Croatia travel guide

Getting there

The main international airports are Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik, with seasonal flights also to Zadar, Pula and Rijeka. Croatia is easy to reach by road and rail from neighbouring countries, and overnight ferries link it with Italy.

Best time to visit: May–Jun and Sep – warm sea and fewer crowds than midsummer.

Tougher months: July and August if you dislike crowds and high prices; many coastal businesses close from November to March.

Weather by month in Dubrovnik

• 13°J●
• 14°F●
• 16°M●
• 19°A●
• 24°M●
• 28°J●
• 31°J
• 31°A
• 27°S●
• 22°O●●
• 17°N●●
• 14°D●●

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Europe/Belgrade. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 93 of 198 other passports can enter Croatia without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 105 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of the Schengen Area (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-05-18). Read the advisory.

Source and more: Croatia travel facts on RoamSun

Stay

Most trips to Croatia are based around Dubrovnik, Split or Plitvice Lakes National Park. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$50–80 for a backpacker and US$130–220 mid-range, per person.

Source: RoamSun Croatia page · Browse hotel guides

Connect

Plug types: C, F. Voltage: 230 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +385.

Mobile data: read the eSIM for Europe before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.

Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun

Do

• Dubrovnik (Southern Dalmatia · walled city): The 'Pearl of the Adriatic', a UNESCO-listed walled city of marble streets and baroque churches.
• Split (Central Dalmatia · Roman city): A lively port built around a Roman palace and the main ferry hub for the islands.
• Plitvice Lakes National Park (Lika · lakes & waterfalls): Sixteen terraced lakes linked by waterfalls, best visited early in the morning.
• Hvar (Dalmatian islands · beaches & nightlife): Lavender fields, a glamorous harbour town and quiet coves beyond the party scene.
• Rovinj (Istria · coastal town): A romantic Venetian-style fishing town with pastel houses tumbling down to the sea.
• Zagreb (Capital · culture): An elegant Central European capital with museums, markets and a famous Advent festival.
• Korčula (Dalmatian islands · medieval town): A compact walled town, local wines and traditional sword dances.
• Zadar (Northern Dalmatia · history & sunsets): Roman ruins, quirky sea installations and easy access to national parks.

Things to do

• Walk Dubrovnik's city walls. Circle the Old Town on its medieval ramparts for views over terracotta roofs and the shimmering sea.
• Explore Diocletian's Palace. Get lost among cafés, shops and homes built into a living Roman emperor's palace in Split.
• Hike Plitvice Lakes. Follow wooden boardwalks past cascading waterfalls and turquoise lakes in Croatia's most famous national park.
• Island-hop by ferry. Hop between Hvar, Brač, Korčula and Vis, each with its own beaches, vineyards and stone villages.
• Swim at Krka's waterfalls. See the travertine cascades of Krka National Park and kayak or walk along the river.
• Sail the Kornati islands. Take a boat trip through a stark, beautiful archipelago of more than a hundred islands.
• Taste truffles in Istria. Wander hilltop towns like Motovun and Grožnjan and feast on truffle pasta, olive oil and local wine.
• Watch the Zadar sunset. Listen to the waves play the Sea Organ as the sun sets beside the glowing Greeting to the Sun installation.

Source: full Croatia guide on RoamSun

Eat and drink

• Peka – meat or octopus slow-cooked under an iron bell
• Black risotto – squid-ink risotto
• Štrukli – baked pastry with cottage cheese
• Pašticada – Dalmatian beef stew with prunes and wine

Source: RoamSun Croatia guide

Money and safety

Currency: Euro (EUR). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: About 10% in restaurants for good service..

Emergency numbers: 112 · 192 police · 194 ambulance · 193 fire.

• Croatia uses the euro (EUR), and ATMs are widespread in towns and on larger islands.
• Cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for small cafés, markets and remote islands.
• Croatia is very safe; pickpocketing can occur in crowded tourist areas in summer.
• Do not stray from marked paths in remote inland areas once affected by the 1990s war, as some landmine risk remains.

Source: RoamSun Croatia facts