Croatia is a wonderful country with clean beaches and nature of incredible beauty. It is no coincidence that thousands of tourists from different countries come here every year. To make the trip truly unforgettable, it is worth planning a vacation by car. If you go to Croatia by car, you will be able not only to save money, but also to see much more interesting places.
Basic information about the country
A small state located in the southern part of Central Europe. The total area is 89 square kilometers. If you are planning a trip to Croatia by car from Moscow, you should learn more about the country, study the rules of the road and communicate with the locals. The capital of the Republic of Croatia is Zagreb. The national language is Croatian. However, many locals understand German perfectly, as well as English. The currency used is the kuna, worth about 9 rubles.
When is the best time to travel around Croatia by car? You can organize a quality vacation at any time of the year. However, to appreciate all the beautyattractions and have a great time on the beach in the summer. In addition, at this time the roads are considered safer. However, you need to be prepared for the summer heat. At this time, the air temperature can reach 40 degrees Celsius. The trip may not seem very comfortable if the vehicle does not have air conditioning.
Warm weather reigns in Croatia until late autumn. In November, you will no longer be able to soak up the beach, but walks in picturesque places will also seem quite interesting. At this time, the air temperature can reach 15 degrees Celsius.
Route planning
A trip to Croatia by car will be really exciting if you plan your route in advance. Thus, it will be possible to save on fuel, as well as avoid unpredictable situations. During the trip, you can visit other countries. The most profitable is the road from Moscow through Belgium, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. After crossing the Belarusian-Polish border, you can stop in Lublin. There are many roadside hostels offering affordable accommodation. The whole journey, including stops from Moscow to Zagreb, will take up to three days.
How long does it take to get to Croatia by car? The whole journey will take more than two thousand kilometers. If the trip is planned with children, there may be more stops. Well, if you manage to plan an overnight stay in Minsk. Estimated travel expenses are around $350. If there is a driver and three passengers, there are significant savings.
How to plan a route by car to Croatia from St. Petersburg? The total length of the route is about 2500 kilometers. In total, you will have to spend about a week on the road (round trip). You will also have to go through Belarus and Poland. Along the way, you will meet many interesting places. If you plan your route in advance, you can see the bright sights in Warsaw, Helsinki, Krakow, Zagreb.
Croatian visa application
The visa regime between Croatia and Russia is an obstacle that stops many tourists. Although the paperwork is not difficult. The country is allowed to enter with a Schengen multivisa. That is what needs to be done. After all, the trip involves transit through other countries of the European Union. Documents can be issued at the visa center of Hungary or Poland. The entire process will take up to 5 business days.
Roads in Croatia
If you are planning a holiday in Croatia by car, you may be interested in information regarding local roads. Coverage is given a lot of attention. Roads in Croatia cannot even be compared with provincial roads in Russia. However, you need to be prepared for the fact that ideal roads are not free here. When entering a paid section, as a rule, a special ticket is issued, on which the exit point to the highway is marked. Payment is made at the exit from the motorway. You can pay for the fare both in cash and by card.
Problems with gas stations should not arise. Gas stations are located quite densely along the main highways. Many of them work around the clock. Here it will not be possibleonly fill the tank, but also a snack, a little rest. Gas stations in cities are open from 7:00 to 20:00.
Croatia is a very picturesque country. Especially if the route passes along coastal and mountain roads. The Rijeka-Pula highway is one of the twenty most beautiful motorways in Europe. While driving along the Kvarner Bay, you can enjoy the extraordinary beauty of the local nature. Such a trip to Croatia by car will definitely be remembered for a long time.
The E65 Adriatic highway is another unusual road. If you lay your route through this route, you will be able to enjoy the beauty of local deciduous forests, see ancient cities and villages. And at the foot of the Velebit Mountains, you can arrange a gorgeous photo shoot.
Despite the high quality of the roads, going to Croatia by car from Moscow, it is important to check the technical condition of the vehicle. You need to understand that you will have to travel quite a lot. And a car breakdown in a foreign country is a guarantee of large financial costs.
Parking in Croatia
In large cities, leaving a vehicle in the parking lot is almost impossible. All parking lots are divided into three types and are marked in red, green and yellow. In the central part of the capital, red parking lots operate most often. They are not cheap, and you can leave the car on them for no longer than an hour. In the yellow zone, vehicles can be left for two hours, in the green zone - for three. A parking ticket must be purchased in advance and placed under the windshield on the instrument panel. If the transport needs to be left for more thanlong term, you should use the large underground parking.
In provincial cities, the cost of parking can also be judged by the color of the markings. In the white zone leave the car for a long time for free. But you can’t stop at the yellow parking lot. These places are exclusively for public transport.
Rules of the road
Ignorance of the law is no excuse. If you plan to travel to Croatia by car from Moscow, you should study the rules of conduct on the road in a foreign country. The rules of the road here practically do not differ from domestic ones, local drivers behave respectfully towards visitors. Pedestrians have priority. It is quite difficult to notice a person who would cross the street in the wrong place.
