Highlights
Dubrovnik
A walled city of limestone streets and terracotta roofs at the southern tip of the country. Walking the full circuit of the city walls gives views over the old town and the sea; go early or late in the day to avoid the heat and the cruise-ship crowds.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Sixteen terraced lakes linked by waterfalls, in shades from turquoise to green, with wooden boardwalks running over the water. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and in peak season tickets for a set entry time should be booked in advance.
Split and Diocletian's Palace
The Roman emperor Diocletian built a vast retirement palace here around the year 300, and the city grew up inside its walls. Today shops, homes and bars fill the old palace, and ferries leave for the central Dalmatian islands.
Hvar and the Dalmatian islands
Hvar has lavender fields, a hilltop fortress and a lively harbour town, while Brač is known for Zlatni Rat beach, Vis for its remote coves and Korčula for its compact walled old town. Ferries and catamarans make island-hopping straightforward in summer.
Krka National Park
A river park near Šibenik with cascades and travertine waterfalls, walkways through the forest and a monastery on a tiny island in the river. Swimming is no longer permitted at the main falls.
Istria
A peninsula in the north-west with an Italian influence. Rovinj's old town rises out of the sea, Pula has one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world, and hilltop towns such as Motovun are known for truffles, olive oil and wine.
Zagreb
The capital has an Austro-Hungarian feel, with an Upper Town of church spires and the colourful roof of St Mark's Church, a busy Dolac market and the unusual Museum of Broken Relationships. Its Christmas market is one of the best known in Europe.
Zadar
A coastal town with Roman ruins and the Sea Organ, an installation of pipes under marble steps that plays notes as the waves move, next to the Greeting to the Sun light display at sunset.
Interesting facts about Croatia
- The necktie traces its origins to the scarves worn by Croatian soldiers in the seventeenth century; the French word 'cravate' comes from 'Croate'.
- Croatia has more than a thousand islands and islets, although only a few dozen are inhabited.
- The Dalmatian dog is named after Dalmatia, the Croatian coastal region.
- The walls of Ston on the Pelješac peninsula, built to protect valuable salt pans, are among the longest defensive walls in Europe.
- Croatia adopted the euro and joined the Schengen area on the same day, 1 January 2023.
Best time to visit
July and August are hot, sunny and very busy on the coast, with peak prices and crowds in Dubrovnik, Split and Hvar. May, June and September offer warm seas, long days and fewer visitors, making them the best months for most trips. Spring and autumn suit Plitvice, Krka and city sightseeing. In winter many coastal hotels and ferry routes reduce services, but Zagreb's Advent season is lively.
Practical information
| Capital | Zagreb |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Languages | Croatian |
| Plugs | Type C, F |
| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 112 for all emergencies |
| Driving | On the right |
| Tipping | Not obligatory. Rounding up or leaving around a tenth of the bill for good service in restaurants is common; tips are usually left in cash. |
Getting around
Ferries and fast catamarans link the mainland ports of Split, Zadar, Rijeka and Dubrovnik with the islands; book car spaces in advance in summer. Long-distance buses connect most towns and are frequent along the coast. The A1 motorway runs from Zagreb towards Split and on to the south, and renting a car is ideal for Istria, Plitvice and the islands. Rail travel is limited and slow on most routes. Ride-hailing is available in the main cities and resort towns.
Staying connected in Croatia
Mobile coverage is good in cities, towns and along the coast, and most of the inhabited islands are well covered, with 4G and 5G in larger places. Signal can drop in mountain areas inland, in some national parks and on remote stretches of the outer islands or at sea. Wi-Fi is standard in hotels, apartments and cafés. Croatia is in the EU, so EU roaming rules apply for EU plans, but visitors from elsewhere can face high roaming charges. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
See Croatia eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Croatia
- Jadrolinija: Timetables and tickets for Croatia's main state ferry operator.
- Bolt: Ride-hailing in Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik and other cities.
- Uber: Also widely available in the main cities and coastal resorts.
- Google Maps: Driving and walking directions; download offline maps for the islands and mountains.