Road Trip & Self-Drive Tours & Trips in Mediterranean
What if you could drive the Mediterranean at your own pace? Croatia's Dalmatian Coast, Italian Riviera, Greek islands with ferries, southern France between Nice and Monaco. Stop when you want, skip tourist traps, find beaches locals actually use. Amalfi Coast's crowded but those cliff roads are mind-blowing. Mediterranean self-drives beat tours because you control everything including when stopping for lunch overlooking the sea.
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The places in Croatia and Montenegro were nice and the organisation was great. Had no problems checking into hotels. There was a surprise charge for second driver on the car hire and to take the car on ferries which we needed. In general the hotels were fine but we paid the upgrade for 4 star hotels but they weren’t all 4 star. The one in Bosnia was quite disappointing and dirty and smelt of smoke. The other hotels were great though, particularly in Trogir. Also the drive took a lot longer than described in the itinerary.
Adventures Along the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro & Bosnia, Self-DriveIt would have been excellent if not for a major problem with the car rental. You advertise the tour good for 18 to 99 years but in fine print you have to be 69 or younger? I was not advised until days before I was too old to tent(71). In the end I found a car on my own and was refunded the car portion but needless hassle and frustration sorting it out. Otherwise trip great!
Discovering Crete, Self-driveOverall, we had a very nice trip. The itinerary is arranged well and includes good recommendations for places to stop and points of interest to visit. The hotels are all owned by the same company called Vila Gale, and are all about what I expected for the price point – nice and comfortable with basic rooms – the one outlier was the Vila Gale Collection Alter Real, which was stunning! The one hiccup we had was that the car booked for us on arrival was a manual car, which none of us were able to drive. Apparently manual cars are much more common in Europe than in the U.S, and the only automatic cars available required an upgrade, which cost us another $1,400. JUST BE AWARE THAT THE DEFAULT CAR RESERVATION IS FOR AN ECONOMY SIZE, MANUAL CAR. Request an upgrade ahead of time if you need it. Pros of this trip: - Comfortable hotels - Nice itinerary with good suggestions on places to see (don't skip Evora, Tomar or Aveiro – Porto was our absolute favorite) - Independence (by self-driving, we avoided visiting points of interest with 40+ people getting off a tour bus together at the same time) Cons of the trip: - Hiccup with the manual car, no clear description of what kind of car was provided ahead of the trip outside of "category Y" - Hotels don't have shampoo/conditioner – only one "multi-purpose soap," which would have been good to know ahead of time so I could have brought my own - There are two separate nights in Coimbra, which our family felt was not the most interesting town. It helps break up the drive but is not nearly as scenic or interesting as Porto, Lisbon or even some of the smaller and quaint towns along the way. We had a very nice trip to Portugal overall.
Portugal Discovery, Self-drive
10 best Road Trip & Self-Drive Mediterranean tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaMediterranean travel expert at TourRadar
- Adventures Along the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro & Bosnia, Self-Drive
- 2nd RALLY EUROPE 2026
- Albania comprehensive - self-drive tour
- Discovering Crete, Self-drive
- Portugal Meets Spain, Self-drive (Multi country)
- Portugal Discovery, Self-drive
- Classical Greece, Self-drive
- Peljesac: Between the Vineyards and the Sea
- Highlights of Croatia with Plitvice, Self-Drive (Multi country)
- Best of Andalusia, Self-drive
Adventures Along the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro & Bosnia, Self-Drive
“The hotels in all of the locations were perfect.”
Emma, traveled in May
The Mediterranean coastlines unfold before you in an Opel Astra, from Dubrovnik to Split via Kotor. Hidden beaches, historic towns, and natural wonders like Krka waterfalls await. Carefully selected accommodations include Hotel Astoria and Hotel Tragos.
Duration 8 days Destinations Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Gulliver Travel From $1,005
15% Off- US$854
Duration 21 days Destinations Spain, Portugal, France, Switzerland Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator EUROLATINO Tour Operators From
15% Off- US$3,467
The coastal path leads from Durres to Ksamil. Ancient ruins, pristine beaches, and mountain passes highlight the journey, supported by reliable transportation and pre-arranged stays.
Duration 15 days Destinations Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Operator Ventus Touristik GmbH From
15% Off- US$2,451
Discovering Crete, Self-drive
“The car was ideal to suit our needs, and the hotels were lovely. There is excellent value for money, and I would use this operator again.”
Renee, traveled in April
The roads from Heraklion's ancient sites to Elafonissi's pink beaches tell stories of Crete. Chania's Venetian harbor and historic Spinalonga island complement stays at comfortable 3-star hotels like Hotel Arkadi and Hotel Olympic Palladium.
