A round trip through Croatia is full of surprises and highly recommended. The country consists of several areas, each with its own unique spots. You will find bright blue lakes, rugged mountains, challenging hiking trails and picturesque villages. You can easily drive from place to place with your campervan or car, making it the ideal destination for a road trip! We took an awesome tour of Croatia and share our best tips with you!
General information about Croatia
Are you planning a tour of Croatia? Then check out our tips for the best travel period and transport to and in Croatia. You can find all the information you need about Croatia here.
How many days do you need for this tour of Croatia?
We have the following tour of Croatia in 15 days laid out, but we recommend you take a little more time for this, consider 17 á 18 days. Do you prefer to take it even slower? No problem, you can easily adjust this itinerary.
Did you also 15 days or less the time? Then choose to skip some places. We give more information for each place so you can plan the route that suits you!
Good preparation to avoid boring traffic jam moments!
The route to Croatia is relatively long and it is useful to think about how you will drive in advance. Check out our route + travel costs in the blog to Croatia by motorhome!
Despite the long drives, we love travelling by motorhome. Still, it can happen that you end up in a traffic jam along the way. There you are... surrounded by trucks and other road users. Unfortunately, we can't change your view and have no magic plan to get from A to B faster, but with these simple games, time flies by!
As you've probably already realised, we love card games. It's by far the easiest to carry around & therefore perfect for when travelling. Because let's face it... Folding out a whole board is not ideal & searching for dice between seats is not very conducive to the atmosphere either. Pick your favourite and you're bound to have a cosy trip! For more inspiration check out our blog 14x Great travel games for 2 people or 20x mini games | Byfect travel gifts.
Tour of Croatia - Our route
Most people make their tour of Croatia by campervan or car. But we can understand that not everyone is waiting for a long drive. Would you like to make this route but not drive to Croatia from the Netherlands? Then we recommend flying to Croatia and renting a car there. That way, you will start your trip full of energy and enjoy all the freedom that your own car offers.
For your tour of Croatia, we recommend booking a hire car from Sunnycars. We ourselves almost always choose Sunnycars.co.uk, because it is by far the most reliable option. With their clear terms and conditions and all-inclusive service, you are always well insured, with no hidden costs.
Got a smaller budget? No problem! Croatia is also great to discover by public transport! Via the site of Bookaway you can easily book bus and boat tickets.
Tip: You can fly from Rotterdam, Eindhoven or Amsterdam to various destinations in Croatia. Check carefully which is cheapest and which best suits your itinerary!
Rovinj
When you go to Croatia by campervan or car, your journey starts when you close the door behind you. But your adventure in Croatia begins in Rovinj, a picturesque peninsula on the Istrian coast. You can spend hours wandering around the narrow streets here, eating delicious food and enjoying the beautiful views of the sea. We therefore thought this was a perfect first stop! Are you curious about the best places in this town? Then read our tips for Rovinj.
Travel time: By motorhome or car, it takes about 13.5 hours from the Netherlands to Rovinj.
Bale
Bale is a perfect stopover during your drive from Rovinj to Pula. This charming village is known for its very good olive oil - perfect for taking home a good bottle or enjoying it during your tour of Croatia. But Bale has much more to offer. The historic centre with its narrow streets and beautiful old buildings are perfect for spending an afternoon wandering around and enjoying the terrace.
Travel time: By motorhome or car it is approx. 20 minutes drive from Rovinj to Bale.
Pula
Pula feels like a piece of Italy in Croatia. This is not surprising, given the Italian influences in the architecture and the iconic amphitheatre. Although the city has some wonderful historical sights, we did not find Pula itself hugely impressive. However, it does make an ideal base for visiting the nearby Kamenjak nature park. Perfect for a day of hikes or just a quiet beach day. Read more about Pula in our blog tips for Pula.
Travel time: By motorhome or car it is approx. 45 minutes drive from Rovinj to Pula without stops.
Travel time: By motorhome or car it is approx. 30 minutes drive from Bale to Pula without stops.
National Park Kamenjak
Kamenjak is a special place and perfect to combine with Pula. Located in southern Istria, this peninsula is a protected natural park ideal for a day at the beach. You will find numerous beautiful beaches, hidden coves and impressive cliffs you can jump off. But Kamenjak has more to offer! Indeed, along the coast there are beautiful hiking and mountain biking routes, with information boards telling you more about the area's unique nature and history.
Travel time: By motorhome or car it is approx. 20 minutes drive from Pula to Kamenjak.
Tulove Grede
After Kamenjak, it is time to explore Croatia's interior and the first stop is Tulove Grede. Tulove Grede, located in Sjeverni Velebit National Park, is highly recommended. You will find several hiking trails in the park and most of them are relatively short and accessible. Thus, we were at the summit within 1.5 hours, where we were rewarded with fantastic views! Read more information and practical tips in our blog Tulove Grede.
Travel time: By motorhome or car it is approx. 5 hours drive from Pula To Tulove Grede.
From Pula, it's a long drive to Tulove Grede. Want to split the journey or have some extra time? Then consider a stopover in Opatija or Rijeka.
Travel time: By motorhome or car it is approx. 3.5 hour drive Drive from Rijeka to Tulove Grede.
Zrmanja Canyon
If you are near Tulove Grede, don't miss the breathtaking Zrmanja Canyon Viewpoint! With spectacular views of the impressive gorge and the meandering river, this is a must-see during your trip. What makes this place extra special is that it has not yet been discovered by mass tourism and little information can be found online.
Curious about how to visit this unique place? Read more in our blog about the Zrmanja Viewpoint!
Travel time: By motorhome or car it is approx. 35 minutes drive from Tulove Grede to Zrmanje Viewpoint.
