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Holidays to Croatia take you to one of Europe’s hotspots, home to beautiful islands, UNESCO-status sites and lively cities.
Croatia’s allure
Croatia has rapidly become one of Europe’s must-visit destinations, known for its stunning Adriatic coast, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and vibrant cities. Whether you’re drawn to its beautiful islands, historic architecture, or outdoor adventures, Croatia offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
Rich history
Croatia boasts a rich tapestry of ancient sites and historic architecture. In the north, near Italy, you’ll find Venetian palaces and Roman ruins, including the remarkably preserved amphitheatre in Pula. Down south, the walled city of Dubrovnik – famously featured in Game of Thrones – invites you to explore narrow streets, majestic cathedrals, and historic city walls offering panoramic views of the azure Adriatic Sea.
Natural beauty
From lush mountains to scenic national parks, Croatia scores high on natural beauty. A visit to the Plitvice Lakes National Park reveals a landscape of cascading waterfalls and emerald forests that seem straight out of a storybook. The country’s Mediterranean climate makes it perfect for exploring these stunning natural wonders year-round.
Island escapes
Croatia’s coastline stretches over 4,000 kilometers, featuring more than 1,200 islands. The Dalmatian Islands are a top choice for yacht holidays, offering secluded bays, hidden coves, and charming fishing villages. For those staying on the mainland near Dubrovnik or Split, day trips to islands like Brac provide the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation
Fancy seeing Croatia by train?
We also offer flight-free trips to Croatia, in partnership with Byway. Make your way along the Adriatic Coast and through the Istrian Peninsula to stop off in big cities and beautiful beach destinations – island life is even on the cards. Browse flight-free trips to Croatia.
Best resorts in Croatia
Dubrovnik is the perfect combo of beach and city break. The walled old town is big on museums, art galleries and buzzy bars, and you’ve got Banje Beach for your swimming and watersports fix.
This pretty port on the Dalmatian Coast is your go-to for boat trips, but it’s also a great place to stay. We’re talking grand architecture, lively clubs and the Roman ruins of Diocletian’s Palace, plus you’ve got Bacvice Beach only 15 minutes’ walk away, too.
A big name for nightlife and its sophisticated yacht scene. Hvar’s one of Croatia’s prettiest towns, with Gothic palaces and marble streets that are fit for a fairytale. The beaches come rugged and rocky, and you can kayak or get a water taxi over to the nearby Pakleni Islands to explore.
If you’re more of a city break fan, Zagreb’s all yours. It’s the Croatian capital, and what it lacks in beaches it makes up for in markets, history and culture. There are loads of quirky museums, arty galleries and grand squares, and there’s loads to do in terms of nightlife, too.
Up in the north, Pula’s got big Italian vibes with Venetian palaces and Roman ruins everywhere, including one of the best-preserved amphitheatres in the world. You’ll find pebble beaches and pretty harbours along the coast.
Along the coast from Dubrovnik, this laidback fishing village is super peaceful and pretty. Cafés, bars and restaurants line Cavtat’s harbour, there’s a hilltop chapel with scenes across the bay, and there’s a tree-covered prom with little swim spots.
Top Croatia holiday deals
TUI BLUE Medulin
London Luton - 4 Nights - All Inclusive
Based on 2 Adults - 13 May 2025
Rixos Premium Dubrovnik
London Gatwick - 4 Nights - Bed and Breakfast
Based on 2 Adults - 27 April 2025
TUI BLUE Adriatic Beach
London Gatwick - 4 Nights - All Inclusive
Based on 2 Adults - 5 May 2025
Hotel Lapad
London Gatwick - 4 Nights - Bed and Breakfast
Based on 2 Adults - 31 March 2025
Bluesun Hotel Neptun
London Gatwick - 4 Nights - All Inclusive
Based on 2 Adults - 5 May 2025
Park Plaza Verudela Apartments
Birmingham - 4 Nights - Self Catering
Based on 2 Adults - 6 May 2025
Island Hotel Istra
Birmingham - 4 Nights - Half Board
Based on 2 Adults - 6 May 2025
TUI SUNEO Supetar
London Gatwick - 4 Nights - All Inclusive
Based on 2 Adults - 19 May 2025
Hotel Croatia
London Gatwick - 4 Nights - Bed and Breakfast
Based on 2 Adults - 20 April 2025
Laguna Bellevue Apartments
Manchester - 7 Nights - Self Catering
Based on 2 Adults - 6 May 2025
Why pick Croatia holidays
HISTORY FOR DAYS
NATURE’S FINEST
COOL COASTLINE
TRENDING PICK
Your guide to Croatia
Everyone wanted a piece of Croatia over the years, so the country’s a big mix of different cultures…
- Dubrovnik Old Town – Have your medieval moment in this UNESCO site – walk along the ancient city walls and soak up the sights like the Stradun, the Rector’s Palace and Cathedral of the Assumption.
- Zagreb – Croatia’s capital city meets the brief for age-old history mixed with urban culture. Check out the historic Upper Town and St. Mark’s Church, pick up some street food in Dolac Market, then visit the quirky Museum of Broken Relationships.
