EuropeOriginal Research
Croatia
Adriatic coast, old towns & Game of Thrones walks
— Overview
Why we keep coming back.
Croatia has become one of Europe's most sought-after coastal destinations. Dubrovnik's terracotta rooftops, Hvar's lavender fields, and Plitvice's cascading lakes are unforgettable.
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Next holiday · Croatia
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🇭🇷 Fast facts
- Capital
- Zagreb
- Language
- Croatian
- Population
- 3.9M
- Currency
- euro (€)
- Timezone
- UTC+01:00
- Calling code
- +385
- Drives on
- Right
— Regions
Where to go in Croatia
Dubrovnik & South Dalmatia
The walled city, the cable car to Mount Srđ, Lokrum island, day-trips to Mljet's lakes and Korčula. Two nights in Dubrovnik (any more in summer is punishment); base in Cavtat for sanity.
Split & Central Dalmatia
Diocletian's Palace as living city, the markets at Pazar, ferries to Hvar, Brač, Vis. The best Croatian island base — Hvar for parties, Vis for the Mamma Mia! coves, Brač for windsurfing.
Istria
Italianate north — Rovinj's old town, Pula's Roman amphitheatre, truffle country around Motovun, vineyards of Momjan. Closer to Trieste than Zagreb; quieter and more food-focused than the south.
Zagreb & Continental
The capital is grown-up and undertouristed — Tkalčićeva, the Mirogoj cemetery, Museum of Broken Relationships. Day-trip Plitvice Lakes UNESCO park.
Plitvice & Krka National Parks
Plitvice's 16 cascading lakes (start early, beat the cruise-ship tour buses), Krka's swimmable waterfalls. Plitvice closer to Zagreb; Krka closer to Split.
— When to go
The seasonality call
| Period | Verdict |
|---|---|
| May–Jun | Sweet spot — sea warm enough by mid-June, Dubrovnik manageable, half the price of August. |
| Jul–Aug | Peak — Dubrovnik and Hvar packed, prices double, ferries booked weeks out. Avoid unless that's the point. |
| Sep | Best overall — sea still warm into October, harvest in Istria, crowds gone. |
| Nov–Apr | Coast largely shut; Zagreb and Plitvice still rewarding; Istria's truffle season Oct–Dec. |
— Entry & visa
Visa requirements
Croatia entered Schengen in January 2023 — US, UK, Canadian, Australian and EU passport holders enter visa-free for 90 days in any 180-day window. From mid-2026 the EU's ETIAS authorisation is required (€7, valid 3 years). Six-month passport validity beyond your departure date.
— Budget
What you'll spend
- Shoestring
- €45–75/day — apartments via Booking, konoba lunches, Jadrolinija deck-class ferries.
- Mid-range
- €130–220/day — boutique hotels, sit-down seafood dinners, fast catamaran ferries, rental car.
- Luxury
- €600+/day — Aman Sveti Stefan, the new Aman Dubrovnik, private skipper days on Hvar.
Joining the euro and Schengen pushed prices up 15–25% from 2023. Istria and Zagreb remain great value; Dubrovnik and Hvar peak-season run at Italian Riviera prices.
— Getting around
Transport on the ground
Rent a car for the inland coast and Istria — the highway is excellent and the views unmatched. Jadrolinija and Krilo ferries connect islands; book vehicles weeks ahead in summer. Domestic flights only useful Zagreb–Dubrovnik (1h vs 6h drive). Avoid driving inside Dubrovnik or Split old towns.
— From the journal
Croatia guides
Art and CultureZagreb Places To Visit: What To See And Do In Croatia’s Capital
Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, has over 30 museums and 20 parks to visit. It’s been around since the 11th century and has lots of old buildings…
28 min read
Art and CultureThe Walls Of Dubrovnik: 11 Things To Know Before Your Visit
The walls of Dubrovnik are located in Croatia, in southern Europe. The city sits on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, almost at the southernmost…
14 min readBudget Friendly TravelBudget-Friendly Croatia Itinerary: 7 Days Of Affordable Visit
I’ve visited Croatia five times, and every trip leaves me more in love with this amazing country. From its bustling cities to its stunning coastline,…
22 min read
Neighbourhood GuideGruž at Dawn: Dubrovnik's Real Neighbourhood Where Oyster Boats Still Dock
Gruž at Dawn: Dubrovnik's Real Neighbourhood Where Oyster Boats Still Dock — an expert guide with local insights and Expedia booking.
8 min readAdvertisement
— Safety advisory
Current level 1 · Exercise Normal Precautions
Croatia is a safe destination with beautiful coastline, low crime, and welcoming locals.
Read the full briefing →— The scorecard
How Croatia scores.
Our editorial team rates every destination 1–10 across 10 travel dimensions, calibrated against the full catalogue. Strongest on beaches and nature & landscapes; weakest on value for money.
Value for money
6/10
Food scene
8/10
Beaches
10/10
Culture & history
8/10
Ease of travel
8/10
Nature & landscapes
9/10
Nightlife
7/10
Family-friendly
8/10
Adventure
8/10
Luxury options
7/10
Editorial itineraries
Day-by-day plans for Croatia
— How we report this hub
What you read here, and where it came from.
- On-the-ground reporting. Every section of this Croatia guide is sourced from destination.com editors who have reported from the country in person, in many cases more than once. We don't pivot from press releases.
- No paid placement. Hotels, restaurants and operators named here are recommended on editorial merit. When we earn an affiliate commission on a booking link, we say so on the page — it never affects what we recommend or in what order.
- Data we use. Visa rules, prices and seasonality call-outs cite official government sources, our editor's most recent in-country reporting, or the operator's published rate (in that order). Numbers age — see the verified date below for the last review.
- Corrections. Send corrections directly to our editors; we publicly log every correction we make.
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