Until the late-1980s, Croatia was the jewels in the crown of Mediterranean travel. When Yugoslavia crumbled, tourists turned their backs, leaving attractions vacant.
With peace and security long since restored, you really should visit a country that promises to become a drawcard on any European itinerary.
Croatia Travel Resources
These are my favourite companies to use when I travel.
• Find cheap flights with Skyscanner.
• Get the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
Croatia Tours
Are you looking to discover the highlights of Croatia in a short period? Search small group adventure tours and discover the best locations with G Adventures or Contiki. Both companies offer popular trips where you’ll get to visit new places and travel with like-minded people.
Itinerary
From the Italian border, the Adriatic highway twists down the Dalmatian coast to the medieval town of Split, taking in a constantly changing scene of creeks, islands and beaches.
It’s a memorable journey, traditionally broken up by stops at various kavana (cafés) or roadside restaurants along the way, for cold beers, a bowl of spicy Croatian soup and a flaky cheese-filled burek pastry or, if you’re hungry, spit-roast lamb.
You can happily pass by the big port of Rijeka, in the north, without fear of missing anything, but en route south, try to stop in the flourishing port of Zadar, which has a particularly enjoyable café culture – sip the local maroschino cherry liqueur.
Another tempting sight, or a short trip out from Split, is the town of Trogir, its ancient and much photographed UNESCO World Heritage Site, founded by Greeks in the 3rd century BC, poised on a tiny island bridged from the mainland.
Wherever else you go in Croatia, don’t miss the beautiful Istrian peninsula, jutting out into the Adriatic. Its mountainous, forest-covered interior, dotted with historic villages and cut by deep, fertile valleys, is great to explore, while the Italian-style coastal towns (Istria was formally under Venetian rule) retain a unique atmosphere and special local cuisine, uniting Adriatic seafood, pasta and hearty central European fare.
Don’t miss the opportunity to try supa – red wine, sugar, olive oil and pepper heated and served in a terracotta pitcher. Sounds iffy, but tastes delicious on toast dipped in the approved manner.
Attractions and Best Places to Visit in Croatia
Dubrovnik
Known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik is a beautiful city on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. Visit for fabulous Old Town architecture worthy of Unesco World Heritage Status and the nearby beaches, which enjoy plenty of sunshine.
Other attractions in town include the cable car, which will whisk you to the top of Mount Srd for amazing views of the city and the coastline.
After dark, walk the narrow streets stopping off the cosy bars and clubs squeezed into the old buildings. Revellers will be spilling out on the streets to make the most of the weather and you’ll find the atmosphere is just as warm as the temperatures outside.
Pula
The main town of Istria is Pula, famous for its colossal amphitheatre. The arena, which can hold 22,000 spectators, was built in the Roman town when it possessed only 500 inhabitants. Good news, though, for modern Pula and its visitors, as it serves as an ideal venue for numerous summer shows and festivals.
For a 360 degree view of Pula, climb any of the old town streets to reach the Venetian citadel. And where to eat? If you want fairly smart, go to Vela Nera, overlooking the marina, which isn’t super-expensive and has great local wines. For a more down-to-earth experience, Bunarina, by the port itself, has reliably tasty fare.
Split, the bustling and slightly chaotic capital of Dalmatia, is a Croatian highlight and one of the most underrated cities in Europe. Split is also where you’ll likely want to spend the most time on any Croatia travel itinerary.
Don’t be alarmed by the ranks of apartment blocks on the outskirts – the centre is bursting with character. The old city is dominated by the site of the Palace of Diocletian, a grandiose white limestone retirement villa for the 3rd century AD Roman emperor.
These days, the palace, roughly the size of four football pitches, is an integral part of the old city, where Roman ruins (some restored) mix with narrow streets and squares, and modern shops and cafés emerge from tottering medieval houses.
The Cathedral, for example, was originally Diocletian’s mausoleum and his temple of Jupiter is now a baptistry. It all makes for a memorable area to wander for a few hours.
