Travel in Croatia: when to go, places and advice

A thousand islands, a limpid sea and cities of white stone: Croatia lines up Dubrovnik and its ramparts plunging into the Adriatic, Diocletian's palace turned living heart of Split, the turquoise waterfalls of Plitvice and the Krka, Istria with its Tuscan air and Venetian ports like Rovinj and Hvar. A country cut out for the coastal road trip, where swims, old stones and grilled fish at the water's edge follow one another.

Capital: Zagreb
Currency: Euro (€)
Language: Croatian
Direct flight: ≈ 2 hr from Paris
Time difference: None from central Europe

Itineraries

Our trip ideas in Croatia

The itineraries in Croatia are in the works: the day-by-day programme, named hotels, tickets to book flagged in advance. Leave your address to be notified when they come out.

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The right season

When to go in Croatia?

May-June and September are perfect: the sea at 22 °C, sites uncluttered, reasonable prices. July-August fill up, Dubrovnik and Hvar saturate and prices double, but the outer islands stay breathable. From October to April the coast falls gently asleep; Zagreb takes over with its Advent markets, among the finest in Europe.

January : In-between
February : In-between
March : In-between
April : Pleasant
May : Ideal
June : Ideal
July : Pleasant
August : Pleasant
September : Ideal
October : Pleasant
November : In-between
December : In-between

Ideal
Pleasant
In-between
Avoid

Quick guide

Understanding Croatia

Getting around

The car is king for following the coast and reaching the parks. Jadrolinija ferries and catamarans serve the islands; book the crossing with a vehicle in summer. Intercity buses are reliable and cheap.

Money

The euro since 2023. Cards accepted everywhere, but family konobas and markets sometimes prefer cash. Expect a coastal budget close to Italy's in August.

Language

Croatian. English is excellent among the young and in tourism, Italian common in Istria, German on the coast. No practical difficulty.

Useful apps

The Jadrolinija timetables for the ferries, Bolt for urban rides, and the online ticketing of Plitvice and Dubrovnik to book your slots and skip the queues.

Accommodation

The room with a local family (sobe) is the national institution, often with a sea view. The Istrian campsites are superb. In August, everything books out months ahead.

Etiquette

Greet with a "dobar dan", do not haggle, and respect the siesta hours in the old towns. Coffee on a terrace is a ritual that takes its time.

The iconic places

Walls of Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik

Two kilometres of ramparts above the orange roofs and the Adriatic. Walk them early in the morning, before the heat and the cruise ships.

Plitvice Lakes

Lika

Sixteen turquoise lakes linked by 92 waterfalls in a UNESCO-listed forest. Wooden walkways skimming the water, booking compulsory in summer.

Diocletian's Palace

Split

A 4th-century Roman palace turned city: bars, lanes and flats occupy the emperor's walls. Unique in the world.

Hvar

Hvar Island

The sunniest of the islands: a fortress above the harbour, lavender fields and the Pakleni coves reached by taxi-boat.

Rovinj

Istria

A Venetian peninsula of pastel façades packed around its bell tower. The finest sunset in Istria.

Krka Waterfalls

Šibenik

Staircase waterfalls in a limestone canyon, discovered by walkway and by boat from Skradin.

Tap a dot, or browse the list below the map.

Dubrovnik : The pearl of the Adriatic
Plitvice Lakes : 16 lakes and 92 waterfalls, UNESCO
Diocletian's Palace : The palace-city of Split
Hvar : The island of lavender and yachts
Zadar : Sea organ and greeting to the sun
Rovinj : The Venetian jewel of Istria
Krka Waterfalls : Waterfalls and walkways of Skradin
Korčula : The supposed birthplace of Marco Polo
Zagreb : The capital and its upper town