A clever blend of medieval cities, natural parks, and beaches, Croatia is a popular holiday destination in Europe, especially during the summer season. We hadn’t planned to go on a road trip in Croatia, but faced with an ongoing Covid-19 crisis and constant flight cancellations, we chose the safer option and set off again this year with our car. After the Dolomites last year, we looked for a destination we hadn’t discovered yet, and in the end Croatia became the obvious choice for our September vacation.
What to do in Croatia, which itinerary to choose for a road trip, what budget to plan, and where to stay in Croatia? In this blog post, I share all my tips and practical information to help you organize your road trip in Croatia over one week, 10 days, or 15 days.
And if you’re planning to stop in Dubrovnik during your stay in Croatia (which I recommend), I’ve written a dedicated article about the best places to stay in the Pearl of the Adriatic: where to stay in Dubrovnik.
What itinerary for a 7, 10, or 15-day road trip in Croatia
Most tourists traveling to Croatia for a road trip land in the south of the country in Dubrovnik. They then drive up the entire Dalmatian coastline heading north to catch a flight from Zadar, Pula, or Zagreb (or even Split for those in a hurry). This avoids a long round trip (there are 624 km between Dubrovnik and Rovinj).
Your itinerary in Croatia will largely be determined by the airports you choose for arrival and departure. Below are a few ideas that can serve as a starting point to organize your trip or itinerary. For reference, there are fewer tourists in the north, but the beaches are more beautiful in the south.
7-day itinerary: with one week on site, you won’t have time to visit the entire country. You’ll need to focus on either the northern part of Croatia (Istria – Northern Dalmatian islands – Plitvice Lakes) or the south (Dubrovnik – Southern Dalmatian islands – Split). If you don’t like crowds, you can replace Split with the towns of Šibenik and Trogir. Another option is to choose central Croatia with a loop starting from Split to the Plitvice Lakes.
10-day itinerary: this is the minimum time needed to cross the country from north to south (from Dubrovnik to Istria), but it will still feel quite rushed since you won’t have time to spend more than one day at each location. You’ll need to carefully choose which islands to visit to avoid wasting too much time on ferries. If you prefer a slower pace or less driving, opt for either the northern or southern half of the country and stay several days in the same place.
- Example 10-day itinerary: Dubrovnik – Korčula Island or Hvar – Split – Trogir – Šibenik – Krka National Park – Plitvice – Rovinj.
14–15 day itinerary: two weeks is the ideal duration for a road trip in Croatia. You’ll have time to explore the entire Croatian coastline from Dubrovnik to Rovinj, passing through Krka and Plitvice Lakes National Parks. Compared to the previous itinerary that covers the main highlights, you can add one or two extra islands.
Car rental in Croatia
I recommend using the AutoEurope comparison site which offers rates up to 25% cheaper than major rental companies. Compare providers to find the best price!
Practical information for organizing a road trip in Croatia
Best time to visit Croatia
Croatia can be visited almost all year thanks to its Mediterranean climate along the coastline. However, the best time to visit Croatia is from May to September. That’s when you’ll have sunshine and warm water for swimming (although I found it cooler than on the French Riviera). Croatia is a very touristy destination in summer, when millions of visitors come to enjoy its beaches. I recommend avoiding July and August to enjoy a quieter (and cheaper!) trip.
Driving through Slovenia with your own vehicle
If you travel from Northern Europe with your vehicle, you will necessarily pass through Slovenia to reach Croatia. Slovenian highways do not have tolls; instead, you must buy a vignette sold at service stations near the border. There are three durations: 1 week (€15), 1 month (€30), or 1 year (€110).
Don’t try to skip the vignette—there are checks and fines are very high. You can also exit the highway after Trieste (Italy) and use secondary roads to the Croatian border. It’s a bit longer but free.
Where to exchange money in Croatia?
If you cross the border by car, you’ll see many exchange offices along the road between Slovenia and Croatia. Do not exchange your money at the border, as rates are very unfavorable. Once in Istria, you’ll find many exchange offices in tourist towns like Rovinj and Poreč offering good rates.
Alternatively, it’s easy to withdraw euros directly from ATMs, which are widely available. Check with your bank for any fees on withdrawals and payments. Some ATMs charge an additional commission, which is displayed during the transaction.
Road trip in Croatia: map of our itinerary
Since we were traveling from Nice with our own vehicle, we had one constraint when planning our itinerary: choosing a loop route that would bring us back to our starting point. Unlike most travelers flying into Croatia, we couldn’t pick up a vehicle in the south and drop it off in the north (or vice versa). With two weeks of vacation and a 630 km coastline between Istria and Dubrovnik, we chose to focus on northern and central Croatia. It’s also the least touristy part of the country, which suggested a more authentic experience.
