Aerial view of the city of Split

Managing overtourism in Croatia

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Whilst Croatia is becoming ever more popular, year on year, overtourism is a serious concern for the country. Many of the country’s most popular destinations are seeing visitor numbers rise steadily each month. The Croatian Ministry of Tourism has stated that 2025 is a record year for tourism in the country, and this September saw the highest number of international visitors ever. Other popular European destinations have also struggled with this phenomenon recently – so what steps can be taken towards managing overtourism in Croatia?

Managing Overtourism in Croatia - A gorgeous aerial view of Hvar Town
A gorgeous aerial view of Hvar Town

Encouraging visitors to stay for longer – extending the digital nomad visa

Croatia is seeking to address the problem of “too many visitors” – for that is indeed a real problem – by adopting a forward-looking tourism policy. This policy hopes to balance visitor growth with sustainability, and also encourage longer-stay visitors.

Just this year, Croatia expanded the duration of its digital nomad visa. Such a visa allows tourists to live and work in Croatia for up to three years; previously, non-EU visitors could remain in the country for only up to twelve months.

Darijo Šarić, the CEO of VIP Holiday Booker, explains why this helps with overtourism:

Digital nomads have been drawn to lesser-known islands rather than the traditional tourist areas due to their natural beauty and privacy. Smaller islands in particular offer an escape from mass tourism and distractions of large urban centres.

But destinations attracting remote workers must have a community-first approach. This means hiring locally, engaging with island councils and tourism boards. Croatia’s digital nomad visa, for example, has helped spark interest in longer-term island stays. If reinvested wisely, the revenue from such visas and extended stays can help fund infrastructure projects and strengthen community resources.

While tourism boards should have the goal of promoting integration with remote workers, encouraging them to get involved with community events, such as the seasonal wine or food festivals — not just seeing the islands as a scenic place to have Zoom meetings.

New regulations for managing overtourism in Croatia

As with other popular destinations around Europe – such as Paris, Venice and Barcelona – Dubrovnik has implemented its own tourist tax. In Dubrovnik, visitors must pay €2.65 per person per night during the high season, and €1.20 in the low season.

Managing overtourism in Croatia - Dubrovnik Old Town
Dubrovnik Old Town

Dubrovnik is certainly a destination that has struggled with high visitor numbers. A popular cruise ship destination, its stunning Old Town is a massive draw for so many travellers – but also just a small part of the city, and its enclosed nature means it can get easily “full”. Dubrovnik Old Town is also sought out by Game of Thrones fans, hoping to experience King’s Landing in real life. (As Dubrovnik “played” this setting in the hit TV show.)

The city will be implementing new, stricter controls on visitor flow around the Old Town Walls, and will be introducing an advanced booking system. The Mayor of Dubrovnik, Mato Franković, revealed on The Independent daily travel podcast:

  • Old Town Walls: From 2026, entry to the city walls and museums will only be accessible by using the booking system in advance. This is designed to spread out visitor numbers and prevent overcrowding. At present, the advanced booking system is only a recommendation.
  • Cruise Ship Restrictions: Visits will remain capped at two cruise ships per day, each required to dock for a minimum of eight hours. The aim is to stagger passenger flows and encourage longer, more meaningful exploration rather than short, disruptive visits.
  • Coaches & Traffic: Coaches are subject to stricter controls, with scheduled drop-off times introduced at Pile Gate, the Old Town’s main entrance.

Darijo Šarić believes this new approach is needed for more sustainable tourism in Dubrovnik, which will benefit Croatia as a whole.

The key is balance. A well-designed tax supports the local community without discouraging visitors. Destinations like Split and Dubrovnik thrive with activity, but Croatia is also home to hundreds of lesser-known islands, each offering an authentic experience. It’s about easing pressure on tourism hotspots whilst encouraging visitors to explore other areas. This diversification strategy encourages visitors to spread their travel across the country and seasons, sustaining local economies year-round.

Dampening down party tourism

Certain parts of Croatia are well known for a more hedonistic side of tourism. Whilst the young (and sometimes not-so-young) come to enjoy themselves and let loose, this has caused problems in recent years with some tourists misbehaving. Croatia’s tourism chiefs and local governments have taken measures to shift the perception of Croatia as a party place to a more mature, family-friendly destination. Local authorities have even been given the powers to issue on-the-spot fines for antisocial behaviour.

Darijo Šarić addresses this shift:

In previous years, open-air clubs in Hvar and Split may have encouraged excessive partying among visitors and contributed to a ‘party destination’ image in Croatian tourism. However, Croatia has increasingly built a reputation for being a family-friendly destination, offering cultural richness, natural beauty, and a relaxed atmosphere.

These fines are largely symbolic, intended more to discourage bad behaviour rather than to punish anyone. In practice, local authorities tend to be understanding, with very few fines actually being enforced. Nevertheless, we encourage all visitors to act respectfully and adhere to local customs and norms. Ultimately, it’s about being responsible, ensuring Croatia remains a cherished, safe, and welcoming destination for everyone.

Managing overtourism in Croatia - A beach in Split
Enjoing the beach in Split

Visitors engaging in anti-social behaviour can be fined in popular tourist areas – and not just for drunkenness. Possible fines include:

  • Wearing a bikini or Speedos – €600
  • Being shirtless in the town centre – €500
  • Public consumption of alcohol – €700
  • Individuals making noise above 85 decibels at night – €300
  • Businesses making noise above 85 decibels – €1,320
  • Removal of pen shells from the beach – €67 per shell (these shells are critically endangered and play a key role in the Mediterranean ecosystem)

All in all, Croatia absolutely welcomes all visitors. The country is looking ahead to make sure tourism becomes more sustainable and that the country can still be enjoyed without being overwhelmed by mass crowds. This can only be a good thing.