In large cities, much attention is paid to marking. As a result, there are practically no traffic jams. There are special lanes for public transport, ordinary cars are not allowed to go here. Before traveling to Croatia by car, you need to study the speed limits. In cities, it is necessary to move no faster than 50 km per hour, outside the city - 90 km per hour. On new highways, the maximum speed limit is 130 km/h.
As in other countries of the world, it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol while driving. The maximum allowable rate in the blood is 0.5 ppm.
Those who plan to travel to Croatia by car during the cold season should know the rules regarding dipped beam. It must be turned on while driving at any time of the day.from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March. Also, the headlights should be turned on in conditions of heavy fog or while driving through a tunnel.
Safety while driving is given great attention. You can get a fine for traveling without seat belts. The car must have an emergency stop sign, a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit. A fine can also be issued if summer tires are installed on the car in winter. Gasoline in canisters is prohibited to be transported on the territory of the country. Trying to save money and buy fuel in Russia in advance will result in a fine.
Where to stay?
You should choose a place to stay in advance if you plan to travel to Croatia by car from Moscow. Reviews show that guest houses are more suitable for this purpose. It is recommended to book rooms through special services. In this way, you will also be able to significantly save on accommodation. Moreover, here you can read the opinions of living tourists about the apartments in which they had to stay.
Those who plan to stay in Dubrovnik should pay attention to ROOMS4U guest house, located a few kilometers from the main attractions. The hotel operates throughout the year. There is free parking here, which is important for tourists who are planning a trip to Croatia by car from Moscow. All rooms are very comfortable, equipped with necessary furniture. For daily living here you will have to pay about 4500 rubles.
You can save some money if you stay in the old town of Zadar, at the guest house Viatorem - Room in old town. The boarding house is located in a quiet place. This is the historical part of the city. Families with small children will be especially comfortable here. All rooms are equipped with comfortable beds, TV, refrigerator. For daily accommodation you will have to pay only 2800 rubles.
Many good reviews can be heard about the hotel Hill, located in the city of Slunj. This is a comfortable four-star guest house that operates at any time of the year. However, it can be difficult to book a room here in the summer. The guest house is located in a very picturesque place. You can fish nearby. Great pleasure will bring walks through the picturesque forests. Horseback riding can be arranged for an additional fee.
Those who want to successfully settle down in the capital of Croatia should pay attention to the Whole Wide World Hostel, located a 10-minute walk from the central part of Zagreb. It offers smoking rooms, animators work. There are also shared rooms (hostels) for solo travelers.
Catering service
During a trip to Croatia by car from St. Petersburg or Moscow, you can see many picturesque places. There are also special recreation areas along major highways. Here you can put up a tent, spend the night, cook a delicious dinner on the fire. For those who are used to relaxing in a civilized way, there are numerous roadside cafes and restaurants. Many such establishments can be found andupon arrival in Croatia. Some guest houses also have kitchens. Tourists have the opportunity to cook the usual homemade food and at the same time save a lot.
Many establishments offering delicious and hearty dishes operate in the capital itself (Zagreb). To have a quality meal, try local dishes, you will need to pay 50-80 euros. You should definitely visit restaurants with national cuisine. Burek, prosciutto, manistra - all these dishes are very tasty and satisfying. And they can be offered at an affordable price in almost every traditional restaurant.
Attractions
What to see in Croatia? By car, you will be able to go around many interesting places. You should definitely take advantage of this opportunity! At the same time, you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to travel a lot. Bright sights are located in different cities.
Diocletian's Palace in Splin is a unique architectural monument. In 1979, this building was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. And the palace was erected before our era. The building occupies a huge area (more than three hectares), it is also called a city within a city. An interesting fact is that life is still going on behind the fortress walls - cafes work, ordinary people live. Despite this, the building is protected, and its restoration is carried out regularly.
Those who are interested in extraordinary natural phenomena should visit the Vranjaka cave. It is located on the slope of Mount Mosor. itreally a very colorful place. The cave was discovered at the beginning of the 20th century, although its age is about 3000 years. This natural attraction was opened for inspection in 1929. Since then, almost nothing has changed here. The stone outgrowths that stretch out on all sides are breathtaking.
You should definitely plan a trip to the small Croatian town of Pula. This settlement gained world fame thanks to the Roman amphitheater. Despite the fact that it was built in the first century AD, it managed to be perfectly preserved. The theater is huge. At the same time, more than 20 thousand spectators could be accommodated here. The amphitheater is still in use today. Various parades and other military events are held here.
It would be useful to include the Krka National Park in the Croatian itinerary. This is a place of incredible beauty. That only there are seven waterfalls. The pictures here are truly breathtaking. The water surprises with an azure hue, the waterfalls are surrounded by a beautiful forest. Cutting down trees is prohibited here.
Those who plan to travel to Croatia in the summer should visit the Golden Horn beach. It is located in an ecologically clean area, so families with small children tend to relax here. Due to the fact that the sea current is constantly changing, the outlines of the beach are also not always the same. Windsurfers also gather here.
Conclusion
It can be a really exciting journey from Moscow to Croatia by car. A lot of distance has to be covered(more than 6 thousand kilometers), but you can also see a lot of bright sights. It is important to carefully plan your trip in advance, book a hotel, learn the rules of the road and other nuances.
