Cheap 5-Day Croatia Road Trip from Zagreb traveling south to Karlovac County and Zadar

You'll pick up your rental car in Zagreb and begin your adventure in Croatia.

Zagreb 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 Zagreb and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing Ban Josip Jelačić Statue will make your cheap holiday in Croatia truly special. This attraction is a fascinating top-tier point of interest that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 19,613 visitors.

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 Zagreb. An excellent example is the popular HERITAGE - Croatian Street Food & Shop. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,369 customers.

Vintage Industrial Bar is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 4,500 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

Another bar in Zagreb we recommend is Hub Cooltura Pub, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 2,249 customers.

Mr. Fogg is also one of the best places to go to unwind and chat with locals. Over 2,233 bar-goers have rated it an average of 4.8 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 Zagreb and end your day in the city of Karlovac County, 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 Zagreb is the amazing Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb. This travel destination is a must-see tourist destination that has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 8,945 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Botanical Garden of the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 6,528 travelers, a visit to this well-known park and sightseeing spot in Zagreb is likely to make your vacation in Croatia even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Zagreb is the outstanding Park Maksimir. This park has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 19,174 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Croatia, drop by the popular Bundek. This attraction, an amazing lake, has been rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 15,180 travelers.

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 Karlovac County. Karlovac County 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 Karlovac County that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Karlovac County is Restoran Mandić. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,119 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Karlovac County, Bistro Kastel is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 836 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Pizzeria Tiffany Karlovac. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Karlovac County enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 2,786 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Karlovac County’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Croatia. For example, you can visit Hollywood cafe. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 699 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Papa's Bar. This popular bar in Karlovac County has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,487 bar-goers.

You can also go to GP as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular GP is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 1,112 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

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 Zadar, 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 Aquatika. This travel destination is an aquarium that has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 5,298 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Advent Karlovac. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 445 travelers, a visit to this well-known best-rated sightseeing destination 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 Glazbeni paviljon. This must-see tourist destination has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 387 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 Zadar. Zadar 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 Zadar that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Zadar is Restoran 4 Kantuna. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3,300 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Zadar, Konoba Rafaelo is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3,104 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Pet Bunara Dine & Wine. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Zadar enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,856 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Zadar’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Croatia. For example, you can visit Deja Brew Pub Zadar. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 735 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is BackStage Bar. This popular bar in Zadar has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 508 bar-goers.

You can also go to Harbor CookHouse & Club as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Harbor CookHouse & Club is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 3,272 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

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

On day 4 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 Zadar 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 Zadar is the amazing Market Zadar. This travel destination is a must-see tourist destination that has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 7,601 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Narodni trg. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 6,549 travelers, a visit to this well-known top-tier point of interest and sightseeing spot in Zadar is likely to make your vacation in Croatia even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Zadar is the outstanding Church of St. Donatus. This church building has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 8,633 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Croatia, drop by the popular Sea organ. This attraction, an amazing tide organ, has been rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 56,635 travelers.

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 Roots - juice & cocktail bar. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from 800 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Zagreb, Restoran Vegehop is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 760 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Vinodol. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Zagreb enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 4,410 customers.

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 Swanky Monkey Garden. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,237 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Dubravkin put. This popular bar in Zagreb has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,365 bar-goers.

You can also go to Cheese Bar as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Cheese Bar is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 1,097 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday 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 Zagreb.

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 Zagreb is the remarkable Strossmayer Promenade. This park and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,308 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Zagreb, consider a top-rated restaurant like Pivnica Medvedgrad Ilica. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 4,156 customers.

Boban 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 4.4 out of 5 stars from 3,445 customers.

Another popular restaurant you could check out is Submarine Burger Frankopanska. Rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,795 customers, this restaurant is a great place to enjoy meals that will remind you of Croatia and your fun memories in Zagreb.

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