9 Beautiful Must-Sees on a Croatia Summer Road Trip

Last updated: 17 July 2023

Croatia still remains a hidden gem.  Those that have been, go back regularly. Those that haven’t wonder what all the fuss is about. Croatia is relatively cheap so a visit during summer is not only affordable but will leave you with the warm and fuzzies. One of the best ways to visit is on a road trip because you can travel when and where you like, at your leisure. So here’s what you need to know about organising a Croatia summer road trip for your next holiday. 

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Where to visit: Mainland or Islands?

Visiting Croatia people will tell you to ditch the car, take a boat and cruise the islands.  Sure, that’s one way to see Croatia.  But it’s not the only way.  Cruising the islands is great if that’s all you want to do, lie on a boat, drink cocktails and watch the waves roll in.  What if you want to explore a bit more and you’re on a fixed schedule.  You can see a lot of Croatia from the mainland without going back and forth over the islands.

North to South, here’s Our Top 9 Spots for Your Croatia Summer Road Trip

Rijeka/Opatija 

Starting at the most Northern point, Rijeka is a transport hub and major ferry port.  It and its nearby neighbour Opatija,  are the gateway to the Croatian Dalmatian coast.  As Croatia’s third largest city, it’s bustling although most visitors rarely stop and simply head south. Do yourself a favour, stop here and experience the charm of the locals, colourful carnival and good nightlife.

East of Rijeka/Opatija is the Istria region.  The Istria is a big foodie hub, famous for truffles and wine so if food is your thing, consider adding the city of Pula and other parts of the Istria region onto your itinerary. Russ also recommends setting aside some time to explore Pula Arena, an incredible Roman amphitheatre!

Plitvice Lakes National Park

One of the most famous attractions in all of Croatia, this UNESCO World Heritage site is unlike any other.  It’s almost 300 sq/km of lakes and waterfalls full of blue and turquoise colours that visitors just can’t get enough of.

Be Warned! Plitvice can get very busy.  If you’re on a summer road trip and planning to arrive by car, our tip is to arrive as early as you can, before the day trip tour buses arrive.  Get your tickets (you don’t need a tour, it’s impossible to get lost) and get a head start on the large groups by walking the narrow boarded walkways. By doing so, you can enjoy the views and waterfalls without fear of being accidentally pushed in.  Keep your clothes on, swimming at Plitvice is forbidden.

Pag (island)

Do you want to experience the Croatian islands without all the hassle of a boat?

A sneaky way of experiencing some of the Croatian islands is to put your car on a ferry from Prizna and drive through the island of Pag, which happens to be the home of lace.  It is possible to visit Pag without taking the ferry but if traveling from North to South (or vice-versa) but taking the ferry one-way is the most time-efficient way of travelling.  The cost for 2 adults and a car was <£20 (one way)

Outside jaw dropping views of the Adriatic sea and a bustling nightclub scene, Pag is famous for three things. Lace, wine and cheese.  Many farmers sell their wares on the side of the road, including Pag cheese, don’t be afraid to stop to sample their wares.

Zadar

Zadar was a pleasant surprise, almost a secret discovery.  I only knew it’s existence after a fellow Aussie expat moved to the area and shared some amazing photos.  From that alone I was sold.

This peninsula town full of history and ruins, it offers visitors an array of options and appeal.  Food, beaches, museums and more.  The thing we enjoyed the most about Zadar was the country feel. Perfectly weighted between entertaining, relaxation and experiences.  In Zadar there are just enough restaurants and accommodation providers to be shared amongst travellers without feeling like the only visitor, or worse, one of ten thousand that day.

During your trip to Zadar be sure you don’t miss:

1. The Sun Salutation, a funky series of multi-layered glass plates that act as solar panels to collect the sun’s energy during the day.  Be sure to visit at night to see a stunning light show.
2. The Sea Organ, an eerie musical instrument, which plays music by from sea waves and tubes located underneath a set of large marble steps.

Read More: Is Montenegro The New Croatia?

Sibenik

A gleaming white city against the backdrop of the calm waters of the bay, this gorgeous medieval city is worth a visit. Visitors to Sibenik often don’t stay long as it makes a great launching pad for visitors to Kornati islands and Krka National Park. (see below).

If you have time on your summer road trip, stay a while and enter a world of steep cobblestone backstreets which lead down to the serene bay.  If that’s not enough, there’s the Cathedral of St James, another UNESCO site and St Michael’s Fortress to see while you’re there. If you’re interested in an evening walking tour with a dedicated tour guide then this might be an option too. 

