – Nature Park Učka

• Distance: 139km | 86 miles
• Drive Time: 3 hours
• Length: 3-4 day itinerary

Pula is the largest city of Croatia’s Istria County, located at the southern tip of the peninsula. Conquered by the Romans in 177 BCE, Pula’s architecture is mainly Roman-inspired, and many travelers visit to see the famous Roman amphitheater, the Pula Arena, and the 1st century CE Temple of Augustus .

Another popular attraction is the Brijuni Islands, a group of fourteen islands off Pula’s coast that form the Brijuni National Park. You take a boat ride from Pula and rent a bike on the islands to explore undiscovered beaches and Byzantine settlements and hunt for dinosaur footprints.

Head to Pula Market Hall for our favorite, burek , a flaky pastry with savory fillings like meat or cheese, and all things truffle. The forests of Istria have three types of black truffles and one of the world’s most prized white truffles, making Pula the ideal place to buy truffle-based Croatian souvenirs!

Located on the west coast of Istria, Rovinj is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia with an old town that is situated on an island only connected to the mainland in the 18th century.

Rovinj is renowned for its picturesque setting and romantic atmosphere. The town’s cobbled narrow streets provide a glimpse into the past, and the traditional spacio taverns offer a fish-focussed gastronomy scene. We loved Revera for its waterside location, fantastic cocktails, and delish Croatian tapas.

The area around the Church of St. Euphemia is a favorite gathering place for artists from all over the world, as well as being an epic sunset spot! Art galleries and studios line the streets, and in August every year, the largest open-air exhibition on the Adriatic coast takes place on Grisia, one of the main streets of the old town.

Top Tip: If it’s a hot day, wear your swimmers and take a towel. There’s a perfectly protected swimming spot, Plaža Balota, on the west of the old town island.

Poreč is a charming seaside town and popular thanks to its beautiful beaches and cultural treasures. One of the most popular things to do in Poreč is to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Euphrasian Basilica . This stunning 6th century church is home to some of the most impressive mosaics in the world and is a good starting point from which to explore the maze of cobbled streets and pretty squares that make up the old town.

Another must-visit attraction in Poreč is the Baredine Cave. An underground cave system, Baredine is home to a variety of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as an underground lake, and a guided tour to learn about its geological history makes a great option for a really hot day!

Foodies will also love Poreč , which is home to a wide range of restaurants serving up delicious Croatian cuisine and authentic pizza.

Top Tip: There are also a couple of great gelato places, with Il Gelato di Salvatore being our favorite – make sure to try the citrus carrot flavor.

Nature Park Učka

The Učka Nature Park is a sprawling protected area with hiking routes leading to canyons, waterfalls & historic sites, on the hilly Ćićarija plateau. The beauty of the mountains of Učka and Ćićarija are a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers, and a great antidote to the hustle and bustle of the coast.

There is a host of educational, hiking, and biking trails enabling access to the highest peak of Vojak at 1,396m (4,580ft) above sea level and the stunning Poklon Pass, as well as opportunities for climbing the limestone towers and rocks on the 67 climbing routes in the park.

Head for the Poklon Visitor Centre where you can pick up maps with trail routes and information about the park.

Looking for the best SIM card deals in Europe for your trip? Check out our guide to the best data SIMs in Europe and get the best deal for your trip to Croatia.

Osijek to Ilok Road Trip

This 4-5 day Croatia itinerary takes you to a part of the country that is less traveled, but no less beautiful than the popular coast.

Osijek – Kopački Rit – Vinkovci – Ilok

• Distance: 137km | 85 miles
• Length: 4-5 day itinerary

Osijek is Croatia’s fourth-largest city and the most extensive in the eastern part of the country. Located in the historic region of Slavonia, Osijek is known for its culture, beautiful architecture, and friendly locals.

One of the most popular attractions in Osijek is the Tvrđa Osijek, a well-preserved 18th century fortress that is now home to a variety of museums, galleries, and restaurants. Visitors can explore the fortress walls, admire the Baroque-style buildings, and learn about the city’s history at the Museum of Slavonia .

Another popular attraction in Osijek is the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, a stunning 19th century Baroque church that is considered one of the finest examples of neo-Gothic architecture in Croatia with intricate stained glass windows, ornate altars, and beautiful frescoes that adorn the interior of the church. The nearby pedestrian bridge that spans the Drava River, known as the Suleiman the Magnificent Bridge, is a popular spot for selfies.

For those looking for outdoor activities, Osijek has plenty to offer. The Copacabana complex is a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing during the summer months, while the parks along the Drava offer opportunities for hiking, cycling, and picnicking. Visitors can also take a stroll down Osijek’s European Avenue and wander Ante Starčević Square, colorful and lively places full of cafés, restaurants, and shops.

Kopački Rit

Kopački Rit is a stunning nature park situated at the border with Serbia. The park is home to over 2,300 species, many of which are endangered, and is known for its many backwaters and ponds along the Danube making it a popular destination for nature lovers and bird watchers.

One of the main attractions at Kopački Rit is the chance to see the park’s incredible birdlife. During the winter months, the park is home to over 20,000 water birds of 267 different species.

Visitors can take guided tours of the park to learn more about the birds and their habitats or explore on their own along the many hiking trails. Other popular activities at the park include cycling, fishing, and boating.

In addition to its natural beauty, Kopački Rit also offers visitors a glimpse into the area’s rich cultural heritage. The park is home to several traditional villages, where visitors can learn about local customs and traditions and you can also rent a boat to explore further or try your hand at fishing for carp and pike.

Vinkovci is a charming town and one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in Europe, dating back to the 5th century BCE, and the Roman thermal bath is still preserved along with several other Roman buildings near the center of today’s Vinkovci.

Although not a touristy town, you should make time to explore the well-preserved old town to see the 18th century Baroque Church of St. Eusebius and the 19th century Town Hall before climbing to the top of the water tower, an iconic landmark of the town. A visit to the Vinkovci Municipal Museum will help you learn about the town and region’s history.

In nearby Vukovar is the Church of St. Philip and St. James, a beautiful Baroque-style church that is over 300 years old on the bank of the mighty Danube River. The church, built by Franciscan monks was badly damaged in the  Croatian War of Independence when Serbian forces occupied the town.

Foodies will also love Vinkovci, as the town is known for its delicious cuisine. Local specialties include Kulen , a spicy sausage made from pork, and Čobanac , a hearty stew made with various meats and vegetables.

Ilok is Croatia’s easternmost town, near the border with Serbia. The picturesque town sits on a hill called Fruška Gora above the Danube and has impressive wine cellars and a rich cultural heritage.

Ilok is home to several historic sites, including the Medieval Ilok Castle, which dates back to the 14th century. Visitors can explore the fortress and learn about the town’s past, including its time under Ottoman rule. Additionally, the Sanctuary, Church, and Friary of St. John of Capistrano is a beautiful religious site that is worth a visit.

For wine lovers, Ilok is a must-visit destination. The town is home to some of the best wineries in Croatia, and visitors can sample local wines like Graševina and Chardonnay and learn about the winemaking process.

Top Tip: One of our highlights was a visit to Principovac Country Estate , a beautiful park that is home to an excellent restaurant and winery in the restored castle of the princely family Odescalchi, with stunning views of the Danube River and the surrounding countryside.

Croatia Road Trip Essentials

Here are the websites and services we personally use and recommend for traveling in Croatia.

• Search for affordable flights to Croatia with Skyscanner
• Search for availability and book hotels and accommodation in Croatia with Booking.com
• Find and book the best campsites in Croatia with Eurocampings
• Book the cheapest and most reliable hire cars in Croatia with Rentalcars.com
• Find and hire your perfect motorhome or campervan with Motorhome Republic
• Get highly rated, reliable, and trustworthy travel insurance with True Traveller
• Check if you need a visa and arrange your documents with Visagov

Traveling & Driving in Croatia

If you are a confident driver, you shouldn’t find it too difficult to drive in Croatia. However, you should be aware that Croatian drivers can be quite erratic, overtaking on bends and speeding at every opportunity, and this can be a little disconcerting on the mountain roads!

Whether you’re traveling in your own car, touring Croatia in a motorhome, or flying in and picking up a rental car, you need to follow these rules on your Croatia roadtrip.

• You must have at least three months remaining on your passport at your intended departure date from Croatia.
• Croatia joined the Schengen zone on 1st January 2023, so counts towards your 90 days if you are a non-EU citizen,
• You must have at least 3rd party insurance for your vehicle.
• Citizens of non-EU third countries may require an International Driving Permit for driving in Europe . You can check whether you need an IDP here .

Rules of the Road

• Croatia drives on the right and overtakes and passes on the left.
• You must carry a reflective jacket, warning triangle, and first aid kit by law. We also recommend that you carry at least one reflective jacket within the passenger compartment of your vehicle and a fire extinguisher.
• Drivers must not use mobile phones without a special hands-free system, but you can use a smartphone in a fixed position to navigate with Google Maps for example.
• You can’t drive with two headphones in your ears.
• The taking and use of radar detection equipment is prohibited. As far as is known, the use of equipment with signaling for fixed speed cameras or route checks (such as navigation equipment and telephones) is permitted.
• It is illegal to drive without headlights on during winter (late October-April) and all cars must have snow chains and a shovel onboard in snow 2 inches thick or more, or in black ice conditions.
• Like many other European countries, Croatia has motorways and other highways with tolls. You can pay for them at toll booths with cash or a credit card.
• There are currently no low emission zones in Croatia.

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RUTA POR CROACIA DE 7 DÍAS

Alquila un coche y recorre Croacia a tu aire. Explora la ciudad de Dubrovnik, conocida por ser escenario de la serie Juego de Tronos, relájate en las playas más bonitas de Split, realiza una excursión por el parque nacional de los Lagos de Plitvice y descubre la historia de ciudades como Zagreb.

Este sería un ejemplo de recorrido para visitar Croacia en 7 días, pero yo te lo puedo personalizar a tu gusto quitando o añadiendo lo que tú quieras y siempre adaptándolo a tus necesidades:

DÍA 1: Vuelo a Dubrovnik y primer paseo por la ciudad.

