Best Places to Visit in Croatia 2026
Top cities, islands, and national parks in Croatia for 2026, plus tips on when to go, how to get around, and how to save on flights and hotels.
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Best Places to Visit in Croatia 2026
The best places to visit in Croatia deliver a dazzling combination of UNESCO-listed walled cities, island-studded turquoise seas, thundering waterfalls, and one of the Mediterranean's most vibrant sailing cultures. Croatia has transformed over the past two decades from an undiscovered Balkan gem into one of Europe's most desirable destinations, yet it still delivers extraordinary experiences that feel far less crowded and commercialized than comparable spots in Italy or Greece.
This guide covers the top Croatian destinations for 2026, with practical information on best times to visit, getting around, and managing your travel budget.
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Why Croatia in 2026
Croatia offers the rare combination of spectacular natural beauty, outstanding historical heritage, and an increasingly sophisticated food and wine scene at prices that remain more affordable than Western European competitors. The Adriatic coastline stretches for over 1,700km (including islands) and the country's interior hides limestone karst gorges and forests that feel entirely removed from the coastal tourist trail. Croatia became an EU member in 2013 and adopted the euro in 2023, simplifying travel logistics for European visitors.
Lonely Planet has repeatedly highlighted Croatia as a must-visit Mediterranean destination, and National Geographic has featured Plitvice Lakes among the world's most spectacular natural wonders.
Top 12 Best Places to Visit in Croatia
1. Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is Croatia's most iconic destination, a perfectly preserved medieval walled city perched on a limestone promontory above the Adriatic. Walking the 2km city walls, swimming from the Buza cliff bars, taking the cable car to Mount Srd for panoramic views, and exploring the marble-paved Stradun main street are all essential experiences. Game of Thrones fans will recognize it as King's Landing.
- Best time to visit: May to June or September to October (avoid July and August crowds)
- Average flight cost: $500 to $950 from North America, $100 to $250 from London
- What to see: Old Town city walls, Fort Lovrijenac, Lokrum Island ferry, cable car to Mount Srd
- Travel tip: The Dubrovnik Pass gives unlimited city wall access and free bus travel
2. Split
Split is Croatia's second city and the gateway to the Dalmatian coast and islands. What makes Split unique is that people actually live inside the 1,700-year-old Diocletian's Palace walls, filling the Roman emperor's retirement home with restaurants, bars, and apartments. The Riva waterfront promenade, the Marjan Hill forest park, and the Green Market inside the palace all reward leisurely exploration.
- Best time to visit: May to October
- Average flight cost: Fly into Split Airport (SPU) from $500 from North America
- What to see: Diocletian's Palace, Meštrović Gallery, Marjan Hill, Klis Fortress
- Travel tip: Split is the ideal base for island-hopping ferries to Hvar, Brac, and Vis
3. Hvar
Hvar is Croatia's glamour island, a long slender mass of lavender fields, ancient olive groves, and Venetian architecture facing the mainland across a sparkling channel. Hvar Town's cathedral square and harbor cafes attract a fashionable international crowd, while the island's interior villages like Stari Grad and the Stari Grad Plain (another UNESCO World Heritage Site) offer a quieter, more authentic experience.
- Best time to visit: May to June or September (July and August are extremely crowded)
- How to get there: Ferry from Split (50 minutes) or catamaran (1 hour)
- What to see: Fortica Castle, Pakleni Islands, Stari Grad colonial grid
- Travel tip: Rent a scooter to explore the lavender-scented interior
4. Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes is Croatia's most visited natural wonder and one of the most spectacular landscapes in all of Europe. Sixteen interconnected lakes cascade into each other via hundreds of waterfalls across a travertine karst landscape cloaked in beech and fir forest. The turquoise and emerald colors of the water, tinted by dissolved minerals, are unlike anything else on the continent.
