If you’re searching for the best Croatia road trip ideas, this blog post is for you!
Croatia is a stunning country, and it’s especially known for its unbelievable Adriatic Coast. The best way to see all the incredible places in Croatia is by doing a road trip.
Keep reading this blog post to find out why you should do a road trip in Croatia, what are the best itineraries, and which one is perfect for you!
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DO YOU NEED A CAR IN CROATIA?
It really depends on where you’re going and what kind of trip you want. However, if you want to see as much as possible, especially some harder-to-reach places, you’ll need a car.
If you’re sticking to major cities like Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik, you don’t need a car. They all have good public transport, and all of them are quite walkable. But if you want to explore national parks (like Plitvice or Krka), islands, or smaller coastal towns, a car makes life much easier. Most of these destinations are reachable by bus, but service can be slow and infrequent, taking time away from your itinerary.
If you enjoy road trips, I would definitely recommend renting a car. If you’re having doubts, here’s a blog post on renting a car in Croatia, and the pros and cons, which will surely help you out!
WHY DO A CROATIA ROAD TRIP? IS IT WORTH IT?
I think doing a Croatia road trip is one of the best ways to see the country. As a Croatia native, I take at least one or two road trips along the coast each year just to experience the magic of the Adriatic. Here are a few reasons why I do it—and why I recommend you do too!
First, a road trip by car gives you far more freedom and flexibility than any other mode of transport. Public transportation in Croatia is decent, especially along the coast, but buses don’t always reach smaller towns or scenic spots. With a car, you can explore hidden beaches, charming villages, and breathtaking viewpoints at your own pace.
Second, there’s nothing like experiencing a drive along the Adriatic Coastal Road (D8). It is one of the most scenic coastal roads in Europe, and you’ll get insane views of the Adriatic Sea, islands, and mountains.
Finally, with a car you’ll have easy access to national parks, smaller towns, and even islands. Many of these places have limited public transport options and a car will be a life saver. It’s not easy to reach Plitvice Lakes by bus, just as it isn’t for smaller towns like Motovun in Istria or Rastoke near Plitvice. You can also take ferries to islands like Hvar, Brač, Korčula, and Pag and explore beyond the main touristy areas if you have a car.
Croatia has well-maintained roads and relatively low traffic outside major cities, so even in summer you won’t have too much trouble getting from one place to another.
CROATIA ROAD TRIP: ZAGREB TO SPLIT (5 days)
If you have only five days, a road trip from Zagreb to Split is an excellent choice. Fly into Zagreb and spend a day exploring the capital. While Zagreb deserves at least 2–3 days, the coast is much more captivating, so with limited time, one day in Zagreb is enough.
On day two, continue from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia’s most magical national park and a must-visit. Before reaching Plitvice, stop in Rastoke village, often called ‘Little Plitvice.’ Once at the park, 4–5 hours will be enough to explore and see its most iconic lakes and waterfalls. Be sure to visit the viewpoints, see Veliki Slap, and take a ride on the electric boat. After Plitvice, you can make a short stop in Šibenik or Zadar before continuing to Split.
Spend day three exploring Split. The city offers plenty of interesting things to do, but some highlights include Diocletian’s Palace, Marjan Hill, the Riva Promenade, and beautiful beaches like Kašjuni and Kaštelet.
On day four, island-hop to Hvar Island. Hvar is Croatia’s most visited island, and there’s a good reason for that. This charming island is home to several small towns and villages full of historic landmarks, as well as stunning beaches and lively beach clubs.
Finally, spend your last day relaxing in Split, exploring anything you haven’t yet seen, and catching your flight!
CROATIA ROAD TRIP: ZAGREB TO DUBROVNIK (10 days)
If you want to experience the most popular road trip route in Croatia, you’ll need 10 days to fully enjoy it. Start in Zagreb and spend 2 days exploring the capital. Include the Upper and Lower towns and the city’s beautiful green spaces. On day three, drive to Istria, one of the most charming regions of Croatia, and a must-see. While you won’t be able to see everything, spend days 3 and 4 in Rovinj, Pula, and Motovun. Two days will be enough to explore these charming small towns.
On day five, drive from Istria to Plitvice Lakes. Along the way, stop at Rastoke village to see the waterfalls near Slunj. Once you reach Plitvice, spend a few hours exploring the lakes and waterfalls. Once you’re done, drive to Split.
Days 6 and 7 are reserved for Split and Hvar. Spend day six exploring Split’s key landmarks, then enjoy a refreshing swim near Marjan Hill. The next day, hop on a ferry to Hvar and explore Croatia’s sunniest and most popular island.
