--- type: "Article" title: "Road trip Croatia: from Istria to Dalmatia" description: "Highlights and travel tips for a road trip through Croatia - to explore the country by car from Istria to Dalmatia - and getting to Hvar by car ferry" resource: "https://travelmemo.com/croatia/road-trip-istria-dalmatia" author: "Katja Birrer" publisher: "Travelmemo" photo_count: 20 tags: ["Itinerary", "Rental Car", "Road Trip", "Croatia"] entities: - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/croatia" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/italy" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/sardinia" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/spain" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/zuerich" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/itinerary" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/vehicle-rental" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/road-trip" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/restaurant" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/sea-travel" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/lake" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/resort" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/culinary-tourism" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/organizations/edelweiss-air" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/organizations/swiss-international-air-lines" - "https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer" generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2026-07-04T14:19:52+00:00 } verified: - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2017-10-10T19:18:09+00:00 } sources: - id: photos resource: road-trip-istria-dalmatia.md#photos title: "Original photography by Katja Birrer" author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer" last_modified: 2017-09-05 timestamp: 2026-07-04T14:19:52+00:00 --- # Road trip Croatia: from Istria to Dalmatia > A 12-day road trip along Croatia's coast from Istria to Dalmatia, taking in historic towns, turquoise national parks, and island hotspots, with a rental car between Pula and Split. ## Destination Croatia, covering Istria (Pula, Rovinj, Poreč, Opatija) south through Plitvice and Krka national parks to Hvar Island, Split, and Trogir in Dalmatia. ## Getting there Fly into Pula (Edelweiss from Zurich) and pick up a rental car; fly home from Split (SWISS). Toll roads require change or credit card; note that Croatia uses the kuna, not the euro. ## When to go Arrive early in the morning at Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Park to beat the crowds, which are heavy throughout the peak season. ## Why visit Crystal-clear turquoise water, lush scenery, medieval coastal towns, two spectacular national parks, and fresh fish and shellfish at nearly every stop. ## What to see - **Rovinj** — Picturesque fishing port with cobblestone streets and the Sveta Eufemija church tower; highlight of the Istria leg. - **Opatija** — Elegant seaside resort with chic beach clubs and a scenic promenade. - **Plitvice Lakes National Park** — Terraced turquoise lakes and roaring waterfalls in a karst landscape; go early to avoid crowds. - **Krka National Park** — Features the impressive Skradinski Buk waterfall; similarly busy with tourists. - **Hvar Island** — Trendy island with rocky coves, olive orchards, and a jetset yacht scene; La Španjola Fortress offers panoramic views. - **Split** — Harbor promenade, café-lined streets, and the Cathedral of St. Domnius make it an unmissable stop. - **Trogir** — Medieval walled town 30 km northwest of Split, notable for Kamerlengo Fortress; heavily touristed but worth a visit. ## What to do - **Beach clubs** — Opatija and Hvar both offer beach clubs despite Croatia's predominantly rocky and gravel shoreline. - **Wine tasting** — Try the oak-barrel aged Krauthaker chardonnay found near Opatija; local red wines are decent but modest. - **Dining at Konoba Vinko** — Highly rated family restaurant (4.9/5) near Šibenik, 50 min from Trogir, known for homegrown ingredients. ## Good to know Croatia uses the kuna (not the euro); carry cash as some shops and restaurants do not accept cards. Expect gravel beaches and rocky coves rather than sand. Roads are well maintained and drivers are calmer than in Italy; tolls apply on motorways. ## Photos ```yaml photos: - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Croatia-Istria-coast-line.jpg" caption: "Coast line as seen from the airplane" keywords: ["Croatia", "Istria", "coast"] credit: "Walter Schaerer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Porec-Croatia-travelmemo-com-3.jpg" caption: "Porec" keywords: ["Croatia", "Istria", "Porec", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-08-27 geo: {latitude: 45.2275, longitude: 13.5956} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Rovinj-Croatia-travelmemo-com.jpg" caption: "The small fishing port of Rovinj with Sveta Eufemija church tower" keywords: ["Croatia", "Istria", "Rovinj", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-08-27 geo: {latitude: 45.0824, longitude: 13.6348} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Opatija-Croatia-travelmemo-com-5.jpg" caption: "Opatija's shore promenade goes on for miles" keywords: ["Croatia", "Istria", "Opatija"] captured: 2017-08-26 geo: {latitude: 45.3465, longitude: 14.32} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Plitvice-Lakes-National-Park-Croatia-21.jpg" caption: "Kozjak Lake" keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "National Park", "Plitvice Lakes", "Plitvička Jezera", "excursion", "lake", "tourist attraction"] captured: 2017-08-30 geo: {latitude: 44.8765, longitude: 15.6091} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Plitvice-Lakes-National-Park-Croatia-7.jpg" caption: "Turquoise waterfall pool at Plitvice Lakes" keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "National Park", "Plitvice Lakes", "Plitvička Jezera", "excursion", "lake", "tourist attraction"] captured: 2017-08-30 geo: {latitude: 44.8765, longitude: 15.6091} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Plitvice-Lakes-National-Park-Croatia-9.jpg" caption: "More Plitvice Lakes. \"The Treasures of Silver Lake\" is supposed to be somewhere here about." keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "National Park", "Plitvice Lakes", "Plitvička Jezera", "boardwalk", "excursion", "lake", "tourist attraction"] captured: 2017-08-30 geo: {latitude: 44.8765, longitude: 15.6091} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Krka-National-Park-Croatia-2.jpg" caption: "Skradinski Buk in Krka National Park" keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "Krka National Park", "Skradinski Buk waterfall", "boardwalk", "hiking", "lake", "tourist attraction"] geo: {latitude: 43.8054, longitude: 15.9636} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Krka-National-Park-Croatia-3.jpg" caption: "Krka National Park" keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "Krka National Park", "Skradinski Buk waterfall", "boardwalk", "hiking", "lake", "tourist attraction"] geo: {latitude: 43.8054, longitude: 15.9636} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/selene-yacht-Hvar-port.jpg" caption: "Hvar port hosting SELENE, a 56m luxury sail super yacht in the blue hour" keywords: ["Hvar", "SELENE", "blue hour", "port", "sailing", "travelmemo.com", "yacht"] captured: 2017-09-03 credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/benches-view-Hvar-port.jpg" caption: "Benches near La Spanjola fortress" keywords: ["travelmemo.com"] geo: {latitude: 43.1751, longitude: 16.441} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Hvar-port-sunset.jpg" caption: "Hvar port sunset" keywords: ["Hvar", "port", "sunset", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-09-01 geo: {latitude: 43.1685, longitude: 16.4432} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Cattedrale-di-San-Domino-Split-Croatia.jpg" caption: "Cattedrale di San Domino" keywords: ["Cattedrale di San Domino", "Croatia", "Split", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-09-05 geo: {latitude: 43.5083, longitude: 16.4402} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Kamerlengo-Tower-sunset-Trogir-Croatia.jpg" caption: "Kamerlengo Tower at sunset" keywords: ["Croatia", "Kamerlengo Tower", "Trogir", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-09-04 geo: {latitude: 43.5153, longitude: 16.2478} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/pier-yacht-Trogir-Croatia.jpg" caption: "Trogir's pier at sunset" keywords: ["Croatia", "Trogir", "travelmemo.com", "yacht"] captured: 2017-09-04 geo: {latitude: 43.5156, longitude: 16.2502} credit: "Walter Schärer" ```