Zagreb Itinerary From/To Zagreb in a WeekZagreb itinerary and free travel guide Zagreb itinerary is my personal suggestion for those flying to Croatia from North America as you will almost certainly land in Zagreb, Croatia’s capital. Even if your plan is to move to somewhere else, you will still have al least half a day to dedicate to Croatian capital, visiting the Upper Town made up of cobbled streets and buildings dating from medieval times up to the 19th century, including the Cathedral of St Mark , the Sabor (Croatian parliament) or some of the most important town museums like Museum of Arts and Crafts. Here is a one week itinerary from/to Zagreb by car: Upon arrival at Zagreb airport, pick up your rented car (make your car rent booking in advance). Find your Zagreb budget hostels or private apartments. Read the travelers reviews before you go!
Day 1 - Zagreb You have half day to explore the Croatian capital, just enough time to take the tram to Jelacic Trg (the central square) at the foot of Old Town. Take the stairs of Uspinjaca (one of the oldest funiculars in Europe from 1890) to the Upper Town. Take a brake to one of many Zagreb restaurants in this part of the old town. Visit Zagreb map page to find all interesting Zagreb highlights. I suggest you to purchase Zagrebcard which offers unlimited travel on city public transport, discounts in various museums, restaurants and hotels. For information about this tourist card visit Tourist Information Center website. Day 2 and 3 on Zagreb itinerary - From Zagreb to Rijeka & Pula From Zagreb take the E65 / A6 motorway (154 Km - 96 Miles) which runs directly from Zagreb to Rijeka. Watch the signs where motorways merge at Karlovac. The motorway toll costs 56kn in one direction, payable in most currencies and credit cards. Arriving in Karlovac, don’t miss Karlovac Brewery, historic buildings where the famous where the famous beer has been produced for centuries. If you decide to spend the night in Karlovac, choose one of Karlovac hotels, particularly I suggest hotel Korana where a lovely river walk await you. If you decide not to spend a night in Karlovac, just continue on toward Rijeka, but make a stop at Trsat and explore the castle-museum and religious shrine to Mary there. From Rijeka you will enter the Istria peninsula following the road that goes south along Istria's eastern coast to Pula. Watch the map bellow to get to Pula.
If you want to sample a tiny, family-run hotel, arrange to stay at the Scaletta hostel, just a few blocks from Pula's magnificent amphitheater and the sea. The vicinity of the centre of the town gives the opportunity to sightseeing in this 3000 years old city. Choosing Scaletta for your stay in Pula, you will be able to visit the monuments like the Temple of Augustus and the Forum of Pula, Hercules' Gate, the Triumphal Arch of the Sergii, the Castle and the Roman Theatre. Day 3 Zagreb itinerary - Pula and Brijuni islands Your next destination should be Brijuni islands, the National Park. For information and booking, call the Brijuni Tourist Service (tel 052-525 883) in nearby Fazana, on the coast that sells tickets to the park. Brijuni Islands are a group of fourteen small islands in the Croatian part of the northern Adriatic Sea, separated from the west coast of the Istrian peninsula by the narrow Fazana channel. The largest island, Veli Brijun (5.6 km²), lies 2 km off the coast. Famous for their scenic beauty, the islands are a holiday resort and a Croatian National Park. This Zagreb itinerary offers for golf lovers completely new experience for playing golf, and the Brijuni golf course should definitely be your next destination. For more info visit this website. Day 4 and 5 Zagreb itinerary - Rovinj & the Limski Fjord The view from the hotel and terrace windows offers a small harbor with boats and yachts and the attractive island of Sveta Katarina opposite the hotel. Park Hotel with its swimming pools and kid options is the most convenient place to stay and to start exploring this fairy-tale town. Start with a walk up town’s hilly streets to its highest point and St. Euphemia Church than head back down to the Grisia Street and stop at any of the restaurants along for dinner. Recommended restaurants: Restaurant "Giannino" , Augusto Ferri str. 38, tel. 052/813402 (30-40€ ) - It's a typical family run restaurant in a very rustic stile specially specialized in fish preparation. Restaurant "Veli Joze" (Big Joe – legendary hero who protect local inhabitant from Venetian invaders), Sveti Kriza str. 1 tel. 052/816337 (20-30€) This restauran serves mainly fish specialities, but possible to order excellent lamb meat.
Rovinj sightseeing places - The most important Rovinj sightseeing places are concentrated on its peninsula. This charming little Istria town with narrow cobblestone streets, read more.... Rovinj map. This Rovinj map will help you to explore this old Istria town. Start to circumnavigate a peninsula following this easy map. On Day 5 on Zagreb itinerary, take a tour and fish picnic on an excursion to Limski Draga Fjord north of Rovinj. This is an all-day trip through the flooded karstic canyon, which has been declared "a special maritime reserve" and "an area of outstanding natural beauty." The inland village of Mrgani, founded by the legendary Captain Morgan, is also here. You won't get back until 6 or 7 pm so plan to have dinner in Rovinj when you return. Day 5 and 6 Zagreb itinerary – Porec - Motovun and Opatija After this Rovinj fish picnic tour, you can proceed to nearby Porec, only 35 km from Rovinj. Here is the road map to help you reach Porec. If you're thinking of staying in or near Porec, Villa Filipini is an excellent alternative from all the 'complex' hotels and apartments. The hotel is set off the main road in a wooded area. This is very peaceful and relaxing place only a 2 minute drive from the centre of Porec. If you like some family hotel on Porec Riviera than I suggest Hotel Valamar Diamant or any of 25 Porec hotels. Once you settle in any of Porec hotels, your 6th day you will start visiting the city's walled Old Town from Marafor Square used to be the site of the town's Forum and a temple dedicated to Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. You can still see the ruins of that ancient house of worship. You will want to reserve a couple of hours to explore the Basilica of Euphrasius, its art, and its fabulous mosaics. Walking the old Porec center street you will probably notice more jewelry shops than any other place in Croatia, followed by the number of ice-cream shops. I do not believe you will resist not trying this exquisite ice cream. Days 6 & 7 on Zagreb itinerary - Motovun and Opatija Leave Porec after lanch and head for Istria's medieval hilltop town Motovun. This road is rather narrow and winding and this trip will take longer than you might think, even if there are only 27 km ( 17 Miles) to reach Motovun. Keep in mind that you have to park your car at the bottom of the hill and walk to the town center. You can spend a night there in small Hotel Kastel and next day get back on the road to Opatija, driving through the Ucka Tunnel toward Opatija. Book one of many Opatija hotels.
Day 7 on Zagreb itinerary - Opatija to Zagreb After breakfast take a swim on one of many Opatija beaches. An elegant promenade 12 kilometres long makes it possible to stroll along the water's edge to the neighbouring towns of Volosko and Lovran. You will know at this point that you have not had enough time in Opatija, but to keep to your schedule, you must now head toward Zagreb. Here is the road map to help you reach Zagreb and to end your Zagreb itinerary tour in a week. I hope you will enjoy it.
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