Last Updated on August 23, 2026 by Maggie McKneely

Are you planning a trip to Europe’s Adriatic paradise? This 10-day Croatia itinerary includes everything you need to plan the perfect trip!

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10 Day Croatia Itinerary

“I can’t believe this place is real.” That was the sentence I said approximately 40 times as my mom and I drove along the winding 2-lane coastal highway between Split and Dubrovnik. The rugged mountains, the cerulean Adriatic water, the tiny villages, and boat-filled coves will have you dreaming about obtaining a Croatian visa. But Croatia, often overshadowed by its Mediterranean neighbors like Italy, Greece, and Spain, has many such places. The fairytale landscapes of Plitvice Lakes and Rastoke, its Tuscany-like wine region of Istria, its nearly 1000 island communities. If you are looking for a slightly less expensive and less crowded idyllic Mediterranean vacation, Croatia needs to be on your list.

And if you’re actively planning a 10 days in Croatia, I’m so glad that you’re here! This 10 day Croatia itinerary is the plan that my mom and used. It hits all of the highlights, plus includes day trips to two bonus countries, Bosnia and Montenegro. But first –

Tips for Visiting Croatia

When is the best time to visit Croatia?

If you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best to visit in the shoulder seasons of April to early June or September through October. This is especially true if you’re visiting Dubrovnik, which becomes absolutely packed with tourists in July and August.

However, traveling in the off season means that you’ll have cooler temperatures and more unstable weather. Parts of Croatia stay surprisingly cool late into the spring time, with snow still likely in popular places like Plitvice Lakes well into May. We took our trip the first week of April and we’re shocked to find that most of Plitvice Lakes was closed due to a recent 3-foot snowstorm! Spring weather can be quite unpredictable, though we lucked out with sunshine and perfect temperatures for the rest of our trip after visiting Plitvice.

However, the Mediterranean was still way too cold to get into when we were there. I’m told it doesn’t warm up until June, so the best time to travel to both avoid the crowds and enjoy the water may be September – October.

Do I need to bring cash to Croatia?

Yes! While many restaurants and stores do accept credit cards, there are a surprising number of places that only accept cash, even in big cities like Split and Zadar. Croatia uses the Euro, so be sure to bring both coins and bills with you on your trip.

Is there public transportation in Croatia?

Yes! Ultimately, the best way to get around Croatia is with a car, and this 10-day Croatia itinerary is designed for people renting a car. The highways are excellent, and the signs are easy to understand.

However, if you really don’t want to rent a car, Croatia does have an extensive bus system. Most local cities have their own buses, and there are several bus companies that offer routes between cities.

What should I know about renting a car in Croatia?

As mentioned, this itinerary is best for someone using a rental car to get around. Croatian highways are very easy to navigate and they drive on the right side of the road (which is good news for most of us!). But there are a few things you should know when renting a car in Croatia.

Car Size

When choosing a rental car, ask for the smallest size you possibly can. Many parking spots, garages, and city roads are TINY. If you have to drive an SUV or even a large sedan, you will have a much tougher time than if you have a compact car. I have never in my life wanted a smart car until I had to drive through an alley they call a “road” in Split.

Hotel parking

When booking hotels or Airbnb rentals, make sure that your room comes with free parking. Many places, especially in Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik, do not guarantee parking, which will make your life much more difficult, because street parking is an absolute nightmare.

Cross-border card

If you follow this itinerary, you will be driving across international borders. Because Croatia is part of the EU and its neighboring countries are not, you will need something called a cross-border card from your rental car company. They will likely ask you if you plan to drive across a border and will need such a card, so be sure to tell them that you are and that you do. The card does cost an additional fee, but that’s a lot cheaper than whatever happens at a border crossing if you DON’T have that card. And we were asked for the card at the Montenegro crossing, so they do, in fact, check.

10 Day Croatia Itinerary

Night 1: Fly to Croatia!

If you’re coming from anywhere outside of Europe, you’ll probably have an overnight flight to get to Croatia. Being based in DC, we left from Dulles around 2 PM for a layover in Istanbul, finally landing in Zagreb around 9 AM the next day.

Day 2: Zagreb

Croatia’s main international airports are Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik. You can choose to fly into any of the cities, but I chose to start our 10 day Croatia itinerary in Zagreb for a couple of reasons. First, it is much cheaper to fly into from the U.S because it has more flight options than the other airports. Second, I really wanted to do Croatia, and that meant visiting its capital city. There are people online who will tell you to skip Zagreb, but I’m so glad that we didn’t!

