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Holidays in Croatia

Heavenly islands, a thousand miles of coastline and more than its fair share of art, culture and UNESCO World Heritage sites… welcome to Croatia, the newest kid on the beach holiday block.

Whether you’re after island hopping along the Adriatic coast, an all-inclusive holiday on the Istrian Riviera or a Game of Thrones pilgrimage to Dubrovnik, this Balkan beauty really is the total package.

For a balmy beach holiday, head south from Split along Croatia's spectacular Dalmatian coast and hop over to the lively islands of Hvar and Brač. Alternatively, go north to the Istrian Riviera, where you’ll find more than a touch of neighbours, Italy and Slovenia.

On the Istrian coast, long white-pebble beaches and tiny fishing villages give way to lively beach resorts, like Novigrad, Porec and Rovinj. Here, you can mooch between authentic waterfront tavernas serving brudet, a traditional tomato and seafood stew, and crni rižot, black risotto with cuttlefish, along with a chilled Malvazija wine.

A Croatia holiday reaches far beyond the beach towel. Head inland to explore Croatia's unspoilt interior, especially the staggered lakes of Plitvice National Park and the canyons and waterfalls of Krka in southern Croatia. From Dubrovnik, hop across to Mljet National Park where saltwater lakes and dense forests are great for hiking, cycling and kayaking.

Fancy some city living? Zagreb is spot on for a break. You can visit the National Museum of Modern Art and the quirky Museum of Broken Relationships, and come winter, the Christmas markets are an alternative festive treat with twinkling lights, warm wine and ice-skating.

Top Croatia destinations

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Dubrovnik

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Split

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Rovinj

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Cavtat

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Hvar

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Porec

For families

Endless beaches, shallow waters and waterparks: Croatia's Istrian Riviera is a beach paradise and exactly what you need for a family getaway. The ancient city of Pula is famous for its 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre, the Pula Arena, and is a fun day out for wannabe gladiators. It has lots of family-friendly hotels and resorts along the coast.

The former Venetian town of Rovinj is also a charming place to stay and especially attractive if you’re travelling with younger children. Its beachfront hotels wrap around the bay, many with all-inclusive package holidays, waterslides, pools and kids’ clubs.

For travellers on a budget

It's not all five-star beach resorts and all-inclusive family hotels in Croatia. There is plenty of budget accommodation, too. The larger cities of Zagreb, Split and Zadar, especially, have a great range of cheap hotels. It’s also possible to find cheap holidays to some of the lesser-known islands off Split – in places such as Stari Grad and Korkula, you’ll find budget-friendly beach hotels and welcoming local guesthouses.

In popular hotspots, think Pula and Dubrovnik, it's worth heading slightly out of town to lesser-known districts like Gruž, near the Dubrovnik port, for the authentic (and wallet-friendly) Croatian guesthouses and small budget hotels.

For an all-inclusive holiday

Croatia’s coast is lined with brilliant all-inclusive resorts for every budget. The beachfront hotels and resorts in the Istrian towns of Rovinj and Pula are a great place to sample the local cuisine, and the nearby fishing town of Umag is a treat of seafood restaurants.

Further south, Hvar and Brač for a taste of island life, while resorts near Dubrovnik, such as Cavtat, also have a handful of all-inclusive options.

For nightlife

Laidback beach bars, world class clubs and open-air lounges make Croatia one of the best party destinations in Europe. For a top nightlife with cool beach clubs, hip cocktail hangouts and lots of late-night dancing, head to Split, Croatia's second largest city.

Hvar also has a good reputation for nightlife – you might want to join the crowds to party the night away at Veneranda, an open-air disco in a Venetian fortress. There are several beachfront hotels just steps away in Hvar Town.

For city breaks

Grand squares, baroque palaces and a cathedral make Zagreb, the capital, a good city break any time of the year. The city centre has plenty of stylish urban hotels, including Canopy by Hilton, in the old Union chocolate factory.

Dubrovnik, one of best-preserved medieval towns on the planet, is also ideal for a cultural weekend break. There are a handful of boutique hotels inside the old town walls, but for a grander, more luxurious stay, consider the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, just beyond the walls.

For beach holidays

With the dramatic Dalmatian coastline and the appealing Adriatic waters, Croatia is one of the most popular beach holiday destinations in Europe. Its long white-pebble beaches, rocky coves and safe beaches make the Istrian Riviera an easy fly-and-flop holiday.

There are hundreds of beach resorts and hotels to choose from. Visit Umag and Novigrad in the north, Poreč and Rovinj, down to Medulin on the peninsula's southernmost tip.

From gorgeous white sands to quiet pebble coves, Croatia has some of the finest beaches in Europe.

Zlatni Rat Beach

Regularly named one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Zlatni Rat Beach on Brač is a long spit of sand that changes shape with the waves and sea currents. Stay nearby in one of the beachfront hotels.

