2 Weeks in Croatia

What You Should Know Before Going On A Croatia Tour

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

Croatia is now open to travelers from both Europe and the United States.

Read more about Countries Reopening for Tourism

Why Visit Croatia on a Tour?

Where else can you get stunning coastlines, teal waterfalls, historic old towns, and delicious food? Croatia is a top destination in Europe because of its affordability and rich culture. However, getting around Croatia can be a little bit difficult with transportation and a growing tourism scene.

Croatia is in the rebuilding process after the Croatia War of Independence and the most common mode of transportation is by local or charter bus, not train. If you are traveling through the busy areas, many of those buses are fully booked and could delay your travels.

Visiting Croatia on a tour allows you the comfort of pre-booked travel and inside access to top destinations. There are specialized tours to Croatia providing behind the scenes access and allowing you to skip the long lines.

Additionally, Croatia is a great place for a road trip, but parking isn’t always easy. Many of the top attractions in Croatia are the old towns on the coast. Many of these towns you cannot park in or do not have easily accessible parking.

Croatia Cruises

Another way to visit Croatia is by cruises. Croatia is a top country for those looking to enjoy a cruise vacation. Up and down the Croatian coastline you can find stunning old towns and sheer white cliffs. Also, Croatia has over 1,000 islands you can visit on your cruise.

Cruises to Croatia have a variety of boat types and tour lengths. There are some tours that use the large cruise ships and dock in main ports like Split, Dubrovnik, and Hvar, and there are tours that use smaller, sailing ships.

If you are visiting Croatia by a land tour, you can also book day or week cruises to the islands. These tours are typically on smaller boats and you can rent them for however long you wish. This is a great way to visit the smaller or farther out islands that can’t be reached by the large cruise ships.

Who Will Enjoy Visiting Croatia?

Croatia has something to offer every type of traveler. Those interested in history will really enjoy the old towns on the Dalmatian Coast. Many of these cities are centuries old and are some of the most picturesque villages in Europe.

Speaking of pictures, photographers will love the views of Croatia by both land and sea. Croatia’s coastline is characterized by towering white cliffs and green forests. If you venture inland, you will come across teal lakes, green mountains, and hill villages.

Travelers who are looking to visit Europe on a budget will also enjoy traveling to Croatia. Croatia is one of the more expensive countries in the Balkans; however, compared to Western Europe and the United Kingdom, it is very affordable.

Croatia Currency

Croatia does use its own currency. Croatia began using the Kuna in 1994 when Croatia gained its independence after the fall of Yugoslavia. Even though Croatia is part of the European Union, they currently still use the Kuna.

You can exchange your money before you leave your home country, but it’s recommended you do in smaller amounts. There are plenty of places throughout Croatia where you can exchange or take out money from ATMs. But make sure to switch back to your own currency before leaving, you may get a better rate in Croatia then in the U.S.

There are some places in Croatia, like Dubrovnik and Split, that may take Euros. Since these are top tourist destinations, some shops and restaurants will accept them. However, it’s best to use the Kuna for easier conversion.

Is Croatia Safe?

Yes, Croatia is very safe. Conflict ended in Croatia in 1995 and violent crime is very rare. However, visitors are advised to always safeguard your possessions. Like most top tourist destinations, petty crime like pickpocketing can be common.

Sailing in Croatia

If you love being on the water, and are a bona fide skipper, a nautical tour of Croatia may be your dream come true. It is not only possible to sail Croatia -- jumping from island to island on the calm, sapphire Adriatic aboard a gorgeous sailboat -- this is one popular form of guided tour.

Whether you restrict yourself to Croatia, or decide to explore all of the Balkans, traveling by sailboat is a relaxing and intimate experience, the ideal aquatic version of a Croatia vacation.

