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The best ways of travelling from Dubrovnik to Split

The best ways of travelling from Dubrovnik to Split in 2025

Every so often, I sit down and write one of these guides on one of the most travelled routes in Croatia. Many thousands of travellers make the journey from Dubrovnik to Split (or the return journey, from Split to Dubrovnik…or both!) during their stay in Croatia, so it makes sense that I write a guide to it. And about time for an update, for this guide is the first since the Peljesac Bridge was opened in 2022. So here’s the updated guide for 2025 for travelling from Dubrovnik to Split. (Or the reverse!)

The best ways of travelling from Dubrovnik to Split

Travelling from Dubrovnik to Split by Catamaran (but not ferry)

Let’s first get this out of the way – I say “…but not ferry” for there are no large ferry boats operating on the Dubrovnik to Split or Split to Dubrovnik route. Many years ago, Jadrolinija used to operate a long-distance ferry from Rijeka via Split to Dubrovnik, which was a much-loved sailing option. But this option is long gone, and there are no car ferries operating today.

So, what sailing options can you make use of? These days, three companies offer a catamaran that sails from Dubrovnik to Split – Jadrolinija, Kapetan Luka and TP Line. Jadrolinija has one boat sailing this route, whilst Kapetan Luka and TP Line have two boats each. All operators make stops at islands (and the mainland, in the case of one of Kapetan Luka’s routes) along the way. Whilst all operators and sailings are much of a muchness, it is important to note that some routes operate from Dubrovnik to Split in the morning, whilst some run in the afternoon. I would suggest which one you go for depends on what time you want to arrive in Split.

Jadrolinija’s Dubrovnik to Split catamaran

The following catamaran is operated by Jadrolinija. You can buy tickets for the sailing on their website.

Timetable

DailyOperates from 6.6.25 to 21.9.25Daily
7.45amDubrovnik9.25pm
9.25am
9.40am
Korcula7.25pm
7.10pm 
10.50am
11.10am
Hvar5.55pm
5.35pm
11.55am
12.10pm
Bol (Brac)4.45pm
4.30pm
1.05pmSplit 3.30pm

Note: no sailing from Dubrovnik to Split on 6th June, and no sailing from Split to Dubrovnik on 21st September

Ticket Prices

RoutePrice 
Dubrovnik – Korcula/Korcula – Dubrovnik 

€25

Dubrovnik – Hvar/Hvar – Dubrovnik €48
Dubrovnik – Bol/Bol – Dubrovnik €48
Dubrovnik – Split/Split – Dubrovnik€48
Korcula – Hvar/Hvar – Korcula€23
Korcula – Bol/Bol – Korcula€27
Korcula – Split/Split – Korcula€27
Hvar – Bol/Bol – Hvar€25
Hvar – Split/Split – Hvar€25
Bol – Split/Split – Bol€23

TP Lines Dubrovnik to Split Catamaran Option 1

The following catamaran is operated by TP Line. Tickets can be purchased on their website.

Timetable

DailyOperates from 14.4.25 to 26.10.25Daily
8.05amDubrovnik8.20pm
10.00am
10.10am
Korcula6.20pm
6.10pm 
11.40am
12.00pm
Hvar4.45pm
4.30pm
12.45pm
12.50pm
Milna (Brac)3.50pm
3.45pm
1.25pmSplit 3.10pm

Note: no sailing from Dubrovnik to Split on 14th April, and no sailing from Split to Dubrovnik on 26th October

Ticket Prices

RoutePrice 
Dubrovnik – Korcula/Korcula – Dubrovnik €25
Dubrovnik – Hvar/Hvar – Dubrovnik €48
Dubrovnik – Milna/Milna – Dubrovnik €48
Dubrovnik – Split/Split – Dubrovnik€48
Korcula – Hvar/Hvar – Korcula€25
Korcula – Milna/Milna – Korcula€25
Korcula – Split/Split – Korcula€25
Hvar – Milna/Milna – Hvar€15
Hvar – Split/Split – Hvar€25
Milna – Split/Split – Milna€10
Travelling from Dubrovnik to Split by catamaran - a TP Line catamaran near Dubrovnik
A TP Line catamaran near Dubrovnik

TP Lines Dubrovnik to Split Catamaran Option 2

Timetable

Daily9.5.25 – 12.10.25Daily
2.55pmDubrovnik2.20pm
4.50pm
5.00pm
Korcula12.20pm
12.05pm
6.25pm
6.40pm
Hvar10.40am
10.20am
7.20pm
7.25pm
Milna (Brac)9.35am
9.30am
8.00pmSplit9.00am

Ticket Prices

RoutePrice 
Dubrovnik – Korcula/Korcula – Dubrovnik €25
Dubrovnik – Hvar/Hvar – Dubrovnik €48
Dubrovnik – Milna/Milna – Dubrovnik €48
Dubrovnik – Split/Split – Dubrovnik€48
Korcula – Hvar/Hvar – Korcula€25
Korcula – Milna/Milna – Korcula€25
Korcula – Split/Split – Korcula€25
Hvar – Milna/Milna – Hvar€15
Hvar – Split/Split – Hvar€25
Milna – Split/Split – Milna€10

Kapetan Luka Dubrovnik to Split Catamaran Option 1

The following catamaran is operated by Kapetan Luka. Tickets can be bought on their website.

Timetable

DailyOperates from 1.4.25 to 31.10.25Daily
3.30pmDubrovnik12.30pm

4.50pm
4.55pm

Pomena (Mljet)11.10am
11.05am
5.30pm
5.40pm
Korcula10.30am
10.20am
6.50pm
7.00pm
Hvar9.10am
9.00am
7.30pm
7.35pm
Milna (Brac)8.30am
8.25am
8.00pmSplit8.00am

Ticket Prices

RoutePrice 
Dubrovnik – Pomena/Pomena – Dubrovnik€20
Dubrovnik – Korcula/Korcula – Dubrovnik €25
Dubrovnik – Hvar/Hvar – Dubrovnik €50
Dubrovnik – Milna/Milna – Dubrovnik €50
Dubrovnik – Split/Split – Dubrovnik€50 
Pomena – Korcula/Korcula – Pomena€20
Pomena – Hvar/Hvar – Pomena€25
Pomena – Milna/Milna – Pomena€25
Pomena – Split/Split – Pomena€30
Korcula – Hvar/Hvar – Korcula€25
Korcula – Milna/Milna – Korcula€25
Korcula – Split/Split – Korcula€30
Hvar – Milna/Milna – Hvar€15
Hvar – Split/Split – Hvar€25
Milna – Split/Split – Milna€10

Kapetan Luka Dubrovnik to Split Catamaran Option 2

The following catamaran is operated by Kapetan Luka. Tickets can be bought on their website.

