Zagreb to Dubrovnik via Bosnia and Herzegovina

An in-depth, one-way self-drive route from inland Croatia through Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Adriatic Coast

A long-distance route connecting inland Croatia and Bosnia: Plitvice Lakes, the Una River, Jajce waterfalls, Sarajevo, and Mostar, before ending at the coast via Trebinje. Spend one or two nights at each stop. Compared to the coastal highway, this route trades islands for lush valleys and Ottoman history. Perfect for repeat visitors to Europe who have plenty of time and prefer road trips.

When renting a car in Croatia, you must confirm in writing in advance that the vehicle is allowed into Bosnia and Herzegovina and obtain a Green Card insurance document.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Zagreb

Zagreb（Ban Jelačić Square、Dolac Market、Zagreb Cathedral、Tkalčićeva Street）

Drive from the airport to the city center (approx. 30 minutes). Spend the afternoon exploring the Lower Town (Donji Grad) and Kaptol on foot.

Stay: Lower Town (Donji Grad)

Day 2 · A Day in Zagreb's Upper Town

Zagreb（Lotrščak Tower & Zagreb Funicular、St. Mark's Church、Stone Gate、Museum of Broken Relationships）

Explore entirely on foot. You can take the short funicular to the Upper Town (Gornji Grad) and return to the Lower Town in the evening.

You can pick up your rental car on the morning of your departure to save on city parking fees.

Stay: Lower Town (Donji Grad)

Day 3 · Rastoke & Plitvice Lakes to Bihać

Plitvice Lakes（Rastoke、Lower Lakes、Veliki slap (Great Waterfall)、Lake Kozjak）

The total drive is about 160 km (approx. 3 hours). Allow at least 3 hours for Plitvice Lakes, then cross the border to Bihać.

Plitvice Lakes entry tickets and time slots must be booked online in advance.

Stay: Bihać

Day 4 · Una National Park

Plitvice Lakes（Štrbački buk (Una National Park)）

Drive from Bihać to Štrbački Buk waterfall and back (approx. 1 hour each way). Some sections are gravel roads.

You can add a rafting trip on the Una River. National park tickets only accept local cash.

Stay: Bihać

Day 5 · Bihać to Jajce

Banja Luka（Pliva Lakes & Watermills (Mlinčići)、Pliva Waterfall, Jajce、Jajce Old Town & Fortress、Catacombs of Jajce）

Drive east for about 150 km (approx. 2.5–3 hours). Spend the afternoon visiting Lake Pliva, the watermills, the waterfall, and the old town.

Stay: Jajce

Day 6 · Banja Luka Day Trip

Banja Luka（Krupa na Vrbasu Waterfalls、Kastel Fortress、Ferhat Pasha Mosque (Ferhadija)、Gospodska Street）

Drive north along the Vrbas Canyon (approx. 1.5 hours each way) and return to Jajce in the evening.

Stay: Jajce

Day 7 · Via Travnik to Sarajevo

Travnik → Sarajevo（Tunnel of Hope (Sarajevo War Tunnel)）

Drive about 160 km (approx. 2.5 hours), stopping in Travnik on the way. Visit the Sarajevo Tunnel in the afternoon.

Last entry to the tunnel is at 4:30 PM, and even earlier during winter.

Stay: Baščaršija Old Town

Day 8 · Full Day in Sarajevo Old Town

Sarajevo（Baščaršija、Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque、Latin Bridge & Museum Sarajevo 1878–1918、War Childhood Museum、Yellow Fortress）

Explore entirely on foot. Leave your car at the accommodation. Walk up to the Yellow Bastion (Žuta Tabija) in the evening for the sunset.

Stay: Baščaršija Old Town

Day 9 · Tito's Bunker & Neretva Canyon

Sarajevo（Tito's Bunker (ARK D-0), Konjic） → Mostar（Jablanica Bridge (Battle of the Neretva)、Stari Most）

Drive along the M17 highway for about 1 hour to Konjic. After visiting the bunker, drive about 1.5 hours along the canyon to Mostar.

Tito's Bunker must be booked at least 24 hours in advance; pick up your tickets in the town of Konjic first.

Stay: Mostar Old Town

Day 10 · Herzegovina Loop Day Trip

Mostar（Kujundžiluk (Old Bazaar)、Blagaj Tekke、Počitelj、Kravica Waterfall）

Explore the Old Town on foot in the morning, then drive to Blagaj, Počitelj, and Kravice Waterfall. Return to Mostar in the evening.

Stay: Mostar Old Town

Day 11 · Via Trebinje to the Coast

Mostar（Radimlja Necropolis） → Trebinje

Drive via Stolac to Trebinje (approx. 2.5 hours), then cross the Ivanica border crossing (approx. 30 minutes) to Dubrovnik.

Stay: Ploče

Day 12 · Dubrovnik City Walls & Old Town

Dubrovnik（Walls of Dubrovnik、Stradun (Placa)、Rector's Palace、Fort Lovrijenac、Mount Srđ Cable Car）

Leave your car at the accommodation. Walk the city walls in the morning, explore the Old Town in the afternoon, and take the cable car up the mountain in the evening.

The Old Town gets very crowded on cruise ship days; try to enter the city walls as early as possible.