Planning your first trip to Croatia? In this guide, you will find out all the helpful tips for travelling in Croatia and more! Croatia has exploded in popularity in recent years and for good reason, so you may want to know a few things from a seasoned pro before you step foot into the country!
Croatia is a wonderful holiday destination and after years of exploring the different towns, villages and islands I can tell you it pays to be prepared!
Here’s a list of my best tips for travelling in Croatia (that I wish I knew before arriving) to ultimately help you plan your own perfect trip!
TIPS FOR TRAVELLING IN CROATIA!
BEST MONTH TO VISIT CROATIA
When is the best time to visit Croatia? Croatia is very seasonal, it enjoys warm Springs, hot summers, mild Autumns – and in winter it can snow!
For the best weather and things to do, I highly recommend visiting May-June or September, if possible avoid July and August as the temperatures reach the 40’s and everywhere will be unbearably busy!!
If you’re holidaying in the low season, late October to March be aware that the islands are almost completely closed including taxi boats and restaurants, (I’ve seen beach bars vanish!!). So it’s best to time your visit around what you want to see and experience!
BOOK YOUR CROATIA HOLIDAY EARLY
Croatia may be new to you and ten years ago it was still considered as the hidden gem of Europe! But that is certainly not the case any longer, Croatia is now very sort-after thanks to social media, cruise ships and a certain Game of Thrones program.
Croatia has finally found its way to people’s bucket lists and travel agents brochures! In the last few years, I’ve seen the number of tourists shoot up in popular places like Dubrovnik, Split and Hvar Town.
My top Croatia travel advice is to book your hotels and day trips in advance, visit a few secret spots and plan your itinerary!
PLAN YOUR ITINERARY WELL!
Croatia may be a small country, but it has A LOT to offer!
For first-time visitors, I recommend concentrating on one region or even one area within it, such as South Dalmatia or North Dalmatia etc.
Croatia has over 1,500 islands and the distance between them all is as little as 30-minutes which makes staying in one to three spots and doing day trips a really great way of seeing more without moving hotels too many times!
Generally, you’ll want a minimum of 3 full days on each island to see it properly, visit the beach or beach club, explore the old towns, relax and maybe go on an incredible boat trip or vineyard excursion etc!!
For example, a good 10-day itinerary would be Split – Hvar – Dubrovnik with day trips to Pakleni Islands, Vis and Cavtat!
For more itinerary inspiration, take a look at my bucket list Croatian island-hopping guide!
CONSIDER A SAILING TRIP
As mentioned, Croatia has hundreds of islands and many charming heritage towns and villages to explore all dotted along the beautiful coastline.
And one of the most popular ways to travel around, especially between Split and Dubrovnik is by sailboat for a week or even a 1-4 day private cruise for those short on time, imagine having a constant turquoise sea view!
Groups especially should consider this option, you can book a private full-day boat excursion instantly with Get Your Guide, a company I often use and trust and reputable Sail Croatia organises sailing holidays.
CHECK THE LOCATION OF YOUR ACCOMMODATION
You will get plenty of workouts in Croatia! It’s no secret that the entire coastline of Croatia is jagged and hilly, which is one of the reasons why everything looks so beautiful!
Dubrovnik and Hvar Island are especially hilly. In the centre of their old towns, there are many cobble-stoned staircases – this is often where you will find the highest concentration of apartments and terraces with epic sea views.
Take note of the location before you book, in my opinion, climbing lots of stairs is worth it for the spectacular views, but if you’re not thrilled with the idea of climbing so many stairs on a daily basis then choose accommodation closer to the water!
The best place to book accommodation for rates and flexibility is Booking, it is the preferred platform for Croatia from apartments to villas and hotels.
BRING WATER SHOES FOR THE BEACH
Crystal-clear turquoise water dominates the entire length of the Croatian coastline – the striking images you see are all real!
The reason why the shoreline is so clear is largely because the beaches are mostly made out of limestone rock and bright white pebbles, Vis Island I know has a few sandy beaches!
