Entry/Exit System and Croatia

The new Entry/Exit System and Croatia

/0 Comments/in ,

Note – 11th October 2024: I timed this post perfectly for just a few short days after writing it, the scheme has been pushed back to 2025 and some elements possibly done away with! See EU delays biometric border plan again as demand for fingerprints could be scrapped for more details. Nevertheless, I’ll keep this post here as it will hopefully help with travel in the future!

Visas regulations, passport controls and customs laws are all things that excite travellers (have I got that right?), and a new regulation for the EU and the Schengen Zone comes into effect next month. Launching on 10th November 2024, the Entry/Exit System (EES) will be a new way of collating information about non-EU travellers when they enter the bloc. Whilst of course this new system covers the whole of the Schengen Zone, let’s take a look here at how the Entry/Exit System and Croatia affects your future travel plans.

The main thing to note – there’s nothing really travellers need to do before they travel to the Schengen Zone. But do expect slightly longer border times when travelling for the first time after the introduction of the scheme, as passenger data needs to be recorded.

Entry/Exit System and Croatia - British passport
Taking your passport to the beach? That’s brave!

What is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?

Only applying to short-stay visitors who require visas OR visa-exempt travellers (such as travellers from the UK and the U.S.), the EES will act as a new digital border when it comes into play. This means that data on all such travellers entering and exiting the Schengen Zone (which comprises the EU plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein) will be recorded. EES will also register any entry refusals – should that situation arise.

The first time that you enter the Schengen Zone after the introduction of EES, you will need to register your passport information as well as your biometric data – which essentially means you need to provide your fingerprints and your photo. On subsequent visits to the Schengen Zone, your details will be checked against the information that you initially provided.

This new scheme is being introduced to help regulate travellers’ stays within the Schengen Zone. As you will likely have read many times, non-EU travellers are only able to stay for 90 days within any 180-day period. The EES will help manage this limit and is also supposed to improve border security and help combat identity fraud.

This doesn’t sound too bad, right? Right! And the kind of thing we want? Yes! The bad news, however, is that the EES will replace the need for passport stamps when entering the EU which is a shame for those of us who like that kind of thing. And pretty much the only good thing about Brexit.

When is the Entry/Exit System launching?

The EES should launch on 10th November 2024.

The Entry/Exit System and Croatia

What is the connection between the Entry/Exit System and Croatia? Well, Croatia is of course part of the EU (having joined as far back as 2013) so any new border regulation absolutely applies to Croatia. So expect to get your passport data logged when you travel to Croatia – assuming that’s the first Schengen country you visit after this scheme is up and running.

Wait a minute?! Wasn’t there something called ETIAS? Is this the same thing as that?

No, the new EES is not the same thing as ETIAS. Phew, the EU sure does like its acronyms!

ETIAS will be a new visa waiver scheme for the EU and will operate much like the ESTA programme that’s in place for travellers to the U.S. At present, there is still no launch for the ETIAS scheme – apart from some time in “the first half of 2025”. We’ll be sure to keep you updated when more news regarding this is announced!

However, when ETIAS is finally up and running, it will work alongside the EES. You don’t have to worry about the details. It’ll just be something that works!

More info

It is advisable to take a look at the entry regulations for the country on our Visa Requirements for Croatia page to make sure you on the right side of the entry law.

You can’t top the official EU Entry/Exit System website for all the details regarding this new travel regulation and how it may affect you.

British travellers may also like to take a look at the Foreign Office’s EU Entry/Exit System page for information on EES from a UK perspective.

Finally, and again for British travellers, make sure you take a look at the information on our UK Passport Requirements for Croatia page. The EU and Croatia have specific rules on the validity of passports when travelling into the union. Please make sure you check your passport before you travel. You don’t want to fall foul of the rules find yourself denied boarding or even entry into the EU – which can happen!

How to: Croatia for first time visitors

/0 Comments/in ,

You probably keep seeing Croatia mentioned in the travel press all the time. You’ve probably heard your friends and family talk about what an excellent time they’ve had in Croatia – how “stunning” it was. (It is!) And you may well have glimpsed parts of Croatia on TV or film – whether the country was “playing” itself or another destination (which in turn, could have been a real destination – such as the island of Vis playing a Greek island in Mamma Mia 2 – or a fake location, such as Dubrovnik playing King’s Landing in Game of Thrones). So now, it’s surely your time – you need to pay a visit to the country. But how? It’s easy, don’t worry! Follow this guide to Croatia for first-time visitors!

Croatia for first time visitors - advice for where to go, how long for and how to plan your holiday

Croatia for first-time visitors: the kind of holiday to go for

Unless you’re a particularly adventurous and highly experienced traveller – in which case you’ve probably been to Croatia before, let’s face it – let’s make things easy for you. I would recommend one destination as a base for your stay. In the case of almost all of the most popular destinations in Croatia, you will be able to use that place to enjoy yourself with sights, restaurants, bars, cafes, a little shopping, beaches and activities and be able to make day trips to other places of interest.

This kind of holiday to Croatia for first-time visitors is a great introduction to the country!

Croatia for first-time visitors: how long to visit for

Yes, of course – Croatia’s a pretty small country as far as countries go but it’s not that tiny. There’s no way you can cover most of the country’s main sights, experiences, towns, cities and islands even if you had a month to hand.

I would therefore suggest that you either opt for a week-long stay, or – if you can’t quite stretch to that – a long weekend break.

A week-long stay would allow you enough time to mix up your holiday with some days relaxing by a pool or on the beach, taking gentle strolls into town for a delicious evening meal, and some days devoted to day trips by boat to local islands.

A long weekend break (or any kind of break that lasts a few days) would also give you a decent amount of time to explore one city in Croatia, with some local trips within that general region.

Croatia for first-time visitors: where to go

Okay, now the big one, Where should you go? Oof! How do I answer this…?

For a one-week stay

Let me just throw some names out there!

Dubrovnik – an absolute gem of a place, it is no surprise that this is one of the most popular places in Croatia for holidaymakers. With a hugely impressive Old Town that is so well-preserved, and plenty of other sights, there’s absolutely no way you will be bored. Dubrovnik also has a wealth of accommodation options – from budget-friendly to absolute luxury – as well as being chock-full of restaurants, cafes, bars and more.

Croatia for first time visitors - Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik

Split and nearby – I wouldn’t necessarily choose the city of Split itself for a week-long stay, but instead flying into Split and then transferring to somewhere close by. Consider holidaying in somewhere such as Trogir or Ciovo, the Makarska Riviera, the island of Brac or Hvar or the Sibenik region.

Top Sights in Croatia - Zlatni Rat Beach
Aerial view of Zlatni rat beach in Bol, Island Brac, Croatia

Zadar – Zadar is a very charming town that offers much for travellers. It benefits from having a number of excellent accommodation options on its outskirts, as well as some great day trip opportunities; the Kornati Islands National Park and the islands of Dugi Otok and Ugljan, and even the world-famous Plitvice Lakes.

Croatia for First Time Visitors - Zadar
Zadar at dusk, looking out over to the nearby islands

Istria – oh, beautiful, beautiful Istria with its excellent food and wine, stunning coastal towns and exceedingly pretty countryside. If there’s something negative about Istria, I haven’t found it yet. Fly into Pula and stay there for top Roman sights, or transfer to the lovely Rovinj or very popular Porec. There are lots of family-friendly attractions in Istria too!

Top Sights in Croatia - Pula Arena
The Arena in Pula
  • More info: I’ve linked to our pages on the above-mentioned destinations in the text above – take some time out of your day and give the information a read!

For a long weekend break

If you’re certain you want to head to the coast, Dubrovnik or Split would be the simplest to get to whilst offering plenty of things for you to see and do. I would also highly recommend Pula if you can reach this charming town easily.