Krka National Park

Croatia’s second most famous National Park, Krka is remarkable untouched natural beauty.  It’s situated along the Krka River and known for a series of 7 waterfalls. It’s prize over Plitvice is that visitors can swim in the fresh waters.  If you’re planning to swim, heed our advice once again, and time your visit as early as possible to make the most of the park before the day-trip tour buses arrive from the major cities.

There’s little to no changing facilities and no lockers for secure storage.  This is rural swimming at its best, so pack what you need and be prepared to change behind your towel.  Something like a large sarong would be handy.

Interested in a full day experience at Krka National Park tour including a panoramic boat trip? Just one of many options available when exploring this fantastic part of Croatia. 

Trogir

Trogir looks like it’s straight out of the set of Game of Thrones.  With great examples of historic architecture and set within medieval walls, Trogir resembles a mini Dubrovnik.  The historic Old Town is listed on UNESCO for it’s Venetian architecture, however, somewhat sadly, many visitors to Trogir stop in on a day trip from Split.  Do the opposite, stick around a little longer after the day trippers have left and see Trogir in its true light.

Historically Trogir was a major port for Greek colonists in the 3rd century, just as they did, you’re sure to fall in love with the charm of the place. From the sunning scenery and sea views, tropical palm trees to the ramparts of Kamerlango Castle, Trogir is a great little city for a day or two. So much so it’s been rated #1 as the best city-island by Nat Geo!

Be sure to get lost in the cobblestone streets, feast on some locally sourced seafood or stop by to see the UNESCO listed Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral of St Lawrence and if you’re feeling brave, pay the small fee to climb the bell tower for views over the city.

Split

I could write an entire post just on Split.  It’s one of the two big name destinations for Croatia, and Split is often used as a launching pad to explore the nearby islands as it’s strategically located on the coastline of the Adriatic Sea.

The city has a beauty about it. Strong architecture game with Greek and Roman influences, similar to those of Trogir. For a day or two, you should start your journey on the Riva (Esplanade) which was renovated and expanded a few years ago to cope with the demands of tourism. If your hotel is slightly out of the centre, be sure to leave your car out of the Old Town and walk in. Grab an ice cream and your camera and sit on the Riva and people watch.

Split has one of the finest examples of Roman monuments. The Cathedral and the Diocletian’s Palace are well worth a look, the latter is a Roman Ruin that’s over a thousand years old, so not surprisingly it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is an entry fee to explore the Palace if you want to discover the excavated remains of the basement. If you hold an ISIC card the fee is significantly reduced.

If you’re looking to maxmise your time in Split and want to visit Krka National Park then a day trip on an organised tour might be a good option. 

Don’t miss: Diocletian’s Palace

Dubrovnik

The beautiful and bewitching Dubrovnik is on everyone’s hit list for a Croatian summer road trip. Fans of the hit TV series Game of Thrones will know Dubrovnik as the real-world filming location for the fictional city of King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms.

In addition to Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik’s appeal comes in the form of a combination of the Mediterranean lifestyle, fabulous architecture, plenty of sights and history to explore, a great nightlife and a solid food scene. Nowadays Dubrovnik is also a popular port for cruise ships touring the Med, so it can get extremely busy in summer and cruising season.

If you’re staying in Dubrovnik, get up early to dodge the crowds and walk along the ancient city walls before the heat sets in. Stop and marvel at the medieval fortifications and explore the Placa and the pedestrianised Old Town, another UNESCO world heritage site.

Some of the whimsical charm is starting to vanish from Dubrovnik as much of the Old Town is now dominated by the tourism industry.  The cobblestone alleyways lined with hotels, holiday apartments, countless restaurants and cafes however somehow it still holds an appeal. The city ramparts do act as an insulator from the sea so if you’re visiting in the height of summer, be warned, the Old Town can be stiflingly hot.

Don’t miss: Walking the ancient city walls and the grand arched gates (one at each end, Pile and Ploče).

Final Thoughts

There’s so much to experience during a summer road trip through Croatia that there really isn’t a way to list everything but we sincerely hope that these 9 suggestions will give you some travel inspiration to book your own adventure through Croatia. The country is incredibly beautiful, the people you meet are generous with their time and so willing to give you local tips and recommendations, and the food is wonderfully delicious. 

Our best tip? Immerse yourself in your Croatian experience and you’ll have memories for a lifetime. Not to mention the desire to return for another visit! 

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