Croatia Cycling and Bike Tours

If you want access to some of the most beautiful, scenic bike trails on the planet, consider going on a cycling tour of Croatia’s Dalmation Coast. Your guide will be able to save you the hassle of meticulously planning your routes, packing food, maps, and foreign dictionaries, and allow you to focus on the physical activity and your breathtaking surroundings. Not only this, but on a multi-day escorted bike tour, your guide is likely to take you off of the mainland to enjoy some island views.

What to Know Before Going on A Croatia Bike Tour

• Weather: Croatia has a typical Mediterranean climate. This means, in the summer, expect weather in the high 70’s. Luckily, Croatia is not prone to rain, although you may want to pack a small waterproof jacket just in case it does, or the wind leaves you a little chillier in the early morning -- you will spend a lot of time outdoors on a bike tour!
• How should I be? This largely depends on what level of tour you embark on. Stride can help you look for easier cycling tours, but make sure to reach out to tour providers for more information about what kind of endurance you need.
• Croatia roads: The roads in Croatia are usually well paved, and as you will be traveling on the scenic routes, you should not encounter much vehicular traffic.
• What’s the difference between guided and self guided tours? Guided tours usually include a lot more than a self-guided tour. You will not only have a person with you to help or answer any questions, but you will often benefit from services such as various included meals, transfers to and from the airport, and van support.

Best Times to Visit Croatia

While there really is not a bad time to visit Croatia, each season comes with its own significance. When you are planning your vacation, it’s important to take into consideration certain seasonal associations like weather, festivities and limitations.

Winter

Winter in Croatia varies by region. At its coastline, the region has a mediterranean climate and remains relatively warm. Dubrovnik is perfect for those who love celebrating the holidays but cannot stand the cold. Dubrovnik’s Christmas Fair celebrates with live music, local foods, and performances. For those looking for something sweet, Opatija hosts their annual Chocolate Festival every December.

Moving inland, the weather gets much colder. Croatia’s central and northern regions usually have snow by the end of December. Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, also has a Christmas Fair in Ban Josip Jelačić Square where you can celebrate with live performance and music.

Plitvice National Park can be visited in the winter, but it should be noted that bad weather conditions can sometimes cause the rangers to close off certain parts of it. Before you make the journey out to the park, make sure you check its official website for any weather related updates. When the conditions are mild and pleasant, the park truly looks like a winter wonderland.  

Spring

Spring time weather throughout Croatia is relatively mild and warm. It is also far less busy with tourist. In central Croatia, the weather varies slightly between warm and cool temperatures. This is largely due to frequent winds that blow prominently during this time of the year. At its coastline, there are also frequent winds, but the weather is much warmer.

Throughout Croatia, there are numerous festivals that celebrate the blooming vegetation. In April, Dubrovnik’s FestiWine has become a popular activity for locals and visitors alike.  Zagreb has the Floraart International Garden Show and International Street Festival every May. And the Flower Fair of Zadar every April is a must-see.

With the recently melted snow, Croatia’s national parks are in prime conditions. Its waterfalls are in full force, the landscape has an endless array of shrubbery, and the wildlife is full of mothers raising their young.

Summer

Croatia is mostly warm and sunny during its summer months. However, occasional rain is common, especially in central and northern Croatia. The height of Croatia’s tourism season is also within these months. If you want to miss the crowds, then go in late May or early June. By July and August, it is at peak season for tourism.

But, there are some pros to traveling during tourism high season. The weather is usually constantly warm. This means that nothing will be closed off at any of the national parks. It is also good for getting around. Because of the influx of visitors, most bus and boat routes add more times to their schedule.

Fall

Fall in Croatia gets the tail end of the summer craziness. The weather is warm, but it isn’t unbearably hot. Most destinations and attractions are slightly less crowded.

Plus, most cities are celebrating the autumn season in some festive way. By the coastline, the water is still warm and there is plenty of sunshine. The national parks are just as lovely and transportation is still easily accessible.

If you are looking for a quieter and more relaxing trip, then Croatia in the fall is a good idea.