Road trips in Croatia

Croatia is a land of deep heritage, beauty, and adventure waiting to be explored !

Croatia resides in east-central Europe along the Adriatic sea and is home to gorgeous landscapes, architecture, and more. It is bordered by Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro, and is a unique country with excellent road trip potential. The sights, sounds, and experiences along your Croatia road trip are sure to leave you amazed again and again!

Croatia, as a kingdom and as a country, dates back centuries, and has been inhabited far longer than that! Today, tourism and Croatia tours are extremely popular. This is easy to understand as soon as one sees the fantastic architecture and fortress of Dubrovnik or the turquoise-hued waters of Plitvice National Park. Every city in Croatia offers a quaint old town area, many of which date back hundreds or thousands of years, and practically transport you back in time. Beautiful churches and buildings abound while imposing medieval fortresses still stand guard over port cities like Dubrovnik and offer their own impressive beauty. The countryside throughout Croatia is even more beautiful, and a Croatia road trip would not be complete without witnessing it! Plitvice National Park is one of the most popular destinations in Croatia. Its lakes, rivers, and waterfalls are practically straight from a fairytale. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 and is well worth visiting.

The weather throughout much of Croatia is mild and rainy for the majority of the year, but along the Adriatic coast, the climate is warmer and sunnier. Further inland, especially at higher elevations, the winters can be quite cold and snowy. We would recommend you plan a Croatia trip between late spring and early fall to enjoy the best weather and make the most of your travels.

Croatian cuisine is quite varied, so come prepared with an appetite and open mind! Along the coast, you will find fresh seafood in many dishes, as well as more Italian and Mediterranean influence. Further inland, you are likelier to taste more of an Austrian, Hungarian, and Turkish influence with more meat and vegetables. Throughout the country, you will find various cheeses, charcuteries, and local specialties. While not widely known, Croatian olive oils and wines should not be missed! During your Croatia travel with Planet Ride, you will have plenty of opportunities to sample authentic dishes.

Getting to Croatia is not difficult. Citizens of most countries, including the United States, Canada, and most of Europe, only need a valid passport. Numerous airlines offer flights from all over Europe and even a few from the Middle East. You will most likely arrive in the capital of Zagreb but can easily transfer to Zadar, Split, or Dubrovnik. Trains are another great option, and there are direct lines to Zagreb from Austria, Germany, Hungary, and others.

Croatia travel is generally safe, and you are not likely to have any trouble. Of course, use common sense and always be polite. There are some precautions to take the further off-road you travel. Due to Croatia’s war-torn recent past, there are still many landmines in remote parts of the country, and you should consult with locals before hiking and always pay attention for warning signs. Ticks, along with the diseases they carry, are prevalent throughout continental Croatia, so be sure to wear long sleeves and insect repellent, and to check yourself carefully after being outdoors.

What Planet Ride offers for road trip adventures in Croatia

Planet Ride currently features a variety of Croatia tours, including trips by motorhome, motorcycle, and car. We partner with excellent local guides to offer you the best vehicles, best itineraries, and the best possible road trip experience! Our partner guides are experts on the local roads, customs, cuisine, and more. On some trips, your guide will ride with you the entire time, but others offer the freedom to explore entirely on your own. We also provide a Croatia trip for every level of experience, adventure, and duration.

An example of our longest Croatia journey is 20-day trek by motorhome. For the first portion of the trip, you will explore seaside towns like Pula and Krk, along with their nearby islands. From there, you will take a short detour into the beautiful hills and mountains around Razanac and Paklenica National Park. Plenty more time is spent along the Adriatic with visits to Pag, Split, Dubrovnik and other locations. Enjoy the countless monuments, picturesque architecture, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. This particular trek then spends a few days winding through Bosnia and Herzegovina before visiting Plitvice National Park and concluding in Slovenia.

For those seeking two-wheeled excitement, our 8-day motorcycle trip covers the entire geographical diversity of the country and offers landscapes that will leave you breathless ! A robust and capable BMW 1200 GS bike will let you tackle the entire route with ease and excitement. After arriving in Zagreb, you’ll head for Plitvice National Park and the amazing views of North Velebit National Park. Along this journey, you’ll have opportunities to hike, visit charming villages like Groznjan, cross the splendid Istrian hills while carving turns, visit the Slovenian town of Bled, and much more. You will be immersed the entire time in local culture with opportunities to taste unique wines, cheeses, and foods and view various forms of art like paintings and sculptures. This Croatia trip offers a wonderful mix of adrenaline and excitement with relaxation and beauty.

If a more traditional road trip is your preference, check out our cross-country car trips, like the 10-day journey from Zagreb and along the coast. This form of Croatia travel lets you explore the country and all it offers at your own pace and in your own way. A few must-see stops include Zadar and its Romanesque churches, The UNESCO World Heritage site of Trogir, and the countless temples of Split. This region of Dalmatia is also home to several natural wonders, such as Krka National Park and the Cetina River.