Cheap 7-Day Croatia Road Trip Vacation from Zagreb to Rijeka 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 Park Maksimir will make your cheap holiday in Croatia truly special. This attraction is a fascinating park that has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 18,435 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!

Today's agenda is to explore Zagreb and discover what this fabulous and cheap holiday destination offers. Expect amazing attractions, a great dining experience, and a wonderful time discovering the daily lives of locals with 2 nights left in Zagreb.

You’ll begin this day’s adventure with a visit to the top-rated Museum of Broken Relationships. This incredible attraction is a museum that has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from around 6,559 visitors.

Another highlight of this cheap holiday package is a trip to the fascinating Stone Gate. This spectacular city gate and tourist destination has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 5,469 reviews.

It’s hard to pass up the chance to see the famous Bundek during a vacation in Zagreb. Ranking high up on many travelers’ bucket lists, the amazing Bundek has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 15,007 reviews.

Keen to do something new and one-of-a-kind today? There are many experiences you can add to your cheap vacation package to make your road trip in Croatia more special. Check out all the budget-friendly activities and tours below and bag a cheap holiday deal.

After taking in the best of Zagreb, you’ll drive to your accommodation in the city of Zagreb for a well-deserved rest. When you’re ready to eat, indulge yourself to a nice meal at one of the top-rated restaurants in the city.

Dubravkin put is an excellent example. Here you can enjoy good food and service at affordable prices. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,365 customers.

Cheese Bar is another great restaurant option for budget travelers in Zagreb. This restaurant serves a variety of delicious and savory meals at low prices and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,097 customers.

Locals enjoy dining at Roots - juice & cocktail bar, and you might want to check it out too. This restaurant has an exciting menu and an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars in 800 reviews.

After a lovely dinner at one of the best places to eat in Zagreb, visit one of the most popular drinking spots in the city. Relax, grab a drink or two, chat with friendly locals, and enjoy the rest of your evening in Zagreb.

Swanky Monkey Garden is a fantastic bar many locals in Zagreb recognize. This popular bar is an excellent place to unwind after a busy day and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,237 customers.

Raise your glass and savor every moment of your 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 Zagreb and end your day in the city of Rijeka, where you'll stay for 2 nights. 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 Ban Josip Jelačić Statue. This travel destination is a top-tier point of interest that has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 19,038 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Ribnjak Park. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 4,091 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 Zagreb Cathedral. This catholic cathedral has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 16,260 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 6,419 travelers.

If you’re keen to explore more, you’ll enjoy the fantastic Technical Museum. This museum is a popular attraction rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 5,713 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 Konoba Tarsa. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 2,076 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Rijeka, Barbacoa 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 1,487 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Konoba Fiume. 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 933 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 The Beertija Klub. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,087 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Pajol bar Pecine. This popular bar in Rijeka has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 644 bar-goers.

You can also go to Bar Bar as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Bar Bar is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 625 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!

Day 4 of your exciting, laid-back road trip across Croatia is proof that there's more to the city of Pula than meets the eye. Today's agenda is to explore Pula and discover what this fabulous and cheap holiday destination offers. Expect amazing attractions, a great dining experience, and a wonderful time discovering the daily lives of locals with 1 night left in Rijeka.

You’ll begin this day’s adventure with a visit to the top-rated Trsat Castle. This incredible attraction is a castle that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from around 10,964 visitors.

Another highlight of this cheap holiday package is a trip to the fascinating Church of Mary of God of Trsat. This spectacular church and tourist destination has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars in 2,415 reviews.

It’s hard to pass up the chance to see the famous City Clock Tower during a vacation in Pula. Ranking high up on many travelers’ bucket lists, the amazing City Clock Tower has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 1,256 reviews.

Keen to do something new and one-of-a-kind today? There are many experiences you can add to your cheap vacation package to make your road trip in Croatia more special. Check out all the budget-friendly activities and tours below and bag a cheap holiday deal.

After taking in the best of Pula, you’ll drive to your accommodation in the city of Rijeka for a well-deserved rest. When you’re ready to eat, indulge yourself to a nice meal at one of the top-rated restaurants in the city.

Boonker is an excellent example. Here you can enjoy good food and service at affordable prices. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 3,735 customers.

Bistro Mornar is another great restaurant option for budget travelers in Rijeka. This restaurant serves a variety of delicious and savory meals at low prices and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 3,156 customers.

Locals enjoy dining at King’s Caffe food pub, and you might want to check it out too. This restaurant has an exciting menu and an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 1,389 reviews.

After a lovely dinner at one of the best places to eat in Rijeka, visit one of the most popular drinking spots in the city. Relax, grab a drink or two, chat with friendly locals, and enjoy the rest of your evening in Rijeka.

River is a fantastic bar many locals in Rijeka recognize. This popular bar is an excellent place to unwind after a busy day and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,197 customers.

You can also enjoy a few drinks and some snacks at Pet Jedan Tapas Bar, another popular bar in the city. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 898 customers.

Pub "Bačva" is a local favorite and a great place to hang out and socialize with other travelers in Rijeka. Customers have rated the exciting Pub "Bačva" an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 781 reviews.

Raise your glass and savor every moment of your 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 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 Trsat Castle. This travel destination is a castle that has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 10,964 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Church of Mary of God of Trsat. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 2,415 travelers, a visit to this well-known church 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 City Clock Tower. This must-see tourist destination has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,256 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 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 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 best-rated sightseeing destination that has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 7,413 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Sea organ. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 55,793 travelers, a visit to this well-known tide organ and sightseeing spot in Zadar is likely to make your vacation in Croatia even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Zadar is the outstanding Roman Forum. This best-rated sightseeing destination has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 4,478 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Croatia, drop by the popular Church of St. Donatus. This attraction, an amazing church building, has been rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 8,543 travelers.

If you’re keen to explore more, you’ll enjoy the fantastic The Land Gate. This top-tier point of interest is a popular attraction rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 4,939 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 Restoran Vegehop. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 760 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Zagreb, Vinodol is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 4,410 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Pivnica Medvedgrad Ilica. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Zagreb enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 4,156 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 Valhalla beer bar. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,010 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Roots - juice & cocktail bar. This popular bar in Zagreb has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from 800 bar-goers.

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 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.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Zagreb, consider a top-rated restaurant like Boban. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 3,445 customers.

Submarine Burger Frankopanska 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 2,795 customers.

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!