Timetable

DailyOperates from 1.6.25 to 25.09.25Daily
2.45pmDubrovnik1.30pm
4.25pm
4.30pm
Pomena (Mljet)11.55am
11.50am
5.10pm
5.20pm
Korcula11.20am
11.10am
6.05pm
6.10pm
Sucuraj (Hvar)10.25am
10.20am
6.40pm
6.50pm
Makarska9.50am
9.40am
7.20pm
7.30pm
Bol (Brac)9.05am
8.55am
8.25pmSplit8.00am

Ticket Prices

RoutePrice 
Dubrovnik – Pomena/Pomena – Dubrovnik€20
Dubrovnik – Korcula/Korcula – Dubrovnik €25
Dubrovnik – Sucuraj/Sucuraj – Dubrovnik €25
Dubrovnik – Makarska/Makarska – Dubrovnik€45 
Dubrovnik – Bol/Bol – Dubrovnik €50 
Dubrovnik – Split/Split – Dubrovnik€50 
Pomena – Korcula/Korcula – Pomena€20
Pomena – Sucuraj/Sucuraj – Pomena€20 
Pomena – Makarska/Makarska – Pomena€25
Pomena – Bol/Bol – Pomena€25 
Pomena – Split/Split – Pomena€30 
Korcula – Sucuraj/Sucuraj – Korcula€25
Korcula – Makarska/Makarska – Korcula€25 
Korcula – Bol/Bol – Korcula€25 
Korcula – Split/Split – Korcula€30 
Sucuraj – Makarska/Makarska – Sucuraj€25
Sucuraj – Bol/Sucuraj – Hvar€20
Sucuraj – Split/Split – Sucuraj€20
Makarska – Bol/Bol – Makarska€20
Makarska – Split/Split – Makarska€20
Bol – Split/Split – Bol€20

For any of the above sailings, I would suggest you always pre-book tickets – at least a few days in advance if you can’t do so earlier – as the Dubrovnik to Split (or Split to Dubrovnik) catamaran is a popular route.

Travelling from Dubrovnik to Split by Bus

Travelling by bus from Dubrovnik to Split is a very easy, reliable and cheap option – and there are numerous buses operating on this route, year-round.

Journey time between the two takes around 4 to 4.5 hours. Although buses no longer go through that small slice of Bosnia, some buses make numerous stops along the way, which means a longer journey time. In the summer months, the coastal road can also be congested with holiday traffic, making the journey longer than expected. If you are travelling during the peak summer months, consider taking an early morning or later evening bus.

Dubrovnik Bus Station - Travelling from Dubrovnik to Split
Dubrovnik Bus Station

If a shorter journey time is important to you, take a bus that hardly makes any stops and uses the motorway (where it starts, near Ploce) instead!

A one-way bus ticket from Dubrovnik to Split in 2025 costs €20-€25.

  • Good to know: You can look up bus timetables and buy bus tickets on Traveling.com or on the Dubrovnik Bus Station website.
  • Good to know: Sit on the left-hand side of the bus (on the same side as the driver) to be closest to the amazing view!

Driving from Dubrovnik to Split

If you’re renting a car during travels in Croatia, making the drive from Dubrovnik to Split is relatively straightforward. As with travelling by bus, the fastest option is to take the A1 motorway (from where it starts, near Ploce) and zoom all the way up to Split! On the way to the motorway, you’ll drive part of the coastal road up and through the Peljesac Peninsula and across the Peljesac Bridge, so you’ll experience this charming part of south Dalmatia. Why not stop for a coffee? Perhaps in Ston, and you can then visit those town walls!

Or if you’re after something a bit more slower paced – and utterly beautiful – take the D8 coastal road all the way from Dubrovnik to Split. You’ll be rewarded with utterly gorgeous views all the way, and you’ll have plenty of opportunity to stop for coffee, lunch, some photos at a viewpoint and more along the way.

Travelling from Dubrovnik to Split - Croatia coastal road
Part of the coastal road

The motorway option takes around 3 hours, whilst the coastal road would take you 4 hours to drive, but that assumes no stops at all. During summer, the coastal road option can be slower (as we’ve mentioned for the bus option above) because of holiday traffic. Simply take it in your stride!

Do also be aware that if you use the motorway, you will need to pay a toll. Take a ticket just before entering the motorway and then pay at the toll on exit. For a regular-sized car, the motorway toll in 2025 will cost €7.30 from Dubrovnik to Split (entering at Karamatici and exiting at Dugopolje for Split). You can see prices for other vehicles on the Toll Rates section of the Croatian Motorways website.

Travelling from Dubrovnik to Split by Plane

If you want to make the journey from Dubrovnik to Split very, very quickly, travelling by plane is, of course, the best bet.

Trade Air operate flights year-round twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Flight time from Dubrovnik to Split is 55 minutes. A one-way ticket costs around €75 for a non-refundable ticket.]

Dubrovnik Airport
Dubrovnik Airport

Travelling from Dubrovnik to Split by Train

Impossible!

Let me elaborate – Dubrovnik has no train station, so there’s no way you can travel from Dubrovnik to Split by train! Use one of the options above instead.

Dubrovnik to Split by Private Transfer

If you fancy taking all the organisation of travelling from Dubrovnik to Split out of your hands, a private transfer may be the best choice for you. These are generally rather pricey – you are making a journey of over 200 kilometres, after all – but if there’s a small group of you plus luggage, you may find it easiest to opt for a transfer. Take a look at some of the private transfers available below:

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So what’s the best way of travelling from Dubrovnik to Split?

Oh yes, I did promise to tell you that, didn’t I? If I said, “there’s no best way”, would you be really cross with me?

Well, if you have your own rental car, then you’ll be driving, of course, and this option gives you the most flexibility and possibility of exploring.

Flying is only possible twice a week, and I would only recommend this if you’re really pushed for time and perhaps are only travelling with a small amount of luggage. But it’s undoubtedly the fastest option.

Travelling by catamaran is a great way of experiencing sailing on the Adriatic, but it is a long journey from Dubrovnik to Split by sea. I would personally choose a catamaran if making overnight stops on one (or more) of the islands along the way.

So, call me old-fashioned, but I love the bus option! Sit back and relax, put some music on your headphones (or listen to the gorgeous Croatian music the bus driver has chosen) and watch the gorgeous view as you’re driven by. And this is the cheapest option!

