WHERE THE WATER’S BLUER AND THE STREETS ARE OLDER
Traveling around Croatia is like stepping into a postcard that keeps changing scenes—from sun-soaked beaches to medieval towns perched on hills, and from lush national parks to quiet, cobblestone villages. Croatia invites you to slow down, soak it in, and let its charm unravel at its own unhurried pace.
The water is crystal-clear and impossibly blue, perfect for sailing, swimming, or just floating in the sun. Historic cities like Split and Dubrovnik cling to the shoreline, offering a beautiful collision of sea views and ancient stone walls.
Beyond the coast, Croatia’s inland is equally captivating. Plitvice Lakes National Park enchants visitors with its terraced waterfalls and turquoise lakes, while the Istrian Peninsula serves up rolling vineyards, hilltop towns, and some of the country’s best food and wine.
Croatia doesn’t just offer sights—it offers a feeling. And once you’ve experienced it, it’s hard not to come back for more.
CROATIA TRAVEL GUIDES
DALMATIAN COAST
8x Beautiful Beaches in Croatia That Are Perfect for Toddlers
Croatia in 14 Days: The Best Two-Week Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
10 Unmissable Things to Do in Dubrovnik – A Complete Guide to Croatia’s Pearl
The Ultimate Hvar Travel Guide – Hidden Gems, Beaches & Local Tips You’ll Love
Visiting Trogir – The Ultimate Guide to this Gorgeous Town
The Top 10 Things To Do in Split, Croatia
ISTRIA
8x Beautiful Beaches in Croatia That Are Perfect for Toddlers
The Ultimate Travel Guide to Rovinj, Croatia – Best Things to Do, Eat & See in Istria’s Prettiest Town
Visiting Novigrad, Croatia – The Ultimate Travel Guide to Istria’s Hidden Coastal Gem
Croatia in 14 Days: The Best Two-Week Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Visiting Cape Kamenjak National Park – The Ultimate Guide
10 x Unmissable Things to Do in Istria, Croatia (Plus Hidden Gems!)
LIKA-KARLOVAC
Croatia in 14 Days: The Best Two-Week Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park – The Ultimate Guide
BALKAN ITINERARIES
1 Month Balkan Itinerary – Discover Bosnia, Croatia & Montenegro
Bosnia & Croatia Itinerary: The Perfect 3 Week Balkan Road Trip
Bosnia and Montenegro Itinerary: The Perfect 2 Week Balkan Road Trip
7 Days in Montenegro: The Perfect One Week Montenegro Road Trip Itinerary
Bosnia & Herzegovina in 7 Days: The Best 1 Week Itinerary
Croatia in 14 Days: The Best Two-Week Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
FAVOURITE ACCOMMODATIONS IN CROATIA
Apartments Cvek – Rovinj
We loved Apartments Cvek for its quiet location just outside the Old Town of Rovinj, which meant we could easily walk to the main sights in under 10 minutes but still enjoy peaceful mornings and quiet evenings.
The apartment was clean, spacious, and had a little terrace where we could relax after a day of exploring. There’s also free parking on-site, which is a huge bonus if you’re doing a Croatia road trip like we did.
The Residence – Krka National Park
We stayed at The Residence during our road trip and loved how modern, spacious, and thoughtfully designed the apartment was.
One of the biggest highlights? The swimming pool. It’s shared, but never felt crowded, and was the perfect place to cool off after a hot day exploring Krka National Park or wandering the Old Town of Sibenik. The apartment is tucked away in a quiet residential area, with easy parking and just a short drive to everything you’d want to see.
Pearl of Adriatic – Dubrovnik
If you’re looking for the perfect place to stay in Dubrovnik, Pearl of the Adriatic is an absolute gem. We stayed here during our trip and completely fell in love with it.
The apartment offers a breathtaking view over the Old Town and Lokrum Island, which made every sunrise and sunset feel magical. It’s also just a short walk to the city walls, so you can pop into the Old Town in minutes without dealing with crowds or steep hills.
The location, comfort, and that unforgettable view make it a stay we’d book again in a heartbeat.
Mansion Hvar – Hvar
If you’re looking for a peaceful, authentic stay on Hvar, Mansion Hvar is an absolute gem. Tucked away in the tiny, abandoned village of Malo Grablje, this charming guesthouse offers a completely different side of the island—quiet, rustic, and full of soul.
We stayed here during our trip and it was one of our favorite experiences: from the incredible homemade breakfasts to the warm hospitality and stunning views over the surrounding hills, everything felt personal and special.
It’s the perfect base for exploring nearby beaches like Milna and Lučišća Bay, while still feeling like you’re a world away from the crowds.
