Have you ever wondered what the absolutely perfect location for a weeklong road trip experience could be? Look no further than Croatia! With over 1000 miles of coastline along the Adriatic Sea, Croatia has become the ultimate destination to rent a car and simply explore.
Disclaimer
This itinerary is based on a personal trip I took in June 2022. Activities and prices might have changed since the publication of this post.
My friend, Liv, and I had the pleasure of exploring the fantastic coastline of Croatia as well as a quick stop in Bosnia and Herzegovina in June. Summer in Croatia has become a Pinterest dream vacation and I admit that I have a whole board dedicated to photos of Croatia.
That being said it's no wonder that this country has seen an influx of visitors especially since it featured as the set of Game of Thrones throughout the 8 seasons of the show. With beautiful blue skies, clear water, Instagrammable backdrops, and all the ice cream you can eat, Croatia is a treat that I will definitely hope to go back to in the future!!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Before you go!
Here are some tips and advice before jetting off to Croatia in order to get the most out of each day of your vacation.
Flying in and out of Dubrovnik and creating a loop is the best way to avoid additional rental car fees.
Croatia is a right-side driving country.
Google Maps doesn't always work (especially in the back roads of Bosnia and Herzegovina). Try to get an international data plan so you don't have to worry about losing your directions along the road and having no wifi.
There are a LOT of cruise ships that make port in Split and Dubrovnik so make sure you are comfortable with loads of crowds.
The weather is HOT HOT HOT, especially in the summer months and there is not much wind so plan to be exploring the cities before 9 AM and after 4 PM in order to escape from the Mediterranean sun.
DAY 1 - Arrive in Croatia
The first step is to fly into Dubrovnik and get your rental car. I used Budget and had a pleasant experience with them (since this was my first time renting a car by myself, I was pretty nervous). They gave me a free upgrade that included an additional driver and an in-car satnav which was a crucial part of not getting lost during the trip.
Next up is driving up the coast to your first stop in Zadar. Zadar is 232 miles (374 km) up the coast of Croatia and took me roughly 4 hours since I took the scenic route for most of it and hugged the coast. However, there is a 3-lane freeway that cuts through the center of the country and will take less time.
Important Info:
The freeway between Dubrovnik and Zadar is a toll road and costs $8
Driving along the coast was beautiful, BUT there were a lot of curves and the road was along a cliff face, which can be scary for people not accustomed to driving in a foreign country.
Make sure to drive with a buddy. I didn't and had to take a nap at a rest stop since I had been traveling for over 12 hours at that point. DO NOT PUSH YOURSELF more than you can handle when driving
Day 2 - Zadar
Out of the three cities we visited, Zadar has to be my favorite. Not only does it encompass everything that makes a Croatian city unique - from the little alleys to the marvelous sunsets - it has been spared the overwhelming influx of cruise crowds that are found in Split and Dubrovnik.
Spend your day exploring those hidden alleyways and find the Zadar Green Market. The Market, or Pijaca, has an assortment of fresh fruit and veggies that originate from local farms and villages. Make sure you know what you are buying; we wound up with plums instead of grapes!
Another hidden location to find is the Five Wells Square. Located on the edge of a 19th-century park, the wells have historical significance but the square is used for nighttime concerts and other events.
Stroll down Kalelarga (the main street in Zadar's Old Town) and window shop along the way. There are numerous little shops for trinkets and souvenirs, restaurants, and ice cream stalls. Your next destination is the Roman Forum and the first of many bell towers to climb.
Finally, take a dip in the cool and refreshing Adriatic Sea! Be forewarned, however, it is extremely salty. The best spot is by the Zadar Sea Organ, an art installation that plays music using the force of the waves and tides to push water through organ pipes underneath the main walkway along the water.
This is the spot to go swimming as there are steps built directly into the water and a jumping spot for fantastic poses and photos. Take a look below.
DAY 3 - Krka National Park/Sibenik/Trogir
Get ready for a truly magical location for the start of your day. After leaving Zadar head inland to a little town called Skradin and board the Krka National Park ferry at 8 AM (yes I know it's early but you'll beat the bus crowds and that is worth it).
