Croatia has been often seen as the poor stepsister to Greece and Italy, but it’s one of Europe’s most captivating and diverse destinations. Embark on a 2-week journey through Croatia with stunning coastlines, breathtaking natural wonders and historic cities. Croatia is truly a gem of the Adriatic and should be included on your European travels. This travel guide to Croatia includes where to eat, what to see and how to make the most of each stop on your adventure. Continue below for the best Croatia road trip in 2 weeks.
Our Croatia road trip starts in Zagreb and finishes along the coast in Dubrovnik.
Rental Car for Croatia
Grab your rental car from the Zagreb International Airport (ZAG). We got a great deal for a one-way reservation with Rentalcars.com which offered an economy size car with automatic drive from Zagreb to Dubrovnik. While the country has good public transportation with long-distance buses and trains, we felt a rental car gave us the freedom to stop at our leisure and enjoy each place in our own time.
Accommodation in Croatia
We found staying in apartments worked better for our group, as we could fix breakfast in the morning and prepare some foods for the road (especially on days we were in the national park). We found our best deals on Booking.com, my favorite site because they reward you for loyalty with up to 20% off stays and free upgrades. They also offer hotels, so you can decide what works for you and your budget. Since I recommend having a car, it’s important to take note of the parking situation. It doesn’t help you to find a cheap hotel only to be charged €30 to park your car overnight. We chose apartments that offered free parking or had convenient street parking.
Day 1 – Arrive in Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and filled with many historical sights. Start your time in the city on a free walking tour. Most tours start from Ban Jelačić Square, the central hub of the city. Our tour included a visit to the Tunel Gric, an underground pedestrian tunnel used as a bomb shelter during WWII. Admire the Zagreb Cathedral, which is the tallest building in the country and features gorgeous Romanesque architecture. Wander to see the colorful roof of the historic St. Mark’s Church too for a great historical shot of the city. If you are looking for something quirky, head to the Museum of Broken Relationships, which blends the good, the bad and the ugly of relationships.
In case you need a 60 second break from climbing 65m up the hilly city, ride the shortest funicular in the world in Zagreb. A short stroll from Ban Jelačić Square, the lower station is located on Tomićeva street. Tickets are 4 HRK each way or free with the Zagrebcard. Some say there is no point to it, but that’s half the fun of it!
Enjoy dinner at Vinodol which offers wonderful fish and meats in an elegant setting. Be sure to try štrukli, a local pastry made from dough filled with cheese, almost like a cheesy lasagna.
Day 2 – Wine & Dine
Head to Dolac Market, a daily farmers market open in the mornings that offers fresh produce, Croatian artisanal items and a flower market nearby before enjoying brunch on Tkalčićeva Street. This charming street has some of the best cafes along a romantic amble with painted houses and awnings.
After you have enjoyed a large meal, drive about 45 minutes out of Zagreb to Korak Winery for beautiful views and a wonderful wine tasting. This family-owned vineyard offers two different tastings starting at €39 with presentations in Croatian and English. Reservations are encouraged to ensure they have the proper staff on site.
If you manage to time your day well, head back into Zagreb to the Horseshoe, which includes the beautiful Botanical Gardens. Check out the Croatian National Theatre for an evening of ballet, opera or drama. I snagged a last-minute ticket for €13 to a contemporary dance production one night. It didn’t matter that it was all in Croatian, it was a blast and such a local treat!
Day 3 – Plitviče Lakes National Park
Start your day early as you hit the road for Plitviče Lakes National Park (roughly 2 hours away from Zagreb). Spend midday exploring the national park with its various trails that go along the waterfalls and gorgeous viewpoints. I would recommend doing the A or B programs, which take 2-4 hours with 3.5-4 km. We did the B program and felt like we saw the highlights of the park. Tickets to Plitviče Lakes can be purchased at the entrances (~$30 pp). Pack lots of water and lunch for day and wear comfortable shoes for the walk.
