Here’s the perfect Croatia 5-day itinerary for anyone flying into Zagreb and focusing on the northwest of Croatia.
*Updated for 2025*
Although Croatia is small, it’s full of incredibly beautiful places, and it’s very hard to choose which ones to visit – especially if it’s your first time coming to Croatia. This Croatia 5-day itinerary is for those who are flying in and out of Zagreb and want to see as much as they can without stress or hurry. The itinerary focuses on the locations fairly close to Zagreb which are a must-visit.
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5 days is really not a lot for a gorgeous country such as Croatia, so visiting Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik in such a short amount of time is not really realistic. This Croatia 5-day itinerary will take you from the Croatia’s capital Zagreb to one of Croatia’s most beautiful natural parks Plitvice Lakes. After exploring Plitvice, you’ll continue to Istria, a stunning scenic part of Croatia famous for its award-winning wines and tasty truffle-filled cuisine.
If this sounds interesting to you, keep reading!
WHY SHOULD YOU VISIT ISTRIA?
When people think of travelling to Croatia, the first locations in their minds are Dubrovnik and Split, because those cities are the most popular. While these cities are absolutely amazing and worthy of your time, there are other parts of Croatia equally deserving of your time. One of those places is Istria.
Istria is a picturesque peninsula located in the northern part of the Adriatic Sea and it’s known for its delicious cuisine, influenced by Italian, Mediterranean, and Croatian flavors. Istria is home to white and black truffles, and you’ll find plenty of delicious truffle-infused dishes, oils, and products throughout the region.
In addition to truffles Istria produces high-quality olive oil and wines. Many wineries are open to visits and tastings of their wines, which is an incredible experience to have.
Along with its mouthwatering cuisine, Istria has plenty of charming towns which will absolutely sweep you off your feet and a stunning national park which is an absolute must-see while in Croatia.
HOW TO TRAVEL AROUND CROATIA?
There are two options when it comes to travelling around Croatia.
Option 1 is to rent a car. Renting a car is a convenient option which lets you see more of Croatia due to better travel flexibility. It’s also way more comfortable not having to catch buses or trains and just enjoying the surrounding scenery at your own pace. You can easily rent a car at the airport in Zagreb or in the city center, and make your itinerary much more fun and flexible. Both Istria and Plitvice Lakes you’ll reach within 2-3 hours driving from Zagreb.
Option 2 is to travel by bus. While it might not be as comfortable as travelling by car, if you’re not interested or able to rent a car, the bus will do just fine! There are many buses available from Zagreb to any destination in Croatia. All the major European bus companies operate in Croatia (like Flixbus and Arriva) and there are plenty of local bus companies who offer their services as well. You can find their prices and timetables online if you search for the main bus station of any city in Croatia.
HOW SAFE IS CROATIA FOR TRAVEL?
Croatia is an exceptionally safe country and safety doesn’t have to be a worry of yours at al. Croatia has a really low crime rate, and violent crime is uncommon. Petty crimes such as pickpocketing can occur in tourist areas, so be alert and take standard precautions as you would traveling to any other destination.
Public transport is as well very safe, punctual, and frequently used. English is widely spoken in tourist areas so you will have no issues communicating with local people which will gladly recommend you their favorite restaurant, or a beach.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT CROATIA?
The best time to visit Croatia depends on your preferences for weather, activities, and crowd levels. Each season offers a unique charm, and the choice may vary based on whether you prefer the lively atmosphere of summer or the tranquility of April and May or October and November.
From personal experience I would recommend visiting Croatia in April or May as you will have warm enough weather to go for a swim but you won’t run into large crowds which are very common during the summer.
CROATIA 5-DAY ITINERARY:
DAY 1: ZAGREB
Croatia’s capital might not be the most exciting city in the country, but it still has lots of incredible things to offer.
STAY AT: Sheraton, Esplanade, Hotel Dubrovnik, Zonar, or check out the best AirBnBs in Zagreb here.
MORNING IN ZAGREB
Use your morning to explore the historic Upper Town (Gornji Grad), situated in the city center. There you can see some of Zagreb’s most famous landmarks – the iconic St. Mark’s Church with the colored roof, Lotrščak Tower, and the Croatian Parliament. You can also walk along the Stross – a gorgeous promenade overlooking the city.
If you don’t want to get to the Upper Town on foot, you can ride Zagreb’s funicular! Zagreb has the shortest funicular in the world, only 66 meters long. It’s one of the oldest ways of transportation in Zagreb and it can get you from Lower Town (Ilica Street) to the Upper Town for less than a euro!
AFTERNOON IN ZAGREB
In the early afternoon (12- 2 p.m.) visit the Dolac Market – Zagreb’s biggest open market with fresh produce and plenty of local businesses. Continue to Tkalciceva Street where you can shop, sit down for a coffee or have lunch.
