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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Any tips for a Croatia holiday?

49 replies

AuburnConkers · 08/06/2023 10:15

Late in booking our summer holiday this year, but we've decided on Croatia. Haven't booked accommodation yet but flying to Split (2 adults, 2 teens). Have 2 weeks to play with.
We'll probably stay in Split a few days, then rent a car and explore a bit. Any tips for places to visit / avoid? Are the islands worth exploring? We want to see Dubrovnik.
Would love to hear about places off the beaten track too that are worth a visit / stay.

OP posts:
Skinnybluebody · 08/06/2023 10:19

Spent a week in Dubrovnik, it's absolutely beautiful. Walking the city walls is a must!

heinztomatosoup · 08/06/2023 10:28

Omis is stunning and loads of activities to do on the river from there - we did white water rafting, tubing, canyoning, zip lines, perfect base for teens. Also brac island easily reachable from Split. We also drove up the coast and spent a couple of days in plivitce Lakes, just stunning. Roads are excellent, very easy to get around.
Have an amazing time!

XiCi · 08/06/2023 10:28

We flew into Dubrovnik for a few days then got the ferry from there and did a bit of island hopping - we stayed on Hvar for a few days then on to Split. We flew out of Split. I'd definitely recommend getting the ferry to Dubrovnik instead of driving and seeing a few of the islands

Wowzel · 08/06/2023 10:39

We did a Spli, Bol, Hvar and Vis holiday and it was great

Original poster
AuburnConkers · 08/06/2023 11:21

Thanks for these suggestions, all sound great!
Did you need car for island exploring @XiCi and @Wowzel ?

OP posts:
fenellafoofoo · 08/06/2023 11:41

It's all personal choice obviously, but I wouldn't bother staying a few nights in Split. The islands are so amazing! You don't need a car as it's easier to get on a ferry without one but we hired a car while on Hvar for a couple of days. Bol in Brac is one of our favourite places. Enjoy!

Trickedbyadoughnut · 08/06/2023 11:44

We did Split on the first day, then boat to Vis for three days, boat to Brac for a night or two, then boat to Hvar. Last day we did Trogir. We didn't hire a car, just took a rucksack, but it was all very easy to get to.

XiCi · 08/06/2023 12:00

AuburnConkers · 08/06/2023 11:21

Thanks for these suggestions, all sound great!
Did you need car for island exploring @XiCi and @Wowzel ?

No we didn't need a car. Everywhere we visited was tiny little streets and stone staircases to next street levels and it was one of thise places that us very much better explored by foot.

XiCi · 08/06/2023 12:03

fenellafoofoo · 08/06/2023 11:41

It's all personal choice obviously, but I wouldn't bother staying a few nights in Split. The islands are so amazing! You don't need a car as it's easier to get on a ferry without one but we hired a car while on Hvar for a couple of days. Bol in Brac is one of our favourite places. Enjoy!

I absolutely loved Split. It was my favourite place in Croatia, including all of the islands we visited. We stayed 4 nights but would happily have stayed longer and I'll definitely go back

Maya12345 · 08/06/2023 12:05

Make sure you bring water shoes, the sea is so incredible and clear but there are loads of spiky urchins everywhere!

MarkWithaC · 08/06/2023 12:05

Trogir is beautiful, but v busy in summer season. Wasn't overimpressed with Split, TBH, apart from the Roman ruins, but you get those in a lot of Croatian towns and cities.
Personally I'd avoid Dubrovnik; I think it's famously overrun these days and I'd imagine the locals are (rightly) a bit pissed off about it.

The islands are the best bit about Croatia IMO. I think the best way to see them would be by boat, ideally one's own boat (I can dream!) but you can book tours with a group of people or, depending on budget, charter a boat and crew just for you.

If you're doing beaches and sea swimming, take or buy water shoes! That's my top tip.

sorryiasked · 08/06/2023 13:15

Go to the arena in Pula its amazing.
Also a good water park about an hour north of Pula if you're into that. book online and you can then go straight to the gate and don't have to queue.

morecoffeeJD · 08/06/2023 13:20

Rovinj is beautiful. The Old Town, especially, is absolutely adorable with narrow streets and charming old houses.

heinztomatosoup · 08/06/2023 13:37

The message seems to be that there are so many amazing places in Croatia you need to go more than once!!!! It's is just amazing place. So beautiful.

DottyDry · 08/06/2023 13:47

We flew to Split with teenagers last year.

Bol in Brac was probably my favourite place, followed by trogir (one night is enough there I think). Wasn't keen on split itself really.

Lots to see in Croatia, try and work out logistics. We didn't have a car so worked out where we could get ferries from and to

MarkWithaC · 08/06/2023 13:53

heinztomatosoup · 08/06/2023 13:37

The message seems to be that there are so many amazing places in Croatia you need to go more than once!!!! It's is just amazing place. So beautiful.

This is true. I’ve been three times and counting. Every time we combined gorgeous beaches with amazing architecture and history and lovely walks through forests etc. I love that you can spend a morning looking at Roman/Habsburg/Byzantine buildings and then the afternoon sitting under a pine tree and going for dips in the beautiful Adriatic Sea.

