Planning a trip and wondering where to go in Croatia? That's the exact question I asked myself before my first visit years ago. Back then I made the rookie mistake of only hitting Dubrovnik (don't get me wrong - it's stunning) but completely missed Istria's hilltop towns and Korčula's vineyards. Croatia packs an insane variety into a small country - from Roman ruins to Adriatic islands to inland waterfalls. I've since road-tripped the entire coast and explored every peninsula, so let me save you from my early mistakes.
When deciding where to go in Croatia, consider your travel style. Are you after beach hopping? Cultural deep dives? Foodie adventures? I'll break down all options with practical details other guides skip - like exact bus routes to Plitvice Lakes, where to find free parking in Split, or how to avoid Dubrovnik's cruise ship crowds. No fluff, just the stuff you actually need to plan.
Coastal Croatia: Sun, Sea and History
Most folks start here - and for good reason. Croatia's coastline is ridiculous, with over 1,000 islands and water so blue it looks edited. But it's not just beaches; you've got Roman palaces, medieval walls, and seafood that'll ruin other Mediterranean trips for you.
Dubrovnik: The Pearl of the Adriatic
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room: Dubrovnik gets packed. Like, shoulder-to-shoulder in July packed. But here's my hack - stay within the Old Town walls overnight. When day-trippers leave around 5 PM, you get the marble streets almost to yourself. The sunset from the city walls? Pure magic.
Must-dos:
- City Walls Walk (Minceta Tower side has best views): Open daily 8 AM-7:30 PM (summer). Entry €35 - steep but worth it. Buy online tickets to skip lines.
- Lokrum Island: Ferry from Old Port every 30 mins (9 AM-6 PM). €27 round trip. Bring swimwear for the Dead Sea salt lake.
- Buža Bar: Cliffside bar drilled into the city walls. Drinks overpriced (€8 beer) but sunset views are priceless. Find the hole-in-the-wall entrance near St. Saviour Church.
| Dubrovnik Essentials | Details |
|---|---|
| Getting There | Fly to DBV airport. Bus #11 to Old Town (€6, 45 mins). Uber to city center €15. |
| Where to Stay | Old Town apartments (€100-200/night) or Lapad area for beaches (30 min walk) |
| Food Tip | Avoid restaurants on Stradun street. Try Proto (Skoljke na buzaru clams €18) or Barba (fried anchovies €9) in side alleys |
Honestly? Dubrovnik's beauty justifies the crowds and prices. But if you hate tourist traps, visit shoulder season (May or October). You'll swim in the same turquoise water without the human traffic jams.
Split: Ancient Palace Meets Beach Town
Imagine living inside a Roman emperor's retirement home. That's Split. Diocletian's Palace isn't some roped-off ruin - it's the city's living heart with shops, bars, and apartments built into 1,700-year-old walls. Best part? It's way more relaxed than Dubrovnik.
Don't miss:
- Palace Basements (Includes Game of Thrones museum): Open 8 AM-8 PM daily. €10 combo ticket
- Marjan Hill: Free park with pine forests and cliff jumping spots. Access from Senjska street
- Bačvice Beach: Sandy (rare in Croatia!) with iconic picigin ball game. Beach bars rent chairs €5/day
Day trips? Hvar island gets all the hype, but I prefer Brač. Zlatni Rat beach looks better in photos than reality (pebbly, crowded), but Vidova Gora mountain hike rewards with epic views. Catamaran from Split port: €15 each way, 50 mins.
Zadar: Sunsets and Sea Organs
Often overlooked between Split and Plitvice Lakes, Zadar became my favorite coastal city. Why? Two words: sea organ. Waves push air through underwater pipes creating random musical notes along the waterfront. Pair that with Alfred Hitchcock's "world's best sunset" and you've got pure magic.
| Zadar Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Must-See | Greeting to the Sun (light installation), Roman Forum (free), Five Wells Square |
| Where to Eat | Pet Bunara (truffle pasta €13), Foša (seafood by castle) |
| Day Trip | Dugi Otok island for Saharun beach (white sand!) - ferry from Gaženica port |
Zadar feels more "real" than Dubrovnik - fewer souvenir shops, more locals drinking coffee in squares. Downside? Beaches nearby are rocky. Worth renting a car to explore Pag Island's moon-like landscapes and famous Pag cheese.
Island Hopping: Where to Go in Croatia for Beaches
Picking islands stresses first-timers. Having done them all, here's my take: Hvar if you want glamorous yachts, Brač for families, Vis for untouched nature, and Korčula if you appreciate wine with your views. Budget tip: Jadrolinija ferries cost half as much as fast catamarans.
| Island | Best For | Don't Miss | Travel Time | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hvar | Nightlife, luxury | Hula Hula Beach Club, Stari Grad Plain UNESCO site | 1hr from Split | €€€ (cocktails €12+) |
| Brač | Beaches, hiking | Vidova Gora summit, Murvica Dragon Cave | 50min from Split | €€ (apartments €70) |
| Vis | Secluded bays | Stiniva Cove (boat access only), Blue Cave on Biševo | 2hrs from Split | € (no big resorts) |
| Korčula | Wine, history | Pošip wine tasting, Marco Polo's alleged house | 2hrs from Dubrovnik | €€ |
My controversial opinion? Skip Mljet if you're short on time. The salt lakes sound exotic but are lukewarm and murky. Better to spend extra days around Korčula sailing to hidden coves.
