Croatia Travel Guide
Croatia caught us off guard. We knew about Dubrovnik but we didn’t expect Čiovo Island to become our favorite swimming base, or Pag to be the beach surprise of the whole trip, or Zagreb to feel like a completely different country from the coast. It is a small place that keeps revealing itself. Ancient walled cities, impossibly clear water, islands you have to earn with a ferry or a long drive down a dirt road and food that gets better the further you get from the tourist menus. This guide covers the places we actually went, what worked and what we’d do differently.
How to Plan Your Croatia Trip
Most people fly into Dubrovnik or Split and that’s the right call. Both cities are good bases and both have enough to fill several days on their own. From there the classic move is to rent a car and work your way up or down the coast, stopping where things look good and not rushing. A week gives you one city properly with a few day trips. Two weeks lets you actually slow down, get to an island or two and find the spots that aren’t on anyone’s itinerary yet. We’ve done Croatia twice now and both times the best moments came from staying somewhere longer than planned.
Dubrovnik:
Straight Out of a Storybook
Dubrovnik earns every superlative thrown at it. The old town is one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever walked through and the views from the city walls justify the entrance fee on their own. The trick is managing it: July and August are genuinely overwhelming but go in June or September and it starts to feel like the place it actually is. Stay inside the walls if you want to be in the middle of everything or choose Lapad for somewhere quieter near the water. The beaches here reward effort. The harder they are to reach, the better they get.
Zagreb:
Laid-Back and Full of Character
Zagreb doesn’t get as much attention as the coast, but it’s worth adding to your Croatia itinerary. The city has a mix of historic charm and modern energy, with open squares, leafy parks, and busy café-lined streets. Wander through the old town, check out Dolac Market for fresh local produce, and take a break at one of the many outdoor terraces. Zagreb also has a great collection of museums, from art and history to the quirky Museum of Broken Relationships. It’s an easy city to explore on foot and has a slower pace compared to the coastal spots, which makes it a nice change of pace during a Croatia trip. Read our full Zagreb guide →
Split:
Where History Meets the Sea
Split is the kind of place where ancient history and beach life come together perfectly. At the heart of the city is Diocletian’s Palace, a Roman-era complex that’s now filled with cafés, shops, and hidden courtyards. Spend your mornings wandering the palace walls, then head to the Riva promenade for a late lunch overlooking the water. If you’re looking for a day trip, hop on a ferry to Hvar, Brač, or Vis for a taste of island life. Split is lively but laid-back, and it’s easy to mix sightseeing with lazy afternoons by the sea. Read our full Split guide →
Know Before You Go: Croatia
Best time to visit: June and September. Warm water, manageable crowds and lower prices than peak season. July and August are the warmest but the coast gets genuinely busy.
Getting around: A rental car is the single best decision you can make in Croatia. Ferries connect the islands well but the best beaches and quieter spots are only reachable by road. We always rent one and it always pays off.
Currency: Euro
Language: Croatian but English is widely spoken everywhere tourists go.
Travel tip: Base yourself in one place and day trip. Dubrovnik, Split and the islands are well connected by ferry and the drives along the coast are worth doing slowly.