A Roadtrip through Croatia is one of the coolest and most diverse in Europe. Croatia has a lot to offer and impresses with its picturesque places, turquoise water, long history, culture and good food. The perfect place to experience and discover a lot. There are many ways to travel around the country. Whether by bus, train or car, the roads and connections to the respective locations are optimally developed. Croatia is undoubtedly one of the most popular countries in Europe.
Did you know that there are over 1200 islands in Croatia? These are also very good and easy to reach. There are many providers that offer excursions and trips to the respective islands. Of course, 14 days are not enough to see everything in this beautiful country, but we would like to give you a little insight into the marvelous Croatia and which places you definitely shouldn’t miss.
a croatian roadtrip
Croatia truly surprised us with its diversity. In just a few days, you can explore historic cities, swim in crystal-clear water and drive through breathtaking landscapes. The relaxed lifestyle, incredible food, friendly people, good vibes and stunning coastlines make it a destination that stays with you long after the trip ends.
What we loved most is how effortlessly everything flows together, one moment you’re wandering through centuries-old alleyways, the next you’re watching the sunset over the Adriatic with salty hair and a glass of local wine in hand. Croatia has this easy, sun-soaked rhythm that makes you slow down and truly enjoy the moment.
We entered Croatia by car, driving through Austria and Slovenia, which made the journey itself part of the adventure. Our first stop was Zagreb, before continuing west towards Rovinj, a perfect start to explore the country at our own pace. Borders are generally open when I come from the north and there are no controls.
Most travelers, however, will arrive by plane and Croatia offers plenty of great options depending on where you want to begin your trip. Zagreb is ideal for inland routes, while coastal airports like Split, Trogir, Dubrovnik, Zadar or Rijeka (Krk Island) are perfect for starting a coastal or island-focused itinerary. With good connections and easy car rentals, arriving in Croatia is simple and flexible, no matter where your journey begins.
You will probably land in Zagreb by plane. From here you have the opportunity to rent a rental car from many good providers. We entered Croatia via Slovenia in our own car. From Zagreb you drive to Rovinj, around 2.5 hours away. On the way you will pass beautiful places where you can make stops. Motovun and Poreč are beautiful places that you should definitely take a look at.
Rovinj is a picturesque town on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula. Here you can stroll through the beautiful streets and enjoy good food. There are also beautiful places where you can admire the breathtaking Croatian sunsets.
The next morning we recommend that you have a good breakfast at the harbor and explore the city of Rovinj again in peace. It’s very pleasant here and you can escape the crowds. Then we head along the beautiful coast to Pula, around 45 kilometers away.
At the tip of the Croatian Istrian peninsula is the city of Pula. Known for its numerous beaches and Roman-era ruins, Pula is a great place to immerse yourself in Croatian history. The most famous building in Pula is the Roman amphitheater.
Pula has a great old town with small streets lined with smaller shops and restaurants. We spent the night at the Stay Inn Arena Center. Great apartment with beautiful views of the amphitheater and harbor.
You can spend the morning wonderfully in the town of Medulin, around 10 kilometers away. Here you will find beautiful beaches and bays. There are also many campsites here where you can have a wonderful time if you travel through Croatia in a camper.
We make our way to Hum. However, there is a little highlight waiting on the way there. The Zarečki Krov Waterfall is located near the town of Pazin. There is a small parking space here and from there it is around 5 minutes to the waterfall, which you should definitely take a look at.
From here it is around 30 minutes by car to the smallest city in the world, Hum. One of the cutest places we’ve ever seen. Hum is located in the hilly landscape of the Istria region. Less than 30 people live here. Parking costs two euros and it is a place you shouldn’t miss.
In addition to many sweet shops, we recommend the Aura Distillery. Here you can sit comfortably and have a good drink. Here you can also take some very good liqueurs and beers home with you.
We continue to a picturesque place in Croatia. The natural paradise of Kotli is around 5 kilometers from Hum. With its beautiful waterfalls, untouched nature and turquoise pools, Kotli is a magical place that is not yet as well-known and popular as other places in Croatia.
You can easily spend the evening in the city of Rijeka, which has a population of 130,000. It is considered the gateway to the islands of Croatia. Here you can eat well and explore the city on foot. The journey here takes around 50 minutes by car from Kotli.
The next morning we explore the island of Krk and start at the healing mud beach of Meline in Soline Bay. The beach consists of sand and the well-known black healing mud, which is said to have a healing effect against rheumatic diseases.
We continue to the picturesque town of Vrbnik on the east coast of Krk. You can spend the day wonderfully here. Surrounded by vineyards, Vrbnik with its charming old town is an absolute highlight in Croatia.
The next morning you can treat yourself to a wonderful breakfast at the hotel. Then we go to one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia, Oprna Beach. You can also make a short stop in the town of Baška beforehand.
We continue to the town of the same name in Krk. A great place but also very touristy and very crowded in the high season. But definitely worth a visit. Because Krk is one of the oldest inhabited places in Croatia. There are some sights to see here but also great beaches to enjoy.
Our last stop on the island of Krk is the quiet and charming town of Njivice. It is the youngest place on Krk. An extremely charming little coastal town on the northwest coast with good restaurants.
