What to do in Croatia – a 10-day road trip

Who doesn’t love a nice summer road trip? We certainly do. In 2021 we did Slovenia, a mountain lover’s paradise – and have been dreaming to come back to its southern neighbor ever since. Tourism has been growing exponentially in Croatia over the last decade, and there is no wonder why. Let’s have a look and shape an exciting 10-day road trip across this wonderful country!

Day 1: Discover Zagreb

Accommodation: 2LKT studio apartman – 75 euro/2 people/2 nights

No matter if you arrive by plane or car, Zagreb is the perfect place to grasp the locals’ genuine lifestyle, away from the touristy spots on the coast. Accommodating a quarter of the country’s four million population, Zagreb shares a bit of everything: one small, cozy city center, a troubled yet fascinating history, and the famous eastern-European vibrant nightlife.

Start your day by paying a visit to Dolac Green Market. Get yourself a cup of coffee, a mouth-watering burek from one of the little pastry shops around, and notice the city come to life in the early morning. Now you are ready to see the old town’s main sights – the main square, Stone Gate, St. Mark’s Square, Lotrscak tower, and the Zagreb cathedral.

To us, taking a free walking tour with a local guide is a big must. We booked this one and it was so insightful, helping us understand the bigger picture of what this city represents. You’ll not only discover Zagreb’s both medieval and recent history but also get reliable leisure, food, and party recommendations. That’s how we found out about a bunch of summer festivals taking place behind St. Catherine’s Church. With food trucks, DJs, and one of the best views over the city, you should definitely check it out after sunset.

Day 2: Krk Island

It’s only day 2, but Croatia’s crystal clear sea is calling. We hit the road to Krk, around 2h 30 away from the capital. Although an island, a bridge connects Krk to the mainland so getting there by car is pretty straightforward. Moreover, the crossing was free of charge by the time we visited.

Croatian seaside is one of the most visited in Europe, let me cut to the chase though: you’ll find no sandy beach. If that’s your absolute deal-breaker, sorry to disappoint. Better jump in a pair of water shoes and enjoy the gorgeous Adriatic at its best.

We first checked Stara Baška Beach, a small beach, close to the harbor. The water here was dead-cold and the scenery, although beautiful, was nothing compared to most places we would later see in Croatia. We had a quick swim but didn’t spend ages here and wouldn’t recommend you either – unless you’ve got more than one day on the island.

Head to Oprna Bay and park anywhere on the side of the winding road. There is no beach sign, but here’s how to find it: peek a comfortable spot to cross the roadside safety barrier and follow any dirt path down the hill. Here is the exact location where we started walking to the beach.

You’ll first pass by a wild beach, more suitable if you wish for a remote, less crowded experience. Just over the corner lays Oprna Bay. Unlike the first beach, you can here rent sunbeds under the straw umbrellas or get yourself an ice-cold beer from the bar. However, there are no dressing rooms, showers, or toilets. We loved our time here, as the beach still keeps its unspoiled nature vibe despite the many people visiting.

Before heading back to Zagreb, there’s one more mandatory stop. Wander around the small town of Krk to grow your appetite, then taste some of the island’s traditional surlice (a local type of homemade pasta).

Day 3: Zadar and Sibenik

Accommodation: Luxury Guesthouse Bepa – 100 euro/2 people/2 nights

Make our way down south to Split, the second-largest city in Croatia. The whole drive will take around 5 hours, so your best bet is to split it (pun intended) and check out the cozy cities of Zadar and Sibenik along the way. Wander the old roman town of Zadar – make sure you don’t miss People’s Square and the forum. Relax while listening to the Sea Organ sounds before a delicious fancy lunch at Pet Bunara.

After walking the hot streets of Zadar, a cool-off is all you need. Head to the blue-flag Solaris Beach, just a few kilometers outside Sibenik. Access is free even if you are not one of the nearby resort’s guests. In fact, there were just a few other people around, sunbathing or paddleboarding – the perfect quiet, shallow-water beach to recharge your batteries.

For sunset, get charmed in the historic center of Sibenik. We loved the narrow streets with white stone walls and their green, wooden window shutters. Some wedding prep was going on in the city hall square, with piano playing and opera artists singing from the balcony – it all came together in a very romantic atmosphere.

There’s no better ending to such a long day than a glass of good wine. Split is the capital of Dalmatia, a notorious vineyard region. Once you settle down, gather your forces to sip a few at Uje Oil Bar, alongside a generous platter of local cuts.

Day 4: Brač

You’ve definitely seen posters of Zlatni Rat before. Golden horn beach is probably the most famous one in Croatia – we could of course not miss it! Hop on the ferry to Brač island. We crossed by car (public transportation is quite inconvenient on the island) and paid 504kn (around 67 euros) for the return trip – 2 adults in a small car. More info about the ferry schedule and prices on jadrolinija.hr.

The ferry will dock in Supetar, but you’ll have some spare time to see this little coastal town in the evening. For now, head straight towards Bol, not before taking a small detour drive through the pine forest to reach Vidova Gora – the island’s highest point. The peak offers the best panoramic views of Zlatni Rat, and while you’ll only spend a few minutes there, it’s totally worth it. Once in Bol, walk the seaside promenade with loads of nice breakfast options if you feel like it. 15-20 minutes away by foot lies this day’s main attraction. I won’t lie to you: Zlatni Rat is far from being a secluded paradise – just don’t expect the whole place for yourself.

Spend the evening in Supetar before catching the ferry back to Split. If you didn’t stop at any of the traditional Konobas around the island, Vinotoka restaurant in Supetar is your best bet for dinner. We were lucky enough to get a table without a reservation, but it usually fills up so better call in advance!