Inland Croatia: Waterfalls and Wine Country
Thinking where to go in Croatia beyond beaches? These spots surprised me most:
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Sixteen turquoise lakes cascading into each other via waterfalls. Photos don't do it justice - the water's so clear you see fish 30 feet down. But here's the reality check: it gets Disneyland-level crowded. My survival guide:
- Arrive at 7 AM when gates open. Parking fills by 9 AM
- Enter at Entrance 2 (less busy than Entrance 1)
- Take Route H (4-6 hrs) to see Upper & Lower Lakes
| Plitvice Lakes Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | €40 summer (June-Sept), €15 winter. Buy tickets online only |
| Transport | Bus from Zagreb (2.5hrs, €15) or Zadar (2hrs, €12). FlixBus runs daily |
| Where to Stay | Ethno Houses Lika Plitvice (10-min drive) or Hotel Jezero inside park |
Honestly? Krka National Park near Šibenik is easier for families. You can swim under waterfalls (unlike Plitvice) and it's less crowded. But Plitvice's scale is unmatched.
Istria: Italy Without the Price Tag
Seriously underrated. Picture Tuscany meets Mediterranean - hilltop towns, truffle forests, and coastal Roman ruins. Base yourself in Rovinj and day trip:
Rovinj → Pula → Motovun → Poreč (total driving distance: 150km)
- Rovinj: Wander car-free old town. Climb St. Euphemia's bell tower €4 for sunset views
- Pula: Roman amphitheater (entry €10, open 8 AM-8 PM summer). Better preserved than Rome's Colosseum
- Motovun: Truffle heaven! Try Zigante Tartufi restaurant (€25 pasta)
Trip highlight? Finding local konobas (taverns) in Motovun's countryside. Ate wild boar stew with handmade fuži pasta while watching vineyards turn gold at dusk. No tourists, just loud locals arguing over football.
Croatia Travel FAQs: Stuff You Actually Need to Know
When is the best time to visit Croatia?
June or September. July-August brings heat, crowds, and peak prices (hotels +30%). May/October risk rain but save money. Winter? Coastal towns shut down except Dubrovnik Christmas market.
Is Croatia expensive?
Depends where. Dubrovnik and Hvar are pricey (€5 coffees, €15 cocktails). Inland and islands like Vis cost 30-50% less. Budget tips:
- Eat lunch menus (marenda) - 3 courses €9-12
- Drink tap water (safe everywhere)
- Rent apartments with kitchens
How many days do I need?
Minimum 7 days:
- 3 days Dubrovnik + islands
- 2 days Split + Plitvice
- 2 days Zagreb or Istria
Got 10 days? Add Zadar and Korčula. Two weeks? Slow down and sail!
Insider Tip: Croatia's coast stretches 1,100 miles - don't try to cover it all. Pick 2-3 bases max. Driving? Coastal roads are narrow with endless tunnels - Split to Dubrovnik takes 4+ hours despite being 230km.
What about visas and money?
Croatia uses € since 2023. Visa-free stays for 90/180 days for most countries. Cards accepted everywhere - cash mostly for markets and bus tickets.
Is Croatia safe for solo travelers?
Extremely. Violent crime is rare. Normal precautions apply:
- Watch bags in Split and Dubrovnik crowds
- Beach lockers recommended at Bol (Zlatni Rat)
- Avoid dark alleys in Zagreb after midnight
Beyond the Tourist Trail: Hidden Gems
Wondering where to go in Croatia away from crowds? Try these underrated spots:
- Pelješac Peninsula: Oyster farms in Ston (tastings €10), Dingač vineyards
- Kopački Rit Nature Park: Wetlands boat safari spotting eagles (€20, Slavonia region)
- Rab Town: Medieval towers and sandy beaches (uncommon in Croatia!)
My personal favorite? Mlini fishing village near Dubrovnik. Stayed in a stone house with fig trees, swam in quiet coves, and paid €3 for espresso that cost €6 in Dubrovnik. Felt like discovering secret Croatia.
Final Thoughts on Where to Go in Croatia
If you take one thing from this guide: Croatia rewards slow travel. Don't island-hop daily. Pick a base, rent a bike or car, and find your own hidden cove. Skip the €100 guided tours - local ferry routes cover identical islands for €15. And eat where locals do - look for "konoba" signs and handwritten menus.
Still deciding where to go in Croatia? Match destinations to your vibe:
- History buffs: Dubrovnik + Split + Pula
- Beach lovers: Brač + Korčula + Elaphiti Islands
- Foodies: Istria (truffles) + Pelješac (oysters/wine)
- Nature seekers: Plitvice + Mljet + Paklenica hiking
Whatever you choose - pack reef shoes (rocky beaches!), book ferries early in summer, and prepare for addictive Mediterranean light. Croatia gets under your skin. I came for a week six years ago and now own a tiny Dalmatian stone cottage. True story.
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