- Best time to visit: April to May or September to October (avoid summer crowds; winter is beautiful but some paths close)
- Average entry cost: 10 to 40 euros depending on season
- What to see: Upper and Lower Lakes circuit, Veliki Slap (Croatia's largest waterfall)
- Travel tip: Book tickets online well in advance for summer visits; arrive at opening time
5. Zadar
Zadar is one of Croatia's most underrated cities, a walled old town on a peninsula jutting into the Zadar Channel with a 3,000-year-old history. The Roman Forum ruins, the circular St Donat Church, and the remarkable Museum of Illusions all reward cultural exploration. The city is also home to the Sea Organ, a waterfront installation that creates music from wave energy, and the Sun Salutation solar energy light installation.
- Best time to visit: May to October
- Average flight cost: Direct flights from some European cities, otherwise connect via Zagreb
- What to see: Sea Organ, Sun Salutation, Roman Forum, St Donat's Church
- Travel tip: Alfred Hitchcock called Zadar's sunset the most beautiful in the world
6. Zagreb
Croatia's capital deserves more credit than it typically gets from travelers rushing to the coast. Zagreb's Upper Town (Gornji Grad) with its medieval St Mark's Church, the Lotrscak Tower, and the Croatian Museum of Naive Art sit above a vibrant Lower Town of Art Nouveau buildings, excellent cafes, and a thriving restaurant scene. The Dolac fruit and vegetable market on Saturday mornings is an unmissable local experience.
- Best time to visit: April to October (the Advent Christmas market in December is spectacular)
- Average flight cost: $500 to $900 from North America
- What to see: Lotrscak Tower, Museum of Broken Relationships, Maksimir Park, Dolac market
- Travel tip: Zagreb is significantly cheaper than Split or Dubrovnik
7. Korcula
Korcula is a densely forested island in the southern Dalmatian archipelago, claimed by some to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. The medieval fortified old town on its narrow peninsula closely resembles a smaller version of Dubrovnik. The island's vineyards produce excellent Grk and Posip white wines, and the beaches of Lumbarda on the island's eastern tip are among Croatia's finest.
- Best time to visit: June to September
- How to get there: Ferry from Split (3 hours) or Dubrovnik (2 hours)
- What to see: Old Town walls, Marco Polo Museum, Lumbarda beaches
- Travel tip: Korcula is significantly less crowded than Hvar but equally beautiful
8. Rovinj
Rovinj is Istria's jewel, a pastel-painted harbor town on the Adriatic coast with strong Venetian architectural influences. The Church of St Euphemia crowns the old town's hill, and the harbor waterfront lined with fishing boats and outdoor restaurants makes for one of Croatia's most romantic settings. The surrounding Istrian interior offers excellent truffles, wines, and hilltop villages.
- Best time to visit: May to October
- How to get there: Fly into Pula (1 hour drive) or Trieste from Italy
- What to see: St Euphemia Church, Old Town harbor, Lim Fjord boat trip, Istrian truffle tours
- Travel tip: Rovinj is an ideal base for the Istrian wine and truffle trail
9. Vis Island
Vis is Croatia's most remote inhabited island and one of its most authentically Croatian. Only opened to tourists in 1989 (it was a Yugoslav military base), Vis has retained a local character that more accessible islands have lost. The wine produced here, particularly Vugava white wine, is exceptional. The Blue Cave on the nearby islet of Bisevo is one of Croatia's most extraordinary natural spectacles.
- Best time to visit: June to September
- How to get there: Ferry from Split (2.5 hours)
- What to see: Blue Cave, Komiža fishing village, Vis Town Venetian fortifications
- Travel tip: Stay in Vis Town rather than Komiža for the best access to local restaurants and wine bars
10. Brac Island and Bol
Brac is the third-largest Adriatic island and home to Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn), arguably Croatia's most famous beach, a golden shingle tongue that points into the sea and shifts shape with the winds. The island's Supetar village is a short 50-minute ferry ride from Split and makes an excellent day trip or overnight stop.
- Best time to visit: June to September
- How to get there: Ferry from Split (50 minutes to Supetar)
- What to see: Zlatni Rat beach at Bol, Vidova Gora summit views, Supetar harbor
- Travel tip: Rent a mountain bike to explore Brac's interior olive groves and villages
11. Skradin and Krka National Park
Krka National Park rivals Plitvice for natural spectacle, featuring the Skradinski Buk waterfall system where visitors can swim directly beneath cascading falls (in some sections), a policy Plitvice no longer allows. The Roman ruins of Burnum and the medieval monastery on the island of Visovac add historical depth to the natural beauty.
