10 days driving in Croatia: the’the most spectacular route
From the bustling capital of Zagreb to the famous city of Dubrovnik, this 10-day road trip will show you just how incredibly different this country is, from the most beautiful to the most beautiful’enjoy its beautiful landscapes and discover its interesting history.
If you like to travel, you have probably been bitten by the bug’Want to visit the sunny Croatian coast and its crystal clear waters. But this is not’Croatia has a lot more to offer: it has many World Heritage sites, including the one in the north of the country’Unesco. The problem of travel’have so many’places to choose from’is that’in the end you don’t know where to go. Most importantly, how to avoid the hordes of tourists and get to know the culture of the country ?
This road trip starts in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, and will take you to the green and rugged landscape of the Plitvice Lakes, from there we will head to the Adriatic Sea. We will visit Zadar, Šibenik, Split and arrive in Dubrovnik, where the winding road along the beautiful Croatian coast leads us to the best places in the country. Along the way, we will stop to discover some hidden treasures, such as the Cetina River or the stone walls, defensive walls that constitute the’one of the symbols of Croatia.
Zagreb
Start the trip in Zagreb n’is not only practical, but also rewarding. In the past the’As one of the most popular stops on the Croatian coast, the city has become a cultural center where people from all over the world can enjoy a wide range of activities’you always cook something.
On the first day, you can walk around the upper town, which is the old town and the main square’one of the most mystical areas. Discover the lanes lit by gas lanterns and don’t miss the sunset. C’It is at this moment that the lamp post makes its rounds and you can take the opportunity to make a selfie with it.
Contemplate one of’Church of San Marcos with its colorful red and white roof. Then, just around the corner, you will find the oldest coffee shop in Zagreb: Pod starim krovovima. Here you can see how the locals love the coffee culture.
The streets of the city are a hive of activity and there is always something going on, from live music to gastronomic fairs, especially from’April to October. Go to the Green Horseshoe, an area of parks and squares where you can discover the most modern and lively side of Zagreb.
On the second day, we will head to Sljeme, the summit of Mount Medvednica. In addition to enjoying the beauty of the landscape, you can visit the medieval castle of Medvedgrad and the many small houses where they serve homemade food in the heart of the city. For the last night, we recommend you to go to the Bornstein wine bar or to a restaurant’any other bar on the lively street Tkalčićeva, the walking area of Zagreb.
Plitvice Lakes
Within a few hours’An hour’s drive from Zagreb are the gentle hills of the Plešivica wine region. C’This is where Croatian red and sparkling wines are produced. Go to the terrace of the restaurant Ivančić and match the food with the breathtaking view of the vineyards.
Book a half day to discover the Plitvice Lakes. Take a boat ride on Lake Kozjak and take a selfie at the highest waterfall in the park, Veliki Slap. But above all, don’t miss the’opportunity to get closer to nature.
Afterwards, you can relax in the rustic restaurant Lička Kuća We recommend the delicious roast lamb or trout empanada.
Zadar
On the road to Zadar you will see that the landscape changes quickly and dramatically. The lush forests turn into rugged moors until you reach the imposing Mt’to the’imposing Mount Velebit. You will have to cross it through a tunnel of five kilometers long and, from there, there is nothing better than to go back to the old city’on the other side you will find the Adriatic Sea.
Zadar is a good way to get to know the Croatian coast. Here, the combination of sun and sea is a true wonder of nature. Stroll along the beach promenade and hallucinate with the’sea organ, a monument that is in turn an experimental musical instrument that sounds with the’The assault of the waves.
Don’t miss the Saludo al Sol, another art installation located in front of the sea.
If you want to learn about’history, visit the Plaza del Foro and the’church of San Donato, which dates back to the 9th century. Then, get lost in the cobblestone streets of the city, stroll through Five Wells Square and Kalelarga Main Street. See the buildings, the arches and absorb that halo of the city’The best way to see the ancient.
After so much walking, you deserve a reward, so treat yourself to the glacier.
