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Journey out, first leg
This is the longest driving day of the trip. Plan plenty of breaks and fill up before the Austrian motorway (mind the vignette and tunnel toll).
Long leg — plan for breaks.
This is where your trip starts. It's worth setting off early so you arrive in Austria relaxed.
Villach is a handy stopover just before the Italian-Slovenian border and splits the long journey into two days. The small old town on the banks of the Drau invites an evening stroll. If you've got time, nearby Lake Faak makes a lovely detour for a swim.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Second leg of the journey, arrival at the coast
Expect waiting times at the border in high season.
Arrive in Split in the late afternoon and ease into the first evening quietly on the Riva.
Long leg — plan for breaks.
Split is your base for the first nights and the starting point for the islands. The accommodation is within walking distance of Diocletian's Palace and the Riva waterfront promenade. From here, you can easily reach the bars and restaurants of the old town in the evening.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Old town, history, swimming
Explore the palace in the morning, before the heat and cruise-ship crowds reach their peak.
Into the water in the afternoon, nightlife around Bačvice in the evening.
The palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian, over 1,700 years old, forms the core of today's old town and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll walk through inhabited alleyways, cellars and across Peristyle Square right in the middle of the ancient structure. For teenagers, the underground substructures and the climb up the cathedral's bell tower are particularly exciting.
Split's best-known city beach is within walking distance of the old town and has a gently sloping shoreline. In the afternoon, many locals play the traditional ball game Picigin here. Around the beach there are cafés, and bars with music in the evening.
Island change, famous beach
Take the ferry in the morning if you can, so there's plenty of time left for the beach.
Be sure to book a car space on the ferry in advance during high season.
Car ferries leave Split harbour for Supetar on Brač. In high season, booking your car space online through Jadrolinija is highly recommended.
The arrival port on Brač has a friendly town centre and a palm-lined promenade. A short stop for coffee before you drive across the island to Bol.
The Golden Horn is Croatia's most famous beach: a spit of pebbles jutting into the sea, whose tip changes shape depending on the wind and currents. The clear water is great for swimming, and there's windsurfing and SUP rental. The path from the town leads through a shady pine grove.
Bol is your base on Brač, right by the old harbour and within walking distance of Zlatni Rat. The accommodation is centrally located, so you can easily reach the bars along the promenade in the evening. From here, it's also an easy start the next morning to Vidova Gora.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Viewpoint mountain, island's oldest village
Head up to Vidova Gora in the morning, before haze clouds the long-distance views.
Plan for relaxing and swimming in Bol in the afternoon.
At 778 metres, Vidova Gora is the highest peak of all the Adriatic islands. From the top you look straight down onto Zlatni Rat, and on a clear day as far as Hvar and Vis. You can drive up, or take the more ambitious hike from Bol.
Škrip is considered the oldest village on Brač, with stone houses, an Illyrian defensive wall and a small island museum in the old tower. The village is quiet and gives a good sense of traditional island life. Teenagers will find the old sarcophagi and the stories about the famous Brač limestone interesting.
Island change, old towns
Ferry connections between Brač and Hvar vary a lot by season; plan flexibly and check the timetable shortly beforehand.
Parking is scarce in Hvar Town; it's best to leave the car in the car park above the town or at the hotel car park.
During the summer season there's a catamaran or ferry link between Brač and Hvar. Check the current timetables; alternatively, travel via Supetar and Split.
Stari Grad is one of the oldest towns in Europe, founded by the Greeks as Pharos. The winding stone old town and the surrounding Stari Grad Plain are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The harbour and shady alleyways invite a relaxed wander.
Your base is in Hvar Town, the liveliest place on the island. From here you can walk to the main square with the cathedral and the bustling waterfront promenade. In the evening Hvar offers the nightlife the teenagers will be hoping for, while nearby coves tempt you for a swim during the day.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Old town, views, swimming
Swim on the Pakleni Islands in the morning, head up to the fortress for sunset in the late afternoon.
Nightlife around the Riva and the alleyways of Hvar Town.
The fortress above Hvar Town offers the best view over the old town and the Pakleni Islands offshore. The climb takes about 20 minutes, and there's a café and a small exhibition at the top. It's especially worth the walk in the late afternoon for the light.
Taxi boats and excursion boats run from the Riva in Hvar to the nearby Pakleni Islands, with clear coves such as Palmižana. Ideal for snorkelling and swimming away from the bustle of town. The crossing only takes a few minutes.
Boat trip, natural wonder
The car stays put today, as you'll be out on the excursion boat all day.
Be at the harbour early; the best light effect in the cave is around midday.
The Blue Cave on the small island of Biševo turns the sea a glowing blue around midday, when sunlight falls through an underwater opening. Small boats take you into the cave, a brief but striking moment. The cave is usually part of a full-day tour from Hvar or Split.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Small towns, easy-going day
A deliberately quieter day in the east of the island, with breaks for swimming.
Reserve the Stari Grad–Split ferry for tomorrow.
Vrboska is known as the Little Venice of Hvar because of its canals and small bridges. The quiet town has a fortified church and a sheltered harbour. A nice contrast to the buzz of Hvar Town, with swimming coves nearby.
Jelsa is a green harbour town with a shady promenade and easily accessible, shallow swimming spots. A good place for a late lunch and an ice cream. The town is popular with families and less hectic than Hvar Town.
Coast road, beaches beneath the Biokovo
After the ferry from Split, take a short breather, then enjoy a relaxed drive along the Adriatic Highway.
The afternoon belongs to the beach in Brela.
The car ferry runs from Stari Grad harbour to Split. In high season, reserve your car space again in advance through Jadrolinija.
Brela lies at the foot of the Biokovo mountains and has some of Dalmatia's most beautiful pebble beaches, with pines reaching right down to the turquoise water. The famous Kamen Brela rock in the sea is a landmark of the coast. Ideal for a long afternoon swim.
Makarska is the liveliest town on the Riviera, with a palm-lined promenade and a bay beneath the imposing Biokovo mountain. The hotel is right by the water, close to the old town and the bars. From here, the beaches and Biokovo Nature Park are easy to explore.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Mountain and sea, last day for swimming
Head up to the Biokovo in the cooler morning, then down to the sea afterwards.
Get ready for tomorrow's long drive home and fill up with fuel.
The glass Skywalk on the Biokovo hangs above a sheer drop and offers a spectacular view over the Riviera and the islands. For teenagers, the thrill of standing on the transparent floor is a highlight. The drive along the narrow panoramic road through the nature park is an experience in itself.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Makarska's long pebble beach lies beneath pine trees and has clear, gently sloping water. There are cafés, watersports and plenty of shade. One last long swimming afternoon on the trip.
Return journey, open end
This is a long driving day; set off early and plan for breaks.
From Graz, it's still around 650 km to Frankfurt the next day. As the trip has an open end, you can shape this last leg at your own pace.
Long leg — plan for breaks.
Since the distance to Frankfurt is too far for one day, you'll split the journey home into two legs. Graz is a pleasant stopover with a lively old town and the Schlossberg. One last evening for a stroll through town before you reach Frankfurt the following day.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
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