From medieval walled cities and forested national parks to sleepy islands and secluded coves, Croatia offers a wide range of places to visit, each influenced by its past Roman, Venetian, Napoleonic and Viennese rulers.
Our specialists will help you narrow down the best places to go, matched to your interests, whether you want to explore Diocletian’s Palace in Split, marvel at the Roman amphitheater in Pula, laze on a quiet beach or hike between the Plitvice Lakes. You might tour the age-smoothed limestone streets of Dubrovnik, admiring its Baroque churches and shuttered townhouses, or stroll through laid-back Rovinj with its Venice-like bell tower and café-strewn squares.
And, with a coastline lapped by clear waters and littered with more than 1,000 islands, you can wind down your trip and enjoy a slower pace dining on fresh seafood with views over the Adriatic. On a tailor-made vacation to Croatia with Audley, you’ll see the scenic highlights — and much more — your way.
Suggested tours for Croatia
These tours give you a starting point for what your vacation to Croatia could entail. Treat them as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you.
Suggested activities for Croatia
Whatever your interests, our specialists will build activities into your trip that connect to how you want to experience Croatia.
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Bike tour of Hvar Bike tour of Hvar
HvarBike tour of Hvar
Explore ancient agricultural terraces, limestone cliffs, small villages and olive groves on this private cycling tour of Hvar with a local guide who can fill you in on the history of the island and its people as you pedal.
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Bike tour in Brijuni National Park Bike tour in Brijuni National Park
IstriaBike tour in Brijuni National Park
Offering a neatly packaged presentation of Croatian history, the Brijuni Islands offer an insight into Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslavian rule, with significant ruins as well as rocky beaches, shady forests and a wide range of plant and animal life.
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Pakleni Islands kayaking tour Pakleni Islands kayaking tour
HvarPakleni Islands kayaking tour
Glide along in utter serenity as you explore the Pakleni Islands near Hvar by sea kayak on this private, half-day tour of the archipelago that offers access to remote coves and bays, deserted beaches and tranquil lagoons.
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Why travel with Audley?
- 100% tailor-made tours
- Fully protected travel
- Established for over 25 years
- 98% of our clients would recommend us
Best time to visit
Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Croatia, including information about climate, events and festivals.
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Useful information for planning your vacation in Croatia
Croatian is the official language of Croatia, but English is widely spoken throughout the country, particularly with the younger generations, making conversation easy.
The currency in Croatia is the euro (€). You can easily withdraw cash from ATMs and most businesses accept all major credit cards.
Croatian food is fresh, seasonal, and Mediterranean in style, and the local oysters, truffles, olive oil, and wine are gaining an international reputation for excellence. Traditional Croatian dishes vary widely, with fish and seafood staples along the coast, and rich, hearty meat dishes more popular inland. Istria and Kvarner are particularly well known for their gourmet experiences, and Istrian truffles are a local delicacy worth seeking out. Additionally, Mali Ston on the Pelješac peninsula is renowned for its oysters.
The Pelješac Peninsula also produces award-winning wines, and nearby Hvar has thousands of years of wine-making history to explore. Look out for local varietals including plavac mali and teran reds, and pošip, graševina, and grk whites. You may also see the Croatian spirit rakija, a fruit brandy, on offer.
Tipping in Croatia is appreciated rather than expected, with a tip of around 10% typical in most restaurants. If you’re paying by card, it’s not always possible to add a tip so carrying some cash is a good idea. Tipping in most bars is not expected. Taxi drivers and porters will appreciate rather than expect a tip, but it’s common practice to give a tour guide a tip, although this is always at your discretion.
For the latest travel advice for Croatia, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the State Department website.
From wine and oyster tastings to boat and bike tours, kayaking to remote islands, exploring ancient palaces, and hiking through forested national parks laced with waterfalls, Croatia offers a wide range of experiences for the visitor. Explore Croatia’s rich Roman, Venetian, Napoleonic and Viennese past in its cities and towns or laze on sleepy islands where the pebble beaches are lapped by the clearest of seas.
You could take a guided tour through the storied streets of Split’s Roman masterpiece the Diocletian Palace, enjoy fresh seafood with views over the Adriatic, discover Game of Thrones locations in Dubrovnik, or escape to one of Croatia’s thousand or so islands and explore honey farms, olive groves and wineries. Jump on and off ferries on an island-hopping adventure, kayak around the Palenki Islands discovering hidden coves and bays, or just stay put and lose yourself in a good book as you sip a cocktail by the pool.