¡Te hago una lista de todo lo que puedes ver en Dubrovnik según tus gustos para que aproveches el día al máximo!

DÍA 2: Mañana en Dubrovnik y traslado a Split por la tarde.

Día 3: excursión de día completo a una de las islas cercanas a split: brač o hvar..

Quizá sea buena idea hacer noche en alguna de estas islas antes de regresar a Split a la mañana siguiente.

DÍA 4: Split por la mañana. Traslado a Trogir por la tarde.

Día 5: traslado a la zona de los lagos plitvice con parada en šibenik de camino., día 6: lagos plitvice. traslado a zagreb por la tarde con parada en rastoke de camino., día 7: mañana en zagreb y vuelo de vuelta a casa..

NO PIERDAS TIEMPO PLANIFICANDO TU VIAJE POR CROACIA

Te lo doy todo ya hecho y a tu gusto.

Ahorra tiempo

No inviertas ni un segundo en la planificación de tu viaje. Te lo doy todo hecho.

Máxima flexibilidad

Te propongo millones de cosas que hacer, pero no tienes por qué ceñirte al planning.

Todo en un solo sitio

Deja de meterte en mil webs. Ruta, mapas y recomendaciones en el mismo documento.

Viaja con seguridad

Viaja por libre con la tranquilidad de estar 100% preparado y teniendo todo bajo control.

¿QUÉ INCLUYEN LOS SERVICIOS DE PLANIFICACIÓN A MEDIDA?

Un plan diario, cómo moverte en tu destino, mapas con todas las localizaciones.

Recomendaciones

Horarios y precios de las visitas, consejos de una viajera experta.

CONOCE A LA PERSONA QUE DISEÑARÁ TU ITINERARIO

Me llamo Eva y, aunque nací y crecí en Madrid, siempre he sido un culo inquieto. Viajar es mi pasión y he visitado más de 400 ciudades en más de 40 países distintos. También he vivido gran parte de mi vida en el extranjero. Me encanta dedicar horas a planificar viajes y me hace feliz pensar que mis consejos pueden ayudar a otros viajeros a mejorar su experiencia. En mis rutas, siempre incluyo opiniones sinceras y te recomiendo lugares que de otro modo nunca habrías conocido. Para destinos que no conozco, cuento con la ayuda de otros viajeros con los que colaboro y que me ayudan a planificar el viaje o que, incluso, se encargan de organizarlo ellos mismos en algunos casos. Así que, no te preocupes. Una cosa es segura: tu itinerario está en buenas manos.

Conóceme un poquito más

CUÁNTO TARDO YO VS CUÁNTO TARDARÁS TÚ

Planificar un viaje largo puede llegar a ser muy pesado. Si encima es la primera vez que viajas al destino, te llevará muchísimas horas de investigación. Pero para eso puedes echar mano de mis conocimientos como viajera y trip planner experta. Te ayudo a ahorrarte todo ese trabajo e ir a tiro hecho durante el viaje.

Un viaje de 10 días me lleva unas 20 horas de planificación

Un viaje de 15 días me lleva unas 30 horas de planificación

Un viaje de 10 días te llevará más de 30 horas de planificación

Un viaje de 15 días te llevará más de 40 horas de planificación

¿Dispones de todo ese tiempo? Si la respuesta es que no, entonces déjalo en mis manos.

El tiempo es el bien más preciado que tienes. No lo malgastes planificando un viaje.

Croacia en 7 días: ruta completa para viajar por libre

Croacia  estaba en nuestros planes viajeros desde hacía ya mucho tiempo. Así que aprovechamos una escapada a  Ljubliana,  para cruzar la frontera y comenzar  nuestra ruta de 7 días por Croacia.

Durante este tiempo visitamos  Zagreb , la capital y buena parte de la  Costa Dálmata.  Nuestro periplo por el país balcánico terminó en la bonita ciudad de  Dubrovnik.

Tabla de contenidos

Mapa de nuestra ruta de 7 días por Croacia + hoteles

Guarda este mapa si estás preparando un viaje a Croacia!

En este post te mostramos los lugares visitados en nuestra ruta de 7 días por el país así como los hoteles donde nos alojamos:

Día 1 Zagreb

• Nuestra  ruta por Croacia  comienza en  Zagreb ,  la capital. Nuestro hotel está situado en la llamada  Ciudad Baja,  así que aprovechamos y comenzamos a visitar en primer lugar esta zona de la ciudad.
• Nos dirigimos a la  Plaza del rey Tomislav.  Después vemos la  Catedral,  la famosa  calle Tkalciceva  y la  Iglesia de San Marcos .  

Iglesia de San Marcos

• Cenamos en los alrededores de la Plaza del rey Tomislav.
• Noche  en  Zagreb.

Día 2  Zagreb – Zadar

• Volvemos de nuevo al  casco histórico  de  Zagreb  y visitamos los lugares que el día anterior no hemos podido ver por falta de tiempo. Iniciamos nuestro recorrido en la  Plaza Ban Jelacic y paseamos por las calles del centro hasta más o menos la hora del almuerzo.

Trg Bana Jelacica

• Salimos de  Zagreb  en nuestro coche de alquiler y continuamos nuestra  ruta por Croacia.  La siguiente parada es  Zadar . 
• Llegamos a  Zadar.  Ya estamos en la llamada  Costa Dálmata. Hacemos el check in en el hotel y vamos directamente al puerto para ver el atardecer junto al famoso  Órgano del mar.
• Noche  en  Zadar.

Atardecer en Zadar junto al Órgano del mar

Día 3  Zadar – Sibenik – Split

• Madrugamos y visitamos el  Museo Arqueológico de Zadar,  la  plaza Narodni  y la  Iglesia de San Donato . Damos un último paseo por la ciudad y ponemos rumbo a  Split.
• Como  Sibenik se encuentra a medio camino entre Zadar y Split aprovechamos y hacemos una parada técnica para descansar en esta ciudad y ver lo fundamental.

Rincones de Sibenik

• Llegada a  Split.
• Visitamos el  Palacio de Diocleciano  y cuando terminamos vamos al puerto a comprar los  billetes de ferry  para la isla de Hvar.
• Noche  en  Split.

Interior del Palacio de Diocleciano

Día 4  Split – Isla de Hvar

• Salimos del  puerto de Split  en un ferry de la compañía  Jadrolinija.
• Llegamos a la bonita  isla de Hvar.

Puerto de Hvar

• Comenzamos a  explorar la isla.  El punto de partida es el casco histórico, donde nos alojamos. Recorremos cada rincón de  Hvar  y terminamos cenando en la plaza principal.
• Noche  en  Hvar.

Día 5  Isla de Hvar – Split -Dubrovnik

• Regresamos a  Split.  Una vez allí recogemos nuestro coche del parking del puerto y ponemos  rumbo a Dubrovnik.  Recorremos la distancia que separa ambas ciudades circulando por la  carretera de la costa.  Las vistas son preciosas, ya que vamos todo el tiempo paralelos al mar.
• Llegada a  Dubrovnik.

Murallas de Dubrovnik

• Check in  en nuestro hotel y visita al  centro histórico.  Nuestro primer contacto con la ciudad es la famosa  calle Stradun.  Nos encanta. Así que decidimos cenar por la zona.
• Noche  en  Dubrovnik.

Día 6  Dubrovnik

• Dedicamos el  día completo  a visitar  Dubrovnik. Recorremos a pie todas la murallas de la ciudad y volvemos a perdernos por las calles y callejuelas del centro.

Un mar rojo sobre Dubrovnik

• Visitamos otra vez en el centro histórico;  Palacio Sponza,   Fuente de Onofrio ,  Palacio del Rector  y  Catedral.
• Tras un día intenso descansamos con las mejores vistas en el Buza Bar.
• Noche  en  Dubrovnik.

Día 7  Dubrovnik – Madrid

• Dedicamos toda la mañana a pasear por el interior de la  ciudad fortificada.  Volvemos a la calle Stradun y nos despedimos de Dubrovnik.
• Por la tarde,  regreso a Madrid  y fin del viaje.

Stradun vista desde las murallas

Completa tu viaje a CROACIA:

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• Curiosidades
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Croacia en 7 días: lo que no te puedes perder

REBAJAS DE ABRIL:   ¡Reserva ahora y obtén   hasta -60%!

Circuitos por Croacia de 7 Días

Filtra por fecha de salida y precio para encontrar la 7 días y el Croacia adecuados con TourRadar. Escoge desde 93 viajes con 231 reseñas de clientes que van desde, 4 hasta 7 días.

93 Circuitos por Croacia de 7 Días con 231 reseñas

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De Zagreb a Dubrovnik: fiestas y lagos de Plitvice

Buen recorrido si tienes un presupuesto. Algunos de los albergues (como split) no eran muy agradables y un poco de un paseo de la ciudad... Pero supongo que eso se espera con alojamiento barato. Nuestro guía turístico (Charlotte) fue genial - fue más allá para ayudarnos.

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La experiencia general es genial! Estoy celebrando mi cumpleaños y me sorprendió con los vinos y el plato de fruta en la mayoría de nuestros alojamientos. Dom, nuestro guía del conductor es impresionante, él es divertido y amable, mientras que Sam es muy servicial y estamos muy bien cuidados. Definitivamente vamos a elegir traveljaz de nuevo en nuestros futuros tours, son los mejores!

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GIRANDO LA BRÚJULA

Experiencias viajeras.

• 21 jul 2019
• 10 Min. de lectura

Road trip por Croacia. De Dubrovnik a Zagreb en 7 días

Actualizado: 13 may 2020

Tras haber escuchado a alguno amigos hablar de las maravillas de Croacia , conseguí convencer a Anna para que este fuera nuestro destino en el verano de 2012, sin saber muy bien qué ver y qué hacer en este joven destino del Adriático. Pensamos que, por la geografía del país, la mejor solución era recorrerlo durante 7 días en coche, de sur a norte, a modo de road trip , así que decidimos comenzar nuestro viaje en Dubrovnik, y concluirlo en Zagreb, la capital croata, en un concepto similar al de nuestro viaje a Portugal .

