First-Timers Tips for Croatia in 2025: Know Before You Go

Planning a visit to Croatia can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time traveling to this Balkan state. The small country in the Mediterranean offers some of the most stunning and pristine waters, charming towns full of history, delicious cuisine, and breathtaking national parks. This detailed post contains the best travel tips for Croatia to maximize your stay, understand the country’s regions, plan your vacation stress-free, and enjoy it fully.

Croatia is divided into several distinct regions, each with its own unique appeal. The Dalmatian Coast, renowned for its stunning islands and historic cities, is a paradise for beach lovers and history enthusiasts.

Dubrovnik, often called the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” boasts impressive medieval walls and a picturesque old town that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another coastal gem, Split, features the incredible Diocletian’s Palace, a Roman architectural marvel.

Further north, the Istrian Peninsula blends Italian and Croatian influences. It is famous for its truffles, olive oil, and charming coastal towns like Rovinj and Pula, where Roman ruins stand proudly.

Croatian cuisine is a pleasant reflection of its diverse regions. Along the coast, seafood is paramount. Freshly caught fish, octopus, and shellfish are staples, often grilled and drizzled with local olive oil. On the contrary, inland, hearty meat dishes take center stage. You can find recommended food in Croatia below in this post.

I have traveled extensively in Croatia and spent some time in this charming and somewhat underrated country. These travel tips for Croatia are based on my personal explorations and experiences, and I hope they will help you have the best time here. For more of my Croatia travel guides, refer to this page.

Travel tips for Croatia and mistakes to avoid

You might need a visa 

Most nationals from EU countries, the USA, Australia, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand, don’t require a visa to travel to Croatia.

The visa is valid for 90 days, within 180 days. Croatia joined the Schengen Area in January 2023, meaning 26 Schengen zone nationals don’t need to show their documents at border checks. Other nationals need to show documentation at the border. 

EU citizens can enter the country only with their ID cards. Non-EU citizens with biometric passports of countries with a Visa-free regime with the EU can enter the Schengen Area for 90 days in any 180 days. If you need a visa to travel to Croatia and have a Schengen visa from another country, you don’t need a separate one. 

If you need clarification about your visa requirements, check out iVisa and apply beforehand.

Croatia uses Euro

From January 2023, Croatia switched its national currency, Kuna, to Euro, which makes your travels to Croatia easier as you don’t need to exchange money when coming from a Eurozone. Otherwise, change your local currency to Euro before departing your home country. 

I use a debit card from Wise, a digital bank that offers online money transfer services at a low exchange rate and small upfront fees. It also supports over 50 currencies, making my trips easier anywhere.  

Overall, Croatia is not a cheap destination

Many assume that because Croatia is an Eastern European country, it is cheap. It is not, and it depends on where you go. However, it can be less expensive if you plan well. The most expensive city is probably Dubrovnik, even for locals, and Zagreb was the least costly for us.

Understand the weather in Croatia

When planning your travel in Croatia, remember that the country has three district climates: the Mediterranean along the coast, mountain above 1200 meters, and continental inland.

The coast is characterized by sunny, hot, dry summers and mild and sometimes wet winters. Dalmatia is drier and sunnier than northern Istria, with a daily temperature difference of up to 5C (40F).

Average summer temperatures are around 22C (72F); however, July and August see much higher temperatures, around 30C (86F) during the day, which might last for over a month. On average, the temperature in winter drops to 10C (50F). January is the coldest month when the temperature goes below 10C.

In the inland, winters are wet and cold with lots of fog, while summers are hot and dry. On average, winter temperatures drop to 4C (40F), while summer temperatures are around 22C (72F).

Choose the appropriate season for traveling to Croatia

July and August are the peak seasons, with hundreds of thousands of visitors to the most famous locations. However, if you don’t like overcrowded places, this might not be the best time to visit Croatia. 

Consequently, June and September are another option. October is decent, too. Yet, you won’t be able to swim in the sea.

During these months of the year, the country sees far fewer tourists, the weather is still sunny and warm, there are no queues, and prices are low. Winter is a very low season in some parts of the country, especially for go-to summer destinations such as Dubrovnik and the rest of the Dalmatian coast. Many hotels and restaurants close for the season.

Don’t jam your Croatia itinerary

Croatia might seem small, but it’s a long country, and from one end to another, you’ll be covering 700km. Moreover, there are plenty of gorgeous places to visit in Croatia that you can’t cover all in one week.