Croatia’s rich architectural heritage, sun-drenched islands, and historic cities provide a wide range of places to stay from sleek, urban hideaways to waterfront resorts, and secluded villas. Soak up the country’s history at a 16th-century palace in Dubrovnik or a waterfront hotel on the island of Brač.
Enjoy contemporary style and facilities at a designer hotel set in the forests of Hvar or at the rustic-chic lodges in Plitviče Lakes National Park, or combine lavish styling with timeless charm at an Art-Deco-era hotel in Zagreb. Take a look at our collection of places to stay in Croatia for some ideas.
Whether you visit Croatia’s historic cities, sun-soaked islands, or lush national parks, you’ll be spoiled for choice for places to go. A relic of ancient Rome, Diocletian’s Palace sits in the heart of Split, its narrow lanes still teeming with life almost two thousand years after it was built.
In Dubrovnik, Baroque churches and ornate townhouses flank the marble streets in this walled city-state, while in Rovinj, steep, cobblestone lanes are lined with ornate Venetian palazzi. Take your pick of the islands from glitzy Hvar to artistic Korčula, explore Croatia’s gastronomic treats in Istria, or wander along boardwalks through lush forest in a landscape laced with tumbling waterfalls and clear green pools.
It takes around approximately ten and a half hours to fly from the East Coast of the US to Croatia, and about thirteen and a half hours from the West Coast.
The time zone in Croatia is UTC+1 hour. Daylight Savings Time is observed from late-March to late-October.
Renting a car is the best way to get around Croatia and gives you the freedom to explore as you wish. We can also arrange for private transfers or a range of tours if you’d prefer not to drive.
US citizens can travel visa free to Croatia and can stay up to 90 days.
Your doctor is best placed to advise on recommended immunizations for Croatia. For a list of current recommendations visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. You should also ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations at home.
Check your passport will be valid for at least three months beyond the length of your stay in Croatia before booking your trip. You’ll also need to have two blank pages available for documentation.
Croatia by region
If you’re planning to focus your time in Croatia around a particular area, you can jump into the region you're most interested in to find detailed itinerary ideas together with accommodation choices and a taster of the experiences we can offer.
Croatia in pictures
Our expert guides to traveling in Croatia
Written by our specialists from the viewpoint of their own travels, these guides will help you decide on the shape of your own trip to Croatia. Aiming to inspire and inform, we share our recommendations for how to appreciate Croatia at its best.
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Croatia with Audley Travel
A city built in a Roman palace, verdant national parks, glitzy island towns and exquisitely fresh seafood — our specialists offer a sampling of the sights and sounds that you might enjoy on a visit to Croatia.
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A highlights guide to Croatia A highlights guide to Croatia
A highlights guide to Croatia
From the brilliantly blue waters of the Adriatic to the vineyards of Istria, Croatia specialist Caroline outlines five highlights of any trip to Croatia, including two cities where Game of Thrones was filmed.
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Top 13 trips to Europe Top 13 trips to Europe
Top 13 trips to Europe
From the wintry wilds of Iceland’s shores to the sun-drenched islands of Greece, Europe’s vast diversity means it can be hard to decide where to visit on the continent. Here, we’ve ranked our top tours of Europe to help you make up your mind.
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Top 10 Christmas markets across Europe Top 10 Christmas markets across Europe
Top 10 Christmas markets across Europe
Each winter, Europe’s towns and cities sprout Christmas markets, sparkling with spangled trees, twinkling lights, spiced wine, and wooden pavilions selling treats and trinkets. We asked our specialists which ones they like best, from Croatia to Oslo to Edinburgh.
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Outdoors in Europe: Taking to the water Outdoors in Europe: Taking to the water
Outdoors in Europe: Taking to the water
While away your day on a private boat, admiring the hidden coves around Capri, or hike among the fantastical waterfalls deep in the heart of a Croatian park. Our European specialists suggest seven great ways to enjoy the continent’s waterways.
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A beginner’s guide to Croatian food A beginner’s guide to Croatian food
A beginner’s guide to Croatian food
Full-bodied red wines, truffle-infused cheeses and lamb roasted over an open wood fire — these are just a few of the delicacies you can discover in Croatia. Specialist Casey suggests five experiences that will let you explore the country’s culinary heritage.
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