La perla del Adriático es posiblemente la ciudad más turística de Croacia. Por suerte, nuestra visita fue previa al boom que se vivió allí con el rodaje de algunas escenas de Juego de Tronos, que han convertido la calle principal en una especie de parque de atracciones de la serie, totalmente masificado y con dudosa sostenibilidad, como pudimos empezar a comprobar en nuestra segunda visita, en 2014.

La mejor forma de recorrer la ciudad amurallada es comenzar por alguna de las dos entradas que dan acceso a Stradun. Nosotros elegimos la Puerta de Pile , una de las 4 entradas que permitían cruzar a la ciudad fortificada en la Edad Media. Nada más atravesar esta puerta ya comienza la sensación de haber viajado al pasado, debido al magnífico estado de conservación de la arquitectura medieval. Lo primero que llama la atención es la Fuente de Onofrio , frente al Convento de Santa Clara.

Seguimos caminando por Stradun, la calle principal de la ciudad, y pronto empezaron a aparecer las primeras terrazas de restaurantes, algunas de ellas situadas de manera inverosímil en los bonitos pero estrechos callejones, llenos de escalinatas y farolas, que trepan hacia la parte norte de Dubrovnik. Nos perdimos entre ellos, totalmente aislados del ajetreo de Stradun .

Regresamos a la ruta, atraídos por la Torre del Reloj, un edificio que domina la plaza de Luža , donde se encuentra la puerta este de la muralla, justo en el lado opuesto a Pile. Allí, la calle que se abre entre la muralla y la Iglesia de San Blas nos empujó a caminar en dirección a la Catedral de Dubrovnik , reconstruida en los siglos XVII y XVIII en estilo barroco, tras la destrucción de la anterior en un terremoto.

Allí, en la parte izquierda de los edificios que enfrentan a la fachada principal del templo, una pequeña abertura con forma de arco nos llamó la atención, ya que de fondo se veía el color azul del Adriático. Salimos a pasear por los muelles de piedra que bordean la muralla, y cuanto más nos alejábamos y más altos nos encontrábamos, más impresionante nos parecía la vista de la ciudad antigua.

En nuestra siguiente visita a Dubrovnik, no perdimos la oportunidad de tomar el teleférico ( Cable Car ), para tener unas vistas maravillosas de toda la ciudad y alguna de las islas cercanas. Es una actividad perfecta para un día despejado, ya que la panorámica es indescriptible.

Como ya hemos adelantado, si le tenemos que poner un pero a esta bella ciudad es que, la masificación turística que sufre ha provocado que lo precios hayan aumentado por encima del nivel del resto del país, pero es algo común en este tipo de casos. En nuestra opinión, sería buena idea tratar de preservar esta magnífica ciudad medieval poniendo algunos límites al turismo masivo o de cruceros.

PENÍNSULA DE PELJESAC

Todavía maravillados por la belleza medieval de Dubrovnik, salimos hacia el norte en busca de un poco de tranquilidad, y la encontramos en la península de Peljesac , un saliente de tierra de 65 km de largo y solo 7 km de ancho.

El primer pueblo que se cruzó en nuestro camino al adentrarnos en esta península fue Ston , de menos de 600 habitantes. Pese a su reducida población, cuenta con unas murallas dignas de visitar, siendo consideradas unas de las más largas del mundo. Caminamos por ellas, disfrutando de la tranquilidad de este lugar tan poco turístico, pero a la vez tan atractivo. Desde lo más alto se podían contemplar las salinas de Ston, otro de los puntos de interés de la población.

Esta misma muralla une Ston con Mali Ston , cerrando completamente el paso hacia el resto de la península. Mali Ston es un pequeño pueblo pesquero de poco más de 100 habitantes, en el que pudimos degustar la especialidad local, las ostras, en un rústico puesto situado a escasos metros del agua. Allí, en una minúscula playa, que compartimos con unos abuelos que cuidaban de sus nietos, nos bañamos en unas aguas tan transparentes y tranquilas que parecía que estábamos dentro de una piscina.

Continuamos nuestro camino por la carretera 414, la principal de Peljesac, atravesando pequeñas poblaciones, sin un rumbo muy claro, simplemente dejándonos llevar por la paz que se vivía allí, cruzando pequeñas aldeas y parándonos siempre que el paisaje nos llamaba la atención.

En una de esas paradas, cerca de Trstenik , intentando entrar a visitar una bodega de vino que resultó estar cerrada, detrás de unos árboles nos pareció ver una pequeña cala. Y efectivamente, el azar nos había llevado ante la cala con las aguas más azules y cristalinas que habíamos visto nunca. Para colmo, había un chiringuito abierto, así que rápidamente nos pusimos los bañadores y nos lanzamos al agua a disfrutar de tal hallazgo. La playa se llamaba Beach Škamp .

Después de esto, pensamos que nuestra visita a Croacia ya había valido la pena, pero aún nos quedaba mucho por descubrir de este país que comenzaba a enamorarnos. La última parada en Peljesac fue Trpanj, donde tomamos un ferry que nos cruzó a Ploče, de nuevo en la costa continental. De esta forma, además, nos ahorramos cruzar la frontera con Bosnia, país eminentemente interior, pero que conserva unos 10 kilómetros en la costa dálmata.

LA ISLA DE HVAR

Hasta el último momento estuvimos dudando entre visitar la isla de Hvar o la de Korčula, ya que no disponíamos de tiempo suficiente para ver ambas. Finalmente, tras revisar nuestra guía, nos decidimos por la primera opción, principalmente porque el acceso desde Makarska, donde habíamos hecho base, era mucho más sencillo.

Tras cruzar en ferry desde Drvenik hasta Sućuraj comenzamos a conducir en dirección a las principales poblaciones de la isla, situadas al oeste. La carretera, que divide en dos Hvar, nos llevó por una zona casi despoblada, en la que apenas encontramos un Konoba, el alojamiento típico de Croacia, en los primeros 25 minutos de trayecto. Sin embargo, al ser la anchura de la isla tan reducida, en torno a 3 kilómetros, resultaba muy agradable contemplar el Adriático a los dos lados del paisaje casi inexplorado.

Nuestra primera parada la hicimos en Stari Grad , una tranquila ciudad ubicada en un entrante del mar en la isla. Allí paseamos bordeando el puerto deportivo, lleno de pequeñas embarcaciones de recreo, en busca de un lugar donde comer, que encontramos en uno de los múltiples Konoba del pueblo. Tras la comida, visitamos el Castillo de Tvrdalj, casi impronunciable para nosotros, y seguimos la marcha hacia la ciudad más importante, Hvar.

Ya nos lo había parecido en Stari Grad, pero en Hvar acabamos de confirmar la fuerte influencia italiana tanto en la gastronomía como en la arquitectura de la isla. En Hvar nos pareció precioso el paseo hasta la iglesia más importante, a través de la amplia calzada que se abre al mar, dejando a la vista los lujosos barcos que atracan en este remanso de paz del mar Adriático. Recorrimos un bonito mercadillo de objetos artesanales que bordeaba el puerto y nos relajamos hasta que nos entraron ganas de probar la playas de Hvar.

Condujimos por caminos empedrados más allá de la ciudad más grande de la isla hasta que encontramos un buen lugar donde aparcar el coche y nos adentramos entre los árboles, que llegaban casi hasta la orilla, para alcanzar una cala de piedras entre el bosque, con la única compañía de un barco atracado a unos 100 metros de la orilla. Las aguas, de nuevo cristalinas, nos llamaron a que nos diéramos un relajante baño mientras el sol empezaba a caer en el horizonte, y es que los atardeceres que vimos en Dalmacia no los hemos vuelto a ver en la vida.

De regreso a Makarska, tras tomar el ferry de vuelta, disfrutamos de uno de ellos, con unos colores rojizos y anaranjados que, por momentos, daban la sensación de que se estaba produciendo un enorme incendio. Tuvimos que parar más de una vez el coche para poder contemplarlo con toda la pausa que merecía.

RUTA EN COCHE POR LAS CIUDADES HISTÓRICAS DE LA COSTA DE DALMACIA

Aunque prácticamente todo lo que visitamos en Croacia forma parte de Dalmacia, nos apetecía dedicar un apartado especial a cuatro ciudades especialmente interesantes. De sur a norte, hablamos de Split, Trogir, Sibenik y Zadar, en un recorrido de 160 km por la carretera D8, que bordea la costa, haciendo además de la conducción una experiencia muy agradable.

Split es la capital de Dalmacia, además de la segunda ciudad más poblada de Croacia, y está declarada Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la UNESCO, principalmente por la zona del Palacio de Diocleciano, muy rico arqueológicamente hablando. Dentro de este Palacio se encuentran la fortaleza, el Templo de Júpiter e incluso la Catedral, con un campanario que nos recordó mucho a otros que ya habíamos visto en nuestra ruta por Croacia.

Pero lo que nos hace recordar con especial cariño Split es el momento en que nos vimos sorprendidos por un regimiento de soldados romanos que, ataviados con sus capas rojas, sus clásicos cascos y lanzas, escenificaban una situación que perfectamente se pudo producir en ese mismo lugar casi 2.000 años antes.

Trogir , otra de las históricas ciudades de la costa adriática, es una joya cuyo centro antiguo está situado en una pequeña isla de apenas 500 x 250 metros. Allí dimos una vuelta por sus callejuelas hasta llegar a la plaza principal, coronada por el campanario renancentista de la catedral, el punto más importante de Trogir, también declarada Patrimonio de la Humanidad. En la parte oeste de la isla paseamos junto al Castillo del Camarlengo , una antigua fortaleza ubicada, curiosamente, frente a un campo de fútbol que ocupa un espacio muy importante en Trogir.

Tras una parada para un relajante baño en una de las muchas playas de la zona, la siguiente ciudad en nuestra ruta era Sibenik , cuya Catedral es otro de los 10 lugares de este país de los Balcanes que está declarado por la UNESCO como Patrimonio de la Humanidad. Como ya se nos estaba haciendo de noche, y queríamos ver la puesta de sol de camino, hicimos una visita rápida a los alrededores de la catedral antes de continuar conduciendo hacia Zadar, donde hicimos noche aquel día.

