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Croatia Holidays

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Your guide to holidays in Croatia

These days, holidays in Croatia are no secret. With a huge coastline along the Adriatic Sea and more than 1,000 islands, this country blends ancient history with lively beach culture. From the rolling hills of the Istrian peninsula to the striking beauty of the Dalmatian coast, you'll find impressive scenery and unique things to do at every turn. It's a place that works just as well for a family beach break as it does for a romantic city escape or an island-hopping adventure with friends.

Explore the Dalmatian coast

Stretching from Zadar in the north to Dubrovnik in the south, the Dalmatian coast is Croatia's postcard-perfect heartland. It's a region of dramatic limestone cliffs, historic cities, and there are countless islands waiting to be discovered just a short ferry ride away.

Dubrovnik

Known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik is famous for its immense medieval stone walls that encircle the old town. You can walk the entire circuit for panoramic views of the terracotta rooftops and the shimmering sea. Inside, the limestone streets are lined with baroque churches and palaces. Fans of the TV series Game of Thrones will recognise many filming locations. For a change of pace, a 15-minute ferry takes you to Lokrum Island, a peaceful nature reserve with botanical gardens and resident peacocks.

Split

Croatia's second-largest city is a vibrant hub where history is a part of everyday life. The core of Split's old town is built within the walls of Diocletian's Palace, a vast Roman complex dating back to the 4th century. You can wander through its ancient cellars and courtyards, which now house buzzing cafés, shops, and restaurants. The Riva promenade is the city's waterfront living room, perfect for an evening stroll. From Split's busy port, you can catch ferries to many popular islands, including Hvar and Brac.

Zadar

Zadar mixes Roman ruins and Venetian architecture with modern creative flair. Its most famous attractions are on the waterfront and include the Sea Organ, which is a set of marble steps that uses the motion of the waves to create melodic notes. Right next to it, the Greeting to the Sun is a large solar-powered disc that comes alive with a colourful light show after sunset. It's a truly unique seaside attraction.

The Makarska Riviera

Located between Split and Dubrovnik, the Makarska Riviera is a 60-kilometre stretch of coastline known for its beautiful beaches and fragrant pine forests, all set against the backdrop of the Biokovo mountains. The resort of Brela is a family favourite, with its long pebble beach, Punta Rata, often shortlisted as one of the country's most attractive.

Discover Croatia's islands

Island hopping is a classic Croatian holiday. Each island has its own character, from glamorous party hubs to quiet, rustic retreats. Ferries make it easy to explore several during your stay.

Hvar

Hvar is often seen as Croatia's most glamorous island, with Hvar Town attracting a chic crowd to its smart waterfront bars and restaurants. But there's more to the island than just glitz. Venture away from the main town and you'll find secluded coves, fields of lavender, olive groves, and traditional villages that offer a glimpse into authentic Mediterranean life.

Brac

Just a short ferry ride from Split, Brac offers a more traditional and laid-back atmosphere. It's home to one of Croatia's most photographed beaches, Zlatni Rat – a spit of golden pebble that changes shape with the wind and tides. The island's interior is hilly and rugged, ideal for hiking, while its main town, Bol, has a picturesque harbour and stone houses.

Mljet

A large part of Mljet is a protected national park, making it a paradise for nature lovers. The park's main features are two saltwater lakes, where you can swim or kayak in the calm, green-hued waters. A small monastery sits on an islet in the middle of the larger lake, reachable by a small boat. It's an easy and popular day trip from Dubrovnik.

The Istrian peninsula

In the north-west corner of Croatia, the Istrian peninsula has a strong Italian influence, which you can see in its architecture and cuisine. The green, hilly interior is known for its medieval hilltop towns, truffles, and vineyards, while the coast is lined with pretty fishing villages and resort towns.

Rovinj

Rovinj is one of the most charming towns on the Adriatic. Its old town sits on a small peninsula, a tangle of steep, cobbled streets and colourful houses that lead up to the hilltop Church of St. Euphemia. A short walk from the old town brings you to Mulini Beach, a stylish city beach with a relaxed atmosphere.

