Croatia

[cherryicecreampancakes]

Looking to take 12 YO dd away to Croatia next year and would love recommendations for best location to go. We’ve never visited Croatia before so not too sure where to start. Its just the two of us… We love old towns, beautiful scenery, shopping and beaches, although I know we're unlikely to come across any sandy beaches.

Trogir is a nice old town like Dubrovnik but much less busy. It's right next to Split airport so very handy. It's connected by a bridge to an island called Ciovo where there are (not sandy) beaches with the usual paddle boarding, inflatables etc.

Okrug Gornji beach has restaurants and bars or you can walk across the bridge or get the water taxi to Trogir in the evenings. It's nice to wander the narrow streets and rubber neck the superyachts.

From Trogir you can visit Split which is busier and ritzier but also has loads of Roman history. Or you can go to one of the islands or Krka national park.

A few years ago we flew to Dubrovnik and stayed in Cavtat, which is a lovely fishing town. My DC spent ages googling all the fancy yachts in the harbour to see who they belonged to and how much they were worth! Loads of lovely restaurants and the beaches are fine, just a little pebbly. We took the ferry to Dubrovnik a couple of times, which was beautiful in the evening, walking around the walls. There’s also a little island next to it that’s very interesting.
Split was also lovely, lots of history. From there you can easily get the ferry to Hvar or other close islands. We stayed there for 3 nights, then had a week further up the coast (we didn’t have a car) and stayed in Primosten, which is on a peninsula. Gorgeous place, lots going on and beaches were great.

We went to Croatia last year with similar aged Dds and had amazing time... Went to Split for a few nights and Hvar for a week. Stayed in the Valamar, id massively recommend... They have places all round Croatia and are a lovely hotel chain so worth checking out.

You don't say when you're going but I'd avoid Dubrovnik in the summer hols as scorching and heaving.

A few years ago we stayed in Rovinj, it was very pretty... Think Istria is a lot quieter than the Dalmatian coast I've got my eye on Porec next year (at the Valamar!)

Town wise I second Trogir. Split is interesting too.
Plitvice National Park is breathtaking.

Love love love Croatia.

We went to zadar which is a lovely town. And the islands nearby are great

We went to Split, Hvar town, Starigrad, Bol and Vis. All were really interesting.

Zadar. Small, pretty town. Felt very safe. Less than an hour from the waterfalls on the Split bus. Town is a short taxi from the airport. You have the sea organ and sunset lights, too.

I like the north
Rovinj, Porec.

If you fly in you can go to Trieste in Italy or Ljubljana Slovenia and drive over.
You can pass Piran in Slovenia also on route down which is part of Slovenias tiny coastline

I also like Maistra hotels up there. They have everything from 5 star, kid specialist to camping or apartments

Thanks everyone we’re looking at going over the summer months so want to avoid it being totally packed. I will start to work my way through your recommendations, it sounds fab!

Another vote for Porec!

DD and I stayed at the Sun Gardens a short drive from Dubrovnik. It was a lovely location for exploring from and a really nice hotel, but you definitely need a car or taxi from there.

We went to split this summer. Definitely go on a trip to the waterfalls in the national park. It was unbelievable.

If avoiding crowds is your plan I’d 100% avoid Split. Hvar was beautiful and I’ve heard Cavtat is brilliant.

The Krka waterfalls are pretty but be ready to be ripped off (€40 entry for a short walk with no swimming allowed). Would recommend the Plitvices which is much bigger for the same inflated price.

Generally the north seems the way to go if you want a quieter experience.

We’ve been twice. Dubrovnik and Cavtat (gorgeous) in October. Dubrovnik was still heaving!! Split, Trogir, Primošten this August. Very hot, think 40c some days, and certainly not the cheap escape it used to be. One of my most favourite places.