Nos despertamos en Zadar en un precioso día de cielo azul intenso, lo que aún convirtió en más encantadora nuestra caminata por el paseo marítimo de la ciudad. Allí encontramos uno de los lugares que más nos sorprendió, el Órgano del Mar. Es, de algún modo, un experimento arquitectónico-musical, en el que unas escaleras directamente frente al mar cubren un conjunto de tubos que, con el choque de las olas producen música. Esta melodía puede ser escuchada por cualquiera que se siente en dichas escaleras. Pasamos un buen rato escuchando este concierto natural.

Allí, además del sonido, nos impresionó el color azul celeste del agua, incluso en esta zona tan cercana a los puertos deportivos. No muy lejos de allí está el Monumento al Sol, un conjunto de vidrios que reflejan la luz solar. Apenas a 600 metros del Órgano del Mar visitamos la plaza principal de la ciudad, donde vimos la Catedral y el Foro Romano.

Estos cuatro son sólo algunos de los ejemplos de las muchas localidades dálmatas en las que merece la pena hacer un alto en el camino.

PARQUES NATURALES

Además de las playas y las preciosas ciudades costeras, Croacia ofrece al visitante varios parques naturales, entre los que destacan el Parque Nacional de los Lagos de Plitvice y el Parque Nacional de Krka.

Ambos formaban parte importante de nuestro itinerario y ninguno de ellos nos defraudó. El primero que visitamos fue Krka , que está situado muy cerca de la ciudad de Sibenik. La imagen de las cascadas principales de este parque es una de las más icónicas del país balcánico, y la verdad es que es espectacular estar bañándote en las cristalinas aguas del río Krka y tener semejante caída de agua de 21 metros de altura a tan poca distancia.

No sólo para esta visita, sino para todo el viaje, es aconsejable disponer de escarpines, ya que muchas de las playas y lagos son de piedras. Después de bañarnos, dimos un relajado paseo por el parque, admirando las preciosas cascadas repartidas por todo el recinto, antes de continuar nuestra visita a los maravillosos pueblos costeros de Dalmacia.

Un día después, ya de camino a Zagreb, paramos en el otro Parque Nacional, el de Plitvice . La gran diferencia con respecto a Krka es que en este caso no era posible bañarse. Plivitce está muy bien organizado, y el recorrido está marcado por una pasarela de madera que permite visitarlo de una manera muy poco invasiva, manteniendo el patrimonio natural protegido del turismo masivo.

Fue una maravilla poder disfrutar de un lugar tan natural a tan poca distancia de la costa, y eso que el recorrido solo muestra una pequeña parte de los 295 kilómetros cuadrados de lagos, cascadas y bosques, así que creemos que Plitvice debe figurar en cualquier itinerario por Croacia.

La capital de Croacia es una ciudad que contrasta completamente con el resto del país, ya que parece mucho más una ciudad austriaca alejada de la influencia mediterránea de todo lo que habíamos visitado en Dalmacia.

Pese a que tuvimos algunos problemas con el hostel , ya que nos cambiaron a una ubicación diferente a la que habíamos reservado, y posteriormente nos dimos cuenta que había insectos en la habitación, disfrutamos de nuestra visita a Zagreb , que por el simple hecho de ser la capital y la ciudad más grande del país, tiene una gran oferta cultural, aunque por suerte, concentrada en un reducido centro histórico.

Iniciamos nuestra visita en la Iglesia de San Marcos, cuyo tejado muestra un mosaico con los escudos de Zagreb y del Reino de Croacia. Bajamos por la calle Radiceva , llena de pequeños edificios de colores de máximo dos plantas, hasta la altura de la Catedral, donde nos desviamos para ver la que probablemente era la iglesia más grande que veíamos en todo el viaje. Seguimos hacia el sur hasta la plaza de la República, en la que destaca en su centro el Teatro Nacional y concluimos nuestro tour turístico en el Jardín Botánico , un oasis en esta ciudad mucho más gris que las de la costa, y cuyo principal atractivo es el pabellón de madera roja.

De regreso al hostal paramos a comprar unas corbatas, una prenda que tiene su origen en unos pañuelos que, en el siglo XVII, lucían los soldados del ejército de lo que en la actualidad es Croacia.

Nunca hubiéramos pensado que Croacia nos iba a asombrar y a gustar tanto. El que hasta entonces era un desconocido para nosotros se convirtió en uno de los destinos que más recomendamos en el sur de Europa, no solo para aquellos que busquen turismo de playa, sino también para quienes busquen cultura, historia, naturaleza y rutas panorámicas en coche o moto.

A continuación os dejamos nuestra propuesta de itinerario de 7 días en coche por Croacia :

DÍA 1. Llegada a Dubrovnik.

DÍA 2. Dubrovnik

DÍA 3. Península de Peljesac

DÍA 4. Isla de Hvar

DÍA 5. Trogir, Split y Sibenik + Parque Nacional de Krka

DÍA 6. Zadar + Parque Nacional de Plivitce

DÍA 7. Zagreb y regreso

Descubre más aventuras de Girando la Brújula en nuestros viajes por el mundo.

Como siempre, para nuestros viajes confiamos en el seguro de Mondo.

Consigue un 5% de descuento en el siguiente link

#Croacia #Europa #RoadTrip #Ciudad #Playa

Entradas Recientes

Bregenz, Feldkirch y Liechtenstein, la otra cara del centro de Europa

Fuerteventura, naturaleza virgen en la isla del viento

10 planes para descubrir del sudoeste de Alemania

Ruta por Croacia en 7 días

Planteo una ruta por Croacia de 7 días ; siete días por el país croata; su atracción se centra normalmente en una costa apetitosa para disfrutar del sol y playas ; pero tiene mucho más.

Este fue el último viaje de verano normal que hice, quizás por eso mantengo un especial añoranza.

Destacaría sus maravillosos parques naturales . Espectaculares y sin duda imprescindibles.

La mayor parte del viaje la haremos en coche, la duda si alquilar coche o no siempre anda en la cabeza. Económicamente sale bien si son tres viajeros al menos. Si no, económicamente no es la opción más barata pero sin duda la más cómoda porque puedes moverte más libremente sin depender de horarios de otros medios de transportes.

Tiempo recomendado para una ruta por Croacia

Aunque apretando se podría realizar en 6 días, y si te saltas Zagreb 5 días, la duración del viaje recomendada para recorrer Croacia de norte a sur y disfrutar sin prisas es de 1 semana como mínimo . En 7 días es posible recorrer el país croata desde su capital Zagreb hasta Dubrovnik sin morir en el intento 😎 . ¡Vamos con la planificación!

Para los que solo cuentan con 5 días para visitar el país croata la ruta se plantea:

• Día 1 : Zadar 
• Día 2: Plitvice
• Día 3: Split
• Día 4 y 5: Dubrovnik

Apretados de tiempo pero posible.

Ruta por Croacia 7 días

• Día 1 : Zagreb 
• Día 2 y 3: Zadar 
• Día 4: Plitvice

Día 5: Split

Día 6 y 7: dubrovnik, día 1: zagreb.

Añadiría no dejar escapar su capital, Zagreb, sin duda deja un descanso a la ruta  por la  costa. Arriba y abajo, prepárate para disfrutar de las vistas de la ciudad desde el Paseo Strossmayer, esta zona me encantó.

La ruta que propongo recorre Croacia de norte a Sur.

LLegar a Zagreb y sube/baja por sus calles. En la zona alta sublimes sus vistas. Con un paseo de lo más encantador en la zona alta.

No te puedes perder la Iglesia de San Marcos.

En la parte baja, una calle para cervecitas o comer/cenar de lo  más animada la calla Tkalciceva.

Día 2 y 3: Zadar

Más tranquila que otras lugares de la costa adriática, Zadar cuenta con un paseo delicioso a la orilla del mar y su atardecer desde este lugar es increíble.

Además está muy bien situado para visitar por ejemplo el Parque Nacional de Krka

Día 4: Lagos Plitvice

Si es algo de lo que puede presumir Croacia es de sus parques naturales y el top se encuentra en en Parque Natural de los Lagos Plitvice .

Pasar un día entero poco es para disfrutar de la naturaleza en forma de lagos, cascadas, manantiales, aguas de un azul increíble a lo largo de la extensión del parque.

Nosotros pasamos solo el día y lo disfrutamos a lo grande.

Otra perla sin duda es esta ciudad.

Una ciudad que creció en torno un palacio, la casita que mandó construir el emperador Diocleciano .

Broche de oro para cerrar el viaje en una ciudad espectacular, una ciudad que mezcla sus edificaciones de tejas rojas con el azul intenso del mar Adriático.

Deja tu mente volar en un lugar que se sobrepone una y otra vez: pandemias, bombardeos, terremotos.

No hay nada que venza esta ciudad que ha sabido vestirse de lo más linda para su encuentro con el mar.

Datos de Croacia

• Población : 4.058.165 personas
• Turismo: Croacia ha abierto para el turismo a partir del 1 de abril 2021

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Roteiro Croácia: o que visitar e onde ficar | Roadtrip

Bem vindo ao nosso guia e roteiro para visitar a Croácia , um dos destinos de férias mais populares da Europa . E se pensa que essa fama se deve unicamente ao facto da sua cidade mais bela ter servido de cenário para a mediática serie televisiva da Guerra dos Tronos, está muito enganado.

• Guia e Roteiro para roadtrip pelos Balcãs
• Roteiro para visitar a Bósnia e Herzegovina
• Roteiro para visitar a Eslovénia
• Roteiro para visitar Montenegro

Conteúdo deste Artigo

• 1.1 Informações úteis
• 1.2 Custo de Vida
• 1.3 Saúde e Condições higiénicas
• 1.4 Seguro de Viagem para a Croácia
• 1.5 Quando visitar a Croácia
• 1.6 Como chegar à Croácia – dicas de voos
• 1.7 Conduzir na Croácia e aluguer de carro
• 1.8 Alojamento na Croácia – onde ficar
• 2.1.1 Onde ficar em Zagreb – Sugestões de alojamento
• 2.2.1 Onde ficar nos Lagos de Plitvice – Sugestões de alojamento
• 2.3.1 Onde ficar em Zadar – Sugestões de alojamento
• 2.4.1 Onde ficar em Šibenik – Sugestões de alojamento
• 2.5.1 Onde ficar em Split – Sugestões de alojamento
• 2.6 Dia 6 do roteiro para visitar a Croácia: Split
• 2.7.1 Onde ficar na Ilha de Hvar
• 2.7.2 Onde ficar na Ilha de Brač
• 2.7.3 Informação Importante
• 2.8.1 Onde ficar em Dubrovnik – Sugestões de alojamento
• 2.9.1 Sugestões para daytrips a partir de Dubrovnik
• 2.9.2   Tours de um dia a partir de Dubrovnik
• 3 Mapa do roteiro para visitar a Croácia | Roadtrip
• 4 Outros artigos da Croácia

Guia e dicas de viagem para Roadtrip na Croácia

Informações úteis.

