Croatia 7-day road trip itinerary

Croatia is one of the best places to go in Europe during summertime. Full of incredible landscapes, historical towns, and crystal clear blue waters, Croatia has something for everyone!

Since we live in Ljubljana which is only a short drive away from the border, we visit Croatia a few times per year. So, we’ve gathered all our knowledge from a few years of exploring to put together this guide.

This 7-day Croatia itinerary is the improved version of the road trip I did the first time I visited the country, many years ago. With everything we’ve learned in the meantime, I’ve tweaked the original plan to make it even better for a 7-day trip, avoiding a few mistakes we made in the past.

I honestly believe this one-week itinerary through Croatia is perfect for anyone visiting the country for the first time! You’ll see why.

plitvice lakes in croatia

7-Day Croatia Itinerary: Summary

Let me start by giving you an overview of our one-week itinerary through Croatia. 

  • Day 1: Zagreb
  • Day 2: Plitvice Lakes + Zadar
  • Day 3: Zadar
  • Day 4: Split + Hvar
  • Day 5: Hvar
  • Day 6: Dubrovnik
  • Day 7: Dubrovnik

On this road trip, you’ll go from North to South of Croatia, visiting some of the most amazing spots in the country! Depending on where you get the best flight tickets from, you can also invert the itinerary and make the trip backward.

You’ll notice that my itinerary starts and ends in two different places, and that’s on purpose! Croatia is a linear, long country so the best way to make the most of your time is to start on one end and travel all the way to the other.

If you want to close the loop and start and finish your trip in the same place, I recommend getting a flight from Dubrovnik to Zagreb or vice-versa (they aren’t expensive!).

You’ll lose so much time to drive back from one end to the other, so it’s not really worth it.

Map of our 7-day road trip itinerary through Croatia

Important: This 7-day Croatia itinerary was specifically designed for a road trip. If you won’t be traveling with a car, I recommend spreading it across 9+ days or leaving something out to account for the additional time you’ll need to travel via public transport. Read our Croatia public transport guide for more info.

Croatia Itinerary Day 1: Zagreb

st marks church in zagreb

Starting the trip in Zagreb is great if you will be coming from other European countries like Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, or Austria. Zagreb also has quite a big international airport, so there are a lot of flight options from abroad.

Another great reason for starting the road trip in Zagreb is that car rental prices are quite affordable here (often cheaper than on beachside towns like Split).

You won’t need a car for exploring Zagreb itself so you can rent the car on the morning of Day 2 if you want. 

However, I would recommend renting it on Day 1 just so you can leave early on Day 2 because arriving early at our next stop will be KEY! More on that later.

What to see in Zagreb

Many people skip Zagreb when traveling to Croatia and I think that’s such a pity! Zagreb is a really young and lively city that fits perfectly in this Croatia road trip itinerary.

Even though Zagreb is the capital of the country, the historical center is quite compact and you can check out all the main spots within one day.

Here are a few things you won’t want to miss:

  • St Paul’s Church
  • Stone Gate
  • The shortest cable car in the world!
  • The main square: Bana Josipa Jelačića
  • Zagreb’s Cathedral
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Where to stay in Zagreb

For this first night of our Croatia road trip, you’ll want to stay at a place that is within walking distance of the Old Town but has good access to public parking.

This sounds complicated but that’s really doable in Zagreb! The streets around the Old Town have quite a few parking options and many of the apartments available online also have parking included.

Our recommended places to stay in Zagreb:

PS: If you prefer, you can also sleep near Plitvice Lakes on this first night so that you don’t need to do an early drive the next morning. I’ve added a few recommendations for places to stay here.

Croatia Itinerary Day 2: Plitvice Lakes

waterfall in plitvice lakes in croatia

Visiting Plitvice Lakes is one of the highlights of our 7-day road trip through Croatia!

This park has some of the most incredible landscapes you will see in the entire country. With countless waterfalls and walking trails, this day exploring Plitvice Lakes National Park will be intense but worth it!

Since Plitvice Lakes is one of the most visited places in Croatia, it gets quite busy during the summer so I highly recommend starting early. You will have a 2h drive from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes.

The park doors open at 8 am but the park is still quite calm until 10 am, when most of the group tours arrive. These first couple of hours in the park were our favorite because we had the place almost to ourselves!

I highly recommend arriving early.

We stayed in the park until 17h and then made our way to Zadar for the night. If you want to avoid driving after a long day at the park, you can also sleep near Plitvice Lakes and continue the drive the next morning.

Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes is a perfect day trip because you can get the most out of it by spending a full day in the park. There will be a lot of walking involved, though, so make sure you’re ready for it.

