When I planned to travel to Croatia in 2024, it was with one goal in mind: to enjoy some peace and quiet with my new husband. While not our official honeymoon, we planned a somewhat spontaneous trip to Split and the island of Solta toward the end of September to celebrate a momentous summer and the upcoming start of a new job for him.
We decided on Split because it was an easy flight from Strasbourg and my main criteria were sun, sea, and good eats. And like that, we set ourselves up for a truly great vacation, full of interesting conversations augmented by Google searches and strolls around towns, beaches, and waterfront promenades. Below I share what I hope is helpful context and pointers for travelers planning a trip to Coatia in 2025.
How did Croatia become such a popular travel destination?
As a country, Croatia entered the travel blogger and influencer chat largely thanks to Game of Thrones, where Dubrovnik featured prominently as the real-life representation of King’s Landing.
A surge in film tourism led to an enormous uptick in foreign tourists, notably from the U.S. The country’s increasing popularity was abruptly curtailed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but that didn’t dampen the public’s interest when it became safe to travel again. Today, the top three nationalities visiting Croatia are Germans, Austrians, and Slovenians. (1)
Despite the negative effect of the pandemic on tourism, the sector in Croatia has generally benefitted from fortunate timing. At almost the same time that Game of Thrones was being released (it ran for eight seasons from 2011 to 2019), Croatia was also preparing to officially join the European Union as a member state after a period of stagnation largely due to a political dispute with Slovenia. On July 1, 2013, Croatia became the 28th EU member country, which is noteworthy from a touristic standpoint for several reasons.
The currency of travel in Croatia: from the Croatian kuna to the euro
When a country joins the eurozone, they commit to changing their currency to the euro. This decision is highly charged politically and socioeconomically. Leading up to the vote, conservatives in Croatia viewed the change as a loss of Croatian identity and, potentially, individual spending power. Those in favor of the change emphasized the potential long-term upsides to the economy. At that macro level, a major anticipated result was a boost to the country’s tourism and manufacturing industries, which comprise the two largest industries of the country. (2) In the end, Croatians voted “yes” and the country formally entered the eurozone on January 1, 2023.
The majority of Croatia’s GDP comes from its tourism sector
GDP, or gross domestic product, refers to the total income generated from goods and services generated by a country. It’s regarded as a key metric of economic health, so when taken at face value, it would seem that a surge in tourism could only be good for Croatia. However, the mass popularization of a location can quickly lead to overtourism, resulting in unsustainable practices and growing tensions between local residents and visitors.
Traveling to Croatia in 2025
In my opinion, travelers bear some responsibility to research and obtain a more holistic picture of what the effect of our presence in another country might have, which is one of the main reasons we decided to travel to Croatia in the fall. (That, and as anyone who lives in Europe knows, it takes deep pockets, a high tolerance for heat, and a lot of patience for crowds to travel during the peak summer travel season.)
What’s more, the low-cost Spanish airline Volotea recently opened a round-trip route between Strasbourg and Split. The direct flight is just over two hours, the Split airport is tiny (read: easy to navigate), and there’s public transport readily available to take you to the city. And, as a subscriber to their Megavolotea service tier, I get great discounts on tickets, plus a free carry-on item. It’s definitely a service I would recommend looking into if you live in Europe and Volotea has flights to and from your city.
Best time to travel to Croatia
In my opinion, the best time to travel to Croatia is in September. Granted, I have only traveled to Croatia in September, but wow, I highly recommend it.
Based on our experience, it’s officially shoulder season from early September, making for a much more relaxing and authentic experience. I was also pleasantly surprised that we were so warmly welcomed throughout our stay despite it being the end of a tiring tourist season. We visited Greece even later (in early October) last year, and the vast majority of Greeks we interacted with were (perhaps understandably, but still disappointingly) impatient and snappy with us.
Best place to travel in Croatia
Typically, the main hotspots in Croatia are the major cities and a couple of popular islands:
- Dubrovnik: best known for GOT film tourism, plus a romantic Old Town perfect for strolling and photographing.
- Split: coastal beach town vibes with a stunning harbor, a daily market along the waterfront promenade, and easy ferry access to visit the islands in the Adriatic Sea.
- Zadar: the capital of Croatia known for lovely sunsets and its proximity to nature (sandy beaches, Plitvice Lakes, the Velebit Mountains)
- Hvar: arguably the most popular Croatian island, home to the Fortica fortress and stunning views of the Adriatic Sea.
- Brac: the largest island in the central Dalmatian archipelago, typically a beach destination but also worth hiking up to Mount San Vito (Vidova gora).
However, if you want to plan a trip a little off the beaten path, or to challenge yourself to travel more sustainably during high season, now you know the places to potentially avoid or spend less time in 😉
Is it safe to travel to Croatia right now?
As of this writing (October 2024), yes, it is safe to travel to Croatia. The US State Department has Croatia does not currently have a travel warning advisory in effect. (3) While you should always exercise caution while traveling and take care to plan for your trip ahead of time, there is no increased risk or danger associated with traveling to Croatia right now.
How to stay safe when traveling to Croatia
Here is a list of steps you can take to ensure your safety when planning a trip to Croatia:
- Register your trip with the US State Department by enrolling in STEP. (4) This will inform the government of your travel plans and ensure that you are taken care of if something were to happen (e.g., a natural disaster, terrorist attack, etc).