• Língua: Croata
• Capital: Zagreb
• Moeda: Euro
• Fuso Horário: GMT +1
• Indicativo Croácia: +385
• Visto Croácia: a Croácia é membro da UE e como tal os cidadãos portugueses não precisam de visto para visitar a Croácia. Os cidadãos brasileiros também não necessitam de visto (para estadias para fins turísticos até 90 dias), mas necessitam de apresentar comprovativo de voo de regresso, hotel e prova de fundos suficientes para cobrir o período de estadia no país.

Custo de Vida

O custo de vida na Croácia tem vindo a aumentar nos últimos anos mas ainda é similar ao de Portugal. Existem coisas um pouco mais baratas, como portagens e combustível, e outras mais caras, como sejam as entradas nos monumentos e parques naturais. A nível de alojamento e restauração vai encontrar preços similares ao que encontra nas zonas mais turísticas de Portugal. A exceção à regra é a cidade de Dubrovnik, onde tudo é bem mais caro que no resto do país.

Saúde e Condições higiénicas

A nação croata apresenta excelentes condições sanitárias, não sendo obrigatórias vacinas para visitar a Croácia. A água canalizada é potável e na maioria das cidades existem fontes onde pode encher a sua garrafa de água reutilizável, o que evita comprar água engarrafada (o ambiente agradece).

Os cidadãos europeus têm acesso a cuidados de saúde e assistência médica nos serviços públicos da Croácia utilizando o Cartão Europeu de Seguro de Doença (CESD) . Terá apenas de pagar a taxa moderadora como qualquer cidadão croata.

Se não tiver o CESD, ou para se precaver contra outros contratempos (como roubos, perca de malas, cancelamento da viagem, etc) recomendamos que faça um Seguro de Viagem . Fomos assaltados recentemente em Sarajevo, perdendo parte significativa do nosso equipamento, e, se não fosse o nosso seguro de viagem, teríamos gasto milhares de euros para repor esse equipamento.

Seguro de Viagem para a Croácia

Na hora de comprar um seguro de viagem, a nossa escolha recai sempre na IATI Seguros . É uma agência 100% especializada em seguros de viagem, apresenta sempre o melhor rácio custo-benefício do mercado, e todos os seus seguros contam com excelentes coberturas COVID-19, a preços surpreendentemente económicos.

Clique para fazer uma simulação para a sua viagem à Cróacia e receba um desconto de 5% na compra do seu seguro de viagem usando o nosso link.

Quando visitar a Croácia

Os melhores meses para visitar a Croácia são entre abril e outubro. Se pretende desfrutar das quentes águas do Adriático, a melhor altura é entre finais de junho e inícios de setembro. Prepare-se é para lidar com as multidões e pagar mais pelos alojamentos e entradas nos principais pontos de interesse (o preço varia ao longo do ano).

Se não tiver interesse em fazer praia, recomendamos que viaje para a Cróacia em abril-junho e setembro-outubro. O tempo é decente (similar ao de Portugal), há menos multidões e os preços são bem mais em conta.

Como chegar à Croácia – dicas de voos

Se optou por uma roadtrip e não pretende voltar ao ponto de partida, recomendamos que na ida voe para Zagreb e na volta regresse a casa por Dubrovnik. Isto porque, ao viajar de carro no sentido Zagreb – Dubrovnik, terá sempre o mar do seu lado direito o que lhe permite encostar o carro com maior facilidade e desfrutar das fantásticas vistas sobre o Adriático.

Conduzir na Croácia e aluguer de carro

A experiência de condução na Croácia é muito similar ao que encontra em Portugal. As autoestradas são boas e o combustível e portagens são consideravelmente mais baratos que em Portugal.

Nós alugamos o nosso carro através da AutoEurope e correu tudo cinco estrelas, como de costume. O que gostamos da AutoEurope  é que permite comparar os preços de dezenas de empresas de rent-a-car (e assim encontrar o melhor preço disponível) sendo ainda possível cancelar o aluguer sem qualquer custo até 48h antes da partida.

Clique para ver todas as opções de aluguer de carro na Croácia

Alojamento na Croácia – onde ficar

Se, como nós, optar por fazer uma roadtrip pela Croácia, tenha em conta que o estacionamento é praticamente todo pago (e caro). Por isso, na hora de escolher o alojamento, dê prioridade aos que lhe ofereçam parqueamento gratuito. Acredite que pode poupar largas dezenas de euros tendo este pormenor em atenção.

Uma boa dica para baixar os custos da sua viagem à Croácia é optar por reservar apartamentos ao invés dos alojamentos tradicionais. Por norma, vai pagar menos do que  ficando num hotel e como pode cozinhar ainda consegue poupar dinheiro com algumas refeições.

Clique para ver as melhores opções de alojamento na Croácia

Roteiro para visitar a Croácia (10 dias de carro) – Roadtrip com o melhor da Croácia

O roteiro para visitar a Croácia sugerido neste artigo tem início em Zagreb e termina em Dubrovnik, mas se preferir, pode fazer o mesmo no sentido inverso.

É importante referir que o número de dias que sugerimos para o roteiro para visitar a Croácia pressupõe que a viagem seja feita de carro e não inclui os dias de viagem do local de origem para a Croácia e vice-versa. Logo, terá sempre de acrescentar mais dois dias a este roteiro de 10 dias pela Cróacia.

Dia 1 do roteiro para visitar a Croácia: Zagreb

É certo que Zagreb não tem o glamour de Dubrovnik. Em contrapartida tem um ambiente super descontraído, com animadas praças repletas de esplanadas, espaços verdes espetaculares, museus de classe mundial e imensos locais de interesse turístico. E como não sofre de excesso de turistas, os preços da restauração e hotelaria são muito mais em conta do que nas restantes cidades deste roteiro da Croácia.

Comece a sua visita na Trg Bana Jelačića, a praça principal de Zagreb, e deambule pelas ruas e ruelas medievais da Cidade Alta. Não deixe de visitar a Catedral de Zagreb, o colorido mercado Dolac, a Igreja de São Marcos, a Torre Lotrscak, o portão medieval Kamenita Vrata, o Museu das Relações Quebradas e de percorrer o Tunel Grič, um bunker da segunda guerra mundial que foi transformado numa passagem pedonal e galeria de arte.

Cidade Alta visitada, apanhe o histórico funicular de Zagreb e parta à descoberta dos encantos da Cidade Baixa, onde impera a arquitetura Austro-Húngara e da ex-Jugoslávia. Não deixe de passear pelo animado parque Zrinjevac e de visitar o Museu Mimara, o Museu de Arte Contemporânea e o Jardim Botânico.

Quer mais dicas sobre a cidade? Então não deixe de ler o nosso Roteiro de Zagreb

Onde ficar em Zagreb – Sugestões de alojamento

Da última vez que estivemos em Zagreb ficamos alojados no Hotel Dubrovnik . A excelente localização do hotel, mesmo ao lado da Praça Bana Jelačića, permitiu-nos ir a todos os locais de interesse a pé. O nosso quarto era super espaçoso e confortável e adoramos o pequeno-almoço. Overall, gostamos muito da relação qualidade-preço. Clique para mais informações, ler reviews de hóspedes e reservar a sua estadia no Hotel Dubrovnik.

Outro hotel que apresenta um excelente rácio custo-benefício é o histórico Palace Hotel Zagreb . Fica mesmo ao lado do parque principal da cidade, o edifício tem imenso glamour e os quartos apresentam um nível de conforto excecional. Não é à toa que é um dos campeões de vendas de Zagreb.

Se procura uma estadia mais económica em Zagreb, mantendo bons níveis de conforto, sugerimos o Hotel National . Na faixa de preços em que se insere é quase imbatível. A grande desvantagem é que não fica mesmo no centro, mas como fica ao lado da estação de autocarros e tem o Tram quase à porta, chega aos principais locais de interesse num instante.

No segmento dos hostels ninguém bate o Hostel Shappy . É super central, o staff é muito boa onda e para além dos beliches oferece também quartos privados com ou sem casa de banho partilhada.

Para estadias de luxo a melhor aposta é o clássico e glamouroso Esplanade Zagreb Hotel , fundado em 1925 para ser o alojamento de excelência para os passageiros do mítico Expresso do Oriente.

Clique para ver mais opções de alojamento em Zagreb

Dia 2 do roteiro para visitar a Croácia : Zagreb – Lagos Plitvice

O Parque Nacional dos Lagos de Plitvice, Património da Humanidade UNESCO, conta com uma área total de mais de 73 000 hectares e é composto por nada mais nada menos que dezasseis lagos, inseridos em frondosos bosques e interligados por um sem número de assombrosas quedas de água. Acredite, esta maravilha da natureza vai fazê-lo questionar se não terá chegado ao paraíso.

O parque nacional conta com duas entradas e pode-se dizer que, grosso modo, os Lagos de Plitvice estão divididos em duas partes: os Lagos Superiores e os Lagos Inferiores.

No total existem sete trilhos pedestres bem assinalados que, através de um misto de passadiços e caminhos de terra batida, o levam a conhecer os principais lagos e cascatas do parque. Existem ainda vários barcos e autocarros panorâmicos que servem de apoio para cruzar os Lagos e ligar os trilhos (o preço dos transportes já está incluído no bilhete de entrada no parque).

