Best of Croatia 11-Day Self-Drive Tour
From the hills of Zagreb to the stone walls of Dubrovnik, chart your own course through Croatia's most iconic landscapes.
This Best of Croatia Self-Drive Tour takes you through eleven days of carefully curated stops, connecting Croatia's capital, its Adriatic coastline, a UNESCO-listed national park, and the historic city of Dubrovnik at your own pace.
The route begins in Zagreb, where Austro-Hungarian architecture frames lively squares and open-air markets. It then winds south through the Kvarner resort town of Opatija, the waterfall-laced trails of Plitvice Lakes National Park, and the Roman-era streets of Split and Zadar before concluding in Dubrovnik.
Traveling by rental car gives you the freedom to stop at coastal viewpoints, explore hilltop fortresses, and linger over lunch wherever the mood takes you. Each overnight stay places you within walking distance of the day's main attractions.
Tour Highlights
Zagreb's Upper and Lower Towns offer a layered mix of medieval lanes, Baroque churches, and 19th-century boulevards worth a full day of exploration.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features 16 interconnected lakes and a series of cascading waterfalls set within dense forest.
Opatija's Lungomare promenade stretches along the Kvarner coast past botanical gardens and elegant villas built for the Austro-Hungarian aristocracy.
Split's Diocletian's Palace, a fourth-century Roman complex, remains one of the best-preserved examples of late-antique architecture in the Mediterranean.
Dubrovnik's medieval city walls encircle a dense collection of palaces, churches, and limestone streets that earned the city its UNESCO World Heritage status.
The drive along the Makarska Riviera offers panoramic views of the Adriatic and access to white pebble beaches between Split and Dubrovnik.
Zadar's Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun installations turn the natural energy of the sea and sunlight into ambient sound and light displays on the waterfront.
Itinerary Overview
Arrive at Zagreb Airport, collect your rental car, and check in to your hotel. Over two days, explore Gornji Grad (Upper Town) with its colorful St. Mark's Church and Lotrscak Tower, then descend to the bustling Dolac market and the main Ban Josip Jelacic Square in Donji Grad (Lower Town). Optional guided city walks and a sommelier-led Croatian wine tasting are available for booking.
Drive west from Zagreb to Opatija, a seaside resort on the Kvarner Riviera known for its mild climate, fragrant gardens, and colourful Habsburg-era villas. Spend two nights here, walking the Lungomare promenade and sampling regional cuisine. Day trips to Pula, Porec, or Rovinj in Istria are available with a private guide.
Head inland on Day 5 to Plitvice Lakes National Park, where wooden boardwalks and forest trails lead past 16 terraced lakes and numerous waterfalls. On Day 6, continue to Zadar on the Dalmatian coast, where Roman-era walls, a vibrant cafe scene, and the interactive Sea Organ installations await.
Arrive in Split and spend two days in and around the ancient Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO-listed site that has been continuously inhabited for 17 centuries. On the second day, consider a drive to nearby Omis to visit its medieval fortresses and public beach along the Cetina Canyon.
Drive south along the coast, passing through the Makarska Riviera before arriving in Dubrovnik. Over two days, walk the city walls, explore the historic Republic of Ragusa's palaces and churches, and choose from optional excursions including a folklore visit to Cilipi village or a guided Game of Thrones filming-locations tour with a boat ride to Lokrum Island.
Enjoy a final breakfast before driving to Dubrovnik Airport to return the rental car and catch your return flight. The airport is a short drive from the city centre.
What Is Included
Included
- 10 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Rental car for the full duration of the tour
- Detailed self-drive road book with maps and directions
- 24-hour assistance throughout the tour
- Toll fees and parking assistance information
Not Included
- International flights to and from Croatia
- Optional guided city tours in Zagreb, Opatija, Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik
- Optional Plitvice Lakes guided tour
- Optional wine tasting experience in Zagreb
- Optional excursions in Dubrovnik (Cilipi, Game of Thrones tour)
- Meals other than breakfast
- Personal travel insurance
- Fuel costs
Important Information
Ready to Explore Croatia?
Secure your place on this 11-day self-drive journey through Zagreb, Plitvice, Split, and Dubrovnik. Availability is limited, so book early to confirm your preferred travel dates.
Book Now
