Croatia Travel Guide
Croatia offers the perfect combination of natural beauty, rich culture, stunning coastline, Mediterranean climate, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and historical landmarks.
Croatia is a European country with a long coastline on the Adriatic Sea encompassing more than a thousand islands. The country has a population of 3 million, its capital and largest city is Zagreb, and the official language is Croatian.
Croatia is best known for its natural beauty and one of the highlights is without doubt its impressive coastline along the Adriatic Sea. The Istrian Coast to the north and the Dalmatian Coast to the south, offers an abundance of fascinating places to explore, including Rovinj, Split, Pula and Porec. Dubrovnik, often referred to as the “Pearl of the Adriatic” is a wonderful choice for city dwellers with its stunning medieval architecture, spectacular views, chic boutiques and stylish bars.
We've outlined some general information that may be helpful to you when planning your next holiday to Croatia.
Time Zone & Currency
Croatia is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) throughout the year. The currency used is the EURO.
Weather In Croatia
The Croatian climate is characterised by warm and dry summers and mild winters.
Reading For Your Trip To Croatia
April’s Fools Day by Josip Novakovich
The Sound of Blue by Holly Payne
Interception by Nathan Meyer
Best time to go to Croatia
Croatia has a Mediterranean climate and gets very hot in the summer. We believe the best time to visit Croatia is either Spring (April to June) or in the Autumn (September to November) when it's less crowded and the weather is cooler.
Top Tourist Attractions In Croatia
Dubrovnik Old Town
One of the best preserved medieval towns in the world, surrounded by impressive defensive walls overlooking the Adriatic. With our local guides you can learn more about the Old Town’s fascinating history and even just wandering through the streets is a true delight.
Korcula Island
One of the excursions you can enjoy on our Dubrovnik holidays is a visit to Korcula Island. The dense woods led the original Greek settlers to call the island Korkyra Melaina. Korčula impresses with its rolling hills, indented coves and a walled old town that resembles a miniature Dubrovnik.
Diocletian's Palace
While it’s called a palace, which was built for the Roman Emperor Diocletian, the structure is so large it forms almost half of Split’s Old Town. A UNESCO Heritage Site, it’s one of the best examples of Roman architecture.
St. Michael’s Fortress, Sibenik
Located on a hill, 70 meters above sea level, the tower is visible from everywhere in the town and is the oldest inhabited part of Sibenik. It has been rebuilt several times, including after an incident where a lighting strike caused an explosion.
Pula Arena
Constructed during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, at the same time as the Colosseum in Rome around 100 BC. Many gladiator fights were held in front of over 20,000 spectators and later in the Middle Ages, it was used by the Knights of Malta for tournaments.
Motovun
The medieval town of Motovun in northern Istria is perhaps one of the most famous and charming places in the region. Located on the hilltop, the town watches over the valley of the River Mirna. For centuries, tourists have been coming to Motovun to discover the history within its walls and appreciate the natural beauty of the valley.
10 things to do in Croatia
Croatia boasts remarkable coasts, translucent turquoise waters, rugged mountain terrains, idyllic towns and a superb climate; this stunning little country is a must-see.
8 Things To Do On Your Next Dubrovnik Holiday
George Bernard Shaw said "those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik" and Lord Byron referred to it as the 'Pearl of the Adriatic.' It's one of the beautiful cities you are ever likely to visit.
Food and drink in Croatia
Croatian cuisine is largely based on local, seasonal produce, with hearty meat dishes and grilled fish and seafood, accompanied by vegetables and cooked with fruity olive oil and aromatic herbs. Foraged mišanca (wild vegetables) can be an ingredient in salads, omelettes, soups and pancakes, or served with pasta or in stews. Pršut, Croatia’s tasty air dried ham, is often complemented by slices of sheep’s cheese. Black squid ink risotto, a Dubrovnik speciality, is another mouth-watering favourite, while Istria is known for its truffles. Croatia also has a coffee culture to rival that of its near neighbour, Italy.
Croatia Travel Guide FAQs
Can you give a brief history of Croatia?
Do I require a holiday visa to travel to Croatia?
Is it safe to tour Croatia?
Can I use my bank cards while holidaying in Croatia?
What advice do you have for tipping in restaurants while in Croatia?
What kind of plugs / sockets are used in Croatia?
Is English widely spoken in Croatia?
Useful Links
- For up-to-date information regarding entry into Croatia please see: www.dfa.ie
- Official Croatian Tourism Board: croatia.hr