Duration 8 days Destinations Heraklion, Knossos, Chania, Elafonisi, Rethymnon, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Spinalonga, Sitia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Greece From $619
10% Off- US$557
Portugal Meets Spain, Self-drive (Multi country)
“The hotels picked for us were so great. The location of the hotels put us in the middle of the best areas.”
Wayne, traveled in May
A VW Polo guides you through Mediterranean landscapes, from Porto's wine lodges to Lisbon's monuments. Premium hotels like Hotel Axis Porto serve as base camps while discovering UNESCO sites and medieval towns across 1,255km of scenic routes.
Duration 12 days Destinations Porto, Guimaraes, Braga, Viana do Castelo, Vigo, Pontevedra, Santiago de Compostela, Ourense, Vila Real, MateusSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Portugal From
10% Off- US$2,073
Portugal Discovery, Self-drive
“Hotels were quite nice with breakfast included. Highways in Portugal may be the best in the world.”
Ted, traveled in October
A VW Polo carries you from Lisbon's historic quarters to Porto's wine region. Charming fishing villages, medieval towns, and UNESCO sites reveal themselves at your pace. Nights are spent at 4-star Vila Galé properties.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lisbon, Evora, Alter do Chão Municipality, Castelo De Vide, Tomar, Coimbra, Porto, Guimaraes, Espinho, OvarSee all destinations Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Destination Services Portugal From
10% Off- US$1,153
Classical Greece, Self-drive
“Driving around Greece was awesome. We stayed off the toll roads so saw parts of the country we never would have seen.”
Leonard, traveled in June
Your Opel Corsa awaits to traverse from Tolo's beaches to Delphi's mountain sanctuary. Comfortable accommodations and unlimited mileage make this Greek adventure memorable across diverse landscapes.
Duration 5 days Destinations Athens, Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Tolo, Nafplion, Olympia, Patras, Delphi, KalabakaSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Greece From $433
10% Off- US$389
What our customers ask about Road Trip & Self-Drive Tours & Trips in Mediterranean
When is the best time to do a Self Drive tour in the Mediterranean region?
May through September offers the most reliable weather for Mediterranean Self Drive tours. Along Croatia's coast Split and Dubrovnik see temperatures of 75-85°F (24-29°C) making it comfortable for driving and exploring historic sites. Southern Spain's cities like Seville and Granada are better experienced in spring (April-May) or fall (September-October) before the intense summer heat arrives. A TourRadar traveler noted about their September trip: "The weather was perfect for driving and exploring the beautiful countryside with lots to explore in each town as well as along the drive."
What's the typical driving distance per day on Mediterranean Self Drive tours?
Most routes cover 100-250km per day taking 2-4 hours of driving time. The Croatian coastal route from Split to Dubrovnik spans 230km with stops possible at Trogir and Makarska. In Spain the Andalusian route connecting Seville to Granada extends about 250km with time for exploring Cordoba. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Loved our self-drive tour driving distances were very manageable with lots of interesting places to stop along the way. Especially enjoyed the stretch between Split and Dubrovnik."
What kind of accommodation can I expect on Mediterranean Self Drive tours?
The routes feature 4-5 star hotels placed at convenient stopping points. Croatia's accommodations include the 5-star SUPERIOR Sacher Salzburg Hotel and the Amabilis Hotel on the Adriatic Coast. Sicily offers stays at the Hotel Villa Angela in Taormina and Hotel Baglio della Luna in Agrigento. As one TourRadar traveler noted "The hotels picked for us were so great and the locations put us in the middle of the best areas."
What's the best route for a first-time Mediterranean Self Drive tour?
The Spain Andalusia route stands out for beginners starting in Malaga then moving through Granada Cordoba and Seville with stays at hotels like Don Pedro and Silken Al-Andalus. Another good choice is Croatia's coastal route from Zagreb to Dubrovnik via Split. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Starting from Hotel Don Pedro in Malaga and following the route through Andalusia was perfect for our first self-drive experience."
What documents do I need for a Mediterranean Self Drive tour?
Essential documents include a valid driver's license (minimum 1 year) passport international driving permit for non-EU drivers and a credit card for vehicle deposit. Spain and Croatia require drivers to be between 25-75 years old and carry both original and international licenses. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The car rental process at the Silken Puerta de Madrid was smooth - just make sure to have all documents ready and your credit card for the deposit."
What are the must-see highlights on a Mediterranean Self Drive tour?
The routes include major UNESCO sites such as Dubrovnik's Old Town walls Split's Diocletian's Palace and the Alhambra in Granada. Natural attractions include Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia and scenic Adriatic coastal drives. Cultural stops feature the Great Mosque in Cordoba and Kotor's medieval architecture. A TourRadar traveler commented: "Our recent road trip through Southern Spain was unforgettable. Each place surprised us more than the last and every corner of Andalusia is worth seeing."
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