Croatia Road Trip — Dubrovnik, Split & Island Hopping
- Plitvice Lakes: approximately 26 euros Day ticket per person plus 15 euros for camper parking
- Go during the week and as early as possible — on Sundays it was packed.
- Wine Tasting Tour at Ilirija Resort in Biograd: .
- The source of the Cetina is approximately 7 degrees cold and only really visible from above
- Dinara, the highest mountain in Croatia: 1,831 meters, steep ascent
Contents of this post18 chapters
- 1Plitvice Lakes 📍
- 2Zadar 📍
- 3Biograd Na moru📍
- 4Murter Island & Tisno📍
- 5Šibenik📍
- 6Split📍
- 7Cetina River Spring📍
- 8Grandmas📍
- 9Trogir📍
- 10Hvar📍
- 11Dubrovnik 📍
- 12Read more
- 13Island of Krk: Route for a three-day Croatia road trip
- 14Sights on Krk for your Croatia trip
- 15Planning a Croatia road trip: route and travel duration
- 16Practical information for traveling to Croatia by car or campervan
- 17More about the trip
- 18Frequently Asked Questions
11 Highlights from Croatia:
Plitvice Lakes
Zadar
Biograd Na moru
-
- .
Murter Island & Tisno
-
- 📍 Tisno
Šibenik
Split
Tours and activities: Split
Compare and book tours, admission tickets and excursions in advance with free cancellation (depending on the offer).
Advertising link. If you book through it, I receive a commission; the price stays the same for you.
Cetina River Spring
Grandmas
The perfect place for a bit of action 😎! Whether rafting, hiking or climbing 💥, in Omis you'll find a variety of activities at a fair price!
Small ice cream tip 🍦:
The flavor "White Kinder Bueno" is super delicious! 🍦🤭
Trogir
In Trogir, we started our next adventure. We booked a sailing holiday for young people! Max & I were complete sailing beginners, so we were pretty excited 🤩. One thing I can tell you: We were not disappointed! It was incredibly fun, especially when we were sailing at a complete tilt 😱!! Additionally, we met great new people and didn't party a little 🥳. Another meeting with the crew is already planned ☑️.
Hvar
With a speedboat, we went to the Croatian holiday island of Hvar. There we ate, with our sailing group, at a slightly overpriced restaurant 🤑. From there, we had a wonderful view of the luxurious yachts lined up at the harbor. The place definitely represents wealth, which was reflected quite noticeably in the price 😅. Additionally, you'll find one party mile after another here! 🎉
Dubrovnik
A city in southern Croatia that everyone knows. The filming location of the series Game of Thrones 👑. Dubrovnik has always been high on my list and now the time had finally come. As we strolled through the well-preserved old town, the new series of Vikings was being filmed. Totally exciting 🤩. Afterwards, we of course checked out the highlights (city walls, Old Town, Placa, the churches....). Also, you should definitely see Dubrovnik from above 🫶🏼.
Read more
Island of Krk: Route for a three-day Croatia road trip
Krk is the largest island in the Croatian Adriatic and is connected to the mainland by a direct road. An approximately 80-kilometer-long island loop connects Malinska, Vrbnik, Baška, Punat, Stara Baška, Omišalj, and Krk Town. The route follows winding coastal and mountain roads. While it's possible to circumnavigate the roughly 38-kilometer-long island in a day, three days allow more time to explore the main towns and the island's interior. Those planning additional excursions to Cres or Rab should allow five to seven days.
Krk route: from Malinska via Vrbnik to Baška
On the first day, the route leads from Malinska to the east coast. Between Vrbnik and Baška, the road follows the cliffs, offering views of the sea and the offshore islands. Vrbnik, a medieval village, sits atop a 48-meter-high cliff. Its narrow streets are sometimes less than 50 centimeters wide. The journey then continues to Baška, where a two-kilometer-long pebble beach with turquoise waters lies, framed by rugged mountains; the road runs right alongside the beach.
Krk road trip: Punat, Stara Baška and the interior of the island
Day two connects Punat with the southwest coast and the island's interior. Punat has a marina. Just offshore lies the small monastery island of Košljun, reachable by boat in ten minutes. From Punat, a winding mountain road leads to Stara Baška, a fishing village with crystal-clear water and small pebble coves. The inland loop continues the drive through mountain villages. Near Dobrinj are places like Sužan and Dolovo; along these stretches, empty roads and panoramic views characterize the route.
Day three includes visits to Omišalj and Krk Town. Above Omišalj lies an abandoned military base from the Yugoslav era, overlooking the Kvarner Bay. Access is legal, but not signposted. At the northern tip stands the Glavina Lighthouse, a 20-minute walk from the parking area. Krk Town completes the day with its Venetian city walls, cathedral, and historic old town. The harbor promenade is a perfect spot to watch the sunset.