No seu primeiro dia nos Lagos de Plitvice recomendamos que visite os Lagos Superiores percorrendo o trilho E (cerca de 4 horas de caminhada) e que deixe os Lagos Inferiores para a manhã do dia seguinte. A razão é simples: a luz da parte da tarde é mais favorável para as fotografias nos Lagos Superiores e da parte da manhã, para os Lagos Inferiores.

Quer mais dicas sobre os Lagos de Plitvice? Então não deixe de ler o nosso artigo dedicado ao Parque Nacional dos Lagos de Plitvice

Onde ficar nos Lagos de Plitvice – Sugestões de alojamento

Existe muito alojamento nos arredores do Parque Nacional dos Lagos de Plitvice, mas nós recomendamos vivamente que fique alojado no interior do parque. Os alojamentos são mais caros mas consegue poupar tempo com as deslocações e assim fintar as multidões e consequentemente desfrutar mais do parque. E, claro, evita pagar o caríssimo estacionamento do parque.

Na nossa última roadtrip pela Cróacia ficamos no Hotel Jezero , que fica mesmo ao lado da Entrada 2 do parque. Apesar de já não ser uma propriedade nova, gostamos das condições do hotel, que conta com um bom restaurante buffet, um ginásio, uma sauna e uma grande banheira de hidromassagem.

Por norma o pequeno-almoço já está incluído no preço e como bónus por ficar alojado no interior do parque, na compra do bilhete de 1 dia oferecem-lhe o segundo dia sem qualquer custo adicional.

Visto que este é o hotel mais requisitado dos Lagos de Plitvice, recomendamos vivamente que reserve com antecedência. Clique para mais informações, ler reviews de hóspedes e reservar a sua estadia no Hotel Jezero.

Outra excelente opção no interior do parque é o Hotel Plitvice . Fica mesmo ao lado, e é no fundo, uma versão low-cost do Hotel Jezero . Claro que não tem as mesmas “amenities” do Jezero, mas os quartos são igualmente confortáveis e também já tem o pequeno-almoço incluído no preço. À semelhança do que acontece no Hotel Jezero, também tem descontos no bilhete do parque.

Fora do parque, a nossa recomendação vai para a House Marinic que fica localizada em Grabovac, a cerca de 7 km do parque. O local é super tranquilo e os quartos, apesar de simples, são super limpos. O estacionamento é gratuito e os hóspedes têm acesso a uma cozinha partilhada e ao jardim, onde também é possível fazer uma grelhada.

Clique para ver mais opções de alojamento nos Lagos Plitvice

Dia 3 do roteiro para visitar a Croácia : Lagos Plitvice – Rastoke – Zadar

Sugerimos que comece o terceiro dia do roteiro da Croácia bem cedinho para poder visitar a secção dos Lagos Inferiores de Plitvice antes de chegarem os tours. Existem vários trilhos por onde escolher, mas o nosso favorito é o trilho B, que demora aproximadamente três horas a ser percorrido.

Lagos de Plitvice visitados, o roteiro da Croácia vai agora levá-lo até à sua primeira paragem na costa da Croácia, mais especificamente até Zadar.

Antes de partir para Zadar sugerimos que visite a surreal Rastoke, um dos segredos mais bem guardados da Croácia. Esta pequena aldeia está, literalmente, construída sobre várias cascatas e parece recortada das Crónicas de Nárnia. Implica voltar um pouco para trás mas vale muito a pena o desvio.

Já em Zadar , faça um passeio pela sua histórica cidade velha, onde vai encontrar a Igreja de São Donato, a Catedral de Santa Anastácia e o Fórum Romano, o maior exemplo da sua rica herança romana.

Termine o dia a assistir ao pôr-do-sol no Órgão do Mar, da autoria de Nikola Basic, um instrumento musical que toca música utilizando as ondas do mar.

Quer mais dicas sobre a cidade? Então não deixe de ler o nosso Roteiro de Zadar

Onde ficar em Zadar – Sugestões de alojamento

O nosso alojamento de eleição em Zadar é o Boutique Hostel Forum . Não se deixe enganar pelo nome porque de hostel tem muito pouco. Ficamos num quarto com casa de banho privada e vistas para o mar e simplesmente adoramos. A localização é excelente, mesmo ao lado do centro, e oferece um bom pequeno-almoço incluído no preço. Dificilmente vai encontrar um alojamento com melhor relação qualidade-preço. Clique para mais informações, ler reviews de hóspedes e reservar a sua estadia no Boutique Hostel Forum.

Se pretender um alojamento mais luxuoso recomendamos o Bastion Heritage Hotel , também ele localizado no centro histórico. Apesar de ser um quatro estrelas, tem amenities de fazer corar alguns 5 estrelas, dos quais destacamos o SPA e o prestigiado restaurante Kaštel, um dos mais badalados da cidade.

Clique para ver mais opções de alojamento em Zadar

Dia 4 do roteiro para visitar a Croácia: Zadar – Parque Nacional Krka – Šibenik

Hoje voltamos a sugerir que madrugue de forma a conseguir chegar ao Parque Nacional Krka antes dos tours. Como o parque é mais compacto que o dos Plitvice Lakes, os visitantes acabam todos por fazer o mesmo percurso, o que, nas horas de maior afluência, origina autênticas filas indianas ao longo dos passadiços.

As estrelas do parque são as suas majestosas cascatas, rodeadas por exuberante vegetação, e os dois rios cristalinos que as alimentam. Ao contrário do que acontece nos Lagos de Plitvice, se for no verão, até pode dar um mergulho.

Do Parque Nacional Krka continue o seu roteiro da Croácia rumando até Šibenik, uma das pérolas da costa do Adriático. Se nunca ouviu falar desta cidade croata prepare-se para ser surpreendido.

Vagueie pelo emaranhado de ruas e ruelas do centro histórico medieval, suba às altaneiras muralhas, passeie pela sua marginal, relaxe numa das suas sedutoras esplanadas e deixe-se maravilhar pela arquitetura secular de Šibenik.

E claro não deixe de visitar a Catedral de São Tiago, Patrímonio Mundial da UNESCO, um dos destaques arquitetónicos da Costa da Dalmácia. Se é fã da série Guerra dos Tronos, o mais certo é ter uma sensação de déjà vu, pois a dita catedral foi utilizada como cenário para o Iron Bank de Braavos.

Onde ficar em Šibenik – Sugestões de alojamento

Na última passagem por Šibenik aproveitamos uma promoção e decidimos ficar no Heritage Hotel Life Palace , mesmo no coração da cidade velha. O hotel fica num edifício de traça antiga, o que aliado à cuidada decoração nos fez viajar no tempo. O nosso quarto era fantástico e o pequeno-almoço foi um dos melhores que alguma vez comemos na Croácia. Escusado será dizer que adoramos a experiência. Clique para mais informações, ler reviews de hóspedes e reservar a sua estadia no Heritage Hotel Life Palace.

Se procura uma solução mais económica espreite o Hostel Splendido . Fica localizado junto à estação dos autocarros e a uma curtíssima caminhada do centro. Apesar de ser um hostel, oferece quartos privados com boas condições e os hóspedes tem acesso a uma cozinha partilhada, sempre útil para baixar os custos com as refeições.

Se pretender ficar a dormir num apartamento a nossa recomendação vai para o Apartment Central . O apartamento é simples mas tem muito espaço o que faz dele uma solução prática e super económica para quem viaja em família. E como o próprio nome indica, está mesmo ao lado do centro.

Clique para ver mais opções de alojamento em Šibenik

Dia 5 do roteiro para visitar a Croácia: Šibenik – Trogir – Fortaleza De Kliss – Split

Neste quinto dia do seu roteiro pela Croácia, não o esperam muitos quilómetros de estrada, mas como vai ser brindado com fantásticas paisagens sobre o Adriático, o mais certo é querer parar a cada meia dúzia de quilómetros ao longo da viagem até Split .

Uma paragem que não pode mesmo deixar de fazer é em Trogir, outra das joias da costa da Dalmácia. Esta pequena cidade, Património Mundial da UNESCO, foi inclusivamente uma das maiores surpresas da nossa última roadtrip pela Croácia.

A cidade velha é super charmosa e está toda ela compreendida numa pequena ilha, rodeada de muralhas. Aqui não há carros por isso percorra sem pressas as suas ruelas empedradas, admire a mescla de arquitetura renascentista, românica e renascentista (esta última de influência veneziana), visite a Fortaleza de Kamerlengo, o Convento de São Nicolau, a animada praça Ivana Pavla e a Catedral de Trogir. E se for no verão, não deixe de dar um mergulho nas águas azul-celeste do Mar Adriático.

Após o almoço, prossiga o seu roteiro da Croácia com uma vista à soberba Fortaleza de Kliss, outro dos locais de filmagem da Guerra dos Tronos (lembra-se de Meereen?)

Mas o interesse da Fortaleza de Kliss está longe de se resumir à famosa série da HBO. Esta fortaleza, empinada no topo de uma montanha, foi crucial na resistência europeia às invasões do Império Otomano e brinda o visitante com fantásticas vistas sobre Split e o Mar Adriático.

O quinto dia do roteiro da Croácia termina na cidade de Split , idilicamente situada entre as montanhas escarpadas da Dalmácia e o deslumbrante Mar Adriático. Aproveite o que lhe resta do dia para um passeio pela sua gigantesca e animada marginal e para tratar da logística necessária para visitar as Ilhas do Adriático (comprar os bilhetes do ferry ou reservar um tour).

Onde ficar em Split – Sugestões de alojamento

Da última vez que estivemos em Split, optamos por ficar no Apartments Mrduljaš pois fica localizado numa zona tranquila e com estacionamento gratuito, um dos nossos requisitos em Split, pois queríamos deixar o carro estacionado para podermos ir às ilhas descansados. É certo que não fica mesmo no centro, mas em 15 minutos a pé estávamos lá. O apartamento em si está super bem equipado, tem um supermercado mesmo à porta e a anfitriã foi duma enorme simpatia. Clique para mais informações, ler reviews de hóspedes e reservar a sua estadia no Apartments Mrduljaš.

