Croatia in the Fall

Posted by Sybs on 08/08/25 07:43 PM

We will be in Croatia from October 22- November 17. We are starting in Dubrovnik and ending in Zagreb.

Not too worried about the weather but I'm a little concerned about places being closed down, or ferries not running. Any thoughts on this, or inside knowledge?

We are interested in renting a car to get around. I understand that the driving is easy but parking can be an issue. Are parkling lots a possibility in the towns and cities?

There's a lot of places to visit and Coratia doesn't seem that big. Is it better to spend a night in places like Plitvice Lake or is it easy enough to do a day trip from Split, if we choose to stay there as a base for a few days.

Sarajevo- which city is the best to leave from to get to Sarajevo? I'd love to drive up the coast of Croatia, so wasn't sure if we should go to Sarajevo from Dubrovnik or wait until we are further up the coast. Also, should we drive or get transport there?

I know I"m being pretty vague. As of right now we are flexible. We have the first 7 nights booked at an AirBnB in Dubrovnik, and are still trying to figure out the rest of the itinerary so we are completely open to suggestions! Intersted in history, nature, archeaology, food.

Posted by valadelphia

08/08/25 08:22 PM

6034 posts

Do you have a guide book yet? (Lonely Planet is a good one.)
Ferries do have a reduced schedule but operate year-round for residents. Some places will be very quiet, but you might want to see them anyway--I would focus more on the mainland.
On Google Maps, you can pinpoint parking locations, but I think street parking will be fairly easy to come by at that time of year.
Split is a good distance from Plitvice, so I would not recommend a day trip as you will be passing by as you head toward Zagreb--a night (or two for a really avid hiker) will do.
I think the best thing to do at this point is to consult a guide book to get a lay of the land and select the places that appeal the most to you. Google Maps is one of my most used travel research tools--I like to look at travel times myself and determine routes and how long I want to spend in a car per day.
You have a nice amount of time--lucky you! Just some reading needed at this point. I suggest heading toward Istria as it sounds like a good fall destination, more so if you like truffles.

Posted by Slate

Virginia

08/09/25 12:07 AM

413 posts

Dubrovnik is beautiful but 7 nights is a very long time there. Most people (like me) find that 3 or 4, including a day trip to Kotor in Montenegro if you want, are plenty. A typical route inland takes you to Mostar, then Sarajevo, then Zagreb. That road goes into Bosnia about an hour drive up the coast from Dubrovnik. All worthwhile, but I was on a tour so don’t know about car rental or public transit. Croatia actually is pretty big and geographically spread out, don’t underestimate it (and as I expect you know, Sarajevo is not in Croatia).

Posted by randiziring

08/09/25 01:56 AM

1 posts

I too will be traveling (from Prague) through Sarajevo, Dubrovnik, Croatia and returning to the US after another week in Vienna. I am a first time, solo traveler taking tips from various sources. To those of you who have been to these countries/ cities, are there any MUST SEES or MUST DOS ? Where should I stay as a central base in Sarajevo and Croatia? I plan to take public transportation or Ubers. Have yet to consult Tiny Planet or Rick's guide books. Just getting started. I'll be traveling Nov 16 - 25.

Posted by Ivan

Zagreb

08/09/25 08:25 AM

25 posts

During your dates restaurants will be closing down or closed already in the coastal areas especially away from cities. They do not close for the season in Zagreb.

Ferries will be running on off season schedule but you may not really have a need as by this time there will not be much to do on the islands, as they are very seasonal.

Renting a car is a good idea. Driving is easy in Croatia but parking can be difficult. Make sure when booking that your host actually offers parking and it's not just street parking. It can even be an issue in the autumn but you are going off peak so that shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Croatia isn't that big but it is bigger than you might expect. Plitvice Lakes is worth a night on your way to Zagreb - two is overkill, the park will only take the morning to visit, but it is good to stay by the park to get in early, it is less of a problem in autumn but again still a good idea. You could do it as a day trip from Split but if you are going to Zagreb, no reason to.

If you drive, easiest way to Sarajevo is in between Dubrovnik and Split. You could easily rent a car on your way out of Dubrovnik, but note they are still building motorways in Bosnia and Hercegovina so between Mostar and Sarajevo is smaller road.

Seven nights is a long time for Dubrovnik, it is spectacular but in the off season there will not be seven days worth of things to do, and it is not really a city with too many locals anymore.

There is no place to stay as a central base in Croatia or Bosnia and Hercegovina, you will have to pick where you want to go, distances are farther than you think and cities are not very well connected especially in November when bus schedule starts getting less frequent. I do not think there are any "must dos" but seeing old town Dubrovnik comes close as does Plitvice. Sarajevo is easier to fly to, it's a bit difficult to get there on the bus from Prague. Vienna is a spectaular city, you will enjoy it, make sure to make time for caffe houses.