Dreaming of crusing via the turquoise waters of the Adriatic, wandering historic cobblestone streets, or savoring the recent truffles in a neighborhood konobo? Croatia is as magical because it sounds—but it surely’s additionally stuffed with surprises that might throw a wrench in your plans should you’re not ready.
Do you know that the majority seashores are rocky, not sandy, or that “island hopping” would possibly take a bit extra planning than anticipated? Whether or not you’re exploring Sport of Thrones filming places in Dubrovnik, navigating ferry schedules, or determining why the locals are so keen about rakija, these Croatia journey suggestions will allow you to keep away from rookie errors and journey like a professional. Get able to fall in love with Croatia—stress-free!
Croatia Journey Ideas
Croatia is an unimaginable nation to go to. Not solely is it one of many most secure international locations on the planet, however it is usually extraordinarily clear, the individuals are pleasant, and, as a part of the European Union, visiting from the USA is fairly simple. After visiting Croatia in late August via early September, that is what I realized:
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Croatia is Costly!
Perhaps 20 years in the past, Croatia was the cheaper various to the Amalfi Coast or Greek Islands, however no extra. You possibly can definitely get off the crushed path and nonetheless discover bargains, or keep in trip rental residences versus lodges, however should you plan on visiting the new spots similar to Dubrovnik, Hvar, and Break up, be ready for some sticker shock. We discovered Dubrovnik lodges the most costly, however meals was expensive in every single place besides a number of the smaller cities in Istria.
You’ll want to ensure you price range appropriately so that you just aren’t stressing about how a lot you might be spending at each flip. To assist, I’ve put collectively a full Croatia price range breakdown.
Be Ready for Warmth and Humidity
Just about each vacation spot I’ve visited within the final 5 years has skilled the destructive impacts of local weather change. Croatia is not any totally different. In case you are visiting within the prime summer season season, you should be ready for top warmth (and humidity), particularly alongside the Dalmatian Coast. Croatia’s shoreline sees a median of over 2,500 hours of sunshine per 12 months, making it considered one of Europe’s sunniest spots.
Individuals flock to Croatia for its Mediterranean local weather, however once we visited within the late summer season, most of our days have been over 90 levels and really humid. That may be high-quality if you end up sitting in a shaded seashore chaise and taking frequent dips within the sea, however it’s downright suffocating when strolling via the slender streets of the walled cities that don’t get a lot of a breeze. If you would like cooler temperatures, you will have to go inland.
I extremely suggest planning any strolling excursions for the early morning or late afternoon. Remember to pack a great sunhat, sunscreen, and perhaps even a handheld fan. You additionally must drink loads of water! Fortunately, there are public fountains with clear consuming water in Dubrovnik and Break up, making it simple to refill your water bottle. In any other case, like many European international locations, it may be difficult to ask at no cost faucet water at eating places versus paying for bottled water.
Watch out for Off-Season Journey
Shoulder season and low season journey might be a good way to keep away from the warmth. Nevertheless, you should bear in mind that in some areas, just like the Dalmatian Islands, many lodges, eating places, and retailers shut down for the season. Many institutions start to shut by mid-October because the season winds down, with some staying open till the top of the month, relying on demand and climate situations. By late autumn and winter, choices for eating and lodging develop into restricted on the islands.
Get Prepared for a Lot of Strolling (and Stairs!)
If you wish to discover the medieval walled cities in Istria, hike within the nationwide parks, or uncover the historical past of Croatia’s magnificent cities, you’ll be strolling lots. Be sure to pack comfy sneakers that work properly for cobblestones, hills, and much and plenty of stairs. I noticed fairly just a few girls dressed for the membership, clinging to their boyfriends as they teetered via the cobblestone streets on stilettos.
These stairs and cobblestones can actually come into play when contemplating the place to remain.
Rethink Staying within the Previous Cities
I really like staying within the historic middle of cities like Rome or Barcelona, the place the highest sights are only a quick stroll away and the lodging exude character. Nevertheless, there are some components to think about when selecting the place to remain in Croatia. To begin, most of the previous cities and cities are pedestrian-only zones. So you should take into account how far you will have to tug your baggage throughout cobblestones from the ferry port, taxi stand, or bus station.
Additionally, in cities similar to Dubrovnik, Korcula, or Hvar, you will discover many stairs resulting in the smaller aspect streets the place you will discover most of the inns, lodges, or leases. Do you wish to haul your luggage up these steep staircases?
It might be higher to remain simply exterior of city, shut sufficient that you could stroll, however far sufficient that you could have facilities similar to taxi service and perhaps a pool to chill off in. In the event you keep additional out, you’ll lower your expenses on lodging however spend extra on cabs/Uber and/or a automobile rental and parking charges.
Go for Uber
Talking of cabs, the taxis in Croatia, particularly Dubrovnik, are far more costly than utilizing Uber. Uber isn’t obtainable in every single place (like Korcula as an example), however it’s a good choice when you should use it. We had a number of guides examine the taxis to the mafia or cartel when it comes to worth management and scams. In the event you do take a taxi, negotiate the speed earlier than you begin the trip.
Know When Cruises are in Port
The cruise season in Croatia sometimes runs from spring via autumn, with peak months being June, July, and August. That is when the biggest variety of ships and passengers go to, benefiting from the Mediterranean’s heat and sunny local weather.