About VIP Holiday Booker

VIP Holiday Booker is a holiday letting agency, primarily focused on Croatian villas, that offers a range of luxury accommodation. The company specialises in providing a personalised service, arranging extras such as private chefs and transfers, to ensure a premium holiday experience.

Listen to Croatia audiobooks by book&zvook

Listen to Croatia audiobooks – a new way to experience Croatia

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There’s no doubt that so many of you are enjoying Croatia at the moment, or about to jet off on your hols any day now. Whilst I’m sure that you’ve got your itinerary all set and day-to-day ideas for what to do finalised, here’s an idea to elevate your holiday experience. It’s the launch of the Listen to Croatia audiobook project which is an excellent way of delving deeper into your surroundings, allowing you to learn more about the country.

Listen to Croatia audiobooks by book&zvook

About the Listen to Croatia Audiobook Collection

Listen to Croatia has been launched by book&zvook, the leading region audiobook platform. It is a carefully curated collection of English-language audiobooks by celebrated Croatian authors. The perfect soundtrack to exploring the country, whether you’re a traveller, an expat, digital nomad or even just anyone curious about digging a little deeper and finding out more about Croatia than just looking at photos of the gorgeous landscape and coastline. It’s also an excellent way of reminiscing about your holiday – should you have already returned home – helping you uncover more about where you have just been.

The audiobooks help you encounter the voices, histories, and subtle rhythms of Croatia, of hearing the country’s heartbeat. They can help you add depth and resonance to your experience, no matter where you are.

The Listen to Croatia series aims to transform how visitors connect with the country. In place of flyers or postcards, many destinations in Croatia are already welcoming tourists with QR codes that unlock a free audiobook: a portal into the country’s emotional and cultural heart. 

The project has already drawn international attention, most notably at the London Book Fair 2025, where it stood alongside major global audiobook platforms. This marks a significant step for Croatian literature, demonstrating that its stories and voices travel far beyond its borders, now powered by the book&zvook platform.

Listen to Croatia Literary Highlights

The collection features some of Croatia’s most respected and award-winning contemporary authors. Themes of the audiobooks range from post-war memory and family secrets to youth culture, feminism, and identity. Some highlights include:

  • A Cat at the End of the World by Robert Perišić
    A lyrical meditation on the first settlement of the island of Vis, blending human and animal perspectives. The narrative is subtle, deeply Mediterranean, and explores themes of belonging and transformation.
  • Mediterranean: A Cultural Landscape by Predrag Matvejević
    Part memoir, part essay, this is a wise, atmospheric reflection on the sea that both unites and divides southern Europe.
  • Celebration by Damir Karakaš
    Set in rugged Lika, this novel follows a man in hiding, using spare, pointed prose to interrogate guilt, history, violence, and the weight of inheritance.
  • Underground Barbie by Maša Kolanović
    Irony and wit shine through these stories rooted in the surreal edges of post-socialist Croatia, mixing shopping malls with dreamlands.
  • A Journey to Russia by Miroslav Krleža
    A philosophical travelogue from the 1920s, offering a window into the end-days of an era and the mind of one of Croatia’s greatest thinkers.
  • Sarajevo Marlboro by Miljenko Jergović
    Short, powerful vignettes from war-torn Sarajevo, marked by sensitivity to the absurd and the humane amid horror.
  • Unterstadt by Ivana Šojat
    A family saga set in Osijek, peeling back generational trauma with cinematic clarity and empathy.
  • Farewell, Cowboy by Olja Savičević Ivančević
    A feminist, western-inspired take on grief and memory, set in a sun-baked Dalmatian town.

All of the audiobooks are professionally produced and narrated in fluent English, which creates a rich and immersive listening experience. They are the perfect audio background for long ferry rides, road trips, slow mornings on the terrace, relaxing by the pool, or just quiet moments in a rental apartment.

How to listen to the audiobooks

Explore the Listen to Croatia collection at listentocroatia.bookzvook.com/summer-club. There is no subscription required; simply browse, select, and listen from anywhere in the world. Audiobooks are available for direct download and easy playback.

Next time you visit Croatia, pack a story with you that will stay with you forever!

Lastovo island

Places in Croatia you didn’t know you wanted to go to

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Hey there! Let me let you into a little known secret about a gorgeous country. It’s got miles and miles of beautiful coastline, over a thousand islands and islets, stunning nature, amazing ancient sights, high octane adventure experiences, intriguing events and parties and it’s name is…Croatia!

Oh wait, you already knew…?! Huh. I guess my work here is don…no wait! How about I introduce you to some places in Croatia you didn’t know you wanted to go to? Good, right? (Phew!)

Places in Croatia you didn’t know you wanted to go to – the islands

The island of Vis

Sure, you have your Bracs, your Hvars, your Korculas but what about somewhere further away from the mainland where far fewer visitors go to? Let me introduce you to the gorgeous island of Vis which is an absolutely beautiful slice of heaven in the Croatia Adriatic. One of the furtherest away from the mainland, Vis was also closed to foreigners until just over 30 years ago. That means that unlike its neighbours (although neighbouring islands aren’t all that close) and regions on the mainland, the island was slow to develop tourism.

Top Ten Destinations in Croatia - Vis
A look at Komiza on the island of Vis from above

All this means a very tranquil place to visit and relax on. Spend your days exploring the island and its little coves and beaches. Spend some time in the two main settlements, Vis Town and Komiza, and make sure to stroll the promenades in both, stopping off for coffee, a glass of cold wine and some black ink risotto. (Perhaps not all at the same time.) Hike or bike up to the highest point, Hum, and see for miles around. Explore some of the unusual sights – the submarine tunnels and Tito’s “Cave”. And make like a beautiful person and rock up to Fort George which is a two hundred year old British fort because…well, why wouldn’t there be a two hundred year old British for here?!

