Cheap 7-Day Croatia Road Trip from Rijeka to Karlovac County and Zagreb

Your exciting road trip through Croatia starts when you reach the incredible city of Rijeka, where you'll stay for 4 nights. You'll pick up your rental car in Rijeka and begin your adventure in Croatia.

Rijeka 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 Rijeka and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing City Clock Tower 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 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,349 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 Rijeka. An excellent example is the popular Konoba Tarsa. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,076 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in Croatia is Konoba Fiume. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 933 customers, this famous restaurant is one of the city's most recommended places to eat.

If you wish to dine at a restaurant locals love, go to the wonderful Boonker. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 3,735 customers, and is an awesome place to satisfy your craving for good food and service.

Book caffe Dnevni boravak is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 1,024 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 Rijeka we recommend is The Beertija Klub, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,087 customers.

Teatro Lounge Bar is also one of the best places to go to unwind and chat with locals. Over 738 bar-goers have rated it an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

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

Day 2’s road trip itinerary introduces you to many popular attractions and activities in Rijeka, proving that cheap holidays in Croatia can be extraordinary.

You'll begin sightseeing at the extraordinary Trsat Castle. This attraction is a castle that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 11,592 travelers.

Another of the best travel destinations you can explore in this fun and cheap holiday destination is the spectacular Church of Mary of God of Trsat. This popular place of interest is a stunning church that boasts an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 2,505 visitors.

To make your trip to Rijeka more memorable, spend time at the fascinating Natural History Museum Rijeka. With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 797 traveler reviews, it’s not surprising that the fantastic Natural History Museum Rijeka is often mentioned in Croatia road trip itineraries.

The magnificent Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Coast is another stop you might want to add to your sightseeing plans. This museum and popular travel destination is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 1,049 reviews.

Your discovery of Rijeka does not have to stop there. You can add a budget-friendly activity on your itinerary and get to know more about Rijeka on a personal level. Check out the fantastic selection of affordable tours and tickets offered on this leg of your journey across this top cheap holiday destination in Europe, Croatia.

After exploring some of the most remarkable sights in Croatia, you also have the chance to experience the country’s food culture. Eat at Bistro Mornar, one of the best restaurants in Rijeka. This place is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 3,156 reviews.

You can also check out King’s Caffe food pub. Offering appetizing foods and refreshing beverages at reasonable prices, this restaurant is an excellent choice for budget travelers in the city. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,389 diners.

Another great restaurant we recommend you go to after your road trip activities is Submarine Burger Rijeka. With an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,653 customers, this restaurant is sure to provide you a memorable dining experience in Rijeka.

When you’ve finished your meal, head to some of the most popular bars in Rijeka for an after-dinner drink. Cap off your night in this cheap holiday destination at River and try some of its cocktails and snacks. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,197 customers.

Pet Jedan Tapas Bar is another great place to hang out in and relax after a busy day in the city. This bar offers various drinks at affordable prices and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 898 customers.

If you want to have a drink or two with locals, you'll want to visit Pub "Bačva". Rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 781 customers, this bar is one of the best places to unwind and socialize in Rijeka.

Savor the rest of the night and celebrate another incredible road trip adventure in the magical Rijeka!

On day 3 of your road trip adventures in Croatia, you’ll go deep into Pula, where you'll stay for 2 nights, and see some of the city’s unforgettable attractions. To learn more of the city's culture, you'll also dine at the most popular restaurants in Pula, and meet locals along the way!

Pula offers an incredible variety of budget hotels and places to stay you can choose from and spend the night in.

We recommend you stay at the charming Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa to ensure a pleasant and affordable vacation in Pula. This 5-star hotel offers guests comfort and convenience and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 3,200 guest reviews.

Another budget-friendly stay option you can check into is the cozy 4-star Hotel Bonavia. This cheap hotel provides a ton of handy amenities perfect for travelers in Pula. Hotel Bonavia has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 42 former guests.

Travelers looking forward to enjoying a cheap vacation in Pula should also consider Hotel Jadran. This 4-star hotel offers great value-for-money and is one of the best budget accommodations in the city. Hotel Jadran has been rated by 1,927 guests with an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Popular hotels and places to stay in Pula offering low-cost accommodations get fully-booked fast. If any of these stay options are not available during your visit in the city, our flexible booking system will automatically provide you with the best budget alternatives.

One thing that makes Pula the perfect cheap holiday destination is that the city offers easy access to many popular attractions. For example, the outstanding aquarium, Aquarium Pula. This attraction has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 9,849 visitors.

