The Perfect Croatian Road Trip
April, 2017
Croatia has become one of the top European destinations over the last 10 years with its’ amazing combination of history and natural beauty. There are two very distinct holidays you can go on while there. One is island hopping which involves a lot of boat trips, the other is an amazing road trip from Zagreb to Dubrovnik.
We have created a 5 stop itinerary for the road trip below but you can certainly add to it as much as you want depending on the time you have available to you.
Stop 1 Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and is located in the northwest of the country. It has all you would expect from a major European city with beautiful cafes, shops, museums and bars. The highlight for many will be the amazing 18th/19th century Austro-Hungarian architecture. Before you leave, make sure you take the time to visit Zagreb Cathedral which was originally built as far back as 1217.
Stop 2 Plitvice Lakes National Park
After enjoying the culture in Zagreb, it’s time for a 2 hour drive to the tranquil setting of Plitvice Lakes National Park. This is Croatia’s largest national park and one of the oldest parks in Southeast Europe. In 1979 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage register. Each year more than 1 million people visit the park so expect it to be busy over the peak summer months. The highlight of the park are definitely the 16 lakes that are all interconnected and the beautiful waterfalls will leave you spellbound.
Stop 3 Zadar
Revitalised by a trip to the park, it’s time to drive 90 minutes out to Croatia’s oldest continuously inhabited city, Zadar. Zadar is located on the Adriatic Sea and offers a perfect blend of culture and relaxation. Zadar is known for its’ Roman and Venetian ruins and they are definitely worth exploring while you are there. The city is also an ideal starting point if you want to leave the car and explore some of the islands.
Stop 4 Split
Next stop on your road trip is a short 2 hour drive down the E65 to Split. Split is Croatia’s second largest city and offers some of the best beaches for you to relax at. Aside from the beautiful local architecture make sure you visit Diocletian’s Palace which was erected by the Roman Emperor in the 4th century. The city is always buzzing so you will not find it hard to find a great restaurant to enjoy a glass of wine after a long day.
Stop 5 Dubrovnik
The last leg of your trip is actually your longest drive. It takes approximately 3 hours to reach Dubrovnik from Split. The city of Dubrovnik sums up the Croatian experience with lots of culture and history on offer all while you enjoy beautiful sea views. For those that enjoy the hit TV show Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik is also the filming location for the fictional Kings Landing.
Here are some great tips from Visit Croatia for staying safe while driving in Croatia.
For more information on renting a car in Croatia you can find it here.
