If you are thinking of visiting Croatia during your next vacation, you are on the correct page. In this blog, I will share with you everything you need to know to prepare for your trip. Not only I will answer the most frequent questions but I will also share the useful tips I learned during my visit. Let’s plan your trip to Croatia in 10 simple steps.
Step 1: Best time to visit Croatia
The first thing you need to decide is when do you want to visit Croatia.
In my opinion, the best time to visit Croatia is late spring (May-June) or early autumn (September-October). This way you will still be able to enjoy the nice weather and avoid the summer crowds. In addition, prices are also a bit cheaper than in July or August.
However, if you can only organize your trip during the summer months, don’t let this stop you from visiting Croatia. It is a beautiful country, no matter what! I was there during the summer and even though some places were a bit more crowded than I would have wanted, I had an amazing time.
Step 2: How to get to Croatia?
Once you have decided when to visit, the second step is to choose how to get there. Most probably you will fly there, but you can also decide to make it a road trip if you are from Europe.
Flying to Croatia
There are 4 main Airports in Croatia. Zagreb is the biggest one, followed by Split, Dubrovnik, and Zadar. There is also an airport in Pula, which might be an interesting option if you are planning to visit the Istrian Peninsula.
To which airport should you fly? There are 2 things to take into consideration: price and what you plan to visit. For example, you might find cheaper flights to Zagreb but if you plan to visit Dubrovnik, you will then have to drive for 6 hours.
Driving to Croatia
While driving to Croatia might not be your first option. If you live in Europe and plan to move around Croatia this could be an interesting option as well. It might not be as fast as flying but it would allow you to skip Step 3. Also, it is always more comfortable to drive your own car!
Tip: If you are driving to Croatia from Italy, you will have to cross through Slovenia for approximately 40km. You don’t need to buy the vignette as it is only needed if you are driving on its highway.
Documentation needed to enter Croatia
If you are a citizen of any of the countries in the European Union, you can enter Croatia with only your national ID. For any other nationalities always visit the official site of the country to have the latest travel requirements.
For Covid restrictions to enter the country, please check the official Covid site with the latest travel restrictions.
Step 3: Rent a car in Croatia
Step 3 will depend on how long you are planning to visit Croatia and what you plan on doing. If you are only visiting the country for a long weekend and only plan to do a day trip or two, a car might not be necessary.
On the other hand, if you plan to visit Croatia for a longer time and plan to move around, renting a car is a very good option. This will give you more freedom in your and flexibility when planning which places to visit. You will not depend on the public transport schedules.
I always use RentalCars when booking a car for a trip.
Step 4: Insurance
When travelling through Europe I always make sure to have with me the European Health Insurance Card.
On top of that, even if you are a citizen of the EU, it is always important to get some insurance. Especially if you like a bit more adventurous vacations like me. This way you can enjoy your vacation knowing that you are covered no matter what happens.
Step 5: Decide your itinerary
Once you have your flights, method of transportation and insurance, it is time to plan your itinerary. This will vary depending on which kind of holiday you are looking for. The good news is Croatia has options for all types of holidays!
- Relaxing holidays on the beach: Croatia is known for its breathtaking beaches in the Adriatic sea.
- Cultural holidays: You can visit its many charming and pretty towns like Dubrovnik, Zadar, Split or Zagreb.
- Holidays in nature: Visit its many National Parks to enjoy its lakes, waterfalls and mountains.
Step 6: Book accommodation
Where you stay in Croatia will depend on the itinerary you have decided in Step 5. I always book my accommodations either via Booking or Airbnb.
Since Croatia is a very popular holiday destination, I recommend that you book your accommodation as soon as you have decided where you want to visit. This will give you more choices and affordable prices.
Step 7: Make reservations beforehand
Depending on what you want to visit, you have to consider booking your tickets in advance.
Some popular places like Plitvice Lakes National Park have limited access to help preserve it and they get sold out during the high season.
Step 8: Practical information about Croatia
Another important thing to consider if you want to plan your trip to Croatia on your own is to research some practical information and tips to consider about the country you are visiting.
- Language: The official language is Croatian. However, tourism is a big contributor to the country’s economy so almost everybody speaks English.
- Currency: The Croatian currency is the Euro.
- Cash and Credit Cards: In general, the use of cards is accepted almost everywhere. However, I do recommend having some cash available with you as we encountered a few places that did not accept them.
- Safety: Croatia is a very safe country to visit so you should not be concerned during your visit.
- Electricity: Croatia uses type C and type F plugs and operates with 230V.
- Driving around Croatia: Driving in Croatia is also quite easy. The general speed limits are 130km/h on highways, 90km/h on general roads, and 50km/h within the city.
Step 9: What to bring in your suitcase
What to pack in your suitcase will also depend on when you are visiting Croatia or on what kind of holiday you are looking for. Here are some things you should not forget to put in your suitcase:
- Shoes for pebbly beaches. If you are planning to visit Croatia’s famous beaches, you might be surprised to find out that not many of them are sandy beaches. Bringing these types of shoes will make entering and leaving the water a bit easier.
- Beach towel. Hotels or apartments don’t always provide beach towels since they get dirtier and damaged more easily.
- A hat or cap to protect you from the sun. Temperatures in Croatia get really high, especially during the summer. Having a hat to protect you from the sun will be very handy.
- Light and breathable clothing for the summer. This will also be a lifesaver during the summer months.
- Hiking sturdy shoes if you are planning to visit the Nationa Parks.
Step 10: Have fun!
You’re all set, all you need to do is enjoy your trip and have fun!
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I hope you enjoyed this guide to planning your trip to Croatia on your own and that you found it useful. Please let me know what you think in the comments below!
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