If you want to make the most of your time, stay somewhere central and do day trips from your base city.

For more information and details, as well as my Croatia travel guide PDF, refer to the section ‘How to structure your Croatia itinerary’ below.

Book hotels and tickets online in advance

One of the best tips for Croatia is to plan ahead and book your hotels and desired attraction tickets or tours online in advance. This enables you to save money, as sometimes the companies and hotels offer discounts, while some tickets also come with skip-the-line entrance.

When I plan my travels, I typically browse GetYourGuide or Viator to see the options and tours or tickets I can buy online. My go-to platform for accommodation and hotels is Booking.com.

Don’t skip Zagreb

Many travelers miss the capital of Croatia, Zagreb. They either use it as an entry point to the country and spend a few hours there or don’t visit it at all and fly into Split or Dubrovnik directly.

Zagreb is a beautiful city with plenty of interesting things to do. It is much cheaper, even in summer than the places on the Dalmatian coast.

Croatia is a safe country to travel

Croatia is safe to travel to, with very little street crime and almost no violence. It could even be one of the safest countries in the world. However, it’s always wise to take standard precautions, such as keeping an eye on your belongings and avoiding isolated areas at night.

Always have travel insurance

No matter how long you’ll be traveling in Croatia—whether for a weekend or three weeks—one of the essential travel tips for Croatia and elsewhere is getting European health insurance that covers basic or complex issues. 

All sorts of things might happen on holiday, and health insurance card not only covers your health, but some even help you with lost luggage and missed/canceled flights. 

I personally use SafetyWing, an international company that gives me extra security in knowing that they can help me sort out issues during my travels. 

Secure your Internet connection

The Internet is widely available. WiFi coverage is good, and many towns offer free WiFi hotspots. Besides, private accommodations, hotels, hostels, and even campsites provide free WiFi internet connections.

Using public WiFi can make you a potential victim of online crimes, such as stealing your personal information and accessing your financial accounts. 

I rarely travel without a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which creates a secure, encrypted connection between my device and the Internet. This helps protect my online activities from being monitored by third parties and ensures my connection is safe and secure. Surf Shark is the one I use and can highly recommend. 

Get an eSIM to stay connected

One of the best Croatia travel tips I can give you is to invest in an eSIM. These digital SIM cards enable you to be connected the minute you land in Croatia and avoid high roaming charges. Note that they don’t come with call or SMS packages and only have an internet connection, so if you need those, get a local SIM card.

I use either Airalo or Saily (a new product backed up by Nord VPN). They both offer a decent internet connection and work great with Google Maps. I typically compare prices and GBs each package includes and buy accordingly. You can get 3 USD on both by using BAIA2592 on Airalo and BAIAIR6152 on Saily.

Bring water shoes 

Croatian beaches are gorgeous, but most are rocky and pebbly; a few have a sandy coast. 

Therefore, one of the best tips I can give you is to pack water shoes. This makes a massive difference if you are not used to pebbly beaches, plus it eliminates any minor injuries. 

Pack smart

We all have our tricks and lists for packing for a vacation. Knowing what to pack and what to bring with you when going to Croatia for a holiday is essential, like the water shoes mentioned above.  

If you visit Croatia during summer, pack light clothes such as these flowy long dresses and skirts. A lightweight jacket and long pants are handy when visiting national parks or taking boat rides on non-sunny days. A pair of walking shoes and sandals are also a must.

Remember to pack cover-ups, sunscreen, a microfiber or my favorite Turkish cotton towel, and water shoes for beach days and islands.

Since you’ll be taking lots of photos and exploring the cities, bring a power charger to keep your electronics charged on the go and a waterproof phone bag for those underwater photos.

Croatia uses 220V 50 Hz, and plugs are C & F types; therefore, you might also need a universal adapter.

Tap water is safe to drink 

It is safe to drink tap water in Croatia. Around 87% of the population is linked to the public water supply system, which is controlled regularly.

To minimize my costs and environmental impact, I always travel with reusable water bottles and refill them anywhere I can. I travel with Stojo’s collapsible water bottle and a coffee cups, which occupy a tiny space in my backpack.

Card payments are possible

Cards are widely accepted, but some local restaurants are cash-only. So, carry some cash with you, especially when buying local produce at the markets and tickets to small ferries and buses at the station. Big ferry companies do take card payments. 

ATMs are almost everywhere in Croatia. I recommend using ATMs of Croatian banks, such as Zagrebačka Banka, Privredna, Erste, Raiffeisen, OTP, or Hrvatska Poštanska.