White pebble beaches, dramatic rocks and luxury beach clubs in dreamy locations are where you will likely be sunbathing!
One of my top tips for travelling in Croatia is to invest in a pair of water shoes and bring a proper beach towel for the beach!
BOOK TRANSPORT IN ADVANCE
In the summer months, you should be booking your transport weeks in advance, whether that’s a private transfer, boat cruise, coach or ferry!
Coaches are frequent and run up and down the coast and near to the National Parks further inland, they are usually on time in my experience – you can book here.
Travelling around the islands via catamaran is slightly more complex as the weather and months dictate the frequency and timing, which can see last minute schedule changes! Check Jadrolinja and getbyferry websites for routes and booking.
You might also want to consider speedboat private transfers, especially Split Airport to Hvar Island the most frequently travelled journey!
BRING PLENTY OF CASH FOR CROATIA
Another one of my top Croatia travel tips is to bring cash as well as your cards!
On the whole, Croatia seems to favour cash over card payments, in fact, a lot of the time you will see signs for cash only!
You’ll need cash for smaller coffee houses, bars and local restaurants then obviously for tips and things like taxis and boat trips, especially private – check if you need to pay for the fuel separately!
STAY ON THE ISLANDS FOR LONGER
Dubrovnik and Split are fantastic places to visit and while you have the convenience of a direct flight from the UK, it’s not the only place to stop!
Spend time on the islands of Hvar, Korcula and Vis, they have so much to offer! Personally, I would spend more time enjoying the islands and less time on the mainland, they are incredible!
On Hvar Island for example, you could easily spend 5 nights to a week here, it’s the quintessential holiday destination – a lush green island with a glam harbour town, great restaurants, beaches and the opportunity to beach hop or stay by the pool!
You can read more about Hvar Island in my ultimate guide to Hvar here!
TRY THE LOCAL SPECIALITY DISHES
Walking around Croatia, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the local cuisine is mostly pizza and pasta!
While there is a lot of influence from nearby Italy along the touristic areas in particular, the main staples of Croatia are actually fish, seafood, truffle risotto and swiss chard (type of spinach)!
You will see prsut as a traditional starter – this is air-dried ham similar to prosciutto and popular Soparnik which is a traditional flatbread, often made with spinach and cheese, it’s my favourite snack – you can always find it in the bakeries!
If you’re a wine lover, it’s also worth seeking out the wine bars, they are often run by families of vineyards so you will get to taste a local wine that’s not exported, especially in Dubrovnik and Korcula Island!
CROATIA TRAVEL ADVICE FAQ
Do you tip in Croatia?
Tipping in Croatia is not expected, unlike somewhere like the USA, however, Croatia tipping depends on the circumstance!
If you are on a sailing boat or have privately hired a speed boat for the day, for example, it’s normally customary to tip around 10% of what you paid to the skipper and crew.
At top-end restaurants, you still would leave a tip of around 10% of your total bill, but in cafe’s or bars you might just round-up to the nearest Euro!
Is Dubrovnik expensive?
If you’re planning a trip to Dubrovnik and are wondering is Dubrovnik expensive? I can tell you that in Dubrovnik the prices are higher than anywhere else in Croatia. It does depend on your lifestyle, so let me break it down!
On average the price of a beer in Dubrovnik is around €5-8, while a coffee is €3-4. If you are a luxury traveller a 5-star hotel in Dubrovnik is approximately €470.00 per night and private apartments €300 – based on the high season!
Beach bed hire is between €30-50 per person, at some beach clubs you can reserve online in advance.
Another top tip for travelling in Croatia – when searching for accommodation in Dubrovnik, the best place to book for rates and flexibility is Booking. In Croatia this is by far the most popular booking website, there’s hundreds of listings for apartments and boutique hotels in Dubrovnik!
Can you drink the tap water in Croatia?
Yes, all the water is safe to drink from the tap in Croatia, however, tap water is not commonly given in restaurants. If you are ordering a meal, or sitting on a terrace, bar, beach club you will always be given and charged for bottled water!