Otherwise, please consider Zagreb! No, it doesn’t have the Adriatic Sea, but there is SO MUCH to enjoy in this city. Maybe consider it for a winter break – timed to coincide with its world-famous Advent in Zagreb celebration?

Zagreb

Croatia for first-time visitors: how to book your holiday

Undeniably, booking a package deal or via a travel agent would really simplify your holiday booking plans. Leave someone else to do all the hard work of figuring out accommodation, flights and transfers! I totally understand, I often do the same! (But not, normally, for Croatia as you may understand.)

Take a look at our Best package holidays to Croatia post for some ideas of (UK-based) companies to help you plan a holiday.

Do also look at our Tour Operators for Croatia for UK-based companies, and American Tour Operators for Croatia for…well, it’s obvious!

No thanks – I want a more detailed itinerary!

Okay, okay – I hear you! Perhaps you’re a first-time visitor travelling from a fair way away and want to make the most of your time in the country, seeing as much as possible. That makes sense, I get it!

My best advice to you would be to opt for a “one-way” itinerary, flying into one place and out of another.

Consider something like this:

Fly into Zagreb – Zagreb – Plitvice Lakes – Zadar – Split – day trips to Hvar and/or Brac – Dubrovnik – day trips to Mljet and Elafiti Islands – fly out of Dubrovnik

Or what about:

Fly into Dubrovnik – Dubrovnik – day trips to Peljesac Peninsula (for wine and oysters) and Korcula – Split – day trip to Krka National Park – Zadar – Opatija – Pula – day trips to Brijuni islands and Rovinj– fly out of Pula (or hop over to Italy)

Really, if you’re looking for advice on a more detailed itinerary, take a look at our full-to-the-brim Itineraries for Croatia section where there is advice on actual routes to take, how to travel, when and where to go and plenty more to help and inspire you.

Other Tips

I’ve mentioned day trips multiple times in this post and for good reason. There is so much choice from so many destinations. You’ll certainly encounter many boat trips to islands and along the coast, but there are also opportunities to go to national and nature parks, wineries, gastro spots and more. You might even be able to pop over the border to Montenegro or Bosnia and Hercegovina, depending on where in Croatia you will be.

Take a look at some of the most popular day trips in Croatia for inspiration.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Final advice

Remember – the beauty about going to Croatia for the first time is…you will fall in love, and then need to go back!

Make the most of the Croatian islands – the easiest itinerary for you

/0 Comments/in

There are many things Croatia has to offer to travellers, and the islands in Croatia are something extra special! Officially, there are 1,244 islands in the country (source: the Croatian government – they should know) of which only 78 are actually islands, the rest being islets and even smaller pieces of land. Now, I don’t expect you to visit all 78 of those islands – but many travellers do want to visit as many as possible to make the most of their time in Croatia. So here I present you with a guide to the Croatian islands – the easiest itinerary for you.

The wonderful thing about experiencing a number of islands on one trip to Croatia is that you will really get a feel for the differences between the islands, from beautiful nature in national parks to buzzing towns with nightlife options to tranquillity.

Ferries, catamarans and boats in Croatia

Firstly, a word on how to travel to the islands. Well, they’re in the Adriatic Sea so it’s no surprise to hear that you’ll be getting to them with some form of sea-faring vessel! (There are airports of varying sizes on some of the islands – such as Krk, Losinj and Brac – but there are no island-to-island flights. And, anyway, sailing is much more fun!)

If you have the means to charter a boat or yacht to explore the islands then lucky you! You’ll be able to explore the islands to your heart’s content – perhaps on a specialised route – and will likely even get to know some of the smaller islands too.

For us regular folk, we will need to make use of the ferries and catamarans that operate almost all along the Croatian coast. Don’t worry, I’ll help and explain exactly which ones to take, when and where from/to.

  • More info: Take a look at the Visit Croatia guide to Ferries in Croatia for details of ferry companies, timetables and info on how to book tickets
  • Do also: take a look at our Croatia Ferries Map for visual guides (well, maps) of routes that exist along the Croatian coast. Not to be too boastful, but I think you’ll find it invaluable. I certainly did when writing this post!

A word about this Croatian island itinerary

As I’ve said many times on this website and in travel advice via email, island-to-island ferry and catamaran services are on the rarer side. There used to be a Jadrolinija long-distance ferry service from Rijeka to Dubrovnik that stopped off at some of the islands (for example, at Stari Grad on the island of Hvar) but this ceased service quite a few years ago. As such, a number of different ferry and catamaran services will need to be involved. There will also need to be some hops back to the mainland to make use of larger ports such as Split, and some other forms of travel (bus) here and there.

Of course, the beauty of this itinerary is you can very easily skip any parts that you don’t like.

Tickets

To make clear – there is no such thing as a “flexipass” ticket that would enable you use multiple different boats. You will need to buy tickets for each separate journey.

Best time of year to travel

Undeniably summer! That’s roughly June to September (or at least mid-September) inclusive. Yes, it’s the busiest time of year to travel, but all of the below-mentioned services will be operating at full capacity.

Start: Step 1 – The Brijuni Islands

The Brijuni Islands off the coast of Istria are one of Croatia’s eight national parks and are awash with nature, history, and wildlife (some in the safari park and some actually wild). They’re an excellent place for a day trip if you’re visiting southern Istria, but are also a very relaxing place to stay – there are a handful of islands of the largest of the archipelago, Veliki Brijun.

Brijuni Islands - The Croatian islands - the easiest itinerary for you
  • More info: Read our full guide to the Brijuni Islands to find out what you can see and do there.
  • Getting there: There are regular boat services from the small town of Fazana, just 10km from Pula. Tickets for the boat also act as entrance tickets to the National Park. See our Getting to the Brijuni Islands page for all the details.
  • Accommodation: You absolutely can’t beat the Hotel Neptun, mere steps from where the boats dock on Veliki Brijun, and with a wonderful position right by the water.

Step 2 – Losinj, Cres or Rab and Pag

Whether you’re staying on the Brijuni islands overnight or are merely visiting as a day trip, you’ll need to head back to Pula from Fazana for the next step in this Croatian islands itinerary. If this were a “choose your own adventure” book (remember those from the 1980s?!), I’d now be telling you to turn to different pages depending on where you think this adventure needs to go. So which will you choose? Slightly more remote and lesser-visited Cres? Lush, green Losinj? Or pretty Rab and party-hearty Novalja on the island of Pag?

Step 2 Option A – Losinj

If I can guide you somewhat, the Losinj option may be the easiest one of all for step 2 – that’s because there are direct catamaran services from Pula to Losinj which make the journey a breeze. Once you get to gorgeously forested Losinj, you’ll be treated to an island full of nature and wellness. It’s absolutely the kind of place to come to for some rest and relaxation, as well as excellent dining options.

Mali Losinj
Mali Losinj on Losinj island
  • More info: All the info is on our guide to Losinj
  • Getting there: You’ll need to make use of the Kapetan Luka catamaran service which sails from Pula to Mali Losinj in 2 hours and 20 minutes. It’s a year-round service but less frequent in the off-season months. Additionally, it makes stops on the islands of Unije and Susak along the way should you wish to get even more of an island fill.
  • Accommodation: Spoil yourself with a night or two at either the Hotel Bellevue or the Boutique Hotel Alhambra, both of which are five-star. They are also both nestled amongst pine trees and offer excellent spa facilities. The latter is also home to a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Step 2 Option B – Cres

Despite being the second largest Adriatic island, Cres is very much overlooked by visitors so it is certainly the place to go to get away from the crowds.

Cres - The Croatian islands - the easiest itinerary for you
Cres
  • More info: What to do on Cres
  • Getting there: From Pula, you’ll first need to head to Rijeka – best done by one of the frequent daily buses that take around 2 hours. Then from Rijeka, take the Jadrolinija catamaran to Cres which takes 1 hour and 20 minutes.
  • Accommodation: There are few hotel choices on Cres, but Hotel Kimen is a charming hotel in a lovely nature setting, close to a beach.