The famous Forum Square is another remarkable sightseeing hotspot in the area. This incredible top-tier point of interest and travel destination has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 5,776 visitors.

Pula is also the home of the extraordinary Temple of Augustus. Around 10,021 travelers have rated the spectacular Temple of Augustus an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Another place you’ll want to visit is the captivating Pula Arena. With an impressive average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from a total of 58,989 reviews, a visit to this wonderful roman amphitheatre and tourist destination is truly a great idea.

This fascinating attraction is a must-visit.

Come to Pula prepared by adding a tour to your budget vacation package to Croatia. If you’re up for a challenging, fun, or inspiring activity, check out the fantastic selection of tours and cheap holiday deals in Pula.

After a day of exploring, reward yourself by dining at one of the best restaurants in Pula, Maslina. Locals enjoy eating at Maslina for its good food and ambiance. This excellent restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,219 diners.

Na Kantunu Tavern serves various affordable and delicious dishes perfect for cheap holiday goers. On top of that, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,194 food lovers.

If you want more options, Conca d'oro is another great spot. Browse through its exciting menu and you'll see why Conca d'oro has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars in 1,238 reviews.

Curious about the nightlife in Pula? Consider visiting some of the best bars in Pula after dinner. Locals recommend Phanas Pub Rijeka est.2001, and it's a great spot to enjoy a refreshing drink after an active day. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 753 customers.

Public pub is another excellent place to relax and have a drink or two after a busy road trip in Croatia. Public pub has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 521 bar-goers, proving it's one of the most popular bars in Pula.

You might also want to cap the night off at Kancelarija Bar, a fascinating bar that 260 customers have rated 4.7 out of 5 stars in their reviews.

Raise a toast and enjoy celebrating this terrific day of your affordable vacation 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 Senj 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 Senj is the amazing Plaža Prva Draga. This travel destination is a top-tier point of interest that has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,086 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Nehaj Fortress. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 4,558 travelers, a visit to this well-known fortress and sightseeing spot in Senj is likely to make your vacation in Croatia even more memorable.

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, Pizzeria Tiffany Karlovac 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 2,786 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Castle Bistro. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Karlovac County enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 2,552 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 5 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 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 Zagreb is the amazing Park Maksimir. This travel destination is a park that has been rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 19,379 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Zagreb Zoo. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 24,176 travelers, a visit to this well-known zoo and sightseeing spot in Zagreb is likely to make your vacation in Croatia even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Zagreb is the outstanding Zagreb Cathedral. This catholic cathedral has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 16,419 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Croatia, drop by the popular Ban Josip Jelačić Statue. This attraction, an amazing must-see tourist destination, has been rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 19,840 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 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.

When talking about the best restaurants in Zagreb, Dubravkin put 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 1,365 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Cheese Bar. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Zagreb enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,097 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 Mr. Fogg. Rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 2,233 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Swanky Monkey Garden. This popular bar in Zagreb has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 2,237 bar-goers.

You can also go to Valhalla beer bar as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Valhalla beer bar is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 1,010 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 6 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 Rijeka, 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 Stone Gate. This travel destination is a city gate that has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 5,640 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Museum of Broken Relationships. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 7,032 travelers, a visit to this well-known museum and sightseeing spot in Zagreb is likely to make your vacation in Croatia even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Zagreb is the outstanding Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb. This best-rated sightseeing destination has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 9,026 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Croatia, drop by the popular Botanical Garden of the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb. This attraction, an amazing park, has been rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 6,593 travelers.

If you’re keen to explore more, you’ll enjoy the fantastic Bundek. This lake is a popular attraction rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 15,257 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 Rijeka. Rijeka 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 Rijeka that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Rijeka is Restoran Spagho. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,199 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Rijeka, Seafood restaurant Feral is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,111 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Restaurant Capote y Ole. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Rijeka enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 351 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Rijeka’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Croatia. For example, you can visit Celtic Caffe Bard. Rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 239 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is "Metropolis" Caffe Bar & Night Bar. This popular bar in Rijeka has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 675 bar-goers.

You can also go to Caffe Bar Kosi Toranj as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Caffe Bar Kosi Toranj is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 454 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.3 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 7 is your departure day and your last chance to capture the beauty of Rijeka.

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 Rijeka is the remarkable Petar Kružić Stairway. This best-rated sightseeing destination and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 806 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Rijeka, consider a top-rated restaurant like Konoba Ribica. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,872 customers.

Na Sušaku 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 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,775 customers.

Another popular restaurant you could check out is Barbacoa. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,487 customers, this restaurant is a great place to enjoy meals that will remind you of Croatia and your fun memories in Rijeka.

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