Upon landing in Zagreb, pick up your rental car. As mentioned above, renting a car and driving in Croatia is extremely easy and the absolutely best way to get around for the 10-day Croatia itinerary. Then, make your way to Zagreb proper.

Zagreb’s Old Town is characterized by its Austro-Hungarian architecture, with beautiful Gothic cathedrals and cobblestone streets. It looks like it belongs in a fairytale. But despite its charm, it lacks any of the tourist crowds that populate Croatia’s coastal cities.

Zagreb

Things to do in Zagreb:

• Take a free walking tour!
  • This company offers daily tours – if you get there early enough, the 11 AM tour offers the perfect introduction to Zagreb and gives you time to explore the city at your leisure in the afternoon.
• Do a wine tasting in a 200-year-old wine cellar at Bornstein. 
  • My mom and I love learning about local wines, and this place does an excellent job of educating guests about Croatian wine and olive oils. Coming here was one of our favorite things we did all week!
• Have dinner at Ficlek.
  • If you’re looking for authentic Croatian cuisine, this is the place to go to in Zagreb. All of their dishes are authentic, and their wines are locally made. It’s both popular and small, so I recommend making a reservation in advance.

Where to Stay:

For easy access to the main part of the city, it’s best to stay in Zagreb’s Lower Town. We stayed at the City Lodge Boutique Apartments. The apartment was beautiful, and the location could not have been better!

Day 3: Plitvice Lakes National Park and Rastoke

On day 2 of this 10 day Croatia itinerary, it’s time to visit the country’s most famous national park – Plitvice Lakes. Known for its endless series of cascading waterfalls, turquoise water, lush greenery, and boardwalk trails that allow guests to get up close and personal to this natural wonderland, Plitvice is an absolute must on any Croatia itinerary.

Plitvice Lakes

From Zagreb, the park is a 2-hour drive through mostly rolling hills and rural countryside. You’ll want to leave early, because the earlier in the day that you can get to the park, the better your chances at avoiding crowds.

The park has a number of planned routes that you can take. As far as which ones are the best to take, I have to admit that I can’t give my personal advice. Our own trip to Plitvice didn’t go according to plan because the park received 3 feet of snow just a few days beforehand and only the upper trail was open for our visit. However, I can share that we had planned to do Program B (or C if we had extra time) because we were arriving at Entrance 1, the closest to our hotel. My friends over at Earthtrekkers have an incredible guide on Plitvice Lakes that I highly recommend!

Plitvice Lakes in the snow is still beautiful!

Things to know before visiting Plitvice Lakes:

• Buy your tickets in advance here. They are timed and they do sell out, especially during peak season.
• Check the weather forecast before you go, especially if you are not traveling in the summer. Plitvice gets lots of snow, and the snow season goes from October to May! The park does a good job of keeping the road clear, but it will close if the weather is really bad.
• Food is limited within the park. There are some snack huts along the trail and restaurants at the entrances, but food prices are higher and options are limited. I recommend bringing snacks. If you need a recommendation for nearby restaurants, we had lunch at the phenomenal Degenija, just 10 minutes from the park.

Rastoke

About 30 minutes from the park is the adorable village of Rastoke. I hadn’t originally planned on visiting here, but because of the snowy conditions in the park, it didn’t take as long to visit Plitvice as expected, so we had some extra time in the day. And I’m so glad!!!! We LOVED Rastoke, so I highly recommend visiting here if you can.

Rastoke was originally a mill town built on top of a series of waterfalls. Many of the old buildings have been preserved and today, a portion of the town is reserved as part historical park/part natural garden. For just €7, visitors can learn about life in the mill town as well as Croatia’s love for fairy lore. Many traditional tales involve fairies, and Rastoke preserves many of those of those stories with fairies all over the town.

It’s a naturally lovely place, extremely charming, and skipped over by most tourists in favor of its famous neighbor, Plitvice Lakes. If you can, include a visit to Rastoke on your itinerary.

Rastoke

Where to Stay:

There are a couple of hotels within the park, but there are also a ton of boutique lodges just a few minutes from the park. We stayed at Cozy House Zivko, which is a gorgeous cottage perched on top of a hill. The balcony offered splendid views of the surrounding mountains. It was very close to the park, restaurants, and grocery stores, but the peaceful setting made it felt like we were miles away from civilization.