Our 6-step itinerary:
- Exploring Istria: 4 days (stay near Rovinj)
- Rab Island: 4 days (stay in Rab town)
- Šibenik: 1 day (overnight in Šibenik)
- Krka National Park: 1 day (overnight in Šibenik)
- Trogir and Cetina Spring: 1 day (overnight in Plitvice)
- Plitvice Lakes National Park: 1 day
Details of our 12-day road trip in Croatia
Exploring Istria: 4 days
Istria is a region located in northwest Croatia, on the border with Slovenia. Arriving by car from France, it was only natural to start our road trip in Croatia in Istria. The region is known for its hilltop medieval villages and gastronomy, with truffles being one of its most famous symbols. It’s also where we ate best in Croatia, probably thanks to its proximity to Italian cuisine. Istria was under Italian rule for a long time, from the Middle Ages and the Republic of Venice until World War II.
The Venetian style can be seen in the architecture of coastal towns—Rovinj, nicknamed the Pearl of Istria, is the most beautiful example. It was our favorite and one of the must-see places on a road trip in Croatia. Another coastal town not to miss is Poreč, especially for its stunning Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
And how can we talk about Istria without mentioning its beautiful hilltop villages scattered across the countryside, where you can eat incredibly well? Among the villages to visit, I recommend Hum, Motovun, Grožnjan, Pazin, and Labin. Istria is not the best destination in Croatia for beaches, but if you feel like it, the seaside resort of Rabac has beautiful turquoise waters. Otherwise, wait until you go further south or to a Dalmatian island.
If you’re planning to explore the region, I’ve written an article about visiting Istria where you’ll find all the information on must-see sites as well as accommodation tips. During these 4 days, we drove just over 300 km exploring Istria.
Where to stay in Istria?
It’s best to choose accommodation roughly in the center of Istria, which will keep you within an hour’s drive of all tourist sites. I recommend staying in Rovinj or nearby (up to Poreč), which is the most beautiful town in Istria.
- 36 € : Apartments Rajci, one of the cheapest apartments in Rovinj, this 23 m² studio with a terrace and fully equipped kitchen is ideal for small budgets. On-site parking.
- 67 € : Apartments Branko, located 1 km from Rovinj’s old town (10-minute walk), this 30 m² accommodation has a kitchen. Nice terrace overlooking the garden and free private parking.
- 70 € : Apartments Niko, this ground-floor apartment has a large terrace and a garden with jacuzzi. Fully equipped with a spacious bathroom, located 2.4 km from Poreč beach.
- 87 € : LUCIJA 2, this 48 m² apartment for up to 4 people is perfect for families or groups of friends. It has a terrace with a view for enjoying drinks. Ideal location to explore the region. Free private parking.
Rab Island: 4 days
During this road trip in Croatia, we wanted to spend a few days on an island to enjoy the beach. The country has 1,244 islands (not all are inhabited), and it wasn’t easy to choose one. In the end, we chose Rab Island in the Kvarner archipelago. What motivated this choice is that the island is relatively small and less crowded than more famous ones. It also has a beautiful medieval town (Rab town) and sandy beaches, which are quite rare in Croatia. It’s also easy to access, with just a 15-minute ferry ride from the mainland (Stinica).
We loved Rab town with its four bell towers—it’s practically the only town on the island, but it’s very pleasant to visit and offers beautiful viewpoints. As for beaches, we were a bit disappointed: the large sandy beaches in the north are in a bay where the water is very shallow, making swimming difficult (except for children). Fortunately, we found what we were looking for on a beautiful turquoise beach in the far south of the island (Pudarica Beach).
To learn more, I invite you to read the article about things to do on Rab Island. The distance between Rovinj and Rab Island is 210 km.
Where to stay on Rab Island?
- 48 € : Four Towers Apartments, this 15 m² apartment with exposed stone walls includes a dining area. Located in the heart of the old town, it’s one of the cheapest options to stay in Rab old town.
- 50 € : Apartments Rožić, this 35 m² accommodation with a fully equipped kitchen is perfect for cooking during a multi-day stay on Rab Island (the old town is within walking distance). Free parking.
- 53 € : APP Leo, 35 m² apartment for 2 people with all the amenities for a comfortable stay on Rab Island. It also has a terrace with a garden and barbecue. Free parking.
- 70 € : Apartments Lumar, this is the apartment we stayed in. What convinced us was the beautiful view from the terrace. The 36 m² accommodation with kitchen area is brand new and includes parking. There’s a pool in season. Highly recommended!
Šibenik: 1 day
The town of Šibenik on the Dalmatian coast is often overlooked by travelers who prefer to head straight to Split. However, the town has plenty to offer and is worth a stop on a road trip in Croatia. First, there are far fewer tourists than in Split, and during high season this makes a big difference, as tourist cities can get overcrowded. Šibenik has a charming stone-built medieval old town as well as a cathedral listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you’re looking for an itinerary slightly off the beaten path, add Šibenik to your plan.
Half a day is enough to visit the old town (count a full day including travel), but you can stay several days if you want to explore the surroundings. Many excursions are available. You’ll find more information in the blog article best things to do in Šibenik. On the way between Rab Island and Šibenik, we discovered a canyon (Pueblo Winnetou) straight out of an American western (I mention it in the article above). The distance between Rab Island and Šibenik is 192 km.
Where to stay in Šibenik?
