Aerial view of the walled old town of Dubrovnik and its orange roofs over the Adriatic

🇹🇭 Southern Europe · 3.9M people

Travel to Croatia: the complete 2026 guide

Dubrovnik's walls over the Adriatic, Plitvice and Krka turquoise waterfalls, ferries between Hvar, Brač and Korčula, Tuscany-like Istria, antique Split around Diocletian's Palace. Our guide to plan 1 to 3 weeks in Croatia, solo or combined with Slovenia, Italy, Bosnia or Montenegro.

📅 When to go? 🗺️ See itineraries

Croatia at a glance

Capital

Zagreb

Language

Croatian

Currency

Euro (€)

Time diff

+0h (Paris time)

Flight from Paris

~2h direct

Average / day

€60-150

Visa

Best season

May-June, September

Photo : Spencer Davis / Unsplash

In 30 seconds

Why visit Croatia

1

Dalmatia and 1,244 islands

1,244 islands, islets and reefs along the Adriatic, around 50 inhabited. Hvar, Brač, Korčula, Vis, Mljet, Pag: regular Jadrolinija ferries from Split or Dubrovnik, translucent water, accessible coves.
2

Plitvice and Krka: signature waterfalls

Plitvice National Park (UNESCO since 1979), 16 cascading lakes and wooden walkways. Krka, easier from Split, sits along the same-named river. Krka allows swimming in marked areas, Plitvice does not.
3

10 UNESCO sites, including Dubrovnik and Split

Dubrovnik's old town, Diocletian's Palace in Split (1,700 years old), Trogir, the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč, Stari Grad on Hvar, Šibenik Cathedral. One of Europe's highest UNESCO densities per km².
4

Euro and Schengen since 2023

Croatia adopted the euro and joined Schengen on January 1, 2023. No more exchange or border checks with Slovenia or Hungary. For EU citizens, an ID card or passport is enough.
5

Short-haul 2h from Paris

Direct flights Paris-Zagreb, Paris-Split, Paris-Dubrovnik (Air France, Croatia Airlines, easyJet, Transavia). €80 to €250 by season. Ideal for 7 to 10 days without long-haul fatigue.

Calendar

When to go to Croatia

Mediterranean climate on the coast (very hot summers, mild winters), continental inland (Zagreb, Plitvice, cold winters). June and September offer the best balance: warm sea, fewer crowds, reasonable prices. July-August = total saturation in Dubrovnik and Hvar, prices 2-3x higher and 2h queues at the walls.

Full when-to-go guide →

Ideal Fair Avoid · Click for details

Jan

🌡 1-8 °C

Feb

🌡 2-10 °C

Mar

🌡 5-14 °C

Apr

🌡 9-18 °C

May

🌡 14-23 °C

Jun

🌡 18-27 °C

Jul

🌡 20-30 °C

Aug

🌡 20-30 °C

Sep

🌡 16-26 °C

Oct

🌡 11-20 °C

Nov

🌡 6-14 °C

Dec

🌡 2-9 °C

Detailed programs

Recommended itineraries

1 week

1-week itinerary

📅 1 week 💰 📍 Split · Hvar · Korčula · Dubrovnik

See itinerary →

2 weeks Best-seller

2-week itinerary

📅 2 weeks 💰 📍 Zagreb · Plitvice · Zadar · Krka · Split · Hvar · Korčula · Dubrovnik

See itinerary →

1 month

1-month itinerary

📅 1 month 💰 📍 Ljubljana · Istria · Plitvice · Split · Hvar · Dubrovnik · Kotor

See itinerary →

Destinations

Cities & islands of Croatia

UNESCO

Dubrovnik

UNESCO walls over the Adriatic

UNESCO

Split

Diocletian's Palace + ferry hub

By traveler profile

Which trip suits you?

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

With family

Great from age 4-5: easy pebble beaches, short ferries (1-2h between islands), Krka for waterfall swimming, water parks on the coast. Avoid July-August (35 °C, crowds). Aim for June or September.

💑

Honeymoon

Hvar + Dubrovnik combo in 8-10 days. Boutique hotels in Dubrovnik old town (Pucić Palace), villas on Hvar (Adriana), dinner on the walls. Budget €4,000 to €7,000 for 10 days excluding flights.

🎒

Backpacker

Hostels €25-40/night in Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik. Sobe (private rooms) €30-50. FlixBus long distance €10-20, deck ferries €5-15. €60 to €80/day realistic in May or September.

👤

Solo

Very solo-friendly: social hostels in Split (Old Town), Hvar and Dubrovnik, English widely spoken, very safe. Easy island hopping by deck ferry. Ideal for 10-14 days in May-June.

🍷

Food and wine

Istria: white truffles (Oct-Dec season), AOP olive oil, Malvazija and Teran wines. Dalmatia: grilled fish, peka (dish under a bell), Plavac Mali wines on Hvar and Pelješac. Family-run konobas (taverns).

🥾

Hiking and nature

Paklenica National Park (Velebit), Plitvice (16 lakes linked by walkways), Mljet island (national park), Premužićeva trail across Velebit. May-June and September for temperatures.

