Croatia
Croatia has many inviting splendours that make it a prime holiday destination: crystal-clear seas, pine-shaded beaches, colourful fishing ports and sun-bleached coves, to name a few. Its cultural heritage combines ancient Roman ruins, baroque palaces, and an Italian sense of fun.
The capital, Zagreb, is centred on a magnificent Gothic cathedral, while Dubrovnik is safeguarded by UNESCO-listed fortifications, and filled with picturesque buildings and lemon, orange and tangerine groves. Moreover, there is the gorgeous coastline; Istria, the largest peninsula in Croatia, where the royal blue sea meets lush greenery; and an archipelago of over a thousand islets.
Best Places to Stay
Island of Lopud
Your heart will soar as your boat approaches Lopud, the second of the Elephati Islands near Dubrovnik, where church spires can be seen among tall palms, pastel-coloured houses and stone cottages. It is the most tranquil of places, with no cars and a population of only 400 (though it was a teeming community of more than 1,000 in the 15th century).
As well as dozens of churches and chapels, dating back 1,000 years, you’ll find archaeological remains from ancient Greek, Roman and Slavic times and beautiful Sanj beach, a perfect crescent of white sand with just a beach bar, a three-quarters-of-a-mile walk or bike ride from the stylish Lafodia Sea Resort.
Things to do
EXPLORE CROATIA’S BEST BEACHES
The beauty of Croatia’s coastline is that it has remained largely untouched. With more than 1,000 islands along the Dalmatian Coast there is a vast array of beaches available from excluded serenity to family-friendly beaches.
One thing is for sure, all of the beaches in Croatia enjoy the crystal clear water if the Adriatic Sea and glorious Mediterranean climate.
GO ON AN ISLAND CRUISE
Cruising the Dalmatian Coast by boat is one of the best ways to see Croatia. Explore picturesque harbours and idyllic hidden coves only accessible by boat, before diving into the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea and enjoy sunset dinners on one of Croatia's many excluded islands.
SWIM IN PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK
Part of the UNESCO World Heritage list Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the most spectacular parks in Europe. Consisting of 16 lakes which are all connected by waterfalls, the park is also a great place to take in the local wildlife which includes the park’s symbol the brown bear.
Best Ways to Get Around
The i Travel Experience
Extraordinary travel and memories of a lifetime.
Book with a trusted brand where your holiday is protected.
Book with a trusted brand where your holiday is protected.
60+ Holiday Types
500+ Destinations
364,000+ Customers
Frequently Asked Questions
The Republic of Croatia sits at the cross border of central and southeast Europe. Part of the European Union it shares it borders with Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosina and Herzegovina and Montenegro. Croatia’s coastline is on the Adriatic Sea which is also shared by Italy’s east coast.
Croatian Kuna is the official currency of Croatia. Even though Croatia is part of the EU, the Euro is only accepted in selected shops and restaurants.
Croatian is the main language spoken. However along the coast of Croatia and in the main cities the majority of people are also fluent in English too.
There are many great places to stay in Croatia in the south there is the popular city of Dubrovnik, with its magnificent Old Town.
Split is further up the Dalmatian coastline with the Island of Brac opposite it with its crystal clear water. Even further north than that is Rijeka which is known as the gateway to the Croatia’s islands.
Finally, there is Zagreb, Croatia’s capital in the North West with its pedestrian-friendly streets full of cafes and restaurants.
Crime levels are low in Croatia and violent crime is rare, making it very safe to travel to Croatia.
Be sure to take usual travel precautions. Take care in busy tourist areas, where pickpockets are known to operate. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Don’t leave valuables unattended, particularly on the beach. Use a hotel safe if possible.
Compared to the likes of Italy, France and Spain, Croatia is more affordable. However due to the growing popularity prices are slowly increasing.
If you are looking to keep costs down then try and stay away from the usual tourist traps and peak season months of July and August. Dubrovnik is also the tourist centre of Croatia and therefore prices in the city tend to be higher than other areas.