If you travel to Croatia outside the Eurozone, changing money is easy. Different exchange offices offer similar rates. The commission is already deducted from the rate shown on display, so you’ll get the exact amount. 

Tipping in Croatia is optional

Tipping in Croatia is nonmandatory. It is mainly done in cafes, bars, and restaurants, but you can tip in other places, too. In restaurants, you can leave up to 10% of your dinner, but only if you are satisfied with the service. If you are not, you can leave nothing. And if you are leaving a tip in Croatia, do that in cash, even if you pay with a card.

Transportation tips for Croatia

How to travel to Croatia

Traveling to Croatia from any European country is relatively easy. There are many direct flights to all major Croatian towns. Several budget-friendly airlines like WizzAir, Ryanair, and Eurowings have frequent flights to Croatia. I use Skyscanner to find flights from almost all the airlines operating on the route, including the cheap ones.

Besides flying to Croatia, you can travel by bus. Croatia’sCroatia’s major cities are well connected to other European towns. For bus travel, I typically look at Bookaway and FlixBus. 

For instance, we traveled from Zagreb to Budapest by bus, which took around 5 hours.

How to travel around the country

Like in other countries, renting a car and going on a road trip is the best way to see some of the most beautiful places in Croatia. I recommend DiscoverCars to find a suitable vehicle to rent. 

If you are on a budget or don’t want to drive a car in a foreign country, don’t worry; there are other options. Unfortunately, trains in Croatia are slow, and the country has a limited rail network, so I don’t recommend using them. 

Buses are fast, affordable, modern, and frequent. Bookaway and FlixBus will take you to all the country’s major cities and towns. But if you can’t find the ticket or schedule for a destination you want to visit online, you can always go to the bus station and ask the cashier. However, I recommend booking in advance if visiting Croatia during the peak season. 

The best transportation for island hopping in Croatia is by ferry. Several companies connect big cities with many islands, but for some, ferries are the only way to get there. For schedule and prices, I recommend looking at Jadrolinija. 

Public transportation prices vary by city; for instance, they are much more expensive in Dubrovnik (2.50 EUR per ride) than in the capital of Zagreb (0.53 EUR for a 30-minute ticket).

For taxis, I use the Bolt app in major cities like Split, Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Pula, Rijeka, and Šibenik.

Tip: First time using Bolt? Use code YRP76 to get discounts on your first rides. 

How to structure your Croatia itinerary

Choosing where to go in Croatia for first-time visitors is challenging as you want to include as many places in this beautiful country as possible. Many go to the famous Dubrovnik, Split, Plitvice Lakes National Park, and Hvar and rarely travel to the northern Istria region. Croatia is also home to many charming villages, gorgeous nature, and less-visited islands.

Where you go depends highly on your travel type, what you like to do, and your budget. You can find all my Croatia travel guides here, but to help you determine your destinations based on your time and preferences, I created a 23-page Croatia travel guide PDF you can see here.

Croatia tips for national parks

Croatia has eight national parks, two nature reserves, and ten nature parks; almost 10% of its territory is protected. 

The most popular are Plitvice Lakes National Park and Krka National Park. Each can be visited in one full day.

You can DIY a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Plitvice by bus on a day trip from Zagreb or Zadar. Alternatively, you can do it from Split, but the journey is longer and tiring.  

Krka is closer to Split and an excellent option for a day trip exploring waterfalls. Moreover, unlike Plitvice, you can swim in front of waterfalls here. 

If you are looking for less touristy and somewhat off-the-beaten-path national parks in Croatia, check out Paklenica National Park, which is close to Zadar and offers stunning hiking trails and rock climbing options.

Top tips for sailing the Dalmatian Coast

Croatia has around 1,246 islands, isles, and inlets, making its archipelago the largest in the Adriatic Sea. Some of them are uninhabited, while some offer gorgeous landscapes. Therefore, sailing down the coast and visiting some of the best islands in Croatia is a truly magical experience. 

Island hopping in Croatia on your own is absolutely doable, but it also depends on the season of your visit and how much time you have. Ferries have more regular schedules during the high seasons. So plan accordingly if you want to do it on your own. 

Fortunately, plenty of companies offer full—and half-day tours from various Croatian towns to nearby islands for those with only a few days to spend in Croatia. 