Whatever way you choose for travelling from Dubrovnik to Split, enjoy your journey!

Sakarun Beach

How to Plan Your Perfect Trip to Croatia in 2025

This year is already speeding past – can you believe that we’re already halfway through the third month of 2025? Now is the perfect time to start thinking about your travel plans for the year ahead, and if your travel plans concern Croatia well…you in the right place! Let me guide you in planning your perfect trip to Croatia in 2025 to give you the best holiday ever!

Step 1 – Choose where you want to go

Now, this is one of the most difficult steps in planning a perfect trip to Croatia. There, I said it. But only because Croatia is such a beautiful country that it’s difficult to choose where exactly to holiday! Luckily you’ve come to the Visit Croatia website and we’re all about helping you choose a destination in Croatia.

Do you have an inkling of where you’d like to go? Perhaps you’ve seen gorgeous photos of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, the stunning imagery of Zlatni Rat Beach near Bol on the island of Brac, the glorious views from above Hvar Town overlooking nearby islands, shots of the charming Istrian coastal towns such as Rovinj, Porec, Umag or Novigrad, or scenes of the waterfalls of Plitvice or Krka National Parks? If one of these has inspired you, then go for it! You’ll find plenty of information about these destinations and how best to get to them in our special guides.

But what if you’re not sure at all, and nothing really springs to mind when you’re thinking about where to go in Croatia? Here are some ideas for different things you may want on a holiday:

  • Amazing sights? Head to Pula with its excellent selection of Roman sights, with a Roman amphitheatre – the Arena – that can’t be beaten. Or Split, for the Diocletian’s Palace area that is something that has to be seen and experienced to be believed
  • Parties non-stop? Alright, I get you. Zrce Beach on the island of Pag is the place for you, with its excellent open-air clubs that play host to many of the top festivals in Croatia. But don’t forget The Garden Tisno, a specially made festival site that also hosts some of the best events in the country.
  • A charming coastal town? Let’s go for the pretty Rovinj, with its colourful buildings, cobbled streets and lovely harbour…with many a top restaurant
  • A charming coastal town in Dalmatia? My top pick would be Sibenik, with its beautiful yet compact Old Town that includes the Cathedral of St James, a UNESCO World Heritage site
  • A city break with a difference? Consider Osijek in eastern Croatia – Ryanair flies there – and explore the city and its sights, with a good selection of dining options and hotels. You’re also in a place to explore Kopacki Rit Nature Park and the wineries of this part of Croatia, such as Ilocki Podrumi.
  • Nothing but relaxation? Opt for one of the health and wellness resorts on the island of Losinj, known for its relaxation (and good food!)
  • Somewhere far away not many others will go to? Pick one of the islands furthest away from the Croatian coast, such as the so pretty Vis or very much off-radar Lastovo
  • Something new? If you like to be the first of your friends to experience things, why not try one of the new hotel openings in Croatia? My choice would be The Isolano on the very quiet island of Cres
  • Gorgeous nature? I mean, any of Croatia’s eight national parks or twelve nature parks would fit this bill but you’re probably wanting Plitvice or Krka National Parks. But do also consider Mljet with its lush greenery or Dugi Otok, home to Telascica Nature Park.
  • Foodie heaven? Don’t be scared by Croatian cuisine (I’m sure you’re not), but Istria would be the destination for you. Delight in its truffles, olive oil, wine and delicious natural produce
  • Somewhere to stick the kids in…sorry, to enjoy with the kids? The Zadar region, especially as it is home to the Zaton Holiday Resort has something for everyone
  • Wine country? Hey, I get you – try Istria, as above, or southern Dalmatia to be able to enjoy the wineries of the Peljesac Peninsula
  • An island that’s not really an island and within easy reach of the sights of the mainland? Ciovo would totally fit the bill for this, seeing as it’s less than a kilometre away from the mainland and connected by bridge. And then you’re super close to places such as Split, Krka NP, the Dalmatian islands
  • Croatia, but make it France? …niche, okay, I’m not sure I’ve ever been asked that before…but I’ve still got the place for you – Opatija.
  • That place with the awesome walls and red rooftops? Dubrovnik

Oh, what’s that? You want more than one destination on your perfect trip? I get you! We’ve got plenty of ideas for multi-destination holidays to Croatia on our special guides to One Week, Ten Days, Two Weeks and Three Weeks in Croatia.

Still stuck for inspiration? Have a read of our Where to Go in Croatia guide for some more inspiration.

Just want to look at pretty pictures and choose a holiday destination that way? See Top Ten Destinations in Croatia or Top Ten Sights in Croatia. And don’t forget What Not to Miss in Croatia!

Step 2 – Who are you going to go with?

Trust me – mention your idea of going to Croatia and suddenly every man, woman and his/her dog will want to join. Will your holiday to Croatia be a family affair, a romantic trip, a girls-only sojourn or a short city break with friends? You’ll need to narrow it down because, quite frankly, trying to do all of the above will get messy!

Trust me, Croatia is a really ideal destination for those of you with families. There are many family-friendly hotels and resorts all up and down the coastline. A few years ago, my family and I enjoyed the Hotel Jakov, part of the Amadria Park resort near Sibenik. It was excellent for us two adults and two kids (and all the other families who were there at the same time). See my full review: Visit Croatia Review: Amadria Park Resort, Sibenik.

Review Jet2 Holidays - View from Amadria Park Beach
View from one of the private beaches at the Amadria Park resort

A spot of romance? Maybe you’re considering Croatia for a honeymoon? (Oooh, congratulations.) How lovely – take a look at my Honeymoon in Croatia travel planning advice.

A girls’ trip? I enjoyed a short stay at the Grand Hotel Brioni in Pula last year and I can’t wait to go back with my girlfriends to enjoy the spa, the top dining options, the infinity pool and private beach and excellent cocktails!

Luxury hotels in Croatia - Grand Hotel Brioni, Pula
A room with a view (oh, what a view) at the Grand Hotel Brioni in Pula

For a city break with friends, I would strongly suggest mighty Zagreb which has something for everyone. Better still, go to Zagreb at one of its best times of year – Christmas – to enjoy Advent in Zagreb.

(But maybe leave the dog behind. All that faff with getting a pet passport and all that.)

Step 3 – Money, money, money

“Unusual to involve Abba as one of the steps, but alright, you know what you’re doing” you’re probably thinking.

Now that you’re humming Benny and Bjorn’s most famous hits – sung beautifully by Agnetha and Frida, of course – you need to seriously think about your budget for your Croatia trip. Are you trying to keep costs in check as much as you can? You will need to look at our guide on How to do Croatia on a budget. That page in itself offers some suggestions for where and when to go, so it may give you some further holiday inspo.

