Croatia Holidays

Destination Highlights

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Beaches | Hotels | Nightlife | Food | Events | Things to do | Weather | Important information | Reviews |

What are the best beaches in Croatia?

With over 1,000 islands and a coastline that spans 3,600 miles, beautiful waters are around every corner on Croatia holidays.

• Zrće Beach - Breath-taking sunsets meet all-night parties on the sands of this glorious bay.
• Omis Beach - Pine trees line the soft, golden sands of Omis Beach, against the dramatic backdrop of the mountains.
• Zlanti Rat Beach - An iconic island favourite, known better to some as the ‘Golden Cape’.
• Paradise Beach - A warm, shallow bay which stretches out for miles. Perfect for family holidays to Croatia.
• Cape Kamenjak Bay - A rugged coastline, featuring natural coves that line the glittering Adriatic waters.
• Banje Beach - A popular in-town gem providing jet-skiing and paragliding opportunities for the adrenaline junkies, and near some of Dubrovnik’s best hotels.

What are the top hotels in Croatia?

Luxurious getaway bases. Hidden mountain villas. Cosy, family-run apartments. Croatia holidays have it all.

• Sunce - Located right on the beachfront, nestled within Croatia’s tranquil Dalmatia region.
• Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort - This stylish accommodation, situated in a secluded bay, has a private beach and a tiered pool with sea views.
• Villa Dvor - Nestled within the Mosor Mountains, above the village of Omis, this rustic villa has a show-stopping restaurant that any serious foodie has to check out.
• Bacan Serviced Apartments - Situated in the beautiful town of Cavtat, surrounded by art museums, these apartments are suited to culture lovers.
• Podstine - An elegant, family-friendly hotel, featuring one of the best spas in Europe.
• Park Plaza Histria Pula - A hotel with lots of entertainment and sports facilities, as well as a spacious terrace that overlooks the sea.

What's the food like in Croatia?

Croatia is a holiday destination and a half for the food lovers out there! The cuisine is massively diverse due to the influence of its various neighbours. Here are a few dishes to keep an eye out for:

• Sarma - Found all over Croatia in winter, this well-loved dish consists of pickled cabbage leaves stuffed with minced meat, rice, and spices.
• Crni Rizot - This black risotto is a seafood restaurant staple and a must-try, flavoured and coloured with local squid ink.
• Strukli - Cottage cheese and sour cream-stuffed pastry, so hearty and warming it gives the Cornish pasty a run for its money.
• Pasticada with Gnocchi - Beef that’s been marinated for days, then braised for hours in its own juices, then again with red wine, served with homemade gnocchi. Every family along the Dalmatian coast of Croatia has a recipe for this delicacy.
• Peka - A mixture of meats and veggies seasoned with spices, honey, cognac, and traditional Mediterranean herbs, cooked together in a covered pot in a fireplace. A festival for your mouth.

Here are some of our favourite spots to dig into Croatia’s mouth-watering cuisine:

• La Struk, Zagreb - A restaurant serving only Strukli! Masters of their craft, the chefs here provide traditional types alongside more modern (some even sweet!) interpretations.
• Plavi Podrum - An award-winning restaurant that serves some of the freshest seafood around, caught just a stone’s throw away in the charming Volosko harbour.
• Carpaccio, Zagreb - For those who love Italian food. The shrimp tagliatelle is always a winner, and the extensive wine list never goes down badly either.
• ARTiČOK, Split - A cosy restaurant with all the Croatian classics, and a good vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free selection too. Everyone leaves ARTiČOK with a smile on their face.

Where’s the best nightlife in Croatia?

Croatia is fast becoming known for its bustling nightlife and festival scene, but there’s plenty for those that like a slower pace too.

• The Novalja strip at Zrće Beach - Home to more clubs than you can shake a (glow) stick at! A party-goers paradise nicknamed the ‘Croatian Ibiza’.
• Carpe Diem - A chic waterfront social spot in Hvar for those who like to dress to impress.
• Boogaloo, Zagreb - A quirky cinema-turned-music venue often hosting local live bands.
• Academia Club Ghetto - A bohemian club in Split with a cosy dance area and a friendly vibe.
• Strossmartre - A pretty area of Zagreb where outdoor bars decorated with glittering fairy lights host live music. Popular with tourists and locals alike.