Se o estacionamento não for uma condicionante para si, e quiser ficar mesmo ao lado do Palácio de Diocleciano recomendamos o Contarini Luxury Rooms . Os quartos são muito confortáveis e pode ir a todo o lado a pé. Na classe de preços em que se insere, é a nossa opção favorita.

Se pretender ficar num hotel, espreite o Plaza Marchi Old Town , cuja localização é simplesmente espetacular. Costuma ter promoções muito agressivas e já lá conseguimos ficar por preços muito em conta face à qualidade superior que apresenta.

Se não tiver restrições orçamentais e quiser dormir em grande estilo em Split, aposte no Villa Split Heritage Hotel . Em nossa opinião é o hotel mais charmoso da cidade.

Clique para ver mais opções de alojamento em Split

Dia 6 do roteiro para visitar a Croácia: Split

Neste sexto dia do roteiro da Croácia pode dar uma merecida folga ao carro e sobretudo ao condutor. Split tem atrativos mais do que suficientes para lhe ocupar o dia e, como os locais de interesse estão relativamente perto uns dos outros, pode fazer tudo a pé.

O maior highlight da cidade é o colossal Palácio de Diocleciano, mandado construir pelo imperador romano Diocleciano no longínquo século IV. É dentro das suas muralhas que se concentra a cidade velha de Split, um emaranhado labiríntico de ruas e vielas que vão despertar o explorador que há em si.

Quando se fartar da cidade velha de Split (se é que isso é possível!), rume até à animada Promenade de Riva para um prazenteiro passeio à beira do Adriático.

Quer mais dicas sobre a cidade? Então não deixe de ler o nosso Roteiro de Split

Dia 7 e 8 do roteiro para visitar a Croácia: Split – Ilha(s) do Adriático – Dubrovnik

De Split partem ferries para algumas das ilhas mais bonitas do Adriático, das quais destacamos Hvar, Brač, Vis e Korčula.

Se tem possibilidade de acrescentar mais uns dias ao seu roteiro da Croácia, aqui é (provavelmente) o melhor local para o fazer, sobretudo se pretende fazer uns dias de praia.

Se só tem um par de dias livres, terá mesmo de escolher uma das ilhas ou então optar por um tour que englobe as várias ilhas do Adriático . Entre elas as nossas favoritas são a Ilha de Hvar e a Ilha de Brač.

Escolher entre uma e a outra depende muito do que está à procura: se procura a combinação perfeita entre praia, animada vida noturna e património histórico, opte pela Ilha de Hvar. Se preferir um local mais calmo para relaxar em família, opte pela Ilha de Brač, onde fica a famosa praia de Zlatni Rat, uma das melhores de toda a Croácia.

Independentemente da opção que tome, se for apenas por uma noite, recomendamos que deixe o carro estacionado em Split. Poupa o dinheiro de levar o carro no ferry e as dores de cabeça para encontrar parqueamento.

Onde ficar na Ilha de Hvar

O nosso alojamento favorito na Ilha de Hvar é o Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort . Não se assuste com o nome que ele até é amigo da carteira. Quando reservado com antecedência, os preços são (surpreendentemente) em conta para o que oferece. Da última vez pagamos apenas 80€ por um quarto super luxuoso com vista mar e já com um pequeno-almoço top incluído no preço (fomos em finais de Maio). A localização é das melhores, seja para ir ao centro da cidade seja para ir à praia, e tem uma piscina deliciosa. Se apanhar um bom preço, não hesite. Clique para mais informações, ler reviews de hóspedes e reservar a sua estadia no Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort.

Outra boa aposta em Hvar é o Pharos Hvar Hotel . Está uns furos abaixo do Amfora mas não deixa de ser luxuoso e de ter todas as comodidades de que precisa. A relação preço-qualidade é excelente. Por isso, se não conseguir apanhar uma boa promoção no Amfora e quiser poupar uns trocos, aposte no Pharos que vai igualmente bem servido.

Onde ficar na Ilha de Brač

Em Brač ficamos no Bluesun Hotel Elaphusa e não nos arrependemos nem por um só segundo. A localização é excelente, a poucos minutos a pé da famosa praia de Zlatni Rat e como tem uma piscina exterior e interior, o que não faltam são soluções para dar um mergulho. Clique para mais informações, ler reviews de hóspedes e reservar a sua estadia no Bluesun Hotel Elaphusa.

Se pretende uma solução mais económica, espreite o Guest House Marija . Pode optar por ficar num quarto ou num apartamento, sendo que a segunda opção é excelente para estadias mais prolongadas pois permite-lhe cozinhar. Apesar dos quartos e dos apartamentos serem simples são muito limpos e apresentem bons níveis de conforto. Tendo em conta o preço acredite que vai bem servido.

Informação Importante

Se for pelo corredor Neum, apenas terá de conduzir 15 km na Bósnia e, como existem acordos entre ambos os países, as travessias da fronteira costumam ser super pacíficas. Contudo na época alta podem ser algo morosas. Daí recomendarmos que no final do 8º dia do seu roteiro pela Croácia vá dormir a Dubrovnik. Se não o fizer, arrisca-se a chegar a Dubrovnik só depois de almoço.

Se alugar carro, não se esqueça de avisar a empresa de rent-a-car que pretende atravessar a fronteira com a Bósnia, de confirmar que lhe dão a carta verde e que esta permite a circulação na Bósnia. Sem a carta verde não deixam carros entrar na Bósnia. Por norma as empresas de rent-a-car vão cobrar-lhe um extra pela travessia de fronteira, de forma o cobrir os custos adicionais com o seguro de circulação, mas o valor é aceitável e costuma andar entre os 25-50€ (varia de empresa para empresa).

Dia 9 do roteiro para visitar a Croácia: Dubrovnik

A última paragem do nosso roteiro para visitar a Croácia é em Dubrovnik , um dos destinos turísticos mais concorridos do Mar Adriático e uma das cidades mais bonitas da Europa.

Agora que já conhece a cidade vista de cima, está na hora de partir à descoberta dos tesouros da cidade velha. Viaje no tempo ao atravessar o famoso portão Pile e deixe-se maravilhar com a arquitetura da cidade velha enquanto percorre a Stradun, a sua rua principal.

Já fora da cidade velha visite o Dubrovnik West Harbour e o Forte Lovrijenac (cenários da Blackwater Bay e da Red Keep na Guerra dos Tronos). Se é fã da série Guerra dos Tronos, não pode perder um tour guiado para conhecer os segredos por trás dos cenários de King’s Landing e da Red Keep. Reservámos este (clique para ver) através do Get Your Guide e recomendamos .

Termine o seu primeiro dia em Dubrovnik com um passeio pela animada marina e promenade de Lapad e assista ao pôr-do-sol na Sunset Beach.

Onde ficar em Dubrovnik – Sugestões de alojamento

A melhor zona para reservar alojamento quando visitar Dubrovnik é na Cidade Velha dentro das muralhas. Para além de estar dentro da ação, terá o melhor acesso a todos os pontos de interesse turístico a não perder em Dubrovnik. Some a essas vantagens o privilégio de sentir, nem que seja por umas noites, a verdadeira atmosfera da cidade “morando” numa das casas históricas. Obviamente que os preços são mais elevados, e na época alta podem atingir centenas de euros por noite. Portanto reserve alojamento em Dubrovnik com antecedência.

Na nossa recente roadtrip pelos Balcãs, a nossa escolha de alojamento em Dubrovnik incidiu num apartamento, o Apartman Višnja , muito bem localizado em Lapad. Tem lugar de parqueamento privado incluído no preço. Como a casa fica pertíssimo da paragem dos autocarros que iam diretamente para a Porta Pile, o ponto de entrada na Cidade Velha, não vacilamos na escolha. O apartamento é espaçoso, munido de todos os utensílios para uma estadia sem preocupações. Decorado com gosto e extremamente limpo, dispõe dum espaço exterior de jardim, ótimo para se sentar a tomar uma bebida. Ainda podemos usufruir de tranquilos passeios pela marina, a promenade e a praia Sunset Beach, do melhor que Lapad tem. Clique para mais informações, ler reviews de hóspedes e reservar a sua estadia no Apartman Višnja .

Se preferir o tratamento vip dum hotel em Lapad, olhe para as ofertas do Hotel Dubrovnik Palace . Quartos com varanda e vista para as Ilhas Elaphite, spa e sauna, centro de fitness, piscina com bar, acesso direto à praia e até centro de mergulho

Entre os alojamentos com excelente rácio custo-benefício na Old Town , as nossas sugestões são:

• o bem munido, limpo e espaçoso Apartment Blaise-Old Town , um dos campeões de vendas e que costuma fazer promoções muito agressivas.
• os Rooms Klarisa Palace que têm uma das melhores localizações na Old Town, uma área de terraço e quartos muito confortáveis.
• o bed & breakfast Scalini Palace que tem quartos-studio privados com kitchenette, limpos e espaçosos.

Se procura uma alternativa mais económica, sugerimos o Hostel 365 For U , fora das muralhas com a mais valia de disponibilizar estacionamento no local por 10 €/noite, e o Hostel Angelina Old Town mesmo ao lado da Torre Micela.

Para uma estadia onde será tratado como uma celebridade, espreite o The Pucic Palace , um hotel de 5 estrelas com serviços de topo, todo o luxo e conforto… Não será difícil sentir-se como um nobre da Old Dubrovnik.

Clique para ver mais opções de alojamento em Dubrovnik

Dia 10 do roteiro para visitar a Croácia: Dubrovnik

Se ainda tiver energias faça um tour de Caiaque. Não só lhe permite conhecer a cidade de uma perspetiva diferente como ainda pode explorar várias grutas ao redor de Dubrovnik. Se preferir relaxar escolha uma das muitas praias de Dubrovnik e despeça-se do Adriático com um mergulho.

Quer mais dicas sobre a cidade? Então não deixe de ler o nosso roteiro de Dubrovnik

Sugestões para daytrips a partir de Dubrovnik

Tem mais um par de dias para alocar ao seu roteiro da Croácia? Então transforme-o num roteiro dos Balcãs. Ficou confuso? Nós explicamos. De Dubrovnik é possível fazer um tour de um dia a Mostar , na Bósnia e Herzegovina e a Kotor , no Montenegro . Ambos os destinos são fenomenais e garantimos que não se vai arrepender de os visitar. Quanto muito vai é ter pena de não ficar por lá uns dias.

