Is Croatia Worth Visiting? 16 Reasons Why You Should Visit
Considering visiting Croatia? Here’s everything you need to know before you go!
Is Croatia worth visiting? The short answer is YES!
Before I went, I had no clue what to expect. I had only heard I should take a boat trip and that it was a good place to party.
However, everyone I knew who had visited said they would go back in a heartbeat and that it was one of the best vacations they’d been on.
I expected it to be great, and after spending time there, I get the hype. Croatia is absolutely worth visiting!
It’s effortlessly beautiful and full of history. Whether you’re into crystal-clear water, fresh seafood, ancient cities, or long summer nights, there’s something here for you.
It was also one of the most unique experiences. I stayed on a boat for a week and island-hopped, which is not something I’ve ever done before. It was totally worth it!
Here are 16 reasons why Croatia is so worth visiting, plus some tips to help you plan the perfect trip.
16 Reasons Why Croatia Is Worth Visiting
1. The boat days are unmatched
If you’ve ever imagined island hopping in the Mediterranean, Croatia is exactly what you picture, but without the hefty price tag of places like Greece or Italy.
I traveled with my family, and we spent seven days on a boat and sailed from Trogir to Solta Island, Vis, Pakleni Islands, Hvar, Brac, and Maslinica.
If budget allows, this is the best way to explore Croatia.
It allows you to see more islands and experience a mix of swimming and water activities while exploring more cities without having to lug your stuff around and stay in multiple hostels or hotels.
Anchoring in quiet coves, swimming in crystal-clear water, blasting music with the people you love, or just soaking up the sun… it’s the best way to experience Croatia’s coastline.
➡️ Book a Tour to Experience the Blue and Green Caves + Snorkel/ Swim
While my experience here was more of a splurge, if you’re traveling solo or on a budget, there are so many affordable group tours, day trips, and ferry options to get out on the water.
2. The sea is stunning
The Adriatic Sea is one of the most beautiful bodies of water I’ve ever seen. It’s not only insanely clear and clean, it’s calm (minimal waves), salty, and perfect for swimming.
You’ll find rocky beaches and bright turquoise coves that feel straight out of a postcard. Even in the busier cities, you’re never far from the water.
3. It’s easy to get around
One of the best parts about traveling in Croatia is how accessible everything is.
The bus and ferry systems are easy to use and fairly reliable, and the distances between cities are short enough that you can explore multiple places in one trip without spending half your time in transit.
It’s a great country to rent a car if you want flexibility, but you definitely don’t need one to see a lot. And again, if budget allows, traveling by boat is the best way to easily see many spots.
4. Wine, wine, wine
Croatia’s wine scene is amazing.
Many vineyards are family-run, and you can often sit outside, sip wine, snack on local charcuterie boards, and look out over the sea or hills.
We stopped at a local, family-run winery, Lacman Family Winery, and it was such a great experience! I love anything that’s authentic, and the wine was incredible.
5. The seafood is next-level
Being right on the water means seafood is a staple here, and it’s done simply and well.
Think grilled calamari, octopus salad, mussels, a fresh daily catch, and black risotto made with squid ink.
The flavors are fresh and minimal, and the quality speaks for itself. If you love seafood, every meal is going to be a highlight.
I ate seafood every single day I was here and did not get tired of it!
6. Mamma Mia and Game of Thrones were filmed here
Even if you’re not a superfan, it’s pretty fun to be in places you’ve seen on screen.
Dubrovnik is famously King’s Landing in Game of Thrones, and the island of Vis served as the picturesque Greek island in Mamma Mia 2.
You can actually walk through these places and see how cinematic the country really is because it looks that good in real life. I’m a big fan of Mamma Mia, so going to Vis was awesome!
➡️ Book a Game of Thrones Walking Tour in Dubrovnik
➡️ Explore Blue Caves, Vis, & Hvar/ See Where They Filmed Mamma Mia 2
7. The history is everywhere
Croatia has this fascinating mix of influences, Roman, Venetian, Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and you can feel it in the architecture, the food, and even the language.
You can walk through ancient palaces in Split, wander medieval alleyways in Dubrovnik, and see ruins that date back thousands of years.
While this trip was more of a vacation and not as heavily packed with plans and sightseeing, we still made it to some incredible historical sites.
In Blaca, we hiked to an ancient Monastery and learned about the history, in Hvar, we explored the mansion and courtyard of a historical poet, and in Split and Dubrovnik, we discovered the old ruins, castles, and churches.
I recommend seeing all of these sights, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
➡️ Join a Walking Tour to See the Old Town and Diocletian Palace in Split
➡️ Explore Old Town in Dubrovnik with a Walking Tour
8. It feels really safe, even for solo travelers
While I was never alone in Croatia, it is pretty crowded most places, so I would’ve felt completely at ease the entire time if I were alone.
The cities are clean, people are respectful, and I never felt uncomfortable walking around, even at night.
If you’re new to solo travel or just want a destination that feels calm and secure, this is a great place to start.
Also, I felt so safe with our captain on the boat. He was very experienced and gave us great recommendations and advice for exploring the cities.
Even when we stayed in remote coves with few boats around (which was amazing), I felt very safe.
We traveled with Jakov Dejkob, a freelance captain, who worked with Active Cruises (the Lagoon 46 is the option we went with). Highly recommend both him and this company!
9. Summer in Croatia is just different
There’s something about summer in Croatia that feels easy and perfect. Long days, warm evenings, that effortless rhythm of beach-swim-eat-repeat.
The whole country slows down in the best way. Even the cities stay mellow and feel alive without being overwhelming.