What events can I go to in Croatia?

A country that really knows how to celebrate, Croatia’s calendar is jam-packed with history, culture, and beauty.

• The Festival of Oysters (March) - Sample this local delicacy made into lots of different dishes in South Dalmatia, accompanied by local wines and traditional singing and dancing.
• 100 Miles of Istria (April) - A weekend-long endurance event to challenge the fittest of the fit, enter if you dare!
• Festival of Flowers (May) - Held in the cellars of Diocletian’s Palace, you can enjoy themed displays created using Split’s most gorgeous blooms during the Festival of Flowers.
• Pula Film Festival (July) - Both Croatian and international films are shown throughout Pula in the oldest festival of its kind in the country. Try to catch one at the town’s magnificent amphitheatre!
• Rabska Fjera (July) - A famous medieval-style festival, complete with re-enactments and authentic costumes on the fairy tale island of Rab.
• Sinjska Alka (August) - A historic horseback tournament, now part of the UNESCO Intangible World Heritage List, currently in its 306th year! Not one to be missed if you’re around in August.
• Theatre Night (November) - One for the theatre-buffs. Around 80 venues in more than 30 towns and cities in the country hold free (or low-cost) performances for around 40,000 visitors a year. Free workshops and tours have become commonplace now too!

Things to do in Croatia

Go back in time

Roam Dubrovnik’s famed Old Town Walls - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Croatia’s most glamorous tourist destination. Marble streets surrounded by medieval fortresses and towers transport you to another world.

Lose yourself to the lakes

16 turquoise lakes, each connected by waterfalls, await you in Croatia’s most popular inland attraction - Plitvice Lakes National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for the eagles and falcons known to fly around this pristine park.

Mountain bike in Mljet

Channel your inner adventurer and hire a mountain bike to explore the woodland of Mljet National Park. The unspoiled beauty here is heaven for nature lovers. Look out for the 12th century Benedictine monastery floating on an island within!

Bask in the charm of Rovinj

A romantic, Venetian-era seaside town that you can’t help fall in love with. Pastel-coloured houses frame a pretty fishing harbour, with boutique-style hotels, up-market seafood restaurants and trendy art galleries too.

What's the weather like in Croatia?

Whether you run warm or cool, 2022 holidays to Croatia will offer the perfect temperature for you! The country’s weather varies from place to place, tending to be cooler in winter the further north you venture from the southern Adriatic coast. As the averages show below, this lovely stretch of sand and sea, known as the Dalmatia region, has blissfully sunny summers, and mild winters.

Important Information about travelling to Croatia

How long does it take to fly to Croatia?

It takes about 2h 30m to fly to Croatia from the UK.

What’s the time difference between the UK and Croatia?

Croatia is 1 hour ahead of the UK.

What currency do they use in Croatia?

The local currency is the Kuna.

What language do they speak in Croatia?

The official language spoken in Croatia is Croatian.

Do I need any vaccinations to visit Croatia?

Please check with your healthcare provider for all up to date vaccination advice before booking your holiday.

Do I need to pay tax on my holiday to Croatia?

Travellers over the age of 12 are charged tourist tax. This costs around 1 Euro per day for travellers over the age of 18 and 0.50 Euro for travellers between the ages of 12 and 18.

Do I need a visa to travel to Croatia?

British passport holders can travel to Croatia for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Holders of other passports are advised to check with their national embassy for any visa requirements.

Will Covid-19 affect my holiday to Croatia?

We are currently closely following the Covid-19 situation and how it affects travel. You can find out the most up to date information about travel to Croatia on the FCO website.

Customer reviews

At On the Beach, we’ve sent many satisfied customers to Croatia for a bit of sunshine. But don't just take our word for it, read some of their 5-star reviews below.