You are planning your next trip and looking for the best travel tips for Croatia to make the most of your vacation? Stop looking and start reading, you are in the right place!
From how to plan a trip to Croatia, to the best time to visit and the top travel tips, this blog post will tell you everything you need to know before visiting the land of a thousand islands. And believe me, you are going to have the time of your life over there!
After traveling and living in Croatia for 3 months back in 2022, I can guarantee you that I have gathered all the information and travel tips you need to know to plan the best trip! And I can’t wait to share them all with you!
So keep reading and find out the best travel tips for Croatia!
This blog post is all about sharing the very best travel tips for Croatia and everything you need to know to plan your dream vacation!
PLANNING TRAVEL TIPS FOR CROATIA
1. Don’t only visit Split and Dubrovnik
I’m not saying you shouldn’t add them to your Croatia itinerary. On the contrary, they are both beautiful cities that you can’t miss while traveling in Croatia. But don’t overlook the lesser-known places and smaller cities. You will be amazed by the beauty of this country!
2. Don’t overcharge your itinerary
Even though Croatia is a rather small country, don’t plan too much, or you will spend half of your vacation on the road and won’t have time to relax and enjoy the simple things Croatia has to offer. Seeing less is sometimes better!
3. Check your visa requirements
Croatia is part of Europe, but not part of the Schengen Area. Don’t forget to check your visa requirements if you are not a European citizen.
4. Book hotels in advance
Croatia has become a very popular destination, which means hotels and Airbnbs book quickly during peak season. Book them in advance so you have more options and cheaper ones.
5. Avoid peak season if you can
If you are able to travel to Croatia outside peak season, I highly suggest you do so. As I mentioned before, Croatia has become a very popular destination, which means that tourist spots will be crowded during summer. Try to visit at the end of spring or the beginning of autumn. The weather will be nice and there will be fewer tourists. Believe me, it will be the best time to visit Croatia.
6. Learn a few words in Croatian
I strongly believe that you should learn a few words in the language of the country you are visiting. Whether you are traveling to Croatia or another country, make the effort to learn the basics: hello, thank you, please, and goodbye. Nothing complicated, but locals will be delighted to hear you try!
7. Check with your bank about withdrawal fees
This is pretty important! In Croatia, you will need to carry cash. Some shops or restaurants don’t accept credit cards and only accept cash payments. So don’t forget to check with your bank about withdrawal fees. You don’t want any bad surprises during your trip to Croatia.
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PACKING FOR A TRIP TO CROATIA
8. BRING WATER SHOES
Croatia is well known for its beautiful and wild Adriatic coast, but forget about white sandy beaches. Most of the beaches in Croatia are made of rocks. So pack some water shoes to protect your feet and walk on the beach without problems!
9. PACK ADEQUATE CLOTHING DEPENDING ON THE SEASON
As with most European countries, Croatia’s weather varies a lot depending on the season. Summer is really hot, while winter can be cold and rainy. Just make sure to check the weather forecast before your trip to Croatia and pack smartly!
10. DON’t OVERPACK
I believe this applies to all the countries you might visit! Don’t overpack, especially if you are planning a road trip in Croatia, as it will be annoying to move around with a ton of belongings. Plus, if you forget something, I assure you, you will be able to find it there!
11. PACK ELECTRIC ADAPTOR
This only applies if you are visiting from outside Europe. Croatia uses the European plug type (Type C and F) with a standard voltage of 230V. If you need an adaptor, try to buy it beforehand, as it will probably be more expensive to buy in a tourist destination!
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BUDGET TRAVEL TIPS FOR CROATIA
12. AVOID PEAK SEASON
Not only will you save a ton of money by traveling to Croatia outside peak season, but your trip will be much more enjoyable. Fewer crowds and better weather—summers in Croatia can be really hot… If you can avoid peak season, just do it! Believe me, that’s one of the most important travel tips for Croatia if you are on a budget!
13. VISIT THE LESS TOURISTIC DESTINATIONS
Less touristic destinations tend to be less expensive. And that applies all over the world. If you want to save money on your trip to Croatia, take a look at the less touristic places and add them to your itinerary! I promise you, you will still have a blast. Every single part of Croatia is beautiful!