Step 2 Option C – Rab and Pag

The islands of Rab and Pag are included as an option together as there’s a catamaran that hops to both! Rab is another pine-forest-covered island with a very favourable climate and a number of sandy beaches – perfect for those who are looking for that ideal. Pag, on the other hand, has a totally different landscape, rather unusual and somewhat barren at times. But it’s Nvoalja you’ll reach which is famous for the nearby Zrce Beach…otherwise known as nightlife central!

  • More info: Our guides to Rab and Pag
  • Getting there: Once again, you’ll first need to travel on from Pula to Rijeka first (see the travel advice for option B above). From here, it’s another Jadrolinija catamaran that sails to Rab Town (journey time – 1 hour and 45 minutes) and then on to Novalja (journey time from Rijeka – 2 hours 40 minutes) daily, year-round
  • Accommodation for Rab: The Arbiana Heritage Hotel is a smart, design-focused hotel, located in a great location right in the centre of Rab Town on the seafront. They have a pool and onsite restaurant too. If you’d prefer a larger hotel with more facilities, opt for the Imperial Valamar Collection Hotel which is a short walk from Rab Town.
  • Accommodation for Pag: The Boutique Hotel Boskinac is slightly out of Novalja but is situated in a simply gorgeous location – amongst pine trees and next to a vineyard and olive groves. The hotel itself is housed in an old stone house and has an outdoor pool, plus a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Rab Town
Rab Town

Step 3 – Zadar…and on to Ugljan and back

Yup, it’s at this stage that you’ll need to head back to the mainland to then travel on to some of the Dalmatian islands. But whilst back on the mainland, why not take a slight detour and spend some time on one of the islands just off the coast of charming Zadar? To make travel a little easier for you, I would suggest staying in Zadar itself – you will need to travel on, further south, from this town anyway rather than from an island.

  • More info: Ugljan, the island that’s practically “opposite” Zadar, would be a super easy choice.
  • Getting there: there are regular 25-minute ferries from Zadar to Preko on Ugljan
  • Accommodation: the super funky Boutique Hostel Forum has a location that can’t be beaten
Kali on the island of Ugljan, Croatia - The Croatian islands - the easiest itinerary for you
Kali on the island of Ugljan

Step 4 – A small interlude via Split

There are no two ways about it when it comes to getting to the famous Dalmatian islands if arriving from the northern part of the Croatia coast. You’ll need to travel via Split! But from here there are plenty of ferry and catamaran options to some of the most popular islands in Croatia, so it’s worth it!

But perhaps at this point, take a little breather in Split and explore a bit of mainland city life. I mean, Split has so many sights, amenities, restaurants, cafes, bars, museums, experiences and more – there’s no way you will be bored.

  • More info: Our comprehensive guide to Split, or take a look at Two Days in Split for how to make the most of your time
  • Getting there: You will need to take a bus from Zadar to Split. Luckily, there are multiple buses every day, year-round. Journey time is 3 hours. Consult the Zadar Bus Station website for timetable and price information.

Step 5 – Brac

Lovely, lively and sporty Brac is a popular island, not least because of the famous Zlatni Rat Beac very close to the town of Bol, which is on the south side of the island. And that’s where I would recommend you head to. Whether you want to merely head to this famous of famous beaches, explore a winery, indulge in the town’s local eateries or head out onto the sea for some sporty activities, you will find absolutely plenty to do here.

Top Sights in Croatia - Zlatni Rat Beach
Aerial view of Zlatni rat beach in Bol, Island Brac

Step 6 – Hvar

Hvar, oh beautiful Hvar. Make that wonderfully sunny, beautiful fragrant and exceptionally stylish Hvar. Hvar Town is certainly a popular island destination in Croatia, from us ordinary travellers to celebrities such as Beyonce and Prince Harry. (Yes, really. But they weren’t holidaying together, I hasten to add.) Head to Hvar Town and walk up to the fortress above the town for truly spectacular views out over the Adriatic and the nearby Pakleni Islands. (To up your island count even further, why not get a daytime taxi boat over to one of them such as Sveti Klement?) And then put on your best beach wear to lounge by a pool on the beach, and your best gladrags for evening dining.

Top Ten Destinations in Croatia - Hvar Town
View of Hvar Town

Step 7 – Korcula

From one gorgeous island town to another, if you’re doing this island itinerary and ending up in Dubrovnik, you will find Korcula Town is almost like a preview of that famous Old Town. With fascinating and beautifully preserved streets, you will really get a feel for days gone by when you come to visit Korcula. It is also the supposed birthplace of famous explorer Marco Polo, and there’s plenty of opportunity to learn more about him here.

Korcula Town

Step 8 – Mljet

We started this island itinerary, dear friends, with a national park, so let’s take in another near the end of this journey! Part of lush, tranquil Mljet is another of Croatia’s national parks but larger and with more amenities and facilities that the Brijuni Islands that we mentioned at the start of this itinerary. Come here for some chill time – perhaps it’s just the thing you need after more vibrant Bol, Hvar Town and Korcula Town. Spend some time exploring the island by bike and

The Croatian islands - the easiest itinerary for you - Pomena on the island of Mljet
Pomena on the island of Mljet
Pula and Plitvice from Trieste

Travel question: Visiting Pula and Plitvice from Trieste

/0 Comments/in , ,

Question…

We are planning to travel throughout Italy next year, but we’re hoping we can fit a side trip into Croatia. We are doing a cruise that docks in Croatia but would love to also potentially hire a car in Trieste and come and see the Plitvice Lakes National Park as well as Pula. (We have approximately 4/5 days to do this in late spring). I would love to hear any suggestions from you as to the best way to achieve this. 
– J.D.

Answer…

Thanks for your question!

The good news – your plans would absolutely be doable!

From Trieste it is only about a 2-hour drive (likely less) to Pula, meaning it is perfectly easy. I would suggest that you base yourself here for a couple of days to explore Pula and also perhaps some of the other nearby towns – I would certainly recommend beautiful Rovinj. You could do a little trip to Brijuni Islands (boats depart from the town of Fazana) and/or also visit Cape Kamenjak at the base of the Istrian peninsula.

Why not consult our Two Days in Pula guide for recommendations on what to see and do, and ideas for some day trips as well?

Pula and Plitvice from Trieste
The Pula Arena

From Pula to the Plitvice Lakes

The drive from Pula to the Plitvice Lakes is about three and a half hours. That means you could undertake it with a stop for lunch, and I would do so in the very charming town of Opatija. Opatija which is quite unlike anywhere else in Croatia…more like the south of France!

Technically, it would be possible to visit Plitvice on the day you arrive in the region – you could get a 2-day ticket which in April costs €39 per person. (A one-day ticket is €23 in April.) I guess it depends on what time you arrive in the Plitvice region as to whether it’s worthwhile immediately visiting that day.

Exploring the Plitvice Lakes National Park

If not, you could prolong your stay in Pula for the morning and then arrive in the Plitvice region in the early evening.

You would get at least one full day in Plitvice would would be great. In April the park won’t be so busy and so you should get plenty of exploring time without the hassle of the summer crowds.

The return journey to Trieste from the Plitvice Lakes would also be 3.5 hours which should – once again – be fairly straightforward. Potentially you could stop in Rijeka on the way – it’s Croatia’s third largest city and quite often overlooked by visitors. Nevertheless, there are still a number of interesting sights, good restaurants and so on.

I hope this helps, and hope you enjoy what sounds like it will be a wonderful holiday!

