The ultimate Croatia Road Trip Itinerary
Croatia how beautiful you are! This country really has all the ingredients for a great vacation. From charming cities to breathtaking nature. Beforehand, we didn’t really know what exactly to expect from Croatia. Is it perhaps too touristy? Or perhaps too expensive? As some travelers claim online.
There was less to be found about roadtripping through Croatia than, say, the vanlife life in Portugal. So we went in nice and blank and let ourselves be surprised. It unexpectedly became one of our favorite countries during our road trip through Europe. We found it to be the perfect combo of charming cities, culture, nature and a beach.
In just under 4 weeks, we drove from Rovinj to just past Split. I definitely could have stayed in Croatia for a while longer. For example, I would have loved to have visited Dubrovnik and the Krka National Park. Reason enough to go back to Croatia someday.
Read on quickly for our ultimate road trip itinerary for Croatia.
Route Croatia in a nutshell – 26 days
- Rovinj: 4 days
- Krk: 4 days
- Gospic: 3 days
- Sibenik: 3 days
- Trogir: 3 days
- Lokva Rogoznica: 5 days
- Plitvice National Park: 3 days
Rovinj – 4 days
The nicest town in Istria, that’s how Rovinj is also called. Despite being quite touristy, we absolutely agree with this. We loved the place. The old town is ideal for culture lovers, foodies and shopaholics. But there is also plenty to do outside the center. It was our first stop in Croatia and it managed to completely engross us right away.
Krk – 4 days
Krk is also called the golden island. The island got this name because it has all kinds of cultural and natural resources. It is one of the largest islands in Croatia and you can easily spend a few weeks there. We unfortunately had a few days to spare, but thoroughly enjoyed ourselves here. The island is quite mountainous, so with an old bus sometimes a bit hefty to get around quickly. The island has diverse landscapes, cozy towns and beautiful bays.
Gospic – 3 days
Gospic is a small village in the Croatian province of Lika-Senj. It was initially a quick stop for us to break up the drive to Sibenik, but we were very surprised by the beauty of this area. It is very quiet and you can do great hiking. If you love peace and nature, this is the place to be.
Sibenik – 3 days
Sibenik was for me the favorite city in Croatia. Like walking on a Game of Thrones set. This historic city is located on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia. Although the town has gained a little more fame because some scenes for Game of Thrones were indeed shot there, the town is still relatively undiscovered. Thanks to its charming old town, numerous hotspots and beautiful location, Sibenik became a favorite for us as well.
Trogir – 3 days
In terms of historical cities on the coast, Croatia is not short of anything. Trogir is also an adorable town with lots of history, fun hotspots and beautiful beaches. It is a top destination for a boat trip to explore nearby islands.
Lokva Rogoznica: 5 days
We had been road-tripping through Croatia for a while when we decided it was time for a few days of lazing by the water. Not just idle chores, but unfortunately there was work to be done along the way. We found the small campsite Sirena right on the water near the village of Lokva Rogoznica just past Split. The perfect place for a few days of work with stunning views and the occasional dip in the water.
Plitvice National Park – 3 days
If there is one place not to be missed in Croatia, it is Plitvice National Park. It is the pride of Croatia and perhaps one of the most beautiful places in the country. The emerald lakes, stunning waterfalls and beautiful surroundings are breathtaking. Unfortunately, because of its beauty, it can be a bit crowded, but we have the ultimate tip for that. Wondering what? Read the article on Plitvice National Park.
After 26 days, unfortunately, our road trip through Croatia came to an end, but we are far from bored. Someday we will definitely go back to this country. Have you visited Croatia yet?