After you have enjoyed all the beauties in the park, continue your drive to Zadar for the night (another 1.5 hour drive south).
Day 4 & 5 – Zadar
Spend two nights in Zadar as your launch point to explore the beautiful Kornati Islands.
We booked this amazing day trip that left from the Zadar boat docks to explore a little village, island hop and enjoy some fun in the sun. The excursion included breakfast and lunch with endless wine. It was a perfect day on the water and the boat felt plenty big for our small group.
Spend your second day exploring Zadar and the waterfront.
Note: If you are crunched for time, I would suggest keeping the boat day and skipping the day in town.
Zadar is a historical city that blends Roman ruins with modern attractions (and some amazing seafood). Visit the Sea Organ, a unique music instrument built into the steps of the Zadar waterfront. Stop by the Roman Forum and St. Donatus Church, as you explore the Zadar Old Town. Grab some gelato in the afternoon before watching the sunset from the Zadar Peninsula, one of the most famous in Croatia. This day is a leisurely one to sleep in and enjoy long strolls and some shopping.
Day 6 – Krka National Park
Awake early and drive one hour to the famed Krka National Park, a Croatian gem with waterfalls, swimming holes and epic views. You can purchase tickets on the official website or at the entrance (ticket prices vary depending on time of year). We entered through the Lozovac entrance, which is the main entrance for visitors with a large free parking lot. Be sure to see Skradinski Buk, the largest waterfall.
When you have finished your visit at Krka National Park, head to the town of Sibenik (just 20 minutes away) for dinner before continuing the last hour to Split.
Day 7-10 – Split
Split is a lively city on the Dalmatian coast and my favorite spot in Croatia. Spend your first day exploring the Old Town, with a walking tour. Wander through the maze of cobblestone streets around Diocletian’s Palace. Stop at the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world, St. Duje’s Cathedral (inside the palace). You can climb the bell tower for some great views of Split. There are so many local markets and boutique shops in the Old Town and along the Riva promenade. Our first day in Split ended with the absolute best food tour. Starting at the famous Split sign, this tour winds through the Old Town, sprinkling a little local history with 5 different food tastings. We literally rolled home from the experience and it was quickly our favorite evening on the trip. From charcuterie to gelato with black risotto and local favorites like pasticada and peka bread along the way, this tour provides a uniquely local flavor.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to stop by the Gregory of Nin statue and rub his toe for good luck.
Our second day we signed up for a 5 island boat tour, which I would NOT recommend. We were on banana boats all day and the high speeds over open water were brutal to our back and neck. The tour felt hurried, and I would only encourage a version of this trip if you were on a bigger boat with regular seats and in a smaller group with your own time frame. The day trip we took was on such a tight schedule each island flew by in a blur. I would recommend splitting the day into two tours. You can take a local ferry (much cheaper) to the large island of Hvar, the site of Mamma Mia 2. Leisurely explore the island, stopping for crepes at a waterside café and wander around the coast for some epic views and even a little sunbathing. There are three major ferry companies: TP-Line, Krilo Kapetan Luka and Jadrolinija. The first boats leave around 8 am and the last boats come back from Hvar around 7 pm. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance, either online or at the ferry terminal, especially during the busy season. You don’t have to book with the same company for each leg, so check the schedules as the companies tend to alternate the times. While on Hvar you can shop in the Old Town, sit beachside at one of the clubs, have a drink at the famous Hula Hula Beach Bar or even climb up to the Spanish Fortress (Fortica) for some great water views.
If you don’t want to take another ferry around the islands or book a tour to the Blue Cave, you can spend the next day doing some diving or snorkeling. If you want to explore elsewhere, take a day trip to Trogir and Primosten. Trogir is a UNESCO World Heritage site with well-preserved medieval architecture and charmingly old streets. Since we had done the 5-island boat tour, we took the drive to Trogir and Primosten. While Trogir gets lots of hype (and many day tours are available for a visit from Split), we enjoyed the hidden gem of Primosten more. The town is a small peninsula, with narrow winding streets. Only locals can drive past the old town gates, so park your car at one of the nearby lots or garages and explore on foot.
