Travel to Croatia: 7 tips for your first trip

In this complete planning guide, Travel to Croatia: 7 tips for your first trip, you’ll get all the practical info you need about the 10 must-see places in Croatia, what to eat and drink, and everything you need to know to plan your first trip to Croatia. 

Why You Should Travel to Croatia

Croatia’s Dalmatian coastline is considered the Central European Riviera. Thousands of people travel to Croatia spurred on by their love of the Game of Thrones and in the process of falling in love with this beautiful country and its rich culture and history.

Game of Thrones highlighted the old cities and their ancient architecture but there is also a more recent war as well as a move away from the era of socialism. History is everywhere evident in the culture, cuisines, hilltops, and fishing villages.

It’s a toss-up – are the views out to sea the most beautiful? Or are the ancient buildings and winding laneways into the lavender fields, forests, and ruined churches most beautiful?

One thing is for sure, you will never forget the history and beauty of Croatia and the deep warmth of the Croatian people!

You can travel to Croatia for beach and sun escapes with dozens of pebble-decorated beaches and warm sunny weather.

You can hike in the dramatic Dinaric Alps with over 6000km of hiking trails, kayak in the pristine Adriatic, visit the Plitvice Lakes and Krka Waterfalls and take in Croatian life in the Capital of Zagreb.

Croatia’s recovery from years of internal strife has allowed the restoration and discovery of ancient sites from Venetian bell towers, to Byzantine mosaics to Dubrovnik the “Pearl of the Adriatic” with its medieval walls and stunning views.

Getting to Croatia

Croatia has five main international airports: Zagreb, Pula, Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik airports, and flights arrive from Europe and North America.

airplane wing travel to croatia
Plane approaching Croatia

There are direct flights from most areas in Europe and N. America, and from Australia and the Far East, there is usually a layover and change of flights.

When is the best time to visit Croatia?

The most popular time to visit Croatia is from April to October. At the height of the summer, you will find many tourists visiting to enjoy the sunshine and beaches.

Stinva bay canyon beach view, Island of Vis, Croatia
Stinva Bay Canyon- beach view, Island of Vis, Croatia

All attractions and sites will be open during this period and flights are easy to obtain from all over the world.

Getting around Croatia

Public transport in Croatia is dominantly by bus and ferry and the connections are extensive and very good, trains are however quite limited.

Spectacular view of the bay from a Croatian roadway
Spectacular view of the bay

You can easily rent a car in Croatia and the roads are not difficult compared to, say, Italy!   If you decide to rent a car keep in mind that many of Croatia’s Old towns are car-free and parking can be expensive.

Don’t forget also that if you are from another country and planning a road trip in Croatia then you need to get an IDP.

Due to Croatia’s coastline, you will probably find yourself on a ferry or two. Jadrolinija ferries take both foot and car passengers and travel throughout Croatia’s islands and mainland ports.

The ferries are very comfortable and have ensuite cabins available. There are cafes and bars onboard most of the ferries. 

Sailing Croatia’s coastline

Croatia hosts an annual yacht week every year and is a popular destination for sailors who want to experience the Adriatic. There are many types of sailing vacations from luxury yachts with a Captain and crew to sail-it-yourself catamarans.

Sailing in Adriatic sea, Croatia
Sailing in the Adriatic Sea, Croatia

One option among these is the luxury Croatia cruises by Sail Croatia, known for offering a journey through the Adriatic Sea’s scenic beauty. Compared to other options, these cruises provide an immersive experience, weaving through historic ports and hidden coves, and blending luxury with the region’s rich maritime heritage.

Another option is renting smaller vessels or private yachts, which allows for a more intimate and flexible sailing experience (either crewed by experienced sailors or by yourself.)

10 Must-See Destinations in Croatia

The Dalmatian Coast

Many tourists come to Croatia specifically to travel to the Dalmatian Coast and its most famous city, Dubrovnik. This coast is over 3600 miles and the most popular stretch is the southernmost area.

Bays and towns along the Dalmation Coast
Bays and towns along the Dalmation Coast

Soaring limestone cliffs rise from the Adriatic and there are over 1000 islands stretched out before you. The most popular of these are Lokrum, Hvar, and Korcula.

The coast gets its name from the ancient Illyrian tribe called the Dalmatae who lived here from the 1st to the 10th century.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is famous, not only for its Game of Thrones locations but also for its medieval pedestrian-only walled Old Town. Walk the ancient walls to see panoramic views of the city and sea.

Dubrovnik Marina croatia
Dubrovnik Marina, Croatia

For a comprehensive article on visiting this incredible city, read all about Dubrovnik Old Town.