I recommend starting the day at Entrance 1 and making your way towards the Upper Lakes. Along the way, you’ll see really incredible postcard-worthy landscapes.

I prepared a complete guide about visiting Plitvice Lakes below with a full itinerary and tips on what to bring along with you.

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Get yours with Airalo – we always use them on our trips!

Where to stay in Zadar

The closer you stay from Zadar Old Town, the better. The Old Town is quite small so you can easily explore the entire area on foot.

I recommend getting a place that has parking included so you avoid having to search for a parking spot late at night.

These are our suggested places to stay in Zadar:

Croatia Itinerary Day 3: Zadar

Zadar - Croatia

On the third day of our Croatia road trip, we’ll be exploring Zadar, a small city located by the sea known for its magical sunsets.

Since day 2 of this Croatia Itinerary is a really intense day, I’ve planned day 3 to be quieter and more relaxing to balance things out. 

Zadar is the perfect destination for a slow travel day because it combines amazing beaches with a really cute historical town. I recommend spending the day by the beach and, in the afternoon, exploring the Old Town before you make your way to the shore to watch the sunset.

If slow travel is not your style, you can also do a boat trip. There are many options for boat trips available at the port like this one. My favorite tour from Zadar is the boat trip to see dolphins! They are quite common in this part of the Adriatic and this is a truly special experience.

See a few options of day tours from Zadar here:

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Sunsets in Zadar

sunset in zadar harbor
sunset from the sea organ in zadar
View when watching the sunset from the Sea Organ

Sunset will be the star of the show during your time in Zadar. After all, if Alfred Hitchcock described it as “the most beautiful sunset in the world”, there must be something special about it, right?

To make things even more special, the architect Nikola Bašić created two really cool and unique art installations that are meant to be experienced during the sunset.

The first one is called the Sea Organ. Just as the name suggests, this installation consists of a structure of pipes that make special sounds with the movement of the waves in the sea. It’s like listening to music being played by the water.

The Sea Organ is the best place to watch the sunset in Zadar, don’t miss it!

Then, after the sun goes down, head to the next art installation called Greeting to the Sun. This one comes alive during the golden hour because it’s a massive solar panel structure installed on the floor. It absorbs energy during the whole day and, when the sun goes down, it turns into a colorful light show.

It goes without saying that this installation is a favorite among kids!

Croatia Itinerary Day 4: Hvar (and Split)

old town of hvar in croatia

The fourth day of our Croatia road trip itinerary is an important logistics day where you’ll have to get your way to Hvar Island.

Timing is super important to make this day work because you’ll have to align your drive with the schedule of the ferry that goes from Split to Hvar. 

Driving from Zadar to Split will take you less than 2h and the ferry takes another 2h. I recommend leaving early from Zadar. You’ll have two options:

  • Spend the day in Split and take an evening ferry to Hvar
  • Pass by Split just to catch the ferry and go directly to Hvar – this is what we did, so we arrived in Hvar at lunchtime and spent the entire afternoon on the island. We thought it was great.

Check the ferry schedule on the Jadrolinija website (the route is called Split to Stari Grad) and buy your tickets upfront to reserve your spot.

Personal thoughts: Split is one of the most famous cities in Croatia but I have been there multiple times and I still don’t get what all the fuss is about. I know this may seem a bit controversial but during the summer, the city gets way too busy to be enjoyable since it’s a big cruise and international hub. On top of that, there are also music festivals in Split so if you happen to be there during these dates, the city will be literally overflowing with people. 

I am not saying you shouldn’t go to Split, but I’m just explaining why I have planned this 7-day Croatia itinerary without much time spent there. If you want to spend more time exploring Split, feel free to adjust my proposed itinerary.

Where to stay in Hvar

Finding parking in Hvar Town can be a really big challenge, so I highly recommend booking accommodation with parking included for your stay in Hvar. This means you’ll need to stay a bit outside of town, which is ok. As long as it is within walking distance of the center, you’ll be ok.

I personally really like the area called Križna Luka located near the marina, towards the left side of the Old Town. This is a more residential area which I love because it’s quieter, and some of the houses have their own private parking available.

Here are my recommendations for places to stay in Hvar:

Croatia Itinerary Day 5: Exploring Hvar

cave in hvar island in croatia
beach in hvar island in croatia

This fifth day of our Croatia road trip itinerary is one of my favorites! Hvar Island has so many incredible things to do, you’ll have no shortage of activities to choose from.

If you follow our advice and go straight from Zadar to Split, you’ll have the afternoon of Day 4 and a full day on Day 5 to spend in Hvar.