- 40 € : Jerry & Oli’s Apartments, this 22 m² accommodation with a small kitchen is one of the cheapest places to stay in Šibenik old town (with excellent reviews). Some units also have a nice balcony. Public parking nearby.
- 65 € : Ana Apartment, slightly outside the old town but 400 meters from Banj Beach, this 45 m² sea-view accommodation is perfect for a multi-day stay exploring Šibenik and Krka Park. Free private parking.
- 70 € : Apartment Polic, this 33 m² apartment for 3 people is located in a small house with a garden near Šibenik’s medieval town. Fully equipped, including a washing machine and barbecue. Free private parking.
- 90 € : On the Rock Apartments, beautiful fully equipped 43 m² apartment with a view of the Adriatic Sea. Located in the heart of the old town, close to Šibenik’s attractions and nightlife spots
Krka National Park: 1 day
Located north of Šibenik, Krka National Park is the second most visited park in the country. It’s one of the must-see stops on a road trip in Croatia. While it’s best known for the famous Skradinski Buk waterfalls, it also hides other treasures that would be a shame to miss. Ideally, you should have a car to explore the entire park. Among the highlights, don’t miss the viewpoint over Visovac Island and the Serbian Orthodox Krka Monastery.
You’ll need a full day to explore the park completely (the 6 main sites). For a visit focused only on Skradinski Buk waterfalls, one hour on site is enough. For all practical information, I recommend reading the article about visiting Krka National Park. The full loop from Šibenik is 137 km.
Krka National Park is easily visited on a day trip from Šibenik, Trogir, or Split. If you don’t have a car, you can opt for an organized tour.
Trogir: half a day
The beautiful old town of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage site, can easily be visited from Šibenik or Split. Once you pass through the old city gate, you’re transported back to medieval times among stone buildings and Romanesque and Renaissance architecture. Visiting Trogir, located on a small island of about 1 km², takes no more than 3 hours.
You can easily extend your stay by exploring nearby beaches and islands. Trogir can also serve as a great base for visiting Šibenik and Split thanks to its central location. For more information, you can read the article about things to do in Trogir. Distance Šibenik – Trogir: 47 km.
Where to stay in Trogir?
- €40: Apartments and rooms with parking space, one of the cheapest places to stay in Trogir, with free private parking included. Apartment for 3 people with two beds near the beach and old town.
- €42: Studio Kairos, located in the heart of the old town, this 42 m² accommodation with a kitchenette and dining area offers great value for money. Close to the waterfront promenade. Free public parking nearby.
- €81: Apartments & Rooms Trogir Stars, this 4-star guesthouse offers beautiful rooms with exposed stone walls and apartments with kitchens, including one with a private terrace. Free private parking and breakfast available for an extra fee.
- €90: Hotel Bellevue Trogir, for those who prefer hotel services, Bellevue offers rooms with a view. Located 50 meters from the gate leading to the old town. Breakfast included and free private parking.
Cetina River Spring: half a day
You won’t find this destination in travel guides, but it has become popular on social media thanks to its photogenic appeal. This eye-shaped, blue-green spring is located north of Split in the mountains near the Bosnia border. It’s best appreciated from aerial drone views; otherwise, it’s a long drive just to see this “small lake.”
For us, it wasn’t a big detour since we were heading to Plitvice Lakes afterward. You’ll find all my tips for visiting the Cetina River Spring in the dedicated blog article. Distance Trogir – Cetina: 88 km.
Plitvice Lakes National Park: 1 day
This is the must-see site of any road trip in Croatia and one of the main reasons tourists leave Dubrovnik to explore the north. This stunning park, made up of 16 lakes and 92 waterfalls, is world-famous. It can be explored on foot via wooden walkways and also by boat.
Plitvice Lakes are somewhat remote from other tourist sites. We included them in our loop itinerary on the final day of our trip while heading back north. However, it’s also possible to visit Plitvice Lakes on a day trip from Šibenik, Trogir, Zagreb, or Split. I recommend staying overnight to enter the park at opening time. This helps avoid crowds, especially in July and August. Distance Cetina – Plitvice: 167 km.
After spending most of the day in the national park, we got back in the car and stopped in Trieste, Italy (on the Slovenian border) before returning to Nice.
Where to stay near Plitvice Lakes?
- 41 € : Lake House 1, the cheapest accommodation near the park. Located 5 minutes by car from the entrance. Breakfast (extra) is excellent according to guest reviews.
- 54 € : Green lakes house, this B&B is located in the village of Jezerce, 2.4 km from entrance #2. Spacious, quiet, and well-maintained room. Excellent breakfast for €8.
- 68 € : B&B Millenium House, this 4-star guesthouse has excellent reviews. Offers generous meals with breakfast included and optional lunch and dinner. Located 2.4 km from entrance #2, ideal for early access..
- 93 € : Hotel Bellevue, one of the four hotels located inside the park and the most affordable. Situated at entrance #2 with rooms of varying standards, some with views. Breakfast included and free private parking.
You’re now ready to organize your road trip in Croatia. If you still have questions, feel free to use the blog comments. Don’t hesitate to share this article if you found it helpful!