Dubrovnik, some of the fashionable locations, sees the best variety of cruise passengers, welcoming round 520,000 passengers yearly. Nevertheless, to protect town’s historic appeal and keep away from overcrowding, there are limits on the variety of passengers that may be within the metropolis at any given time. Dubrovnik’s most each day restrict for cruise passengers is 8,000, though on sure peak days, this quantity can go as much as 10,000 passengers. Different cities and islands similar to Break up, Zadar, and Hvar are additionally fashionable cruise ports.
What does this imply for you? These cities can get extraordinarily crowded on the times that a number of cruise ships are in port. In the event you don’t like crowds (and who does?), use a web site like CruiseMapper to see when cruise ships will probably be in port and plan your metropolis exploration round these instances.
Getting Round Croatia
If you are planning your journey, you should definitely have a look at a map of Croatia. This can be a lengthy, skinny nation with out a well-established practice system. Getting from place to position will possible take longer than you assume. It’s a lot simpler to fly into one metropolis and out of the opposite. For instance, fly into Zagreb and work your manner south to Dubrovnik or fly into Dubrovnik and head north in the direction of Break up or Zagreb.
When you get into the southern Dalmatian Coast, there may be one fundamental highway that may get fairly busy, particularly in the summertime. In the event you don’t wish to drive between locations, you too can take busses.
Hire a Automotive or Rent a Driver?
I’ve mates who’ve visited Croatia and used personal drivers to switch from location to location. That may be an important answer should you don’t want the automobile whereas at a vacation spot otherwise you plan to take excursions for day journeys.
Nevertheless, Croatia has a contemporary freeway system (full with digital tolls and lots of, many tunnels via mountains.) Driving between locations is definitely fairly simple and I’ve truthfully by no means seen higher meals at freeway relaxation areas. Automotive rental costs are additionally fairly cheap (simply, as all the time, e-book prematurely in order for you an automated transmission.) The one instances it will get tough is driving a number of the slender, winding roads in Istria or on the islands. If that form of driving makes you nervous, you’ll be higher off hiring a driver.
Prebook Airport Transfers
Yet one more be aware on transportation, if you’re arriving by air into Dubrovnik or Break up, I’d recommend pre-booking your airport transfers (I depend on Welcome Pickups.) On days when cruise ships are embarking or disembarking, the visitors to the airport might be atrocious. You’ll want to plan forward and provides your self time on departure days. However even on arrival, it might take a very long time to hail an Uber due to the visitors headed to the airport. Higher to have somebody who’s already there ready for you.
Guide Your Ferries in Advance
I discovered the ferries in Croatia a bit simpler to navigate than in Greece, however you continue to must plan forward. Ferries do e-book up and have a restricted variety of each day sailings. Spend a while researching the schedules and e-book your tickets prematurely. I exploit Ferry Hopper for this.
When you arrive on the ferry port, pay attention to the ferry line (firm identify), quantity, and different locations of your ticketed ferry. As in Greece, the show on the boat will present the top level vacation spot in your ferry. For instance, to get from Korcula to Break up, you’ll first cease in Hvar. As soon as on board, stow your bag shortly and discover a seat (seats aren’t assigned like they’re on an airplane.) You’ll then want to observe/hear in your ferry cease and head over to the bags space earlier than you dock because the loading and unloading course of occurs in a short time.
Carry Money
Euro is now the official forex of Croatia, making it a lot simpler for frequent European vacationers. You will see that lodges and most eating places and retailers take bank cards, together with Apple Pay, however some nonetheless depend on money. However much more than the few locations the place you want money, there are a lot of, many retailers and eating places preferring money and can give you a money low cost. Generally that’s to keep away from the costly bank card transaction charges the seller pays, however some shopkeepers have been fairly clear that they like money as a result of then the don’t must report the identical quantity on their taxes. So if you wish to purchase souvenirs like jewellery (coral is big in Croatia), money will get you a deal.
ATMs are plentiful if you should get Euros, however verify together with your financial institution about international transaction charges. I usually order some international forex from my native financial institution earlier than I make a journey.
Ought to You Tip?
Whereas not obligatory, tipping is certainly appreciated. Rounding up the invoice or leaving about 10% at eating places is a pleasant gesture and considerably anticipated for American vacationers. Simply allow them to know at eating places earlier than they run your bank card in order that they’ll add the tip to the invoice.
Pack Water Footwear
As I discussed above, the seashores in Croatia are usually moderately rocky. To get pleasure from a dip, or perhaps a stroll, pack a set of water sneakers or water socks to guard the bottoms of your ft.
Day Journey to One other Nation (or Not)?
Whenever you go to Dubrovnik or Break up, it is rather tempting to tick off a few extra international locations by way of day journeys to Montenegro or Bosnia. However, there are some things to bear in mind. Initially, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina will not be a part of the European Union. Which means you must cope with a border crossing in every route. This could take up hours of your day journey. In case you are planning to go to Montenegro, there may be one highway via southern Croatia into Montenegro and the visitors might be horrible, particularly in August when Croatians and different Europeans head right down to the Balkans for trip.
Additionally, given its geography, Mostar, the favored Bosnian day journey from Croatia, is even hotter than Croatia in the summertime and colder within the winter. One thing to bear in mind when planning your journey! Given these day journey drawbacks, perhaps it’s higher simply so as to add on just a few days in considered one of these international locations as an alternative of visiting for only a day.
Are you able to pack your suitcase? Remember to try our 10-day Croatia itinerary too!
Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising govt and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged professional in household journey. Tamara is a member of SATW, NATJA, IFWTWA, and the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and serves on the Board of the Household Journey Affiliation. She can be the writer of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Trip Experts journey podcast.