Day 5: Hvar

There are two completely different faces of Hvar – by day and night. To see them both, you need to spend at least one night on the island. Although we had initially planned for a day trip, we ended up staying overnight to experience the crazy party scene Hvar is well known for.

To get from Split to Hvar, use the same company – Jadrolinjia. There are several crossings every day to both Hvar town and Stari Grad. If you have a car, take it to the island despite the expensive ferry ticket – we tried to go cheaper but it was definitely a mistake. The bus schedule is rather inconvenient (find it here) and you may well need to take a taxi sometimes – adding up to more or less the same amount of money in the end. You can also choose to rent a scooter.

However, if you’re tight on budget – here’s how to make the most out of your day by bus:

• take the 8:30 AM ferry from Split to Stari Grad. The 2-hour trip costs 55 kn/person.
• from Stari Grad pier, take the bus to Hvar. Skip Stari Grad town and stop at Dubovica beach. Stari Grad is a nice little town, but not much to do there. Waiting for the next bus will leave you very little time to enjoy the beach. We paid 150 kn (20 euros) for the 6km cab ride from Stari Grad to Dubovica beach.
• take the 14:30 bus from Dubovica beach and get off just before Hvar town, then walk 15 min to Pokonji Dol beach. From here, you can also walk to Strand Mekićevica.
• leave the beach in time to dress up and catch the sunset at Hula Hula bar. Take on the bustling nightlife of Hvar.
• if you’re leaving the next day and hangover doesn’t ruin your plans, catch the 6:35 AM speed ferry from Hvar back to Split. The trip takes one hour and costs 63 kn.

Day 6: Split and Omis

Accommodation: Bovolini’s Place – 160 euro/2 people/3 nights

The early ferry from Hvar will get you back in Split just in time to enjoy Diocletian’s Palace without the crowds. Get lost within the medieval palace, enjoy the views from Saint Domnius Cathedral bell tower and visit the treasury to learn more about the history of the place. A combined entry ticket for the cathedral, bell tower, and treasury costs 70 kn.

For a quick, takeaway lunch grab THE BEST cevapcici sandwich at Kantun Paulina and enjoy it by the water on Split’s riviera. From here, make your way to Marian Hill for the best glance over the city from above. Then it’s time to leave Split behind for Dubrovnik, not without a short afternoon stop in the cute little town of Omis.

Day 7: Dubrovnik

Whether you saw pictures of Dubrovnik or just watched Game Of Thrones, nothing prepares you for how beautiful the old town is. Such a place needs some proper introduction, so I highly advise you to start the day with this Free Spirit Tours free walking tour. Andrea, our guide, let us know how about the rich history and cultural heritage of Dubrovnik and how life used to unfold between the city walls.

After lunch, make your way to Banje beach for a swim. Rent a kayak and explore the coast of Lokrum island, then dock at Betina Cave. Finally, enjoy the best of views as the sun goes down over the city walls. A two people kayak goes around 250 kn/2 hours.

Day 8: Pasjaca Beach

You can’t come to Dubrovnik and not walk the city walls. Instead of purchasing the entry ticket for 250 kn, buy the 1-day Dubrovnik card for the same amount. This gives you access to the city walls, but also other museums and unlimited 24h public transportation. You can buy the card from the tourist info points, just across the entrance to the walls.

After you ticked off all sightseeing, time for cooling off! A short but scenic drive north of the city will get you to the secluded Pasjaca beach. Don’t forget to bring sports shoes, a sun umbrella, and some snacks – you won’t find any facilities here. Also, the beach is surrounded by high, vertical cliffs, so be aware of any falling rocks.

Day 9: Makarska

Accommodation: House Antonia – 34 euro/2 people/1 nights

There’s a long day of driving ahead today, so treat yourself to one last breakfast before saying goodbye to King’s Landing.

On your way to Plitvice Lakes – our itinerary’s next and final stop – take a pitstop in Makarska. Check out the old town, Kacic Square, and the seafront promenade. Also, you can’t miss the last chance to swim in the wonderful Adriatic. Head to Nugal Beach, taking the 2 km footpath through the shady pine forest. The trail has steeper sections so don’t go in flip-flops. Heads up: Nugal Beach is a nudist-friendly beach.

Day 10: Plitvice Lakes

We saved some of the best for last: Plitvice Lakes. In order to make your visit as hassle-free as possible buy tickets in advance and plan your route ahead of time. We decided to do route C – this trail covers both Lower and Upper Lakes and we found it to be the most complete and time-efficient option. See a detailed description of the trail here.

We entered the park at opening time, 7 am, to beat the crowds. However, I’d advise against it – the sun was yet to be shining over the lakes, and the emerald green we were expecting was undersaturated. We had a picnic for breakfast and waited until the sun was up. Save yourself a couple of sleep hours – the best time to start your tour would be around 9:30 am. Yes, there will be far more people, but you’ll get the best views.

Plitvice Lakes are among the most popular tourist attractions in Croatia and everybody wants a piece of it. Crowds are inevitable and the best you can do is relax, enjoy the surrounding beautiful nature surrounding and maybe skip the ferry ride if it involves a long queue.

How many days do you need?

Unfortunately, we could only spare 10 days for our itinerary, but Croatia is definitely not a once-in-a-lifetime destination. Visit once and you’ll dream about coming back again and again, I promise. If possible, extend your stay to at least 2 weeks so you can also explore the northern region of Istria.

What is the best month to visit Croatia?

We did this tour in late June and it turned out to be the perfect time of the year. As for any beach destination, you want the weather to be hot enough for swimming but avoid high-season crowds. That makes shoulder season months – June and September – the ideal time to be here.