How to travel Croatia by car with a dog: Best scenic Routes and dog travel tips

Croatia is an incredible destination, with its stunning coastline, picturesque towns, and national parks. And if you’re a dog lover, traveling Croatia by car with your dog is the best, and easiest, way to explore Croatia’s natural wonders. Whether you’re planning a Croatia road trip along the Adriatic coast or heading inland to Croatia’s charming countryside, having your dog by your side makes the experience even more special.

Here’s your guide to Croatia’s best road trip routes with essential tips to make your adventure stress-free and drive the best scenic routes in Croatia.

1. Prepare Your Dog for the Road Trip

Before you hit the road, it’s important to ensure your dog is ready for the journey ahead.

• Paperwork: Don’t forget your dog’s paperwork. Check out this traveling to Europe with a dog guide to prepare for your trip.
  
• Practice short trips: If your dog isn’t used to long drives, start with shorter trips around your local area to get them accustomed to the car and to regular travel.
  
• Pack the essentials: Bring along your dog’s favorite bed, food and water bowls, leash, compostable poop bags and travel wet wipes, grooming tools, and any medications they may need. Don’t forget treats and toys for entertainment!
  
• Hydration and snacks: Keep your dog hydrated and comfortable by offering them water regularly and providing healthy snacks during rest stops. This stainless steel pet bottle Has been a game changer for hot European summers.
  
• Comfortable car setup: Make sure your dog is comfortable during the drive. Use a pet seat cover, travel crate, or a crash tested dog harness to secure your dog and keep them safe while on the road.

2. Plan Dog Friendly Stops Along the Way

Roadtripping Croatia is safe and easy. Croatia’s highways and roads are well-maintained, but it’s important to plan your stops to ensure your dog has plenty of opportunities to stretch their legs and use the bathroom.

• Rest areas: Croatia’s highways have numerous rest stops. Make sure to take regular breaks every 2-3 hours for both you and your dog. In the itinerary below I propose some dog friendly beaches and hikes as rest stops to make the trip more enjoyable and fun!
  
• Dog-friendly parks and beaches: See my guide on pet friendly beaches to find dog friendly beaches along the way or other fun dog friendly activities you can do with your dog.
  

3. Road Trip Routes: Best Dog-Friendly Drives in Croatia

Croatia offers a variety of scenic road trip routes that are perfect for you and your dog to explore to explore Croatia by car. There are some faster highways but they are not as scenic, so I recommend going along the scenic Adriatic Highway and D66 in Istria, when possible. Whether you’re heading along the coast or venturing into the countryside, here are a few of the best roadtrip routes to consider while traveling Croatia by car with a dog:

Route 1: The Adriatic Highway (D8)

One of the most famous routes for road trippers in Croatia is the Adriatic Highway (D8), also known as Jadranska Magistrala. It passes through 3 countries and has incredible cliff-top views overlooking the stunning turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea, with plenty of opportunities to stop at beautiful beaches and charming towns.

Highlights of the Adriatic Highway

• Rijeka: Trsat Castle has gorgeous views and is a fun pet friendly stop along the highway. 
  
• Cricvenika: This small seaside town has the best dog friendly beach in Croatia. 
  
• Šibenik: Beautiful seaside treasure with a UNESCO Worl Heritage cathedral and close to Krka National Park. 
  
• Trogir: Gorgeous medieval town with a castle and other intact buildings from the 13th and 15th centuries.
  
• Zadar: A beautiful historic city with pet-friendly spots and beaches. You can take your dog to the city’s parks or visit the famous Sea Organ.
  
• Split: The stunning city of Split is dog-friendly, with beaches like Bacvice where your dog can swim and play in the water.
  
• Dubrovnik: This popular city offers many great sites including some very famous Game of Thrones filming locations and you can walk its walls with your dog. 

Route 2: Istria Peninsula— Best Croatian route for foodies

Istria is a fantastic region for road trippers, with a rich history, charming towns, and some of the best food we had in Croatia. Istria was our favorite region while we were in Croatia. Starting in Pula, you can drive through the countryside to medieval towns and along the coast of Kvarner Gulf.

Highlights of the Istria Peninsula Route

• Pula: Visit the famous Roman amphitheater and take your dog for a walk through the Pula’s parks and beaches.
  
• Vodnjan: Famous for its olive oil where you can stop for a pet friendly tasting. 
  
• Bale: Beautiful medieval hillside town with great food. Bale is worth the trip. 
  
• Brijuni National Park: Dogs are allowed on the islands of Brijuni, making this a great stop for nature lovers.
  
• Rovinj: A picturesque town with a maze of cobblestone streets and dog-friendly outdoor cafes.
  
• Kamenjak National Park: This beautiful park in the Kamenjak peninsula has amazing remote dog friendly beaches, great hikes,and picture perfect sunset viewing spots. 