Take in some fascinating museums including a modern Red History Museum dedicated to revealing Croatia’s communist past.

For a comprehensive article on Dubrovnik’s most fascinating and popular museums, see Best Dubrovnik Museums.

Visit Franciscan and Dominican monasteries, admire some incredible baroque architecture and still head to the beach for a swim.

Take a ferry over to Hvar and enjoy some of Croatia’s finest luxury escapes or head to Korčula where there’s a relaxed ‘don’t worry’ vibe.

Lokrum Island

A small island off the coast near Dubrovnik that you can either take a ferry or a sea kayak to reach.

Lokrum Island, Croatia
Lokrum Island

The island is uninhabited and in 1858 the Austrian Archduke Maximillian purchased the island and created an incredible garden full of botanicals from around the world that still survive today.

Hvar

Hvar is the “island of lavender” and wine.

View of Hvar, Croatia
View of Hvar, Croatia

Hvar’s Mediterranean Diet recently became UNESCO’s intangible heritage and you can take some incredible tours of the famous wine and lavender fields with Hvar’s local food tours that include a delicious meal.

Pakleni islands

A gorgeous chain of wooded islands including the clothing-optional Jerolim Island.

Sailing boat near the Pakleni Islands, Croatia
Pakleni Islands

Crystal clear waters bring partying tourists and locals to Marinkovac with its beach club on Stipanska bay. At the opposite end of Marinkovac are pretty Ždrilca and Mlini.  

The largest island is Sveti Klement which has three villages the most popular of which is Palmižana with its stunning horseshoe bay and a small but perfect sandy beach.

This is one of the most popular islands for sailors to moor at.  

Stari Grad

Stari Grad is the ideal location to escape tourists throughout Croatia. A UNESCO World Heritage site Stari Grad is rich in baroque and Renaissance architecture with a historic town center. 

Ruins of Stari Grad, Croatia
Ruins of Stari Grad, Croatia

You can visit the Tvrdalj fortress, which was the summer home of Petar Hektorović, one of Croatia’s most famous writers of the Renaissance.

The Fortress walls hide a beautiful park and fishpond and stunning grounds.

There are stunning churches including Saint Roko and Saint Stjepan both of which are of baroque construction and filled with ancient liturgical treasures and paintings.

There’s an early Church of Saint Ivan, the Saint Lucija Church which was a convent, and the Church of Saint Nikola with its gilded altar dating to 1612. Stari Grad also has two beaches that are popular with the families of the city.

There’s Pebble Beach known as Banj on the north side of the Bay and Lanterna Beach.

Many of Stari Grad’s hidden coves and beaches can only be reached by sailboat and most are rocky beaches.

For a comprehensive article on how to plan your trip to Star Grad, read Stari Grad Croatia.

Korčula

Famous for its white wines Korčula is a laid-back island with lush landscapes and dense forests. The Greeks named it Kerkyra Melaina or Black Korcula because of the density of the trees.

Korcula, Croatia
Korcula, Croatia

Korcula town is often called “Little Dubrovnik” because of its medieval squares, churches, palaces, and houses.

Istria

Istria is a coastal area with Roman ruins, picturesque hill towns, miles of vineyards, and enough outdoor activities to keep you busy for weeks.

Rovinj old town at night in Adriatic sea
Rovinj old town at night in Adriatic sea

Rovinj is said to be the most Italian-style town in Istria. From the harbor, you can watch the fishing boats go out daily and see the fresh catch brought in for the restaurants and shops within the town.

The ancient houses set throughout the twisting streets allow plenty of room for just roaming and getting lost.

Istria is famous for its olive oil, truffles, seafood, and wineries all of which can be appreciated within its stunning landscapes.

If you are a committed foodie and want to see more of Istria than the usual tourist spots look into the agro-tourism offerings in Istria.

You can spend a few days on a working farm and get involved in olive picking, truffle hunting, and more. You will get to experience rural life in Croatia and enjoy some traditional Istrian cuisine right at the farm table.

Split

Split is a bustling city with its roots firmly anchored in its shipbuilding past. Not the prettiest place in Croatia (which just shows you how beautiful this country is!),  but it has some interesting ancient sites.

Split bay in Croatia
Split Bay in Croatia

These include an Old Town built into the ruins of Emperor Diocletian’s 4th-century palace which is the only one of its kind built outside of Rome.

Split is a UNESCO World Heritage site that includes 220 buildings within the Palace’s boundaries. These old buildings have been converted into homes, cafes, and businesses for the citizens and tourists.   