Some further useful links:

How to have a great time in Croatia

/0 Comments/in ,

You’ve got your flights and accommodation booked, you’ve got your bikini sorted and you’re busy Googling how to pronounce “Hvar”*. Almost everything’s planned for your upcoming trip but the one thing you may not have thought about is – how to have a great time in Croatia. That’s where the advice on this page comes in!

* It’s pronounced var with an h sound in front. Not Hu-var or Ha-var or anything with two syllables. Hvar. Got it? Good, there you go!

how to have a great time in Croatia

1. Make sure you’ve planned for your destination

Which sounds obvious enough, right? It’s not like you’ll be pulling your ski jacket out of the attic to go on a two-week summer holiday to Croatia. But what I mean is, make sure you’ve got all that you’ll need for your holiday to make sure it all goes smoothly. Take a look at our Croatia Holiday Essentials 2024 guide for some top tips on what to pack and remember to bring.

Yes, of course, you can buy things in Croatia. But you don’t want to be traipsing around supermarkets at 2pm on a hot day trying to find some sun cream. Pack it all in so your holiday can start from day 1!

2. Get out onto the Adriatic sea

If you’ve booked yourself onto a sailing holiday in Croatia, well – you lucky, lucky thing!

If not, I would still heartily recommend spending at least a little bit of time on the gorgeous Adriatic. You won’t regret it one bit, and there’s something absolutely magical about spending a bit of time on a boat on the sea.

There are many ways you can do this. Perhaps you’re already doing a bit of island hopping via public ferries and catamarans so you’ve got this covered already. If you can, I would recommend trying to use a ferry as part of your itinerary. Although the catamarans are certainly faster, the slower pace of the boats and the expanse of the deck for you to sit on makes watching the islands sailing by a great experience.

If you’re staying on an island, why not take a taxi boat to one of the smaller islands nearby. For example, if you’re vacationing in Hvar Town, head down to the harbour to get a taxi boat over to one of the divine Pakleni islands.

You might find there’s a local boat that for short hops up or down the coast that you can use instead of a bus. For example, travelling from Trogir to Split (with Bura Line) or from Cavtat to Dubrovnik (with Adriana Boat Tours).

Otherwise, book yourself onto a day trip that includes a good few hours on a boat.

How to have a great time in Croatia - The Adriatic Sea
The gorgeous Adriatic, sailing into Split

3. Take a day off

Go on, you deserve it. Make sure you take a day off on your holiday which is you taking some time off from your normal life.

Wait, what? What I mean by this is – don’t overplan. Whilst there’s so much to see and do in Croatia (which of course you already know about having ready through the Visit Croatia website fully…I am sure), don’t try and do it all. And, in fact, spend one day simply doing nothing. No day trips, no activities, no rushing to get the 7am bus to the next town…

Instead, have a leisurely coffee or two with breakfast, head down to the pool or beach with your holiday reading book, enjoy a long lunch with a few glasses of cola/pivo/wino (delete as appropriate) and repeat until bed.

Ahhh.

4. Enjoy the summer festivals

Almost everywhere along the coast – and in some inland towns and cities too – hosts some kind of summer festival during July and August, but in some cases in June and September too. The most famous and prestigious of these is the Dubrovnik Summer Festival which takes place each year from 10th July to 25th August. The Festival is really a series of different kinds of entertainment events, from live music to theatre, dance, folk performances and more. Most events are ticketed but some are free – and just walking around Dubrovnik you will notice assorted goings-on that are related to the festival.

How to have a great time in Croatia - Attend a summer festival, such as the Dubrovnik Summer Festival
The Dubrovnik Summer Festival

On a smaller scale, other towns will also have festivals that include music, live entertainment, kids’ events and more. Check locally to see what’s on, or simply stroll about town and join in!

Take a look at our Events in Croatia section to see details of events taking place all over the country. Perhaps you’ll discover an event that’s taking place when you’re in Croatia?

5. Do something unexpected

Okay, I know I’ve mentioned being properly planned for your holiday so everything goes off with a hitch.

But what about taking one day to do something totally unexpected? Here are some ideas:

  • If you’re staying on an island, what about taking a local bus over to the next town? In Hvar Town? Get a bus up to Stari Grad. In Bol on the island of Brac? See what Supetar is like instead.
  • Rent some bikes for the day, pick up a cycling trails map at the local tourist office and see what can explore on two wheels. (You could rent a moped instead if you feel comfortable doing so.)
  • Instead of (or as well as) exploring Dubrovnik by walking the Town Walls, join an organised kayaking tour and see the Old Town from the sea.
  • Head to the bus station in the town you’re staying in and see what destinations you can reach within an hour or two for an unexpected day trip. Bonus points to you if you can get over the border to (for example) Slovenia or Italy (from Istria), Bosnia (from Split or Dubrovnik) or Montenegro (from Dubrovnik).
  • Have your own wheels? Head for a drive inland (assuming you are on the coast!) and see what little village or town you can uncover. You might find a small winery or olive oil produce to enjoy too.
  • If sunbathing all day long is your cup of tea, why not do something totally bonkers such as zipline or a white water rafting adventure (see below)?
Powered by GetYourGuide

6. Enjoy Croatia’s stunning nature

Croatia is of course home to eight stunning national parks and twelve intriguing nature parks. Whilst Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Park (rightfully) get all the attention, there is so much more fantastic nature to enjoy. Croatia’s nature parks in particular are less well known so why not head to somewhere such as the Lastovo Islands Nature Park, Telascica on the island of Dugi Otok or Vransko Lake Nature Park to really experience Croatian nature and wildlife.

Vransko Lake Nature Park
Vransko Lake Nature Park

If you are in the region of southern Istria, Cape Kamenjak is a wonderful place to spend a day.

7. Indulge in the cuisine

Croatian cuisine doesn’t perhaps have the best rep and those who haven’t tried Croatian wine may not think it’s anything worth bothering with. But that’s a shame on both counts!

Certainly, as befitting a coastal nation, there are a number of excellent fish and seafood dishes as well as hearty meat meals to try. Dishes such as brodet or gregada (fish stew), squid ink risotto, handcrafted pasta dishes (such as fuzi), pasticada (beef stew), peka (meat or fish slow cooked under a bell-shaped lid)…the list goes on. Be sure to sample local cheeses and prsut (local prosciutto).

Do also head to local food markets to see the impressive range of fresh fruit, veg and other products for sale. Markets are also a great place to pick up a quick and cheap – but super tasty – bite to eat such as a piece of burek or cevapcici.

The traditional Croatian dish, peka
The traditional Croatian dish, peka

As for wine – there are many options from wineries all along Dalmatia and Istria.

And let’s not forget a small glass or two of a local liqueur such as orahovac, travarica, sljivovica and the like. If it’s homemade (rather than produced by a drinks company), even better!

8. Climb high

Not necessarily related to mountain climbing – unless that’s your kind of thing. Personally, rough terrain, hiking boots and slight danger aren’t my idea of “a great time”. (But they may well be yours.)

By climbing high I mean climb up a bell tower. There are some excellent climbs to be had in places such as Split, Rovinj and Zadar. You will rewarded by truly fantastic views over the town or city you’re in, as well as out to sea and over to the local islands. You may even be able to spot another country (such as Italy) depending on where you are if the day is clear!

Split Photos - View
View from the belltower in Split

9. Pick up a bit of the language

Sure, learning a spot of the Croatian language before you go may help you have a great time in Croatia. But there’s no denying it’s a tricky language to master, particularly with some sounds and pronunciations that are difficult for English speakers.

So simple equip yourself with a hvala (thank you) and a molim (please) and you’re pretty much good to do. Because who doesn’t like a please and thank you said to them in their own language.

And then you can move on to dobar dan (Good day, said as a greeting) or a simple bok (hi and bye) and that’s practically a whole conversation! Well done you.