You can walk the outer town wall, lined with boutiques and gelaterias. You can climb up to the St. John’s Fortress for views of coastline or stop for a swim at Velika Raduda Beach. We climbed up to the fortress on the top of the peninsula and then enjoyed an amazing lunch at Konoba Dvar. End your time in Primosten with a stop for gelato from the father/son duo at Slasticarna Miki.
After three action packed days in Split, head out early for your coastal drive to Dubrovnik. We spent the day leisurely driving the 4-hour coastal roads, stopping along the way at the beaches in Makarska and the historic town of Ston, the oyster capital of the world.
Day 11-14 – Dubrovnik
Your last three days in Dubrovnik will fly by in this stunning city. Dubrovnik is probably the most famous spot in Croatia due to all the Game of Thrones filming, so the crowds can be quite intense. As such, it was definitely the most expensive part of our road trip through Croatia for accommodation options. While we still had a rental car, I would suggest taking Uber or walking around the Old Town, as the streets are narrow, and parking can be a nightmare.
If you geek out on museums and have any interest in walking along the Old City Wall, I would recommend getting the Dubrovnik Pass. This is a cheaper way to explore some of the historical sites, like the Natural History Museum, Maritime Museum and the Archaeological Exhibits.
Regardless of whether you choose to grab a pass and visit some museums, be sure to explore the Old Town. Enter through the Pile Gate for the grand statement. We signed up for a walking tour with a local guide that visited many of the city’s highlights – the Lovrijenac Fortress, the Franciscan Monastery and many churches. Sign up on GuruWalk for a free walking tour but be sure to tip your guide.
Looking for a cheap spot for lunch in Dubrovnik? Head to Barba, an amazing seafood spot that specializes in street food with a twist. We loved the octopus burger!
On your next day, rise early and hike to Mount Srd for some amazing views (and chance to save some money by opting out of the cable car). The trailhead starts just north of Old Town and takes about 30-45 minutes up (1.5 miles). There are many switchbacks along the way, but the views are the best! You can choose to ride the cable car down or stay for a bite to eat at the bougie Panorama Restaurant. Start early if you want to avoid the crowds and heat during the summer. The views along the path might be even better than the summit!
After you get cleaned up, spend your afternoon wine tasting! If you don’t want to drive around the region, you can sign up for a half-day tour to the Konavle Valley with a Cavtat City tour. The 4-hour tour leaves in the afternoon for the Winary Botaro, a 600-year-old family owned vineyard. Or hop in your car and visit Crvik winery or Rizman winery (opposite directions from Dubrovnik). The beautiful coastal drive will only add to the scenic afternoon. Be sure to get by the waterfront for sunset.
On your last day, enjoy some suntanning on Lopud Island. This peaceful atmosphere is easily accessible by ferry from Dubrovnik and you can grab a buggy taxi from the ferry arrival point to the Sunj sand beach. Rent a beach chair or hammock while you sip cocktails. Some restaurants will provide free beach chairs with a minimum spend. The average we found was €30 for 2 chairs and an umbrella. Be sure to bring lots of sunscreen and a hat. I have also heard tales of sandflies, but we didn’t have any issues on our rented chairs.
If you don’t spend all day at the beach, consider a Dubrovnik sea kayaking tour in the late afternoon around the city walls and the island of Lokrum for a unique experience. Finish your 2 week Croatia road trip in the Old Town, as you stroll through the cobblestone streets and enjoy the magical ambiance. Have one more delicious Dalmatian dinner and get in some last-minute souvenir shopping.
This 2-week Croatia itinerary covers the key highlights of the country, allowing you to experience the best of Croatia’s history, culture and natural beauty. From the charming streets of Split to the majestic waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes, each stop has its own unique charm. Hope you enjoy this full itinerary to make the most of your trip to Croatia.
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