- Prepare a mix of cash and credit cards (I always bring two travel credit cards, leaving one in the room safe to use as a backup in case of emergency).
- Download a Google Map of the area(s) you’ll be visiting so that you’re not dependent on WiFi for navigation. (Or, better yet, purchase an e-sim ahead of time so that you can continue using your phone in Croatia.)
Reasons to travel to Croatia
I mentioned earlier that I didn’t have the most positive experience traveling in Greece last year. Compared to Greece, Croatia is far less “discovered” and I think still qualifies in many ways as an off-the-beaten-track destination – so long as you’re not visiting during peak tourist season (July through August). I also found Croatians to be friendly, warm, and helpful. Of course, friendliness in and of itself isn’t necessarily a reason to travel somewhere, so below are some concrete reasons I’d recommend visiting Croatia.
Fantastic wine
Croatia is known for full-bodied red wines made from the Plavac Mali variety, which lovers of California’s Zinfandel will thoroughly enjoy. (5) Now, I love a red with a big personality, but I also found their white and rosés to be fantastically dry, brimming with minerals and salinity that I’d never experienced previously.
Exceptional gastronomy
Croatian food is hearty, flavorful, and varied. In the north, which we did not have time to visit on our trip, the food is apparently deliciously influenced by Italy.
Further south and along the coast, like we were in Split, “pasticada s njokima” (beef stew with gnocchi) and seafood risotto abound. I also had a delicious white fish carpaccio, and I don’t think it was a coincidence, so I would recommend visitors to Split be on the lookout for an opportunity to try one themselves.
Note that Croatia specializes in “crni rižot” (black risotto), which is made from squid ink, squid or cuttlefish, arborio rice, garlic, onion, white wine, and sometimes, other seafood. (6)
Classic Croatian food
While indulging in exquisitely prepared meals is a cornerstone of any great vacation, it’s always nice to know what the locals are grabbing on the go!
Swimming in the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea is truly unforgettable
For many reasons, I’m not a big swimmer and don’t love getting into bodies of water. I dislike cold water, I tend to think about how germy it can be, and an old shoulder injury prevents me from swimming confidently.
But damn if I didn’t turn into a straight-up mermaid throughout my time in Croatia.
The water is just such an incredible combination of temperate, peaceful, and beautiful. In particular, Thibault and I enjoyed some much-needed downtime during our multi-day trip to the beautiful, lesser-known island of Šolta.
Psst, you could also live here!
Croatia has an awesome-looking digital nomad visa that would be perfect for young, unattached people (or motivated couples!) to move to for a year. While it’s not as easy to become a digital nomad as the video shorts might make it seem, it is absolutely doable and a lifestyle that teaches many valuable lessons.
Croatia Travel – FAQ
Do I need a visa to travel to Croatia?
Croatia is part of the EU, meaning that Americans do not need a visa for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period for tourism or business purposes. However, starting in 2025, travelers from visa-exempt countries will need to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) authorization before entering Croatia and other Schengen countries. (7)
Is Croatia safe for solo female travelers?
Yes, Croatia is generally safe for solo female travelers, with a low crime rate and a welcoming atmosphere. Most issues involve petty theft in tourist areas, so standard precautions like securing valuables are recommended.
How to get travel insurance to visit Croatia?
To get travel insurance for Croatia, you can purchase a plan from providers like World Nomads, SafetyWing, or Allianz, which cover international health, trip interruptions, and other travel risks. Compare coverage options online to ensure your plan includes Europe-wide or Schengen Area coverage.
Best airlines to travel to Croatia from the US?
For direct flights to Croatia from the U.S., options will feel limited compared to direct flights into major European cities. However, if you wish to fly in and out of Croatia, popular airlines offering connections include Lufthansa, British Airways, and Turkish Airlines, typically with one layover in major hubs like Frankfurt, London, or Istanbul.
It’s worth noting that combining a Croatia trip with Italy might be more budget-friendly. Flights into major Italian cities such as Rome or Venice tend to be cheaper and more frequent, and from there, Croatia is easily accessible by a short regional flight, ferry, or train, offering both cost savings and an extended European experience.
Can I travel from Croatia to Montenegro?
Yes! (8) A popular means of traveling from Croatia to Montenegro is to do a road trip from Dubrovnik, although take care to research others who have gone before you to avoid common pitfalls like getting stuck in traffic or not having the correct paperwork at the border.
Public transport between the countries is also possible via bus or ferry.
Worth noting: Montenegro’s accessibility from Croatia also makes it an attractive country to spend time in for digital nomads who need to exit the Schengan Area after exhausting their 90-day tourist limit.
References
- Croatia Tourism Statistics – How Many Tourists Visit? (2023)
- How is Croatia adapting to the euro? | Euronews
- Croatia Travel Advisory
- STEP
- https://www.sail-croatia.com/set-sail/insiders-guide-to-award-winning-croatian-wines#:~:text=88%20Bronze%20medals.-,Plavac%20Mali,-Plavac%20Mali%20is
- Croatian Food Guide: 21 Traditional Dishes Not To Miss in Croatia
- ETIAS – European Union
- Travelling from Dubrovnik to Montenegro – What’s the best way? (2024)