Pula

Pula is Istria's largest city, best known for its magnificent Roman amphitheatre. This remarkably well-preserved arena is still used today for concerts and film festivals. Beyond the amphitheatre, Pula is a working port city with a mix of Roman ruins and a lively commercial centre.

Food, wine and nature

Croatian cuisine is really diverse. Along the coast, you'll find fresh seafood, simply grilled and drizzled with local olive oil. Don't miss trying a peka, where meat or fish is slow-cooked with vegetables under a domed lid.

Istria is famous for its truffles, often shaved over fresh pasta such as fuzi. The country also produces some excellent wines, and a visit to a local winery is a great way to spend an afternoon. For nature, the national parks are a must-see. Krka's waterfalls are wide and you can swim nearby, while the 16 terraced lakes of Plitvice Lakes National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage site – are connected by a series of pretty cascades.

With its blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, Croatia offers a memorable holiday for every type of traveller.

Need to know

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Capital
Zagreb
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Language
Croatian
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Currency
Euro
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Time zone
GMT +1
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Flight time
2hrs 20mins

* Average time from London Gatwick to Dubrovnik

Explore regions in Croatia

Dubrovnik

Istrian Riviera

Split

Zadar

Explore our map of Croatia

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      Your questions answered

      This depends a lot on what you want to do. May and June are typically warm and sunny, as are September and October. This is good for swimming and sunbathing as well as for outdoor sightseeing. It'll be less crowded than in July and August, when things really hot up – both in temperature and summer action. There are lots of music festivals in the summer and a wider choice of beach activities. Spring and autumn are a good time to explore the mountain scenery and lakes, while the cooler winter months are ideal for enjoying arts and culture.
      Istrian beaches are characterised by their scenic rocky backdrops and clear Adriatic water. On the Makarska Riviera you'll find multiple beaches, including the famously beautiful Brela Beach, and there are popular city strands at Split and Dubrovnik. Many Croatian beaches are remote and unspoilt, small rocky inlets where you can swim in privacy. Some of the most attractive and least busy locations, like Stracinska or Murvica, are on tiny islands that you can visit by boat. You'll find watersports at Borak, also an island beach, and windsurfing at the famous Zlatni Rat, on the island of Brac.
      So many things, and you'd be surprised at some of them. Those 101 spotted dogs, for one thing, and Game of Thrones locations for another. Lord Byron coined the name "Pearl of the Adriatic" for Dubrovnik, for its outstanding beauty and cultural heritage. It has the least inhabited village in the world, hundreds of islands and more sunshine than Sydney. Croatia was the birthplace of the necktie, the torpedo and Nicola Tesla. It's been visited by emperors, gladiators and deposed kings, and admired by Hitchcock.
      Most people choose to hire a car in Croatia, but there is a good bus network that covers many local routes as well as regional buses. For travelling in the mountains, a car has no equal and, of course, you can always take your bike with you. There are trains operating in some parts of Croatia, which are relatively cheap and easy to use. However, you need to check your route first, because some places, like Dubrovnik, have no station. There are lots of local boats and ferries, some of which take cars, to take you to the islands.
      Croatian food is a multicultural mix of Italian, seaside and Balkan influences. Some traditional dishes to try include black risotto, cooked with squid ink and lots of shellfish. Fuzi is a typical hand-rolled pasta made in Istria. You can enjoy this quill-shaped hollow pasta with different types of stew, such as beef, chicken, or with truffles or mushrooms for non meat-eaters. On the Dalmatian coast you'll want to try the pasticada, a slow-braised beef and bean dish, commonly served with gnocchi. To satisfy your sweet tooth there are Austrian-style pastries and strudel and fritule, zingy deep-fried fritters with fruit and schnapps.
      The islands are all beautiful in their own ways, and the Adriatic sea is clean and lovely for swimming. Some islands are virtually unvisited except by birds, while others like Hvar offer a cosmopolitan vibe with great beaches. Rab island has been popular for many years for its naturist beaches, while historical Brac is a top spot for its harbour and traditional architecture. It's also home to the much-photographed Zlatni Rac beach, which moves around with the winds. Mljet National Park makes a great day trip from Dubrovnik, with rich forests and lakes where you can hike and swim.