Road Trip & Self-Drive Tours & Trips in Croatia
Ever wondered about exploring Zagreb's Upper Town and St. Mark's Church on your own schedule? You'll self-drive through Croatia to Plitvivce Lakes' cascading waterfalls, Dubrovnik's city walls, and Split's Diocletian Palace. You’ll have the freedom to stop wherever catches your eye, and there’s plenty to see along the Adriatic coast. Genuinely priceless!
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- Choose from 29 Croatia tours
- 25 verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
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miriam • traveled in June, 2026
We had a wonderful trip in Croatia, and all of the plans and accommodations made for us were terrific. Your staff was very helpful and quick to respond when we called on them while traveling. We would definitely consider another tour with you!
Great tour of Croatia 15 Days, Self-Drive - C
Cathy • traveled in May, 2026
This was a phenomenal way to see this beautiful country up-close. Gulliver Travel took away all the guess-work and research of the logistical side of the trip, so I could delve whole-heartedly into the experiences. I feel certain that we saw the absolute best of Croatia and we learned so much about it's (very recent) history. Roads and gas prices were way better than we expected, even the few tolls we came across weren't oppressive. The interior of the country was probably our favorite - atv-ing in the forest and truffle hunting on the Istrian Peninsula were some highlights we would definitely recommend.
Best of Croatia 11 Days, Self-Drive - S
Stella • traveled in October, 2025
This self-catered driving tour of Croatia and Mostar was beyond our expectations. The route was comprehensive and of course allowed for “side trips” as things caught our eye enroute to the next hotel. Flexibility and freedom! The car was great and every hotel had something special to offer. Free breakfasts, pools, lovely staff, helpful locals, beach, historical sites and natural beauty all rolled into one. Would definitely do more self-catered driving tours with Tour Radar.
Croatia Express, Self-Drive
10 best Road Trip & Self-Drive Croatia tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaCroatia travel expert at TourRadar
- Coast and Hvar 8 Days, Self-Drive
- Discovering Krka National Park
- Self-Drive Tour Zagreb – Dubrovnik
- Self-Drive Tour Zagreb – Zagreb
- Roadtrip through Southern Croatia and Montenegro
- Great tour of Croatia 15 Days, Self-Drive
- Dalmatian Coastline, Self-Drive
- Explore Istria and Dalmatia in 8 Days, Self-Drive
- Grand tour of Croatia 8 Days, Self-Drive
- UNESCO Heritage, Self-Drive
Duration 8 days Destinations Dubrovnik, Hvar, Stari Grad, Jelsa, Vrboska, Milna (Hvar Island), Split, Trogir, Sibenik, Krka National ParkSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Gulliver Travel From $1,599
15% Off- US$1,359You save $240
Duration 6 days Destinations Split, Sibenik, Island of Murter, Krka National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Worldee From
15% Off- US$385
Duration 8 days Destinations Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Brac, Ston, Dubrovnik Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Rocket DMC Adriatic From
15% Off- US$777
Duration 8 days Destinations Zagreb, Zadar, Split, Trogir, Opatija, Rijeka, Rovinj Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Rocket DMC Adriatic From
15% Off- US$663+$3 local payments
Duration 11 days Destinations Ston, Prapratno, Trstenik, Orebić, Trpanj, Korčula, Dubrovnik, Sveti Stefan, Kotor, Ulcinj Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Worldee From
15% Off- US$580
Great tour of Croatia 15 Days, Self-Drive
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had a wonderful trip in Croatia, and all of the plans and accommodations made for us were terrific.”
Miriam, traveled in June
A GPS-equipped rental car guides you from Pula's amphitheater to Dubrovnik's walls, with stops at Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Park. Carefully selected hotels, including Hotel Osejava in Makarska, provide comfortable rest.
Duration 15 days Destinations Pula, Crikvenica, Sibenik, Biograd, Makarska, Dubrovnik, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Porec Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Gulliver Travel From $2,316
15% Off- US$1,969You save $347
The open roads of Croatia beckon in a VW Golf or Opel Astra, connecting Split's ancient harbor to Dubrovnik's medieval walls. St Lawrence Cathedral in Trogir and wine tastings in Split await your visit, with comprehensive insurance coverage included.
Duration 5 days Destinations Split, Trogir, Dubrovnik, Lokrum Island, Omis Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Gulliver Travel From $714
15% Off- US$607You save $107
What our customers ask about Road Trip & Self-Drive Tours & Trips in Croatia
How long are the typical driving distances between major Croatian destinations?
Driving times between Croatia's main destinations are manageable for day trips. The route from Pula to Rijeka takes about 2 hours covering 150km while Split to Dubrovnik spans 230km and takes roughly 3 hours. Zadar to Split is a shorter journey at 160km taking about 1.45 hours. Hotels like the Kornati in Biograd na Moru and Adria in Dubrovnik serve as convenient stopover points between these drives.
What are the must-see highlights along Croatia's Self Drive routes?
Croatia's main attractions include Plitvice Lakes National Park where 16 lakes connect through a network of paths and Dubrovnik's Old Town with its preserved medieval walls. The Diocletian's Palace in Split and the coastal drive along Makarska Riviera offer distinct perspectives of Croatian heritage. Krka National Park's waterfalls add to the natural wonders while accommodations like Hotel Mirjana Rastoke near Plitvice Lakes provide local charm. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The country is beautiful and the people very receptive. The itinerary covered all major highlights perfectly."
When is the best time to do a Self Drive tour in Croatia?
The prime season for driving through Croatia runs from May to September. During these months roads are clear and weather conditions are ideal for exploring. Coastal drives such as the Split to Dubrovnik route are particularly pleasant during June and September with average temperatures of 25°C and fewer tourists on the road. Hotel Tragos in Trogir offers rooms during peak season and as one TourRadar traveler mentioned "we had an amazing holiday in June the weather was perfect for driving and exploring the coastal towns."
What type of vehicle is provided for Croatia Self Drive tours?
The rental fleet includes current model vehicles ranging from compact cars like the VW Golf and Opel Astra to larger options such as the VW Passat and Opel Insignia. Each vehicle comes equipped with unlimited mileage Collision Damage Waiver theft protection and safety equipment including first aid kits and visibility vests. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Good and quality car that gives travellers the assurance that the car can bring them through all the outback region."
How is parking handled at hotels and tourist sites in Croatia?
Parking availability varies across Croatia with most hotels providing on-site or nearby options though fees often apply in major cities like Split and Dubrovnik. One TourRadar traveler observed: "The only issue was lack of free parking at some hotels. In Zagreb had to pay a large amount to park the car." Some properties like Hotel Pula and Hotel Bristol Opatija feature dedicated secure parking for guests.
Are there specific routes recommended for first-time Self Drive visitors to Croatia?
For newcomers to Croatian roads the coastal route from Split to Dubrovnik via the Makarska Riviera offers an accessible introduction. The Istrian Peninsula loop starting in Pula through Rovinj and Porec presents another user-friendly option. The inland drive to Plitvice Lakes National Park rounds out the essential routes with hotels like Opatija's Savoy and Vila Donat in Biograd na Moru providing strategic overnight stops.