B

Croatia Holiday Essentials 2024

/0 Comments/in ,

Oh, what a time of year! The countdown to your long-awaited summer holiday is ON with only a few weeks – or maybe even a few days – left to go. You’ve packed your swimming costumes, shorts, summer dresses and sandals (and probably some other things that don’t begin with the letter S), re-read your airline’s baggage allowance three times and checked if your passport is where it normally is ten times. But what have you forgotten…? Here, I’m going to round up some Croatia holiday essentials to help make your holiday the best one ever!

Croatia Holiday Essentials 2024

Croatia Holiday Essentials – Before you go

Passports

Firstly, make sure to check your passport…and I don’t mean “check where it is”! If you’re a Brit, since the country left the EU, some passports have fallen foul of EU passport rules meaning some travellers were denied boarding their holiday flights.

In a nutshell, your passport needs to have been issued within the last ten years. And for Brits and ALL non-EU travellers, your passport needs to have three months left on it after your departure from Croatia.

I explain it all here: UK Passport Requirements for Croatia.

Travel insurance and EHIC/GHIC

There’s no two ways about it – you must get travel insurance. If you don’t already have travel insurance (perhaps on an annual policy, or via your bank, for example), get it now. Like, right now. It’s a small cost to help cover anything that might go wrong, be it travel delays, illness or (unlikely) an accident.

And if you’re travelling from Europe or the UK, you definitely need to obtain a GHIC card prior to your travels as well. A GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) replaces the previous EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) – in some cases, you may still have a valid GHIC card which you can use until it expires.

The GHIC card can be used to obtain free medical care on the same basis as being at home in the UK. It’s an invaluable little thing – really, just present it at the doctors or hospital when you’re there and you’ll get treatment for free.

Money

Obtaining money for Croatia is of course super easy these days, with the country now having the Euro as its currency. Whilst you can buy some Euros before you go from your favourite money exchange place (be it a bank, the Post Office, or M&S…or Uncle Dave who’s got some notes leftover from his holiday to Malaga) I believe it’s easiest to just use your own bank card.

Check with your bank before you go about exchange rates, or possibly even consider getting a special travel bank or debit card for use abroad.

Mobile Phone Usage

Check before you travel about your home network’s travel allowance for the EU. You may find that it’s included in your current deal.

Alternatively, you may find you have to buy a top-up or a special pack for a small price. My tip – buy it before you go so you don’t have to faff around with finding wifi when you land to try and buy it then.

Or, consider getting a sim in Croatia! (See below.)

Croatia Holiday Essentials for when you arrive

Money

First things first, head to the ATM at the airport to withdraw some Euros!

Sim Cards in Croatia

If you prefer to get a local SIM card to use in your phone rather than using your home network, that’s certainly possible.

The three main mobile networks in Croatia all offer SIM cards for “tourists”:

H

They are all established companies and their prices are similar. The sim cards are available from newsstands and supermarkets, so your choice of what to get may depend on what you can find.

Croatia Holiday Essentials for the Beach

Have you seen the beaches in Croatia? My word, aren’t they stunning? But, for the most part, they’re pebble beaches – and whilst that means the sea water is stunningly clear, it can make for hurt feet when walking on the beach and in and out of the water.

That’s where beach shoes are essential. Try the Bravover Water Shoes (from £8.66) which come in a range of colours and sizes for adults and older children. Flexible and comfortable, they’re also quick drying so they will dry out in the sun before you know, ready for your next beach adventure.

N/A

If you can’t find suitable beach shoes for younger kids, perhaps just stick to their regular sandals (providing their waterproof enough) or flip flops or Crocs. Just watch out for shoes floating away! (Although with the calm Adriatic, that’s not too much of a problem.)

Croatia Holiday Essentials for the Heat

It’s hot in Europe. Like, really hot. As I write today it’s 30C/86F in both Split and Dubrovnik. So you’ll need plenty of items to cope with the heat.

Sun Cream and a hat

Sun cream is an absolute must. You will likely already have your own favourite brand, but Boots Soltan can’t be beaten for value and quality (all of their items offer 5* UVA protection). The kids’ sun cream that is part of their range is top notch too and they have different bottles with different applicators – meaning they come as a cream, a spray or a roll-on. The last one is sold in a mini size which is great to pop in your bag for a day by the pool or on the beach. And older ones can also use it to apply sun cream themselves.

Don’t forget to pack your favourite hat!

Portable fan

Gone are the days when a fan for the heat would mean some giant clunky thing that sits in the corner of your hotel room, pushing hot air around. These days, you can carry a fan in your hand! Like the Rafada Handheld Fan (£14.99) which also has its own base – so you can set it down on a table – and comes with a lanyard to be worn around your neck. Best of all, it’s rechargeable via a USB cable so you won’t have to carry a vat of batteries with you.

N/A

Croatia Holiday Essentials for the Little Ones

Many beaches in Croatia now offer beach furniture rental – sun loungers or chairs, sun umbrellas and similar. Many beaches are also located next to a small forest, usually of pine trees, which offer some shade.

Pop Up Tent

But for very little ones, keeping them cool is highly important, and you’ll need as much shade as you can. That’s why something like the Active Era Pop Up Beach Tent (£28.99) is a must to protect babies and toddlers from UVA and UVB rays. The design also allows for air to flow through the tent, so no overheating either!

N/A

Portable High Chair

The availability of high chairs was something I found a bit hit-and-miss for babies in restaurants in Croatia. Family hotels of course have them – usually quite nice ones – but restaurants not so much. So something ultra-portable that you can take with you like Munchkin Baby Seat (£34.99) is a great solution. This one is super light and folds down to become a bag of sorts, so you can easily sling it over your shoulder or in the bottom of your pram.

N/A

Croatia Holiday Essentials for the Not-So-Little Ones

Pool Toys

The last hotel-based family holiday in Croatia I went on (you can read about it here: Visit Croatia Review: Amadria Park Resort) had an amusing area in its stairwell that was literally (and I am using literally correctly here) full to the brim of water inflatables of every size, design and colour.

I’m totally late to the game with inflatables – who knew they were so trendy and a must for kids and adults on every summer holiday these days?

I mean, you could go for your regular lilo, but these days the bolder and more fabulous the design the better. Kids can’t help but go for unicorns, which is why this JOYIN Inflatable Unicorn Pool Float (£16.99). I mean, it’s glittery too!

N/A

A ring is always fun, and you know what’s even more fun? One that’s designed to look like a giant donut! Very much like this one – Bestway Inflatable Donut Lounger Tube (£7.49).

N/A

If you have water babies who jump in the pool at 9.01am and climb out at 5.59pm each day, you’ll need to get them some diving pool toys for swimming practice. This Skillmatics Seek & Splash Diving Gem Toys (£17.99) is for ages 6 and up and helps with maths whilst they’re diving to the bottom of the pool. As nonsensical as that sentence seems, it really does! The bunch of waterproof game cards offers challenges to collect particular numbers from the bottom of the pool.

N/A

Oh and goggles are also a must. Zoggs is a great brand for all sorts of water-based toys for kids, so their goggles are good quality, fit comfortably and offer UV protection. They also come in all sorts of fun colours, and I know your children will love picking the colour they like best! Zoggs Children’s Panorama Junior Swimming Goggles (£12) Top tip – as soon as you get these, into the suitcase they go. Because goggles are always being forgotten at home, aren’t they?

N/A

Best Package Holidays to Croatia 2024

/0 Comments/in , ,

Seeing as we’re already in June, you may have booked your summer holiday to Croatia (or could it possibly be another destination?!) long ago. But if you’re anything like me, you’re probably simultaneously opening up 23 different tabs on your laptop’s browser, trying to compare the best holiday deals. If the destination you’re typing into your browser is Croatia, this page is for you – as I look at the best package holidays to Croatia 2024.