Additionally, have you ever thought “ooh that Greek island in Mamma Mia 2 looks gorgeous, I want to go there!”. That island is actually Vis. Yes, really. So perhaps you did know you wanted to visit, you just didn’t know it was the Croatian island of Vis!

The island of Lastovo

As under the radar as Vis is, maybe it’s not enough. Maybe you’ve already heard of it, been there, explored it and bought the red and white checkered t-shirt.

So why not try Lastovo? Lastovo is in fact is similar to Vis in that it was also closed off to foreigners until 1989, and is also a little further away from the mainland. (It takes 3 or 4 hours from Split by either catamaran or ferry or around 3 hours from Dubrovnik by catamaran.)

Places in Croatia you didn't know you wanted to go - Lastovo
Beautiful Lastovo

Explore the gorgeous nature of the island – the island group makes up one of Croatia’s nature parks – and like on Vis, spend your time enjoying the little beaches and private bays that can be found here. Thanks to low levels of light pollution, Lastovo is also an excellent place for stargazing – it is actually called “the island of bright stars”.

Stari Grad, island of Hvar

Okay, so now you think I’ve lost my mind if I’m choosing somewhere on the island of Hvar for this list. But hear me out.

So many visitors to the Croatian islands swing by Hvar Town and that’s rightly so. But it can be just that little bit too popular, so if you have your heart set on the island, why not visit and stay in Stari Grad instead? Just as easy to reach, this town has a charming harbour to offer you just the right amount of laid-back, atmospheric Hvar island life.

Places in Croatia you didn't know you wanted to go to - Stari Grad on the island of Hvar
Stari Grad on the island of Hvar

The island of Ciovo

Perhaps some don’t even consider Ciovo a “proper” island…and maybe others don’t consider Ciovo at all! Ciovo is actually connected by bridge to the mainland, and by another bridge to gorgeous Trogir. Whilst Trogir is unbelieveably pretty, with its quaint cobbled streets taking up its own little island, Ciovo is more of a pure holiday destination – small villages offering holiday rentals, beaches, retaurants and cafes. You would mostly come here to holiday proper, no museums in sight! But with its location a very short drive from Split Airport, a direct boat (from Slatine) to Split and its direct connection with the mainland making it easy to get to other places (by car), Ciovo should definitely be considered for a laid-back vacation.

Places in Croatia you didn’t know you wanted to go to - Slatine on the island of Ciovo

Places in Croatia you didn’t know you wanted to go to…coastal towns

Omis

I feel somewhat for Omis as it’s often overlooked as a destination, which is a real shame! Omis is located just 20 kilometres from Split so perhaps it feels like its too near to Split but not far enough as a destination in its own right, as the towns of the Makarska Riviera are. Or maybe it’s the pirates of Omis keeping some people away? (I joke…although the powerful Omis pirates were long-feared, they haven’t ruled for almost 600 years.

Omis

But why not come here?! You absolutely should if you have any interest in high-energy activities such as river kayaking and rafting, canyoning, rock climbing and many more – most taking place in or near the River Cetina that flows through the town and close by. When you’ve almost exhausted yourself doing all of that, save a sliver of energy for the zipline that stretches above the river canyon – it’s one of the best ziplines in Croatia.

And with a charming beach in the centre of town, plus many excellent eateries and great accommodation options, Omis is perhaps now the place you know you want to go to!

Places in Croatia you didn’t know you wanted to go to – Cities

Osijek

If you’re planning a city break why don’t you skip Zagreb for once (although that’s hard, I agree) and the larger coastal cities and head to Osijek in eastern Croatia? Croatia’s fourth largest city has a number of fine sights, from the remains of an Austrian fortress to the second tallest cathedral in Croatia, a striking building constructed using red brick. A lovely riverside promenade is just the thing on a warm day, and if it’s properly warm you’ll want to spend some time at Copacabana Beach! (Yes, really!)

Places in Croatia - an aerial view of Osijek in eastern Croatia
An aerial view of Osijek in eastern Croatia

Befitting a large city, you’ll have plenty of accommodation to choose from as well as a fine selection of restaurants for dining out. Make sure you try the local beer – Osjecko (the oldest beer in Croatia) – as well as some craft beer options at Pivnica Runda.

But Osijek is also a great base for local day trips. Kopacki Rit Nature Park is only 15 minutes away and – perhaps not something many visitors expect – some excellent wineries are based in this region too. Head to the famous Ilocki Podrumi for wine tasting.

Places in Croatia you didn’t know you wanted to go to – Nature Parks

Vransko Lake Nature Park

Sure, you’ve got the highly impressive Krka National Park in this part of the world, but why not visit the unusual Vransko Lake Nature Park instead? (Or better still – as well as visiting Krka.) Lake Vrana is the largest lake in Croatia, and located just 1 kilometre inland – so it’s an unusual sight having these two large bodies of water that are almost side by side.

The park would be ideal for gentle hiking or even cycling, but if you’re a keen birdwatcher then bringing along your binoculars is a must. The northern part of the lake has been designated as an ornithological reserve, and an amazing 260 different bird species live, nest, winter or feed/rest here. Species (some endangered) for whom Lake Vrana’s ornithological reserve plays an important part in their survival include the purple heron, the Eurasian coot, the noustached warbler and the little egret.

A heron in Vransko Lake Nature Park, Croatia
A heron in Vransko Lake Nature Park

A boat operates on the lake for an easy way of making the most of visiting, or you can also explore by kayak. Kayak rental is possible at Prosika at the southern part of the lake.

