Croatia road trip. This already sounds like a great adventure. And it can be. If you are one of those people who like to explore at their own pace and have full freedom of exploration, this article is for you. In it, we’ll discuss all the road trip related things, mention some of the best routes, and what to expect on the roads in Croatia. Whenever we travel abroad, the first thing we do is rent a car. And we do this even before we reach the destination we’re traveling to.
And Croatia is the perfect country for road trip in Europe. It’s rather a small country so you can really see a lot and reach some of its best places in a car. Croatia has stunning coastline, and it’s packed with old historical towns,beautiful national parks, and some of most scenic routes in Europe. Sounds like a dream destination for a road trip ? That’s because it it. And nothing is stopping you from taking this adventure and driving all across Croatia at your own pace.
Ready for something you’ll remember for a long time? Let’s go on a road trip through Croatia !
Why Take a Road Trip in Croatia? Many travelers visiting Croatia choose to rent a car and explore our country that way. Driving in Croatia is easy, most of the roads are wide enough and there are highways that connect many famous places, in case you want to travel faster (even though Croatian highways are not as senic as the regional roads). You can easily reach all of the best places in Croatia by car, and the list of good sides of Croatia road trip just go on and on.
Here are a few more things that can turn the balance toward the road trip experience:
Flexibility : If you choose to drive in Croatia, you can see what you want, when you want. Traveling at your own pace is complete freedom.Scenic Routes : Adriatic coastal roads in Croatia are among the most beautiful routes in Europe.Hidden Gems : You can reach small towns, beaches, and nature spots that buses and trains in Croatia don’t cover.Adventure : Finally, your Croatia road trip can become an epic adventure through mountains, islands, and historic cities.
Driving in Croatia: What You Need to Know First things first, to even start with the road trip experience in Croatia, you need to have a valid driving licence. That’s the most basic requirement, and if you are the owner of such a licence, the road is open for you. Here are some of the most useful information regarding the road trip in Croatia:
Driver’s License : EU licenses are accepted (Croatia is a part of the EU). If you’re coming from outside the EU, you may need an International Driving Permit .Road Conditions : Highways (autoceste) are newly built, modern, and well-maintained. Coastal and regional roads are a bit more winding because they follow a specific terrain, but it’s nothing dramatic. Some local roads are a bit more narrow, so drive cautiously on those.Tolls : All highways in Croatia have tolls, and you pay based on the distance you cover. Credit cards and cash are accepted.Parking : Paid parking is common in cities, and it’s almost impossible to find a parking that’s free of charge in the cities. There are separate zones and the parking price will be higher the closer to the city centre you are.Fuel : Gas stations are frequent along all major routes in Croatia, but we advise planning ahead if you plan to drive through the remote areas.Speed Limits :50 km/h (31 mph) in towns and other inhabited areas
90 km/h (56 mph) on open roads
130 km/h (81 mph) on highways
Road Signs : They are in Croatian, but you won’t have any problem reading them.Safety : Seat belts are mandatory, and there is a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving.
Useful Tips for a Croatia Road Trip Now that you know what to expect on the Croatian roads, let us share a few pieces of advice that can make all the difference if you’re planning a Croatia road trip.
Book a small car if you plan to visit historic towns, since they usually have narrow streets that a small car will handle better.Download offline maps so you can navigate even when (and if) your mobile signal drops.Plan ferry crossings : If you’re visiting Croatian islands like Brač, Hvar, or Korčula, check ferry schedules and book as soon as possible if traveling in summer. You can buy the tickets online, and we suggest you do it that way.Avoid driving in old towns : Many of these have pedestrian-only zones, and we suggest not even trying to reach the centres of the cities, such as Dubrovnik. You probably won’t find a parking spot in the centre and you’ll lose time in traffic. Park outside the centre and walk or use public transport to your destination.Travel insurance : We always like to add full insurance for a better sleep.Time your drives : If you are driving in Croatia in summer, doing it early or late will avoid most of the traffic and enjoy cooler temperatures.Bring a credit card: Most of the car rental companies accept only credit cards, and not debit cards.
