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Dolphins swimming in the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Croatia

Bonkers Tours of Croatia

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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

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

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

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

The island of Vis

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

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

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

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

The island of Lastovo

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

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

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

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

Stari Grad, island of Hvar

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

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

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

The island of Ciovo

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

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

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

Omis

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

Omis

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

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

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

Osijek

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

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

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

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

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

Vransko Lake Nature Park

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

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

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

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

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

Trsteno Arboretum

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

Trsteno Harbour
Trsteno Harbour

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

Klis Fortress

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

Klis Fortress, Dalmatia, Croatia
Klis Fortress

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

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

Trsat Castle

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

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

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

Trsat Castle
Trsat Castle

Sljeme

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

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

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

Sljeme 360 TV Tower View
View from Sljeme 360

11 ways to save money in Croatia

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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.)

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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

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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 Mljet, Korcula, Hvar 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

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

The Most Underrated Destination in Croatia is…

So what is the most underrated destination in Croatia?

…opens envelope…

….dramatic pause…

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

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

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

What other underrated destinations are there in Croatia?

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

Korcula
Korcula

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

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

Sibenik
Sibenik

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

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

A beach in Pula
A beach in Pula

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

What makes an underrated destination?

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

You can see the full scores in the table below.

H

W

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

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

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

S

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

Entry/Exit System and Croatia

The new Entry/Exit System and Croatia

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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!

How to: Croatia for first time visitors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Croatia for first-time visitors: where to go

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

For a one-week stay

Let me just throw some names out there!

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

Croatia for first time visitors - Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik

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

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

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

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

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

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

For a long weekend break

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

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

Zagreb

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

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

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

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

No thanks – I want a more detailed itinerary!

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

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

Consider something like this:

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

Or what about:

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

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

Other Tips

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

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

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Final advice

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

Pula and Plitvice from Trieste

Travel question: Visiting Pula and Plitvice from Trieste

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Question…

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

Answer…

Thanks for your question!

The good news – your plans would absolutely be doable!

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

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

Pula and Plitvice from Trieste
The Pula Arena

From Pula to the Plitvice Lakes

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

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

Exploring the Plitvice Lakes National Park

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

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

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

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

Some further useful links:

How to have a great time in Croatia

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

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

how to have a great time in Croatia

1. Make sure you’ve planned for your destination

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

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

2. Get out onto the Adriatic sea

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. Take a day off

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

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

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

Ahhh.

4. Enjoy the summer festivals

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

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

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

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

5. Do something unexpected

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

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

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

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

Vransko Lake Nature Park
Vransko Lake Nature Park

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

7. Indulge in the cuisine

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. Climb high

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

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

Split Photos - View
View from the belltower in Split

9. Pick up a bit of the language

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

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

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

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Best Package Holidays to Croatia 2024

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

Savings on Package Holidays to Croatia

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

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

Benefits of a Package Holiday to Croatia

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

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

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

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

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

Jet2 Holidays

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TUI

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

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

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

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

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

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

Easyjet Holidays

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

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

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

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

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

Adventure holidays and specialist holidays

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

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

Sailing holidays

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

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

A DIY Holiday?

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

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

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

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

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