14. BOOK YOUR HOTEL IN ADVANCE
The cheapest accommodations tend to be booked first. So by booking your hotel or Airbnb in advance, you will have more options to choose from! Once again, that’s a travel tip you can apply to all your trips, not just in Croatia!
15. TRAVEL BY BUS INSTEAD OF RENTING A CAR
I know that traveling by car makes things much easier and more comfortable… But between the cost of renting a car, the price of gas, and parking spots in the cities, it quickly becomes a huge expense!
Good news for you: public transportation in Croatia is one of the most reliable I’ve experienced on my trips! You can book tickets with Flixbus or local companies. If you need more information, just go to the bus station of the city you are visiting, and they will gladly help you!
16. PRIVILEGE STREET FOOD AND HIDDEN RESTAURANTS
Not only is street food in Croatia relatively cheap, but it’s also delicious! Best kebabs of my life, honestly! And if you want to try local cuisine in a proper restaurant without breaking the bank, here are a few tips:
- Get away from tourist spots.
- Eat where locals eat.
- Check prices and food quality on Google Maps beforehand.
- Look for restaurants that offer lunch deals.
17. LOOK FOR FREE THINGS TO DO
There are a ton of free things to do in Croatia, so if you want to stick to your budget, I highly suggest you search them all and plan your itinerary accordingly.
The only two activities I paid for while I was living there were the entrance fees for Plitvice Lakes National Park and Krka National Park. If you can afford it, it’d be money well spent!
18. USE UBER INSTEAD OF TAXIS
Taxis in Croatia can be expensive. Fortunately, you can use the Uber app if you really need a ride. However, if you’re on a budget, walking or taking public transportation is your best choice!
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SAFETY TRAVEL TIPS FOR CROATIA
19. GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLACES YOU WANT TO VISIT
This is one of the most important travel tips for Croatia when it comes to safety. Even though Croatia is a safe country for travelers, you never know what could happen. Just gather information about the places you are going to visit and be aware of any sketchy areas to avoid!
20. KEEP YOUR BELONGINGS CLOSE TO YOU
Especially when you are visiting a highly touristic spot with crowds of people… You have to be vigilant. Croatia has become really popular over the last decade, meaning that the most touristy places will likely be crowded during your visit. So keep an eye on your belongings at all times. Nothing ruins your holiday like having your belongings stolen.
21. DON’T BLINDLY TRUST STRANGERS
Well, this applies everywhere in the world, and I believe it pertains to your daily life as well.
When visiting Croatia or any other place, some people will try to take advantage of you, whether it’s through robbery, assaults, or scams… Just keep in mind that not everybody has good intentions.
Honestly, during the three months I spent in Croatia, I never encountered any safety issues or even a slight feeling of insecurity. But you never know, and as we say, better be safe than sorry. So try your best to apply these safety travel tips for Croatia during your trip!
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MORE TRAVEL TIPS FOR CROATIA
22. DON’T TALK ABOUT THE WAR
The war in Croatia ended around 30 years ago, which means that for most locals, the memories are still fresh and painful. Many of them are trying to move forward and focus on the future. Unless you are invited to discuss it, I suggest you avoid the topic.
However, if you’re interested in history, you can find information online—I did some research while living there because I realized I didn’t know much about it—or visit museums.
23. GET TO KNOW THE LOCALS
I had such misconceptions about Croatians when I first moved there—mostly because of what I had seen on the internet, to be honest. Let me tell you, I was completely wrong! Croatians are lovely people, always happy to help and share their culture with you. So if you have the opportunity, try to get to know them! Who knows, you might make new friends along the way!
24. Don’t only visit the coast
When we think of Croatia, the first thing that comes to mind is often the islands and the beautiful coastline. But there’s so much more to explore! One of the best travel tips for Croatia that I want to share with you is to not limit yourself to staying on the coast. Visit Zagreb, explore the mountains, venture into the inland regions… You’re going to love it!
25. EATING LOCAL FOOD AS A VEGETARIAN CAN BE TRICKY
I wouldn’t call this last part a tip, but rather an info I wanted to share with you. Croatian cuisine is delicious, but if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you might face some challenges finding suitable options. Most Croatian dishes are made with meat or seafood. However, in larger cities like Zagreb, Split, or Dubrovnik, you’ll find it easier to find suitable options.
If you need some vegan restaurant addresses in Croatia, check out this article from Living the Vegan Lifestyle.