After your lunch or coffee break, visit the Ban Jelačić Square and the Zagreb Cathedral. Continue your walk towards Zrinjevac and Tomislavac, two of the prettiest parks in the Zagreb city center.
EVENING IN ZAGREB
Use your evening for a relaxing dinner in one of Zagreb’s local restaurants. Consider trying traditional Croatian dishes like štrukli or pašticada and immerse yourself in Croatian cuisine. Some of my restaurant recommendations are Carpaccio, Pod Zidom, La Struk, and Boban. Here’s a guide to best restaurants in Zagreb!
If you’d like to explore more of Zagreb check out my Zagreb 2-day itinerary blog post!
DAY 2: PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK
If you’re happy with one day in Zagreb, on day two continue on towards Croatia’s oldest and most beautiful national park – Plitvice Lakes.
With a car, it will take you around 2 hours to reach the national park. If you’re not driving and opting for a bus, it will take you 2.5 hours and the ticket costs 15 euros one way. You can buy the ticket here. If you don’t want to go by bus on your own, you can always book a tour that will take you to Plitvice Lakes.
Spend the day hiking the picturesque trails and marvel at the stunning waterfalls and lakes. There are various paths you can choose from, depending on their difficulty and length. Read all about how to have the best time at Plitvice Lakes in my Plitvice Lakes guide.
After hours of exploring Croatia’s stunning natural park, drive towards Rovinj in the evening. It will take you around 3 hours to reach the gem of Istria. If you’re travelling by bus, return to Zagreb and get another bus to Rovinj in the morning.
DAY 3: ROVINJ
While there are many gorgeous spots in Istria, Rovinj definitely deserves a whole day for itself.
STAY AT: Grand Park Hotel, Eden, or Hotel Amarin
MORNING IN ROVINJ
In the morning, explore the charming Old Town of Rovinj with narrow streets and colorful houses. Sit down for a coffee at one of the local bars and enjoy a slower pace of life that Istria offers. My recommendation is Mediterraneo bar, situated on the rocks right by the sea. The views you’ll get are incredible!
AFTERNOON IN ROVINJ
Visit St. Euphemia’s Basilica, one of the main landmarks in Rovinj. If you’re up to it, you can even climb the tall bell tower and get incredible views of the city and the Sea.
Afterwards, walk along the harbor and immerse yourself in the colorful views of many houses and buildings of Rovinj. Once you’re hungry, enjoy a seafood lunch at a local restaurant. One I really liked was restaurant Orca, a few kilometers outside of the town.
EVENING IN ROVINJ
Relax in a seaside café and witness one of the most beautiful sunsets you can get over the Adriatic Sea and the gorgeous town of Rovinj.
DAY 4: PULA AND ISTRIA
Pula is one of the most popular towns in Istria, so you should definitely stop and explore.
STAY AT: Grand Hotel Brioni
MORNING IN PULA
Pula is 1.5 hours away from Rovinj. It’s known for the oldest and most well-preserved Roman amphitheater in Croatia. You can enter and explore the amphitheater for only 10 euros. Afterwards, visit the Arch of the Sergii and the Temple of Augustus.
Read more >>> WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN PULA, CROATIA
AFTERNOON IN ISTRIA OR BRIJUNI
There are two equally delightful options for a lovely afternoon.
Option 1 – visit Brijuni national park. Brijuni NP is one of the most beautiful and serene national parks in Croatia and in my opinion, it’s a must-see. The Brijuni islands are situated close to a small town of Fažana, only 20 minutes from Pula.
From Fažana you’ll take a ferry to Brijuni NP. There you can rent a bike or a golf cart and explore the island of Veliki Brijun for the afternoon. The national park has incredible untouched nature, a gorgeous beach for swimming, and an amazing safari park where you can see several types of animals. The tickets to Brijuni are 40 euros during the high season. Read my detailed guide to Brijuni NP here!
Option 2 – explore more of Istria. While you’ve visited Rovinj and Pula, Istria has many small villages that are equally beautiful and worthy of visiting. Two of my favourites are Motovun – a village on a hill, and Grožnjan – a village stopped in time. For more information on interesting towns in Istria read my guide. This option might be a bit harder if you don’t have a car. If you’re coming by bus, it’s better to visit Brijuni.
DAY 5: PLITVICE OR ZAGREB
If you opted for 2 days in Zagreb and skipped Plitvice on day two, visit the national park now, on your way back to Zagreb.
If you’ve already visited Plitvice Lakes, spend your last day exploring Zagreb further. Venture out of the city center and visit Maksimir Park – one of Zagreb’s most beautiful parks with a ZOO. It’s a 20-minute ride by tram from the city center, or you can just grab an Uber. After Maksimir, you can visit Jarun lake, the botanical garden, or one of many shopping centers that Zagreb offers.
This is my take on the perfect 5 days in the northern Croatia and Istria. I hope you’ll take some inspiration from it!