- The Istrian Riviera – The Italian vibes are strong in the north, with Venetian palaces and Roman ruins in Rovinj and Pula. It’s even left a mark on the foodie scene, too, with pizza, pasta and risotto on most menus – with a Croatian spin.
- Diocletian’s Palace – Built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian, these ancient ruins are still standing strong. Stroll through the open-air halls and take a closer look at the grand stone columns – or go at night to see it all lit up.
Sweeps here all come in a similar style – they’re a mix of sand and pebble, with some of the clearest water in the world.
- Banje Beach – The closest beach to the city, Banje Beach’s got great views of the Old Town and Lokrum Island from here. Swing by in the evening when it becomes a lively beach bar.
- Bacvice Beach – A short stroll from the city, this pick’s all yours if you’re after sand. The water in the bay’s super shallow and gentle, so it’s a firm fave with families.
- Zlatni Rat Beach – Zlatni Rat in Bol is known as the most famous beach in Croatia thanks to its unique shape and Caribbean-worthy water. It backs onto thick forest, and you can only get there by boat.
- Baska Voda Beach – This beaut beach is a 10-minute drive from Makarska, and it’s so worth the trip. The bay is 4K-clear, but the mountain backdrop is even more impressive.
- Punta Rata Beach – Another mountain-backed stunner, this rugged bay in Brela is pretty popular, and it makes sense. Head here in the mornings to swerve the crowds and the boats that stop for snorkelling.
The country’s coast draws the most attention, but Croatia’s wild side is just as worth a visit.
- Krka National Park – Krka is famous for its waterfalls, especially Skradinski Buk. You can swim in some of the park’s natural pools, making it a perfect spot for a refreshing dip.
- Plitvice Lakes National Park – Set off through this UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its lush forests and iconic waterfalls that flow into a bright blue lake.
- Mljet National Park – In the Dubrovnik archipelago, this park’s home to forests, two unique saltwater lakes, cliffs, coves and tiny islands. In the centre of one of the lakes is a small island with a former monastery that’s now a cute restaurant.
Whether you catch a public ferry from the mainland or hire your own skipper for the day, here are some of Croatia’s must-visit islands.
- Hvar Island – On the Dalmatian Coast, Hvar’s got that sweet combo of historic sites and boujie bar culture. The island’s covered with vineyards, so it would be rude not to have a glass…
- Brac Island – An hour from Split by ferry, this island’s got a sleepier vibe. Supetar is a sweet fishing village, and on the other side you’ve got Bol and the famous sands of Zlatni Rat, AKA Golden Horn Beach.
- Mljet Island – Mljet is the lushest of all the islands. Off the Dalmatian Coast, it’s covered on one side by the national park. Odysseus Cave on the south side is a must-visit spot.
- Lopud Island – Lopud’s super peaceful. It’s known as one of the loveliest islands thanks to its seafront prom, car-free streets and sandy beaches.
Get involved in the highlights of the Croatian calendar with these festivals that are happening across the year…
- Dubrovnik Summer Festival – This usually takes place between July and August. Expect live music, performances, traditional dancing and fireworks in some of the city’s most iconic sites.
- Split Summer Festival – During July and August, you can catch evening performances of opera, ballet and classical concerts across Split.
- Zadar Sunset Festival – This city’s got one of the best sunset viewing points in Croatia, and they’ve got a whole festival dedicated to it every July. Expect boat parties, beach sessions and loads of lively events.
- Christmas markets – If you’re here in December, Split, Dubrovnik and Zagreb all have their own markets to kick off the festive feels. Dubrovnik nails the medieval-magic vibe, but the capital’s is the biggest affair by far.
Build out your break and book trips, tours and tickets on First Choice Experiences to see more of Croatia.
- Game of Thrones-style cruise – Set sail on a two-hour cruise around King’s Landing – we mean Dubrovnik – before getting a closer look with a walking tour around the city.
- Montenegro day trip – Cross the border for a full-day trip around Montenegro. You’ll stop in Kotor’s old town, the pretty port of Perast and Budva, an up-and-coming holiday resort.
- Krka waterfalls tour – Need a break from buzzy Split? Join this daytrip to Krka National Park to see the stunning rivers, lakes and Skradinski Buk waterfalls.
- Blue Cave and six islands boat tour – Tick island-hopping off the itinerary with this full-day boat tour around the Dalmatian Coast. You’ll get to see some of Croatia’s best sights, from the Blue Cave and Blue Lagoon to Hvar Town.
If it’s lively bars and clubs you’re after, Croatia’s got you covered. These places know how to party…
- Hvar – This island’s got a reputation for the best nightlife in Croatia. Listen to chilled beats in beach clubs, head to a pool party event at Carpe Diem or you can even dance the night away in an ancient Venetian fortress at Veneranda.
- Split – Split scores highly for its late-night scene. The Hemingway Bar is a popular spot on the seafront, and Crozzies pub crawls are pretty legendary here.