The ferry will take you up the river and dock directly next to the most famous waterfall at Krka NP, Skradinski Buk. Since you boarded the earliest ferry you will have the place to yourself, so spend the time getting as many photos as possible!
Take the ferry back to Skradin by 10 AM in order to avoid the crowds and spend a little time exploring this absolutely hidden gem of Croatia. Then drive back to the coast and stop at St. Michael's Fortress. This medieval fortress is located in the coastal city of Sibenik which is another underrated location on the coast of Croatia.
This little city has some amazing winding Croatian alleys where getting lost can be a surprisingly fun way to spend 1-2 hours. Make sure to stop at the waterfront and dip your exhausted feet into the water!
The final stop of the day is Trogir. This town is set on a small island and is a UNESCO site since 1997. This is the perfect stopping point before you descend into Split and are met by an overwhelming amount of people.
Take a moment to people-watch along Trogir's promenade and look at the multimillion-dollar yachts that anchor at the nearby harbor.
Day 4 - Split + Sunset Cruise
Today you will be exploring Split! As the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest city on the coast, Split is a necessary addition to any Croatian itinerary.
Be forewarned, however, the Mediterranean sun is no joke here; make sure to have plenty of water when exploring the city. Another way to cool down is to try Lavender Ice Cream!
Spend the day exploring Diocletian's Palace which is an ancient Roman palace that takes up 1/2 of Split's old town and is another Croatian UNESCO site. To escape from the heat, head underground into the cellars of Diocletian's Palace and pretend to be a part of Game of Thrones.
As the sun starts to head into the west, follow it towards to the Split Promenade and hop onto a Sunset Cruise in the Adriatic Sea. Take a look at the many options on Get Your Guide and choose the one that meets your expectations. We chose this one (Click Here) since it allowed us to go swimming and had unlimited alcoholic drinks!
Day 5 - Kravica Waterfall, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Today, head inland to the country of Bosnia & Herzegovina with your destination being Mostar. However stop off at the hidden gem of Kravica Waterfall once you cross the border. A popular swimming area, it fills up quickly in the summer so make sure to get there earlier!
Day 6 - Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina
The small village of Mostar is an uncommon destination, but is globally known as having one of the tallest bridges in the world!
Another reason why Mostar is known internationally is due to the Bosnian War that occurred in the 90s, however, the town is thriving once more and has some beautiful architecture that portrays both the Catholic and Muslim heritage of the region.
Make sure to get dinner at a Mostar restaurant and try some traditional Bosnian dishes. The restaurant we tried was fantastic and was also a great price for the amount of food we got for two people! Check it out here Restaurant Šadrvan
Day 7 - Dubrovnik Old Town
After heading back to the coast of Croatia, head south to Dubrovnik. Here you will explore the Old Town which is so iconic that Game of Thrones filmed some of its most famous scenes within its walls.
To beat the sun, head onto the walls of Dubrovnik earlier in the day. The walls open at 8 am and there is no protection so bring a hat or an umbrella.
Day 8 - Dubrovnik + Sunset Kayak
Another day spent in Dubrovnik should be spent exploring. There are a couple of churches and museums that are a perfect way to hide from the sun.
As the night comes, look for a Sunset kayak tour that takes you to a hidden cave. This is the perfect way to explore more of the dalmatian coast. Take a look at Get Your Guide again to find the perfect one for you! (This is the one we did - Click Here)
Day 9 - Busa Bar
For your last day in the beautiful Croatia, spread a towel out at Busa Bar and float in the nearby swimming area. Although the drinks are kind of pricey, this is the best place to spend a great afternoon.
Once in the water, head to your right around the point to Busa Bar II's swimming area and check out everyone jumping off the rocks!
Day 10 - Say Goodbye to the beautiful Croatia
Unfortunately it is time to say goodbye to this absolutely incredible country. Its been a truly fantastic journey that explores both the coastline and nature that make Croatia a fantastic vacation destination.
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