Top 5 Tips for Croatia

Croatia is known for its beautiful coastline, historic old towns, and stunning national parks. But as gorgeous as it is, a few things can catch first-time visitors by surprise. After traveling from southern to northern Croatia, here are my top five tips to help you plan a smoother and more enjoyable trip.

1. Book Plitvice Lakes National Park in Advance

Croatia’s most famous national park sells out quickly. Timed entry tickets are required, and spots are limited, so book early to secure the time you want.

2. Time Your Visit for Shoulder Season

Avoid the summer rush by timing your trip for the shoulder season. May and September bring great weather, fewer crowds, and cheaper accommodation. We went in late June / early July and the sun was intense in the afternoon which limited what we can do.

3. Speedboats Are Not for Everyone

We took a speedboat as part of a day tour from Split and it was quite rough / bumpy. Some people loved the thrill, but others from our group opted to wait and return on the slower ferry (at extra cost) rather than endure the ride again.

4. Pack Light if Staying in Old Town

Dubrovnik, Split, and other old towns have stunning cobblestone alleys, but cars aren’t allowed inside. If you’re staying in an old town, make sure your luggage is easy to carry. Depending on where you stay, you may have to lug those luggages up/down hills or stairs for awhile. Street parking near old town is also hard to find and it may be safer and easier to park in public garages if you’re renting a car. We tried to look for street parking in Split for over 30 minutes before we gave up and paid for garage parking.

5. Bring Water Shoes for the Beaches

Most Croatian beaches are pebbly, not sandy. A pair of swim shoes makes it much more comfortable to get in and out of the water. I got these affordable swim shoes from Amazon and they worked great!