Places in Croatia you didn’t know you wanted to go to – Sights and Experiences

Trsteno Arboretum

Trsteno Arboretum is located close to Dubrovnik but perhaps overlooked as a potential day trip idea as it’s not one of the local islands (Lokrum; the Elafiti Islands) or a stylish little town such as Cavtat. But what the Trsteno Arboretum is is a large Mediterranean garden, the largest botanical garden in the whole of Croatia. Established as the gardens of a summer residence of a local noble family in the 15th/16th centuries, you can well imagine that today plant life is very well established. This makes for a very tranquil and even cooling experience, especially if you happen to be visiting during the height of summer. And if you are visiting during summer, you can even travel by boat from the main port in Dubrovnik.

Trsteno Harbour
Trsteno Harbour

Again, the Trsteno Arboretum is one of those places that you didn’t know you wanted to go to – but you’ve perhaps already seen! (Say what now?) The gardens “played” the King’s Landing gardens in a TV show called Game of Thrones – you may have heard of it…

Klis Fortress

Klis Fortress, close to Split, has a fascinating history that stretches far back over many centuries. Over the years, this part of the country has served as an important base to groups such as the Illyrian tribe the Dalmatae (from where the region of Dalmatia gets its name) and the Romans, before the Croats turned up to rule things from the 7th century onwards. Klis in fact served as the base for Croatia Dukes and Kings and nobility.

Klis Fortress, Dalmatia, Croatia
Klis Fortress

Last occupied during World War II, the fortress is now a fascinating place to visit to imagine its defensive role (you are free to roam the stone fortress as you like) that it played. But of course, you also come here to view Split from above, as well as other nearby towns and islands.

The Fortress is to reach from Split and can be done by public bus.

Trsat Castle

High up on a hill above Rijeka sits Trsat Castle, the largest castle on the Croatian coastline. Obviously once standing as a defensive structure that was originally built in the 13th century, although later fell into disrepair after it no longer need to serve its purpose.

You would pay Trsat Castle a visit to enjoy stunning views over the city of Rijeka and out across the Adriatic Sea to nearby islands such as Krk. Although you can reach Trsat by bus, why not make the “climb” up to it using the Petar Kruzic Stairs from central Rijeka – these consist of 561 stone steps. Make your way up using these and then reward yourself with a treat at the cafe with a view at Trsat Castle.

If you visit during December, Trsat Castle is adorned with wonderful twinkly lights as its celebrates its own Advent celebrations.

Trsat Castle
Trsat Castle

Sljeme

Sljeme is such an easy activity when visiting Zagreb that it would be a shame not to include this here! Head to northern Zagreb to the base station of the cable car to begin your ascent up to Sljeme, the peak of Mount Medvednica, the mountain that’s just north of Zagreb. The modern cable car is a fun experience in itself, but once you’re up on Sljeme you have rather amazing views in all directions over the rolling hills situated just beyond Croatia’s capital.

To keep things simple, enjoy a coffee or a warming meal at the restaurant here and head up the TV tower to go even “higher” up. If you want to spend more time here, it would be worth hiking and exploring the nearby Medvednica Nature Park. Wear your sturdy boots!

We have more information on how best to reach Sljeme and what to see and do once you’re up there here: Spotlight on: Zagreb Cable Car and Sljeme 360 Viewpoint.

Sljeme 360 TV Tower View
View from Sljeme 360
Pula

New Study Reveals the Most Underrated Destination in Croatia

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Croatia is a truly wonderful country to visit – perhaps you’ve read all about its many wonders on a certain travel website called Visit Croatia? And whilst there are many famous sights, towns and cities, islands, experiences and locations to visit such as Dubrovnik, Hvar and the Plitvice Lakes, the country is still home to a number of hidden gems that don’t (yet) receive all of the fanfare. A new study by villa rental company VIP Holiday Booker has revealed what magical place is the number one most underrated destination in Croatia.

The Most Underrated Destination in Croatia is…

So what is the most underrated destination in Croatia?

…opens envelope…

….dramatic pause…

None other than marvellous Motovun, a truly charming hilltop top in central Istria. Only 25km inland from the very popular holiday destination of Porec, Motovun is located at 277 metres above sea level. (See the photo below.)

The tiny walled town has a number of interesting sights – not least its town walls and gates – and is home to a prestigious film festival. (Although as of 2024, the festival has sought out a new experience in Gorski Kotar…but it is organised by the same team!) Motovun is an ideal place to try one of Istria and Croatia’s delicacies – truffles – that are added to so many dishes. Pasta – particularly Istrian speciality fuzi – with truffles is a must! Not forgetting a glass or two of the fabulous local wine!

Motovun - The Most Underrated Destination in Croatia
The hilltop town of Motovun (left) – the most underrated destination in Croatia

What other underrated destinations are there in Croatia?

Other underrated destinations in Croatia that the study revealed include the islands of Korcula and Rab which came in second and third on the list behind Motovun. Many consider Korcula a mini-Dubrovnik, with the streets of its old town impressively laid out. Korcula Town is also believed to be the birthplace of Marco Polo! Meanwhile, Rab is perhaps not as well known at all to British visitors which is a shame – it’s a great family-friendly destination, in part thanks to its cluster of sandy beaches.

Korcula
Korcula

We return to Istria and Porec in fourth place which is somewhat of a surprise to me. I’ve always believed Porec to be one of the most popular holiday destinations on the Croatian coast, thanks to its beaches and bays and the plethora of accommodation options. Perhaps people are visiting, but just not sharing Porec on social media?

In fifth place is the remarkable Sibenik which is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites. Sibenik offers an excellent and thoroughly rewarding day of sightseeing and a mix of smart city accommodation or resort-style places nearby. It’s also only a stone’s throw from Krka National Park.

Sibenik
Sibenik

Omis comes in sixth place and is absolutely THE place to go in Croatia if you’re into adventure holidays. The nearby Cetina River offers all sorts of water-based activities such as kayaking and white-water rafting, and one of the best ziplines in Croatia is located here. Just watch out for pirates! (Not really, but sort of… See our guide to Omis to find out what I mean.)

