How to plan a trip to Croatia: a complete guide

Delivering a dazzling mix of historic charm, natural beauty, idyllic islands, stacks of varied UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and mouth-watering Mediterranean food, Croatia offers travelers the chance to sail, hike, relax and dine in fabulous style. Given all that variety, it can be tricky to figure out how to focus your trip. So, read on to find out how to plan a trip to Croatia, from deciding when’s the best time to go, to figuring out the best places to visit for different experiences. 

The best time to visit Croatia depends on a number of key factors, not least the kind of activities you’re looking to enjoy, your weather preferences, and your budget. 

On balance, the best overall times to visit Croatia are spring (May to June) and early fall September to early October). 

These periods offer warm, sunny weather that’s ideal for sightseeing, swimming, and island hopping Croatia without the peak-season crowds — and peak prices — of July and August.

For example, in May and June, Croatia’s Adriatic coast starts to see more activity as the weather warms, while beaches and historic towns like Dubrovnik, Split and Rovinj are still pleasantly relatively uncrowded. 

September and early October offer similar conditions, with sea temperatures still warm for swimming. At the same time, milder daytime temperatures make these months a joy for exploring national parks like Plitvice Lakes or Krka.

How many days are enough in Croatia?

In our view, the longer you can stay the better! It’s one of our favorite European destinations for many good reasons.

But given the usual time and budget constraints, it's good to know that a well-planned Croatia itinerary of 7 to 10 days can be enough time to sightsee, relax and travel between a couple of destinations.

For example, following a Croatia itinerary for 7 days is enough time to enjoy lots of top highlights, combining a historic city (like Dubrovnik or Split) with visiting an island (perhaps Hvar or Korčula), and a national park, such as the impossibly pretty Plitvice Lakes.

If you have to time to follow a 10 day Croatia itinerary, you could cover a couple of coastal towns, islands, and inland attractions, and possibly also visit Istria, Zadar, Krka National Park or Zagreb.

Meanwhile, 3–5 days is enough for a short city break or coastal stay if you focus on one city (like Dubrovnik, Split, or Zagreb) and look to enjoy a few nearby day trips.

How much does a trip to Croatia usually cost?

Accommodation: mid-range hotels or well-rated guesthouses typically cost €70–€130 a night, depending on location and season, while accommodation in coastal cities and islands (e.g. Dubrovnik and Hvar) are more expensive, especially in summer. Expect an average total of €490–€910 for 7 nights.

Food and drink: expect to spend €25–€40 per person, per day on meals at casual restaurants, café and konobas (traditional taverns). This amounts to a 7-day average total of €350–€560 for two people.

Transport: if you’re planning to visit multiple destinations, the cost of ferries, buses and car rental might total €150–€300 across the week.

Sightseeing and activities: entry to national parks (like Plitvice), boat tours, and guided walks range from €5–€30 per activity, adding up to an estimated total of €100–€200 for two people.

Overall total: €1090-€1970/ $1180-$2120 USD

Do I need a visa?

US and UK citizens (along with many other nationalities) don’t need a visa to visit Croatia for stays of 90 days within a 180-day period, but your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date from Croatia.

As Croatia is part of the Schengen Area, time spent in Croatia counts toward the 90-day Schengen limit — this is very important to note if you’re visiting multiple Schengen countries during a longer trip around Europe.

While no visa or pre-travel authorisation is currently required for entry, from mid-2025, tourists will need to register with ETIAS (the European Travel Information and Authorisation System) before entering any Schengen country, including Croatia. 

This will be a simple online process with a small fee.

Step 2: Decide what kind of vacation you want

Best places to visit in Croatia for different types of vacation 

From city-based vacations packed with culture, history and incredible cuisine, to adventures in awe-inspiring national parks, and blissing out on sublime beaches around idyllic islands, read on for a run-down of the some of the best places to visit in Croatia.

Best cities to visit in Croatia

Variously offering a mix of historic charm with spectacular coastal views, architectural splendour (from Roman through medieval, to modern) and cool contemporary culture, Croatia’s are exhilaratingly diverse.

