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 and luckily for you, I have all the details right here!
So let’s get straight to my best tips for travelling in Croatia (the info that I wish I knew before arriving) to ultimately help plan your own perfect trip!
TOP TIPS FOR TRAVELLING TO CROATIA!
KNOW THE BEST MONTHS TO VISIT CROATIA
One key thing to know beforehand is when to plan your visit to Croatia, which is essential for your overall experience, as Croatia is very seasonal, meaning there’s warm springs, hot summers, mild autumns – and in winter it can be completely deserted like a ghost town!
For the best weather and enjoyment, I highly recommend visiting May-June or September to early October. Where possible, avoid the peak months, July and August, as the temperatures reach sweltering heights and all the key sightseeing locations and attractions 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 boat excursions, hotels and some restaurants (I’ve seen beach bars vanish!!). For this reason, I recommend timing 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 definitely not the case any longer, Croatia is now a very sought-after destination thanks to social media, cruise ships and a certain Game of Thrones program.
It has finally found its way to bucket lists and travel agents’ brochures, which has brought about more hotels, options for travel and activities to accommodate, which is not necessarily a bad thing, it just means to snag the best, you have to get in early!
Since my first visit in 2012, I’ve noticed an increase in tourism in popular places like Dubrovnik, Split and Hvar Town, where accommodation is spread a little thinner due to the small sizes of the heritage towns and rooms available in the boutique hotels.
So, my top Croatia travel tip is to, at the very least, book your Croatia trip in advance! By this I mean a couple of months and of course make room for visiting a few lesser known secret spots along the way, my top Croatia posts are full of these!
PLAN YOUR ITINERARY IN ADVANCE (but don’t try to see it all!)
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; trust me, you will be doing it a disservice if you try to cram it all in under 10 days!
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 you plan to visit to see it properly and factor in things like beach days, exploring the old towns, roaming the countryside and squeezing in incredible boat trips or vineyard excursions!!
For example, a good 10-day itinerary would be Split – Hvar – Dubrovnik with day trips to Pakleni Islands, Blue Lagoon, Vis Island, Elaphiti Islands and Cavtat!
For more itinerary inspiration, take a look at my bucket list Croatian island-hopping guide!
TAKE A BOAT TRIP TO SCENIC ISLANDS
You will probably know one or two islands like Hvar and Korcula, but Croatia has, in fact, hundreds of scattered islands, and most are so tiny you can walk around them in less than an hour, which makes scenic island-hopping day trips an absolute must-do!
By far, one of the most popular ways to travel around and see more of the islands is, of course, taking a boat trip, especially from Hvar to the gorgeous Pakleni Islands or from Dubrovnik, where you can explore the Elaphiti Islands, which are dreamy and well worth factoring in an extra day for!
You can book a group or private boat excursion instantly with Get Your Guide, a company I often use and trust and reputable Sail Croatia organises sailing holidays between Dubrovnik and Split if you’re looking for constant turquoise sea views!
CHECK THE LOCATION OF YOUR ACCOMMODATION
One thing is for certain, and that is 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 incredible!
Dubrovnik and Hvar Island are especially hilly. In the centre of their old towns, there are many steep and cobble-stoned staircases (and I mean really steep)- this is often where you will find the highest concentration of apartments and terraces with those epic panoramic sea views.
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 I recommend choosing accommodation closer to the water’s edge where it’s flatter, but you’ll still get a nice sea view!
The best place to book accommodation for rates and flexibility is Booking.com, it is the preferred platform for Croatia, from apartments to boutique villas and luxury 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, but Stiniva Beach – the most photographed in Croatia is 100% large stones!
White pebble beaches, dramatically smoothed out rocks and luxury beach clubs in dreamy locations are where you will likely be spending your sunbathing and relaxation days on the islands and in coastal hotspots, but don’t be surprised if there is not a speck of sand!
With this in mind, one of my top tips for travelling in Croatia is to invest in a pair of water shoes for getting in and out of the sea, and I recommend packing a proper beach towel for the little pebbles, a sarong is just not going to cut it!
PLAN YOUR MAIN TRANSPORT A WEEK AHEAD
In the summer months, you should be booking your transport for travelling around Croatia at least a week in advance, whether that’s a private transfer, coach, car or ferry!
If you’re hopping around the mainland, the coaches in Croatia are comfortable and frequent; they run up and down the coast, connecting the towns and villages like Trogir from Split, for example, which is handy for a day trip or to the National Parks further inland. The coaches are a good, inexpensive option!
Travelling around the islands via ferry is slightly more complex as the weather and months can alter the timings, which can result in last-minute schedule changes, so I would reserve a week ahead and leave plenty of time if you’re going to an island straight from the airport or vice versa!
I usually book all my ferry and coach transport with Omio for easy booking and reliability, it’s my go-to throughout Europe and they haven’t let me down, especially when you change your itinerary as often as I do; they are very flexible!
