Magical Istria: Zagreb, Rovinj, Zadar & Plitvice Lakes - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Zagreb, Free Time

Start your great Croatian adventure in Zagreb, the capital. A gem of a European city, Zagreb is at once historic and new. It's filled with leafy green parks and Gothic/neo-Renaissance buildings, yet there are also modern shopping complexes, outdoor malls, and endless dining and drinking options. On arrival, a private driver will meet and transfer you to your hotel. Refresh and get ready to explore. Consider heading out on a guided walking tour of the historic heart of the city, taking you from the main square to Zagreb's Upper Town through local markets to St. Mark's Square.

Alternatively, you could visit one of the many museums and art galleries, like the Homeland War Museum, the Nikola Tesla Technical Museum, or the ever-popular Museum of Broken Hearts. Or stroll through the city center, enjoying 17th-century neo-Baroque architecture found at Zagreb's Art Pavilion and Croatian National Theater. Zagreb also has a number of beautiful city parks, which are great for exploring and people-watching, especially in the late afternoon. Maksimir is a great option, with a variety of cafés nearby to pick up a coffee for your stroll.

Day 2: Day Trip to Zagorje Region Castles

Just a few miles northwest of Zagreb lies Zagorje, a bucolic hilly region dotted with Renaissance and medieval fortresses, numerous Baroque castles, and family-run vineyards and farms. It's a memorable, romantic landscape that will take you back in time to a sense of both the aristocratic past and the traditional rural way of life that still exists in Croatia today. A quick day trip from Zagreb allows you to immerse yourself in this beautiful region. Your guide will take you to Trakošćan Castle, a 14th-century fortress perched on a hill adjacent to a glassy lake.

This defensive fortress was later used as a home for aristocratic Croatian families. You'll tour the castle grounds, then explore all four floors. Experience the heyday of Croatian nobility with historic oil paintings, antique furniture, and even medieval weapons like swords and cannons. After, visit Veliki Tabor Castle, a 16th-century Gothic-Renaissance castle built for a noble Hungarian family with fortifications to defend against Turkish invaders. Visit the towers, guardhouses, and inner courtyard, plus a small museum featuring exhibitions of medieval artifacts like armor, weapons, and paintings. 

Finally, explore the village of Kumrovec and its 19th-century restored peasants' houses. Here, you can browse local craft shops and enjoy traditional country cuisine like grilled lamb, meat skewers, and veal stuffed with cheese and ham. Kumrovec is most well known for being the birthplace of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, the communist revolutionary who was President of Yugoslavia from 1953 to 1980.

Day 4: Into the Heart of Istria: Grožnjan, Oprtalj & Motovun

After breakfast, set out for a full day exploring the rolling hills of Istria. You'll taste the best local olive oils and wine varieties and explore charming Croatian villages. First, drive 75 minutes north to Grožnjan, a medieval hilltop town surrounded by terraced olive groves and vineyards. Once an important stronghold for the Venetians, the town went into decline with the 18th-century empire collapse. In the 1960s, Grožnjan reemerged as an artist town. Lose yourself in the maze of cobbled streets, popping into art studios and galleries.

Then, continue 30 minutes to Oprtalj, a medieval fort town on the north side of the Mirna River valley. Oprtalj is home to traditional narrow streets, shops, and fine examples of Istrian and Venetian architecture, including the 16th-century St. George's Church and Venetian-style bell tower. Finally, drive south to Motovun, an ancient sleepy town located atop a 909-foot (277 m) hill. Its present appearance, with the city walls surrounding the center of the town, dates back to the Middle Ages. Sample local wines and enjoy a meal with truffles sourced from the nearby truffle-rich forests.

Day 5: Coastal Istria: Fažana & Brijuni National Park

Take today to discover the beautiful coastal regions of Istria. You'll first head 45 minutes south down the coast to Fažana, where you'll want to spend a little time exploring this port village, popular with families and campers in the summer months. Grab a bite to eat at Stara konoba (a traditional tavern) along the waterfront and try the local pilchards before you board your 15-minute ferry to Veliki Brijun. One of fourteen islands belonging to the Brijuni National Park, Veliki Brijun is the largest and the main tourist attraction.

On the island, you can cycle or walk along designated paths and choose one of a number of beaches within walking or cycling distance to the ferry port. To see more of the island and its fascinating political history, you can purchase tickets in Fažana for the option to tour the island's main points of interest, including Roman ruins, a Byzantine fortress, a safari park, and the once-infamous White Villa by a miniature tourist train. In the late afternoon, return to the mainland, stopping at the popular Alla Beccaccia restaurant in Valbandon on your way back to Rovinj.