In seventh place is the amazing Pula – home to a number of stunning Roman sights including the very well-preserved amphitheatre, the Arena. The largest place on the list, Pula offers so much to visitors – excellent accommodation, beaches, sightseeing, fantastic bars and restaurants and plenty of exciting events.

A beach in Pula
A beach in Pula

Rounding off the study is Makarska, a popular beach destination that’s just 90 minutes south along the coast from Split. It’s another charming town with plenty of top accommodation choices and a lovely seaside promenade. Just the thing for leisurely seaside strolls with a view.

What makes an underrated destination?

VIP Holiday Booker‘s study was conducted using a weighted ranking algorithm that analysed factors such as local population and social media presence on sites such as Instagram and TikTok. This brought up a list of places that make up for lower visitor numbers by ramping up the charm – and each place was then given a score out of 100. And Motovun topped that list!

You can see the full scores in the table below.

H

W

LocationCategoryArea PopulationCounty PopulationInstagram ScoreTikTok ScoreTotal Score
MotovunHill Top397195,23772,40092789.18
KorčulaIsland5,950115,564255,0006,28486.83
RabIsland7,161265,4196,00015385.53
PorečCoastal8,841195,237287,00011,80080.08
ŠibenikCoastal42,59996,381343,0009,78876.04
OmišCoastal14,139423,40780,6002,50474.35
PulaCoastal52,220195,237958,0001,39061.37
MakarskaCoastal13,301423,407474,00025,60060.74

According to Darijo Saric, CEO of VIP Holiday Booker, cities like “Split and Dubrovnik try to balance vibrant tourism with local life.” He adds “Croatia has plenty of other smaller destinations with a quieter atmosphere which are often overlooked that remain true to the country’s character”.

You can also find out what came out on top in the company’s study of the Best Destinations in Croatia.

S

The above list surely gives you plenty of holiday inspiration for Croatia for 2025! Better get booking!

Plan your perfect holiday to Croatia 2024

Plan Your Perfect Holiday to Croatia 2024

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If you’ve never taken the leap to holiday in Croatia but have decided that this year will be your year, this page is for you! Alternatively, perhaps you’ve been to Croatia a number of times before and would like to try something a little different this year or need a bit more guidance. Either way, let Visit Croatia help you plan your perfect holiday to Croatia 2024!

Plan your perfect holiday to Croatia 2024

Step 1 – Decide when to go and how long for

Most people approach holiday planning by deciding when they’d like to go away – summer holidays for a week or two break? Half-term hols with the kids? A weekend city break in late Spring or early Autumn?

Think about when you’re able to take a holiday abroad, or perhaps need to if you’re constrained by school summer holidays. Then take a look at When to Go to Croatia page to see if it tallies up with your plans.

All in all, there’s no bad time of year to visit Croatia – but it really depends on your plans. You can’t sit by the Adriatic sipping a fruity cocktail in January whilst you won’t get peace and quiet on Dubrovnik’s pretty cobbled streets in August!

Perhaps you also need a little convincing to go to Croatia. (Erm…why?) If so, we set our Why you should go to Croatia as well.

When to Go to Croatia
Why Go to Croatia?

You will need also to have in mind how long you wish to travel for. A week or two? (Or ten days?) A short break? The whole summer? Give it some consideration – and then look at our guides for itinerary advice.

A weekend break in Croatia
Three Weeks in Croatia
One Week in Croatia
Two Weeks in Croatia
City Break in Croatia

Step 2 – Think about your budget

Of course, another major issue to keep in mind is your holiday budget. Are you going to blow the budget or keep it as low as possible? If it’s the latter, take a look at our How to do Croatia on a Budget for some cost-saving ideas. At the other end of the scale, our Luxury Hotels in Croatia page might tempt you into something very special indeed.

If you’re not sure, perhaps skip this step for now and do some further research – on flights and accommodation – to see what you can come up with and how much it will cost.

Step 3 – Decide where to go

“Oh, sure”, you’re thinking, “why are you getting me to do the difficult stuff?! Is that what Visit Croatia is for?!”

Well, yes! We absolutely can tell you where you should go on holiday in Croatia. How? Take a look at the following pages:

Where to Go in Croatia
The 11 Best Islands in Croatia
Top Sights in Croatia
What Not To Miss in Croatia FB

Step 4 – Book your flights (or get yourself a package deal)

Now that you’ve decided where in Croatia to go, you’ll need to…get there! Take a look at our Flights to Croatia from the UK & Ireland page to see which airlines fly where. We’ve got full timetable information of all scheduled flights to the country from (what’s now) a very wide range of UK and Irish airports.

As you will see, although there are some year-round flights to the country and some flights only operate from June to September, a very good number of flights fly from the end of March to the end of October.

If you’re not flying from the UK or Ireland, see our pages on U.S. to Croatia Flights and Flights from Asia to Croatia for details of flights from these regions.

Or simply check out our pages on Getting to Zagreb, Getting to Split, Getting to Dubrovnik, Getting to Istria, Getting to the Kvarner Riviera and Getting to North Dalmatia for information on flights to these places from all over Europe.

Alternatively, you might prefer to go for a package holiday to Croatia which includes flights and accommodation (and usually transfers) all as one deal. This sort of thing is just the thing if you’re after a particular type of holiday – one that’s good for kids, one that’s adults only, a holiday that’s super luxe, for example. We recommend Jet2Holidays (and no, we’re not being paid to say so) as a package holiday operator although other companies, such as TUI Holidays, are of course available.

Step 5 – Book your accommodation (or…get yourself a package deal)

Okay, so if you’ve got yourself a package deal then you’re sorted for accommodation!

If not, you’re best to head to one of the accommodation booking portal websites, such as Booking.com, to peruse what sort of things are available for your chosen destination.

