Croatia Holidays

Overview

Welcome to Croatia

Croatia became Europe's breakout Mediterranean destination over the past decade, and the country has settled into its new role gracefully. Dubrovnik for the headline, Split as the practical base for the Dalmatian coast, Hvar and Korčula for the islands, and Plitvice Lakes inland for the waterfall-meadow National Park. It is the Mediterranean with cleaner water, lower prices and a more recent history — Croatia only became fully independent in the 1990s.

The headline Croatia trip is Dubrovnik (2-3 nights) + a Dalmatian island week — Hvar, Brač, Korčula, Vis — by ferry or small-ship cruise, 10-12 days total. Add Plitvice Lakes as a day-or-overnight inland excursion. For travellers who want a coastal-and-cultural mix, Split serves better than Dubrovnik as a base — Roman Diocletian's Palace forms the old town centre, ferries to all the islands depart from here, and the cost-per-night is lower.

The Croatian islands deserve more nuance than UK travellers usually give them. Hvar is the cosmopolitan headline (Hvar Town's nightlife, the Pakleni Islands' beach clubs), Brač is the family-resort end (Bol's Zlatni Rat horn beach), Korčula is the wine-and-quiet island (Marco Polo's claimed birthplace), Vis is the off-the-grid hideaway, and Mljet is the National Park island with two saltwater lakes. We design quite different trips around each.

Plitvice Lakes is the inland excursion every Croatia traveller should make. Sixteen interconnected lakes tumbling down a 500m descent via waterfalls — a half-day walk between the highest and lowest. The colour of the water (mineral-rich, turquoise) is genuinely unlike anywhere else in Europe. We typically build Plitvice as a 1-night stop between Zagreb and Split, or as a day-trip from Zadar.

The seasonal rhythm: May-June and September-October are the prime months — the sea is swimmable from late May through October, the crowds are below July-August levels, and Dubrovnik's narrow old-town streets are walkable rather than packed. July-August is hot (32-35°C), busy on Hvar and in Dubrovnik, and 30-40% more expensive. November-March: most islands shut down, but Zagreb and Dubrovnik's Christmas markets are quietly excellent.

Croatian food rewards travellers who like Italian-influenced Mediterranean cooking with a Balkan accent. The Dalmatian coast is grilled-fish, peka (slow-cooked under a bell), prosciutto and Pošip white wine; the Istrian peninsula in the north (the closest part of Croatia to Italy) is one of Europe's under-rated truffle and olive-oil regions; Zagreb in the interior is heartier — štrukli pastries, Zagorje turkey, Slavonian sausage. We routinely build food-led trips through Istria for second-time Croatia visitors.

Croatia pairs naturally with Italy (overnight ferry Bari-Dubrovnik or Ancona-Split), Slovenia (3h drive Zagreb-Ljubljana), Bosnia & Herzegovina (3h drive Dubrovnik-Mostar) and Montenegro (2h drive Dubrovnik-Kotor). The most-booked combination is Croatia + Slovenia (a fortnight) or Dalmatian coast + a Montenegro day-trip.

Best time

May–Oct (peak Jul–Aug)

Flight from UK

~2½h to Dubrovnik / Split

Currency

Euro (€)

Language

Croatian

From the team

Why we love Croatia

Croatia is the country I send people to when they want Mediterranean island life without Italian or Greek prices — and a coastline that still feels a little undiscovered, even after a decade of being not-undiscovered. The water clarity along the Dalmatian coast is, simply, among the best in Europe.

My quiet recommendation: skip Dubrovnik as a base. Stay 1 night there, walk the walls at dawn before the cruise ships arrive, then move to Split or directly to an island. Hvar for cosmopolitan; Korčula for slow; Vis for true escape.

Rossella Rossella, Luxury & Destination Specialist Meet our Travel Designers

Main areas

Where to go in Croatia

5 distinct regions — they pair beautifully two or three at a time.

Dubrovnik & Southern Dalmatia

Dubrovnik Cavtat Pelješac Mljet

Dubrovnik's walled old town, the quiet seaside resort of Cavtat, Pelješac's vineyards, and the National Park island of Mljet.

Explore Dubrovnik & Southern Dalmatia

Split & Central Dalmatia

Split Hvar Brač Trogir

Split's Diocletian's Palace as the practical base, plus the islands of Hvar and Brač and the medieval Trogir nearby.

