Lakes and waterfalls inland, stone towns and islands on the Adriatic: Croatia is best explored heading down the Dalmatian coast. Here is a ten-day road trip from Zagreb to Dubrovnik.
Itinerary: from Zagreb to Dubrovnik
- Day 1: Zagreb, the Upper and Lower Town
- Day 2: Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Day 3: Zadar and its sea organ
- Day 4: Krka National Park and its waterfalls, then Šibenik
- Days 5 and 6: Split and Diocletian’s Palace
- Days 7 and 8: An island: Hvar, Brač or Vis, by ferry from Split
- Days 9 and 10: Dubrovnik and its city walls
When to go
May, June and September are perfect: the sea is warm, the weather is good and crowds are reasonable. July and August are very hot and very busy on the coast. Out of season, some ferry links run less often.
Getting around
A car is ideal along the coast and for Plitvice. Islands are reached by ferry or catamaran, with or without a car. The Pelješac bridge lets you reach Dubrovnik without leaving Croatia.
Our tips
- Arrive early at Plitvice, or book your entry slot in summer
- Book car ferries in advance in high season
- Stay a little outside the centres of Dubrovnik and Split for more calm
- Bring shoes for the pebble beaches
Plan this trip with Voyage : mon guide
Add each stop with its number of nights: the app creates the days and puts the whole route on an Apple Maps map. Keep islands, coves and old towns in the ideas box, log flights, trains and rentals on the right day, then prepare the trip for offline use before leaving. Once there, Guide mode shows the current day and tonight’s hotel.
Frequently asked questions
Are ten days enough?
Yes for this itinerary with one island. With two weeks, add a second island or Istria in the north.
Do I need a car on the islands?
Not always: on Hvar or Vis, a scooter or the buses are often enough. Taking the car on the ferry costs more.
Plan this itinerary with Voyage : mon guide.
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