Croatia Travel Guide

Traveling through Croatia, Dalmatia or Dubrovnik Region offers immense and rich experiences to every visitor. You can start with Dubrovnik, the crown jewel of Croatia.

From the coastal to the continental parts, Croatia's rich cultural heritage, combined with its magnificent natural beauties, make it the perfect place to spend your vacation at.

The story of Croatia is not quantified by its size, but in the beauty and diversity of nature, heritage, culture and gastronomy. Croatia boasts over a thousand islands, eight national parks, eleven nature parks, more than 6,000 kilometers of coastline, and ten World Heritage sites.

Croatia has a multitude of experiences for its visitors, ranging from the breathtaking Plitvice Lakes waterfalls to the beautiful beaches of central and south Dalmatia, the incredible cuisine of Istria, Croatia's outstanding wines, the lively island nightlife, and sailing adventures on the Adriatic.

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Zadar archipelago, Source: Croatian National Tourist Board, Author: Ivo Pervan

Travelling to Croatia

Whether traveling by land or sea along Croatia's shoreline, you are guaranteed a voyage of spectacular scenery and breathtaking views. The bare mountains running like a spine down the coast, the translucent Adriatic and the picturesque towns are surrounded by more than a thousand islands anchored offshore.

The fact that most of these islands are uninhabited make them the ideal destination for those who want to get away from the crowds.

The total land area of Croatia amounts to 56.610 km.sq / 35.336 sq.mi., with a population of approximately 4.9 million. It features a total land border of 1.778 km (1.110 mi.) stretching from the historic city of Dubrovnik in the South to the ancient Roman city of Pula in the North, encompassing a 1.278 km (789 mi.) section of the Adriatic Sea. Spread like pearls along the coast, Croatia's 1.185 islands provide a magical paradise to be experienced and explored.

The capital of Croatia is Zagreb, a charming medieval city of exceptional beauty known for its spirit and architecture, with a population of approximately 1 million. The city with a tradition of almost one thousand years celebrated in 1994 its 900th birthday. Over the years, Zagreb has become the scientific, political and economic center of Croatia.

The uniqueness of Croatia lies in its diversity. Situated between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, Croatia provides visitors with the opportunity to ski in the winter and swim during the summer months, all within driving distance. With its 1.185 islands, islets and reefs, it is the most diverse coast on the Mediterranean.

There are eight national parks in Croatia, three being in the mountainous regions (Risnjak, Paklenica and Plitvička Jezera), and four in the coastal regions (Kornati, Brijuni, Krka, Sjeverni Velebit and Island Mljet).

To mention a few, Croatia is home to the Old City of Dubrovnik, Diocletians Palace in Split, Euphrasies Basilica in Poreč, the lakes Plitvička Jezera and many others. Croatia boasts the largest number of developed settlements in southeast Europe, in addition, many of which date back to Roman and medieval times. Rarely can you find so many examples of cultural and historical significance from different periods in such a small region.

Best time to visit Croatia

July and August are the peak season months in Croatia and along the Adriatic coast. If hot days, busy beaches and lively night life are what you’re looking for this is a good time to visit Croatia. Accommodation soon fills up at the height of summer so booking early is recommended. Here is a selection of Dubrovnik's best hotels, carefully chosen for their excellent locations, stylish atmosphere, well-equipped rooms, extensive amenities, and outstanding dining experiences.

Autumn is a good time to enjoy inland Istria and national park areas like the Plitvice Lakes and the River Krka. If you are not tied to school holidays, probably the best time to visit Croatia is during the “shoulder-season” months of May and June and September and October. Expect pleasant sunny days ideal for swimming in the sea and sunbathing, with all the tourist facilities up and running but lower crowds.

Short facts about Croatia

  • Official name: Republic of Croatia
  • Official language: Croatian
  • Alphabet: Latin
  • Currency: Kuna (100 lipa)
  • Population (last census): 4.784.265
  • Number of islands: 1,185 (66 inhabited)
  • Capital: Zagreb (nearly 1 million inhabitants)
  • Total state area: 89,810 km2 (55,6822 sq.mi)
  • Territory area (land): 56,610 km2 (35,336 sq.mi)
  • Aquatorium area (internal sea line): 33,200 km2 (20,584 sq.mi)
  • Marine economy region (territorial sea line): 23,870 km2 (14799 sq.mi)
  • Total economy area: 113,680 km2 (70,481 sq.mi)
  • Coastline length: 5,835 km (3,617 sq.mi)
  • Coastline length of mainland: 1,777 km (1,101 sq.mi)
  • Coastline length of islands: 4,058 km (2,515 sq.mi)

The political system in Croatia

The political system in Croatia is democratic with multiple political parties. The CROATIAN PARLIAMENT is a representative body of citizens and is vested with the legislative power in the Republic of Croatia. The Parliament, as the oldest state institution, has been advocating, guaranteeing and protecting Croatia's statehood and national interests throughout centuries. Since 1990 the Croatian Parliament has been a democratic multiparty parliament.

Current President: Zoran Milanović

Current Prime Minister: Andrej Plenković

Traveling to Croatia with children

Croatia is a very suitable travel choice if you plan to travel with children. Besides budget hotels (in Dubrovnik) and children-friendly hotels, private accommodation (in Dubrovnik) present a natural choice. Arrangements with your hosts can be arranged in order to suit your family habits. Having generally more living space available, together with the option to have your own kitchen, is also an advantage.

Money and Currency in Croatia: Essential Tips for Travelers

You'll find using money in Croatia surprisingly easy, especially if you've traveled in the Eurozone before. Since Croatia uses euros the same notes and coins work just like they do in France or Spain. Whether you're dining out, shopping, or checking into your hotel, you'll be able to pay with both cash and cards pretty much everywhere.

Want to save money on your trip? You'll get the best deal by avoiding those tourist-trap exchange offices and hotel currency services. Your smartest move is to use regular bank ATMs - you'll find them all over the place. Before you pack your bags, though, don't forget to tell your bank you're heading to Croatia. You'll thank yourself later when your card works smoothly for that sunset dinner by the sea. If you do need to exchange money, you can visit any bank during their business hours (they're open until 7 PM on weekdays), and you'll get a much better rate than those flashy exchange shops in tourist areas.

Read more about Money and Currency in Croatia

Croatian Words to Know - Pronunciation of the Croatian Language

Croatian is a language that is relatively easy to pronounce for English speakers, as the letters are usually pronounced the same way every time they appear. Unlike many other languages, there are no silent letters or exceptions in pronunciation. Here are some important Croatian words and phrases that can help you communicate effectively during your travels or in other situations.

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Traveling to Dubrovnik by car

Ferries from and to Dubrovnik, Information and timetables

Flights to Dubrovnik

Traveling to Dubrovnik by bus

More useful information about Croatia

Absolute Croatia Travel Guide

Absolute Dubrovnik Travel Guide

Croatia Insider Travel Guide

Destinations in Croatia

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Written by: Orsat Munitic