Or take a look at our Accommodation in Croatia section which shows hotels, apartments, villas, campsites and more in all destinations in Croatia, large or small.

Accommodation in Croatia
Luxury Hotels in Croatia
Unusual Places to Stay in Croatia
Campsites in Croatia
Boutique Hotels in Croatia

Step 6 – What day trips will you make?

Now, are you the kind of person who likes to alternate lazing by the pool with lazing by the beach when you’re on your holiday? Only pausing to chow down on a leisurely lunch, order another cocktail or perhaps a refreshing iced cocktail? Or will you be trying to cram in as much sightseeing and experiences as you can when you’re on holiday in Croatia?

If you’re the latter, it’s worth researching what day trips are possible from your destination. Take a look at some of our guides below. You’ll find that some day trips may be a short bus (or boat) hop up or down the coast whilst others may be whole-day affairs. You could even consider hopping over the border to Slovenia, Italy, Bosnia & Hercegovina or Montenegro – to which country obviously depends on where you’re staying!

If you’re a planner, you may even like to book some day trips before you go. This would be especially beneficial if you’d like to “timetable” your holiday days with specific activities set out for each day and then some days devoted to taking it easy.

Guided tours are available for all sorts of sights in Croatia, but you can also rely on public transport to make the trip yourself – for example, taking a 1-hour catamaran from Split to Hvar Town, or one of the small ferry boats from Dubrovnik to the Elafiti islands.

Day Trips from Istria
Day Trips from Zadar
Day Trips from Dubrovnik to Montenegro

Alternatively, you absolutely can leave booking for day trips once you’re in Croatia. Just pop along to a local agency (many set up stalls in the main promenades in towns and cities during the summer) to see what’s available.

Do also take a look at GetYourGuide’s guide to some of the best-rated tours in Croatia:

Step 7 – Countdown to the big H – holiday!

Now that you’ve got everything sorted in terms of booking your flights, accommodation and day trips, mark it up on your calendar (or 21st-century version: in your smartphone) and start counting down the days to your holiday to Croatia 2024).

Then make sure to tell all your friends and family that you’re off to Croatia this year. No doubt they’ll say “ooh, wow, how nice” and some might even say “can I come?”. (We’ll leave it up to you to decide whether or not to say yes.)

Winter in Croatia - Plitvice Lakes in Winter

Top 5 Things to Do in Croatia in Winter

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Winter is a dreary time of year, isn’t it? (The winter that’s after all the Christmas and New Year excitement, that is.) There’s seemingly not much to do, the weather is quite awful – if it’s not freezing outside it’s blowing a gale – and no one seems to be up for any fun. And there’s surely nothing fun to do in Croatia in winter, given it’s such a glorious summer destination?! Wrong! Spin that bad winter attitude right around and take a look at what I think are some of the most fun things to do in Croatia in winter.

Croatia in Winter – Enjoying the view and winter activities on Sljeme, Zagreb

Zagreb would be my top choice as a winter destination in Croatia anyway, as there’s so much to enjoy in this fantastic city – sights, restaurants, shopping, events, kids activities…the list goes on! But for a special wintery treat, head up to Sljeme above Zagreb to enjoy excellent views of the city and the surrounding area and lots of fun winter activities. I’d highly recommend that you take the cable car up to the top of Mount Sljeme as it’s a super fun experience and one of the nicest (and quickest) ways of zipping up the mountain.

So what winter activities are up here? The main one – skiing! Yes, that’s right, it is indeed possible to ski in Croatia, and Sljeme is probably the best place in Croatia to go skiing. Whilst you wouldn’t come here for a week-long skiing holiday, you can certainly enjoy a few runs on a weekend or an afternoon. (Or even at night as night-time skiing is possible on some days.)

Winter in Croatia - Skiing Sljeme
Sljeme Skiing

In fact, the ski season on Sljeme officially opens tomorrow, 23rd January 2024 (normally running until mid-March) so now’s the perfect time to try a bit of ski fun here. Organisers do use an artificial snowmaking system if the real stuff is a bit patchy.

If skiing isn’t your thing, you can still come up to Sljeme to enjoy a bit of sledging and playing around in the snow, before retiring to a local restaurant or cafe for some filling stew and a hot drink.

If skiing really is your thing, then you might be quite excited about the Snowpark Sljeme to show off your tricks.

Of course, don’t forget that Sljeme is the peak of Mount Medvednica, part of which is home to Medvednica Nature Park. You could shun the skiing/sledging entirely and explore this beautiful forested wonderland instead.

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Winter in Croatia – Enjoy the tranquillity of the Plitvice Lakes

If you’ve been to the Plitvice Lakes National Park during the peak summer months, you’ll have had the good fortune to share the experience of the stunning lakes and waterfalls with about a million other people at the same time. (I joke, of course, but boy does it get crowded at that time of year.)

Winter in Croatia - Plitvice Lakes in Winter
The Plitvice Lakes in winter…complete with frozen waterfalls!

The Plitvice Lakes are a pure joy any time of year as the nature of the park undergoes its seasonal changes. In wintertime, the park is a lot less green (the trees and shrubs, that is) but may be a lot more white if there’s been recent snowfall which gives the whole place a really magical feel. Some of the water in the lakes – possibly even the waterfalls – may also freeze if the temperatures have been low enough and consistently so.

Plitvice in winter also means that you’ll be joined by far fewer fellow visitors – nowhere near the crowds of summer. I would still suggest getting to the Park as early as possible in the day (the shorter days of course mean shorter opening hours – only until 3pm until the end of March) and do also note that the upper lakes are closed at this time of year too. But you’ll be delighted by the fact that the entry price is only a quarter of what it is in summer! (€10 in winter compared to €40 during peak summer.)