• Dubrovnik: known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” the UNESCO-listed walled city of Dubrovnik serves stunning sea views, historic fortresses, and vibrant cafés aplenty. Put simply, there are tonnes of incredible things to do in Dubrovnik. 
• Split: home to the impressive Diocletian’s Palace, Split combines Roman heritage with lively street life, excellent shopping, and easy access to islands.
• Zagreb: Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, has a relaxed vibe, with world-class museums, leafy parks, and grand Austro-Hungarian architecture. It’s not for nothing that Zagreb is Croatia’s capital of cool, either!
• Zadar: the lesser-visited coastal gem of Zadar boasts Roman ruins, stunning sea views, and the arty Sea Organ and Sun Salutation installations. Intrigued? Read more about why you need to visit Zadar.
• Rovinj: a romantic old town on the Istrian coast, it's clear why Rovinj is popular as a classy tourist destination. Think pretty pastel buildings, winding lanes, and sensational seafood.

Best beaches and islands in Croatia

Croatia’s coastline boasts a bounty of beautiful beaches, and islands surrounded by crystal-clear waters that are ripe for swimming, snorkelling, and sailing vacations.

If these are among the reasons you’re thinking of visiting Croatia, read on to find out about a few beach and island destinations to have on your radar.

You’ll find more inspiration in our feature on the best beaches in Croatia, and our practical guide to island hopping Croatia.

• Stiniva Beach, Vis Island: framed by high cliffs, this secluded stunner is often rated one of Europe’s best beaches.
• Sveti Jakov, Dubrovnik: quieter than the city beaches, this splendid stretch offers views of Dubrovnik’s old walls.
• Hvar Island: famous for its lavender fields, pretty port, and vibrant nightlife that’s long attracted celebrities, Hvar is also a fabulous stop on any sailing trip. Into the idea of taking to the water? Read up on sailing in Croatia, a first-timers guide before taking the plunge.
• Korčula Island this laidback destination boasts a lovely old town, beaches of both the broad stretch and pebbled variety, and pretty places to dine on fresh seafood and sip local posip wine. 

Best places for nature and adventure in Croatia

From majestic mountains and fairy-tale forests, to glass-like lakes and rushing rivers, Croatia’s diverse natural landscapes and national parks invite adventure, and soul-stirring walks on the wilder side, depending on how you roll.

Here are some of the best nature spots to consider visiting:

• Plitvice Lakes National Park: this UNESCO-designated wonder of turquoise lakes, waterfalls, and wooden walkways is a joy to explore via easy trails.
• Krka National Park: also known for its walkable trails, here you can also swim super-close to pretty waterfalls.
• Paklenica National Park: one for adventure lovers — think trickier hikes, rock climbing, and canyoning.
• Mljet Island: this magnificent national park island boasts bird-rich saltwater lakes and cycling trails.
• Cetina River: head here to raft, zip-line and go canyoning.

How to get around Croatia

With all those tempting cities, beaches, islands and national parks begging to be included in your itinerary, it’s worth taking the time to figure out how you can travel between them/

That way, with planning, you might just be able to visit more of them in a single trip. With that in mind, here’s an overview of getting around Croatia.

By bus

Modern, comfortable, and reasonably priced, intercity buses are the most reliable way to travel between cities and towns.

Main hubs include Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar and Rijeka, and tickets can be booked online or bought at bus stations.

By car

Renting a car is a good option if you’re staying a while and are looking to explore inland regions, national park and smaller villages. Also, driving the Adriatic coast serves spectacular views, and is an excellent experience itself.

Croatia’s highways are also excellent, though note that tolls apply on major routes. Note also that parking in old towns is limited.

By ferry

Ferries connect the mainland to Croatia’s islands, including Hvar, Brač, Korčula, and Vis, with operators like Jadrolinija and Krilo running frequent services.

High-speed catamarans are best for foot passengers, though car ferries are also available.

Be aware that services are reduced in winter, and some routes won't run 

By train

Train travel is limited, slower than buses, and not useful for coastal destinations. 

That said, train travel can be useful in northern and central Croatia, where it’s also a scenic way to get around.

By domestic flight

If time is short, domestic flights connect Zagreb to Dubrovnik and Zadar.