Day 4: Split

Time to head to the famous Croatian coastline! First stop is the lively city of Split.

Founded in the 3rd century BC, Split has long been an attractive piece of coastal real estate. Roman Emperor Diocletian saw fit to build his palace there, and today the modern city is built in and around that impressive ancient architecture. Its waterfront is bustling with popular restaurants, the palace streets line with chic storefronts, and I hear its the place to go in Croatia for nightlife (not that either me nor my mom can vouch for that, we go to bed way too early for that).

All that to say, there are a lot of reasons to visit Split, and a lot of reasons everyone does. It’s busy but worth spending a day exploring!

Things to do in Split:

• Go on a walking tour of Diocletian’s Palace
  • Split is an ancient city with an incredible history, not least of which is that it’s downtown is housed in what was once a Roman emperor’s palace. My mom and I tried to explore without doing a guided tour, and it didn’t go well. If I ever went back, I would absolutely book this tour so that we actually learned something.
• Take this awesome food tour
  • Split is a foodie city, home to some of Croatia’s best restaurants. Learning more about local cuisine while discovering the best bites in the city is a must!
• Visit the epic Klis Fortress
  • As you’re driving into the city, you’ll see a fortress perched precariously on top of a ridge to the right of the highway. That’s Klis Fortress, one of the most important castles in all of Croatia, guarding the Dalmatian Coast for over 2000 years. Most recently, it was a major film location for Game of Thrones. I suggest taking this epic sunset tour of the fortress
• .Ride across the Mediterranean to the Blue Lagoon on a speedboat
  • One of our absolute favorite things that we did in Croatia was this incredible boat tour. We got on the boat in Split and then went to Trogir (an ancient island city), the stunning Blue Lagoon, and Maslinica. We had the option of snorkeling in the Blue Lagoon but the water was too cold in April; that would be amazing later in the year though!

Blue Lagoon

Where to Stay:

If you type in “hotels near Diocletian’s Palace,” that will put you within walking distance of everywhere you want to go. We stayed in an AirBnb that miraculously had private parking just a few blocks from the Palace. Dani Central Apartments would be a great option to check out, as well as this one a few blocks away.

Day 5: Mostar, Bosnia

This might be a Croatia itinerary, but since Croatia’s skinny coastline borders several other countries, why not check out a few of them? One easy way to do that is to take a day trip from Split to the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mostar is most famous for its iconic arched bridge, Stari Most. It was also the site of some of the most intense fighting of the Bosnian War in the 1990s. The entire old town, including the bridge were destroyed. However, much of the city has been entirely rebuilt, in a show of reslience and rebirth. It’s a fascinating place, home to cultural clashes, ancient history, and gorgeous architecture.

If you rented a car for this 10 day itinerary, it is completely possible to drive yourself to Mostar. However, if you don’t want to worry about the border crossing or you’d like to have a tour guide, you can also opt for a guided day trip. Because I planned on doing the border crossing into Montenegro on our own (foreshadowing to Day 7), I didn’t want to also handle the one into Bosnia, so we opted for the guided tour.

Most of the tours from Split to Mostar follow a similar itinerary. We left Split around 7AM and arrived at the border crossing around 9AM. Sometimes the border crossing only takes a few minutes, sometimes it can take a few hours. In our case, it took about an hour, as the EU was in the process of implementing their new ETIAS system at the time and that made it more complicated for tour buses.

When we finally got to Mostar itself, we got an hour guided tour of the Old City and then free time for lunch and exploring. Our Bosnian tour guide spoke perfect english, was extremely entertaining, and was a wealth of information both about the city and the war. He himself had grown up in Mostar during the 90s, so he had witnessed firsthand both its destruction and rebirth.

Posing with the Stari Most bridge

On the way back to Split, we made a stop at Kravica Waterfall, a beautiful park just before the border crossing. It’s a particularly popular spot because you swim in the pool below the falls if you want to. The walk down is quite steep though, so my mom opted to wait at the top while I went down to check it out.

Kravica Waterfall

I’m extremely glad we got to visit Mostar and get another passport stamp, but if I could go back in time, I’d opt to take the day trip on our own without the tour. We prefer doing things on our own schedule and not traveling on a tourist bus. But it was kind of nice not to have to worry about anything for a day, so if that sounds like something you’re up for, then I would recommend this tour.

Regardless, a visit to Mostar is an excellent way to spend Day 4 of this 10 day Croatia itinerary.

