Are you a fan of scenic road trips? Because this ride is going to be just that. Traveling from Zagreb to Split via Plitvice Lakes is one of the most scenic routes in Croatia that takes you through inland parts of this beautiful country. We’re talking about what’s known as the ‘old road’ (Stara cesta) that connects Zagreb and Split and was a main route between these 2 cities for a long time.
And then the A1 motorway was built and Split and Zagreb became closer than ever before. But this time we won’t discuss the motorway since all the places we’re going to talk about in this article can be seen when traveling on it. Today, we’re going to drive from Zagreb to Split via the old road. It’s the journey we have taken so many times when we were students in Zagreb. I believe that we drove this route at least 50 times in the 10 years we lived in Zagreb.
This Croatia road trip will take us through some of the most beautiful places of Croatia, and the highlight will most definitely be the largest and the oldest national park in Croatia – Plitvice Lakes National Park. It is the highlight of this journey, but it’s not the only thing to see on this route. Let’s start our trip from Zagreb to Split via Plitvice Lakes.
Overview of the Route We’re starting with a short overview of this road trip. We suggest, if possible, that you make this trip a 2-day journey so you can experience all the things along the way. For a long time, this was a main road between Split and Zagreb, and you’ll see a lot of closed restaurants and bars that were once full of life, but now lie as the remnants of some distant past.
Here’s what to expect out of this journey.
Distance: Approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) .Driving Time: Cca. 6–8 hours including short stops.Recommended Duration: Full-day trip or overnight with stops along the way.Route: Zagreb → Rastoke and Slunj → Mrežnica River → Plitvice Lakes → Željava Airbase → Knin → Skradin or Šibenik → Split .
The highest rated Zagreb to Split Transfers in case you’re not traveling by car:
Places to See Along the Way As you start your journey in Zagreb, we suggest taking the first stretch to Karlovac using the motorway. This part of the trip will last around 40 minutes, you then exit the motorway at Karlovac, and continue your journey through Lika and Gorski Kotar .
1. Rastoke and Slunj The first stop we suggest is Slunj and Rastoke. You’ll see this place from the road and it’s a great introduction to Plitvice Lakes and a nice coffee and sightseeing stop.
Rastoke is known as the “Small Plitvice” – It’s a charming village famous for its watermills and cascading waterfalls .
They are located just by Slunj , and we suggest you take a short walk here or have a lunch break .
The area is full of scenic views and historical architecture.
2. Mrežnica River Kayaking Tour If you have decided to spend 2 days on this journey, then we suggest you include one activity as a part of this trip, and we suggest it to be the Mrežnica River kayaking tour . This tour starts some 10 kilometers from Slunj, and it will take you through the best parts of the Mrežnica River. I was a kayak guide on this river for one month and all I can say is that you need to try this activity if the time allows.
The Mrežnica River is famous for its emerald-green waters and beautiful waterfalls .
Kayaking tours are the best way to explore this river.
The starting point of kayaking tours on Mrežnica is in Primišlje near Slunj.
Kayaking on Mrežnica is the perfect activity for anyone looking for an active experience in beautiful nature.
3. Plitvice Lakes National Park The highlight of this road trip is from Zagreb to Split. We believe Plitvice Lakes National Park doesn’t need a special introduction, and it’s probably the reason you want to travel via this route in the first place.
Plitvice Lakes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site , a place famous for its 16 interconnected lakes, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests that surround the lakes .
The park offers several walking routes ranging from 2 to 8 hours .
Popular routes include Route C (6–8 km) and Route H (4–6 km), which cover both the Upper and Lower Lakes .
Expect crowds at Plitvice Lakes if visiting during peak season (June to August), so we suggest arriving early or booking a guided tour for a better experience.
4. Željava Airbase (Near Plitvice Lakes) Now this is something out of the ordinary and a location that is not for everyone. Željava is one of the largest underground military structures in Europe. It was built by the Yugoslav Army during the Cold War Era, and it’s practically an airport that is dug into the Plješivica Mountain . Željava was abandoned during the Croatian War for Independence, and you can visit it nowadays. Make sure you have the proper gear and the lamp if you plan to explore some of the deeper parts of this base.
5. Knin Knin is located further south, and it’s not so far away from Split. It’s the city famous for many things, and its medieval fortress is one of the most visited attractions. The Krka River has its source in Knin and forms the Krka National Park some 30 kilometers downstream. We also suggest visiting Krčić Waterfall, located just above the spring of the Krka River.
Knin is famous for its impressive medieval fortress , from which you can enjoy the best panoramic views of Knin and the area and learn more about the history of this city.
Knin has a rich history and it’s a perfect place for a stop on this road trip from Zagreb to Split via Plitvice Lakes.
6. Skradin or Šibenik From Knin, you can continue directly toward the Split or visit either Skradin or Šibenik. Both cities are nice places to visit, and we suggest visiting both if your schedule allows it. Also, you can easily visit Krka National Park from both Skradin and Šibenik. Krka is somewhat similar to Plitvice Lakes National Park, but it has a different vibe. It’s another beautiful place on the route which you can visit, at least some of its parts.
Skradin: A picturesque coastal town near Krka National Park , famous for its quaint harbor and vibrant streets .Šibenik: A bit larger town than Skradin, Šibenik is known for its rich history and beautiful architecture , including the UNESCO-protected St. James Cathedral .Easy access to Krka National Park is possible from both towns, and if you’re into some swimming under the waterfalls, go for it.
Driving Tips and Travel Info And that’s pretty much it. You’re ready to start with this journey, but let us share just a few more tips before you go:
Road Conditions: Expect well-maintained roads on this route, but some local sections near Plitvice Lakes and Željava Airbase can be narrow.Fuel Stops: Make sure to refuel before starting this journey. There are gas stations on the route, but it’s always better to start with a full tank.Parking: Large parking spots are available at Plitvice Lakes National Park and you won’t have any trouble with parking at most attractions along the route.Timing: Plan to spend at least 2–4 hours at Plitvice Lakes and 1–2 hours at other stops we mentioned in this article.
Before You Venture from Zagreb to Split via Plitvice Lakes Just traveling from Zagreb to Split via Plitvice Lakes can be a highlight of your vacation in Croatia, especially if you’re the kind of person who enjoys driving. Driving through Croatia is a scenic experience and you’ll be able to enjoy many different landscapes on this route. First, you’re going to travel through the forest regions and inland parts of Croatia, then you’ll reach the Dalmatian Hinterland, a landscape with fewer forests and more barren mountains. Finally, you’re going to arrive in Split, the city with a unique Mediterranean vibe.
Have a safe and pleasant journey through Croatia!
