Croatia is one of the most beautiful countries to travel in Europe, in our opinion. Situated mainly on the Adriatic Sea coast, the country has plenty of beautiful cities, sights and natural wonders you can discover. Read more on our travel to Croatia guide in order to experience the best trip in this beautiful country.
Croatia has been quickly emerging in the eyes of tourists in the past few years. The country became independent in 1991, after being part of Yugoslavia. It contains more than 1000 islands and over 6000 km of coastline. In addition, Croatia has 10 UNESCO Heritage sites, 8 cultural and 2 natural.
There are plenty of things to do in Croatia, from beautiful historic sights to natural parks, amazing beaches and parties.
Croatia travel quick facts
Spoken language: Croatian
Currency: Kuna (Kn)
Tipping: not required, but appreciated (~10%)
Power and sockets: 220V, 50Hz – standard European type C & F plugs
Average meal price: 20 EUR
Beer: 2.5 EUR
Croatia travel entry requirements
Normally, as part of the EU, Croatia doesn’t require EU citizens to get a visa. In addition, residents of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States are also permitted to enter without a visa. Travelers to Croatia can stay up to 90 days over a 180-day period. The best way to check entry requirements for Croatia is on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
However, because the coronavirus pandemic hit Europe in February 2020, there are different entry regulations you must be aware of before traveling to Croatia. Right now you can enter Croatia if you are coming from one of the following areas:
- EEA
- Algeria
- Australia
- Canada
- Georgia
- Japan
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- New Zealand
- Rwanda
- Serbia
- South Korea
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Uruguay
The list is subject to change, but you can find updates on this website.
How to travel to Croatia
The country is very accessible to other European countries. However, if you arrive from outside Europe you will most probably need to stop in one of the main airport hubs first.
By Plane
Croatia has 7 international airports conveniently located in the cities with most attractions:
- Dubrovnik
- Osijek
- Pula
- Rijeka
- Split
- Zadar
- Zagreb
By Train
If you want to get to Croatia by rail, you can do so directly from the following countries:
- Austria
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Czech Republic
- Germany
- Hungary
- Italy
- Serbia
- Switzerland
In addition, you can get to Croatia by rail from most countries in Europe but not directly.
By Bus
You can also get to Croatia by bus directly from the following countries:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Austria
- Germany
- Hungary
- Italy
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Serbia
By Boat
There are ferries from Italy to the most popular cities in Croatia, such as Hvar, Dubrovnik, Split, Korcula and Zadar.
By Car
You can also get to Croatia by car. The country has plenty of modern and well-connected highways which make it easy to get around.
When to visit Croatia
The tourist season in Croatia is between June and September. During these times, attractions will be open and it will be easy to move around the country. However, if you want to avoid the crowds, the best months to visit are May, June and September. It is also cheaper to travel during these times in terms of accommodation in Croatia.
July and August are the best months if you want to swim in the Adriatic sea, as the sea temperatures are the highest.
How to move around Croatia
It is easy to move around in Croatia as there are plenty of options. Getting a car may be the most convenient option as you can go anywhere you like. However, busses and trains are fairly cheap and connect the main cities. If you plan to do some island-hopping, then there are plenty of ferries and boat services available. The least popular option is to fly, as it is less flexible and more expensive.
The best cities to see in Croatia
Croatia is full of beautiful cities that you can visit. However, the most popular are:
Dubrovnik
The most popular city in Croatia is Dubrovnik. The city is situated in the south of the country, right on the Adriatic coast. Dubrovnik is one of the 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites due to its amazing preservation.
Split
Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and it is perfectly situated on the coast. There are plenty of things to see and do in the city and also nearby. Split is an amazing city filled with ancient history and ruins but also a vibrant nightlife. However, if you ever get bored, you can choose some tours outside the city, such as island-hopping or visiting the beautiful Krka National Park.
Zagreb
The capital and largest city in Croatia, Zagreb is a place full of history. The city is well-known for its friendly residents. If you are not a big fan of the sea, you will definitely not get bored in Zagreb.
Hvar
The most popular island in Croatia, Hvar is best known for its amazing beaches, turquoise waters and lavender fields. The island is full of amazing views and history, so you could never get bored while you’re there.
Rovinj
The second most-visited city in Croatia, Rovinj is known for its picturesque sights and Italian flavors. Also situated on the coast, the city is one of the most romantic destinations in Croatia.
Landmarks in Croatia
The most beautiful places to visit in Croatia, which are also on the UNESCO World Heritage list, are:
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč
- Historic City of Trogir
- The Palace of Diocletian in Split
- Old City of Dubrovnik
- Stari Grad Plain on the island of Hvar
Where to stay in Croatia
During our Croatia travels we mostly used booking.com and Airbnb in order to find the most affordable and convenient accommodation options.
Traditional foods in Croatia
Food in Croatia is really varied. Meat is at the center of the continental part of the country, whereas seafood is the most popular along the coast. We comprised a list with the top foods to try while you’re in Croatia:
- Black seafood risotto
- Manestra, a slow-cooked bean soup with cured meat
- Soparnik, a Swiss chard pie
- Istarazki Fuzi, homemade diamond-shaped pasta
- Arancini, sweetened orange peel
- Rozata, a traditional flan
You can also enjoy a tasty gastronomic experience as you explore this country, with some tours from our friends at GetYourGuide. If you are feeling adventurous, you can even take a cooking class to immerse yourself more in the gastronomy of Croatia.
Croatian Language Basics
It is always good to know a couple of phrases in the language of the country you’re going to. Therefore, you can find below a list of basic words and phrases.
English
Croatian
Pronunciation
Hello
Zdravo/bog
zdra-vaw/bawg
Goodbye
Do viđenja
Daw-vee-je-nya
Good morning
Dobro jutro
Daw-braw yoo-traw
Good day
Dobar dan
Daw-bar dan
Good evening
Dobra večer
Daw-bra ve-cher
Good night
Laku noć
La-koo nawch
Yes
Da
Dah
No
Ne
ne
Please
Molim
Maw-leem
Thank you
Hvala
Hva-la
Restroom
Zahodi
za-haw-dee
Men
Mus karci
moosh-kar-tsee
Women
zene
zzhe-ne
Did you enjoy this article? What other information would you like to find? If you plan to travel this summer, check out this article on our favorite European cities.
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