Suggested Croatia Road Trip Highlights Regional roads are the best ones for the ultimate Croatia road trip experience. Of course, you’ll probably want to use highways in some cases, so it’s best to combine the roads you’re traveling on. In the section below, we’re going to present you with an option of a road trip through Croatia with a start in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, and the end in Dubrovnik, the most famous destination of this country.
Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes
We are starting this road trip adventure in Zagreb .
Drive (~2 hours) to the stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park , the most famous national park in Croatia. Use the Zagreb to Karlovac highway and then exit it in Karlovac and continue on the regional road through Lika until you reach Plitvice.
Explore this stunning marvel of nature.
Plitvice to Zadar
From Plitvice, head to Zadar , a historic coastal city and a place with best sunsets in Croatia.
Travel this route using the old road through Lika that was once the main connection between the Croatian south and north.
Visit the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun installation at sunset. Explore the old part of Zadar too.
Zadar to Split (via Šibenik and Krka National Park)
Travel from Zadar to nearby Šibenik using the coastal road.
Stop at Šibenik and Krka National Park, yet another famous national park with waterfalls in Croatia.
Continue to Split , home to Diocletian’s Palace and the second-largest city in Croatia. Split is also a very famous tourist destination and one of the most visited cities in Croatia.
Split to Hvar Island
Take a ferry with your car to Hvar Island and drive on it. Expect a bit narrower road than on the mainland.
Explore Hvar Town, Stari Grad, and the picturesque inland villages.
Return back to Split after you have explored this famous island.
Split to Dubrovnik via Makarska Riviera
Ferry back to the mainland and drive through the Makarska Riviera , the most scenic coastal route in Croatia, and a place with some of the best beaches. Make sure to stop and take a swim at one of these before continuing further south.
Visit Baćina Lakes and Neretva Delta, which are located near the city of Ploče.
End your Croatia road trip in Dubrovnik , the most famous historical city in Croatia.
Optional Extensions:
Istria : Head toward Istria from Zagreb and explore places like Rovinj, Pula, and Motovun.Montenegro : From Dubrovnik, take a day trip to Kotor Bay. Make sure you choose the option to cross the border when renting a car in Croatia.
Best Time for a Croatia Road Trip A road trip in Croatia can be a pleasant experience all year round. Still, some periods are better than others, and we believe it’s important to find the perfect balance of weather and road conditions. Roads in Croatia during winter are empty, which is great for the driving experience, but the weather is not so good. You get the point.
Here are the best parts of the year for a road trip in Croatia:
May to June and September to October are perfect periods for such an adventure. Expect warm weather, fewer crowds, less traffic, and pleasant driving conditions.July and August are also great, but can be busy, especially on the roads along the coast.
Renting a Car in Croatia As we approach the end of this article, let us share a few tips when it comes to renting a car in Croatia:
Age : The Minimum age is usually 21-23 years old.Manual or Automatic : Manual cars are more common and cheaper. Automatic ones are also available, but not as common. Book as soon as possible if you want to drive an automatic.Insurance : We recommend full coverage.Pick-up/Drop-off : Usually at airports (Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik) and major cities.Credit Card: Have it at the car pick-up.
Road Trip Packing List Before you start your journey to Croatia, make sure you have packed things from this list:
Driver’s license and International Driving Permit (if needed)
Rental agreement and insurance documents
Offline GPS app or navigation system
Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
Swimsuit and beach towel
Reusable water bottle and snacks
Credit Card
Before You Venture on a Croatia Road Trip A road trip through Croatia can easily become the highlight of your whole vacation. Driving in Croatia is an experience in itself, and it’s the best way of exploring the marvels of this European country. Just remember, use the regional roads as much as possible since using these will result in the best scenic experience. We have traveled the regional road from Split to Zagreb countless times, and we can’t get enough of this journey.
Enjoy your travels and have a safe journey through Croatia!