Most of the days I spent here consisted of sailing, chilling on the boat, swimming, an adventure (biking, kite surfing, exploring a city), an incredible dinner on an island, and back to the boat to see the stars. It was perfect.
➡️ Explore Hvar with a Bike Ride and Enjoy a Stop at a Local Winery
10. The stars are insane
If you end up on a quieter island/ cove or further inland, make sure to look up.
Croatia has some incredible stargazing, clear skies, minimal light pollution, and that beautiful experience of feeling small in the best way.
It’s one of those things you don’t expect to be a highlight, and then it ends up being a core memory.
11. The people are laid-back and kind
When I travel, I typically go out of my way to experience a culture and meet locals.
However, this trip was a little different in that I spent my time with my family with the focus primarily being on relaxation. Because of that, I didn’t connect with too many locals.
That said, we were able to get to know our boat captain and hostess very well. I loved that so much! We genuinely connected, and I was even able to learn a few phrases in Croatian (it’s a hard language!).
12. There’s something for everyone
Whether you’re into nature, history, nightlife, food, or just relaxing by the sea, Croatia has it all.
Some days I wandered ancient towns, went biking, and went wine tasting; other days I just swam and enjoyed the sun.
You don’t need to “choose a type of trip” here. You can pick and choose a variety of things to do and experience.
13. It can be pretty affordable
Croatia used to be a major budget destination, and while it’s more expensive now (especially Dubrovnik in the summer), it’s still very doable compared to many other European countries.
You can find beautiful places to stay, incredible meals, and experiences like boat tours or wine tastings without spending a fortune, especially if you’re open to exploring lesser-known towns.
That said, you can also choose to go all out and make it a top-tier luxury experience.
14. The weather is basically perfect
Croatia gets over 2,500 hours of sunshine per year, and the summers are hot but breezy, especially by the coast.
I went in the summer, and it was perfect. It was hot and sunny our entire trip. I was definitely grateful to be staying on the boat with easy access to swimming.
It does get hot, and we found the heat particularly brutal in Dubrovnik. You’ll want sunscreen and breaks for the shade and swimming.
However, it’s the kind of weather that makes you want to be outside all day.
15. The sunsets are unreal
Sunsets in Croatia are a thing!
Golden hour stretches on forever, and watching the sun disappear behind the sea while everything turns pink and gold is something I looked forward to every single night.
If you know me, you know I love a sunset and will try to catch one any time I have the chance, so this was perfect!
16. You can party or not
If you’re in the mood for nightlife, places like Hvar and Split definitely deliver.
But if you’re not into that scene, there are so many peaceful spots to unplug, read a book, go for walks, and have early dinners by the sea.
Croatia doesn’t pressure you to be on all the time, you get to decide the pace of your trip.
What to Know Before Visiting Croatia
Some helpful things to keep in mind:
✅ Currency: Croatia uses the Euro (€), which makes everything easier if you’re coming from other parts of Europe.
✅ Best time to visit: Late May to early October. July and August are amazing, but they’re also busy and more expensive. We went late June, and it was perfect– just before peak season (although still quite crowded) and perfect weather.
✅ Language: Croatian is the official language, but most people speak English in tourist areas. Everywhere I went, people spoke English.
✅ Tipping: 10% is standard and appreciated.
✅ Packing tip: Bring water shoes! A lot of the beaches are rocky or pebbly.
Where to Stay in Croatia
A few places I’d recommend depending on your vibe:
✨ On a boat! If you’re up for a fun and flexible way to island hop, Active Cruises is such a great option. This is what we did!
✨ Dubrovnik – For history, epic views, and iconic Old Town energy. We stayed at this Airbnb just outside the city walls. It was quiet, walkable, and had the cutest terrace.
✨ Split – A great hub for island hopping and city exploring. Murum Heritage Hotel is built into the palace walls and is in the heart of the city. It was a great stay!
✨ Hvar – For beach clubs and bougie hotels. Beach Bay Hvar Hotel is modern, bright, and just far enough from the party scene to still feel peaceful.
✨ Zadar – More low-key but still beautiful, especially at sunset. Almayer Art & Heritage Hotel is artsy, calm, and perfectly located for wandering the old town or watching the sunset by the sea.
➡️ Book Almayer Art & Heritage Hotel
Rovinj – A cute spot in Istria with amazing wine and food. Spirito Santo Palazzo Storico is a cozy boutique hotel with so much charm and character in the heart of town.
➡️ Book Spirito Santo Palazzo Storico
Visiting Croatia: FAQ
Is Croatia worth visiting for a week?
Yes! You can see a lot in seven days, Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik are a popular (and doable) route. We did Split, Trogir, Solta Island, Vis, Pakleni Islands, Hvar, Brac, Blaca, Maslinica, and Dubrovnik in 10 days.
Is it safe for solo travelers?
Definitely. I felt very safe walking around, using public transport, and staying in more remote areas.
Is Croatia expensive?
It can be, especially in touristy areas like Dubrovnik. But there are tons of ways to do it affordably, just depends on where you go and when.
Do I need a visa?
Most travelers from the US, UK, and EU don’t need a visa for stays under 90 days. But always double-check!
Is Croatia still worth visiting if I’m not a beach person?
Absolutely. The food, history, architecture, and wine alone make it worth the trip. That said, my favorite part of the trip was being on the water.
Final Thoughts: So, Is Croatia Worth Visiting?
If you’ve made it this far, you probably already know what I’m going to say: YES. Croatia is 100% worth visiting. I already want to go back.
It’s stunning, laid-back, and a unique place to visit. Whether you’re hopping between islands, exploring old towns, or just spending a slow evening by the water, Croatia makes it easy to enjoy the moment.
So if you’ve been thinking about it, go! You’ll be so glad you did:)
