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Croatia

Medieval walled cities, the bluest water in Europe and an island-hopping circuit that's genuinely hard to leave.

Eastern Europe · Balkans
⛵ Island Hopping🏊 Adriatic Swimming🏰 Medieval Walls🍷 Dalmatian Wine

Backpacking Croatia

Croatia has become one of Europe's most popular summer destinations, and for good reason. The Adriatic coast has the clearest water on the continent. Dubrovnik's city walls are among the most spectacular medieval architecture in the world. The islands — Hvar, Brač, Vis, Korčula — form one of the great sailing and island-hopping circuits in Europe.

£45–£80/day avg daily budget
Key Info
Euro (€)Croatian (English widely spoken on coast)Type FDrive Right
10–15% at restaurants
Weather
Best: May–Jun & Sep–Oct
July–August — very expensive, very crowded
May–June and September are the ideal window. Same weather, half the price and half the crowds.
Health
Tap water safe throughout Croatia
No vaccines required
Transport
Jadrolinija ferryBusTaxi
✈️ DBV Dubrovnik / SPU Split / ZAD Zadar
Jadrolinija ferries connect the islands — book ahead in summer.
Emergency
👮 Police192
🚑 Ambulance194
🔥 Fire193
The Highlights

8 Things to Do in Croatia

01
Walk Dubrovnik's city walls at 8am — before the cruise ship tourists arrive
02
Take the ferry from Split to Hvar — the most popular island for good reason
03
Swim at Stiniva Cove on Vis — the most beautiful hidden beach in the Adriatic
04
Day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park — the turquoise cascading lakes
05
Visit Korčula — the old town that claims to be Marco Polo's birthplace
06
Kayak around the Old Town walls of Dubrovnik — extraordinary sea-level views
07
Take the Jadrolinija overnight ferry from Split to Ancona — sleeping under the stars on the Adriatic
08
Eat fresh seafood (buzara mussels, grilled brancin) at any konoba outside the tourist zone
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Insider Knowledge

What Most Guides Don't Tell You About Croatia