Bonkers Tours of Croatia
Do you ever sometimes think “my holiday in Croatia sure is going nicely, but now it’s time to do something totally bonkers”? Yes, I thought so. Well, you’ve come to the right place – er, post. Here are some suggestions for totally bonkers tours of Croatia that will really send your holiday into the stratosphere. There’s everything from whistle-stop tours to Croatia’s neighbouring countries to motorbiking, to partying on the Adriatic to watching the sea life up close. Which one – or ones, for I know you’ll go for more than just one – will you try?
Disclaimer: not all of these tours are “totally bonkers”. In fact, very few are. But I’m sure you have fun on each and every one of them nevertheless! And of course, I mean “bonkers” in a very loving way!
Sightseeing on a Segway
Do you remember when segways were invented? Unveiled as a new transportation device at the beginning of this century that was going to completely revolutionise our lives (or so it felt), the segway has become something of a damp squib when it comes to new tech. Unless you’re fabulously wealthy and need one to get around your grounds, most people don’t own their own personal segway. And some countries and cities have even banned segways from being driven on public roads or footpaths.
That’s why joining a city segway tour is always fun, giving you an excellent opportunity to try out these “sticks with wheels”. It’s possible to do a 2-hour Segway Tour of Split, a guided tour that takes in some of the top sights of Croatia’s largest coastal city. Most of the tour is conducted in and around the Diocletian’s Palace area – where many of Split’s main sights are – but you’ll also get an opportunity to head up Marjan Hill and see Split from above. In fact, what better way to head up the hill than on your own set of two wheels? Much easier than climbing up the stairs!
- Good to know: It’s also possible to do a 2-hour Segway Tour of Dubrovnik which explores the Lapad Peninsula part of the city
Take to the skies
As you come in to land in Croatia – at an airport on the coast, that is – you’ll be dazzled by the multitude of islands and the highly indented coastline below you. (It’s one of the best arrivals in the world, in my opinion!) But perhaps you only managed to get a couple of snaps before your plane touched down, and now you’re left wanting more?
You could take back to the skies and enjoy a flight over a particular part of the coast. For example, there’s the 1.5-hour Private Flight over Kornati & Sibenik that takes off from Sinj Aerodrom. A private flight in a small aircraft – so yes, this is one of the more expensive experiences, but certainly worth it – gives you a view of the Kornati Islands like no other.
- Good to know: You can also 1 hour Panoramic Flight over Brac, Hvar, Solta, & Split that takes off from the small airport that’s on the island of Brac
Hunt your own food
No, no, no – not with guns and no shooting or anything like that (very much not my thing) but hunting in the dirt. Wait, what?
Istria is very much associated with the delicacy that is the truffle, and hunting for truffles is a very unique and enjoyable experience. Join professional truffle hunters (and their canine companions – they’re essential in sniffing out these earthy gems) on a private, 7-hour Truffle Hunting in Istria Tour. After the truffle hunt, you’ll of course be able to try some truffle products and food adorned with truffle. You will also have an opportunity to explore the charming inland Istria town of Motovun.
Of course, you’re not literally hunting your own food as it’s not like you’ll be able to dig up a truffle and immediately start chowing down on it, but you’ll certainly get an idea of the process of how truffles are found.
- Good to know: If making your meal is definitely your kind of thing – even on holiday – join the Private Cooking Experience with Wine Tasting in Dubrovnik. Honestly, this sounds ideal – explore the countryside surrounding Dubrovnik, enjoy wine at a local winery and then cook your own meal (supervised, of course!) on an outdoor grill.
Military history mixed with quadbikes
What else goes hand in hand with learning about military history other than quadbikes?
The lovely island of Vis – closed to foreigners until 1989 – has quite an unusual history over the centuries, ruled by different territories and countries. Its 20th-century timeline is also very different to other Dalmatian islands, with Vis playing an important base during World War II and then as a naval base during the time of Yugoslavia.
Vis is a relatively small island and is fairly easy to explore if you have wheels of some sort, be they bike, moped or car. But why not join a guided tour on quadbikes – the 2.5-hour Adrenaline Quad Safari-Military Tour – that goes both on road and off road? The tour will explore the island’s military sights as well as take in its nature. You’ll also see and visit Vis Town and Komiza, the two main towns on the island.
