Croatia
With nearly 1,800 km of mainland coast and more than a thousand islands and islets, Croatia is Europe's great island-hopping country, with Roman ruins and Venetian towns between swims. Walk Dubrovnik's walls early, watch Plitvice's lakes spill over travertine terraces, and save June or September for the Dalmatian islands, when ferries are calmer and the Adriatic is still warm.
Overview
Croatia curls in a crescent around Bosnia and Herzegovina, which gives it two characters: a continental interior of Habsburg Zagreb, Slavonian plains and the forested lakes of Plitvice, and a long Adriatic coast of limestone mountains, pine-backed coves and stone towns built by Romans and Venetians. Most first trips focus on Dalmatia, linking Split and Dubrovnik by road or ferry with a few islands such as Hvar, Brač, Korčula or Vis in between. Istria, the heart-shaped peninsula near Italy, suits a separate week of hill towns, truffles and wine, and Zagreb pairs naturally with Plitvice on the way to the coast.
High summer is crowded and pricey: Dubrovnik's old town fills with cruise passengers, island ferries sell out and apartment rates peak in August, when coastal prices can rival Italy's. In June or September the sea is warm, prices ease and the towns feel lived-in again, though many island businesses close from mid-October. Days settle into a rhythm of morning sightseeing, an afternoon swim from rocks or pebbles rather than sand, and late dinners of grilled fish. Visitors are often surprised by the quality of the wine and olive oil, and by how much quieter the interior is than the coast.
Map of Croatia
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Dubrovnik's city walls
Nearly two kilometres of medieval walls ring the marble-paved old town of the former Republic of Ragusa. Walk them at opening time or late afternoon, then ride the cable car up Mount Srđ for the view.
- 2Nature
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Sixteen terraced lakes linked by waterfalls and wooden boardwalks in forested hills between Zagreb and Zadar. Croatia's oldest national park, declared in 1949, is UNESCO-listed; buy tickets online in summer and arrive at opening time.
- 3History
Diocletian's Palace
The Roman emperor's retirement palace, completed around AD 305, is less a ruin than a neighbourhood. Explore the Peristyle, the cathedral that was once his mausoleum, and the vaulted cellars used as a Game of Thrones set.
- 4Beach
Hvar
This long Dalmatian island mixes a glamorous harbour town with lavender fields, the UNESCO-listed Stari Grad Plain and quiet coves on the Pakleni islets offshore. Stay in Stari Grad or Jelsa for a calmer base.
- 5Food
Rovinj and inland Istria
Rovinj's Venetian old town rises on a former island to the church of St Euphemia. Inland, hill towns such as Motovun and Grožnjan look over oak forests famed for white truffles, at their best in autumn.
Biggest cities
Zagreb
An underrated Habsburg capital of hilltop Gornji Grad, the Dolac market, the quirky Museum of Broken Relationships and café terraces; its Advent markets are among Europe's most popular.
Split
Croatia's second city grew inside Diocletian's Palace, whose Roman walls still enclose shops, bars and homes. It is the main ferry hub for Brač, Hvar and Vis, with a palm-lined seafront Riva.
Rijeka
A working port with Austro-Hungarian architecture, Trsat castle and Croatia's biggest carnival; better as a gateway to Krk, Cres and the Opatija riviera than as a beach base.
Figures are approximate urban-area populations; the cities proper had about 767,000 (Zagreb), 161,000 (Split) and 108,000 (Rijeka) residents at the 2021 census.
Holiday regions in Croatia
These areas have their own season and weather — see their guides for sea temperatures, resorts and flights.
When to go to Croatia
Best time: May–Jun, Sep.
Average climate in Split
Festivals & events
- Jan, Nov–DecAdvent in Zagreb
From late November to early January, the capital's squares, parks and Upper Town fill with Christmas stalls, mulled wine, concerts and an ice rink on King Tomislav Square.