Day 6: Makarska Riviera

Not all famous places live up to the hype, but Croatia’s coastline absolutely does. The drive from Split to Dubrovnik through the region known as the Makarska Riviera has to be one of the most spectacular in all of Europe. This is one roadtrip you absolutely don’t want to miss out on.

Sure, you could take the toll road to Dubrovnik and save a few hours of driving time. But like I said, you’d miss out on some spectacular scenery. So plan to leave in the morning and pack some snacks so that you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the winding coastal road and stop into several small waterfront towns.

There are dozens of towns that you could stop in as you make your way down the coast, but we only had time to stop to explore three.

Omis

The first stop we made on our drive was the gorgeous town of Omiš, which is about a 30-minute drive south of Split. Omiš sits at the mouth of the Cetina River Canyon, a popular spot for adventure excursions like ziplining and white-water rafting. We didn’t do any of that, but we did appreciate the stunning visual of tiny Omiš situated against such impressive mountains.

We did, however, climb to the top of Mirabella Fortress, one of the two (yes, two) medieval fortresses that have watched over Omiš for hundreds of years. Omiš was once a popular port for pirates, and Mirabella, built in the 13th century, was their hideout and lookout. For just €6 and 10 minutes’ worth of stairs, the top of the fortress gives visitors incredible views of the town and the coastline. It doesn’t take long and has a huge reward!

Omis from Mirabella Fortress

The second fortress, Starigrad, is much higher up the mountain and requires about an hour to reach the top. We opted not to do that, but if you have the time and energy, it’s worth considering.

Once we got back down from Mirabella, we wandered around Old Town Omis. We were there on the morning of Easter Monday, so almost nothing was open, but the town was still adorable, and it was clear that it’s well worth spending more time there during business hours.

So instead of exploring any shops, we sipped on a couple of cappuccinos at a sidewalk cafe before getting back in our car and continuing the roadtrip.

Makarska

After driving another 45 minutes, you’ll reach the town of Makarska, the riviera’s namesake. Nestled at the base of Mt. Biokovo, Makarska is jaw-droppingly beautiful.

While Makarska is a much more bustling town than Omiš, its Old Town is just as quaint and fun to explore. We found street parking just a few blocks away, despite it being lunch hour. We stopped for a bite to eat at a cafe named Smile (yes, really). Our meal was delicious, but we also split a pistachio cream croissant which was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in my entire life. There are plenty of reasons to stop in Makarska, but that croissant is at the top of the list! (I’m only kind of joking).

The pistachio cream-filled croissant in question

After lunch, we wandered down to the promenade which juts out into the bay. The view from there is so incredible that I just kept saying “I can’t believe this place is real!”

Makarska promenda

Ston

Drive two more hours before visiting the last stop on this roadtrip – the town of Ston.

The Walls of Ston

Ston looks very unassuming, except for the absolutely massive stone wall crawling up the mountain behind the town. It turns out that that is the 2nd largest continuous wall in the world – only China’s Great Wall is longer! For €10, you can walk partway along the top of the wall. We opted not to do this, but it looks cool!

There’s a large public parking lot just across the street from the town, so parking here is easy. Of the three towns we stopped in, Ston was by far the quietest and most quaint. Again, this was a holiday, but unlike Omis and Makarska, the old historic part of the town is mostly all there is.

Aside from its walls, Ston is famous for its oysters and mussels, so if you haven’t eaten any yet by this point, Ston is the place to get them! Though the town isn’t big, there are dozens of seafood restaurants. They’re probably all good, but we ended up at Konoba. Oysters are the one food neither of us will eat, but mussels are a different story. So my mom and I had an early dinner of the largest bowl of fresh mussels I’ve ever seen – and yes, they were amazing!

Mussels in Ston

From Ston, drive the last hour to Dubrovnik and rest before a big day of exploring the Pearl of the Adriatic tomorrow.

Where to Stay

Although you CAN stay within Old Town Dubrovnik itself, if you have a rental car, I highly recommend not doing that – Old Town is pedestrian only, so who knows where you would end up having to park your car?

For a quieter and more affordable stay, consider the neighborhoods of Lapad or Gruz. Both are just a 10-15 minute bus ride from the Old City, but are more family-friendly and slightly more affordable. We stayed at an Airbnb in Lapad and loved it! You could also consider Villa Peragro in Lapad or Apartments Dilberovic in Gruz.