Spend days 8–10 in Dubrovnik. On day 8, drive from Split to Dubrovnik, with a stop in Ston for a delicious seafood lunch. We love the oysters at Villa Koruna! Once in Dubrovnik, explore the Old Town. On day 9, spend the day on an island. If you want something nearby, venture to Lokrum, or, if you don’t mind an hour-long ferry ride, visit Lopud. Finally, spend your last day exploring Dubrovnik and catching your flight.
CROATIA ROAD TRIP: SPLIT TO DUBROVNIK (7 days)
While Split and Dubrovnik aren’t far apart, there’s so much to see between these two towns that you’ll need a week to fully explore the coast. Start with 2 days in Split, using this time to explore the city in detail—from popular landmarks to small, local beaches. On day 3, head to the magical island of Hvar for an unforgettable island experience. With its beautiful beaches, charming towns, and great restaurants, Hvar offers so much to see and makes for a fantastic day trip.
On day 4, drive north to visit Krka National Park. While it may not be as famous as Plitvice Lakes, Krka is much easier and quicker to reach from Split. You’ll need around 2–3 hours to explore the most popular part of the park, near Skradinski Buk. After visiting Krka, drive south to Dubrovnik. Along the way, you can stop at several charming spots, such as Makarska, Ston, or Arboretum Trsteno.
Finally, spend the last 3 days of your 7-day holiday in Dubrovnik. You’ll need at least 2 days to explore the Old Town and other attractions the city offers, such as Mount Srđ, Lokrum, and its beautiful beaches. Use the third day for an easy day trip to Lopud Island, a peaceful island just an hour from Dubrovnik.
CROATIA ROAD TRIP: ZAGREB TO ISTRIA (5 days)
If you only have five days and Dubrovnik and Split aren’t must-visit destinations, I highly recommend exploring Istria. These 5 days will take you through charming towns and 2 beautiful national parks!
Use your first day to explore Zagreb. One day is enough to see the most important attractions and enjoy the vibrant summer atmosphere in the capital. On day 2, drive to Plitvice Lakes. This incredible national park is close enough to visit without spending too much time driving. Plitvice Lakes is a must-see, and half a day is more than enough to explore its highlights.
Spend days 3–5 in Istria, Croatia’s stunning peninsula. On day 3, explore Rovinj, a charming small town often called the prettiest in Croatia. With its colorful houses, stunning bell tower, and crystal-clear sea, Rovinj truly feels magical. On day 4, visit Brijuni National Park, which is perhaps my favorite NP in Croatia. You can bike through beautiful landscapes and even interact with animals at the safari park.
Use day five to explore Pula, Motovun, or Grožnjan. All of these towns are absolutely breathtaking, so it will be hard to choose which ones to visit. Personally, I love the historic charm of Grožnjan, but Motovun is also incredibly unique.
CROATIA ROAD TRIP – FAQ:
Is Croatia good for a road trip?
Croatia is an excellent road trip destination, with breathtaking coastal drives, well-maintained roads, and access to many historic cities and national parks. It’s not the cheapest option, especially if you’re renting a car, since you’ll have to cover things like gas, tolls, and parking. But the freedom and the incredible views totally make it worth it.
How many days do you need for a Croatia road trip?
The ideal length for a Croatia road trip really depends on how much you want to see. I’d say 5 days is the minimum you’d need if you want to focus on one part of the coast and explore it properly. You can hit the main spots like Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes, Split, and Dubrovnik, but you’ll be moving at a pretty fast pace.
7–10 days gives you a bit more time to enjoy a laid-back trip, but you’ll still mainly be hitting the highlights, maybe adding an extra island or two. However, if you’ve got 2 weeks, you’ll have plenty of time to take your time and explore from Zagreb to Dubrovnik without feeling rushed.
I would highly recommend having at least 10 days in order to do a really great, detailed road trip you’ll enjoy.
What is the most beautiful road in Croatia?
The Adriatic Coastal Road (D8) is hands down the most beautiful drive in Croatia. Stretching from Rijeka to Dubrovnik, it’s got amazing views of the Adriatic Sea, mountains, islands, and cute coastal towns. You’ll pass through places like Zadar, Šibenik, Split, and Makarska, with plenty of chances to pull over for panoramic views, beaches, and great restaurants.
When we do a road trip, we usually take the highway from Zagreb to Split, and then once we’re in Split, we get off the highway and take the D8 all the way down to Dubrovnik. Some of our favorite stops along the way are listed here!
Where to drive to in Croatia?
There are many incredible destinations to drive to in Croatia, depending on what kind of experience you’re looking for. These are some of the most popular and most loved destinations –