At the other end of the scale, perhaps money is no object. Lucky you! There are more and more luxury and five-star openings in Croatia all the time, so peruse our Luxury Hotels in Croatia page for ideas.

Step 4 – Finding your way…otherwise known as booking flights (or buses or trains)

If flights are what you need then flights is what you shall have…by first looking at our pages on Flights to Croatia from the UK & Ireland, US to Croatia Flights and Flights from Asia to Croatia.

Open up another tab on your browser and get the information you need from our Getting to Dubrovnik, Getting to Split, Getting to Istria, Getting to North Dalmatia, Getting to the Kvarner Riviera and Getting to Zagreb pages.

Maybe you want someone to book a whole holiday – flights and hotels – for you? I’d recommend Jet2 Holidays…and I’m not being paid to say that!

If you’re trying to limit your carbon emissions in 2025, why not consider alternative ways of reaching Croatia than by flying? I’ve recently written about Getting to Croatia from the UK by bus as well as Getting to Croatia from the UK by train. It has to be said (and to be expected), that neither option is particularly fast BUT… Why not consider Croatia your endpoint on a fantastical adventure across Europe? Spend perhaps a week reaching Croatia by bus or train or a combination and then a week (or more) relaxing on the Croatian coast.

Step 5 – You need a place to stay

Of course, you do! Now that you’ve figured out where you’re going and how to get there, you will need a roof over your head, whether that’s camping, a hostel, a holiday rental, a five-star hotel or a luxury villa.

If you’re undecided take a look at our Accommodation in Croatia section which highlights accommodation options for practically everywhere in Croatia (if I’ve not written a page about it, it’s not worth staying there!) as well as guides to different types of accommodation.

Or use the map below – which, yes, shows Dubrovnik but type in your own destination – as a starting point!

Step 6 – What are you going to do?

Even if all you’re planning on doing is lazing by a pool or beach day in, day out, on repeat every day, it would be advisable to have some idea of what there is to at your destination. Look up some of our day trip ideas – Day Trips from Dubrovnik, Day Trips from Split, Day Trips in Istria pages as an example. Or take some suggestions from our Bonkers Tours of Croatia list if you want to try something completely off the wall!

If this is all a bit TL;DR for you here’s my one tip – go on a boat trip! Any boat trip, preferably to a nearby island. It is so much fun to be out on the Adriatic. Failing that, book yourself onto a local ferry for a short hop and simply explore!

Step 7 – What have you forgotten?

Have you hired a car and planned your driving route in Croatia? (If you’re choosing to rent a car, that is.)

Have you checked your passport and made sure it’s valid for entry into Croatia and the EU? It needs to have been issued within the last ten years and have at least three months validiltiy left on it after your departure from Croatia. (See UK Passport Requirements for Croatia and also our Visa Requirements for Croatia page.)

Have you packed everything you need for a trip to Croatia? Read my guide to Croatia Holiday Essentials for some tips on what to take.

You’ve done all of the above? Good! Then congratulations, you’re all set for a perfect trip to Croatia in 2025!

New for Croatia in 2025

As we’re now well into March and fast approaching proper Spring time – both weather-wise and on the calendar – let’s take a look at what’s new for Croatia in 2025. This post will round up the new flight routes, hotel openings, transport links and events on the calendar that are all new for Croatia in 2025. As you can see, there’s lots to get excited about this year!

New for Croatia in 2025 – Flights

From the UK and Ireland

Jet2 has been operating flights to Croatia for a number of years now but this year they are to fly to a new destination (for them) – Pula in Istria! From May, the airline will fly there from London Stansted, Birmingham and Manchester airports. Their sister company, Jet2Holidays, is also launching holidays to Pula and the Istrian Coast this year.

New for Croatia in 2025 - An aerial view of Rovinj in Istria
An aerial view of Rovinj in Istria

In other airline news, Easyjet has a new route for 2025. They will operate flights from Liverpool to Split, flying twice a week (on Mondays and Fridays) from 9th June. The same airline has also already started operating some of their routes for the year, which is unusually early. Their London Gatwick and Manchester routes started flying in the last week of February. That means you can make it there right now to take advantage of the pleasant early spring weather.

Don’t forget to take a look at our Flights to Croatia from the UK and Ireland page for details of all flight routes to Croatia this year!

From Europe

There are a number of new flight routes to Dubrovnik for this summer. Easyjet will introduce flights from Bordeaux, whilst Ryanair also has a new French route to Dubrovnik – from Marseille. The same airline will be adding flights from Katowice in Poland and Gothenburg in Sweden. FInally, Swiss airline…er…Swiss will begin flights to Dubrovnik from Zurich. 

Aside from the new Easyjet route from Liverpool (mentioned above), it’s just one new route to Split that’s so far been announced and that’s from Porto.

For Zadar, Easyjet will begin flying from Lyon whilst Ryanair is adding two new Italian connections – from Bari and from Rome Fiumicino. The same airline is also to begin flying from Bratislava in Slovakia to Zadar, whilst Edelweiss Air will begin to operate flights from Zurich to Zadar.

Tiny Rijeka Airport doesn’t get a lot of love (or flights, to be honest) but at least for 2025 it will see two new routes! Ryanair will start operating flights to Rijeka from Frankfurt Hahn and from Wroclaw in Poland.

For Pula Airport, Play are introducing flights from Reykjavik. Seeing as the airline also operates flights from U.S. cities such as Boston and New York to Reykjavik, you could potentially consider using them to reach Istria or Croatia via a stopover. There’s also another new Scandinavian connection to Pula for this summer – from Gothenburg in Sweden with Ryanair.

Finally, Croatia’s capital city Zagreb will see the most new flights this year with six new routes starting up. The country’s national carrier, Croatia Airlines, will be introducing most of these new routes with flights from Prague, Hamburg, Milan, Bucharest and Madrid providing some excellent new connections. As a Ryanair hub, that airline also has a new route – from Palermo on the Italian island of Sicily, meaning they now have 31 (31!) routes from all over Europe to Zagreb.

From elsewhere in the world

At the time of writing, there are unfortunately no new flight routes to Croatia from beyond Europe. Nevertheless, take a look at our U.S. to Croatia Flight and Flights from Asia to Croatia pages to see what airlines do fly from these continents.