When it comes to getting to Croatia, if you’re traveling from the US, while direct flights don't run year-round, it’s easy to connect via one-stop in a major European hub.

The flight time is typically 11 to 14 hours, including layovers, depending on your start point.

In summer, some U.S. cities may offer seasonal direct or charter flights — check airlines like United or Delta.

Outside peak season, you can connect via London, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris or Amsterdam with airlines like Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, or KLM.

Flying to Zagreb is best for inland travel, while Dubrovnik and Split are better for coastal and island trips.

Meanwhile, if you’re traveling from the UK, it’s fast and affordable to fly to Croatia — the country is served by several full-service and budget airlines, with a flight time of 2-3 hours, depending on your departure point and destination.

Accommodation

Croatia accommodation covers everything from cute traditional guest houses, to budget hostels and luxury resorts, which means it’s worth taking the time to research options that best suit your needs, tastes and budget in all your chosen destinations.

Our guide to where to stay in Croatia is a handy place to start your search. It covers the best places to stay in Dubrovnik (spoiler alert: accommodation in the Old Town is ideal for first-timers) , and several other top destinations.

• Plitvice Lakes National Park: timed entry tickets are required and often sell out in high season, so it’s best to book online at least a few days ahead.
• Krka National Park: though less busy than Plitvice, this is still popular, so book in advance if you’re visiting in the peak summer months.
• Dubrovnik City Walls: while you can buy tickets on-site, skip-the-line tickets or guided tours are recommended to avoid the big queues.
• Game of Thrones Tours, Dubrovnik and Split: these themed tours are very popular, so book ahead for specific time slots.
• Blue Cave boat tour from Split or Hvar: book early as slots are limited by weather and daily quotas.

Best day trips from popular destinations in Croatia

If you fancy taking any of the following recommended day trips, it’s worth figuring out the practicalities before you travel. 

That is to say, look to pre-book any required ferries, buses and organized tours.

From Dubrovnik

• Lokrum Island: just 15 minutes by boat from Dubrovnik, this is a picture-perfect place to swim and enjoy nature walks in the company of peacocks!
• Elafiti Islands: book a boat tour to visit Šipan, Lopud and Koločep, where beautiful beaches await.
• Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina: book a tour to explore this trio of historic destinations, which can be reached in around 2.5 hours.

From Split

• Krka National Park: wild waterfalls, walking trails, and boat rides within easy reach of Split.
• Blue Cave and Vis Island: book a full-day boat trip to see enchanting coastal caves and beautiful beaches.
• Trogir: just 30 minutes away, this UNESCO-listed medieval town is a top spot for history and seafood.
• Hvar Island: reachable by fast ferry, heading to handsome Hvar is a must-do from Split. 

 From Zagreb

• Plitvice Lakes National Park: just 2 hours by car or bus, this is a top day trip from Zagreb.
• Samobor: 30 minutes from Zagreb, this picturesque town is perfect for leisurely walks and indulging in traditional Croatian pastries.
• Varazdin: 1–1.5 hours away, this Baroque beauty offers elegant architecture and lots of museums. Be sure to also visit the fairy-tale-esque Trakošćan Castle on a day tour to Varazdin.

Step 5: Finesse fine details

While card payments are widely accepted in Croatia, it’s still a good idea to carry some cash, especially in smaller towns, on islands, at local markets, or for things like public restrooms, parking, and tips.

Croatia uses the euro (€), and ATMs are widely available. It’s best to use official bank machines to avoid high withdrawal fees from independent operators.

What to pack 

While Croatia’s coastal climate is warmly Mediterranean, inland areas are cooler. As a result, what you need to pack depends on when and where you go, and also what activities you plan to do.

That said, here’s some general packing tips for Croatia.

Essentials for visits from spring through to fall include comfortable walking shoes, lightweight clothing (linen, cotton), and a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings.

It’s also a good idea to have a daypack for hikes and exploring cities, and to bring a plug adapter (Croatia uses Type C and F plugs, 230V).

If you’re visiting nature areas or national parks, bring hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers, mosquito repellent, and a waterproof jacket.

And it goes without saying that if you’re coming for the beaches, bring swimwear, a beach towel and reef-safe sunscreen.