If you’re in Split for a day or two, be sure to check out the hilly and wooded Marjan Peninsula, which rises immediately west of the old city and is traced by footpaths. Not only do the fragrant, piney heights give you some real peace and quiet from the hubbub of downtown Split, but the southern shores of the peninsula have decent beaches.
Split after dark is excellent, with everyone starting the evening along the Riva, the landscaped waterfront by the old city. For dinner, check out Konoba kod Joze for the town’s best seafood, Buffet Fife for local home cooking, or Boban for a classier treat.
Summertime, there’s always a lot happening on the entertainment front, with festivals and open-air live music. The complex by the town beach at Bacvice is the place to gravitate.
Visit the island of Hvar
More extreme party-goers should definitely head to Hvar. Take the local catarmaran which takes about an hour costs 70KN each way. It’s best to buy your tickets early in the day as they sell out pretty fast.
You’ll find plenty of clubs and bars on the island to keep you entertained and you can also take boats out to smaller nearby islands which host parties.
Even if you’re not going for the nightlife, Hvar is still a nice island for a day trip and there are loads of beaches to chill out on.
Krka National Park
When you’ve had enough partying the Krka National Park is a must-see. It’s worth booking as an excursion as it can be quite tricky to get to otherwise. Remember to take your swimming costume because this is definitely the place to take a dip.
Once you arrive at Krka, take a walk around the woodland path which is dotted with crystal clear lakes and great vantage points for the waterfalls. The walk should only take around 45 mins and at the end you will find yourself in front of the waterfalls in all their glory.
The water around the falls is perfect for swimming and there are also plenty of cafes for you to grab a bite to eat.
More
Other places to add to your Croatia travel itinerary include:
• Rovinj
• Golden Horn Beach
• Plitvice Lakes National Park
• Trogir
• Zagreb
• Zadar
How to Travel Croatia on a Budget
Croatia has seen a huge boom in popularity over the past few years, pushing up the prices for tourists and locals alike. But for budding backpackers aching at the chance to visit the Croatian lovelies of Hvar and Dubrovnik, luckily I have a few tips.
Here are some budget recommendations that promises you to save a few pennies.
Catch the Bus
Forget taxis in Croatia; local buses are efficient and good value, especially in Dubrovnik. After arriving at the airport, you’ll need to make the 30-minute journey to the city centre. A taxi costs £30, but take the shuttle bus and you’ll pay just £3.80.
Local buses are perfect for exploring Dubrovnik. The number 6 travels west from the Old Town towards Lapad – great for sunbathing – while the 1a or 1b is ideal for the port or bus station. Tickets are £1.50 a journey – or £1.20 if you buy in advance of hopping on.
Eat Like a Local
The food in Croatia is fantastic but comes at a price. When you get bored of pizza, seek out restaurants away from the main areas. Explore the backstreets in Hvar and Dubrovnik and find delicious, fresh seafood at much cheaper prices.
If you’re feeling the pinch, shop in supermarkets, especially if your hostel accommodation offers cooking facilities. Local markets are fantastic for fruit and vegetables; I had the finest peaches I’ve ever tasted from the market in Korcula for just 20p each.
Nightlife
Every backpacker wants a taste of the famed Adriatic nightlife, but those mojitos come at a price. Look for the table wine, often separate from the main wine list on restaurant menus, for a 1 litre carafe of house red or white at £10-13, compared to £25+ for a 75cl labelled bottle.
On the islands, and especially in Hvar, groups gather for drinks in the square, where buskers offer entertainment and surrounding bars crank up the music.
Stock up on local Ožujsko beer, wine or spirits from the supermarket and embrace the cobbles; you’ll be on your way to a memorable night for a fraction of the price.
You can’t go to Hvar without a night at Carpe Diem, the most famous hangout in Croatia (and expensive to boot). Best value is a night on the island club without a guest or specialist DJ: entrance and a return taxi-boat transfer will cost £7.50, rather than £13 or more. The party will go on just as long too!
And finally: the morning after the night before, order tap water – it’s perfectly safe, saving yourself a precious pound here or there; you can’t turn down free hydration.
So there it is, if you’re planning your next trip to Europe and considering visiting Greece, think twice and book a break to Croatia. You won’t regret it!