Apartment Petro Oldtown – Split
If you’re planning to explore Split’s historic center, Apartment Petro Oldtown is the perfect place to stay. Located just a stone’s throw from Diocletian’s Palace, this stylish and spotlessly clean apartment puts you right in the heart of the action—yet it’s tucked away enough to feel peaceful and private.
We loved being able to walk to the waterfront, local cafés, and all the main sights within minutes.
B&B Plitvica Creek
If you’re planning to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park, staying at B&B Plitvica Creek is an absolute no-brainer. This charming guesthouse is just a short drive from Entrance 1, but feels worlds away—surrounded by forest, with the soothing sound of the creek flowing nearby.
The rooms are beautifully designed, the breakfast is generous and homemade, and the owners are incredibly warm and helpful. We stayed here during our road trip and loved how peaceful it was after a full day of exploring the lakes.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT CROATIA
If you’re dreaming of sun-drenched coastlines, charming historic towns, and crystal-clear waters without the summer crowds, then late spring (May to early June) and early autumn (September) are the perfect times to visit Croatia. During these shoulder seasons, the weather is pleasantly warm, ideal for exploring the cobblestone streets of Dubrovnik or sailing around the Dalmatian islands. The Adriatic Sea is inviting for a swim, and you’ll find that popular spots like Split and Hvar are less crowded, allowing for a more relaxed experience.
Whether you’re hiking through national parks or enjoying fresh seafood by the sea, visiting during these times gives you the perfect balance of great weather and authentic experiences.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN TRAVELING TO CROATIA
Language – Croatian is the official language of Croatia, spoken by over 95% of the population. For tourists, language barriers are minimal. English is widely spoken, especially in major cities like Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik, as well as in popular tourist areas along the Adriatic coast. This is largely due to the country’s emphasis on language education and its thriving tourism industry. German and Italian are also commonly spoken, particularly in regions with historical ties to these cultures, such as Istria and Dalmatia.
Currency – The official currency of Croatia is the EURO.
Credit Cards & ATM’S – When exploring Croatia, you’ll find that major credit and debit cards like Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops, especially in tourist areas. However, it’s wise to carry some cash for smaller establishments, local markets, and rural areas where card payments might not be available.
Plugs – The plugs in Croatia are Type C and E. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz.
Tap Water – Tap water in Croatia is completely safe to drink, and in fact, it’s often praised for its purity and taste. Whether you’re exploring the historic streets of Dubrovnik or relaxing on the beaches of Hvar, you can confidently fill your bottle straight from the tap
TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST VISIT TO CROATIA
Toll roads – There are a lot of toll roads in Croatia and if you’re driving on the highway you’ll definitely encounter a couple of them. The prices however of the toll roads in Croatia are very decent and not as crazy as other countries in Europe like France or Austria.
Tipping – Tipping in Croatia is a common practice, especially in tourist areas and for good service, but it’s not mandatory. A general guideline is to tip around 10% of the bill in restaurants, or round up your bill in bars and cafes.
Avoid peak season – If possible try to avoid the months June to August. These months Croatia is buzzing with tourists, the weather can be incredible hot and sometimes even unbearable when visiting towns or cities. And on top of that the entrance fees for national landmarks such as Plitvice Lakes or Krkra National Park will be almost double in price.
Beaches – The beaches in Croatia are almost always pebble beaches. Make sure to bring water shoes with you so yu can comfortably walk around. If yu don’t have any at home you can usually find them in most tourist shops in a coastal town.
Phrases to learn in Croatian – Hello – Dobar dan, Thank you – Hvala, Good morning – Dobro jutro, Goodbye – Doviđenja, Excuse me / Sorry – Oprostite
🚘 RENTING A CAR IN CROATIA
When it comes to choosing a rental car company things can get a little confusing cause there’s a lot of companies out there ready to rip you off.
Horror Story: In South Africa the rental car company that I booked with actually copied my credit card details and 1 day later my card was blocked. So there I was, in the middle of South Africa and without a credit card. Luckily we would switch to a different company the next day for the further duration of our trip but you really don’t want this to happen on your holiday.
You also don’t want any hidden costs added to your bill.
A good rental car company should include the following in your rental price: unlimited mileage and a fair fuel arrangement, third-party insurance of at least €7.5 million, damage insurance, theft insurance, towing cost if your car breaks down and cancel or change your reservation without any hassle.
For my road trips I always prefer booking with SunnyCars. Oh, and all of the things that I mentioned above that should be included are also included with them!
💡 TIP – Sometimes the local rental company will try to make you pay for additional insurance. This is in no way necessary cause SunnyCars offers you full coverage.
CHECK OUT THE RATES AT SUNNY CARS
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