Croatia travel guide: when to visit, best things to do, getting around, cities, National Parks, travel tips, and more – all you need to know!
Croatia is a beautiful country along the Adriatic Sea in Europe. It’s across the sea from Italy but gets nowhere near the recognition Italy receives.
If you’re looking for a place that’s not as overcrowded and expensive as other destinations in Europe, look no further than Croatia. After visiting Croatia, my husband and I fell in love with the country, and I’m sure you will as well.
The breathtaking coastline, gorgeous waterfall national parks, seafood that you’ll dream about for years to come, and welcoming locals all make Croatia a traveler’s dream.
In this Croatia travel guide, I’m sharing different major cities in Croatia, the eight beautiful national parks Croatia has to offer, and the top ten things to do in Croatia as a whole.
Getting To Croatia
Flying into Croatia, there are a couple of different options. You’ll find that Dubrovnik is often a cheaper place to fly into, but that’s due to how far south it is in the country.
Most visitors choose to fly into Zagreb. Zagreb is the capital of Croatia, and as such, it’s a popular city to visit.
If you want a more central place to fly into, check out Zadar or Split. Both are centrally located on the coast and are great places to visit islands and national parks in Croatia.
Getting Around Croatia
The best way to get around Croatia is by hiring a car in Croatia. Now, before you jump to your car rental, know there are many ways to save money when renting a car in Croatia.
Things like location and border crossings can drastically change the price of a rental car!
With that said, it’s typically still cheaper to rent a car in Croatia than to rely on public transportation if you plan to visit the islands, countryside, and multiple different cities.
When To Visit Croatia
- Off-Season: May – early June and mid-September – October
- High Season: June – mid-September
- Closed Season: November – April
Off-Season In Croatia
I always recommend traveling in the off-season. Traveling in the off-season in Croatia allows you to travel with much cheaper prices, fewer tourists, and a bit more flexibility.
The off-season or shoulder season at the beginning of the year offers cooler temps, and the water is a bit cooler, too. In the shoulder season at the end of the year, the sea is still warm from a hot summer, making the water more enjoyable to be in.
High Season In Croatia
In the high season, you’ll find the prices of accommodation to be skyrocketing, rental cars to be more than 50 USD a day extra than in the shoulder season, and loads of people everywhere you go.
The high season comes with its perks, though. You’ll be sure to have everything you could imagine open, and tours and ferries run more frequently, so you can travel more at ease.
Closed Season In Croatia
In the winter months, November through April, you will find that a lot of businesses are completely closed. From restaurants to tours and even a lot of accommodation, businesses close for their own personal holidays and breaks.
I’ve spoken with locals about this, and it’s really a great thing. The closed season allows them to vacation with their family and allows time to relax and unwind after being on 24/7 during the high season!
Top Ten Things To Do In Croatia
- Walk through the walled city of Dubrovnik
- Marvel at the 90+ waterfalls at Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Enjoy the nightlife of Zadar
- Relax at an oceanside villa on the Island of Hvar
- Explore the Adriatic Sea by boat
- Swim in the waterfalls of Krka National Park
- Listen to the Sea Organ play as the sun sets in Zadar
- Roadtrip through Croatia’s countryside
- Beach hop down the Dalmatian Coast
- Eat your weight in fresh and delicious seafood
5 Main Cities In Croatia
1. Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital of Croatia. It’s located inland and is full of rich history and beautiful buildings. Zagreb is well known for being the place to fly into Croatia and has a little something for all types of visitors.
A must-see in the city of Zagreb is St. Mark’s Square. St. Mark’s Square has been an important part of the history of not just Zagreb but Croatia as well. This square is home to many government buildings and St. Mark’s Church, with a roof that is one of the most famous landmarks in the city.
2. Zadar
Zadar is a city on the coast of Croatia and is home to many water adventures and island tours. This city is well known for the artwork within the city and especially for the Greeting to the Sun and the Sea Organ.
Zadar is a city that never sleeps, and the nightlife here is something else! When in Zadar, don’t miss the Roman Forum in Old Town Zadar – another rich part of Croatia’s history.
3. Split
Split is the second largest city in Croatia. It’s a city along the sea and has a great waterfront walk.
The Klis Fortress is a fortress that overlooks the city of Split, and while the views from there are great, many people visit the Klis Fortress because it was a filming location for Game of Thrones.
Split is the gateway for travelers to access the islands of Croatia, one of the best being the Island of Hvar.
4. Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is the furthest major city south in Croatia. In fact, to access Dubrovnik, visitors have to drive through a sliver of Bosnia and Herzegovina. But don’t let that stop you. Dubrovnik is a very popular city in Croatia to visit.
Dubrovnik is most widely known for its walled city streets and for being the location of many filming locations for Game of Thrones.
While it’s off the beaten path for those making a road trip through Croatia, it’s one of the most famous places in Croatia to visit. In fact, it’s arguably the most famous location along the Dalmatian Coast.
5. Hvar
Hvar is the main city on the island of Hvar. Its size is nothing like the other cities listed above, but the nightlife and feel of Hvar are similar.
In the high season, Hvar can be very expensive, as it’s a place that tourists flock to. However, in the shoulder seasons, it’s a bit more relaxing. Getting outside of the city of Hvar and exploring more of the island is your best bet.
