TOP 4 MUST VISIT CITIES IN CROATIA ON A MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURE

APR 11, 2023

Croatia was the FIRST European country I explored on my motorcycle expedition. After flying from San Francisco, California with a layover in Frankfurt, Germany and finally landing in Zagreb, Croatia, I picked up my bike and off we went with no plans! My only goal was to ride through as much of Croatia as I could, which explains why my route looks like this. Because of this, I was able to discover some incredible cities. This guide highlights the best cities to visit in Croatia on a motorcycle, most of which are conveniently located along the stunning Adriatic Coast.

Why Ride Croatia on a Motorcycle?

Croatia is home to one of the most beautiful roads, the Adriatic Coast. Read why you should ride this particular road HERE. Croatia is a popular tourist destination, especially during the spring and summer months. It is an international vacation spot, as well as very popular among Europeans. Locals informed me it gets so crowded during the busy months, all the cars create heavy traffic and crowded roads. These cities are historic and old, so most of these roads only have two lanes. I rode through this beautiful country during the early winter in October and November and was fortunate not to catch any of these crowds. Here are the top cities I recommend visiting on a motorcycle in Croatia.

1. Pula

Pula is a must-visit for anyone interested in ancient architecture, history and feats of human engineering. It is one of my favorite cities in Croatia. The city is very walkable and every few blocks, there's a monument to explore. Visit the impressive archaeological sites of the Pula Area (photo above), Temple of Augustus, and Arch of Sergii. The Pula Arena is one of my favorite monuments. I found it by accident when I was aimlessly riding through the city to get my bearings. Imagine my surprise when I see the top of this arena peek out from above the tree line. As I ride closer, the sheer magnitude of the arena sinks in. Check out my YouTube video of visiting the Pula Arena HERE.

2. Rovinj

Rovinja is a calm coastal town with a relaxed atmosphere. With a population of about 14,000 people, Rovinj doesn't have as much of the heavy tourist traffic you will experience in other cities. You can ride right up to the water and enjoy lunch sitting on the dock. There are lots of quaint pastry shops and grocery stores right along the water to grab lunch as well. Rovinj’s scenic waterfront makes it an ideal spot for a relaxing break on your journey. Check out my YouTube video riding to Rovinj HERE.

3. Sibenik

Two words: Get Lost. Sibenik is a city where you’ll want to get lost in its maze of stone streets. Meandering through the narrow streets was one of my favorite things to do and I felt completely safe here. These ancient walls date are from the 15th century. Cars aren't allowed in the Old Town and people still live in these city walls made of stones. There are some great restaurants within these nooks. I recommend visiting St. Michael's Fortress and the Cathedral of St. James. Sibenik is also a great hub to visit KRKA National Park, a must visit when visiting Croatia. Watch out my experience of visiting KRKA National Park HERE or read my guide how to visit KRKA National Park HERE.

4. Split

Split was an unexpected favorite. I thought I would touch down for one night and keep moving, but there was so much to explore that I stayed a few extra days! My favorite was Diocletian's Palace which was an ancient palace built in 293 AD for the Roman emperor Diocletian. It is part of the Split's beloved Old Town. Most of these older cities have an "Old Town" which is hundreds of years old and as the years passed, the population grew and the city expanded, the newer parts of the city was built around them. Don't let the name fool you, in the Old Towns is where the life of the city is. Check out my experience of exploring Split on my YouTube HERE.

I stayed at Hurricane Hostel when I visited Split which also had a lively energy! This energy of the hostel and Old Town are part of the reason I decided to spend extra time in Split. For an amazing hostel experience, check out Hurricane Hostel HERE. There is a small alley right around the corner where I parked my motorcycle too!

Why You Should Explore Croatia by Motorcycle

Croatia offers diverse cities for riders who like to explore different regions in a country. Historic old cities and coastal towns are some of the more urban spaces Croatia has to offer. I recommend planning rides after summer and before winter to avoid crowds, but also still experience the energy of the country.