Most first-time visitors to Croatia head straight for Split or Dubrovnik, and both are lovely. But if you want a Dalmatian coast with more breathing room, Zadar deserves a close look. It has a compact old town on a peninsula, a sea organ that plays music with the waves, a sunset famous enough to have its own name, and two national parks within easy reach. It is also a very practical place to start a motorhome trip.

We are writing this as a guide rather than from a personal Zadar road trip, so we stay close to what the CampervanPlanet Zadar page says and to stable local knowledge, and we hedge anything that changes year to year. If you are new to renting a van, our campervan rental guide explains the basics. For the other end of Dalmatia, see our Split motorhome guide.

Summer 2027 is still months away, but Croatia is one of the countries where the best motorhomes sell out early. This is a good week to start comparing.

Why start a Dalmatian trip in Zadar

Zadar sits roughly halfway between the northern Adriatic and Split, which makes it a very flexible starting point. From here you can drive north towards Istria and Slovenia, or south along the coast towards Šibenik, Split and Dubrovnik. Those who want a loop can go inland to Paklenica and the Velebit mountains, then cut across to the Plitvice lakes and back.

The old town is compact and walkable. The Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation installation on the waterfront are the sights everyone mentions, and they are free. At sunset the promenade fills up, which is part of the charm. If you collect a motorhome in Zadar, you are likely to spend your first evening there simply because it is close and easy.

Compared with Split, Zadar feels smaller and less hectic. Parking is still a challenge in the old town in summer, so use a campsite or an official parking area and walk or take a bus into the centre. Large motorhomes do not belong inside the historic quarter.

What a motorhome costs in Zadar

CampervanPlanet’s November 2026 price index puts a typical seven-night motorhome hire in Zadar at about €237 a day in shoulder season (the page uses mid-May as its example) and €317 a day in peak summer. Winter is the budget window at roughly €196 a day, but ferries run on a reduced timetable then and the weather is mild but wet and windy.

These are typical figures, not the cheapest on the cheapest date, so your own search may land higher or lower. Prices also depend on the vehicle: a compact campervan is cheaper than a family motorhome with a fixed bed and bathroom. The extras matter too. Ask about the deposit, the mileage allowance, the cross-border policy if you plan to enter Slovenia or Bosnia, and any fees for bedding, a bike rack or a second driver.

For a bigger picture, our post on low season versus peak prices shows how Croatia compares with other countries, and the Croatia hub on CampervanPlanet lets you compare other pick-up cities.

Paklenica and the Velebit coast

About 45 minutes north-east of Zadar, Paklenica National Park is a limestone canyon system carved into the Velebit mountain range. It is a favourite with climbers and walkers. The CampervanPlanet page describes it as ideal hiking in spring and early autumn, and we agree that May and September are the sweet spots. The canyons are shaded and cooler than the coast, but the paths can be hot and exposed in July.

There is a campground near the park entrance, and a handful of smaller sites in the surrounding villages. In peak season they fill, so book ahead. The coast road beneath Velebit, the Adriatic Highway, is one of the most scenic drives in Croatia, and the bura wind can be very strong there. Heavy winds can close the road to high-sided vehicles, which includes motorhomes. Check the forecast and the traffic information before you set off, and be prepared to wait.

Krka, Šibenik and the road south

Krka National Park lies between Zadar and Split, near the town of Šibenik, and is famous for waterfalls you could once swim beneath. Swimming rules in the park have changed over the years, so check the current rules on the official website before you plan a swim. Boat trips and walkways make it an easy day, and a motorhome can be left in the car park while you explore.

Šibenik itself is worth an afternoon: a UNESCO-listed cathedral, a lively old town and good restaurants without the crowds of Dubrovnik. From there you can continue to Trogir and Split, where our Split motorhome guide takes over. Many travellers choose a one-way from Zadar to Split or Dubrovnik, which saves doubling back. One-way fees vary, so compare the total price before you commit.

If you want to see the lakes at Plitvice as well, plan a night inland. The road from Zadar is long but easy, and it makes a great loop with the coast.

The Kornati islands and Dugi Otok

Off Zadar’s coast lies an archipelago of dozens of small islands, the Kornati, which are best seen by boat. You cannot take a motorhome onto most of them, but day trips depart from the harbour and from nearby towns, and they are a highlight of any summer trip. Dugi Otok, a long island with the famous Sakarun beach, is reachable by ferry. The page notes that Sakarun is stunning but ferry-busy in summer.

Check ferry rules for vehicles: many motorhomes are charged by length and need advance booking in July and August. Taking the motorhome onto an island is not always worth it. Many travellers leave the vehicle at a campsite on the mainland and go as foot passengers, which is cheaper and easier. Always read your rental agreement, because some companies restrict ferries or island driving.

If you want a quieter trip, shoulder season is ideal: the boats are less crowded and the sea is still warm in September.

Campsites, wild camping and the rules

Camping in Croatia is well organised. The CampervanPlanet page gives typical pitch prices for a campervan and two adults: around €25 to €35 a night in the shoulder season, rising to roughly €40 to €60 in July and August. Coastal sites with sea views tend to cost more, and inland sites cost less.

Wild camping is a different matter. Croatia does not allow it in general, and the Split page on the same site notes that fines run from about €200 up to €1,300, with strict enforcement on beaches and at viewpoints. We would not risk it. Use campsites or official motorhome stopovers, and check what your campsite includes: electricity, water, waste disposal and showers can all be charged separately.

For a broader view of how rules differ between countries, our post on first campervan road trip tips has a checklist you can use anywhere.

A simple seven-day Zadar loop

If you have a week, this is the loop we would sketch. Day one: collect the motorhome, stock up at a supermarket and settle into a campsite near Zadar, then walk the old town at sunset. Day two: Zadar to Paklenica for a morning walk in the canyon, then back to the coast. Day three: ferry or boat trip to the Kornati or Dugi Otok, leaving the motorhome at the harbour car park or campsite. Day four: drive south to Šibenik and spend the afternoon in the old town.

Day five: Krka National Park in the morning, then on to Trogir or Split. Day six: a slow day on the coast, perhaps a beach stop and a swim. Day seven: return to Zadar, or finish with a one-way drop in Split. It is an easy rhythm, with no more than two to three hours of driving on any day, which is what makes a motorhome trip relaxing rather than tiring.

Two practical points. First, fill the water and empty the tanks at campsites rather than hunting for services on the road. Second, avoid long drives in strong bura wind, and keep a day spare in your plan for weather.

When to book and how to save €20

For summer 2027, we recommend comparing now and booking by early in the new year, particularly for July and August. May and September are the best-value months on the page: warm sea, uncrowded ferries and lower prices. April and October are quieter and cheaper still, but days are shorter and some campsites are closed.

To compare, open CampervanPlanet’s Zadar page and enter your dates. Check pick-up at Zadar, one-way options to Split or Dubrovnik, deposit and insurance, and the cancellation terms. Then enter HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY20 at checkout to take €20 off your booking. The coupon is deducted from our commission, so you pay nothing extra.