Croatia is in one of Southeast Europe’s hottest tourist destinations. Croatia is famous for its unique historic character and stunning natural attractions. If you’re into history, then you can find a ton of historical ruins to see in Croatia. There are also many incredible waterfalls, mountains, and beaches to see. Croatia is so grandiose and historic that Game of Thrones has filmed there.
Resource guide detailing what to do and see when visiting Hvar, Croatia for one day. Includes cities to visit, beaches to see and hidden caves worthy of exploring on the Island.
Basic Things to Know When Planning a Trip to Croatia
Language
Croatian is the official language of Croatia and its spoken by over 95% of the population. 80% of Croatian’s speak at least one other language. Many locals speak English, especially in locations with a high density of tourists.
When to Visit
The best months to visit Croatia are May, June, September & October as the weather is pleasant and sunny during this time. July & August are often very hot and overridden with tourists.
Currency & Payment
The currency in Croatia is the Kuna. While Euro’s aren’t the official currency of Croatia, they are still accepted from some large restaurants, stores & accommodation. Credit cards are accepted by all major vendors. It’s a good idea to bring cash with you in case a store does not accept credit cards.
Transportation
The bus is a popular form of transportation in Croatia and can be used to get from place to place within a city or to go to a connecting city. Trains are available to go from city to city as well. Ubers and cabs are also available.
What to Pack for a Trip to Croatia
Here’s a list of what to pack for Croatia, in addition to what you would automatically think to bring:
Bring layers: Croatia can get very hot during day and cold at night during the spring & summer months. Bring layers (such as a light sweater to throw on when it gets cooler at night).
Comfortable shoes: You may find yourself walking a great distance or on a hike, so bring the appropriate foot wear.
Refillable water bottle: You’ll want water on-hand all of the time as it is often very hot and humid in Croatia.
Things To Do In Croatia
From the historic ruins to stunning natural landscapes; there’s so much to see and do in Croatia! Here are some of the highlights worth exploring:
Visit a historic site: Croatia has so many historical ruins worth seeing. Split, Dubrovnik & Trogir are a few of the cities that contain these ruins; but there’s much more than that to see.
Head to a waterfall: Croatia is home to several awesome natural waterfalls. The most famous waterfall is Plitvice … but there are many others worth checking out.
Go Island Hopping: There are lots of cool islands to check out in Croatia and island hopping is very easy to do. There are boats available for rent for the day. Most boat rental services will help you map out your path if you’re overwhelmed with the options.
Discover the Island of Hvar: Hvar Island is so large that it deserves a visit for at least 1 – 2 days. It’s known for great parties and has some great terrain & beaches worth exploring.
Hike a mountain: There are lots of great mountains worth hiking in Croatia. Some of the mountains even have historic ruins nestled within.
Chill at the beach: The beaches of Croatia are worth a visit in and of themselves. Definitely spend at least one day at the beach when you go – the crystal blue waters and white sand make it paradise. I particularly love the beaches in Split, Croatia. Check out this guide to some of the best beaches in Split Croatia on placesofjuma.com.
Go to a national park: There are many national parks in Croatia that are worth checking out. Plitvice & Krka national parks are the most famous but there are even more beyond that
Visit the Roman Amphitheatre in Pula: The Roman Amphitheater is huge and reaks of history. If you like historic ruins, definitely don’t miss this. It’s one of the biggest historic amphitheaters in the world with a capacity of 20,000 people.
Fast Facts About Croatia
- Croatia is home to the world’s smallest town – Hum. It has just 30 inhabitants.
- The HBO series, “Game of Thrones” filmed scenes in both Split & Dubrovnik.
- Croatia is home to an amphitheater in Pula that once hosted bloody Roman gladiator fights.
- There are over 1,000 islands in Croatia.
- At least 10% of the land in Croatia is made up of nature reserves.
- Croatia enjoys 2,715 hours of sunshine a year.
- The dog breed Dalmatian is from the Dalmatia region in Croatia.
- 78% of Croatians claim knowledge of at least two languages.
- In Croatia, you can find Lavender fields in abundance.
- There are unexploded landmines in approximately 54 towns in Croatia.
How to Budget for a Trip to Croatia
Here is an outline for the average cost of accommodation, food & alcohol in Croatia. Costs may vary based on the time of year that you visit & the city that you go to. For reference, this estimate is based on a trip to Split, Croatia in July.
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range | High End | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Accommodation | $10 - $30/Night (Hostel Dorm) | $35 - $80/Night (Private Room in Hostel, Budget Hotel, or AirBNB) | $100 - $500/Night (Hotel) | Accommodations in Croatia will vary based on the season that you go to & the city that you visit. Hotels can be very pricey, so opt for an AirBNB instead if on a tight budget. |
Food | $7 - $10/pp/meal (Local Food) | $10 - $20/pp/meal (Average Restaurant) | $25 - $75+/pp/meal (High-End Restaurant) | The cost of food can increase further than what's listed here if you opt for a higher-end restaurant. |
Alcohol | $2 - $4 (Domestic Drinks) | $3 - $10 (Imported Drinks) | ---- | Beer & Wine is reasonably priced in Croatia. Imported drinks are mostly from other countries in Europe. |
Explore Croatia Virtually From Home
Due to Coronavirus travel restrictions, you might not be able to get to Croatia right away. Check out these ways to experience Croatia virtually.