The next day, we recommend you to take a boat ride through the Kornati National Park and jump off the boat’island to island. Normally, the’The excursion is accompanied by food, which is usually fish caught during the day. If you want more seafood, we recommend the restaurant Proto Food&More.
Krka and Šibenik waterfalls
Once you leave Zadar, stay on the road’The Adriatic Highway (Jadranska magistrala, D8 or E65), c’is the road that offers the best views of the coast. Until’in Dubrovnik, you will have a lot of fun’one side the sea, with its waters of’a crystal clear blue, and the’other imposing mountains.
Enter the Krka National Park in the town of Skradin. N’Don’t forget your bathing suit and get on board of the boat’one of the boats that reach the largest waterfall in Krka: the Skradinski Buk. The best way to see all the waterfalls is in Omiš’It is a short walk to the village of Brela, and you can get there on foot’Take a swim there, because swimming is not allowed’t is not forbidden !
In Šibenik, enjoy a delicious meal at Pelegrini, the’one of the first Croatian restaurants to have received a Michelin star. Then walk through the fortress of San Miguel, a medieval construction that has a beautiful view of the city and the’archipelago.
Split
If you like the city’history, Split will fascinate you.
On the first day, you can visit the most famous monuments: the Cathedral of San Duje, the Diocletian’s Palace and its peristyle. Afterwards, take the opportunity to relax in the market square, called Pazar, or in the old town hall’one of the terraces of the beach promenade.
Don’t miss the spectacular views from the top of Marjan Hill, especially from the Vidilica café. The freshest seafood is served at Nostromo, a tavern near the famous Split fish market, Peškarija. And to close the evening, go to Paradox Wine & Cheese Bar, where the’the best Croatian wines are served with local cheese and prosciutto.
The next day, trip to Trogir. Visit the thirteenth-century cathedral of San Lorenzo and admire the door carved by the master Radovan, a jewel of medieval masonry. On the way back, we stop in Kaštela, a town consisting of seven villages, kaštel, each with a fortified castle. The fortress of Kaštilac in Kaštel Gomilica appears in a very famous series, guess which one ? Finally visit the’Kaštel olive tree, 1500 years old, Štafilić
Brela
If you want to eat in a unique place, go to the village of’Omiš, where the Cetina River flows into the ancient city of Omiš’Adriatic coast. Radmanove mlinice is a water mill converted into a restaurant where the’serves exquisite food. Don’t leave without tasting the bread, which is baked in a glass bell jar.
Take advantage of the next 24 hours to disconnect from the world. As soon as you see these white stone beaches, you will want to spend the day in the sun and take a good swim.
Dubrovnik
South of Makarska, the road crosses the Neretva river valley, a fertile plain famous for its orchards. Make a stop in the village of Brela’Opuzen and buy at the’one of its food stalls. Then you will arrive in Neum, briefly cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina and then leave again, so get your passport ready.
Make another stop in Ston on the Pelješac peninsula. Don’t leave without tasting the mollusks or seeing the second longest wall in the world: the Ston wall. At Bakus Tavern you can eat fresh oysters and mussels.
Then, you will burn calories when you walk along the walls.
Get ready now for your final destination: Dubrovnik. We recommend you stay in the quiet district of Lapad, you have the beaches nearby, but also the old town. Danče Beach is a bit hidden and is very close to Puerta de Pile, but we recommend it because it is beautiful.
The same goes for the’Lokrum Island, where you can spend the day and it is very easy to s’go there by boat.
Take advantage of the first day to discover the charms of the old city. Walk along the city walls, visit the Rector’s and Sponza’s palaces. Do not leave without visiting the third oldest pharmacy in the world, located in the Franciscan monastery.
And to end the day, take the funicular up Mount Srđ and enjoy the view of the city.
If you want to taste the authentic Dubrovnik cuisine, go to the Pantarul restaurant, where they cook with products from the nearby Konavle region. Have a drink at the Troubadour café, a classic of the city.
Before taking spirulina’plane, go to Cavtat, the birthplace of the famous Croatian painter Vlaho Bukovac. After visiting his home, take a final dip. Nearby you will find many irresistible beaches.