New for Croatia in 2025 – Festivals and Events

Who loves a brand-new festival in Croatia? That’s right, everyone! This year it’s the turn of Balance Croatia which will take place in one of Croatia’s main festival destinations – The Garden in the small town of Tisno in central Dalmatia – from 8th to 11th August. The electronic music event is coming to Croatia’s shores thanks to Australian label Balance Music and will see some truly fantastic acts perform including Dave Seaman, Danny Howells, Guy Mantzur, Sasha & John Digweed and many more. Further details: Balance Croatia Line-Up Phase 1 Revealed + Ticket News.

Balance Croatia

New for Croatia in 2025 – Hotels

New hotel openings keep coming thick and fast for Croatia all the time, and 2025 is no exception.

One of the best new hotel openings must surely be The Isolano, an Autograph Collection Hotel on the very much off-the-beaten-track island that is Cres. Billed as an adults-friendly resort (only welcoming guests aged 12 and over), this luxury five-star hotel has a stunning outdoor pool and is just metres from the nearest beach.

New for Croatia in 2025 - The Isolano Hotel, Cres
Creski Beach Bar at the Isolano Hotel (Credit: The Isolano Hotel)

In a similar vein, the Hotel Preko on tiny Ugljan island is a Curio Collection by Hilton property. Opening on 15th July 2025, this expertly furnished hotel is close to beaches and really provides a slice of relaxation for guests.

Another luxury hotel opening is the Hyatt Regency Zadar. Also a sumptuous five-star property, the hotel is in an excellent location within walking distance of Zadar’s Old Town – home to many top sights – as well as beaches and Zadar Marina.

Actually opened at the end of 2024, it’s also worth mentioning the new Pullman Zagreb, the first Pullman hotel in Croatia. This contemporary, four-star hotel is located in Novi Zagreb and relatively close to Zagreb Airport; an ideal place to stay if you’re looking for accommodation near the airport.

Pullman Zagreb
Pullman Zagreb (Credit: Pullman Zagreb)

Future hotel openings

Obviously not opening this year, some of you may be interested to hear that the large abandoned Kupari resort near Dubrovnik may finally be redeveloped. You can read the interesting back story to this resort and future plans here: Holidays at a one-time Communist luxury beach haven? Yugoslav resort built for Tito to rise from ruins.

New for Croatian in 2025 – Ferries and Catamarans

In the Dubrovnik region

Following on from the launch of a new catamaran connecting Dubrovnik and Budva last summer, the same ferry operator – Adriatic Lines – will commence operating a service connecting Dubrovnik and Kotor at the start of June 2025. This new catamaran service will allow you to enjoy a day trip in historic Kotor and see its stunning bay, giving you five hours there before the return boat to Dubrovnik departs.

Kotor in Montenegro

Read the full details of this catamaran including timetable information and ticket prices on our blog post: New Dubrovnik to Kotor Catamaran for 2025.

In the Istrian region

Announced a few months ago, this summer will see the return of ferry services from Trieste to destinations in Istria, such as Porec and Rovinj, and the island of Mali Losinj as well. (There will also be a stop in Piran in Slovenia along the way.) Timetable details – or indeed that of the ferry operator – have yet to be announced, so this is definitely a case of watching this space. Visit Croatia will absolutely keep you updated as soon as I hear anything!

New for Croatia in 2025 – Entry Requirements

There are no new entry requirements for Croatia or the EU per see, although the introduction of ETIAS and the new Entry/Exit System for the EU and the Schengen Zone keeps hovering in the background!

The latest news on this front is that the Entry/Exit System is that it is expected to start in October 2025. This new system will see travellers have their passport details registered when entering the Schengen Zone – essentially, have your fingerprints scanned and your photo taken. The word expected is doing some heavy work there, as the scheme has already been postponed from last autumn. I’d suggest keeping an ear out for news closer to October to see if it does in fact come into existence.

Another new EU entry requirement that’s fairly imminent is ETIAS. This visa waiver scheme for the EU will act much like ESTA does for travellers to the U.S. However, the introduction of ETIAS has now been pushed back to the last quarter of 2026, so you still have some time to go before you start concerning yourself about that.

The above requirements all relate to those travellers who can visit Croatia either visa-free or on short-term visas. Take a look at our Visa Requirements for Croatia page for general entry rules.

Getting to Croatia by bus from the UK

Not that long ago, I wrote about travelling to Croatia from the UK by train. Travelling by train has, of course, rather romantic connotations and making the dash across part of Europe to Croatia by rail would be a rather fancy way of starting your holiday. These days, many travellers are also rather conscious of avoiding air travel where possible, trying to reduce their carbon footprint. So, whilst it’s certainly possible to travel to Croatia from the UK by train, can you do the same by bus? And should you?! Well, let’s see – how can you travel to Croatia by bus from the UK?

Croatia from the UK by bus - A Flixbus bus in Berlin, Germany

Is there a direct bus from the UK to Croatia?

No, there is not.

Wait, come back! There are still some possible ways of travelling to Croatia by bus!

You can get to Croatia from the UK by bus with one transfer of bus, although do consider two transfers to give yourself more options. You might be surprised by how many major European cities do in fact have direct bus services to Croatia, meaning there are a number of different routes available to you.

When travelling by bus, do also consider the timings of your travel. If you depart the UK early on day 1, you’ll be reaching Croatia in the evening of day 2 of travel. That means there’s just one night on the bus. If you depart the UK in the evening of day 1 of travel, you’ll be reaching Croatia in the morning (or lunchtime) of day 3 of travel – meaning you have two nights on the bus.

On very long bus journeys (hello my fellow South American travel buddies!), some people prefer nighttime journeys as the hours fly by when you’re asleep. Other travellers perhaps can’t sleep on a bus no matter what, so two nights on buses isn’t a plus for them.

How long does it take to get to Croatia by bus from the UK?

You’ll be looking at a total travel time – if you do the journey all in one go – of around 34 to 37 hours.

Wait, come back! I wouldn’t recommend that you undertake the journey to Croatia by bus all in one go. Why not take the opportunity to stop off along the way and do some exploring? A night or two in Paris? Exploring a German city you’ve never been to before?

Some of the above-mentioned total travel time does also include transfer time (or rest time) which can be around two to three hours. Which – if you do plan on doing the whole journey all in one go – is essential for you to stop and stretch your legs, perhaps have a nice meal and maybe even do a bit of souvenir shopping.

The World Clock and TV Tower in Berlin - Getting to Croatia by Bus from the UK
Make a stop in Berlin

What are the best bus routes to Croatia from the UK?

So let’s choose London as our starting point in the UK (sorry, non-Londoners…I know the world doesn’t revolve around us except it mostly does) and Zagreb as a destination to get to by bus from the UK. Here are some options for making the journey by bus.