On the island of Hvar, you’ll find pristine beaches, great camping, and some of the best and freshest seafood around. If you fancy wine, there are also some great local wineries scattered around the island that are well worth checking out.
National Parks In Croatia
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Arguably the most famous national park in Croatia, Plitvice Lakes National Park is probably the national park you’ve seen photos of. This park consists of more than ten lakes connected together by over 90 cascading waterfalls.
You can visit Plitvice Lake on a tour or do so on your own. But be warned, if you plan to visit during the high season, be sure to book tickets well in advance, as park tickets will likely sell out!
The top tip for visiting Plitvice Lakes is to visit early in the morning before the tour buses roll in!
Krka National Park
Krka National Park is a park between Zadar and Split. It’s the perfect place to visit if you’re looking to take a refreshing dip in the water. While you can’t swim in all areas in Krka, there are a few predetermined swimming locations, offering a great escape from the heat.
Krka National Park has a short boardwalk leading visitors along both sides of the water and a few waterfalls that are just breathtaking.
It’s not as busy as Plitvice Lakes National Park and is closer to Zadar, so this may be a better bet for those looking for a quick escape from the city.
Brijuni National Park
On the northern coast of Croatia, near the town of Pula, visitors can take an island escape to Brijuni National Park. With a quick ferry ride off the coast, this is a popular national park for visitors in the north of Croatia.
This national park boasts a safari, great wildlife viewing, places to swim, and lots of history. Those who have visited Brijuni National Park recommend future visitors rent a bike or scooter and explore the island.
With 14 different islands making up Brijuni National Park, this is a true nature escape.
Mljet National Park
Mljet National Park is located on an island off the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia. This national park offers bike riding, hiking, and even swimming in a couple of different lakes.
The amount of visitors to Mljet National Park is far fewer than those visiting Krka and Plitvice Lakes, so if you’re looking for more of a true escape in nature, Mljet National Park might just be for you!
Kornati National Park
Kornati National Park is a park made up of more than 80 different islands. This national park is perfect for those looking to sail the seas of untouched landscapes and dramatic scenery.
It’s well known for its snorkeling, private beaches, and jaw-dropping views. This park is best explored by boat, so be sure to look into renting a boat for the day or taking a tour through Kornati National Park.
Risnjak National Park
Home to some big game animals such as bears, lynxes, and wolves, Risnjak National Park in the north of Croatia is one of the only places in Europe to see this type of wildlife in their natural environment.
Unlike most of the other national parks in Croatia, Risnjak offers visitors mountains to climb and lush forests to explore. In the winter months, and even in the shoulder seasons, take care when visiting Risnjak, as snow is prevalent at these elevations.
Paklenica National Park
A climber’s paradise right in Croatia, Paklenica National Park, just outside of Zadar, attracts climbers from all around the world. There are close to 600 defined climbing routes at Paklenica National Park for climbers to enjoy, and even an international climber’s meeting on May 1st with multiple competitions and events.
This national park is home to some pretty epic white rock mountains and even has caves that visitors can explore. In fact, the first trail through the cave in Paklenica National Park was created in 1937, and since then, visitors have been enjoying guided tours through the caves, learning about the different formations underground.
Northern Velebit National Park
Located almost directly in the middle of Zadar and Rijeka, Northern Velebit National Park sits on the coast of Croatia, offering visitors great hiking and cycling trails and a mountain escape right on the coastline.
Northern Velebit National Park is Croatia’s newest national park, yet it’s quickly becoming a favorite, with hikes leading to amazing views and a great botanical garden for those less adventurous travelers.
Croatia Travel Tips
- There are toll roads in Croatia, but don’t worry, they’re pretty cheap. In most cases, you can pay with a credit card for the toll road.
- Croatia uses the Euro for currency, and I recommend carrying some Euros on you at all times. There are random places that don’t accept cards, and you’ll surely want to have some cash on you.
- If visiting during the spring or summer, be sure to check out the local produce stands in Croatia! Croatia is well known for the production of figs!
- Tipping in Croatia isn’t expected at most places, but it’s still a nice thing to do if the service is above and beyond.
- Croatia is on the Central European Time Zone.
Final Thoughts On Visiting Croatia
It’s easy to see that there is something for all types of visitors to Croatia. While it’s well known of the beach vacation that’s offered up and down the Dalmatian Coastline, even if you’re not a beach lover (hello, that’s me), it’s still an absolutely amazing country.
The landscapes are so diverse, the people are warm and inviting, and the food, oh my goodness – it’s some of the best in the world.
I’d fully recommend visiting Croatia in the shoulder season. If you can swing a trip in September or early October that’s definitely the best time to visit Croatia with fewer crowds though still warm waters.
About The Author Of “Croatia Travel Guide: All You Need To Know”
Text provided by Heather Arbour of ArboursAbroad.
Heather is a full-time travel writer who spent 2.5 years living in a van and traveling through the United Kingdom and Europe. She and her husband currently live in a van in the United States with their cat, Georgie, traveling and finding nature escapes all over the western United States while sneaking in trips abroad when they can.
Find Heather, her husband, and their traveling cat on Instagram:
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