Savings on Package Holidays to Croatia

Now, seeing as we’re already in summer, prices will of course be higher. We’re in peak season, after all. But if you’re able to jet off on holiday soon (how about this week?!) and before the school summer holidays start, you may well be able to grab yourself a bargain. Alternatively, consider looking at dates in September. The ninth month of the year is normally an excellent time of year to visit Croatia!

For extra cost savings, try to travel during mid-week (for example, a Tuesday to Tuesday holiday). You can often also make savings by booking a holiday that’s not a standard 7- or 14-night duration. I’ve just seen an 8-night stay that was cheaper than a 7-night one! (That sounds crazy, but it’s true!)

Benefits of a Package Holiday to Croatia

If you scroll down further on this page, you’ll see I talk about putting together your own holiday to Croatia. And that’s largely what Visit Croatia is for – presenting advice for independent travellers to plan their own trips.

So why would I recommend a package holiday? Well, it’s certainly an easy way of putting together a holiday. Just plug in the destination, enter your dates, type in your credit card details and (almost) away you go – you’ve got everything you need for a week (or two) in the sun. Flights, accommodation, transfers, some meals (or all) and even excursions have all been sorted out for you. That’s ideal for people who don’t want to think too hard about putting together a holiday…something that’s certainly attractive when we’re all so busy these days with our lives.

Perhaps you don’t want to do too much research about a holiday – you just want to look at some pictures, decide on a room type and make a decision.

Other benefits come from booking the holiday. You can easily compare prices of different hotels (and other accommodation types), departure airports, and destinations when making your decision.

You can also very easily use the package holiday companies’ websites to narrow down your holiday type – whether you’re booking a holiday as a couple or for a family.

Jet2 Holidays

Visit Croatia is a big fan of Jet2 Holidays…and I promise I’m not being paid to say that! Take a look at my Jet2 Holidays review of a family holiday to a hotel close to Sibenik. It wasn’t just the destination and accommodation offered that made the holiday; the actual booking process made a big difference where I could easily compare prices for different departure dates and add in any extras (or take them off) that I wanted. Free child places are also certainly a big draw!

Jet2 Holidays presently offers holidays to the Dubrovnik Riviera (17 resorts here), which essentially means Dubrovnik itself and the other little towns and villages nearby, and locations in central Dalmatia (20 resorts here) – in and near Split. From summer 2025, they will also be offering holidays to Istria, from a selection of 9 resorts here.

I like the look of 7 nights at the Hvar Places Hotel by Valamar (departing 27th June) for £2,338 total for two adults. This hotel is part of Jet2 Holidays’ Vibe collection – places that are perfectly located for going out and having a bit of fun. And with this hotel “new for 2024”, you can be one of the first guests to stay there.

Package Holidays to Croatia - Hvar Places Hotel by Valamar
Hvar Places Hotel by Valamar (Credit: Valamar)

From their Luxe collection, you can have 7 nights at the 5-star Hotel Le Meridien Lav in Split (also departing 27th June) for £2,604 for two adults. Go on, pamper yourself!

An excellent deal is 7 nights at the Marko Polo Hotel by Aminess on lovely Korcula island (departing 27th June) for £1,356 for two adults.

If you’re holidaying with kids, take a look at 7 nights at the Amadria Park Apartments Trogir (departing Saturday 27th July – in the summer holidays) for £2,604 for two adults and two children. Or if you can travel on Tuesday 30th July, the price drops to £2,265 for all four of you.

At the moment, Jet2 Holidays is offering a saving of £200 on all summer holidays, plus an extra £10 per person if you have a myJet2 account. They’re also Which magazine’s travel brand of the year for 2024!

Note: all prices above are based on departures from London Stansted. Please don’t hate me, non-London people!

TUI

TUI is often a name that holidaymakers turn to when they’re booking a package holiday and with the vast destination network and a trusted brand, it’s easy to see why.

TUI offers holidays to Istria, the Split region (including islands) and the Dubrovnik region (also including islands) – and city breaks to Zagreb too.

If you can pack your suitcase quickly to go off on holiday in the next week or so, there are definitely some good deals to be had. 7 nights at the Rubin Sunny Hotel By Valamar in Porec in Istria (departing 25th June) can be had for just £1,196 in total for two adults – that’s on a half board basis.

A more luxurious option would be 7 nights at the 5-star Hotel Ambasador in Opatija for £1,734 in total, departing on Tuesday 2nd July.

For families? There are plenty of options in Istria at resorts such as Porec, but what about 7 nights at the relatively new Grand Hotel View on the island of Brac for £3,376 in total for 2 adults and 2 children? That’s for a departure on Thursday 15th August with return flights with Easyjet from London Gatwick.

TUI are currently running a number of promotions including savings of up to £250 on holidays and an extra £10 off if you use their app.

Easyjet Holidays

“Cheap holidays” proclaims Easyjet Holidays’ own website when you look them up. And, as with the above companies, they also offer holidays to Istria and the Split and Dubrovnik regions.

One of the cheapest holidays I could find for 2 adults in the next few weeks was 7 nights at the 4-star Hotel Mimosa – Lido Palace in Rabac in Istria for £1,346 in total. That’s for a departure on Friday 28th June from London Gatwick to Pula. This same holiday costs £1,248 for 7 nights if departing from Bristol on Thursday 27th June.

More high-end is 7 nights at the 5-star Hotel Melia Coral for Plava Laguna in Umag for £1,984 in total for 2 adults. This holiday also departs on Friday 28th June from London Gatwick.

Families might want to take a look at 7 nights at the Royal Palm in Dubrovnik for £3,698 for 2 adults and 2 children, departing on Tuesday 30th July from Bristol. That’s not a bad price for a luxury king suite in a five-star hotel; in fact, this price includes a saving of £218 off the full price.

Package Holidays to Croatia - Royal Palm Dubrovnik
Royal Palm Dubrovnik (Credit: Royal Palm Hotels & Resorts)

Adventure holidays and specialist holidays

Maybe you’re after a package holiday but anything but the norm – no lying on a beach sunbathing day in and day you for you!

Take a look at our Tour Operators page which lists all sorts of companies offering holidays to Croatia – including travel for solos, coach and rail travel, green travel, kayaking, hiking and horseback riding, walking holidays, swimming adventures and more.

Sailing holidays

Do you know what Croatia’s got lots of? Islands. Which means it has a relatively long coastline and rather calm waters. All in all, it is ideal for sailing which, in turn, is an ideal way of exploring Croatia’s islands.

Check out our Sailing Holidays in Croatia page. As well as some tips, you’ll find details of companies that offer sailing package holidays in Croatia.

A DIY Holiday?

No, not a holiday that involves you packing a hammer, a screwdriver and a cordless drill.

Seeing as Visit Croatia has all the advice for you to put together your own holiday (and if you can’t find any answer, I’m here to help you!), you may well find that putting together yourself – in other words, a do it yourself holiday – is actually preferable to you.

We’ve got all the answers for how to plan your own holiday to Croatia, from finding flights, accommodation, transfers, tours and more.

You may well find that you make a slight cost saving in putting together your own holiday. Or you may find that by putting together your own holiday, you really will get the perfect holiday to Croatia; whether it’s a specific destination, departure point, activity or other thing that’s making it perfect.

I hope you’re able to book a wonderful holiday to Croatia this summer!

May Half Term in Croatia

/0 Comments/in ,

We’re just under two weeks away from the end of May which, for some people, means better weather, more time outside and longer days. For others, it means the dreaded…no sorry…much anticipated May half-term holiday break (certainly for school kids in the UK) which is a great time to jet off for a week-long holiday in Europe. This year, why not consider May half-term in Croatia?

May half term in Croatia

Is the end of May a good time to go to Croatia?

Absolutely, yes! What are you waiting for, start booking your holiday straight away!