Split’s architectural heritage may be Roman in origin but after centuries it has become an eclectic mix of Baroque, Renaissance, and modern.

Zagreb

Zagreb is Croatia’s capital city, perfect for sightseeing with its plethora of historical sites. St. Mark’s Square, Lotrščak Tower, Zagreb Cathedral, and St. Catherine’s Church are a few of the most well-known.

Zagreb evening view
Zagreb

Take a few hours to explore the Dolac Market with its noisy bustle and vendors vying for your trade.

A quirky spot to visit is The Museum of Broken Relationships which is both a physical museum and a virtual one that shares and treasures heartbreak stories.

There are 8 national parks in Croatia. They are Risnjak, Brijuni, Plitvice Lakes, Sjeverni Velebit, Paklenica, Krka, Kornati, and Mljet. The most popular ones are Plitvice and Krka.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is probably the most breathtaking, a deeply wooded canyon that has easy-to-hike trails with boardwalks, and 16 crystal blue lakes connected by breathtaking waterfalls.

What to Eat and Drink in Croatia

Croatian food has many influences that include Italian, Hungarian, and Turkish which are Croatia’s neighboring countries.

Hanging Prosciutto in Istria
Istria Prosciutto

Food in Croatia does vary depending on what region you are visiting for example in Istria you will find both black and white truffles and you can even take a food tour to truffle hunt.

Istria is famous for its version of prosciutto which is dry-cured with local sea salt and other spices and then air-dried instead of being smoked like Italian prosciutto.

Istria’s olive oils are ranked as high as Italy’s and Istria is renowned for its white wine.

Along the shoreline of the Adriatic, you will find every kind of seafood you could wish for. Fresh squid, octopus, prawns, and fish are pulled from the sea daily.

If you are an oyster lover you must visit Ston (near Dubrovnik) on the tip of the Pelješac Peninsula. Ston not only serves up some of the best oysters in the med but is also home to the oldest salt pans in the world with over 4000 years of harvesting.

Mussels with buzara sauce
Adriatic mussels

In the mountains of Croatia, polenta and porcini are traditional dishes. A specialty of this region is frog legs and scampi from the Gulf of Kvarner.

On the island of Pag, they create a hard cheese found throughout Croatia called Paski Sir which is made from a special breed of sheep’s milk.

The sheep are said to produce the saltiest milk which produces a fine cheese.  

Must-try foods in Croatia

Cevapcici is a must-try dish in Croatia. They are small sausages with a texture similar to meatballs and are made from a combination of beef and pork without skins.

Cevapcici food to try when to travel to croatia
Cevapcici

They are most often served with a pepper relish called ajvar and chopped raw onions on a flatbread. 

Crni rižot is a black risotto made with cuttlefish, squid, and squid ink. Topped with grated parmesan which contrasts against the black rice this is very filling.   

An appetizer of pršut i sir or ham and cheese, this is the Istrian version of prosciutto. Unlike other areas of Croatia, the meat is not smoked but air-cured.

Fritule
Fritule

Fritule is similar to a doughnut. These pastries can vary from region to region.

Traditionally served during holidays they can be flavored with rum, citrus fruits like lemon and orange, and raisins are often included in the dough. Fuži and pljukanci are Croatian pasta.

Fuzi is made by wrapping a square of pasta dough around the handle of a wooden spoon which gives it a traditional quill shape.

Served with a truffle cream sauce or a red meat sauce that can include game, chicken, or beef. Pljukanci is another version that resembles a green bean in shape.

Zagorski Štrukli is a truly traditional Croatian dish and is part of Croatia’s intangible cultural heritage.  It is layers of pastry filled with soft cheese and can be served either as a savory or sweet dish.

Cooking of peka, podpeka
Peka

Boškarin is a particular type of ox from Istria whose meat can be served as steak, salami, carpaccio, or even tail soup.

Peka is a dish that combines meat or fish with potatoes, vegetables, herbs and spices, and sometimes wine.

Peka gets its name from the dish it is prepared which is bell-shaped with a lid. Peka is cooked over an open fireplace with the coals placed on top of the lid. 

Traveling to Croatia may be out of the ordinary for tourists outside Europe but to see truly authentic medieval towns and their historic buildings and experience the culture, the natural beauty, and the food is a worthwhile experience

🧳There are so many things to do in Croatia. See all of the best things to do in Croatia from Get Your Guide

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🧳Best Dubrovnik Museums

🧳Red History Museum Dubrovnik: Self-Guided Tour

🧳Stari Grad Croatia

🧳Guide to Krka National Park

🧳See all Croatia articles.