If you visit Split, you might want to see five nearby islands and a blue cave. Touring the Elaphiti Islands from Dubrovnik is one of the most popular attractions for visitors coming to the city. Zadar is the best city to visit, Kornati Island, the densest archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. 

Learn some essential words in Croatian

Croatia has its own language and uses the Latin alphabet. It is never a barrier when traveling across the country. Most speak English, and you can find those who speak Italian or German. However, it’s always a nice gesture when traveling to a new country to know some essential words and phrases in the local language. So, here are a few of them that might come in handy:

What to eat in Croatia

Croatian cuisine is diverse, fresh, and tasty. Meals in the coastal part of the country are based on seafood and fish, while the continental part uses a lot of meat. Therefore, here’s a list of must-try meals and desserts in Croatia.

Crni rizot (Black Risotto): This is one of the most common meals in every seafood restaurant nationwide. It’s a squid risotto, and the color is made from squid ink. 

Strukli: Originally from Slovenia, Strukli is a pastry filled with sour cream and cottage cheese. It can be prepared by boiling it in water or baking it in the oven. 

Punjena Paprika (Stuffed Peppers): Peppers stuffed with rice and meat in a tasty tomato sauce are a favorite dish for many locals. Unfortunately, you won’t see it often on the menu; if you do, order it. It’s a great homemade dish to try here.  

Octopus Salad: Octopus salad is a perfect summer dish. This light and refreshing meal is made from fresh octopus, which makes it taste delicious. The salad consists of boiled octopus, onions, parsley, and olive oil dressing.  

Cevapi: Cevapi, pronounced as Chevapi, is a grilled skinless sausage dish popular nationwide. These finger-shaped sausages are made from pork and beef meat and are served on flatbread with raw onions and ajvar (a sauce made from peppers).

Pljeskavica: Like Cevapi, Pljeskavica is a grilled dish of spiced meat patty made from pork, beef, and lamb. Although it’s a national dish of Serbia, it is popular in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The meal comes with onions, ajvar, kajmak (milk cream), and cheese salad on the plate with a side dish or like a hamburger with a flatbread.

Prsut: Ham prosciutto, or prsut (pronounced as prshut in English), is one of the most famous appetizers you must try in Croatia. The preparation method is the key to tasty prosciutto. The ham is washed, salted, and flattened under the rocks; then it’s hung to dry. 

Burek: Burek is a pastry dish filled with meat or cheese. It’s one of the country’s most famous snacks in every restaurant or bakery shop.

What to drink in Croatia

Croatia’s most popular local beer brands are Karlovacko and Ozujsko, both light lager types.

If you like wine, you’ll love Croatian wine. It is cheap, light, and full of aromas and flavors. However, Croatian wine is not widely available worldwide.

Try Posip, dry white wine, or Dingac red from the Dalmatia region. When in Korcula, try Grk, a local variety, and if you’ll be in Istria, look for Malvasija.

If you are into spirits, try the famous rakija, which comes in different flavors. The basic is made of grapes. And the most popular are travarica (herb brandy), orahovaca (walnut brandy), medica (honey brandy), mirta (myrtle brandy), visnja (cherry brandy), and rogac (carob brandy).

Croatian souvenirs to bring home

We all bring something back from our travels, be it a simple fridge magnet, a postcard, or anything else. However, sometimes, it isn’t easy to know what to buy in the country and what their authentic souvenir is. When it comes to Croatian souvenirs, here’s what you might want to go back home with: 

Traditional Cravat: Did you know that Croatia invented the tie? Here, the tie is more than a decoration or an accessory; it carries historical value. The country even celebrates International Cravat Day on 18 October. Therefore, the tie is one of the most traditional Croatian souvenirs you can bring home.

Licitar Heart: This wooden red heart adorned with colorful designs is one of the best souvenirs from Croatia to gift to your sweetheart on special occasions. In the old days, Licitar was made from honey dough in Croatian handicraft families and was similar to gingerbread. Young men would give Licitar to women to show their affection. Today, Croats use small-sized Licitar Hearts as a Christmas Tree decoration. 

Olive Oil: Locally made olive oil from native trees makes a perfect Croatian souvenir for anyone who loves cooking. 

Rakija: The traditional spirit of Croatia is another great alternative, with plenty of flavors to choose from. 

Lavender: Lavender plants are famous worldwide and used in various self-care products. Romans used lavender on multiple occasions, whether in childbirth, scented baths, liturgy, or medicine. In Croatia, the central regions for growing lavender are Hvar, Grablje, and Brusje.