HouseHomeWWYD · 08/06/2023 14:01

If you’re hiring a car and want to go from Split to Dubrovnik in it, check you can take it out of the country as you have to go through a little slice of Bosnia to get down to Dubrovnik, and you might get charged by the hire company 😊

Agree with the water shoes, and highly recommend getting a snorkel from Decathlon, we had an amazing time snorkelling around near Omis a couple of years ago 😊

AnnPerkins · 08/06/2023 14:10

We're going this summer too. Arriving in Zagreb by train from Germany and spending a week travelling down to the other end using buses and ferries. Also a couple of nights at Plitvice. Second week near Dubrovnik in a villa. I cannot wait.

peachescariad · 08/06/2023 14:26

Just come back from a week in a villa in Omis - loved it.
Very quiet and chilled vibe. We hired a car but some of the roads are not for the faint hearted....to get to the main routes, there are very steep climbs and several hairpins.
We went white water rafting and thankfully went in a mini bus as there were 14 hairpins to get to the starting point.
We drove to Dubrovnik one day, unfortunately we'd not go back again, as although it was stunningly beautiful, it was rammed with tourists mainly off the massive cruise ships, also horrendously expensive....charged 35 euros per person just to walk the city walls of the old town (takes an hour), 4 beers and plate of fries was 50 euros. Pizza 18 euros. We were told Dubrovnik is 4 times busier in August.
There are lots of island boat trips.
We had a speedboat trip booked to see the blue caves, Vis and Hvar, but the other party of 4 pulled out last minute, so unless we paid another 250 euros, skipper couldn't run trip, so we had the speedboat just to ourselves and went across the coast of Brac island. Any trip to the blue caves leaves 6.30am as they only allow a set number of boats in at a time and if you're late, you end up sitting in a boat queue for a long time. In August it will be rammed.
We're going back next May as loved Omis so much.

Svalberg · 08/06/2023 14:47

HouseHomeWWYD · 08/06/2023 14:01

If you’re hiring a car and want to go from Split to Dubrovnik in it, check you can take it out of the country as you have to go through a little slice of Bosnia to get down to Dubrovnik, and you might get charged by the hire company 😊

Agree with the water shoes, and highly recommend getting a snorkel from Decathlon, we had an amazing time snorkelling around near Omis a couple of years ago 😊

You can drive all the way in Croatia now, the Pelješac Bridge opened last year to avoid Bosnia.

I'd endorse the water shoes too. We love Split, Trogir and Bol. There are lovely restaurants in Split old town. Hvar island is great, can't stand Hvar town though, found it overpriced though there are some good restaurants away from the sea front. Stari Grad is small but lovely. I also like Korcula a lot. I'd agree that Split to Dubrovnik is best done via ferry rather than driving.

HouseHomeWWYD · 08/06/2023 14:58

Svalberg · 08/06/2023 14:47

You can drive all the way in Croatia now, the Pelješac Bridge opened last year to avoid Bosnia.

I'd endorse the water shoes too. We love Split, Trogir and Bol. There are lovely restaurants in Split old town. Hvar island is great, can't stand Hvar town though, found it overpriced though there are some good restaurants away from the sea front. Stari Grad is small but lovely. I also like Korcula a lot. I'd agree that Split to Dubrovnik is best done via ferry rather than driving.

Show quote history

Ahh thank you, @Svalberg, good to know for next time 😊

Fiftyplanner · 08/06/2023 15:12

We have been to Dubrovnik several times and love it, however would say that each time it’s increasingly busy with cruise ships and increasingly expensive- in summer months anyway. My DD and I did a bus trip to Mostar which was stunning, but very hot.

We are going to Rovinj this year and it’s great to hear so many good comments on there and Pula.

Maraudingmarauders · 08/06/2023 15:36

Krka lakes are well worth a visit (smaller version of Plitvice) but make sure you go and get there as early as you can in the day to avoid the crowds.

Take sea shoes - they don't tend to have beaches, just concrete pads with steps into the sea. The wayer is amazing but the rocks and steps etc can be full of sea urchins. We didn't see a Croatian without water shoes, so followed their lead.

The local seafood is incredible. As is the suckling pig.

It's one of my absolute favourite countries. Be careful if you're travelling by car to dubrovnik from the mainland area as you cross into Montenegro so make sure your hire car and insurance is covered for that. You might be better getting a bus or train for the visit.

We also enjoyed Trogir, especially watching the luxury yachts come in whilst we enjoyed ice cream and coffee.
It will be hot in summer. Very!
People say the islands are worth visiting - we haven't been but I know they can become party central in the summer so just be aware.
If you can find and afford a sea front apartment, do it. The views every day are worth every penny.

Maraudingmarauders · 08/06/2023 15:38

Fiftyplanner · 08/06/2023 15:12

We have been to Dubrovnik several times and love it, however would say that each time it’s increasingly busy with cruise ships and increasingly expensive- in summer months anyway. My DD and I did a bus trip to Mostar which was stunning, but very hot.

We are going to Rovinj this year and it’s great to hear so many good comments on there and Pula.

Rovinj will forever be in my heart. A bit touristy in places but the harbour is just one of the most beautiful places on earth. I'm very envious of you going.

Maraudingmarauders · 08/06/2023 15:40

Maraudingmarauders · 08/06/2023 15:36

Krka lakes are well worth a visit (smaller version of Plitvice) but make sure you go and get there as early as you can in the day to avoid the crowds.

Take sea shoes - they don't tend to have beaches, just concrete pads with steps into the sea. The wayer is amazing but the rocks and steps etc can be full of sea urchins. We didn't see a Croatian without water shoes, so followed their lead.

The local seafood is incredible. As is the suckling pig.

It's one of my absolute favourite countries. Be careful if you're travelling by car to dubrovnik from the mainland area as you cross into Montenegro so make sure your hire car and insurance is covered for that. You might be better getting a bus or train for the visit.

We also enjoyed Trogir, especially watching the luxury yachts come in whilst we enjoyed ice cream and coffee.
It will be hot in summer. Very!
People say the islands are worth visiting - we haven't been but I know they can become party central in the summer so just be aware.
If you can find and afford a sea front apartment, do it. The views every day are worth every penny.

Ugh, Bosnia even, not Montenegro. Pregnancy brain in full force.
Although I just read it can be avoided now so my information may be out of date