To expand on that slightly, the end of May is a really lovely time to visit Croatia. The weather is near-perfect – low to mid-20s Celsius (the scorching temperatures of the summer have yet to arrive) and there will be sun sun sun practically every day. (Head to the Croatian Meteorological Service website for a more technical forecast than what I’ve written here.)

Will it be warm enough to swim in the sea? Probably. It has to be said, sea temperatures will probably only hit 19/20C which is a little on the cooler side, especially for younger family members. But more hardy souls – and kids that just don’t care and will happily splash about, whatever temperature it is – will be fine.

Generally, most amenities (accommodation certainly, but also restaurants and similar) and sights are fully open by the time the end of May rolls around. The one exception will be waterparks – but Istralandia does in fact open for the season for that last week of May.

Where to go for a May half-term in Croatia

If you’re heading on a May half-term holiday, there’s no two ways about it – you’re holidaying with the kids. In this case, you’ll most appreciate a specific family hotel of which there are many in Croatia. These hotels normally have multiple pools (including a kids’ pool), are usually close to a beach, offer a kids’ club and other children-focused entertainment (as well as entertainment for all ages), have buffet-style meals so your kids can pile their plates high with pancakes at every opportunity and provide other items that are generally helpful if travelling with kids. (I’m thinking baby cots, bunk beds, high chairs and similar.)

So where specifically should you go? The answer is…

Istria

A family hotel in Istria would be my top recommendation to you. As well as lots of hotel options available in this part of Croatia, there lots of family-friendly activities such as water parks, adventure parks, (mini) theme parks and similar.

The Valamar Tamaris Resort in Porec is located right on the beach and offers multiple pools, a large play zone, family-friendly rooms and there’s a kids’ club too. Also in Porec is the Hotel Park Plava Laguna which has excellent family rooms, pools with splash areas, sports facilities and kids’ clubs.

Meanwhile, the Maistra Select Family Hotel Amarin in gorgeous Rovinj is a smart hotel with excellent play facilities for kids indoors and in their expansive outdoor area too. Of course, that’s for when your children aren’t enjoying one of the hotel’s seven (seven!) pools.

May half term in Croatia - Hotel Amarin, Rovinj
Hotel Amarin, Rovinj (credit: Hotel Amarin)

Or what about Dalmatia

Here are Visit Croatia we’re really big fans of the Amadria Park resort near Sibenik. This large-scale resort contains several different hotels (and a campsite) including the family Amadria Hotel Park Jakov and the kids-focused Amadria Park Hotel Andrija. Sadly, the neighbouring Aquapark Dalmatia will only open in June after extensive refurbishment and expansion, but the multiple pools, long beach, numerous catering establishments, kids’ clubs and more will definitely keep everyone occupied.

Hotel Andrija, Amadria Park
Hotel Andrija, Amadria Park

Another recommendation to you would be one of the Valamar hotel group’s options in Dubrovnik, such as the Club Dubrovnik Sunny Hotel, the Valamar Tirena Hotel or the newly-refurbished for 2024 Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik Hotel. All three offer excellent family accommodation and are next to Maro World which offers 1,800 square metres (yes, really!) of fun for kids of all ages. There are indoor and outdoor play areas, trampolines, soft play rooms, toys, games rooms and more.

May half term in Croatia - Valamar Lacroma Hotel in Dubrovnik
Valamar Lacroma Hotel, Dubrovnik (Credit: Valamar Lacroma Hotel)

A city break half-term

Alternatively, perhaps you’re actually not looking for a beach-and-sea holiday or maybe you have older kids who need a little more stimulation than just lazing by a pool all day. In that case, you might consider somewhere like Split, Dubrovnik or Pula which would give you a perfect combination of city life with plenty to see and do – from sightseeing to museums, shopping and more – plus nearby beaches should you still need some sunbathing time.

Or, what about Zagreb? Not Adriatic Sea here at all, of course, but it’s a really excellent place for a city break with so much to see and do, excellent restaurants, cafes and bars, lots of lovely parks, unusual museums and experiences…the list goes on! Take a look at our guide to Zagreb to get the lowdown on all this fantastic city has to offer.

More options

Please take a look at Visit Croatia’s guides to Family Hotels in Croatia and Family Holidays in Croatia for many more options and ideas of where to holiday in the country.

What to see and do

Perhaps you’re not too minded about your specific destination for a May half-term in Croatia, but instead are interested in experiences and specific kid-friendly sights. Here are some of the top activities to do that will please all (or most!) of your family:

  • Zipling There are a few zipline sites in Croatia, but amongst the best is Zipline Croatia situated near Omis, high above the Cetina River canyon. The total zipline track length comes to 2,100 metres!
  • Adventure The same location – the Cetina River and nearby – provides all sorts of adrenaline-filled activities, including river rafting.
  • Nature One of Croatia’s nature or national parks will delight all ages, so head to Plitvice Lakes (and stay in a nearby treehouse at the Plitvice Holiday Resort!) or Krka National Park to gaze in amazement at the stunning waterfalls and lakes.
  • Boat trips This actually isn’t area specific, for day boat trips can be done practically anywhere along the coast, and who doesn’t love being out on the sea? Families will have fun on a pirate boat trip (from Split), for sure!
  • Semi-submarine tour This involved going a short way out onto the Adriatic on a semi-submarine (so, you are not fully submerged) and watching aquatic life from the glass-bottomed boat. Take a look at this semi submarine tour from Korcula.
May half term in Croatia
Treehouses at the Plitvice Holiday Resort (credit: Plitvice Holiday Resort)

How to book for May half term in Croatia

The easiest option would be to opt for a package holiday. Look up your favourite operator, be that Jet2 Holidays, TUI, Easyjet Holidays, British Airways Holidays or other and see what deals you can take advantage of to get your whole family gang jetting off to Croatia for the half term.

Alternatively, plan the whole holiday yourself. Use the advice here regarding location, and then book your flights and your accommodation in Croatia and you’re good to go!

Good to know

Take a look at our Travelling to Croatia with Babies and Toddlers page for advice on how best to make your holiday with the really littlest ones easy.

For peace of mind, do also look at our Safety and Healthcare in Croatia page for “things that are good to know” before you travel.

Top 5 Things to Do in Croatia in Spring

/0 Comments/in ,

Now that we’re fully into Spring, it’s time to take a look at some of the best things you can do when visiting Croatia this season. Springtime is often one of the nicest times to visit Croatia. As we emerge from the depths of winter, the weather has changed to be warmer and far sunnier (although swimming in the sea is off the cards – unless you’re very brave!) which is ideal for so many activities and adventures in the country. Here, I’ll suggest the top 5 things to do in Croatia in spring.

Firstly…what’s the weather like?

When I first set out to write this post, I had also intended to say “…oh and by the way, it’s 25C in Croatia right now”! which a) was 100% true and b) would surely delight many of you. Unfortunately, slightly cooler temperatures are sweeping in as I write this post, but I’m sure they’ll creep up again soon enough. Keep an eye on the Croatian Meteorological Service website for up-to-date forecasts.

Croatia in Spring – Be at one with nature

What could be better in springtime than a wonderful nature setting filled with flora and fauna? When you think of “nature” and “Croatia” you surely think of one of Croatia’s eight national parks or one of the twelve nature parks – which means you’ve got a very fine selection of parks to choose from.

My suggestion would be to explore one of the lesser-known nature parks in the country to see some stunning scenery beyond the popular lakes and waterfalls in the most popular locations. If you’re on the coast, consider Vransko Lake Nature Park in North Dalmatia which is home to the largest natural lake in Croatia and a special ornithological reserve as well as a large wetland area. It’s an idea place to do some gentle walking, hiking or even cycling.

