Great Tour of Croatia: 15-Day Self-Drive Adventure
From Roman ruins in Istria to the pearl of the Adriatic, drive Croatia at your own pace.
This 15-day self-drive tour of Croatia takes you through the country's most celebrated destinations, combining ancient Roman heritage, UNESCO-listed natural parks, and dramatic Adriatic coastline into a single, flexible itinerary designed for independent travellers.
Beginning and ending at Pula Airport, the route loops through Kvarner Bay, the Dalmatian coast, Dubrovnik, Plitvice Lakes, and back through Istria. A rental car is arranged on arrival, giving you the freedom to explore each region at a comfortable pace without the constraints of a group schedule.
The difficulty rating is very easy, making this tour well-suited to travellers who want a rich cultural and natural experience without physically demanding activities. Optional guided excursions are available at key stops for those who prefer an expert local perspective.
Croatia's diversity is one of its greatest strengths. Within fifteen days, you will move from the stone amphitheatres of Pula to the turquoise cascades of Plitvice, from the walled old city of Dubrovnik to the pine-scented coves of the Makarska Riviera.
Tour Highlights
Pula's Roman Amphitheatre is one of the six largest surviving Roman arenas in the world, set in the heart of Istria's largest city.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features sixteen terraced lakes connected by waterfalls and surrounded by dense forest.
Dubrovnik's medieval walls enclose a remarkably preserved old city, home to forts, bastions, towers, and centuries of Adriatic maritime history.
The Krka National Park offers accessible walking trails past a series of stunning waterfalls and river canyons in northern Dalmatia.
The Makarska Riviera stretches sixty kilometres along the base of the Biokovo mountain range, with white pebble beaches and panoramic cliff views.
The Biokovo Skywalk is a glass-floored viewing platform extending over the cliffs of Biokovo Nature Park, offering dramatic views of the Adriatic.
Šibenik and Biograd na Moru serve as ideal bases for exploring multiple national parks, with the medieval UNESCO-listed Cathedral of St James in Šibenik itself worth a visit.
Itinerary Overview
Arrive at Pula Airport, collect your hire car, and check in to your hotel. Spend two days exploring the Roman Amphitheatre, the Temple of Augustus, and the old town. An optional two-hour private city tour is available.
Drive south via Opatija and Rijeka, pausing to take in the Adriatic Pearl's belle-époque promenade. Continue to the Šibenik and Biograd na Moru region, your base for exploring Krka and Paklenica National Parks over two days.
Drive along the Dalmatian coast to the Makarska Riviera with a stop at the Biokovo Skywalk, then continue to Dubrovnik. Spend two nights discovering the old city walls, the Stradun, and optional excursions to Peljesac, Korcula, or Mljet.
Drive north to Šibenik for a further night, then proceed to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Spend two nights based in Plitvice, walking the park's colour-coded trails at your own pace with an optional guided tour available.
Return through Kvarner Bay for a relaxing overnight stay, then drive back along Istria's western coast to Pula for two final nights of leisure before departure.
Enjoy a final breakfast, check out of your hotel, and return the rental car at Pula Airport in time for your onward flight.
What Is Included
Included
- 14 nights accommodation with breakfast
- Rental car with unlimited mileage (class as booked)
- Meet and greet service at Pula Airport on arrival
- Pre-departure information pack and driving notes
- Optional guided tours available to book separately at key stops
- Traditional welcome in Cilipi village (grape brandy and figs) on optional folklor tour
Not Included
- International flights to and from Croatia
- Travel insurance
- National park entrance fees (to be purchased on the spot)
- Optional guided excursions (Pula city tour, Krka tour, Dubrovnik city tour, Plitvice tour, Cilipi folklor tour)
- Lunches and dinners
- Fuel and motorway tolls
- Personal expenses and gratuities
Important Information
Ready to Drive Croatia?
Secure your 15-day self-drive itinerary today and explore Croatia's Roman ruins, national parks, and Adriatic coastline entirely on your own terms.
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