Sights on Krk for your Croatia trip
Krk sights: Vrbnik, Baška and other destinations
Vrbnik and Baška combine historic alleyways, cliffs, and beaches in one leg of the journey. Beyond these two main stops, a three-kilometer olive trail near Vrbnik winds through centuries-old groves with sea views. Stara Baška offers a quieter alternative with unnamed pebble coves. For a rainy day, the Biserujka Cave in the north of the island is a good option. This stalactite cave provides a welcome break from the beaches.
The island can also be organized according to interests: Krk Town represents the old town and harbor promenade, Vrbnik the medieval townscape overlooking the sea, and Baška the beach and mountain scenery. The Glavina lighthouse and the olive trail complement the tour with short walking routes. This way, the sights remain directly connected to the route, instead of having to drive across the island multiple times for individual destinations.
Planning a Croatia road trip: route and travel duration
For a road trip across mainland Croatia, I recommend at least two weeks. A sample itinerary spreads 14 days between Zagreb, the Plitvice Lakes, Zadar, Krka National Park, Split, Trogir, Omiš, and Dubrovnik. The itinerary includes two days in Zagreb, one day at the Plitvice Lakes, two days in Zadar, one day in Krka National Park, three days for Split and Trogir, two days in Omiš, and three days in Dubrovnik. With more time, islands, small villages, and lesser-known national parks can be added.
How to divide a 14-day Croatia itinerary effectively
Zagreb is the starting point. The inland leg of the journey then takes you to the Plitvice Lakes, before the route leads via Zadar to the Adriatic coast. From Krka National Park, the tour continues to Split and Trogir. These two coastal towns are close to each other and are often visited together. Omiš lies at the mouth of the Cetina River and is just a short drive from Split. Dubrovnik marks the southern end of the tour. This sequence combines neighboring destinations and allows three days for Split and Trogir together.
The best time to travel is May and June, as well as September and October, because temperatures are pleasant and there are fewer tourists. From June to August, however, it's peak season with larger crowds and higher prices. In spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October), temperatures are milder. Accommodation, campervans, and activities should be booked well in advance, especially for the peak season.
Practical information for traveling to Croatia by car or campervan
Arrival, refueling and parking on Krk
Rijeka Airport is located directly on Krk. Alternative airports include Pula (90 minutes away) and Zagreb (two and a half hours away). The Krk Bridge has been toll-free since 2020, but can be closed in gusts exceeding 100 km/h. Therefore, checking the weather forecast is essential before traveling. Gas stations are mainly located in Krk Town, Malinska, and Baška; fill up your tank before driving inland. Parking is subject to charges in Vrbnik and Baška during peak season, but is usually free outside these towns.
Campsites and equipment for a Croatia road trip
Wild camping is generally not permitted in Croatia. Instead, there are more than 500 official campsites, located along the coast, in the mountains, and near lakes or rivers. Depending on the campsite, amenities include electricity, water, showers, toilets, and/or restaurants. There are also designated free camping areas. These offer basic facilities and lack electricity and water. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak season.
- For changeable weather, clothing for both hot and cold temperatures should be packed.
- For hiking, comfortable hiking boots, a backpack and trekking poles should be packed.
- A power bank keeps devices charged on the go; a flashlight and window covers are also useful for the van.
- Those who cook for themselves should plan on bringing camping dishes, cutlery, a stove and a cooler.
For Tourism Boards, I develop content that visually tells the story of Croatia's routes, landscapes, and travel experiences. More information about potential productions and collaborations can be found on the page for collaboration.
More about the trip
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to enter Plitvice Lakes National Park?
A day ticket costs approximately €26 per person, plus €15 for parking our campervan. We followed trail "H": first taking the bus into the park, then following the well-marked paths; a short boat trip is included at the end.
When should I visit Plitvice?
Go during the week and as early as possible. We arrived on a Sunday—probably the worst day—and it was packed. Bring snacks, plenty of sunscreen, and sturdy shoes.
Where can I eat well and cheaply in Croatia?
Avoid the major tourist areas and eat a little further out. In Zadar, I recommend the pizzeria "Broj 1"—very affordable, the jumbo pizza is enough for two, and they only accept Kuna. In Biograd, Casa Vecchia had the best pizza we've had.
Is it permitted to swim at the source of the Cetina River?
Swimming in the spring is frowned upon by the local residents — we unfortunately only found that out afterwards. The spring water is only about 7 degrees Celsius anyway.
What am I doing in grandma's house?
Omis is the place for action: rafting, hiking and climbing, all at fair prices.
“Life is too short for ‘someday’.”
Janet Dannehl
Ready for your next campaign?
For the past eight years, I've worked with tourism boards, hotels, and premium brands—authentically, personally, and effectively. Combined with Max Haase, we reach over 6 million people.
German 
English