Krka National Park
After your first introduction to Croatia's interior, it's time to set sail for the magnificent Krka National Park. This park is known for its impressively wide waterfalls that flow into bright green lakes. You are guaranteed to feast your eyes here. The park is vast and offers countless cool spots. Want to know more about it? Check out our Tips for Krka National Park and plot the ideal route for your adventure.
Travel time: By motorhome or car it is approx. 1.5 hours drive from Tulove Grede to Krka National Park.
Travel time: By motorhome or car it is approx. 1 hour drive from Zrmanje to Krka National Park.
Cetina
After your visit to the impressive Krka National Park, it is time to travel on to the famous waterfalls and lakes of Plitvice. But before you get there, we recommend a stopover at the Izvor Cetine in Cetina.
This hidden gem still attracts few tourists, making it a unique experience. Although the surroundings are peaceful and perfect for a nice walk, it is mainly the underground gorge with clear blue water that makes this place so special. Exactly how deep the gorge is they do not know to this day, but they have come to 115 metres.
We parked our camper near this place and enjoyed it immensely! We therefore recommend adding this place to your tour of Croatia. Do you have a bit more time? Then drive to Split first!
Travel time: By motorhome or car it is approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from Krka National Park to Cetina.
Plitvice lakes
The next national park on your itinerary through Croatia is the iconic Plitvice Lakes. It is one of the most famous places in Croatia. The park is known for its 16 turquoise lakes connected by as many as 90 waterfalls. Between these lakes and waterfalls you will find landscaped hiking trails. You can choose from 8 different routes, varying in length and difficulty. Be sure to book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. Check out our tips for your visit to Plitvice lakes.
Travel time: By motorhome or car it is approx. 2 hours drive from Krka National Park to Plitvice Lakes.
Travel time: By motorhome or car it is approx. 2.5 hour drive from Cetina to Plitvice lakes.
The island Krk - Baska
Your tour of Croatia ends perfectly on the northern island of Krk. This island is easily reached via a long and impressive bridge. Highlights of the island of Krk include charming Krk town, picturesque Vrbnik, and lively Baska.
We spent most of our time in Baska, a popular spot on the west side of the island. The village is fully equipped for tourists, with vast beaches, cosy shops, atmospheric restaurants, and a wide range of hotels and campsites. It is the ideal place to relax and recharge your last days before starting your return journey.
Travel time: By motorhome or car it is approx. 2.5 hours drive from Plitvice Lakes to Baska.
Tip: Now you may be thinking, it's not convenient to drive back to the Netherlands from Baska or Krk island, is it? That's right! We spent our last night in Umag. A small town on the border near Slovenia.
Day-to-day planning for your tour of Croatia
We hope you have a good idea of the possibilities in Croatia. To get you started, we have listed our own schedule below. Of course, whether this schedule works for you depends on your preferences and travel style. Check out all our articles on Croatia and put together an itinerary that suits you perfectly!
- Day 1: Arrival in Rovinj. Take a stroll through the charming old town and enjoy dinner overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
- Day 2: Explore Rovinj. Visit St Euphemia's Church and wander the quaint streets full of art galleries and boutiques.
- Day 3: Journey to Bale (20 minutes) and explore the old town. Continue your journey to Pula (30 minutes).
- Day 4: Visit Pula. See the impressive amphitheatre and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the city.
- Day 5: Explore the peninsula Kamenjak and then head towards Rijeka (1.5 hours).
- Day 6: Journey to Tulove Grede in the Sjeverni Velebit national park (2 hours).
- Day 7: Take a hike to the top of Tulove Grede and enjoy the breathtaking views.
- Day 8: Stop at the viewpoint of the Zrmanja Canyon, a hidden gem where you hardly meet any other tourists.
- Day 9: Discover the waterfalls and lakes of Krka National Park. Plan your day smartly with our tips!
- Day 10-11: Make a stop at Izvor Cetina, an underground gorge filled with clear blue water. Perfect for unwinding.
- Day 12: Explore the impressive Plitvice Lakes and choose one of the hiking trails through this UNESCO world heritage site.
- Day 13-14: End your trip on the island Krk, in the village Baska. Enjoy the beach, local cuisine, and a relaxed atmosphere.
- Day 15: Start the return journey via Umag (Or choose a different route if you have more time).
Useful tips for your tour of Croatia
- Travel time: Use the listed travel times between destinations to optimise your planning. It's useful to build in some rest stops.
- Tickets and reservations: For national parks such as Krka and Plitvice, it is smart to buy your tickets in advance. This saves time and avoids disappointment. Going in high season? Then book your camping spots in time too!
- Flexible route: Have less time? Consider skipping Krk. Instead, do you have more time? Then add stops such as Split, Zadar and Dubrovnik.
Find more useful tips and information on travel expenses in our blog to Croatia by motorhome!
The ideal products for your tour Croatia
Are you preparing for your trip? Then take a look in our webshop! Here you will find useful travel gadgets and practical accessories that will make your tour of Croatia even easier. For example vacuum bags - perfect for compactly storing large blankets or clothing during a motorhome trip - or compression packing cubes, which organise your bag or suitcase and make it easy to find your clothes. So you start your trip well-prepared and organised.
Need more inspiration?
We hope this information helps you plan a round trip through Croatia. Want more details about a specific destination? Then check out our articles on the places mentioned in this itinerary. Or send us a message - we are happy to help you with tips and ideas to plan your dream trip. Would you rather book a complete round trip? Then take a look at the website of TravelHome.
We try to keep this blog about touring Croatia as up-to-date as possible but we can't do this without your help. If anything has changed, please let us know via [email protected].
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