- Feb–MarRijeka Carnival
Croatia's biggest carnival peaks with an international parade on the Sunday before Lent, when bell-ringing zvončari from nearby villages march among thousands of costumed revellers.
- Jul–AugDubrovnik Summer Festival
From 10 July to 25 August, theatre, classical music and dance take over the old town's squares, palaces and Lovrijenac fortress, where Hamlet has often been staged.
How much does Croatia cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Peka
Lamb, veal or octopus slow-roasted with potatoes under an iron bell covered in embers; konobas usually need a few hours' notice, so order ahead.
Crni rižot
Black risotto coloured and flavoured with cuttlefish ink, a Dalmatian coastal staple that leaves a temporary dark stain on lips and teeth.
Štrukli
Parcels of thin dough filled with fresh cottage cheese, boiled or baked with cream; the classic comfort dish of Zagreb and the Zagorje hills.
Getting around
Buses are the backbone: frequent coaches link Zagreb, Plitvice, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik, with tickets sold online. Jadrolinija car ferries and faster catamarans serve the islands from Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar and Rijeka. Trains are slow but scenic between Zagreb and Split. A hire car suits Istria and the interior, and the Pelješac Bridge lets drivers reach Dubrovnik without crossing Bosnia's Neum corridor. Uber and Bolt work in the main cities.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF230V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +385
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Service is rarely included; leave around 10% for good restaurant service, round up taxi fares and tip tour guides a few euros.
- Etiquette
- Cover shoulders and knees in churches, and don't walk around town in swimwear: Split and Hvar fine people who do. Avoid lumping Croatia in with 'Yugoslavia'; memories of the 1990s war remain raw.
- Main airports
- Franjo Tuđman Airport (ZAG), Zagreb; Split Airport (SPU), Split; Dubrovnik Airport (DBV), Dubrovnik
Visas & entry for Croatia
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Croatia, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel: as a tourist; to visit family or friends; to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events; for short-term studies or training.
The requirements for working in Croatia are different.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- RabiesTick-borne encephalitis
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Croatia
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 1 Nov 2026 | All Saints' Day |
| Wed 18 Nov 2026 | Remembrance Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Saint Stephen's Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Wed 6 Jan 2027 | Epiphany |
| Sun 28 Mar 2027 | Easter Sunday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Thu 27 May 2027 | Corpus Christi |
| Sun 30 May 2027 | Statehood Day |
| Tue 22 Jun 2027 | Anti-Fascist Struggle Day |
| Thu 5 Aug 2027 | Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and Croatian Veterans Day |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Assumption Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Croatian
| English | Croatian | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Dobar dan | DOH-bar dahn |
| Thank you | Hvala | HVAH-lah |
| Please | Molim | MOH-leem |
| Excuse me | Oprostite | oh-PROH-stee-teh |
| How much is this? | Koliko ovo košta? | KOH-lee-koh OH-voh KOSH-tah |
Know before you go
- Book island ferries and catamarans ahead for July and August, especially with a car; Jadrolinija sells tickets online, and foot-passenger catamarans to Hvar sell out first.
- Your UK GHIC covers state healthcare in Croatia, but buy travel insurance too, since it won't pay for repatriation, private clinics or mountain rescue.
- Visit Dubrovnik's old town early or after 5pm, and check the port's cruise schedule online: days with several large ships in port are noticeably more crowded.
Croatia travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Croatia?
The best time to visit Croatia is generally May–Jun, Sep. Peak months are May, June and September. Average highs in Split range from 11°C to 30°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Croatia cost per day?
Roughly £60 a day on a tight budget, £130 mid-range and £260+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Croatia?
Euro (EUR).
What plug type does Croatia use?
Type C and F sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Croatia?
Traffic drives on the right in Croatia, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Croatia?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Croatia?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Croatia, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Croatia before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/croatia/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Croatia?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Rabies and Tick-borne encephalitis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