Note: Prices shown below are given as a range as they depend on how far in advance you book a ticket. You may find tickets are slightly less or more expensive than the prices shown below.

Option 1 – Via Paris and Munich – 36 hours and 5 minutes travel time

FromTo…Departure TimeArrival TimeJourney Time
London VictoriaParis (Bercy Seine)07.0017.3510 hours 35 minutes
3 hours 25 minutes stopover
Paris (Bercy Seine)Munich Central Bus Station21.0008.50 11 hours 50 minutes
2 hours 10 minutes stopover
Munich Central Bus StationZagreb11.0020.05 9 hours 5 minutes
PRICE: £85 – £95

Option 2 – Via Berlin – 35 hours and 10 minutes travel time

FromTo…Departure TimeArrival TimeJourney Time
London VictoriaBerlin Sudkreuz09.3005.5521 hours 25 minutes
1 hour 25 minutes
Berlin SudkreuzZagreb07.1521.4014 hours 25 minutes
PRICE: £80 – £100

Option 3 – Via Antwerp and Dusseldorf – 33 hours and 35 minutes travel time

FromTo…Departure TimeArrival TimeJourney Time
London StratfordAntwerp Rooseveltplaats23.3008.559 hours 25 minutes
1 hour 55 minutes stopover
Antwerp RooseveltplaatsDusseldorf10.5013.502 hours
2 hours 50 minutes
DusseldorfZagreb16.4008.5016 hours 10 minutes
PRICE: £100 – £125

Option 4 – Via Frankfurt and Munich – 32 hours and 30 minutes travel time

FromTo…Departure TimeArrival TimeJourney Time
London VictoriaFrankfurt Central Train Station21.0012.3515 hours 35 minutes
1 hour 10 minutes stopover
Frankfurt Central Train StationMunich Central Bus Station13.4519.00 5 hours 15 minutes
2 hours 30 minutes
Munich Central Bus StationZagreb21.30 6.309 hours
PRICE: £94 – £116

All bus journeys above are with Flixbus.

Once you’ve reached Zagreb, you can easily travel on by bus or train to other destinations in Croatia. Or perhaps stay in Zagreb for a few days, not travelling anywhere!

The Eiffel Tower in Paris - Getting to Croatia by Bus from the UK
How could you not make a stop in Paris?!

Do I have to travel via Germany?

Not especially, although routes through Germany generally tend to be the quickest. Those fast autobahns certainly help!

You’ll certainly need to travel in a general southeastern direction. to reach Croatia, that’s for sure. So another possibility would be to travel via northern Italy, for example:

Option 5 – Via Paris and Milan – 35 hours 10 minutes travel time

FromTo…Departure TimeArrival TimeJourney Time
London VictoriaParis (Bercy Seine)07.0017.3510 hours 35 minutes
3 hours 10 minutes stopover
Paris (Bercy Seine)Milan20.4509.1512 hours 30 minutes
1 hour 15 mins stopover
MilanZagreb10.3020.259 hours 55 minutes
PRICE: £107

Should I travel to Croatia by bus from the UK?

Bus travel across Europe is obviously relatively cheap, but what with the existence of low-cost airlines (and national carriers trying to act like low-cost airlines sometimes) flying is cheaper than ever these days. Especially if you make use of some travel hacks, such as travelling mid-week, travelling out of season, wearing all your clothes when you board to avoid paying luggage fees…

As you can see from the prices above, bus travel is cheap-ish and but not super cheap! And that’s fair enough, as you’re making journeys of around 35 hours in length.

So it’s not cheap and it’s a very long journey, but at least you benefit from departing and leaving in the centre of each city. Think of it as an adventure – because what else is travel? I’d certainly recommend it as an experience providing you are able to make stops – at least for one night, if not more – in the cities on the way to Croatia. A bit like interrailing but by bus.

Another possibility would be to mix up your travel methods. Perhaps take a train to Paris, then a bus to Munich and then another train to Zagreb? Or buses to Milan, then a train to an Italian Adriatic city, such as Ancona, and then a ferry across to Croatia?

Whatever way you choose to travel to Croatia, I wish you happy travels!

Dolphins swimming in the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Croatia

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!

Bonkers Tours of Croatia - Dolphins swimming in the Adriatic Sea

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!

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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.

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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.

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  • 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.

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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.

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  • 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.

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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.

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  • 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!

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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!

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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.

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  • 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.

Lastovo island

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

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

11 ways to save money in Croatia

There’s no denying that as wonderful as travelling is, it’s a fairly expensive activity – once you add in the cost of transport (flights, usually!), accommodation and spending money, it can really add up! But what you gain in experiences can’t be beaten so travelling is well worth it, that’s for sure – so, go for it anyway! Here are some tips for how to save money in Croatia during your travels to try and help reduce the cost of visiting the country.

How to save money in Croatia

1. Save money in Croatia – travel out of season

I’ll start with the most obvious tip first, but something that really bears repeating as it’s often the way you can save the most money!

There’s no denying that the most expensive time to visit Croatia is during the peak season months of July and August, traditionally the “summer holidays” when everyone in the entire continent likes to head to the beach. June and September will be slightly cheaper, and then April/May and October/early November are cheaper still. Why wouldn’t you make savings by travelling during these out-of-season months to Croatia and away from the crowds? It’s a win-win situation!

As well as cheaper flights an accommodation, you will also find that other elements in off-season are cheaper – some ferry tickets, entrance tickets to sights and similar.

But why not go for a month that’s completely out of season to do a little exploring? Sure, you won’t be sunbathing on a beach or diving into the Adriatic, but you’ll get to experience a different side of Croatia. You could visit in February, carnival month – head to Rijeka to join the party of the largest carnival in the country. Why not explore in March, the start of Spring, and visit the gorgeous natural habitats that are the Plitvice Lakes or Krka National Parks, or other national or nature parks, just as greenery and blooms returns? Head to Istria in October for one of the many gastro events, or see Dubrovnik in a different light – literally! – in November at the Lumiart Light Festival.

How to save money in Croatia - The Plitvice Lakes in March
The Plitvice Lakes in March

2. Save money in Croatia – Stay in “off-the-beaten-track” locations

What could be cheaper than staying on a completely deserted Croatian island – having swum there in the first place from the mainland – surviving only on foraged berries and fish caught with your bare hands, sheltering under pine trees and sleeping in a hammock? (There’s a reality TV show somewhere in there, isn’t there…?)

