Croatia Travel Guide
Located on the extraordinary Adriatic coastline, with 1246 islands and stunning turquoise waters, Croatia is the perfect destination for diving, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkelling, windsurfing, sailing, and just hanging out on the beach. Away from the coast is the Dinaric Alps, a mountain range that stretches from Italy to Albania, full of picturesque caverns, lakes, peaks, river canyons, and waterfalls. Further inland is rolling farmland with a very different feel. Croatia has long been the battleground of empires and nations, all leaving their unique flavour. From the Greeks and Romans, to the Franks, Hungarians, Venetians, Ottomans, Habsburgs, French, Austro-Hungarian, to Yugoslavia and the Socialist Republic of Croatia. Croatia is full of interesting multifaceted history.
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 Croatia |
Top 5 Destinations in Croatia |
 Dubrovnik |
 Split |
 Hvar Town |
 Zagreb |
 Sibenik |
Top 5 Nature Destinations |
 Plitvice |
 Krka |
 Paklenica |
 Kornati |
 Blue Cave |
Other Destinations |
Dubrovnik – UNESCO site and one of the most beautiful destinations on the Mediterranean.
Hvar Island – the beautiful Hvar Town, Stari Grad (Pharos) founded by the Greeks in 384 BC.
Makarska – a port town on the Dalmatian Coast, known for its Makarska Riviera beaches.
Omis – a small town on the Dalmatian Coast with a mountainous backdrop.
Osijek – the fourth largest city in Croatia.
Porec – a scenic town with a UNESCO inscribed Basilica on the Adriatic coast.
Pula – the largest town in Istria, famous for its Roman amphitheater.
Sibenik – a beautiful small town on the Adriatic coast.
Split – a city on the Dalmatian Coast full of impressive sights and buzzing with life.
Trogir – a historic harbour town on the Adriatic Coast with a UNESCO inscribed centre.
Rijeka – Croatia’s largest seaport and third largest city, full of historical sights.
Rovinj – a fishing town with a tangle of cobbled streets leading to the hilltop church.
Varazdin – a city with baroque and rococo architecture in the north-east of Croatia.
Zadar – a city on the Dalmatian Coast known for its Roman and Venetian ruins.
Zagreb – the capital with Austro-Hungarian architecture, giving it a very different feel.
Islands: Brac, Cres, Korcula, Kornati, Krk, Losinj, Mljet, Rab, Solta, Vis.
With so much stunning coastline, 1246 islands, and beautiful old seaside towns, the sea is definitely the main draw in Croatia. Enjoy diving, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkelling, windsurfing, sailing, swimming, or just relaxing at the beach. Away from the coast, the Dinaric Alps offers superb hiking opportunities.
National Parks |
Brijuni – a group of fourteen small islands in the northern Adriatic Sea.
Kornati – an archipelago of approximately 140 islands.
Krka – extending along the Krka River, the highlight of this parks is the stunning Krka Falls.
Mljet – this park covers the entire north-west of Mljet Island.
Paklenica – a karst river canyon, black-pine forests, and the cave Manita Pec.
Plitvice – a UNESCO site for good reason with its incredible terraced lakes and waterfalls.
Risnjak – a mountainous and heavily forested region 15km from the Adriatic Sea.
Sjeverni Velebit – recognized for its exceptional natural beauty and biodiversity.
UNESCO Sites |
Cultural (8)
Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in the Historic Centre of Porec (1997)
Historic City of Trogir (1997)
Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian (1979)
Old City of Dubrovnik (1979,1994)
Stari Grad Plain (2008)
Stecci Medieval Tombstone Graveyards (2016)
The Cathedral of St James in Sibenik (2000)
Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th Centuries: Stato da Terra – Western Stato da Mar (2017)
Natural (2)
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe (2007,2011,2017)
Plitvice Lakes National Park (1979,2000)
Typical Costs |
Accommodation
Over the warmer months prices go up, often doubling in price. Great bargains can be had during the cooler months, with almost no existent crowds. Prices start going up in May, peak in July, and begin dropping in September.
Hostels: Off-season €8-16, Summer €16-30Hotels: Off-season €20+, Summer €40+
Activity Costs
You’ll find activities are quite expensive in Croatia, significantly more-so than anywhere else in the Balkans.
Eat/Drink
Beer: 15kn / €2
Coffee: 10kn / €1.30
Sitdown Meal: 40kn / €5.40
Tipping:
Transportation
Intercity buses are very affordable, usually costing €5-10 between destinations of interest, depending on distances.
Budget
Tight: €25
Relaxed: €50
Guidebooks |
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Useful Websites |