Day 7: Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, the crowning glory of the Dalmatian Coast (which is saying something, considering Croatia is full of gems. But it’s also crowded, expensive, and requires some careful planning to make the most of just one day here. So here is how to spend just one day in Dubrovnik for day 6 of this 10 day Croatia itinerary.

Morning: Walk the Walls and do a Walking Tour

The most important and iconic thing to do in Dubrovnik is to walk the city’s walls. They open at 8AM and I HIGHLY SUGGEST being there right as they open. That will help you to avoid the worst of the crowds as well as the worst of the heat (there is no shade on the walls). It takes roughly 1.5-2 hours to do the entire loop.

Walking along the top of Dubrovnik’s walls

To save money on the cost of admission, I recommend getting a Dubrovnik Pass. Tickets to walk the walls cost €40, which is definitely not cheap. A Dubrovnik Pass costs the same amount, but with it you get admission to the walls, admission to over a dozen other museums and attractions, plus free public transportation.

The Old City of Dubrovnik is pedestrian-only, so prepare to do a lot of walking today! Because after walking the walls, I suggest going on a 10AM walking tour of the city.

Dubrovnik has a long and fascinating history. It has been fought over by numerous empires, was its own self-governing republic, and was bombarded very recently in the 1990s war. A walking tour will help you better appreciate this much-loved city and how it came to be what it is today.

My mom and I booked this Dubrovnik walking tour and LOVED IT! Our tour guide, Branco, was both hilarious and extremely informative. He talked about everything from Dubrovnik’s founding, their relationship with Venice, how they prevented the Ottomans from conquering them,  modern-day politics and over-tourism, and what it was like to live through the 1992 siege. He also gave us the history of the city’s most iconic buildings and some tips on what restaurants to eat at and where to find authentic (not made in China) souvenirs.

Noon: Lunch and Gelato

There is no shortage of places to eat within the Old City. Not only can you find traditional Croatian fare, but you can also find pizza, Mexican, sushi – this is a touristy city, after all. My mom and I prefer to eat the local cuisine when we travel, so we ended up at the lovely Portun. I ordered their black risotto, a classic dish in Croatia’s coastal towns, and my mom ordered a fish pasta. Both were divine.

For dessert, you NEED to go to Gianni, an unassuming gelato shop tucked away in an alley that is actually run by a pastry chef who used to work in a Michelin-star restaurant. I’d go back to Dubrovnik just to have another bowl of wild orange gelato.

Early afternoon: Museums

If you get the Dubrovnik Pass, you get free admission into several of Dubrovnik’s museums. Admittedly, neither myself nor my mom are big fans of museums, but since we already had free admission and some extra time during our one day in Dubrovnik, we decided to check out a few of the places included with our pass.

The first one we went to, and that I recommend, is the Rector’s Palace. In Croatia, a “rector” is actually a governor or mayor of a locality, not a member of the clergy, so you’ll find rector’s palaces all over the country. But the one in Dubrovnik is probably the most famous and most grand. On the ground floor of the building, you’ll find what used to be the prison and now where some of the city’s most priceless artifacts are on display. Upstairs is furniture and artwork acquired by the families who once ruled the city. The building itself is beautiful and, like many locations in Dubrovnik, was a prominent filming location for Game of Thrones.

The last place we visited is free to everyone and was suggested to us by our tour guide. On the ground floor of Sponza Palace is the Memorial Room of Fallen Dubrovnik Defenders. This exhibit is a tribute to all of those who lost their lives in defense of the city during the war in the 1990s. There is a plaque for each of them, as well as photos and videos of Dubrovnik during the war. It’s hard to believe so much tragedy and damage rained down on this beautiful place just 30 years ago, and just how much has been restored in that short time.

Evening: Ride the cable car for sunset on Mt. Srd

What better way to end one day in Dubrovnik than with an epic sunset overlooking Dubrovnik and the sea?

The current cable car opened in 2010 and takes visitors to the top of Mount Srd in just four minutes. From there, you can get epic views of the old town, as well as the sea and the nearby islands. There is also a restaurant at the top where you can get dinner if you’d like.

The cable car runs from 9 AM to midnight in the summer months. A one-way ticket is €17 and a round-trip ticket is €30. You can walk up and purchase tickets on site, or you can buy them ahead of time online.

For the longer, more detailed version, check out my full guide on spending one day in Dubrovnik.

Day 8: Bay of Kotor, Montenegro

On day 8 of your 10 day Croatia itinerary, it’s time to take another day trip to yet another country – gorgeous Montenegro.

