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Renting car from Zagreb to Istria Itinerary April 8-13

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Hello

We are flying into Zagreb 4/7 and flying out of Zagreb 4/14

Wanted to get any tips or advice on our current plan for our trip

We plan to rent a car (looks like we can find a rate around $230 for the 5 days). First time driving in another country and would appreciate any advice (nervous about driving in narrow streets in Istria)

Plan to leave Zagreb on April 9 to Rovinji (or Porec, or Pula (Premantura/Medulin area) - open to suggestions where to stay) for 2-3 nights and use the time to explore Istria

Is Kamenjak nature park worth the trip or check out may of the hilltop towns (any favorites)?

Leave for Plitvice lakes on 4/11 and stay the night on 4/11 at Plitvice Lakes and spend all day 4/12 in the park and drive back to Zagreb on 4/12 in the evening. Spend the day on 4/13 in Zagreb, fly out of Zagreb on 4/14.

We have been told a lot of businesses are closed on Sunday and wondered if visiting Plitvice lakes on Sunday was a good idea.

Thank you

Posted by
4793 posts

The highways in Croatia are an easy drive and you can pay the tolls with your credit card. It does get tricky when you enter the smaller towns. There aren’t any ZTL zones like in Italy but the streets can be narrow and 2 way. Having been to all three places you mention, with a car I would stay in Poreč, it’s flat. Pula is kinda flat too. Try to find a place with parking.
When driving in the towns, just go slow and read the signs. You’ll be fine. Oh, and rent the smallest car you are comfortable driving.
As far as hill towns go, we like Grožnjan. Unlike the popular Motovun, you can drive to the top of the hill and park. In motovun you have to park in the lot at the bottom and walk or bus up. You could stop just for a Quick Look around and maybe lunch.
In Zagreb we always stay at the Hilton Canopy, they have parking. So does the hotel Esplanade.
Never been to the nature park so can’t comment.
Haven’t been to Plitvice since 1978, so again no comment.

By law stores have to close on Sundays, but, they can open 9 Sundays per year. When they chose to I have no idea.

Posted by
4793 posts

Yes, we prefer Poreč cause it is flat and they have many parking lots near the water. Honestly, we haven’t been to Rovenj for years. I know the last time we went to Pula (Sept 2023) we used Rick’s suggested parking lot in his guidebook and it worked out well. Check and see what he says about parking in Rovenj or Poreč.

Posted by
13037 posts

Never been to Croatia, but did drive in Italy. Had a Corolla size Volvo, and only once did I have to fold in the mirrors to make sure I made no contact with anything.

How big a car are you planning to get? If your frame of reference for your daily driving is a 4x4 , 4 door pickup and 5 lane highways like Phoenix has, there will be a learning curve.

Looking at your planned travel the 500 miles or so you will traverse over the week looks quite manageable. Not anything like the Las Vegas to Boise drive I will do later this week ( yes, just one day)

If nothing else this will bump this up.

Enjoy the trip

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