Croatia Tours & Vacations

Summer is the most popular season but the shoulder season months of April to May and September to October are the best times to visit Croatia.

During these months, the weather is warm and inviting around the county, and the temperature is perfect for sightseeing in the larger cities, enjoying the islands, and the major sites have fewer crowds. May and September are great months for visiting the beaches around popular coastal cities like Dubrovnik, Hvar, and Split.

While April and May or September and October are our favorite months, Croatia offers year-round possibilities with great reasons to visit in summer or winter. Whether traveling as a family to Dubrovnik in August or visiting the Istrian Peninsula during truffle season, our guide on the best time to visit Croatia will help you find the right time of year for your trip.

From the charming towns of the Istrian Peninsula to the famous coastlines of the Dalmatian Islands, Croatia has no shortage of exceptional places to explore. Here are a few of the best places to visit in Croatia:

• Zagreb: Modern culture pulses around Croatia’s capital city of Zagreb where historic European architecture meets world-class museums and bustling sidewalk cafes.
• Split: Dramatic mountains and the colorful Adriatic Sea border Split, highlighting the opulent Venetian architecture, Byzantine adornments, and Austrian glamour where you can peel back the layers of history.
• Dubrovnik: As one of the most famous cities in Croatia, the impressive city walls, Baroque architecture crowned with orange rooftop tiles, and surrounding turquoise water make Dubrovnik feel timeless.
• Rovinj: Classic Venetian opulence and the charm of traditional seaside homes add to the beauty of Rovinj’s setting surrounded on three sides by the Adriatic Sea. From the countryside to medieval lanes, Rovinj is a relaxing place to visit in Croatia.

From walking the walls of Dubrovnik to a museum tour of Zagreb, Istrian truffles to Hvar beaches, here are some of the things to do in Croatia:

• Enjoy a food tour to find regional flavors around the country
• Sample the different wines celebrating nearly 65 distinct grape types special to Croatia
• Take a private cooking class to learn how to prepare authentic local dishes
• Embrace the unique terrain on hiking trails to find vistas and historic ruins
• Discover incredible cycling routes great for riders of all ages and experience

Whether visiting a UNESCO site or touring a unique museum, there are many fascinating landmarks and attractions to see on your Croatia trip. Here are some of our favorite things to see in Croatia:

• Bell Tower Of Saint Domnius, Split
• Dioceltian’s Palace, Split
• Pula Arena, Pula
• Dubrovnik City Walls, Dubrovnik
• Trakoscan Castle, Bednja
• St. Mark’s Church, Zagreb
• St. James Cathedral, Šibenik
• Sea Organ, Zadar
• Rovinj Old Town. Rovinj
• Plitvice Lakes National Park, Plitvice

Croatia is known for its beaches, islands, and the preserved medieval city of Dubrovnik. Travelers visit from all over the world to explore the lush valleys and truffles from the Istria Peninsula as well as witness the stunning display of the past found in Roman ruins, Venetian palaces, and Ottoman minarets. From wine to exquisite seafood, you can experience Croatia’s flavors, the stunning seaside, historical monuments, and more on a Croatia trip.

Croatia’s beaches are stunning and famous for their feeling of luxury and glamour on the Mediterranean. The combination of long mainland shores and plentiful islands provides stunning access to popular, remote, and hidden beaches similar to those in Greece. Here are some of our best beaches in Croatia that you can visit on your trip:

• Strusinska, Solta Island
• Murvica, Brac Island
• Sakarun, Dugi Otok
• Prapratno Beach, Peljesac
• Bacvice, Split
• Pokrivenik, Hvar Island
• Vela Przina, Korcula
• Punta Rata, Brela

The Croatian islands are known for their beauty, where the emerald water meets pebbled shorelines, and friendly towns offer a mix of delicious food and a welcoming ambiance.

Island hopping in Croatia is a popular way to explore the array of natural colors rising out of the water, with homes painted with pastels, hillsides carpeted in grapevines or pine trees, and gorgeous beaches providing the perfect place for families or couples. Here are our top Croatian islands to visit on vacation:

• Hvar
• Korcula
• Mljet
• Vis
• Brac
• Krk
• Lastovo

Croatia’s food is fresh and local, giving every dish tremendous flavor focused on simple ingredients. Often compared to Italian cuisine in its use of limited components to make every element sing, when planning to travel to Croatia, consider these top authentic food experiences for your trip:

• Search for truffles and sample their earthy flavor on a truffle-hunting tour of Istria
• Enjoy the decadent flavor and texture of oysters with a tasting in Ston
• Sample the delicious variety of olive oils with a tasting and comparison in Istria
• Learn the art and minute flavorful differences of quality prosciutto in Drnis
• Explore the methods for bee-keeping and making honey in Solta
• Discover the unique art of aging wine in the sea when visiting Drače
• Follow one of Croatia’s celebrated wine routes

The best Croatia itinerary for you will focus on your preferences and interests while uncovering new experiences.

Every traveler is different, and your ideas on what makes a perfect trip will differ from other travelers. You may, for example, wish to spend time on a private yacht cruising between the Dalmatian Islands. Or perhaps you are interested in traveling between major cities like Dubrovnik, Split, and Zagreb.

Whether you prefer to lounge on the island beaches or sample the enticing regional flavors of Istria, walk along the lakes of Plitvice National Park, or visit the home of Marco Polo, our best Croatia itineraries allow you to customize each day of your journey to create your perfect trip.

Discover more information in our frequently asked questions about planning a trip to Croatia and find inspiration in our Croatia travel guide.