Croatia

Croatia is characterized by ancient cities, stunning natural sites, and quaint towns. Some of the best destinations include:

• Dubrovik – Known for its Old City Walls, narrow pedestrian streets, and picturesque views, Dubrovnik is a fan favorite and the “Pearl of the Adriatic”.
• Hvar – Hvar is a Croatian island known for its medieval towns, nightlife, and sunshine-filled days.
• Split – Home to one of the best Old Towns in the country, Split is in close proximity to both the sea and the mountains.
• Zadar – Home to ancient sites and modern marvels. One of the best places in Croatia to see the sunset.
• Mljet Island – More or less an “off the grid” destination home to a stunning National Park, explorable nooks and crannies, and some of the friendliest locals.

👉 Explore all destinations in Croatia

🗓️ Best Time to Visit

In the summer, Croatia gets swarmed with tourists, while tourism generally slows down during winter to the point that many tours don’t even operate. For these reasons, it’s best to plan your trip for shoulder season: between May and June or between September and October. The temperature is just right, the sites aren’t crowded, the accommodation is ample and reasonable and you’ll get to see all the highlights.

👉 Read the full guide to the best time to visit Croatia

⚠️ Safety

Croatia is a generally safe place to travel. Be sure to check the latest US State Department travel advisories for your destination.

👉 Read all of our Croatia safety tips

👉 Tips & Things to Know

• 🚢 – Beware of Cruise Schedules – Passengers hopping off cruise ships can seriously flood a destination. Try to stay cognizant of these routes so you can see the top sites without the crowds.
• 📅 – Time Your Trip Right – Most attractions are only in summer and prices jump in July and August. Prime time to visit Croatia is June or September.
• 🚗 – Take a Road Trip – It has an extensive public transport system, but taking a Croatian road trip will allow you to see the best sites.
• 💵 – Carry Cash – Many restaurants accept cards, but always keep the local currency, Kuna, on hand.
• 💰 – Tipping Isn’t Standardized – Though tips of 10-15% are common, this isn’t a standard practice in Croatia. If you received excellent service, feel free to top up your bill or leave change on the table.

👉 See all of our need-to-know Croatia travel tips

🧳 What to Pack

• 👞 – Water Shoes – Rocky beaches are more common than sandy beaches in Croatia, so save your feet and bring along some water shoes.
• 🔌 – Universal Power Adapter – If you’re traveling from outside of Europe, you’ll need a power adapter to plug your appliances into the sockets.
• 🌞 – Sunscreen – Traveling to Croatia in the summer means a ton of sun time — save your skin and bring sunscreen along.
• 🦺 – Croatia Travel Insurance – Though a very safe country, getting Croatia Travel Insurance for your trip is a smart idea.
• 📚 – Croatian Phrasebook – Though almost all locals working in tourism speak English, it’ll show respect to learn some key phrases.

👉 Read our Croatia Packing List

🤓 Facts & Info

• Population (2024) – 3.866 million
• Capital – Zagreb
• Currency – Kuna ($1 = ~6.97 kunas)
• Language – English
• Plugs – Type C or F, 230V / 50Hz.

💵 Budgeting & Money

Major establishments in the big cities take debit/credit cards. But if you’re traveling to the rural parts of Croatia, make sure to have enough cash on hand.