  Tours de um dia a partir de Dubrovnik

Existem várias excursões de um dia que pode fazer a partir de Dubrovnik. Clique nos links abaixo para ver as nossas favoritas, ler reviews e fazer as suas reservas:

• Cruzeiro de 1 dia às Ilhas Elafiti em barco típico 
• Excursão de 1 dia a Mostar e às Cascatas de Kravice
• Excursão de 1 dia a Montenegro (Kotor, Budva e Sveti Stefan)

Mapa do roteiro para visitar a Croácia | Roadtrip

Outros artigos da Croácia

• Lagos de Plitvice: dicas para visitar
• Melhores Praias da Croácia
• Roteiro para visitar Dubrovnik
• Roteiro para visitar Hvar
• Roteiro para visitar Split
• Roteiro de Zadar
• Roteiro de Zagreb

Prepare a sua próxima Viagem

32 comentários.

É possivel saber a quanto ficou essa brincadeira(+/-)? Viagem, transporte, estadia, comida, etc?

Abraço, João Madeira

Olá João! Os valores dependem sempre muito dos locais onde ficar alojado, das refeições, das actividades e da altura em que escolha viajar para a Croácia (no verão os preços mais do que duplicam). Tanto consegue gastar 50€ por dia/pessoa como 200€. Em shoulder season, ficando em alojamentos midrange e fazendo refeições simples espere gastar 50€-75€ por pessoa (já com viagens e entradas nos principais atracções incluídas).

Oi Alexandre, tem algum motivo especial para fazer primeiro os lagos e depois voltar para Rastoke? Adorei suas dicas,só fiquei com esta dúvida. Obrigada Um abraço

Olá Ana! Obrigado. Pode fazer Rastoke logo quando vier de Zagreb pois fica em caminho. Nós preferimos ir diretos para os lagos e só visitamos no dia seguinte. Boa viagem!

Olá Anabela e Alexandre, Muito legal o blog, otimas dicas! Podem informar em qual locadora alugaram o carro?, nao estou conseguindo achar alguma que tenham a carta verde para passar pela Bosnia. Muito Obrigado, Joelton.

Olá Joelton! Obrigado pelo feedback. Da última vez alugamos na Greenmotion através da Rentalcars ( https://www.rentalcars.com/?affiliateCode=vagamundos607com ) e deram-nos carta verde para a Bósnia. Boa viagem!

ola anabela e alexandre. tudo bem ? me tirem uma dúvida, por favor!! pretendo comecar a viagem em zagreb e fazer justamente a roadtrip ate dubrovnik. Quando eu chegar em split , a intenção é me hospedar duas noites em hvar e mais duas em brac antes de partir pra dubrovnik. eu consigo levar o carro alugado no ferry ? ou devo devolver o carro nesses dias e depois alugá-lo novamente ??

Olá Rafael!

Sim, podes levar o carro para as ilhas. Nós optamos por deixar em Split quando vamos só dois dias ou por entregar e voltar a alugar quando vamos por mais tempo. Nas ilhas usamos muito pouco o carro e o preço do ferry com carro é puxado.

Boa viagem!

Olá Anabela e Alexandre, Têm um blog fantástico! Podem informar como funciona o bilhete Skip-the-Line das Muralhas de Dubrovnik? Já fui a Dubrovnik e não me lembro de ter comprado bilhete para entrar nas muralhas… Obrigada! Isabel

Olá Isabel! Para percorrer as muralhas de Dubrovnik é preciso comprar bilhete. O Skip-the-line evita perder tempo nas filas, algo que em Dubrovnik é mais do que certo. Boa viagem!

Olá Anabela e Alexandre,

Para percorrer o pequeno percurso entre Split e Dubrovnik (passando pela Bósnia) foi-vos pedido o passaporte? Pergunto isto porque pertencendo a Croácia ao espaço Shengen, não temos passaporte mas gostaríamos de fazer o percurso indicado.

Obrigado! Pedro

Olá Pedro, Nós levamos passaporte e por norma é o que pedem visto que a Bósnia não pertence à UE. Já ouvimos relatos de que aceitaram cartão de cidadão, mas não podemos confirmar a veracidade dos mesmos. Se não têm passaporte recomendamos vivamente a que contactem a embaixada para terem a garantia de que o cartão de cidadão é aceite. Boa viagem!

Obrigado pela dica! Contactei a embaixada e confirmaram que não seria necessário passaporte para fazer o pequeno percurso de 7km (pode ser que seja útil para alguém no futuro). Abraço, Pedro

Obrigado pela partilha da informação. Será certamente útil para futuros viajantes. Boa viagem para vocês!

Olá Anabela e Alexandre, Parabéns pelo roteiro. Está top. Estava a pensar fazer uma conjugação entre roadtrip e veleiro. Para isso teria de abdicar de algumas cidades. A minha proposta seria: Zagreb(sem ver a cidade)-Rastoke-Lagos Plitvice-Šibenik-Split-Veleiro para visitar as ilhas-Dubrovnik Está a faltar alguma cidade essencial ou alguma q possa deixar de lado? Obrigada.

Olá Mariana! Tendo em conta o objetivo de combinar roadrip com navegação parece-nos num bom roteiro para explorar a Croácia. Boa viagem!

Olá Anabela e Alexandre

Acham que deveria reservar estadias antes de partir ou enquanto fosse fazendo a roadtrip.

De split para as ilhas temos de levar o carro ou podemos deixar em split e no final de visitar as ilhas voltar para split.

Obrigado. Gonçalo

Olá Gonçalo, As respostas a essas questões estão no artigo 😉

Boa tarde, vou fazer em Junho uma roadtrip pela Croacia e não encontro online onde adquirir o bilhete para as muralhas. Só ha visitas guiadas, tal como a que aconselham aqui. Sabe se é possivel adquirir este bilhete antes da viagem? Como vou em Junho tenho receio de haver muitas filas ao adquirir na bilheteira fisica. Obrigada

Boa tarde Ana, De acordo com as informações de que dispomos, presentemente só é possível adquirir online a entrada nas muralhas com visita guiada. Boa viagem!

Bom dia…Ótimas as dicas de vocês. Estarei indo a Croácia semana que vem e utilizarei as informações. Parabéns.

Muito obrigado. Boa viagem!

Parabéns pelo post, está fantástico!

Estamos a pensar fazer uma viagem pela Croácia de cerca de 8-10 dias. Visto que o valor de aluguer do carro ainda é significativo, pensamos em abdicar do mesmo em parte da viagem. Consideram que o carro é indispensável em Split e Dubrovnik, ou é perfeitamente fazível visitar as cidades a pé/transportes e fazer a deslocação entre as duas cidades de autocarro (Flixbus)? Desta forma alugaríamos o carro apenas para ir de Zagreb até aos lagos Plitvice, Sibenik, Krka e viagem até Split.

Olá Beatriz! Para visitarem as cidades em si não precisam de todo de carro, até porque a maior parte dos centros históricos de Split e Dubrovnik é exclusivamente pedonal. Nós dentro das cidades só utilizamos transportes públicos. O que o carro dá é flexibilidade para visitar alguns destinos que ficam em caminho mas não sendo essa a prioridade podem abdicar do mesmo sem qualquer problema. Boa viagem!

Boa tarde muitos parabéns gosto muito de seguir as vossas viagens e este blog está incrivel.

Queria pedir uma opinião por favor: Consideram a ida até Dubrovnik imprescindível? Se sim acham que há algo imperdível no percurso de Split até lá ou será que de Bus compensa uma vez que não alugando carros tantos dias fica muito mais económico? Grata

Olá Sílvia, Em nossa opinião Dubrovnik é uma das cidades de visita obrigatória na Croácia. Entre Split e Dubrovnik não existem cidades imperdíveis, logo podem perfeitamente ir de autocarro e poupar algum dinheiro no aluguer do carro. Boa viagem!

Olá, boa tarde 🙂 Antes de mais, muitos parabéns pelo blog, são uma ajuda incrível no planeamento das minhas viagens. Uma questão acerca da ida a Hvar: visto que estou a pensar ir apenas um dia/noite, achei ótima a vossa sugestão de deixar o carro em Split para facilitar a ida. Recomendam algum sítio seguro para isso? Obrigada pela ajuda!

Olá Nicole, Nós deixamos no parking do hotel pois ficamos mais uma noite em Split no regresso (pagamos uma pequena tarifa). Havendo disponibilidade é a melhor opção. Não existindo essa possibilidade recomendamos vivamente a que invista num parque vigiado pois os carros de aluguer parqueados muito tempo no mesmo lugar chamam muito a atenção aos amigos do alheio. Boa viagem

Olá, olá. Antes de mais, obrigado pelas vossas partilhas e dicas pois para qualquer viagem que tenho feito, tem sido uma ajuda fundamental. Estamos a pensar efetuar uma Roadtrip tal como a vossa, mas fiquei com uma dúvida depois de ter lido o artigo: Visto que começaram a aventura num local e acabaram noutro, quando foram de Portugal aterraram onde e embarcaram de regresso no mesmo local ou noutro? Grato pela atenção. Abraço.

Olá José, A nossa última viagem à Croácia foi inserida numa roadtrip pelos Balcãs, com início e fim em Zagreb. Pode ler mais informações no seguinte artigo: https://www.vagamundos.pt/guia-roteiro-para-visitar-balcas/ Boa viagem!

Desde já felicito o blog! Tenho usado imenso as vossas dicas tanto para viagens dentro de Portugal como fora. Vou em Setembro à Croácia, começando e acabando em Dubrovnik. A minha questão é o aluguer do carro: compensa alugar logo em Dubrovnik ou esperar por chegar a Split para o fazer? Vamos cerca de 10dias e estamos a pensar fazer Dubrovnik-Split-Krka-Lagos plitvice-Zadar-Dubrovnik. Alguma dica ?

Olá Judite, Para Dubrovnik em si não precisam do carro. É uma questão de verem se o valor que poupam por alugar o carro em Split compensa face ao preço do transporte de bus entre Dubrovnik e Split. Boa viagem!

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