Here are the things I recommend doing:

  • Go on a boat trip to the Pakleni Islands – This is perfect for the afternoon because you can get a half-day tour or just book a boat ride to one of the beach bars.
  • Go on a boat trip to the Blue Cave – You can book a half-day tour for the morning of Day 5.
  • Take the car to explore other parts of Hvar Island – Do this during the afternoon of Day 5. Since the sun sets quite late during the summer, you’ll have time to explore a bit around the area.
  • Watch the sunset from Hvar Fortress – Get back from your road trip around the island in time for sunset and go straight to the fortress, the best place to watch the sunset in Hvar.

Croatia Itinerary Days 6 & 7: Dubrovnik

dubrovnik in croatia

Dubrovnik will be the last stop of our 7-day itinerary through Croatia. 

To get there from Hvar, you’ll need to get the ferry to Drvenik from the Sućuraj port on the other side of the island. The good news is that this ferry is much shorter and cheaper than the one from Split – it takes just 30 min to the mainland. From Drvenik, you’ll need 2h to drive to Dubrovnik.

Check the schedule on the Jadrolinija website, buy your tickets online, and plan your departure time in accordance with the boat schedule.

What to do in Dubrovnik

dubrovnik town seen from the wall

Dubrovnik is one of the most visited cities in Croatia! Besides the historical center and the incredible beaches, the city became extremely popular after it got featured on the series Game of Thrones.

If you follow our 7-day itinerary through Croatia, you’ll have one day and a half to spend in Dubrovnik. I recommend starting by getting to know the Old Town and walking along the city walls.

On the second day, spend some time at the beach and then make your way up to one of the viewpoints above Dubrovnik for the best panoramic views.

Here are some of the things to do in Dubrovnik:

More ideas of things to do in Dubrovnik

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Where to stay in Dubrovnik

If I am being honest, finding an affordable place to stay in Dubrovnik is one of the hardest things to do. This city became so popular in the last few years, that prices skyrocketed since then.

For the most authentic experience, I recommend staying within the city walls.

You’ll probably get a small, older apartment but it will be really unique. However, remember that cars aren’t allowed inside the walls so you’ll have to find parking and carry your luggage to your accommodation.

Another great option is to get a place to stay on the outskirts of Dubrovnik and walk to town. This is what we have done on our last few visits and it was great.

Here are a few recommendations for places to stay in Dubrovnik:

SafetyWind logo

We know that insurance is one of those things that we think we don’t need… until we actually do! Dealing with hospital visits and health issues is stressful when you’re traveling, so getting a good travel insurance is the only thing that will give you peace of mind. We recommend SafetyWing, they have very flexible insurance plans covering almost every destination in the world! Take a look at their options and prices below.

How many days should you spend in Croatia?

One week is a great trip length for your first time visiting Croatia, which is why we designed this road trip itinerary within 7 days. I believe that this is a realistic amount of time for a lot of people and it’s enough time to see a lot of different places around the country.

That being said, there are obviously a lot of really incredible places in Croatia that were not included in this 7-day itinerary because there’s not enough time to see it all. So, if you have more time available and want to extend your trip, go for it!

You could easily spend 10 to 14 days in Croatia without getting bored. 

Here are a few more ideas of things to do in Croatia if you have more time in the country:

  • Visit Pula and Cape Kamenjak
  • Go truffle hunting in the historical town of Motovun
  • Visit Krka National Park
  • Spend a day in Rovinj
  • Go to Trogir (it’s one of my favorite places in Croatia!)
  • Go island hopping and visit other islands around Hvar – Korčula is a great one to start
  • Go on an epic sailing trip

I could have named so many more! If you want more ideas, check these activities below:

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Tips for driving in Croatia

Since this 7-day Croatia itinerary is meant as a road trip, here are a few things you need to know about driving in the country:

  • Driving in Croatia is quite straightforward and the roads are easy to follow.
  • Be ready to drive on narrow roads if you go to more remote destinations and within the islands
  • Croatian highways use the closed toll system.
  • Pay close attention to speed limits when driving. Police checks are really popular and overspeeding is one of the most common reasons for fines.
  • We always use Discover Cars for renting cars during our trips. Make sure you get proper insurance for your rental to avoid any future headaches.
  • Read our complete guide about driving in Croatia as a foreigner for more tips.

We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!

Organizing your trip

To help you plan your trip to Croatia, we have put together our favorite planning resources: 

  • Flights: Get affordable flights to Croatia on Skyscanner.com
  • Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad. 
  • Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals. 
  • Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com
  • Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide. 
  • SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo. 

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that we get a small commission from any purchase you make, at no additional cost to you!

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