Morning: Start the day with a brief walk around Diocletian’s Palace to soak up Split’s Roman heritage before heading to the bus station. Catch the 08:30 am FlixBus from Split Central Station, which departs directly for Zadar and takes about 2 ½ hours. Enjoy the coastal scenery as the bus follows the Adriatic highway.
Afternoon: After arriving in Zadar around 11:15 am, take a short 30‑minute stroll to explore the Old Town and the famous Sea Organ. Board the 13:00 pm bus to Pula (operated by Croatia Bus) for a 4‑hour journey across the Dalmatian hinterland. On arrival in Pula, you’ll have time to admire the iconic Pula Arena before the final leg.
Evening: Transfer to a local bus at 18:30 pm that whisks you across the short Istrian stretch to Rovinj Old Town, arriving around 19:15 pm. Check into your accommodation, then wander the cobbled streets, enjoy a sunset over the harbor, and dine at a seaside konoba.
Find HotelsIf you have extra time, consider extending your stay in Istria to visit the hilltop town of Poreč or the wine region around Motovun. To shorten the journey, you can take an overnight bus from Split directly to Rovinj (approximately 9 hours) which saves daylight travel but reduces sightseeing opportunities along the way.