Brian Parsa was enjoying a vacation in Europe last month with his girlfriend when, suddenly, everything fell apart.
21.07.2023 - 08:34 / roughguides.com
WIth 1244 islands, a wealth of unspoiled National Parks, and world-class wine and food, Croatia is one of Europe’s rising stars. In fact, you voted it one of the most beautiful countries in the world. To make sure you hit the ground running when visiting this diverse nation, wise up with our top ten tips for first-time travellers to Croatia. The Rough Guide to Croatia is also packed with plenty of expert information.
Given Croatia's rich offerings, it can be tricky to resist the temptation to cram too much into your first visit. But it really is worth resisting — if your time is limited, focussing on one or two places will be more rewarding.
For example, if you only have a week, consider splitting your time between Zagreb — known as Croatia's capital of cool for plenty of reasons — and the coast. A couple of nights in the city should do it, leaving you time to enjoy the awe-inspiring Adriatic.
Longer trips allow rewarding forays further afield, where gems like Plitvice Lakes and the castles of the Zagorje await. To help you focus, our feature on things not to miss in Croatia offers plenty of inspiration.
Decided on a mini-break? The Mini Rough Guide to Croatia makes a trusty companion.
Stay focused to find your «over the rainbow» idyll in Croatia. Zagreb's National Theatre © Shutterstock
Yes, Games of Thrones star Dubrovnik deserves Lord Byron’s «Pearl of the Adriatic» epithet, which is why our experts hailed it one of the best places on earth for 2022. But it's also why Dubrovnik has a tendency to feel somewhat overcrowded.
So, why not consider visiting Split as an alternative? Croatia's second-largest city has a remarkable UNESCO Heritage Site at its heart. Namely, the spectacular Roman Diocletian’s Palace. Split is also great for eating, drinking, shopping and generally making merry.
Still undecided? Read our thoughts on that tricky question: Split or Dubrovnik — where to visit first?
You might also want to investigate why you need to visit Zadar, and why Pula should be your next Croatian city break. Hint: Pula has a massive UNESCO-designated Roman amphitheatre and incredible Istrian eateries.
Getting off the beaten track beyond Dubrovnik is one of those Croatia travel tips you won't regret following — independent travellers looking for more unusual things to do in Croatia definitely won't be disappointed.
You could consider booking a tailor-made trip to do exactly that — browse suggested Croatia itineraries.
Beautiful as it is, thinking beyond Dubrovnik is one of our top tips for first-time travellers to Croatia — why not try Pula instead? © Shutterstock
Pretty obvious, but it really is worth doing your research and booking well in advance to secure your ideal accommodation in Croatia.
While Dubrovnik
Brian Parsa was enjoying a vacation in Europe last month with his girlfriend when, suddenly, everything fell apart.
The first time I went to Croatia was in 2017. I was on a week-long winter break trip before I would return to London to start my final semester of university. My friend and I stayed in the capital, Zagreb. We hiked through snow-capped trees, went to markets in the city center, and even took a day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia’s largest national park and a UNESCO site. After that trip, I knew I had to visit the country again.
In Croatia, it’s common to see clotheslines hanging between the streets and much to the confusion of the locals, there’s nothing tourists love more than photographing their laundry. The ancient walls and ruins along the Dalmatian coast tell the story of the past, but the clotheslines tell the story of the city’s living inhabitants.
Dream tips like sailing around the Greek Islands or along the Amalfi Coast are only for the rich and famous, right? Not anymore.
Travel website, Trippy, has put together an awesome infographic showing prices for food, beer, taxis, and hotels in the most and least expensive countries. And the best part is that it updates daily, so you can see the average price of something when you’re planning a trip or once you’re in the destination.
Looking to plan a trip around a weekend festival or worldly event in 2018? Then check out this list of festivals and events for every month this year.
Croatia is an endlessly appealing destination with sun-drenched beaches, picturesque hilltop towns and atmospheric streets.
With Mediterranean beaches galore, a delightful mix of cultural sights, family-friendly adventure parks and playgrounds aplenty, Croatia is a have-it-all destination for those traveling with babies, children and teens.
There’s much more to Croatia than its glittering Adriatic coast.
You don’t need to jet off to Croatian islands like Hvar and Brač to see the country’s best beaches. Coastal towns run the length of Croatia, and while they may not look like the coastal destinations in Mexico or surf havens in California that you typically equate with a beach town, they bring European charm and elegance to the concept of a town that’s centered on a stretch of coast, and whose identity is in some ways shaped by that fact. For scenic beaches accompanied by stunning architecture and non-sunbathing activities ranging from hiking to bar-hopping, these are the Croatia beaches and beach towns to visit on your next trip to Croatia.
Croatia has vibrant cities, tumbling waterfalls and rolling vineyards.
With its glittering Adriatic coastline, 1244 islands, endlessly fascinating cities and extraordinarily dramatic landscapes, Croatia has been steadily making its way up people’s must-go list.