ZAGREB TO SPLIT DRIVE: BEST STOPS ALONG THE WAY + MY FAVOURITE!

If Zagreb to Split drive is in your itinerary, this blog post is for you!

Although most people come to Croatia to enjoy the Dalmatian coast, many also love visiting the capital city, Zagreb. The most comfortable way to get from Zagreb to the coast is by driving. Since I live in Zagreb and often travel to the coast, this is a route I do VERY often.

If you’ll be doing the Zagreb to Split drive, this blog post will show you all the best stops between Zagreb and Split. I’ll also share my personal favourite stop which you really shouldn’t miss!

ZAGREB TO SPLIT DRIVE: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE AND IS IT WORTH IT?

Zagreb is located in the northwestern part of the country, while Split is the central city in Dalmatia. The two cities are not far apart, but it still takes a few hours to go from one to another.

It will take you around 4 hours from Zagreb to Split by highway. Since some of the stops mentioned aren’t close to the highway, you’ll need to take the local roads at certain points. That can bring the drive to around 5 hours.

While this ride is not as stunning as the Split to Dubrovnik one, driving from Zagreb to Split offers a fantastic opportunity to explore some of Croatia’s most beautiful and historically significant sites. I would absolutely recommend renting a car and driving instead of going by plane or bus. It’s definitely worth it.

ZAGREB TO SPLIT DRIVE: BEST STOPS ALONG THE WAY

RASTOKE

The first stop on this list is a small village Rastoke.  This village is known as the “Small Plitvice Lakes,” because it’s the home of picturesque waterfalls and historic mills. It’s located next to town Slunj, and it about 1.5h away from Zagreb.

This stop is perfect for a 1 to 2 hour break where you can explore and immerse yourself in the stunning nature and waterfalls of Rastoke village. You can also stop for a drink or lunch at some of the cutest restaurants situated right next to the waterfalls.

If you’re interested in learning more about Rastoke and what to do there, check out my guide to Rastoke waterfalls. I personally love this stop and I’d highly recommend it, especially if you don’t have time or budget to visit Plitvice Lakes.

PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK

Only 30 minutes from Rastoke, you’ll find Croatia’s most popular and most beautiful national park. I’m sure Plitvice Lakes NP is on your itinerary, and this Zagreb to Split drive is the perfect way to include it. Plitvice Lakes are a UNESCO World Heritage site and they’re famous for their stunning waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and lush forests.

If you decide to visit Plitvice Lakes on this Zagreb to Split drive, this national park should be your only stop. You’ll need at least 4-5 hours of exploring to enjoy and admire this park.

There are various hiking paths you can take, depending on how long and difficult you want your hike to be. Don’t worry, none of the paths are super challenging and you can do them without any complications. You just need to be properly dressed and have a few snacks and water.

You can also take a boat ride and stop for lunch at one of many restaurants on the grounds. The ticket to Plitvice Lakes is 40 euros during the season, and you can read my complete guide to Plitvice Lakes by a local for more information.

ZADAR

An hour and 40 minutes from Plitvice, you’ll finally get to your first stop on the coast! Zadar is a coastal city with A LOT of historical significance, so you’ll get to explore many Roman and Venetian ruins, beautiful churches, and a unique sea organ that plays music through the motion of the waves.

While you can spend a week exploring Zadar and its nearby towns and villages, if you’re only visiting for a short time, you can see the old town relatively quickly. The most important landmarks for you to see are the St. Donatus Church, the sea organ, and the Sun Salutation.

To get to know more about these landmarks and what else you can do, read our guide to a perfect day in Zadar.

KRKA NATIONAL PARK

In less than an hour, you can get from Zadar to Krka National Park. Krka National Park is the second most popular national park in Croatia, right after Plitvice. Krka NP is known for its series of seven waterfalls, and it’s absolutely worth the visit.

While I wouldn’t say Krka is equally exciting as Plitvice Lakes, Krka is a great option for those who want a quicker stop. Krka is much smaller than Plitvice, so you can explore it on foot in around 2 hours. It’s perfect for you if you want to visit a national park and a few additional locations.

If you’re not sure which national park is the perfect choice for you, you can read our comparative blog post on Plitvice and Krka, and choose according to that. The tickets for Krka NP are 40 euros during the season, and you can get answers to all your potential questions right here in my Krka guide.

ŠIBENIK

If you’re visiting Krka NP, Šibenik is a must-do stop afterward. This gorgeous little town is only 15 minutes from the national park, and it’s absolutely stunning. Šibenik has a beautiful Old Town full of breathtaking historical buildings worthy of seeing.

The most popular one is the UNESCO-listed Cathedral of St. James which is a magnificent work of art. Additionally, if you have time, you should visit the impressive St. Nicholas Fortress which you can visit only by boat tour.

To find out more about Šibenik and what to do there, read my guide to Šibenik!

TROGIR

An hour of driving from Šibenik will bring you to one of the closer stops to Split, and my personal favourite!

I’m talking about Trogir! This town is another UNESCO World Heritage site, because Trogir also has well-preserved medieval architecture.

If you decide to visit Trogir, you’ll absolutely fall in love. I actually prefer Trogir to Split by a loooong shot, just because it’s calmer, nicer, and less crowded. Some of the best things you can do in Trogir is explore the Old Town, walk the waterfront promenade, have some delicious food, or go for a swim at one of the Trogir beaches.

Here’s my Trogir guide about the best things to do if you want more information about this stop!

KLIS FORTRESS

Lastly, our final stop is the Klis Fortress, only 30 minutes from Trogir, and 20 minutes from Split. This historic fortress is special because it offers panoramic views of Split and the Adriatic Sea, but it will also enchant all the Game of Thrones fans since it has been featured in the TV series.

The entrance to this stunning fortress is only 10 euros, so you should definitely include it in your itinerary.

MY PERSONAL TAKE ON THE POPULAR ZAGREB TO SPLIT DRIVE AND ITS STOPS

This is one of the most popular drives in Croatia, especially if you’re flying into or out of Zagreb. While you can just stay in your car and drive straight to Split, making stops along the way is so much better. You get to see so much more of Croatia instead of just passing through it!

All of these stops are absolutely worth it, especially the national parks, but if I had to pick just one favourite, it would be Trogir. It’s incredibly charming and genuinely one of those places that instantly wins you over.

CONCLUSION: ZAGREB TO SPLIT DRIVE

If you decide to do this drive, I really hope you take at least a few of these stops into account and choose one (or more) as a break from all the driving. Every single stop on this route is lovely in its own way, and it would truly be a shame to rush straight to Split and miss out on them. Even a short stop can turn the drive into a much more memorable part of your Croatia trip!