Explore Split & Central Dalmatia

Northern Dalmatia & Zadar

Zadar Kornati Islands Šibenik

Zadar's Sea Organ and Roman ruins, the Kornati Islands National Park, and the cathedral-town of Šibenik.

Istria

Rovinj Pula Motovun Poreč

The Italian-influenced peninsula in the north — Rovinj's pastel old town, Pula's Roman amphitheatre, and the truffle-and-wine villages inland.

Explore Istria

Plitvice & Inland

Plitvice Lakes Krka Zagreb

Plitvice Lakes National Park's tumbling waterfalls, the swimming-friendly Krka National Park, and the capital Zagreb.

Find your trip

Holiday types in Croatia

Pick a holiday style — or combine two. Each section links straight to the next step.

Beach holidays

Dubrovnik

The walled old town, the city walls walk, the cable car to Mount Srđ, and the surrounding Dalmatian coast.

Split

Diocletian's Palace forms the old town centre — Roman walls 1,700 years old still lived in, with ferries to the islands from the harbour.

Zagreb

The Austro-Hungarian capital — Upper and Lower Town, café culture, museum-dense, and Europe's best Christmas market.

Cruises

Croatia's Dalmatian coast is one of the great Mediterranean cruise routes. Dubrovnik, Split and the islands (Hvar, Korčula, Mljet) feature on most Adriatic itineraries; gulet yacht cruises and small-ship Adriatic cruises depart from Split and Dubrovnik. Many travellers pair a 7-night cruise with a land-stay in Dubrovnik or the Plitvice Lakes inland.

See all Croatia-departure cruises ->

Escorted tours

21 escorted tours through Croatia — guided, customisable, fully ATOL-protected.

Tailor-made

Everything you see above is a starting point — we'll shape any of these around how you actually want to travel.

Bespoke Croatia itinerary

Pick your headlines and we design the route, brief private guides, and book the hotels and transfers.

Enquire

Multi-generational Croatia

A pace and accommodation style that suits three generations — connecting suites, slower-paced excursions, kid-friendly highlights.

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Croatia + cruise

Pair the headlines of Croatia with a 7-night Mediterranean or Atlantic cruise — booked end-to-end with us.

Enquire

Honeymoon or special celebration

A milestone trip with the romantic flourishes quietly arranged.

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Every hotel we offer

All Croatia hotels

121 hotels across 3 areas, A to Z within each area.

Dubrovnik Coast 43

Pula and Istrian Coast 28

Split and Dalmatian Coast 50

Our editor’s picks

Our hand-picked Croatian stays

Ten Croatian stays we'd book ourselves — Dubrovnik, Split, Istria, the Hvar island trio and the Brač quiet corner.

Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik sits next to Pile Gate — the most central 5* for walking Dubrovnik's old town walls.

South of Dubrovnik in Mlini Bay, Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera Hotel — Marriott's beachfront family resort 15 minutes from the airport.

Le Meridien Lav near Split is Marriott's beachfront resort just south of Diocletian's Palace — six pools, marina and three restaurants.

Grand Park Hotel Rovinj is Maistra's design-led Istrian flagship — clifftop overlooking the old town across the bay.

Above Pula's Verudela peninsula, Grand Hotel Brioni Pula — Radisson Collection's revived 1971 modernist landmark with private beach access.

Right on Hvar's harbour, Palace Elisabeth in Hvar is Suncani Hvar's Heritage 5* — Renaissance facade, modern rooms and direct ferry access.

Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel is Hvar's adults-only rooftop-bar 5* with a sundeck pool overlooking the Pakleni Islands.

Aminess Khalani in Makarska is the brand's beachfront Makarska Riviera 5* — pool decks, rooftop bar and a 600m promenade to the old town.

On Brač Island, Gava Waterman Milna Resort on Brač is the refurbished sustainable beachfront in the village of Milna — short hop from Split harbour.

Maslina Resort on Hvar is the island's design-forward boutique — natural materials, three pools and a kitchen garden two minutes from Stari Grad.