No, of course not! What I mean is that instead of staying in places such as Dubrovnik, Hvar or Istria, consider somewhere completely different. The somewhat remote island of Lastovo, for example? One of the lesser-known resorts in the Kvarner Riviera, or islands such as Cres or Krk? In central Dalmatia choose Solta, close to Split, instead of Hvar?

Lastovo island
Lastovo

These aren’t of course direct comparisons in any way – there’s no way that Lastovo is anything like Dubrovnik if the delights of that city and everything it has to offer are the specific holiday you’re after. But it’s certainly worth reframing your holiday preferences if you’re trying to save money in Croatia. And you may just come across a destination that you come to love.

Or…why not choose now to make the leap to exploring parts of the Croatian interior? Head to the gorgeous nature of Gorski Kotar to take in its rivers, lakes, mountains and even caves. Discover what else is in Lika besides the Plitvice Lakes. Head west of Zagreb to the Samobor Highlands for a true cycling adventure. Or head to the fourth largest city in the country, Osijek, for an eastern Croatia culture fix alongside some excellent winery options.

3. Save money in Croatia – Time to go shopping

How does shopping save money??

Well, it does if it’s food shopping, and you’re shopping at local markets and supermarkets instead of heading to a fancy restaurant! Local markets such as Zagreb’s famous Dolac Market or Pazar Green Market in Split offer excellent quality and fresh fruit and veg, but also items such as cheese and other dairy products, bakery goods, plus meat (salamis) and more. Put together a few simple items and suddenly you’ve got the ingredients for a sandwich of champions with some amazing Croatian tomatoes on the side (you have to try the tomatoes) and delicious fruit for dessert.

Zagreb Photos - Dolac market
The lovely Dolac Market, the main market in Zagreb located just north of Ban Jelacic Square. Well worth a visit to see all the fruit, veg, food and much more on sale.

Or pop to a local supermarket and stock up on some not especially healthy but oh-so-tasty snacks. What is even a supermarket cheap meal if it doesn’t contain Kviki stapici (pretzel sticks) and vanilin kiflice (vanilla biscuits) – just grab whatever you fancy. Even a bottle of local Croatian wine or some beers (Ozujsko or Karlovacko would be best) from a supermarket won’t set you back all that much.

If you’re not in the market (excuse the pun) to put together your own meal, markets normally have food stalls or “hole-in-wall” type affairs selling items that would be perfect for a great, cheap meal. Think burek (pastry filled with cheese/meat/spinach/similar) or a slice of pizza.

4. Save money on transport – Don’t take catamarans

Sorry, catamarans, all my love to you, but you’re sometimes just too darn expensive.

A catamaran from Split to Dubrovnik (or vice versa) costs a rather jaw-dropping €48 or €50 one-way (2025 price for peak summer travel).

Meanwhile, the bus from Split to Dubrovnik costs from €14 to €30 depending on the different bus companies, although most one-way ticket prices are somewhere in the region of €23. So a return trip will be even cheaper than one-way on the catamaran! And the bus journey is actually shorter than the catamaran journey…although yes, summer traffic can sometimes increase journey times on the road.

A bus on the coastal road in Croatia
Take the bus instead of the catamaran – also, look at those views!

This is of course a popular, long-range catamaran service hence the high price. In fact, other, more local catamaran routes aren’t so expensive so perhaps save your pennies for one of these.

5. Put together your own day trip

Sure, organised excursions are easy and convenient and can get you to some places that would otherwise necessitate hiring a private speedboat (which definitely doesn’t come under the “save money” column). But putting together your own day trip by using ferries or local buses will undoubtedly be cheaper. If you’re stuck on what excursions you can do yourself, take a look at some of our ideas:

How to save money in Croatia
Head to Mount Sljeme above Zagreb for a peaceful day trip

6. Get your walking shoes on

Most cities in Zagreb have excellent public transport – almost always buses but also trams in places such as Zagreb and Osijek. Now, public transport in Croatia is generally not all that expensive compared to other cities. But, really, most cities in Croatia are extremely walkable! Zagreb and Split, definitely, Dubrovnik Old Town can only be walked… Pula, Rovinj, Zadar, Sibenik, this list goes on! Just get your sneakers or walking boots on and spend the day walking around to really get a feel for where you are. You never know, you might stumble across a hidden gem or two.

Save money in Croatia - aerial view of Zadar
An aerial view of Zadar – you can already plan your walking route!

Of course, I won’t begrudge you at least one ride on a Zagreb tram. It is super fun, after all!

7. Go to one of the lesser-known festivals (or just go for a day)

Yep, I get it, if you’re of a certain age a festival in Croatia is a big draw. (I am definitely still of this age. Definitely.)

Whilst festivals in Croatia may be slightly cheaper than some of these in Western Europe/the UK, a full ticket for a 4-day or even 7-day ticket event can cost a pretty penny. Some festivals allow you to make a slight saving if you book as a larger group. For example, Defected Croatia (Tisno 30th July to 3rd August 2025) offers a saving of £100 if there are 5 of you booking tickets together, or a saving of £150 if six tickets are bought together.

Save money in Croatia - festivals
Partying it up on Zrce Beach, island of Pag

But why not go for one of the lesser-known music festivals? Skip the big-name DJs for one year and head to Membrain (Sibenik, 31st July to 3rd August 2025) for bass culture, to psychedelic rock at the Bear Stone Festival (Donje Primislje, 3rd – 6th July 2025) or end the summer with laid-back vibes at Goulash Disko (island of Vis).

Other options for saving-but-still-festival-going include buying just a day ticket, available at some festivals, or opting for a ticket for the nightclub portion of the event.

8. The local tourist office is your friend

What do you mean you haven’t downloaded and saved and highlighted and circled various bits of the Visit Croatia website for your sightseeing expeditions??

Wherever you find yourself in Croatia, make sure to pop into the local tourist office. They almost always have a plethora of brochures on both the town/city you’re in, as well as the surrounding region, plus leaflets advertising local activities, tours and similar. The city of Zagreb, certainly, produces some really excellent and very informative maps, leaflets and brochures. One of my absolute favourite free publications to pick up is the In Your Pocket guides which exist for Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb, Sibenik, Zadar, Rijeka and Hvar. They are very entertainingly written and informative, providing so much information about what to see and do in these places! (Note: you can also download PDF versions of these guides from the In Your Pocket website.)

Now you’re armed with all this literature, you can undertake your own sightseeing tour, with tips for cheap eats too.

But when you’re in the tourist office, do also talk to the (usually!) helpful people that work there. They may be able to suggest some free or cheap activities for you to do.