Party all the time
Some of you are here to see all the amazing sights and breathe in that fine, fine culture.
Others are here to…well, yup…party. If that’s your style, you will have likely heard about the infamous boat parties that are a huge part of the Croatian festivals that take place during the summer. In particular, Zrce Beach on the island of Pag is party central, with a number of top clubs that play host to quite a few festivals in June, July and August.
If you can’t quite commit to a multi-day festival event, you can still party on the Adriatic by joining a boat party…otherwise known as a booze cruise. For example, there’s the Novalja Boat Party Booze Cruise that’s a 3-hour trip that includes all-inclusive drinks (yes, really!) and DJs spinning the tunes. There’s also a swim stop to give you a refreshing plunge into the sea.
- Good to know: Not a boat party, but if you’re on the mainland and want to party in the clubs of Hvar, there’s the Hvar Party All Night Experience. You’ll get collected from pick-up points in either Split or Trogir and transferred by speedboat to Hvar Town, giving you 7 hours to party to your heart’s content. The speedboat then drops you back in Split or Trogir by 5am!
- Good to know 2: In a similar party vibe, join the 5-hour Private Bar Crawling with a Guide in Zagreb. This is literally a bonkers tour as it apparently includes some crazy challengers!
Dinner in the sky
Not really one of a tour of Croatia, per se, but certainly a bonkers experience! If heights aren’t a problem for you (that counts me out!), why not have Dinner in the Sky above Dubrovnik? Suspended way up high, you’ll join around 20 other people for a three-course dinner that will include unlimited Croatian wine. Um, yum. Part of the whole experience is a one-hour cooking show – yes, your meal is actually prepared in front of you at altitude. It’s certainly a highly novel way of seeing Dubrovnik and enjoying some local cuisine.
Cross two borders
Oh, I caught you reading our Day Trips from Dubrovnik page. Great! So you know what day trips over to Montenegro are possible, and how to do them!
But what if you could visit two countries in one day from Dubrovnik? It’s possible – if you join the Montenegro & Bosnia 2 Countries in 1 Day Tour. It’s no surprise this is a 10-hour tour to make the most of your time, and it’s a private tour too so all the attention will be on you and what you want to see.
You’ll visit the lively Trebinje in Bosnia and Hercegovina and Perast and Kotor in Montenegro, with time to explore each of these places. In Perast, you could even opt to do a boat tour (for an additional fee) to Our Lady of the Rocks islet.
- Good to know: To go even further afield visiting two countries from Dubrovnik, try the Private 2-Day Albania and Montenegro Tour. It is over two days, however, so not quite as “bonkers” as stepping foot in three different countries in one day!
Head to an uninhabited island
To really get away from it all, why not head to an island that is home to…no one? Ooh, spooky!
Well, not quite, for the island in question is Plavnik in the northern Adriatic, which you can visit from the larger island of Krk. This private tour – named the Wild Bays and Plavnik Island Tour sounds idyllic – as you’ll get to explore some of the quieter bays of Krk before making the journey to Plavnik for swimming, snorkelling and hiking on the island. You might even spot some dolphins!
Become a space explorer…without leaving Earth
The island of Pag has a very unusual landscape, certainly very different to some of the other lush, green Croatian islands. Some even call the terrain moon-like. Why not pretend you’ve left Earth on a hike to some of the key spots of Pag on the Life on Mars Hike? Trust me, when you share the photos, people won’t believe you’re in Croatia!
Make friends with dolphins
When I say “make friends” I mean “spot the from a boat” which is practically the same thing, right?
Dolphins do indeed exist in the Adriatic Sea, which some of you may be surprised to hear. Any boat trip out onto the relatively calm sea is always a winning activity, but why not join a tour to go and spot some dolphins? The Dolphin Cruise with Dinner is a 3-hour activity that departs Pula and sails around the lovely Brijuni Islands. A sunset cruise, dinner is also included to make the whole experience rather magical.
- Good to know: You can do a similar sort of cruise from Porec on the two-hour-long Dolphin Spotting Cruise which includes drinks.
More info
For tours of Croatia that aren’t quite as bonkers as the above, take a look at our Tours of Croatia, Guided Tours of Split and Guided Tours of Dubrovnik pages.
