The Great Tour of Croatia


Trip description

When we talk about Croatia, the images go through: a crystal clear sea, beaches and coves that follow and archipelagos of all beauty. But the southern nature cannot eclipse the fantastic landscapes of the interior. The national parks are impressive. Other national wealth, historical heritage. And the charm also operates in Zagreb, the young and trendy capital of Istria, in the venerable castles of Slavonia.

Day 1: Arrival in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia

Day 2: The lower city of Zagreb

Day 3: The northern region of Zagreb

Day 4: West Zagreb, Zagorje

Day 5: Osijek in Slavonia

Day 6: National Park of Kopa?ki Laughs

Day 7: The historic cities of Slavonia

Day 8: South-West to Istria

Day 9: Pula the ancient city

Day 10: Rovinj, pearl of Istria

Day 11: Green Istria, the inland

Day 12: The old town of Pore?

Day 13: The Opatija Riviera

Day 14: Cres and the two Losinj

Day 15: North to South Cres

Day 16: Gulf of Kvarner

Day 17: The Adriatic coast, Senj, Rab

Day 18: Mount Velebit National Park

Day 19: Plitvice Lakes National Park

Day 20: Morning hike

Day 21: Paklenica National Park

Day 22: The historic centre of Zadar

Day 23: The Zadar Archipelago

Day 24: National Park of Des

Day 25: Šibenik, the Renaissance city

Day 26: Primosten and Trogir

Day 27: Split, Diocletian's Palace

Day 28: Choice of an island (Bra?, Hvar) or the Makarska Riviera

Day 29: Pelješac Peninsula, Kor?ula

Day 30: Dubrovnik, end of the trip by the Riviera

Day 1 : Arrival in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia

Day1 : Arrival in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia ©Ana NEVENKA - Iconotec


Visit the old districts, Gradec and Kaptol, museums of your choice with meal breaks in the centre where bars and restaurants abound. So sunny, evening at Lake Jarun, the green and lively district, the favourite of Zagreb's youth.




Day 2 : The lower city of Zagreb

Day2 : The lower city of Zagreb ©Ana NEVENKA - Iconotec


Walk on the green alley (horseshoe). Squares, museum (Mimara, decorative arts), municipal theatre, railway station, botanical garden (closed in winter) mark this historic district. In the evening, cultural or festive outings (opera, theatre, concert, club, see the agenda at the tourist office).




Day 3 : The northern region of Zagreb

Day3 : The northern region of Zagreb ©Xbrchx - Shutterstock.com


Rent a car to visit the Krapina, the Samobor city. On the way, panoramic view or stop to visit the castles (Miljana, Veliki Tabor, Trakoscan). Overnight in the baroque old town of Varazdin.




Day 4 : West Zagreb, Zagorje



Route of vineyards and castles, night at Bezanec castle or in one of the spas of the region, for example Lipice Toplice.




Day 5 : Osijek in Slavonia

Day5 : Osijek in Slavonia ©Lunja


City tour, parks and museums. Lunch in one of the traditional restaurants (taste the sparkling wine of Slatina!)




Day 6 : National Park of Kopa?ki Laughs

Day6 : National Park of Kopa?ki Laughs ©GoodLifeStudio - iStockphoto


A naturalist ride by boat. Visit of Baranja region. Return to Osijek, dinner and night in town.




Day 7 : The historic cities of Slavonia

Day7 : The historic cities of Slavonia ©Vukovar Tourist Board


Visit of Vukovar and Djakovo then return by Vinkovci, Nasice by taking the road of wines and wine estates. Night in Zagreb.




Day 8 : South-West to Istria

Day8 : South-West to Istria ©Stéphan SZEREMETA


Early departure, route by Slovenia (Ljubljana), Italy. Break in Trieste. Crossing the Italian-Croatian border and first contact with the Adriatic Sea in Umag or Novigrad. Seaside relaxation. Night in Novigrad or a direct motorway to Pula in the evening. Book the hotel in advance.




Day 9 : Pula the ancient city

Day9 : Pula the ancient city ©Tourism Office Pula


Visit in the morning of the amphitheatre, the temple of Augustus, break at the Roman forum. In the afternoon, departure for the port of Fazana, take the ferry to the islands of Brijuni. Guided tour of the national park. Individuals can also rent bicycles, walk or swim on the site of an old Roman villa. Night in Fazana or Pula.




Day 10 : Rovinj, pearl of Istria

Day10 : Rovinj, pearl of Istria ©Nikolai Sorokin - Fotolia


Early departure to choose a hotel. A 2-night stay to stroll around the port, the old town. Cycling along the coast, parkZlatni Rat, beach, relaxation. In the evening, return to the historic centre for the entertainment of the bars, restaurant on the terrace by the sea.




Day 11 : Green Istria, the inland

Day11 : Green Istria, the inland ©Asminam - iStockphoto


Early morning departure with a stop at the Limski Fjord Canal. Discover the perched villages, Motovun, Groznjan, Buzet, Pazin, the wine route and other gourmet products. Night in Porec.




Day 12 : The old town of Pore?

Day12 : The old town of Pore? ©Alex Ivanov - Shutterstock.com


Visit of the Euphrasian basilica, its Byzantine mosaics. In the afternoon, escapade on the still wild Premantura peninsula. Diving? For the night, stop near the nature park, in a campsite (mobile home) or at a hotel in Medulin or Labin, an old town overlooking the sea.




Day 13 : The Opatija Riviera

Day13 : The Opatija Riviera ©Morozena - iStockphoto


Early departure to follow the coast, Rabac, Lovran, Opatija to Rijeka. There you will find a bus and a ferry, which takes the vehicles, to the island of Cres. Another option in summer, after Labin, is the possibility of a boat connection to the Brestova-Porozina pier. Overnight in Cres-Port. Relaxation, swimming.