- Best time to visit: May to October
- Average entry cost: 10 to 30 euros depending on season
- What to see: Skradinski Buk waterfalls, Roski Slap falls, Visovac Island monastery
- Travel tip: Stay in Skradin village rather than Sibenik for the cheapest accommodation near the park
12. Mljet National Park
Mljet is one of Croatia's most beautiful and least crowded island destinations. Much of the island is covered by dense pine and oak forest, and the Mljet National Park area contains two saltwater lakes connected to the sea by a channel, with a 12th-century Benedictine monastery on a tiny island in the middle of the larger lake. The combination of swimming, cycling, and monastery exploration makes it an ideal day trip from Dubrovnik.
- Best time to visit: June to September
- How to get there: Ferry from Dubrovnik Old Port (1 hour)
- What to see: Veliko Jezero lake, Benedictine monastery island, Odysseus Cave
- Travel tip: Rent bikes at the national park entrance for the best way to explore
Getting Around Croatia
Croatia's coastal destinations are connected by an excellent ferry and catamaran network operated by Jadrolinija. Split and Dubrovnik are the main ferry hubs. The coastal highway (Jadranska Magistrala) is one of Europe's most scenic drives. Buses are the main form of inter-city land transport, with frequent services between Zagreb, Split, Zadar, and Dubrovnik.
Budget Tips for Croatia
Use Travorio's cheap flights search to find the best fares into Split or Dubrovnik. Book affordable hotels in Croatia to compare accommodation across the country. You can pay for your flights using crypto payments including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT, or spread costs using Sezzle, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later. According to our guide on when to book a flight, booking 2 to 3 months ahead delivers the best prices for European summer travel.
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September is often considered the best month to visit Croatia: the sea is still warm for swimming, crowds have thinned, and prices drop from peak summer levels. May–June is the next-best window, with long days and pleasant temperatures. July and August are the hottest, busiest, and most expensive months, especially on the coast and islands.
Croatia is more expensive than nearby countries like Bosnia or Albania but cheaper than Italy or France. Mid-range travelers typically spend $70–$130 per person per day, depending on destination and season. Dubrovnik and Hvar are the priciest, while Zagreb, Zadar, and inland regions offer better value for accommodation and dining.
Croatia is part of the EU’s Schengen Area. EU citizens can travel freely, and passport holders from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and several other countries can visit for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. Always check the latest entry rules before you travel, as regulations can change.
Croatia uses the euro (EUR), having replaced the kuna in January 2023. Cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas, though it’s still useful to carry some cash for small purchases, markets, and rural areas.
Hvar and Brac are excellent choices for first-time visitors thanks to frequent ferries from Split, good tourism infrastructure, and a mix of beaches and activities. Hvar suits travelers who want nightlife and a lively harbor town, while Brac is great for families and beach lovers, especially around Zlatni Rat. For quieter, more authentic experiences, consider Vis or Korcula.
May-June and September-October offer warm weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices than peak summer. July-August is hottest and busiest, especially along the coast and islands.
No, US citizens can visit Croatia visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Croatia joined the Schengen Area in 2023, so time spent in other Schengen countries counts toward this limit.
Croatia is moderate by European standards. Budget accommodation starts around $40-60 per night, meals cost $10-20, and ferries between islands run $5-15. Dubrovnik and Hvar are the priciest; inland cities and smaller islands offer better value.
Rent a car for coastal flexibility, use Jadrolinija or Catamaran ferries between islands, and FlixBus or Croatia Bus for intercity routes. Domestic flights connect Zagreb to Dubrovnik and Split (1 hour).
Yes, Croatia has some of the cleanest swimming water in Europe. Most beaches are rocky or pebble, not sandy. The Adriatic is calm, clear, and warm from June through September, reaching 24-26C in peak summer.