In pictures

Croatia in photos

Croatia

Dubrovnik

Split

Must-do

Signature experiences

✨

Dubrovnik city walls walk

2 km, 1h30, Adriatic views

✨

Plitvice Lakes

16 lakes, wooden walkways

✨

Ferry Split-Hvar-Korčula

Jadrolinija or Krilo catamaran

✨

Game of Thrones tour in Dubrovnik

King's Landing on site

✨

Korčula and Pelješac vineyards

Plavac Mali, Pošip, Grk

✨

Swimming at Krka falls

Skradinski Buk, 17 cascades

✨

Zadar sea organ

Music played by the waves

✨

Istrian white truffles

Oct-Dec harvest in Motovun

Plan your trip

Practical info

📄

Croatia visa

Schengen since 2023. Valid EU ID card is enough for EU citizens. Non-EU: 90 days within 180.

Read the guide →

💉

Vaccines & health

No mandatory vaccines. Routine DTP and MMR up to date. European Health Insurance Card accepted.

See sheet →

🛡️

Travel insurance

EHIC covers the basics. Private insurance recommended for evacuation, dental and luggage.

Compare →

📡

Croatia eSIM

EU roaming included with most EU operators. eSIM useful if your plan is capped or for non-EU travelers.

Compare →

How much

Croatia budget

💰 Calculate my budget →

Backpacker

€1,100

✈️ Paris-Split flight: €150
🏨 Hostel / sobe: €35/night
🍽️ Market + konoba: €20/day
🚌 Bus + deck ferry: €100

Recommended

Comfort

€1,900

✈️ Flight: €200
🏨 3-star hotel / apt: €90/night
🍽️ Local restaurants: €40/day
⛴️ Cabin ferries: €200

Premium

€4,500

✈️ Short-haul business: €600
🏨 Boutique 5-star / villa: €250-500/night
🍽️ Fine dining: €100/day
⛵ Skipper + sailboat: €1,500

Our picks

Prepare your trip to Croatia

Our tested and updated comparisons for a smooth trip to Croatia.

🏢

Best travel agency for Croatia

Tailor-made agencies, organized tours, free quotes. Our selection for Croatia.

See comparison →

🛡️

Travel insurance for Croatia

Medical coverage, repatriation, cancellation. The best insurance for Croatia.

See comparison →

📡

eSIM for Croatia

Data plans, network coverage, pricing. The best eSIM to stay connected in Croatia.

See comparison →

Combine with

Road between green fields near mountains in Tuscany

🇮🇹

Italy

Ferry Dubrovnik-Bari, 10h

White and blue houses of Santorini facing the Aegean Sea

🇬🇷

Greece

2h flight, islands and coasts

🇦🇱

Albania

Southern land border

FAQ

Do you need a visa for Croatia in 2026? +

No for EU citizens. Croatia joined the Schengen Area on January 1, 2023. A valid national ID card or passport is enough to enter without a visa. For non-EU citizens subject to Schengen visa, standard rules apply (90 days within 180). The European ETIAS system, planned for 2025-2026 for non-Europeans exempt from visa, will also apply to Croatia once in force.

How many days do you need in Croatia? +

Minimum 7 days for Split and 2-3 Dalmatian islands or for Dubrovnik + Hvar + Korčula. 10 days is ideal to add Plitvice or Krka. 2 weeks allow Zagreb + Plitvice + the full coast (Zadar, Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik). 3 weeks open the possibility of combining with Slovenia, northern Italy or Montenegro.

When to go to Croatia? +

May-June and September: the optimal window. Temperatures 22-28 °C, sea at 22-24 °C in June and 25 °C in September, fewer crowds, reasonable prices. July-August: very hot (35 °C), peak crowds, prices 2-3x. October: still pleasant for Istria and cities. November to March: many taverns and island ferries closed.

Is Croatia expensive compared to Greece or Italy? +

In between. More expensive than mainland Greece and Portugal, comparable to southern Italy, cheaper than the French Riviera. Dubrovnik and Hvar have become two of central Europe's priciest towns in peak season (€50-80/person for dinner, €150-250/night for a sobe). Istria and secondary islands (Vis, Pag) remain 30 to 40% cheaper.

How do you get between the islands? +

Jadrolinija and Krilo run ferries and fast catamarans year-round. Split-Hvar 1h by catamaran (€12), Split-Korčula 2h30 (€20). Dubrovnik-Hvar 2h in season. Cars not allowed in Hvar Town, possible by deck ferry Split-Hvar Stari Grad. Book 1-2 weeks ahead in July-August.

Should you rent a car in Croatia? +

Useful for Istria, Plitvice and inland Dalmatia (Šibenik, Zadar, the Split-Dubrovnik road). Not needed on islands (Hvar Town is car-free) or if you stay in cities. Plan €30-50/day plus tolls (~€20 Zagreb-Split). EU license accepted.

Are there direct flights from Paris? +

Yes: Paris-Zagreb (~2h, Air France and Croatia Airlines), Paris-Split (~2h, Air France, easyJet, Transavia in season), Paris-Dubrovnik (~2h15, Air France and low-cost in season). €80-150 off-season, €200-350 in July-August. Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse, Bordeaux also serve Split and Dubrovnik in summer.

Can you pay in kunas or euros? +

Euros only since January 1, 2023. The kuna is no longer in circulation. Visa and Mastercard accepted everywhere except small markets and some family-run konobas. ATMs in every town and on main islands (Hvar, Korčula, Brač).