A 10-Day Road Trip Through Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia

Day 1: The Old Town of Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is home to some remarkably stunning medieval architecture, crystal-clear Adriatic waters and an enchanting Old Town that has been famously well-preserved. In fact, it’s served as a picturesque backdrop in numerous films and television series, including Game of Thrones. We loved walking the city walls of Dubrovnik and exploring all of the side alleys and sweeping vistas! I recommend dining at Gradska kavana Arsenal Restaurant & Bar if you get the chance, and don’t forget to grab some ice cream afterwards in Old Town.

Day 2: Day trip to Perast and Kotor, Montenegro

On day two, we opted to take a day trip to Montenegro, which is known for its dramatic natural beauty, including the stunning Bay of Kotor with its fjord-like landscape. Since the border checkpoints between Croatia and its neighboring countries can become quite busy, we set out early in the morning. Our first stop was the charming waterfront town of Perast. Here, we hired a small boat to take us to the Our Lady of the Rocks church, which was originally built in the 15th century upon rocks that had been placed in the bay by passing seafarers. Next up, we headed to the beautiful old medieval town of Kotor, where we explored the narrow cobblestone streets and impressive fortifications. From there we managed the harrowing drive up 25 switchbacks to reach the most spectacular view of the Bay of Kotor before heading down to Budva and back on to Dubrovnik via the Lepetane-Kamenari Ferry.

Day 3: Dubvrovnik

After relaxing by the pool at the modern Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera Hotel in Srebreno Bay, we made our way back to the old town where we took the Dubrovnik Cable Car up to Mount Srđ and the Panorama Restaurant & Bar, where we had an amazing lunch with even more amazing views! Afterwards, we stopped at the Homeland War Museum inside Fort Imperial to learn more about the 1991–1995 Croatian War of Independence. And, of course, we stopped for ice cream back in Old Town Dubrovnik while also doing some souvenir shopping.

Day 4: Day trip to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina:

On day four, we bid farewell to Dubrovnik and drove a couple of hours through rugged mountainous terrain to arrive in the fascinating town of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mostar is renowned for its iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), a beautifully reconstructed 16th-century Ottoman structure that arches gracefully over the Neretva River. The city's blend of Ottoman and Mediterranean architecture, along with its vibrant bazaar along Coopersmiths’ Street and picturesque setting, makes it a captivating destination steeped in history and charm. One of our favorite experiences was a visit to the Koski Mehmet-Pasha Mosque, where we climbed the minaret’s 89 claustrophobic, spiral stairs to a truly spectacular view of the famous bridge. We also got a chance to hear the call to prayer as it sounded throughout Old Town, providing a true sense of place. From there, we drove back into Croatia for our next hotel stay at the Le Méridien Lav just outside Split, Croatia.

Day 5: Sailing to Biševo, Vis and Hvar Islands, Croatia

We woke up early on day five and headed to the waterfront Riva Promenade for a pre-arranged luxury speedboat tour to the island of Biševo, which is home to the mesmerizing Blue Cave, a natural wonder where sunlight creates an ethereal blue glow within the sea cave. Truly magical! Our tour continued with a gourmet grilled lunch at a small family-owned restaurant overlooking Milna Bay on the island of Vis, which also happened to be where scenes from the movie Mamma Mia 2 were filmed. Our final stop was the island of Hvar, where we enjoyed shopping and experiencing Croatian coastal living. All around, it was a great day on the Adriatic Sea!

Day 6: Split, Croatia

On day six, we spent some time lounging on the beach at the hotel before heading back into the old town of Split. This area is a fantastic travel destination due to its vibrant blend of ancient history and modern vibrancy, epitomized by the impressive Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that forms the heart of the city. After a lovely walking tour of the area, we enjoyed dinner at Portofino, which is located in a little courtyard just off the main Peristil Square.

Day 7: Traveling through Trogir and Šibenik, Croatia

We spent this day driving up the Dalmatian coast and then further inland, taking in the Croatian countryside. We stopped in Trogir to check out the city’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, which is a maze of narrow streets and alleyways that reveal a rich tapestry of history, from Romanesque and Gothic churches to Renaissance palaces. Continuing north, we made a visit to St. James Cathedral in Šibenik and headed onward to Rakovica, Croatia, a small town just outside the entrance to Plitvice Lakes National Park, where we spent the night and enjoyed dinner at the Restaurant Degenija.

Day 8: Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park was definitely on our must-do list while in Croatia, and it did not disappoint! We got up extra early to be there when it opened, and we practically had the place to ourselves before all the tour buses arrived. The cascading waterfalls into turquoise-colored lakes, the amazing green colors of the flora, the wooden boardwalks over rushing water, the serene boat ride across the still, glass-like waters of Lake Kozjak… it was truly unforgettable! After taking in this tranquil environment, we drove on to Zagreb for our last hotel stay at the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel.

Day 9: Zagreb, Croatia

While in Croatia’s vibrant capital, we explored the Lower Town (Donji Grad) which is known for its elegant 19th-century architecture, bustling main square and lively markets, including the famous Dolac Market. We stopped for a Mediterranean lunch at Boban and then headed to the historic Upper Town (Gornji Grad), where cobblestone streets lead to iconic sites like St. Mark’s Church with its colorful tiled roof and the medieval Stone Gate.

Day 10: Day trip to Ljubljana and Lake Bled, Slovenia

We spent our last day driving across another country's border… this time to Slovenia! We first headed to Lake Bled, a picturesque gem nestled in the Julian Alps. The lake is famous for its stunning emerald-green waters, the fairy-tale Bled Island with its charming church and the medieval Bled Castle perched atop a cliff overlooking the lake. We were hit with a bit of rain on this day, but we didn’t let it dampen our spirits as we drove around the area. We then headed to Slovenia’s capital of Ljubljana, where the sun had come out and we were welcomed with colorful, Baroque architecture, lively outdoor cafes and pedestrian-friendly streets. It’s probably one of the most charming capital cities we’ve ever visited! We ended our day back in Zagreb where we had a phenomenal last meal in the Esplanade Hotel’s Le Bistro, which is famous for its štrukli pastry. It was divine!

Between the stunning coastline, the historic cities, the national parks, lively islands and delicious cuisine, Croatia is an ideal travel destination. And whether you have your own car or take arranged tours, Croatia is perfectly situated for day trips to the fascinating countries of Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia. If driving, plan ahead for roadside border crossings and have your passports ready! Know that Slovenia requires a special vignette toll pass that can be acquired at the border crossing. If you’d like to explore this exciting part of the world, I hope you’ll reach out and let me plan your dream trip to the Balkans!

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Croatia. In need of further inspiration? Check out Tori Almeida’s guide, A Dream Honeymoon: A 19-Day Journey Through Europe.