Day 6: Day of Sun & Relaxation in Cape Kamenjak

Take the day to discover beautiful Cape Kamenjak, the Istrian Peninsula's most southern point. Protected as a nature park, the peninsula offers a variety of secluded coves and beaches, some of the best in the Pula region. Here, you can relax, soaking in the fresh salty air and enjoying the calm sea as you swim, cycle, or walk to explore the park. Note that if you opt to drive into the park, there's a small fee, though it's waived if you choose to go by foot or bicycle.

Take the walking or cycling road that follows the peninsula coastline, breaking at one of the 30 bays that strike your interest. Stop for lunch at the popular Safari Bar before taking a walk along the cliff's edge—popular with cliff jumpers. The more active might opt to visit Medulin, Istria's main destination for watersports, for more of a beach day and to take a windsurfing or sailing lesson. Break up the 75-minute drive back with a stop in Premantura, a village that borders the park, for dinner at Konoba Ancora.

Day 7: Coastal Drive to Plitvice Lakes via Pula

Get an early start and drive 45 minutes to the southern tip of Istria, where ancient Pula awaits. Its strategic location means Pula has been occupied throughout the centuries by everyone from the Romans to the Allied Forces in World War II. While Pula is known for its beaches and harbor, it's most famous for its Roman amphitheater, the Pula Arena, dating from the first century. Make a beeline for the arena, which is one of the 10 largest colosseums the Romans ever built. Stand in the tunnels and corridors where warriors and lions were kept before entertaining crowds of up to 25,000.

In Pula, you can also admire the Arch of the Sergii—an ancient Roman arch dating to 29 BCE—and the Temple of Augustus, a Roman temple built in 2 BCE. Grab some snacks, then when you're ready, jump in the car for the three or four-hour coastal drive to Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia's natural masterpiece. A must-visit for any traveler to Croatia, the UNESCO-protected park is comprised of 16 glassy emerald green and blue travertine lakes, more than 90 cascading waterfalls that seemingly cover every corner of the park and numerous caves.

If you arrive early enough, you'll have some time to explore the park at your leisure, but tomorrow, you'll get up early to head into the park before the crowds arrive.

Day 8: Sunrise at Plitvice Lakes, Drive to Zadar

Early morning is one of the best times to visit Plitvice Lakes before the midday crowds arrive. Many hiking routes within the park follow along wooden boardwalks, and you can explore them on your own or with a private guide. The benefit of opting for a guide is that they'll be able to offer insight into the region as well as lead you to the most interesting areas of the park. After enjoying a leisurely morning in Plitvice, carry on your way south to the ancient capital of Zadar, the perfect city to arrive in after a day in the storybook wilderness. 

Take the rest of the day to relax and explore. You may wish to stroll along Zadar's Riva, a wide ribbon of stone paths bordered by a grassy park on one side and the sea on the other. It runs along Old Town's waterfront, where it comes alive at night with vendors and Dalmatian a cappella groups called klapa that serenade the passersby, including folks on yachts who dock there. Take in a legendary sunset from Café Brazil before discovering the pretty patterned lights of the Monument to the Sun while listening to the nearby Sea Organ. 

Day 9: Morning in Zadar, Drive to Zagreb

It's a three-hour drive from Zadar to Zagreb, so choose to have a leisurely morning and enjoy the beauty of the ancient coastal city or hit the road and reach the Croatian capital in time for lunch. 

If you reach the biggest city by the afternoon, you could use your time to experience Croatia's famous café culture and indulge in the local pub scene. Head north of the city's main square, and you'll find Tkalčićeva Street. This famous vibrant strip is filled with small boutiques, traditional stores, and places to eat and drink, making it the perfect day-to-night destination to settle in for a laid-back Croatian dinner and reflect on your Istrian road trip.

Day 10: Depart Zagreb

If you have a free morning before departing, make like a local and visit one of the many café-bars in central Zagreb. Try the pedestrianized section around Bogovićeva and Preradovićeva for a morning coffee and pastry and to people-watch before you say farewell to Zagreb and make the 30-minute drive to the airport.

Make sure you leave enough time to drop off your rental car and check into your departing flight home or onward. This concludes your grand Croatian adventure. Safe travels!