9. Get a sightseeing card

Some of Croatia’s cities offer a sightseeing card that usually includes entry into multiple top sights as well as some other useful extras such as transport.

The Dubrovnik Pass is certainly a great one to get, particularly as it includes entry onto the Old Town Walls. The card varies in price depending on the time of year and the duration (a 1-day card in winter costs €15, whilst in summer it is €40). By comparison, tickets for the Old Town Walls cost €15 in winter and €40. The same! So, why wouldn’t you get a Dubrovnik Pass which allows you entry into other museums and transport on Dubrovnik’s local bus network? Additionally, a pass lasts for 24 hours from first activation, so you could potentially use it over two days.

Photos of Dubrovnik
People admire the view out towards the sea from Dubrovnik’s Old Town Walls

The Split Card can be obtained for free (providing you stay a certain number of nights in Split – 5 during summer or 2 during winter). It then allows you free entry into a small number of museums, but discounts at plenty of other venues as well as discounts on excursions, at some restaurants and even in some shops. (Take a look at the Split Card website to see the full list of where discounts can be obtained.)

2

10. Travel with your discount card

“My discount card”, you’re probably thinking…what’s that?

By this, I mean whatever card you may have that would allow you discounted entry or prices in places such as museums. The most common of these would be students and senior travellers over the age of 65. If you’re in one of these groups, do make sure you bring along a suitable ID to show – your student card or something that proves you’re a senior.

Your current student card from your place of learning, such as your university, should be fine to show as proof you’re a student. But to go one better, one not apply for an International Student Card (ISIC) which is very widely recognised? That also means you can leave your precious student ID at home…so you don’t lose it an get into trouble!

Right now, I’m reminiscing about the very long ago days (cries) when I had an ISIC card…

Then, make sure you use your student or senior ID every time you visit an attraction to get a discounted price. Croatian Railways also offer discounted tickets for seniors and students.

A Croatian train - ask for a discount on tickets, if eligible
A Croatian train – ask for a discount on tickets, if eligible

11. Visit the free attractions and sights

Generally, most museums and galleries in Croatia charge an entry price. If you want to save even more than the above ideas give you, not going to them is the ultimate saving…seeing as it’s free!

Saving money in Croaita - Gregory of Nin statue in Split
Visiting the Gregory of Nin – Grgur Ninski – statue in Split is free. Don’t forget to rub his big toe!

But that’s a bit boring, right? Well, arm yourself with a map (from the local tourist office…of course) and simply walk around the main sights of where you are, taking in all the beautiful architecture, ancient sights, peaceful nature and more for free.

It is also possible to join a free walking tour in some of the main cities in Croatia with GuruWalk. Take a look at some examples of tours of Zagreb below:

Here are some tours of Split:

And finally, some tours of Dubrovnik:

I hope this helps you save money in Croatia when you visit. Do you have any further tips? Let me know!

Travelling from Dubrovnik to Vienna without flying

Reader’s Question: Travelling from Dubrovnik to Vienna without flying

Question…

Good day, We are going to Croatia in Spring.  We will be on a boat tour that finishes in Dubrovnik.  After Dubrovnik, we want to go to Vienna, Austria. Can you please advise us on options to get to Vienna, apart from flying?  Are there ways that are more scenic or relaxing?  We had wanted to take a scenic train, but rail travel seems to be logistically difficult and impractical.  
We know we can fly.  Any suggestions re trains, boats etc would be appreciated.
Thank you, 
– PZ

Answer…

Hello there, and thank you for your email and interesting question!

First thing first – as you may have found, Dubrovnik has no train station. So you definitely won’t be able to start the first part of your journey by train. 

View from Mount Srd, Dubrovnik
The view from Mount Srd, Dubrovnik

When in spring are you travelling? Hopefully it is from 1st April onwards as you will be able to use Kapetan Luka’s catamaran that sails from Dubrovnik to Split. Journey time is 5.5 hours, as the catamaran makes stops on the island of MljetKorculaHvar and Brac along the way. I know you had said that you will be on a boat tour prior to this journey, but perhaps you could make an overnight stop on one of these islands? And then continue with the catamaran after a day or two? This would mean buying two days worth of tickets, however, but this would make the journey more leisurely!

(If you are travelling before 1st April, then there are no catamarans operating yet from Dubrovnik to Split, and you will need to make the journey by bus.)

Once you reach Split, you can then start your rail journey. You will need to travel first to Zagreb – however, at this time of year there are generally only trains from Split to Zagreb in the morning (departure time at 8.01am). This means that you would definitely have to stay in the night in Split after arriving by catamaran. (Or bus, in fact.) Again, this is not a problem and makes your journey a bit less rushed. Stay close to the Diocletian’s Palace area of Split and you have fascinating sights, restaurants, cafes, shops and more right on your doorstep. (This area is also only a 10-15 minute walk from the train station in Split.)

The train to Zagreb from Split takes 8 hours and 19 minutes and gets you into Zagreb’s capital city at 4.20pm. There is then an option to travel directly on to Vienna that same day BUT it involves leaving on a train that departs at 4.30pm (meaning a transfer time of just 10 minutes…that’s cutting it way too fine, in my opinion!) and also involves travel via Hungary that requires THREE changes of train.

I would suggest another overnight in wonderful Zagreb (where there is so much to see and do!). You have a number of fine accommodation options within walking distance of Zagreb’s train station (called Zagreb Glavni Kolodvor), including the grand Esplanade Hotel which was built in the 1920s to accommodate Orient Express passengers. Other picks that aren’t 5 star hotels are also definitely available!

Travelling from Dubrovnik to Vienna without flying
The Vienna skyline

After staying the night in Zagreb, there is then a train at 7.05am that takes you to Graz in Austria, arriving at 11.22am. Technically, there is then an 11.26am departure for Vienna but – again – I feel this is too tight. There are departures to Vienna every hour at 26 minutes past (sometimes more than one train an hour) so you could push back to the next departure – 12.26pm – or even later (perhaps having lunch in Graz). The train from Graz to Vienna takes 2.5 – 3 hours.

You can look up Croatian Railway timetables – and buy tickets  – on the Croatian Railways website but you can only do so 2 months in advance. You can look up timetables and also buy tickets for trains from Zagreb to Austria on the Austrian Railways website.

Happy travelling from Dubrovnik to Vienna!

Pula

New Study Reveals the Most Underrated Destination in Croatia

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!

Entry/Exit System and Croatia

The new Entry/Exit System and Croatia

Note – 11th March 2025: The Entry/Exit System is now expected to start in October 2025. See the European Union website for more details.

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. It is now expected to start in October 2025.

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!