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Winter in Croatia – Celebrations in February

February is carnival month all across the world, and many locations in Croatia also celebrate with carnival processions. The largest carnival in Croatia is the Rijeka Carnival which, in peak years, attracts as many as 100,000 spectators and has a number of connected events. The carnival party in fact in fact already started this past weekend with the first event – the Rijeka Carnival Queen Pageant (where a Carnival Queen is selected!) and the Handover of the Key to the City.

More fun and games take place from 1pm Saturday, 27th January 2024, with Carnival Children’s Parade. Around 6,000 young participants will parade in their colourful costumes.

There are many associated carnival events over the next few weeks (a fun run and the Carnival Snowboard Session as examples) but the main Rijeka Carnival occasion is the parade that takes place on 11th February 2024. It’s an excellent time to be in Rijeka!

Or, as an alternative event in February, head to Dubrovnik in early February when the city celebrates its patron saint, Saint Blaise (Sveti Vlaho in Croatian). The patron saint’s day is on 2nd February which is also marked as the day of the City of Dubrovnik. Celebrations, however, stretch out from late January and beyond. Again, it’s a great time of year to visit this city too to really get a feel for a long-established festivity that is marked by local residents.

Winter in Croatia – Get your cultural fix

Croatia has a few annual events that take place all over the country on the same date and January enjoys one such event. This week, in fact! Night of the Museums (Noc muzeja) is taking place this Friday, 26th January 2024 with participating museums all over the country offering free entry from 6pm (usually until 1am). Museums also offer special talks and other events on this same night.

Winter in Croatia – Head to the coast

Sure, it’s winter, but why not head to the coast anyway? You won’t be able to do any sea swimming or sunbathing is very unlikely, but nothing beats being by the coast whatever season it is.

Winter in Croatia - Split
Split in on a sunny winter’s day

Split would be a top choice, seeing as it’s Croatia’s second-largest city and has plenty to keep you occupied even in the colder months. What could be better than taking a stroll down the Riva and enjoying the sea air.

Some of Croatia’s cities offer special deals for visitors in winter, and Split does too. The Split Card can be obtained for free from the tourist office if you stay for two nights in any kind of accommodation in the city. You can then use it to gain free entry to some of the museums here (the Ethnographic Museum, the Natural History Museum), plus discounted entry to other museums and attractions. You can also use the card to obtain discounts at certain shops and restaurants.

Getting to Croatia in winter

Currently, the only direct flights from the UK and Ireland to Croatia are those to Zagreb which are operated by British Airways, Croatia Airlines and Ryanair with all three offering flights to Zagreb. From there, you can use Croatia Airlines‘ internal flights to other destinations in the country – see our Flights in Croatia page for more details.

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Croatia what is where

Croatia What is Where?

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Here’s our Croatia infographic to highlight some special places in the country – as well as some places that you may not know about. Presenting to you: Croatia What is Where?

Learn some facts about the capital city Zagreb, stunning coastal cities and towns Split, Dubrovnik, Pula and Zadar, Hvar island, famous-for-its-oysters Ston, the thrilling Plitvice Lakes Nature Park and Papuk Nature Park.

Click on the infographic to enlarge!

Croatia what is where

More facts from Croatia What Is Where?

Let’s expand on some of the facts shown in the Croatia infographic above to help you learn more about Croatia what is where.

  • Croatia’s capital city, Zagreb, has a stunning cathedral that, at 108m tall, is the tallest building in Croatia. Originally constructed in the 13th century, the cathedral was severely damaged in the 6.3-magnitude earthquake of 1880 and required extensive restoration. Unfortunately, the cathedral was damaged again in the earthquake in March 2020 – one of its spires snapped off whilst the other had to removed for safety.
  • It is the FIS Snow Queen Trophy ski race that Zagreb hosts in early January each year.
  • Varazdin County is considered to be the oldest of Croatia’s counties, having first been referred to in 1181 (in the charter of King Bela III). The beautiful town of Varazdin was once also the capital city of Croatia from 1756 to 1776 when a large fire destroyed about 80% of the buildings in the town – and the capital reverted to Zagreb.
  • Papuk Nature Park is one of (now!) twelve nature parks in Croatia and is located in Slavonia. It is the first UNESECO Geopark in Croatia, which designates an area of significant geological heritage.
  • Ilok, also in Slavonia, is famous for being home to one of the largest wine producers in Croatia, Ilocki podrumi. They have British royal connections – as well as having their Traminac wine served at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, their wine was served at the celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II!
  • The wonderful Plitvice Lakes National Park is the joint-oldest national park with Croatia (along with Paklenica National Park), declared so in 1949. In 1979, the Park became a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • This leads us on to Split! The Diocletian’s Palace complex was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage site that same year, 1979. This Palace was constructed in the 4th century as a retirement ‘home’ for Roman Emperor Diocletian, close to the large Roman town of Salona (present-day Solin) which once had a population as high as 60,000 people.
  • Dubrovnik is home to many of Croatia’s delights, including the truly wonderful Old Town. The Dubrovnik Summer Festival cultural event, which hosts opera, theatre productions, and classical music performances, was first held in 1950 making it the oldest festival of its kind in Croatia.
  • Little Ston is home to amazing town walls that rival Dubrovnik’s – in fact, those in Ston are the longest preserved town walls in Europe. Ston is also very well known for its oysters (and mussels) – you can see (and even visit) the oyster farms by the town.
  • The island of Hvar is a top destination for the yachting crowd, partygoers, the odd celebrity or two…and everyone else vying to see this amazingly picturesque place! Hvar island is also very famous for its lavender production – about 50 years ago, lavender oil produced on Hvar accounted for 8% of all lavender oil produced in the world – and is often claimed to be the sunniest place in Croatia with about 2,800 hours of sun each year.
  • As well as being the birthplace of Croatian footballing legend Luka Modric, Zadar is home to some amazing sights, old and new – such as the Forum and St Donatus Church, the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun installation.
  • Pula is likewise home to some stunning sights, particularly the Arena which was completed in the 1st century AD – roughly the same time as the Colosseum in Rome. The Arena is one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres, as it has all four sides intact, and is the sixth-largest remaining amphitheatre in the world. These days, it hosts music concerts, screenings during the Pula Film Festival, occasional sports events…and even mock gladiator fights in summer.
Culture Smart Guide to Croatia