The best twin-centre holidays from the UK: Rome and Sorrento, Venice and Lake Garda, Dubrovnik and Montenegro, Marrakech…

The Best Hotels in Lapad, Babin Kuk and Near Dubrovnik’s Old Town

The best hotels in Dubrovnik’s Lapad and Babin Kuk, plus classic hotels by the Old Town, from five-star…

Practical info

Knowing before you go

When to go

Jan

12°

Feb

13°

Mar

16°

Apr

19°

May

24°

Jun

28°

Jul

31°

Aug

31°

Sep

27°

Oct

22°

Nov

17°

Dec

14°

May-June and September-October are the prime months — warm sea (22-25°C), manageable crowds, Dubrovnik walkable. July-August: hot (32-35°C), very busy on Hvar and in Dubrovnik. October still gets sea-swimmable. November-March: most islands shut; Zagreb and Dubrovnik work as Christmas-market and cultural breaks.

Flights & how to get there

Direct flights from major UK airports to Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb and seasonally Pula, Zadar and Rijeka — typically 2h 30m. Catamarans (Krilo, Jadrolinija) link Split-Hvar-Korčula-Dubrovnik daily May-October. Hire cars are useful for Istria, Plitvice and the wine country; not needed for an islands-only trip.

Visa & passport

UK passport holders can stay 90 days in any 180-day period under Schengen rules (Croatia joined Schengen in 2023). ETIAS from 2026. Check current rules at GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Croatia.

Currency & money

The Euro (€) (since 2023; the kuna is gone). Card payments universal in tourist areas. Tipping: round up the bill, 10% on a full restaurant meal.

Language & tipping

Croatian. English is widely understood in tourist areas, on the islands and in the cities; less so in rural Slavonia and the inland. Italian is widely understood in Istria. A few Croatian phrases are appreciated.

Health & safety

No mandatory vaccinations. EU healthcare reciprocal arrangements apply with a UK GHIC card. Tap water safe across Croatia. Buy comprehensive travel insurance before you travel.

FAQs

Croatia — your questions

When is the best time to visit Croatia?

May, June and September are ideal — warm sea, sunshine, fewer crowds. July–August is peak season; book early, expect higher prices. October is mild but the sea cools.

How do I get around the Croatian islands?

Jadrolinija and Krilo ferries connect Split, Hvar, Korčula, Brač and Vis daily in summer. We book these as part of the itinerary; you don't need a car on the islands.

Is Croatia good for families?

Yes — particularly Istria (Pula, Rovinj) and central Dalmatia (Brač, Hvar). Small coves, gentle water, family-run apartments. The walled cities (Dubrovnik, Split) work well for older kids.

Do I need a visa for Croatia?

UK passport holders can stay 90 days in any 180-day period (Croatia joined Schengen in 2023). From the date ETIAS launches (expected 2026), a €7 pre-travel authorisation will be required.

Can I see Croatia and Montenegro together?

Yes — Dubrovnik is a 2-hour drive to Kotor, Montenegro. We routinely pair them in 10–14 day Adriatic itineraries.

Welcome to Croatia

Why we love Croatia

Where to go in Croatia

Dubrovnik & Southern Dalmatia

Split & Central Dalmatia

Northern Dalmatia & Zadar

Istria

Plitvice & Inland

Holiday types in Croatia

Petram Resort & Residences

Maslina Resort

Pical Suites Valamar Collection

Grand Hotel Brioni Pula – A Radisson Collection Hotel

Romana Beach Resort Apartments

One Suite Hotel

Boutique Hotel Flamingo

Pical Family Hotel Valamar Collection

Royal Princess Hotel

Dubrovnik

Split

Zagreb

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Luxury Venice to Split: Slovenia, Istria & Croatia – 9 Days

Bespoke Croatia itinerary

Multi-generational Croatia

Croatia + cruise

Honeymoon or special celebration

All Croatia hotels

Our hand-picked Croatian stays

From our editorial team

Where to Stay in Croatia: Dubrovnik vs Split and Hvar vs Istria

The Best Hotels in Istria: Rovinj, Poreč and Croatia’s Foodie Peninsula

The Best Hotels in Split, Hvar, Brač and the Makarska Riviera

The Best Honeymoon Hotels in Europe and the Mediterranean

The Best Hotels in Dubrovnik: Old Town Views, Cavtat Charm and Island Escapes

The Best Twin-Centre Holidays: City and Beach Combinations

The Best Hotels in Lapad, Babin Kuk and Near Dubrovnik’s Old Town

Knowing before you go

Croatia — your questions

Plan your Croatia holiday with a Travel Designer