Zelena Beach

Just outside Poreč, Zelena's well-groomed pebble beaches are lined with fun bars and restaurants. It's a popular spot for sailors and watersports enthusiasts and is the place to go to arrange diving and windsurfing sessions.

Karpinjan Beach

Long pebble beaches, rocky coves and gentle waters: Karpinjan Beach is one of Istria's finest. To get there easily, stay nearby in Novigrad, which has family beach resorts close to Novigrad Marina and Aquapark Istralandia.

Kraljicina Beach

Snaking along the coast, Kraljicina Beach has soft sand, pebbles and a handful of beach bars, making it a popular spot for a sundowner. Zadar's beach resorts nearby are a good place to stay.

Grebišće Beach

Framed by pine forests and warm, shallow waters, Grebišće Beach on Hvar is one of the best in Croatia and great if you’re holidaying with younger children. The hotels in nearby Jelsa are welcoming and easy-going.

Ancient cities, beautiful national parks, and deserted island beaches await in Croatia.

A Game of Thrones walking tour of Dubrovnik

With its intact medieval walls, limestone streets and striking fortresses, it's no surprise Hollywood has fallen for Dubrovnik. To some it's the Pearl of the Adriatic, but to many it will always be King's Landing from Game of Thrones. Take a walking tour around the old town to see Lovrijenac Fortress (the Red Keep) and the baroque Jesuit Stairs, where Cersei took her infamous walk of shame.

Dolphin spotting in Cape Kamenjak National Park

On the southernmost tip of the Istrian Peninsula is the hilltop village of Premantura, the gateway to Cape Kamenjak National Park. Famous for its rugged coastline, quiet beaches and climbable cliffs – cliff jumping is a popular pastime for local teenagers – it's also a great place to spot dolphins and monk seals. Hike the rocky cliffs, sunbathe on secluded beaches or snorkel through the sea grottoes.

Wine tasting on the Pelješac peninsula

Along the coast from Dubrovnik is the Pelješac peninsula, a narrow spit connected to the mainland by bridge. Visit the Walls of Ston, aka The Great Wall of Croatia, built in the 14th century to protect the town of Ston.

The peninsula is best known for its vineyards growing Plavac Mali grapes. You can join a wine tour along the peninsula and taste some of the finest wines in Croatia.

Learn about gladiators at the Pula Arena

One of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world, the 2,000-year-old Pula Arena was once the battlefield of gladiators in the second century when it could hold some 23,000 jeering Romans. It now hosts live music and theatre performances in its ancient stone walls.

Island hopping along the Adriatic coast

The Kornati National Park is an archipelago of 89 islands, secret coves and reefs around the central island of Kornat.

It’s largely uninhabited, bar the day-trippers and adventure seekers who scale the sea cliffs, dive into its waters or kayak to hidden beaches reached only by water. Zadar is the most accessible launch point, with regular ferries to Dugi Otok, Losinj and the national park.

A walking tour of Diocletian's Palace

One of the greatest structures of the Roman Empire, Diocletian's Palace of marble arches and labyrinthine streets dominate the city of Split. Built as a retirement home for Emperor Diocletian in 305 AD, the palace is a magnificent example of Roman architecture. A highlight is climbing the bell tower of Cathedral Sveti Duje, once the Diocletian mausoleum, for a birds-eye view of the palace.

Promising plenty of sunshine, Croatia is largely a year-round destination. In winter, Zagreb’s Christmas markets and occasional snow give the country a different dimension. For island hopping and beach holidays, the best time to visit is May, June or September, when temperatures hover around 25C and the beaches and resorts are quieter.

When is the cheapest time to visit Croatia?

Low season runs from late October through to March when rain showers are more likely. That means the holidays are cheaper, but the weather is less reliable. Zagreb, Sljeme and Platak are most likely to see snow in December and January.

When should I go for the best weather?

July and August are peak seasons for good reason. Croatia's dance card is crammed with beach parties, festivals and sailing regattas as the sun shines almost every day, and temperatures reach a peak of 35C. The downside is the crowds.

Good to know

Flight time

2 hrs 7 mins

(from London)

Currency

Euro (€)

Language

Croatian

FAQs about holidays to Croatia

Is it safe to go to Croatia?

Croatia is a safe place to visit. As a rule, don't leave bags unattended and do have travel insurance. For the most up-to-date travel advice for Croatia, check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Do I need to have a visa to go to Croatia?

You do not need a visa to go to Croatia unless you plan to stay longer than 90 days.

What vaccinations do I need to go to Croatia?

You need no specific vaccinations to travel to Croatia.

Are there any local customs I need to be aware of?

Be respectful, and avoid the topics of war or politics.

What's the best way to travel around Croatia?

Croatia has an extensive bus and ferry network. Most ferries to the islands depart from Split. If you want to take the hassle out of travelling, car rental in Croatia is a great option, too.