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Croatia complete self-drive guide: Dubrovnik ancient city walls, Game of Thrones filming location tour, Plitvice Lakes National Park, and Dalmatian Coast route planning.
Croatia was a filming location for Game of Thrones and has become Europe’s favorite summer vacation destination. Dubrovnik’s orange-red rooftops, Plitvice’s jade-green lakes, and the Dalmatian Coast’s azure waters make up this Balkan nation’s most stunning scenery.
1. Why Self-Drive Croatia?
Croatia’s coastline stretches 1,800 km with over 1,200 islands — deep exploration by public transport is nearly impossible. Self-driving is the most flexible and free option:
- Highway tolls: ENC electronic toll system; easiest handled with your rental car
- Fuel prices: Diesel approximately €1.30/liter — 30% cheaper than Western Europe
- Driving side: Right-hand side, same as China — low adjustment cost
- Parking: Old town centers charge more; park outside and walk in
Recommended rental platform: QEEQ — compares all Croatia car rental companies, Chinese-language interface.
2. Dubrovnik
Game of Thrones filming location for “King’s Landing” — called the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”
Walking the City Walls
Dubrovnik’s city walls run 1,940 m in total; walking takes approximately 1.5–2 hours. The viewpoint from the top is unique — from above you get the orange-red rooftops and blue water in the same frame.
- Ticket price: Adults €35. Strongly recommended: book in advance on Tiqets — peak season walk-up queues exceed 1 hour
- Best time: Arrive when gates open at 8 AM, or after 5 PM for golden sunset light
- Photography tip: Use a wide-angle lens; 16–35mm focal length is optimal
Game of Thrones Filming Locations
| In-Show Location | Dubrovnik Filming Site |
|---|---|
| King’s Landing | Entire old town, especially Fort Lovrijenac |
| Cersei’s Walk | Dominican Monastery steps |
| Purple Gate | Pile Gate |
| Littlefinger’s Ship | Old Town Harbor |
Join the official Game of Thrones walking tour through Tiqets — professional guides explain the filming details at every location.
3. Plitvice Lakes National Park
Croatia’s oldest and largest national park — 16 lakes connected by 92 waterfalls, their waters shifting from blue to green gradients. It’s known as the “European Jiuzhaigou.”
Visit strategy:
- The park has upper and lower entrances; recommend entering from the lower entrance and walking counterclockwise (saves energy)
- Full hike takes approximately 4–6 hours; ferries and shuttle buses can shorten it to 2–3 hours
- Best season: April–June for the most dramatic waterfalls; October for fall color
- Tickets: Peak season (July–August) €30; advance online booking €26
4. Dalmatian Coast Self-Drive Route
Recommended route (7 days): Zagreb → Plitvice Lakes → Zadar (sea organ sunset) → Split (Diocletian’s Palace) → Hvar Island (lavender island) → Dubrovnik
Zadar’s Sea Organ: The world’s only building that plays music with ocean waves — 35 pipes buried under the steps; waves push air to create an organ sound. Sitting there at sunset, listening to the sea “play,” is Croatia’s most meditative moment.
5. Practical Information
- Time zone: CET (GMT+1); 7 hours behind China
- Currency: Kuna (HRK); €1 ≈ 7.5 HRK; euros widely accepted in tourist areas
- Language: English is fluent in tourist zones; Croatian is predominant in small towns
- Cost level: Cheaper than Western Europe, pricier than Eastern Europe; a meal runs approximately €15–25
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