5-Day Croatia road trip from Zadar to Split and Lika-Senj County

Your road trip adventure in Croatia begins as soon as you reach the incredible city of Zadar. You’ll stay in Zadar for 2 nights, experiencing all the best things to do and see in the city.

Zadar has many popular destinations you can explore. You could visit attractions like the incredible Kolovare Beach. This attraction is a top-tier point of interest and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 6,177 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best hotels or places to stay in the city. Your stay promises to be a delightful continuation of your exploration, providing comfort and tranquility to recharge for the adventures that lie ahead.

When you’re ready for dinner, we recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Zadar, Restoran 4 Kantuna. The restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 3,300 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Zadar is Konoba Rafaelo. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 3,104 customers.

Locals recommend Pet Bunara Dine & Wine as one of the best restaurants in the city of Zadar. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,856 customers.

Zadar also has several great bars that will fit all travel budgets. One of the best bars in the city of Zadar is Deja Brew Pub Zadar. This bar has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 735 customers.

Another of the best bars in the city of Zadar is BackStage Bar. This bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 508 customers.

Locals also enjoy Harbor CookHouse & Club. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 3,272 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of your 5-day vacation in Croatia!

As you rise to greet the dawn on day 2 of your epic road trip in Croatia, you'll awaken to the bustling city of Zadar. Today, you'll hit the road once again, setting off on a journey towards the stunning city of Split. You’ll stay in Split for 1 night. But before you begin your drive, we recommend taking the time to explore some of Zadar’s must-see attractions and local hotspots.

If you’re curious to see more of Zadar, start your day with a visit to the amazing Market Zadar. This much-appreciated best-rated sightseeing destination and attraction is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 7,601 visitors.

You could also stop at another of the best local travel destinations in the area, the fascinating Narodni trg. This best-rated sightseeing destination and spectacular attraction has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 6,549 visitors.

We also recommend you spend some time at the popular Church of St. Donatus to make the most of your road trip across Croatia. The spectacular Church of St. Donatus is a church building that has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 8,633 visitors.

The lovely Roman Forum is yet another attraction you could pay a visit. Around 4,627 visitors have left this top-tier point of interest average ratings of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

If you feel like visiting another type of sight or don’t want to jump into the car quite yet, spend some time at the spectacular Sea organ. This attraction is a tide organ rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 56,635 reviews.

After soaking up all the sights and sounds that Zadar has to offer, you'll be ready to hit the open road and continue your unforgettable road trip towards the city of Split. Split offers plenty of options for top-rated hotels and other places to stay that fit all travel budgets.

After you’ve settled into your accommodation, we recommend a dinner at the popular Villa Spiza. This popular restaurant is one of the locals’ most recommended restaurants in the city, with ratings of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 1,322 reviews.

The remarkable Šug Restaurant is another top restaurant in Split we recommend. This restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,279 customers.

If you would rather go somewhere else, the famous Fig Split is also an excellent choice. This well-loved restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,263 customers.

After your meal, we recommend you drink at one of the best bars in Split, the fantastic Perivoj restoran i kavana. This bar has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,279 customers.

To end your night the best way possible, we recommend going to the wonderful The Daltonist Craft Bar. This bar offers a great variety of drinks and has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,191 customers.

Another bar with a great atmosphere is Tennis Bar. This bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,185 customers, so don’t forget to check this one out as well!

Celebrate another amazing vacation day filled with adventure in Croatia!

Day 3 of your road trip through Croatia gives you the opportunity to experience two places in one day. You'll start your day with some exploring in the city of Split and end it at a top-rated hotel in the city of Lika-Senj County. You will stay in Lika-Senj County for 1 night. Have a hearty breakfast and get excited for a wonderful day ahead!

One of the best places to visit today in Split is the amazing Golden Gate. This attraction is a memorial gates and arches that is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,783 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible museum, Diocletian's Palace. With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 75,911 visitors, this attraction is one of the top sights in the area.

