Vacation starts on the road: Discover the Adriatic Highway!

Even in Europe, breathtaking coastal roads with stunning views exist. One of them is Croatia’s Adriatic Highway. Škoda Storyboard brings you a vacation tip that’s packed with driving pleasure and soul-stirring experiences.

17. 4. 2025 Lifestyle

Croatia is a popular destination for its beautiful beaches and rich Balkan culture, but it also has plenty to offer from a driver’s perspective. The Adriatic Highway is a legendary coastal road that was once the primary route to holiday hotspots like Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik. Today, most travellers use the inland A1 motorway, which has taken over the role of the main traffic artery. As a result, the Adriatic Highway has become less congested, opening its arms to driving enthusiasts.

From the highway, you can turn off to practically any coastal town.

Ja The Adriatic Highway is part of the European Route E65, which runs from Sweden to Greece. While this road offers stunning scenery throughout its length, its most picturesque coastal section starts in Croatia. The starting point of our journey is the port town of Rijeka, from where the Adriatic Grand Prix started in 1939 on the Carnaro circuit, which partly ran along the Croatian coast. The circuit, also known by other names, also hosted motorcycle races.

Breathtaking views for passengers, smooth asphalt for drivers—this road is a dream for everyone.

After soaking in this rich history (for instance, the Hilton Rijeka’s pizzeria is inspired by the Carnaro circuit), you can join the E61, which leads out of the city and seamlessly connects to E65, your gateway to hundreds of kilometres of driving pleasure and unforgettable views. The first stunning panorama appears just a few kilometres from Rijeka—you’ll feel like you’ve driven straight into a postcard.

Monument lovers will also enjoy the route—like the medieval military fortress Nehaj in Senj, which now serves as a museum, lookout point, and restaurant in one.

Open views of the wide sea are enhanced by the vast Croatian scattered islands, which break the waves spectacularly. In addition, some islands can be visited by car to discover more photogenic spots. It's virtually impossible to get lost on the road, you won’t need to make a turn for nearly 200 kilometres after leaving Rijeka. The first key junction is near Zadar, where the E65 continues southward.

At times, the road leads inland, the sea then recedes a bit, but Croatia’s stunning landscapes ensure the beauty never fades.

The Adriatic Highway constantly shifts between different breathtaking scenes. One moment, you’re hugging the cliffs above the sea, with only a steep drop separating you from the water; the next, you’re winding through rocky inland terrain, where the sea is just a distant whisper. Despite being a coastal road, it offers a surprising amount of variety—you’ll never find it monotonous.

Pay attention to the road signs warning you of missing guardrails in some sections.

There’s no boredom behind the wheel, either. The road is a rollercoaster of climbs, descents, and sharp corners. Both cars and drivers will appreciate the smooth asphalt, with potholes being a rare sight.

Since it’s a two-lane road, extra caution is required—especially in summer, when you’ll share the route with not only sightseeing drivers but also cyclists and camper van drivers. Be sure to have your lane-keeping and collision-avoidance systems active, as it’s all too easy to get lost in the scenery.