Croatia in Spring - Vransko Lake Nature Park
Vransko Lake Nature Park

Inland, I’d suggest heading east – properly east – to Kopacki rit Nature Park near Osijek. It is here that the Drava and Danube rivers meet and the Park is part of one of the largest wetland areas in Europe. Exploring by boat (the park offers a 40-minute guided boat tour) is one of the top experiences here.

If you’re after something more intense to go along with nature, opt for one of the hiking trails in the highly forested Ucka Nature Park in the northern part of the Croatian coast.

Croatia in Spring – Explore the country’s fortresses and castles

On the 10th May 2024 a special event called The Night of the Fortresses takes place. Actually held in Montenegro, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Serbia and Croatia at the same time (although most venues are in Croatia), the event aims to promote the cultural heritage of these fine fortresses and castle structures – most of which are very impressive indeed.

Some of the venues in Croatia you will have heard about – such as Revelin and Lovrijenac Fortresses in Dubrovnik or Kamerlengo Fortress in Trogir. Others you may not have and now’s the perfect time to explore these – places such as the 17th century Kotisina Castle near Makarska; the defensive fortifications in Omis; Fortress Nehaj in Senj; Brod Fortress in Slavonski Brod; Veliki Tabor Castle; and Trakoscan Castle.

Croatia in Spring - Veliki Tabor Castle
Veliki Tabor Castle

These venues will offer free entry and some may also offer free guided tours or other educational provisions. Examine the Night of the Fortresses website to see all the venues taking place and what particular offers each one will have.

Take a look at our Events in Croatia 2024 page to see what else is taking place all around the country over the next few months.

Croatia in Spring – Adventure time

Croatia allows for many an adventure, it has to be said! And by adventure, I mean activity – from hiking and cycling to white water rafting, ziplining, canyoning and more.

But one adventure that combines “fun activity” with “sightseeing” is sea kayaking. This is an unusual way of seeing some of Croatia’s most famous spots from a different perspective – from the sea!

Sea kayaking takes place in many locations all along the Croatian coast, and you can also time these outings so they coincide with – for example – sunset.

Why not try some sea kayaking in Split to explore the Marjan Hill area of the city?

Powered by GetYourGuide

Croatia in Spring – Sightseeing without the crowds

Now’s the perfect opportunity to visit some of Croatia’s top sights without the crowds – and also without the soaring temperatures that can often make walking around in the hot summer sun a tough ask.

Take your pick for what you consider to be the top sight that you’d like to explore at this time of year. If you ask me, however, I’d go for Dubrovnik’s Old Town Walls. Walking the walls can be chock-a-block full in the peak summer season, made even more difficult when temperatures are in the 30s Celsius as they usually are in July and August.

Two Days in Dubrovnik - Old Town Walls
Walking the Old Town walls

Start your leisurely stroll on the Walls in mid-morning and spend a good couple of hours exploring all aspects of the walls themselves and the Old Town. We have a guide to Dubrovnik’s Old Town Walls that points out interesting things to see. You could also consider a guided tour if you really want to learn all there is to know about this spectacular setting.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Another option would be to head to one of Croatia’s most popular national parks (see the nature entry above) such as Plitvice or Krka National Park. Again, these parks get incredibly busy during the summer months, so visiting them in spring is a great idea. Spring is also when all areas of the parks are fully open and accessible as well, so you can really explore to your heart’s content.

Croatia in Spring – See what quieter island life is like

Croatia’s stunning islands (and islets) are a big draw for many visitors to the country – and that’s no surprise. But whilst the summer months draw in the island fanatics on ferries, catamarans, small boat cruises and private yachts, springtime is a great time of year to see what island life is like when there are fewer people around.

Opt for any of the Dalmatian Islands – Hvar and Brac would probably be top picks as two of the most popular islands and the ones that have the most to provide visitors (in terms of amenities, accommodation, restaurants and so on) at the time of year. Or if you want your springtime island adventure to be a bit more on the quiet side, consider lovely Vis.

The view from Vidova Gora, the highest point on the island of Brac

Kapetan Luka‘s Split to Dubrovnik coastal catamaran has started operating for the season on 1st April 2024. This catamaran departs Split in the morning and stops on Brac (at Milna), Hvar, Korcula, Mljet (Pomana) and then reaches Dubrovnik at 12.30pm. (The return journey takes place in the mid/late afternoon.) It would be ideal to use for doing a spot of gentle “island-hopping”.

Getting to Croatia

Late March and April is when a good number of flight routes to Croatia from the UK, Ireland and elsewhere in Europe start. So getting to Croatia at this time of year couldn’t be easier! Take a look at our Flights from the UK & Ireland page for details as well as Getting to Split, Getting to Dubrovnik, Getting to North Dalmatia, Getting to Istria and Getting to the Kvarner Rivera.

UK Passport Requirements for Croatia

/0 Comments/in ,

Much has been made in the UK press over the last few days about travellers having problems with their passports when travelling to the EU. Could this be an issue when you’re travelling to Croatia? And what, specifically, are the UK passport requirements for Croatia? We will reveal all on this page.

uk passport Requirements for Croatia

UK Passport Requirements for Croatia

Croatia is of course part of the EU and is also now part of the Schengen Zone. As such, Croatia’s passport requirements fall in line with the requirements for the rest of the EU.

There are two very important requirements:

  • Your passport must have been issued within the previous 10 years
  • Your passport must be valid for three months after your departure date from Croatia

Let’s take a look at these two requirements in more detail.

Ten-year passport issuance rule

T

The confusion on the first part – that your passport might have been issued more than 10 years ago – lies in the fact that when UK passports were previously renewed (before October 2018) any unused months on your old passport would be added to your new passport. At a maximum, your passport could be (or could have been) valid for ten years and nine months.

From October 2018, all new adult passports that are issued are valid for exactly 10 years. So if your passport has been issued or renewed since then, you don’t need to worry.

Do note that your passport CAN be valid for more than 10 years – that in itself is not the problem. If your passport was issued on 1st May 2015 and is valid for 10 years and 4 months, you can use it to travel to Croatia as it HAS been issued within the last 10 years.

Three months left on your passport

This one’s a little more straightforward. You need to have three months left on your passport AFTER your departure date from Croatia.

What about passports from other countries?

If you are NOT an EU citizen

Generally, few other countries issue passports that are valid for more than 10 years. So if you hold a passport from another country, you are unlikely to fall foul of this “ten-year rule”. But please check your passport dates anyway, to be on the safe side.

If you ARE an EU citizen

Well then, lucky you! None of these rules apply to you. And in actual fact, you don’t even need a passport to travel to Croatia – you can travel with your personal ID card.

So what should I do?

Please check your passport’s issuance and expiry dates now! Like, right now – go and get your passport and check the dates inside it. Should there be a problem, you hopefully will have enough time before your travels to rectify the problem. Which would involve renewing your passport – and if you’re travelling soon(ish), you might need a fast-track renewal.

Do not leave checking your passport for the day before you travel, or on the way to the airport! As the recent press coverage has shown, travellers are being turned away from boarding their flights. Don’t be that disappointed traveller that gets turned away!

Even if you haven’t booked a holiday yet, it would be a good idea to check your passport anyway now. Because although your passport may be fine for travel now, by the time you go on holiday (let’s say you’re planning an August getaway) that might not be the case. And now you have plenty of time to renew your passport.

Do I need a visa for Croatia?

UK passport holders do NOT need a visa for Croatia. Citizens of countries such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile and others also do not need a visa to visit Croatia. Check on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

UK travellers will need to obtain an ETIAS visa waiver when this comes into effect. It is expected to start in mid-2025.

Do also take a look at our Visa Requirements for Croatia page for more info.

More info

You can check passport regulations and visa requirements for Croatia on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Do also take a look at the UK Foreign Office – Croatia – Entry Requirements page. Although that page states the same info as I’ve written above, you may glean something extra from there.

Now go check your passport!

n