# Dalmatian Coast

> Dalmatia runs along the Adriatic from Zadar to Dubrovnik, with many islands. Croatia bans camping outside campsites, so a camper trip here is planned from sit

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/destinations/dalmatian-coast/

Dalmatia runs along the Adriatic from Zadar to Dubrovnik, with many islands. Croatia bans camping outside campsites, so a camper trip here is planned from site to site.

- **Region:** Croatia (Adriatic coast)
- **Start / end:** Zadar to Dubrovnik
- **Road:** D8 Adriatic Highway
- **Best season:** Late spring to early autumn

## Before you go

- In Croatia, camping outside campsites is prohibited by law and fines are high. This also applies in national parks, and according to a travel guide even a table, awning or barbecue counts as camping.
- Permitted alternatives are camper stops, fully equipped campsites and rural agro camps.
- Near Neum the coastal road crosses a short strip of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Pelješac Bridge allows a bypass. Carry a passport or ID card.
- Motorways are tolled by HAC. Check tariffs and payment options with the operator.

## Planning

Dalmatia is a narrow belt of Croatian coast with four main cities from north to south: Zadar, Šibenik, Split and Dubrovnik. Offshore lie 79 islands, the largest being Brač, Pag and Hvar. The Croatian section of the Adriatic Highway (D8) is about 643 km long and runs from the Slovenian border to Montenegro. The Croatian national tourist board runs a camping portal with seven suggested routes of four to eight days.

## Camping

Camping outside campsites is prohibited by law in Croatia and penalties are high. The ban also applies in national parks, and according to a travel guide even a table, awning or barbecue counts as camping. Permitted are camper stops with basic services, autocamps with full facilities and rural agro camps. The official camping portal lets you search for sites suited to motorhomes. According to the guide, motorway rest areas are for breaks only.

## Getting around

Croatian motorways are toll roads operated by HAC. Tariffs change with the season, so check with the operator before the trip. The coastal road D8 passes through a short strip of Bosnia and Herzegovina near Neum, with border checks at each end. The Pelješac Bridge allows a bypass. Carry passport or ID, vehicle registration, driving licence and third-party liability insurance. Required equipment includes reflective vests, a warning triangle and a first-aid kit.

## FAQs

**Can I stay overnight outside a campsite in Croatia?**
No. Camping outside campsites is prohibited by law, with high fines. Use a camper park, an autocamp or an agro camp. Check the camping portal of the national tourist board.

**How long is the Croatian Adriatic Highway?**
The Croatian section of the D8 is about 643 km, from the Slovenian border at Pasjak via Rijeka, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik to Montenegro. Dalmatia is the southern part of that stretch.

**Do I need passports for the Neum stretch?**
The coastal road passes through Bosnia and Herzegovina near Neum, with border crossings at both ends. The Pelješac Bridge allows a bypass. If you drive through the corridor, carry a passport or ID card and check the entry rules beforehand.

## Places to see

- [Plitvička jezera](https://camping-spirit.com/places/plitvice/)
- [Gradske zidine](https://camping-spirit.com/places/dubrovnik/)
- [Portonovo bay](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b1-portonovo/)
- [Frasassi caves](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b1-grotte-frasassi/)
- [Trabocco Turchino](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b1-trabocco-turchino/)
- [Samnite theatre of Pietrabbondante](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b1-pietrabbondante/)
- [Boka Kotorska](https://camping-spirit.com/places/kotor/)
- [Sveti Stefan](https://camping-spirit.com/places/sveti-stefan/)

## Campsites nearby

- [All campsites in Croatia](https://camping-spirit.com/camping/croatia/)
- [All campsites in Montenegro](https://camping-spirit.com/camping/montenegro/)
- [All campsites in Italy](https://camping-spirit.com/camping/italy/)