How to say HELLO in Croatian?
Croatia for hello is “Dobra Dan”, this is the most common way of saying hello for settings such as restaurant and hotel greetings, which is the situation you will likely be in most of all!
Hot Croatia travel tip – if you can’t remember Dobra Dan, you can actually use “Ciao” – borrowed from the Italians that Croatians like to use also!
Can you get Uber in Croatia?
Yes, you can get Uber in Croatia – and it will save you a lot of money, but it is limited to the larger towns and cities, such as Dubrovnik and Split!
In fact, one of my tips for travelling in Croatia is to use Uber wherever possible and don’t forget to download the app before you arrive then you can use it straight away at the Airport!
Are there sharks in Croatia?
Yes, there are sharks in the Adriatic Sea of Croatia, however, there are of the non-threatening variety and usually stay in the deeper waters hunting for tuna fish!!
I have travelled to Croatia for over ten years and have swam many times without encountering a shark or any shark reportings!
What language is spoken in Croatia?
Croatian is the official language of Croatia! I haven’t had any issues communicating with locals in Croatia, but I have mainly stuck to the most popular areas where English is more widely spoken.
What is the Croatia legal drinking age?
The legal Croatian drinking age is 18, in line with the UK and other European countries!
MORE TIPS FOR TRAVELLING IN CROATIA
Credit Cards & ATM’S – You can find ATM’s all over Croatia including the islands and most restaurants, shops and hotels accept card payments.
What To Wear – If you’re heading into the cities and towns, the general dress code is smart casual, especially for restaurants. You won’t find anyone wearing any kind of swimwear walking around the old towns and for good reason – you’ll get a fine!
Don’t drink in the streets – Be respectful of the old towns and don’t walk around drinking booze or have your own party – you’ll be fined for this as well! My top tips for travelling in Croatia is to follow the rules!
CROATIA TRAVEL TIPS FOR PACKING!
Plug Adaptor – The standard two-prong 230v European plug is used in Croatia. I recommend buying a universal adaptor, THE most convenient gadget!
Beach Towel – Hotel towels do not feel the same as this soft pure cotton sand-resistant beach towel – it’s the best beach towel I own!
SPF50 – SPF50 is a must in Croatia, you’re going to spend a lot of time in strong sunshine between all those Croatian islands and boat trips! I love La Roche Posay SPF50 invisible fluid, it’s hydrating and leaves the skin smooth!
Waterproof Mascara – A waterproof mascara is essential for those beach and boat days! I highly recommend Maybelline Lash Sensational sky-high waterproof mascara for volume and smudge-free eyes!
Water Bottle – A stainless steel water bottle with a steel straw inbuilt is what you need for those hot sightseeing days!
Sun Hat – Don’t forget to bring a hat! I love this stylish woven straw packable hat, it keeps the sun from your face and retains its shape when travelling!
White Shirt – A linen white shirt is a glam poolside staple, I love this over-sized pure linen girlfriend white shirt to throw on top of a bikini!
TIPS FOR TRAVELLING IN CROATIA FINAL THOUGHTS
Planning a trip to a new destination doesn’t need to be overwhelming especially if you have all the Croatia travel tips from a seasoned pro!
Whether you’re staying for a week, island-hopping or heading on a sailing trip, this guide to the best islands in Croatia including suggested itineraries and tips will help you on your way!
Check out my complete Croatia travel guides for more in-depth information on each place I’ve visited to plan your own Croatia trip!
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Plan your Croatia itinerary!
Here’s my go-to list of resources for transport, accommodation, and tours for travel in Croatia!
- Booking.com for the best boutique rates
- Viator for great day trips
- Get Your Guide for unique day excursions
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Michelle Trudie, is the founder of Little Wanderblog, a luxury boutique travel site. She has travelled to over 30 countries in the last 15 years. Michelle share’s her passion for stylish and affordable luxury travel experiences in Europe and beyond! Her goal is to make travel planning easier to hidden gem places!