(You might also want to consider speedboat private transfers, especially Split Airport to Hvar Island the most frequently travelled journey, if timings don’t work out!)
If you’re planning on a roadtrip, you are braver than me, but I suggest looking for prices and securing your car at least two weeks in advance and to save time and expense collecting it straight from the airport at Split or Dubrovnik, the car rental company I always recommend for Croatia is Discover Cars, they compare prices for the best rates!
BRING PLENTY OF CASH FOR CROATIA
Another one of my top Croatia travel tips is to bring cash as well as your cards!
Surprisingly, Croatia seems to favour cash over card payments, which goes against the grain of almost everywhere else in Europe. Sometimes, you will even see signs for cash only, but occasionally you might be caught out, thus having the indignity of leaving your table to find an ATM while the waiter er…waits! Don’t risk it, it spoils your meal!
You’ll likely 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, this one always catches people out!
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!
I often see tight itineraries with two nights in Korcula and worst of all one night in Hvar, no no no! This is a very bad idea, you’ll spend most of your trip packing and rushing around, missing all the things that make it special!
Croatia’s islands, particularly Hvar, Korcula and Vis, have so much to offer from vineyards to beautiful beach coves, fortresses, heritage centres, spectacular waterfront dining and more! Personally, I would spend more time enjoying the islands and less time on the mainland; they are incredible!
On Hvar Island alone, you could easily spend 5 nights to a week, it’s the quintessential holiday destination – a lush green island with a glam harbour town, great restaurants, beaches and the opportunity to join a boat tour or stay by the pool!
You can read more about Hvar Island in my ultimate guide to Hvar here!
TRY THE LOCAL SPECIALITY DISHES
If you are a foodie or plan on visiting one or two quality restaurants on your trip to Croatia, I recommend trying a few speciality dishes along the way. The food here is influenced by many places, including neighbouring Italy and Bosnia!
While there is a lot of pasta and Mediterranean-looking menus, especially within touristic areas, the main staples of Croatia are actually fish, seafood and Peka – a slow-cooked meat dish, truffle or black risotto and swiss chard (a 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!
If you’re a fan of wine, check out my guide to Korcula and the vineyards you could visit, they are phenomenal!
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR TRAVELLING IN CROATIA
E-SIM & Local Phone Network
If you’re travelling to Croatia from outside of the EU, I recommend getting an e-SIM with Sim Local for the best speed and coverage! e-SIMs are brilliant for international travel as they’re already built into your device, it’s digital and faff free!
Instead of paying high roaming fees, receiving unexpected bills or hunting for a local SIM as soon as you land, you can simply pick a tailored package and get it set up before you even arrive. It’s super easy (even I can do it), you’ll be reliably connected to data and a fast local network with just a few taps! Check out the data prices and options for Sim Local, the best e-SIM for Croatia here!
Special Bonus: Use LITTLEWANDER discount code and grab 5% OFF any package with Sim Local!
Also, I’d like to mention that if you’re planning to hop between countries to Montenegro, for example, you can also purchase the 14-day Europe Pass with 50GB of data, which is one thing less to worry about when crossing borders! Sim Local is the only travel eSIM company that partners with
the best local network providers in each country, so it’s really a no-brainer!
Credit Cards & ATM’S
You can find ATM’s all over Croatia, including the larger islands like Hvar and Korcula, and most restaurants, shops and hotels accept card payments. It’s usually the smaller local places that are cash only – it’s just annoying when they tell you at the end of your meal/drink!
As always for safer travels, I recommend taking two bank cards, you just never know when a random ATM in a small village will swallow your card whole, this happened to me and I wouldn’t want you to suffer the same fate!
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!
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, pefect and soft for those pebble beaches!
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!
CROATIA TRAVEL TIPS FAQ
Do you tip in Croatia?
Tipping in Croatia is not massively 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 €100-300 – based on the high season!
Beach bed hire is between €30-50 per person, at some beach clubs you can reserve online in advance, while private boat trips are a reasonable €250.
Another top tip for travelling in Croatia – when searching for accommodation in Dubrovnik, the best place to book for rates and flexibility is Booking.com. This is by far the most popular booking website, there’s hundreds of listings!
Psst! To save time, you can check out my guide to the best places to stay in Dubrovnik, including best areas and boutique hotels!
Can you drink the tap water in Croatia?
Yes, apparently, all the water is safe to drink from the tap in Croatia, however, tap water is not commonly given in restaurants – you’ll be charged for bottled.
(I have to confess here, that as a Brit who fears for my life when drinking tap water abroad, I haven’t personally tried it! So I can’t 100% vouch.)
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 coming across 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!
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
- Viator for incredible day tours
- Discover Cars reliable and best rates on rental cars
- Omio – best for booking ferries
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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!