Unlike the Bosnia trip, I opted to visit Montenegro on our own, driving our own rental car. It was pretty simple, and I would definitely recommend doing that (check out my guide to taking a day trip to Montenegro from Dubrovnik!). The drive around the Bay of Kotor is absolutely stunning, with lots of little towns along the way that you may want to stop at and visit on your own time.

Today’s main destination is the town of Kotor, which is situated on the far side of its namesake, the Bay of Kotor. Without any delays, it’s a roughly 2-hour drive from Dubrovnik.

However, there is a border crossing about halfway that can potentially make that trip much longer if you don’t plan ahead. On our trip, we left Dubrovnik around 8 AM, which meant we got to the border crossing around 9 AM. As mentioned, we were there in April before peak tourist season, so I would suggest leaving even earlier. Fortunately, there was a short line when we got there, and it only took about 10 minutes to cross the border, but I’ve heard that it can take up to 4-5 hours in the summer. They did ask for the border crossing card that we bought from the rental car company, so I’m glad we had it!

From the border crossing, it’s an insanely scenic 45 minute drive to the town of Kotor. Truly – the Bay of Kotor is unreal!!

Kotor

Once you arrive in Kotor, there are several public car parks. Online, you’ll find 5 main ones listed as places you can park (like the Riva or Benovo car parks). But there are actually dozens of options. We ended up in a lot near the Gurdic Gate, which was within walking distance of town and not that expensive considering how close we were to town.

The first thing we did was begin climbing up to the fortress. Yeah, that fortress that you can see perched high above town with the crazy stone wall snaking its way the mountain? Hiking up to the top is one of the most popular things to do in Kotor! Partly for the bragging rights but mostly for the incredible views of the bay.

Though it is a LOT of steps to the top, you don’t need to go all the way for the views. About halfway up, my mom decided she’d gone far enough. I finished the hike, but honestly the view from the top is not very different from the one my mom got at the halfway mark. So even if you don’t want to go all the way to the top, it’s definitely worth it to at least do part of it! Plan for 1.5-2 hours for the hike.

View from the trail to Kotor Fortress

After hiking up to the fortress, wander around old town Kotor. It’s been beautifully preserved by UNESCO and is filled with centuries-old palaces, cute cafes (perfect for lunchtime!), and historic churches dating back to the 12th century.

From Kotor, if you have time, you can continue driving along the bay to the town of Budva, famous for its sandy beaches and the Budva Riviera. That was our original plan, but we opted to start heading back towards Croatia.

Perast

On the way back, you can stop in the adorable village of Perast. From here, you can take a quick boat ride out to Our Lady of the Rocks, the church in the middle of the bay that you likely noticed on your drive earlier. If you haven’t had mussels yet, Perast is also a great place to have a seafood dinner, as it’s home to numerous mussel and oyster farms.

Back to Dubrovnik

Going back through the border crossing in the afternoon did take longer for us than in the morning, probably about 30 minutes. Which was still no big deal, considering what I’ve heard it can be! But if you’re traveling in the summer, consider this more the exception than the rule. The border crossing only has 1-2 lanes, so it doesn’t take many cars or buses to cause a backup.

Spend one last night in your Dubrovnik lodging before driving back north tomorrow.

Day 9: Zadar

If you’re flying back home from Zagreb, it’s time to make the drive back there from Dubrovnik. If you drive straight there and use the toll road, instead of the beautiful but longer coastal route, it’s a roughly 6-hour trip. This could be a sad and slightly boring end to your 10 day Croatia itinerary. However, about halfway is another major Croatian city worth checking out – Zadar.

Zadar’s old city is situated on a peninsula that juts out from the coastline. It’s famous for its many incredible Roman and Venetian ruins, but it has several modern additions worth checking out too, like the sea organ sculpture. It’s also got a plethora of restaurants, which makes this the perfect stop for lunch.

Zadar old town

From Zadar, finish the final 3 hours to Zagreb. You can revisit the old town if you like, or just rest in your hotel before your flight tomorrow.

Where to Stay

If you have an early flight tomorrow, I recommend staying near the airport. We found an AirBnb just minutes from both our rental car drop off and the airport!

Day 10: Home

Time to fly home. Bye, beautiful Croatia!!!!

Do you have any questions or comments about this 10 day Croatia itinerary? Let me know in the comments or contact me directly!

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