Cheap 5-Day Croatia Road Trip from Pula traveling east to Senj and Zagreb

Your exciting road trip through Croatia starts when you reach the incredible city of Pula, where you'll stay for 2 nights. You'll pick up your rental car in Pula and begin your adventure in Croatia.

Pula is a popular cheap holiday destination in Croatia with something to offer every traveler. When you're ready to explore the city, stop at some of the best places to visit in Pula and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing Verudela Canyon will make your cheap holiday in Croatia truly special. This attraction is a fascinating must-see tourist destination that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,620 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best budget-friendly hotels or places to stay in the city.

When you're hungry and ready to take a break from your adventure, treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of the best restaurants in Pula. An excellent example is the popular Veritas Food&Wine. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,550 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in Croatia is Pizzeria Jupiter. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 7,601 customers, this famous restaurant is one of the city's most recommended places to eat.

Rock Bar Mimoza is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 613 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

Another bar in Pula we recommend is The Shipyard Pub, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,622 customers.

Zeppelin - Beach & lounge bar is also one of the best places to go to unwind and chat with locals. Over 1,777 bar-goers have rated it an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Enjoy toasting the start of a terrific road trip vacation and cheap holiday experience in Croatia!

On day 2 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Croatia, you’ll experience two places in one day. You’ll start your day in Pula and end your day in the city of Senj, where you'll stay for 1 night. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Pula is the amazing Pula Arena. This travel destination is a roman amphitheatre that has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 58,562 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Forum Square. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 5,726 travelers, a visit to this well-known top-tier point of interest and sightseeing spot in Pula is likely to make your vacation in Croatia even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Pula is the outstanding Temple of Augustus. This archaeological site has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 9,904 visitors.

Cheap, budget vacations are nothing but incredible, especially when you’re in Croatia. To have the best affordable travel experience in Croatia, make time for some unique, challenging, or inspiring activities. Adding a tour to your travel plan promises a one-of-a kind adventure that will make your cheap vacation in Croatia unforgettable. Fortunately, you'll find plenty of budget-friendly tours and cheap holiday deals in Croatia.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Senj. Senj is another cheap travel destination in Croatia where you have access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and other conveniences.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best attractions a budget vacation in Croatia can afford, treat yourself to a hearty meal. You’ll find many great restaurants in Senj that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Senj is Tavern Kod Veska. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 822 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Senj, Restaurant-pizzeria Tropicana is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,087 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Pizzeria King. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Senj enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 841 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Senj’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Croatia. For example, you can visit Pirassa Caffe Gelateria. Rated an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 120 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Restoran "Krešimir". This popular bar in Senj has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 146 bar-goers.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience in Croatia!

On day 3 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Croatia, you’ll experience two places in one day. You’ll start your day in Lika-Senj County and end your day in the city of Zagreb, where you'll stay for 1 night. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Lika-Senj County is the amazing Nehaj Fortress. This travel destination is a fortress that has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 4,527 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Sundial on the 45th parallel. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 135 travelers, a visit to this well-known top-tier point of interest and sightseeing spot in Lika-Senj County is likely to make your vacation in Croatia even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Lika-Senj County is the outstanding Plaža Prva Draga. This top-tier point of interest has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,077 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Croatia, drop by the popular Northern Velebit National Park. This attraction, an amazing park, has been rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by 1,504 travelers.

If you’re keen to explore more, you’ll enjoy the fantastic Velebit House. This must-see tourist destination is a popular attraction rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,080 visitors from all over the globe.

Cheap, budget vacations are nothing but incredible, especially when you’re in Croatia. To have the best affordable travel experience in Croatia, make time for some unique, challenging, or inspiring activities. Adding a tour to your travel plan promises a one-of-a kind adventure that will make your cheap vacation in Croatia unforgettable. Fortunately, you'll find plenty of budget-friendly tours and cheap holiday deals in Croatia.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Zagreb. Zagreb is another cheap travel destination in Croatia where you have access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and other conveniences.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best attractions a budget vacation in Croatia can afford, treat yourself to a hearty meal. You’ll find many great restaurants in Zagreb that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Zagreb is HERITAGE - Croatian Street Food & Shop. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,369 customers.

Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Zagreb enjoy dining at this restaurant.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Zagreb’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Croatia. For example, you can visit Vintage Industrial Bar. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 4,500 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Hub Cooltura Pub. This popular bar in Zagreb has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 2,249 bar-goers.

You can also go to Mr. Fogg as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Mr. Fogg is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 2,233 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience in Croatia!

Day 4 of your road trip across Croatia offers you the chance to visit the wonderful Zagreb and the enchanting Rijeka, two of the most popular cheap holiday destinations in the country. You'll begin sightseeing in Zagreb and end the day in Rijeka, where you'll stay for 1 night.

Buckle up because day 4 of your affordable vacation in Croatia will take you to some of locals’ and travelers’ most recommended travel spots!

One place travelers keep coming back to in Zagreb is the magnificent Ban Josip Jelačić Statue. Around 19,613 visitors have rated this excellent best-rated sightseeing destination and travel destination an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

We also recommend you explore the amazing Park Maksimir on this leg of your self-drive tour in Croatia. This attraction is a well-known park that has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from around 19,174 travelers.

After capturing the beauty and rich culture of Zagreb, you’ll get back behind the wheels and continue your road trip to the fantastic city of Rijeka.

Start your sightseeing in this cheap holiday destination with a visit to the unforgettable Trsat Castle. This popular site is a valued castle in Rijeka and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 11,516 visitors.

Exploring one unique site after another provides you the much-needed variety during your self-drive tour across Croatia. But to satisfy your curiosity or need for adventure, we recommend you add excursions in today’s agenda. You have a great selection of popular and low-cost activities to choose from in Croatia. Make your cheap holiday experience in Croatia more memorable by doing something new, bold, or inspiring.

Pula offers many top-rated accommodations suitable for travelers on a budget vacation in Croatia. So anytime you need a break from your activities, you’re guaranteed a comfortable and affordable place to rest and stay in the city.

As this adventurous day progresses, satisfy your hunger at one of the best restaurants in the city. Many restaurants in Pula offer good food at even better prices, the perfect combination for travelers on affordable vacations in Croatia.

Konoba Boccaporta is a must try. This restaurant serves a mouthwatering selection of meals and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 2,823 diners.

Make sure you get to the restaurant early to save yourself a seat.

When night has fallen and you feel like enjoying a drink, head to some of Pula’s best bars. There are plenty of bars in the city where you can order a few drinks without compromising your budget.

Hook & Cook Pula is an excellent example of a great bar in Pula offering drinks at reasonable prices. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,587 customers.

You can also hang out and have a drink at Old City Bar Pula, another of locals’ go-to bars in Pula. Old City Bar Pula is among the best city bars offering various beverages at different price points, with around 1,368 customers having rated it an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Cabahia is for you if you’re curious about bars that give you a taste of the nightlife scene in Pula. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from more than 664 bar-goers.

Celebrate another day of your adventure-filled road trip through Croatia with a toast. Cheers to a memorable cheap vacation experience in Croatia!

It’s soon time to say goodbye to Croatia as your road trip vacation is about to end. Day 5 is your departure day and your last chance to capture the beauty of Pula.

Depending on how much time you have before your flight back home, we recommend doing some last-minute shopping or sightseeing to make the most of your cheap holiday experience in Croatia.

If you'd rather pass time visiting some attractions, this is your chance to go to places you may not have had the chance to explore yet.

One fantastic attraction you could visit on your last day in Pula is the remarkable Šijana/Siana Forest. This park and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,182 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Pula, consider a top-rated restaurant like Grill bar Campo. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,879 customers.

Bistro Alighieri is an excellent alternative if you feel like eating something else. This restaurant serves a variety of savory and budget-friendly dishes and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,688 customers.

You’ll then say farewell to Pula and begin your journey home. You’ll leave filled with unforgettable memories from your terrific and affordable travel experiences in Croatia!