Tips Travelling Croatia – Whether you’re backpacking or want to participate in Yacht Week, this Croatia travel guide will help you plan your next adventure in this beautiful country in the Balkans.
*Important note: From January 1, 2023, Croatia joined the Eurozone and adopted the Euro as its currency. Kuna (kn or HRK), the former currency of Croatia, is no longer accepted as a form of payment. However, Kuna notes and coins can be exchanged till December 31, 2023. This means Croatia is now part of the Schengen area and complies with those laws and visa requirements.
Tips Travelling Croatia
Spanning much of the Adriatic Sea, you’re never far from the coast when traveling in Croatia. And even if it’s not the beautiful beaches you’re looking for, rock castles and majestic waterfalls await travelers of all kinds.
Sightseeing Tips In Dubrovnik
Whether you’re backpacking through Croatia or just want to go on a yacht week, these travel tips will help you plan your next adventure in the Land of a Thousand Islands.
We do our best to give our honest opinions about all the destinations we travel to and the products we recommend through Two Wandering Souls. That’s why we’re going to be honest about our thoughts on traveling to Croatia, so brace yourself because our opinion isn’t popular. What we’re about to say may come as a surprise, but it has to be said: we didn’t love Croatia.
But to be honest, we need more than beautiful landscapes to fall in love. Just like people: a pretty face is nice, but we want more.
The thing is, we made some big mistakes on our way to Croatia. So read this article till the end
Why You Should Visit Croatia + Travel Tips
If you follow our advice, we think you’ll enjoy your time in Croatia even more than we did.
This page may contain some affiliate links, which means that when you click, we receive a small percentage of the purchase at no additional charge to you. This allows us to keep sharing great travel tips, so feel free to click away!
This high stretch of Adriatic coast in the Balkans is full of charming towns and ancient cities, each with its own unique charm. From the walled city of Dubrovnik to party-heavy islands, the wonderfully welcoming capital and famous truffle regions, we’ve broken down all the best places to visit in Croatia in this handy guide.
One of the most famous cities in Croatia, Dubrovnik is popular for many reasons. First, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and rightly so. And we can’t ignore the fact that HBO put Dubrovnik on the map for many people who may not have heard of it when they used Dubrovnik Old Town as the backdrop for King’s Landing and filmed several scenes there for their hit show. Game of Thrones.
Tips For Sailing In Croatia
You can also take a Game of Thrones walking tour. Costumed guides will take you to various filming locations and play scenes on an iPad for a group of about 20 people to watch. We didn’t seem interested in taking this tour personally. But if you’re a die-hard G.O.T. A fan, that might be right up your alley.
The medieval stone buildings and churches in Dubrovnik Old Town are fascinating; But now some of them have been turned into bars, restaurants and pirate-themed candy stores, taking us away from the authenticity of the old town.
You still have a great time getting lost in the narrow streets of the city and finding yourself in hidden nooks and crannies.
1. Most popular view: Walk 2 km along the Dubrovnik City Wall and get a unique view of the city (Entrance: 150 kuna / $24.25 USD).
Split Travel Guide (croatia): Best Sights, Beaches & Tips
2. An interesting option: An alternative to the City Wall Walk is to take a stroll westwards into the inner city where you will find the restaurant Buza Bar. We read about Buza Bar in Lonely Planet and were intrigued by the description of a “hidden gem bar” where you had to walk under an unmarked archway to enter.
We were disappointed to find that it was full of people and no longer “secret”. That said, the view of the Adriatic Sea is spectacular and if you climb down the steps, you’ll find a spot perfect for cliff jumping.
If you’re looking to get off the beaten path and off the beaten path, consider using ViaHero to plan your trip to Croatia. ViaHero connects travelers with locals, who then create itineraries with a strong local perspective.
3. Top View: Take the cable car up Mount Srd for some epic views of the walled city, sea and surrounding islands. It’s especially spectacular at sunset (but especially crowded, so get there early to get a spot in line!). The cable car costs 170 kn (about $25 USD) for a return ticket. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or Uber to the viewpoint at the top.
Wonderful Tips For An Unforgettable Summer Vacation In Croatia
4. Our Favorite View: Walk uphill through the neighborhood until you get a better view of the city. We packed a picnic (and a bottle of wine!) and enjoyed the view from a small patch of grass as the sun set over Old Town. This was our favorite scene and we had it all!
Day trip from Dubrovnik: Cross the border into Bosnia. Mostar is an amazing city with an interesting history just a 2.5 hour bus ride away and some people visit as a day trip. If you have time, we recommend spending more time exploring Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Related reading: Check out our complete Dubrovnik travel guide for more, plus 4 things you need to know before traveling to the ancient walled city.
Heading to mainland Croatia and visiting the country’s most beautiful islands, such as Hvar, Vis, Brač and Mljet, is a way to avoid the huge crowds of Dubrovnik and Split.
Croatia Budget Travel Guide (updated 2023)
If you’re looking for a charming old-fashioned island in Croatia, Korčula could be the Croatian island for you!
We enjoyed Korcula much more than Dubrovnik. The walled towns look surprisingly similar, but Korcula lacked the crowds that made our visit to Dubrovnik a little disappointing. We saw a good part of the island by bicycle and think it’s a great way to explore this Croatian gem.
Regular buses run between Dubrovnik and Korčula which take approximately 3 hours and will cost you around 100 kn ($16 USD).
Another option is to take a ferry from Dubrovnik, which is faster and more scenic. The Nona Ana ferry only runs during the months (July-September) and the journey takes about 2.5 hours. You can buy tickets in Dubrovnik at the Petka Pier or in Korčula at the Korkyra Tourist Agency.
Helpful Tips For Your First Visit To Historic Dubrovnik Croatia
1. Rent a bike in town for around 100 kn ($16 USD) for the day, pack a picnic lunch, a map and be on your way! We discovered hidden beaches and small villages along the way, making it one of our favorite memories in Croatia. Stop on the way at Lumbarda, a small village on the eastern side of the island of Korčula, where the hills are covered with vineyards and the beaches have clear waters.
2. Visit a winery and try the famous white wine. There are many wineries on the island of Korčula. Just be sure to check if they are open to the public, as some wineries have certain hours when they are only open to tour groups.
3. Have a beach day. Beaches in Croatia are world-renowned for their turquoise Mediterranean waters, but don’t expect powdery sand to bury your toes in while you sleep. Instead, most Croatian beaches are very rough and the powdery sand is replaced by small pebbles. But don’t let that deter you from taking a refreshing dip in the water.
4. Rent a scooter. If we had more time in Korčula, we would have loved to explore the western part of the island.
Things To Know Before Going To Croatia
5. Explore the Old Town surrounded by water on all sides. The old churches are magnificent and the restaurants on the water look delicious. Walk up and down the alleys and get lost.
6. Check out the view of the Old Town. Take a short hike up the hill in front of the city and find a lookout point for a great view of the city.
Nightlife, beautiful beaches, historic center and proximity to some of the country’s most famous islands make Split a popular destination on most Croatia itineraries. Its location on the Adriatic coast also makes it a popular stop for cruise ships.
1. Explore the Old Town City Center. Diocletian’s Palace, the ruins of a former Roman emperor, forms the majority of Split’s city center known as the “Old Town”. Make your way through the narrow streets, shop around, grab a bite to eat or climb the old bell tower for some seriously epic views.