Day 14 : Cres and the two Losinj

Day14 : Cres and the two Losinj ©LianeM - iStockphoto


Head south, see Lubenice, Osor then Mali Lošinj and overnight in Veli Losinj. An ideal island to rest (swimming, hiking, diving).




Day 15 : North to South Cres

Day15 : North to South Cres ©SimonSkafar


Morning departure. Push to the rocky coast of the north of Cres, vertiginous and splendid. Return to the Merag-Valbiska pier for Krk Island. Swimming in Stara Baska and night at camping or Baska.




Day 16 : Gulf of Kvarner

Day16 : Gulf of Kvarner ©xbrchx - iStockphoto


From Baska, go around the island of Krk from the south, Vrbnik, the wild coves. At the end of the day, cross the futuristic Krizisce bridge to return to the continent. Sunset on the coastal road with the Gulf of Kvarner in panoramic view. Night between Crikvenica and Novi Vinodolski.




Day 17 : The Adriatic coast, Senj, Rab

Day17 : The Adriatic coast, Senj, Rab ©Isaac74


Continue on the coastal road that runs along the Velebit mountains to Senj, then stop at the Jablanac-Misnjak pier to pass through Rab Island. Cross the Kampor Natural Park which runs along the sea to the port of Rab city. Night in the elegant old town.




Day 18 : Mount Velebit National Park



Return to the south of Rab Island and return by ferry to the Misnjak-Jablanac pier. Arrived on the continent down a few kilometers to Dusikrava. From there, a mountain road leads to Mount Velebit National Park. Take a mountain break around the Lika River. Night in a shelter or inhabitant (many offers).




Day 19 : Plitvice Lakes National Park

Day19 : Plitvice Lakes National Park ©weniliou - Shutterstock.com


Departure early in the morning, take the road to Otocac, Vrhovine, then follow the well marked route of the famous park. Overnight in the surroundings (multiple possibilities)




Day 20 : Morning hike



Morning hike in the park, to discover the magnificent nature, as close as possible to waterfalls, rivers and ponds. Night at Gospi?.




Day 21 : Paklenica National Park

Day21 : Paklenica National Park ©Author's Image


The road that goes down to Zadar passes near the park. To see: the caves, the rocky peak, the river and the Anica Kuk waterfalls. Overnight in the vicinity of the park or in Zadar.




Day 22 : The historic centre of Zadar

Day22 : The historic centre of Zadar ©Lawrence BANAHAN - Author's Image


With its exceptional historical heritage, enjoy a good day in the old town. Swimming in Borik or Kolovare.




Day 23 : The Zadar Archipelago

Day23 : The Zadar Archipelago ©Author's Image


From the port of Zadar, escapades on the island of Dugi Otok, in the Telascica Natural Park (salt lake) or on the Pag peninsula. You can also rent a boat in Tisno or Murter, a few kilometres south of Zadar, and enjoy the natural wonders of the archipelago freely.




Day 24 : National Park of Des



Excursion to the National Park of Kornati Islands.




Day 25 : Šibenik, the Renaissance city

Day25 : Šibenik, the Renaissance city ©Lawrence BANAHAN - Author's Image


Visit of the historical centre, its architectural heritage classified by UNESCO. Stroll along the promenade of the sea, in the old town or take a boat trip on the Krka River, national park, Franciscan monastery on an islet (Visovac). Return and overnight in Sibenik.




Day 26 : Primosten and Trogir

Day26 : Primosten and Trogir ©Author's Image


On the coastal route, stop at Primosten and arrive in the afternoon in Trogir, romantic and very tourist. Visit of the heritage and night in the lake city.




Day 27 : Split, Diocletian's Palace

Day27 : Split, Diocletian's Palace ©Author's Image


Before entering the large town, swimming on the Ciovo peninsula. Visit of Diocletian's Palace. Night in the historic center or in the modern seaside town.




Day 28 : Choice of an island (Bra?, Hvar) or the Makarska Riviera

Day28 : Choice of an island (Bra?, Hvar) or the Makarska Riviera ©Dreamer4787


Early in the morning, take the ferry to the port of Supetar (Brac), visit the ancient stone quarries, swim breaks, coves, gentle way of life. Second option, ferry to the island of Hvar, the socialite, the elegant Hvrar city, Stari Grad, the ancient Greek city. Return and overnight in Split at the end of the day or direct departure for South Dalmatia, by the coastal road at sunset. Night in Omis, Brela, Gradac or Makarska.




Day 29 : Pelješac Peninsula, Kor?ula

Day29 : Pelješac Peninsula, Kor?ula ©Author's Image


Along the south coast, take the ferry to Ploce to the peninsula. Arrived at the pier of Trpanj, possibility of swimming. In Orebic, ferry to Korcula. Visit and overnight in the old town and departure early in the morning. Return by the inland of the peninsula, hook through Ston and arrive in Dubrovnik at night. First discovery of the old town, the Stradun, the old port. Night in the historical centre or in Lapad, a modern city.




Day 30 : Dubrovnik, end of the trip by the Riviera

Day30 : Dubrovnik, end of the trip by the Riviera ©Alexey STIOP - Fotolia


Morning awakening to visit the pearl of the Adriatic, its ramparts, the cathedral, the Rector's palace, the alleys, the fountains. To get to the airport, take the coastal road (15 km) and enjoy the latest panoramic views of the rocky coast of Dubrovnik's Riviera. Delivery of the rental vehicle to the airport.




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