📑 Table of Contents ▾
Croatia is the filming location of Game of Thrones’ “King’s Landing,” the real-life version of “The Big Blue,” and Europe’s best-value coastal vacation destination. The Dalmatian coastline is like a broken pearl necklace — 15 interconnected islands scattered like beads across the deep-blue Adriatic, each harboring its own unique history and landscape.
Croatia self-driving is the best way to explore this coast: rent a small car in Zagreb, head south along the E65/E71 highway, spend a night in Split’s old city, then ferry over to Dubrovnik — about 8 hours total, with scenery shifting from plains to mountains to endless coastline.
Classic Self-Drive Routes
Route A: North–South Traverse (10 Days)
Zagreb → Plitvice Lakes → Zadar → Split → Hvar → Dubrovnik
Route B: Coastal Deep Dive (7 Days)
Split (3 nights) → Hvar (2 nights) → Dubrovnik (2 nights)
Route B is recommended — the Split-to-Dubrovnik segment is Croatia’s most beautiful coastline and deserves a slower pace.
Plitvice Lakes National Park: Croatia’s Jiuzhaigou
Plitvice Lakes is made up of 16 lakes and 92 waterfalls, with water colors ranging from deep blue to jade green in layers — like an overturned paint palette. Wooden walkways wind between the lakes and waterfalls, making this Croatia’s most visited national park.
Visiting tips: During peak season (July–August), enter as soon as the gate opens at 7:00 AM, otherwise the walkways become very crowded when tour groups arrive. Entry fee approximately 200 kuna — pre-book through the official Plitvice platform and the ticket includes the shuttle boat and tourist train between the upper and lower lake areas.
Recommended visiting time: 4–5 hours. If you want photos without crowds in the background, the first wave of visitors entering at dawn is the only opportunity.
Split: The Roman Emperor’s Seaside Palace
Diocletian’s Palace is the core of Split’s old city. The Roman Emperor Diocletian lived here after abdicating 1,700 years ago. Today the palace ruins are integrated into the modern city — bars, restaurants, clothing stores, and local apartments sit within the ancient white stone walls, making it a living museum.
Visiting tips:
- Entry is free after 6 PM (when gatekeepers finish work), but the lighting makes for better photos
- The underground palace is shaded and cool — a great summer respite
- The north exit of the palace leads to the Riva seafront promenade, the perfect spot for a grilled fish dinner
Split’s drawback is extremely expensive parking (about 100 kuna/hour by the sea). Staying outside the old city or taking the bus in is recommended; pre-book a parking spot through the Croatia car rental platform.
Hvar: The Perfect Blend of Venice and Island Vacations
Hvar is Croatia’s most stylish island — the old city from the Venetian Republic era, lavender fields, nudist beaches, and island party culture give this small island both historical depth and modern energy.
How to get there: Ferry from Split, approximately 2 hours (cars can board). Book ferry tickets in advance through Hvar ferry platforms — self-driving cars must book a ticket on a vehicle-carrying service.
Must-visit spots:
- Stari Grad: UNESCO-protected old town, perfect for an evening stroll
- Pakleni Islands: Archipelago across from Hvar town, with the most beautiful coves for snorkeling
- Hulas Beach: Popular with young visitors, with DJs and beach parties
Dubrovnik: A Day in King’s Landing
Game of Thrones made Dubrovnik famous worldwide. The old city has perfectly preserved its medieval walls; walking the circuit of the walls takes about 2 hours, with breathtaking views of red rooftops and the deep-blue Adriatic.
Photography spots in the old city:
- Minceta Tower: filming location for Cersei’s walk of shame
- Fort Lovrijenac: the fortress outside the walls, where Jon Snow’s assault scenes were filmed
- Pile Gate: the main entrance, where horse-mounted scenes were filmed
Staying inside the old city is expensive, but saves on parking and makes sightseeing convenient. Booking on Booking.com at least 30 days in advance can save 20–30%.
Practical Information
Visa: Croatia is in the Schengen Area; multiple-entry Schengen visas allow free entry.
Best season: May–June or September–October — fewer tourists, lower prices, better weather. July–August is peak season; accommodation prices are 2–3x the off-season rate, and all attractions are overcrowded.
Self-driving: Croatian highways are tolled (accept debit cards or cash); the Adriatic Coast Highway (E65/E71) is in good condition but mountain coastal roads are winding. A compact car is recommended for Croatia — more fuel-efficient.
Island ferries: Jadrolinija is the state-owned ferry company — cheapest but slowest. Krilo and Kapetan Luka are private fast boats — about 50% more expensive but significantly faster.
Want to turn travel into a career? Join Travel Arbitrage Partners