On day six we explore the great city of Zadar. From the island of Krk it takes around 2.5 hours by car. We stayed in a fantastic apartment. Olive Studios is located right in the center of the city and boasts a unique design. You can easily park outside of the city.
Located on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, Zadar offers a unique blend of rich history, impressive architecture and natural beauty. Above all, the sunsets here are a dream. The best way to admire this is from the long promenade.
A new day has started and you can have lovely breakfast in city of Zadar. The offering here is very diverse. Afterwards we head to Skradin, around 70 kilometers away. A great starting point to explore the Krka National Park, surrounding nature and places. Skradin is a small, romantic and dreamy town with great cuisine, a little harbor and cute little alleys.
The ferry leaves the small harbor in Skradin at 8:00 in the morning. The trip is included in the entrance fee to the Krka National Park and takes around 20 minutes. The journey there alone is a highlight.
We recommend that you take the first ferry straight away or be there early in the morning, otherwise it can get very crowded around midday. In the morning you have this magical place almost to yourself and leave when the crowds come. A huge and wonderful piece of nature in Croatia.
After you have explored the place, you can fortify yourself in one of the nice restaurants and food stalls and then take the ferry back and forth again throughout the day. From Skradin you can drive to the Visovac monastery, about 10 kilometers away, which is located on a small island on the Krka. Boat trips are also offered here.
Another highlight awaits you after half an hour by car. The Roski Slap is also a well-known waterfall in the Krka National Park and should definitely be on your bucket list. The surrounding area and small cute restaurants are also an absolute must visit.
On day nine we explore the picturesque town of Šibenik. We spent the night in Villa Pergola. Very good accommodation located in the middle of the city and harbor, with an absolutely friendly host.
Šibenik is a beautiful town with many small streets and great views, many sights and good restaurants. One of the countless great places in the city is the Medieval Mediteranean Garden. Here you can enjoy a few drinks and good atmosphere.
The city is also known as a starting point for trips to the Kornati archipelago. But the stone Cathedral of Saint James, Prince’s Palace, St. Michael’s Fortress, Town Hall, lovely beaches and much more make this place one of the most worth seeing in Croatia. You also have a beautiful sunset here and can enjoy it wonderfully on the promenade.
The next day we head towards Split. There are some beautiful places on the way there. Our first stop is the picturesque Primošten, which is around 30 minutes from Šibenik. In Primošten you can have a wonderful breakfast and take a wonderful swim on the beautiful beaches with turquoise water.
After a wonderful morning here, we head along the coast to Trogir, around 30 minutes away. Probably one of the most famous places in Croatia. Trogir is connected to the mainland and the island of Čiovo via bridges. The preserved old town is known for its mix of Baroque, Renaissance and Romanesque buildings. Here you can stroll through the city and enjoy the good Dalmatian cuisine. We can highly recommend the Capo restaurant.
You can end the evening wonderfully in Split, Croatia’s second largest city. A long promenade with many restaurants and bars is the place to be, especially in the summer months.
The next day you can take a relaxed stroll through the city and see all the city’s sights. Split has a lot to offer. There are also great stands and parks where you can spend the day.
Day twelve and we start the day with a trip to the Eye of the Earth. The source of the Cetina River is around 1.5 hours away from Split. You can park directly here and explore the area.
We continue to the unique Berberov Buk waterfall. This is also around 1.5 hours away by car. But on the way there is the small town of Knin with the Kričić waterfall. Definitely worth a stop.
The Berberov Buk waterfall is one of the widest waterfalls in the country and is truly a place worth seeing, where you can also swim. However, the water there is very cold even in the summer months. But you should do it anyway because it is a unique experience. The small restaurant at the waterfall is also a great place to enjoy a small snack and something cool to drink.
About 100 kilometers from the waterfall is one of the most fascinating places in Croatia. The Plitvice Lakes National Park is the largest national park in Croatia in terms of area and one of the most famous. We slept at Lakeside Hotel Plitvice for one night and it was beautiful. The hotel is located directly at the Flora auxiliary entrance.
After a good breakfast at the hotel, we go to entrance 3, which is around 400 meters away. Here you have to show your ticket, which is best bought online. Then you arrive at a small pier from where you take the ferry across the lake to the waterfalls. The trip is included in the ticket price.
You can decide in advance which hike you want to do through the national park. There are different paths with different lengths. We did route C which takes around 4-6 hours and you can see all the highlights in the national park. Here you can also take the cool panoramic train, which is also included in the entrance fee.
One of the absolute highlights in the national park is the large waterfall. On Route C you will also pass other great lakes and waterfalls. There are also a few snack bars and restaurants here where you can relax.
After a great day here in the national park, you can drive back to the capital Zagreb, a two-hour drive away. There are countless good hotels in the city center and you can end the evening near Ban Jelačić Square. This is where life in Zagreb happens.
On your last day in Croatia you will explore the great city of Zagreb with many sights, beautiful markets, parks, rooftop bars and more. Of course you should have a look at the upper and lower town before you go home.
Seriously 14 days are not enough to travel the whole country, but you can cover a lot of places in that time and at least check off most of them.