Review: Culture Smart! Guide to Croatia

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Although visitors to Croatia are now spoilt by the number of guidebooks there are on the country – many of which are now on their fourth or fifth editions – it’s always interesting to be offered something a little extra. The Culture Smart! series of books go this extra mile, offering up information on customs and cultures of many countries around the world. At present count, almost 100 guides exist in the series, on countries as diverse as Belarus to Bolivia, Ghana to Guatemala, and Oman to Trinidad and Tobago. And there’s of course a guide to Croatia, so we delved into it recently to see what Culture Smart! had to say about the country.

Culture Smart Guide to Croatia
Culture Smart

The Culture Smart guide to Croatia is a handy little book that doesn’t take long to read from cover to cover – but really does provide plenty of useful information on every day life in Croatia, covering topics such as family, work, education, religion, business and much more. Many times I found myself nodding as I read, thinking “Yup – that’s certainly true!”, with some of the text (intentionally!) also raising a smile or two. I personally found that it put into words more than adequately some of what may be considered slightly touchier subjects – such as differences amongst the generations, or locals’ thoughts on politics, the Homeland War, and the former Yugoslavia. The book is certainly packed with information and covers a good amount of ground on the country and its peoples, customs and traditions. Sure, you wouldn’t get this book as your only guide if you were visiting the country, but it’s a great companion book to help you understand the country a little better. If you’re planning on spending a considerable amount of time in Croatia, or see yourself socialising a fair deal with Croats (perhaps you’re planning an extended stay in the country), then I think this book would be invaluable. But there’s also plenty for short-term visitors to learn – in particular, the sections on eating out and entertainment, health and safety and media and communications. But most of all, the book goes some way to helping understand what Croats are like, and what everyday life is like for them. I’d certainly recommend picking up a copy of Culture Smart! Croatia if you have even just a passing interest in the country and its people. The book is available from Amazon, in paperback and Kindle versions. Culture Smart! Essential Guides are published by Kuperard and you can find all of the Culture Smart titles at www.kuperard.co.uk or via Amazon.

Montenegro is just like Croatia…except it’s not!

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I had to laugh at a very glaring error in a Sunday Mirror travel article on Montenegro – published this past Sunday – that leapt out at me as soon as I read it. On Montenegro, the Mirror states that:

The main draw is the picturesque coastline, made of 72 miles of beaches and dotted with ancient towns… and more than a thousand islands.

More than a thousand islands? Wow, that sounds just like Croatia! In fact, that is Croatia, not Montenegro. And whilst Montenegro does of course have a picturesque coastline, indeed with 72 miles of beaches, one thing it does not have is many islands! Certainly nowhere near Croatia’s (estimated) 1,246 islands…

We would of course encourage people to consider exploring Croatia’s neighbouring country Montenegro (how about a day trip from Dubrovnik – or maybe on a holiday with time in both countries?) but would suggest ignoring the dubious Mirror article (what does Morgan Freeman landing at Dubrovnik Airport have to do with Montenegro?) and reading some better researched text!

Article: Travel: Montenegro, jewel of the Adriatic, has it all (The Mirror, 23rd January 2011)

Dubrovnik

A week in Croatia cheaper than a week in Cornwall!

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Here’s some news that will definitely interest those who are just about to book a half term holiday or an autumn break and are debating on whether to go overseas or remain in the UK.

Recent research by Travelex.co.uk, the world’s largest foreign exchange specialist, has revealed that holidaying abroad is actually cheaper than staying at home – in particular, a family of four could save over £150 if they spent a week in Croatia instead of a week in Cornwall!

Part of the reason for this is that the Pound currently holds a strong value against the Croatian Kuna (£1 = 7.78 Croatian HRK, as of 15th October 2010), having risen in value throughout the year. In fact, holidaymakers to the Adriatic country will receive 7.38% more for their money now than this time last year.

Comparative holiday costs of course also play a part in Travelex.co.uk’s research. They have found that a week’s self-catering accommodation for four in Redruth, Cornwall is £125 more expensive than the same type of accommodation in Dubrovnik. Meanwhile, an average meal for four is 70% more expensive in Redruth than in Dubrovnik, whilst two beers in a bar is 50% more expensive.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik – who can resist its charms?

Even travelling to the two destinations in question has costs that are considerably closer than one might think. The cost of return flights for four people to Dubrovnik comes in at £260, whilst return train tickets to Redruth are a none-too-cheap £200.10 – and that includes a special deal that allows children to travel for 5p.

Julian Neal of  Travelex.co.uk says: “Croatia has continued to be great value for money throughout 2010 and with the Pound currently up 7.38% against the Croatian Kuna compared to this time last year, a bargain is in store for families this half term break. With temperatures currently set fair at 22 degrees and with flight times of less than two hours, it’s a dead cert hot spot for imminent October school holidays.”

Travelex.co.uk also offers a free online Travel Rate Tracker to allow travellers to watch exchange rates to make their money go even further. The Tracker monitors selected currencies and can then send an email notification either once the currency has reached a certain threshold or as a reminder – say a week before a trip abroad.

Neal added: “Families looking to get the best value on their currency should make sure to order what they need online at Travelex.co.uk and take advantage of the Travelex Price Promise – if a customer finds a better price offered by another foreign currency retailer (whether or not online), Travelex.co.uk will refund the difference between the price paid by the customer and the more competitive price.”