Are you planning to visit Croatia? This essential travel guide, written by Marie Nieves, will help you prepare for your trip! This guide includes the best places to visit in Croatia, the top things to do and some delicious recommendations on what to eat!
As the world is slowly getting ready for the summer season, preparing those beautiful beaches, hiking trails, cocktail bars, local wine tours – what’s your plan for this year’s vacation?
So many eager travelers are looking for off-the-beaten-track coasts, but also culturally rich areas that aren’t swarming with too many tourists.
A perfect place that blends serene, secluded alcoves, mountains, but also a thriving cultural scene. Combine all that, and you have: Croatia!
This small, but immensely charming country in the Adriatic is certainly getting more attention from eager globetrotters.
When you want to recuperate from stress and you crave sunny beaches sans the chaos, this is the place to be.
Pair that with truly outstanding cuisine, unparalleled history, and diverse nature reserves, you get the experience of a lifetime.
However, if you’ve never been to this part of the world before, heading there for the first time means that you should pick up a few ideas in advance, to maximize the value of your stay. Otherwise, you risk missing out on opportunities that will lead to an unforgettable trip!
1. When is the best time to visit Croatia
Although the country is small, it’s incredibly diverse in terms of its local climate, so you can expect vast temperature differences on the coast compared to the mountains and the inland.
That is why timing your travels matters so much!
The coast will be brimming with tourists during July and August primarily, so a little bit of off-season travel is the best way to get a genuine glimpse of Croatia.
Head over there in late May or early June when the sea is swimming-perfect, or perhaps in September.
This will give you the option to see the national parks in full bloom and greenery, while the shores will be perfect for exploring the islands and the entire, lengthy coast.
2. UNESCO World Heritage places to see in Croatia
Among the many cherished natural and cultural treasures in Croatia, you should take note of those that have landed on the UNESCO heritage site, and rightfully so.
Plitvice Jezera is the perfect example of a dreamy national park, where you can spend your time marveling over the views of over 90 waterfalls and 16 beautiful lakes.
If you’re up for a hike, there are trails you can tackle, which don’t require too much endurance, but they’ll definitely give you a view to remember.
The small medieval town of Trogir is a historic jewel located on a tiny island, and a perfect way to get a history lesson on Venetian culture and architecture dating back to the 13th century.
Dubrovnik and its old town should be on your must-see list, too, with its pristine and intact houses and streets that will make you feel as if you’ve traveled back in time.
3. Things to do when you visit Croatia
1. Don’t stay in one spot!
Don’t be fooled by the humble size of this country. Croatia is riddled with places that are worth staying in, even if it’s just for a day or two because it’s the smaller places that will give you the true value of this country.
For example, while it’s alluring to stick to one town on the coast such as Zadar, or to stick to the inland with the capital of Zagreb, you might want to consider other options, too.
Add Osijek and Pula to your list, but also Zadar’s neighboring Sukošan. Don’t skip Dubrovnik, and make sure to spend a day at least on one of North Dalmatia’s many little islands.
The beauty of this approach is that it’s relatively easy and cheap to get from one place to another, giving you plenty of time to explore.
2. Go offshore to explore the coast
Spending time on a single beach in Croatia might sound appealing at first, but as soon as you take a look at those islands speckled as long as the eye can see, you’ll want to get a better view.
To get your own private tour of the islands and get on the more secluded island beaches, it’s best to get a yacht charter from one of the local towns and go offshore.
With a compact vessel such as a yacht, you can explore the island of Dugi Otok and its Sakarun beach, or the remote Palagruža island and its hidden Stara Vlaka beach.
If you’re up for seeing what the fuss is all about, you can check out the now well-known Stiniva beach on the island of Vis.
3. Try Croatia’s Seafood and wine
Croatian culinary wonders are so good, they deserve two sections.
For one, while you’re on the coast, make sure you ask the locals to point you towards a good local restaurant – it might not be the fanciest one you’d expect, but they won’t disappoint.
The coast of Dalmatia is ideal for your foodie escapade if you’re in the mood to taste local wines as well as seafood-based dishes to die for.
Pošip’s wines infused with tropical flavors add a whole new note of wonder to your grilled fish or octopus salad.
Make sure to also try Istria’s famous Teran wines, which resemble those you’ll find in Slovenia and Italy.
4. Traditional meals you need to try
If you’ve ever been to Greece or a similar Mediterranean country, you’re familiar with the selection of seafood you’ll find in Croatia, too.
However, in addition to their fine fish menu, you should make room in your belly for more traditional, inland recipes for which some of these regions have become famous.
- Dalmatian pot roast or Dalmatinska pašticada is a rich, beef-based dish served with a bunch of veggies and even gnocchi. Look for a local chef to try this meal, and you’ll be full for hours!
- Sinjski Arambaši or slow-cooked cabbage rolls filled with minced meat and veggies is a delicacy that comes in many varieties in the entire region.
- Istrian fuži pasta with white truffles is perhaps one of the more high-end options on the menu, but definitely worth the investment if you’re up for a treat.
Croatia deserves more than a mention, so this blog isn’t able to do it justice, but when you dig a little deeper when you’re ready to book your flight – you’ll be certain this is the right choice.
If you’ve managed to get your vaccine and your travel permit, and you’re ready to experience this European secret treasure trove, nothing should stop you from making the most of your summer vacation!
Just make sure you have a to-do list and that you go prepared so that you don’t miss out on relevant and cultural experiences that will completely transform your stay.
About the Author
Marie Nieves is a lifestyle blogger who loves unusual trips, gadgets and creative ideas. On her travels she likes to read poetry and prose and surf the Internet.
Her favourite writer is Tracy Chevalier and she always carries one of her books in her bag. She spends most of her free time at home walking her Labrador Retriever named Max.
She is an avid lover of photography and a regular author at High Style Life. You can find Marie on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.