How's this sound? Waterfront views, rooftop balconies, fresh out of the water seafood, bang on weather, and just a general all round great time. Sounds good to us. If it does to you too, then Croatia is your perfect vacation destination.
According to Lonely Planet, 18.5 million people took a trip here in 2019 and that's no surprise to us as Croatia has it all.
To help with your planning, we've got some top tips for you to check out. From beautiful beaches to historical areas, where to stay, what activities you're going to do, and what time of year you want to book your travel plans for.
Diocletian’s Palace
Diocletian’s Palace is actually an area in Split: as Lonely Planet explains, "Don’t expect a palace, though, nor a museum – this is the city's living heart, its labyrinthine streets packed with people, bars, shops and restaurants." When you land in Split after a long flight, check in to your hotel and then finally get to take a stroll along the Riva waterfront while the sun sets on another perfect day, you'll be glad you made the decision to come to Croatia for the Summer!
Plan a trip in the Summer
Like many other destinations, the most appealing time of year to go to Croatia does depend upon the weather. As pleasant as the Winter may be, it's the Summer months of June through to September is when you need to get here to enjoy it at its best. Consistent warm temps, people on the beach, water-sports and of course sailing trips ;)
Enjoy eating Seafood and drinking Wine!
The local seafood is incredible in Croatia, so going to restaurants that feature that will be lovely.
Kod Sfinge is operated by a local family and Trip Advisor reviews praise the Tiger Prawns, Octopus, Tuna steak and the pasta. The service by far is the best quality as the passion for food really shines through from the ladies that run it. The restaurant is in a great location tucked off the main square in Diocletian's Palace.
Another restaurant pick is Bokeria kitchen & wine bar. You'll find delicious meat, fish, and desserts, plus a wonderful ambiance with wooden floors and live music. You can also find more casual food here such as burgers.
Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park
This national park MUST be on your bucket-list. About 3.5hrs from Split, the drive is definitely worth it. The park is about 300 sq/km and the lakes are bigger than eight kms, oh and it's a UNESCO World Heritage site too.
The currency in Croatia is the Kuna
The currency used in Croatia is the Croatian Kuna (kn)
The Croatian Kuna has been the currency in use since 1994. Prior to then was the Croatian Dinar (only in use for just 3 years), which took over from several variations of the Yugoslavian Dinar introduced way back in 1918. As you can see, there's been a few changes in the past 100 years and with joining the EU in 2013 there was the expectations that there would be another change coming.
However whilst there are no confirmed plans to adopt the Euro as the official currency just yet, you are still able to pay in Euros for certain items such as accommodation, transport and also in some restaurants. It is not a requirement for a business to have to accept the Euro, so make sure you check beforehand that it's OK if you only have Euros in your wallet.
Converting your local money into Kuna is a lot more favourable on the exchange if doing in Croatia rather than in your home country. Download the XE.com app for up to date rates so you can confidently make your comparisons at the exchange booth. If you can get close to the official rate, then you know you've done well!
Do a road trip and visit Sibenik for a local experience
From Split you have many options to hire a car and explore the coastline. After a week on the seas, it's nice to get on the road and visit some of the smaller towns in the north, with Sibenik being the first major one you'll come across. It is one of Croatia’s oldest traditional oceanfront towns, full of medieval architecture, culture, friendly locals, town squares, and beaches.
Want more? Check out our Southern Discovery tour to see the highlights of the Adriatic from Split to Dubrovnik.