Route 3: The Inland Route – Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes

If you want to explore Croatia’s inland beauty, a road trip from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes National Park is perfect. The route takes you through lush green landscapes and picturesque towns, offering plenty of opportunities for scenic walks with your dog.

Highlights of the inland route

• Zagreb: The capital city of Croatia has many dog-friendly parks and cafes where you can relax with you
  r dog before hitting the road.
  
• Rastoke: This beautiful fairytale village has picturesque waterfalls and mills .
  
• Plitvice Lakes National Park: Plitvice was the main reason my husband and I chose to go to Croatia as it had been on my list since forever. You should definitely go as Plitvice is dog friendly and it was so fun to visit with our dogs!
  

4. Book Dog Friendly Accommodations

Croatia is becoming more and more pet-friendly, and many hotels and vacation rentals welcome dogs. Traveling Croatia by car with a dog does give you more flexibility for both rentals and hotels as you can choose places outside city centers and still be able to easily move around. It’s always a good idea to book your accommodations in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, as many places have limited pet-friendly rooms.

Pet-friendly hotels: Look for hotels or accommodations that specifically advertise pet-friendly rooms. Many places offer amenities like pet beds, bowls, and even dog-sitting services.

Vacation rentals: Many rental properties in Croatia are dog-friendly, but check the host’s pet policy before booking to ensure your dog is welcome.

5. Be Prepared for Border Crossings

If you’re traveling to Croatia from another country, make sure to familiarize yourself with the pet import regulations. Croatia is a part of the EU, so if you’re coming from within the EU, the requirements are fairly straightforward. However, if you’re coming from outside the EU, you’ll need a pet passport, vaccination records, and possibly a health certificate.

• EU travelers: Ensure your dog’s rabies vaccination is up to date, and bring along your dog’s EU pet passport.
  
• Non-EU travelers: Check my guide on traveling to Europe with your dog to make sure you have everything. Croatia requires a tapeworm treatment when entering the country.
  

6. Respect Local Pet Etiquette

While Croatia is a dog friendly country in our experience, it’s important to respect local customs and regulations when traveling with your dog.

• Leash laws: In most areas, dogs should be kept on a leash, especially in cities or populated tourist areas.
  
• Dog waste: Always clean up after your dog, and carry waste bags with you to dispose of waste responsibly.
  
• Public transport: Small dogs are allowed on public transport in Croatia. Ferries allow all dogs and buses allow small dogs but transport is up to each individual bus driver. 
  

7. Vets in Croatia

It’s always better to have the information than scramble when in an emergency. Here is a list of registered vet clinics — you can reference the prices from the University of Zagreb’s animal care center.

And always carry a dogfirst aid kit or add things to your own.

7 Day Croatia roadtrip itinerary

Now that you know how to travel Croatia by car with a dog, you can do this 7 day Croatia roadtrip itinerary. It was modified from my own two weeks Croatia roadtrip or you can check out this other Croatia itinerary that starts in Zagreb and ends in Dubrovnik.

Day 1: Pula

Visit the Pula Arena with your dog, Forum Square, and do an olive oil tasting

Day 2: Rijeka

Stop at Kamenjak Park (~30min drive) on your way to Rijeka. Do a hike or visit one of the beaches in the park. Drive to Rijeka (~2.5hrs on scenic route) and visit Trsat Castle. 

Day 3: Zadar

Stop at Monty’s Dog Beach (~40min) on your drive to Zadar. Have a late lunch in Cricvenika and drive to Zadar (~3hrs scenic drive). See the sunset while listening to the Sea Organ. 

Day 4: Plitvice Lakes National Park & Split

Drive to Plitvice (~2hrs) early in the morning to avoid heat and the crowds. Do Route H and enjoy a few hours in the park. Eat nearby and hen head to Split (~3hrs). Have dinner in Old City Split. 

Day 5: Split

Explore Diocletian’s Palace in Old Town Split and the Riva Promenade. Hike up Marjan Hill for the perfect sunset viewing point in Split.

Day 6: Dubrovnik

Stop in Podaca (~2hrs) for a scenic promenade walk and continue your drive to Dubrovnik (~2hrs). Explore Dubrovnik’s Old Town.  

Day 7: Dubrovnik

Do a very early walk of the Walls of Dubrovnik to avoid the crowds and walk through all the Games of Thrones filming locations.

Traveling by car with your dog in Croatia can be one of the most scenic ways to explore this stunning country. With its dog friendly beaches, beautiful landscapes, and charming towns, Croatia offers the perfect road trip experience for both you and your dog. I hope this guide helps you travel Croatia by car with a dog and to plan ahead, so you can take plenty of breaks, and you and your dog can enjoy the beautiful sights and memories you’ll create together along the way!