Another unforgettable travel destination in the Split is the outstanding West Bank. This popular top-tier point of interest and travel destination has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,337 visitors.

The spectacular Kašjuni Beach is another popular attraction you can visit today. This fascinating beach and attraction has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,777 visitors.

If you’re keen to explore even more, then consider a visit to the fantastic Marjan. This attraction is a popular mountain that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 12,428 visitors.

You can make the most of your new day in Split by joining activities and tours that let you discover what else the city has in store for you. There are many top-rated experiences you can include in your travel plan to add flavor to your road trip in Croatia. Browse all of your options and reserve your slot before it's too late.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Lika-Senj County, where you will access the best hotels and places to stay.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Bistro & Pizzeria Tomislav, one of the best restaurants in the city of Lika-Senj County. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,954 customers.

Locals also recommend Restoran "Malo misto" - kod Franića as one of the best restaurants in the city of Lika-Senj County. Restoran "Malo misto" - kod Franića is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 247 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Lika-Senj County is Restoran Maki. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,881 customers.

After dinner, visit The Highlanders pub, which is considered one of the best bars in the city of Lika-Senj County. This bar is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 928 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Sala za vjenčanja Prašina. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 550 customers.

Alternatively, Caffe Bar Bevanda is one of the best bars that locals recommend in the city of Lika-Senj County. This bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 105 customers.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure through Croatia!

As you rise to greet the dawn on day 4 of your epic road trip in Croatia, you'll awaken to the bustling city of Smiljan. Today, you'll hit the road once again, setting off on a journey towards the stunning city of Zadar. You’ll stay in Zadar for 1 night. But before you begin your drive, we recommend taking the time to explore some of Smiljan’s must-see attractions and local hotspots.

If you’re curious to see more of Smiljan, start your day with a visit to the amazing Nikola Tesla Memorial Center. This much-appreciated museum and attraction is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 3,934 visitors.

After soaking up all the sights and sounds that Smiljan has to offer, you'll be ready to hit the open road and continue your unforgettable road trip towards the city of Zadar. Zadar offers plenty of options for top-rated hotels and other places to stay that fit all travel budgets.

After you’ve settled into your accommodation, we recommend a dinner at the popular Trattoria Mediterraneo. This popular restaurant is one of the locals’ most recommended restaurants in the city, with ratings of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 762 reviews.

The remarkable Pizzeria Šime is another top restaurant in Zadar we recommend. This restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 5,176 customers.

If you would rather go somewhere else, the famous Restoran Bruschetta is also an excellent choice. This well-loved restaurant is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 4,370 customers.

After your meal, we recommend you drink at one of the best bars in Zadar, the fantastic Beach Bar Bamboo. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,578 customers.

To end your night the best way possible, we recommend going to the wonderful La Famiglia. This bar offers a great variety of drinks and has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,083 customers.

Another bar with a great atmosphere is The Garden Lounge. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,269 customers, so don’t forget to check this one out as well!

Celebrate another amazing vacation day filled with adventure in Croatia!

Day 5 of your road trip in Croatia is your departure day. This is your chance to catch one last glimpse of Zadar before saying goodbye to this wonderful destination. When you have time to explore the area before you make your way home, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Queen Jelena Madijevka Park is an extraordinary attraction you could visit to enjoy your last day in Zadar. This park and popular site of interest has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,288 visitors.

Take a stroll along the main shopping streets of Zadar and find some souvenirs to remind you of your road trip in Croatia.

You could then enjoy your last meal in the city of Zadar at Restoran "Mamma Mia" Zadar before you travel home. This popular restaurant is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,587 customers.

Alternatively, we also recommend Restaurant 2Ribara for your last chance at a meal in the city of Zadar. The Restaurant 2Ribara restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,703 customers.

If you'd prefer a popular restaurant that locals enjoy, try Restaurant Malo Misto. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,645 customers.

You’ll then say farewell to Zadar. We wish you a pleasant journey home, with many wonderful memories of your unforgettable vacation in Croatia!