- Zagreb – No capital city’s complete without a thriving bar culture. Zagreb has a huge range of bars, clubs and live music venues. Head to Tkalciceva Street, the main strip, and take your pick.
- Dubrovnik – Dubrovnik’s liveliest during the summer, with most of its bars and clubs opening up outside. Check out Buza Bar for clifftop views, or if you’re going out out, Culture Club Revelin’s a firm fave.
Croatian cuisine’s a mix of fresh Mediterranean flavours, seafood straight from the Adriatic and a few bits borrowed from Italy.
- Crni rizot – This traditional risotto from the Dalmatian Coast is made with cuttlefish ink, which gives it a rich, black colour.
- Peka – This hearty lamb stew is made with potatoes, vegetables, garlic and white wine. No wonder it’s the Croatian national dish.
- Fritule – If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll love Croatia’s take on doughnuts. These fritters are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and dusted with a good amount of icing sugar.
- Pasticada with gnocchi – This combo of Croatian and Italian cuisine is oh-so good. It’s a dish of roast beef cooked in red wine and loads of veggies, and gnocchi for that comfort-food stodge.
Croatian cuisine’s a mix of fresh Mediterranean flavours, seafood straight from the Adriatic and a few bits borrowed from Italy.
- Rakija – This fruity brandy is a staple spirit in the Balkans. It’s normally sipped during a meal or after, as a digestif – but be warned, it’s super strong.
- Ozujsko – Sometimes known as Zuja, this Croatian lager’s available in every bar and restaurant across the country. It’s light, crisp and refreshing, and hits different when it’s ice-cold.
Calling all vino lovers – Croatia’s got a long history of wine-making and produces seriously good red, white and rosé. Here’s where you can get a taste of the good stuff…
- Kozlovic Winery, Istria – Head to this centuries-old vineyard to learn all about the winemaking process and taste their range of fresh and aged red and white wines.
- Dubokovic Winery, Hvar Island – Visit this family-run winery to try their red and white wines with unreal scenes over the Dalmatian Coast.
- Bire Winery, Korcula Island – Another family-run set up, this winery in Korcula offers tasting sessions which include a tour of the estate, a look at their process and a tasting of their white, red and rosé paired with bread, cheeses and seafood.
Having your own car means you can explore whenever and wherever you like. It’s a great shout if you want to tick off more than one destination, find secluded spots and for getting further inland to the national parks.
Live like a local and jump on the bus between towns and cities. There are reliable services that run regularly between Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik and Zadar, and they’re pretty budget-friendly, too.
Public ferries run multiple times a day from Split and Dubrovnik to the nearby islands. The services are much cheaper than hiring a skipper with a speedboat, but it’ll take you a little longer.
These are everywhere in the more touristy resorts and cities, but they’re not the cheapest way to get around. Uber and Bolt operate in Croatia and usually cost a lot less than the local taxis.
Why we love Croatia
Popular holiday types
Croatia is quickly becoming a classic holiday destination, and you’ve got loads of All Inclusive stays to pick from. Go for a fly-and-flop right on the beach in Makarska, or mix pool time and meals in with sightseeing and island-hopping in Dubrovnik or Split.
Croatia’s popular resorts have family-friendly hotels with fun activities, kids’ clubs and easy access to the beach. Plus, it’s all under three hours from home, so you don’t have to go far to get some family time away.
Looking to get away ASAP? Check out our last-minute deals to see our availability from now. Summer’s pretty much on in Croatia from May to October, so you’ve got loads of time to get a holiday in.
From rooftop pools with city scenes in Split and Dubrovnik to five-star luxury on tiny islands, Croatia meets the brief for boujie stays. Add in a yacht day or a private wine-tasting tour to take your luxury trip to the next level.
Croatia FAQs
Direct flights from London to Croatia take around two and a half hours.
The currency used in Croatia is the Euro.
On average, a meal will cost you about €15-20 per person. Budgeting around €50-60 a day should be enough for eating out, plus a few drinks and ice-creams.
If you want to go all in with All Inclusive, you can find some great budget-friendly three or four-star hotels and you won’t have to take any other spending money, unless you want to eat outside of your hotel, pay for any activities or buy souvenirs. If you go Half Board, Bed and Breakfast or Self Catering, it’ll be even cheaper when you book, but you’ll need to budget for food and drink when you’re there.
If you’re after peaceful fishing-village vibes, Brac or Lopud Island fit the bill. Hvar’s a lot more lively and has a reputation for glitzy bars, restaurants and nightlife, or on the other end of the spectrum, half of Mjlet is a national park and is all about the natural beauty.
Croatia starts heating up from May onwards, when the mercury rises to a peak of about 30°C in August. In fact, it’s still toasty in early September, when the high season has wrapped up. If you’re more of a spring vacationer, you’ll get plenty of blue-sky days in April, although it’s a little chilly for a dip in the Adriatic.
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Croatia travel advice
Passports and Visas
British citizens don’t need a visa to enter Croatia but must have a valid passport. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/croatia/entry-requirements.
Health and safety
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover you while you’re away. For the latest health and safety information, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/croatia/health
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