Croatia is a marvellous country located in Southern Europe in Adriatic with 1145 islands and the coastline of your dreams included in the tour package.
Croatia's tourism industry is highly developed and accounted for nearly 20% of GDP in 2019.
So it is very comfortable to get from Western Europe to one of 6 Croatian international airports (Pula, Dubrovnik, Rijeka, Split, Zagreb, Zadar).
Zagreb
You can start your Croatia holidays from Zagreb and spend 1 day there. Main routes include:
The Upper Town (Gornji Grad) is located on two hills - Kaptol and Hradec - and is home to most of the historical sights of the Croatian capital.
Lotrschak tower with a wooden spiral staircase leading to the observation deck.
The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is the largest Catholic church in the country.
Tkalčićeva Street is the main walking street in Zagreb with restaurants, bars, cafes, souvenir shops.
Park Maksimir located in the eastern part of the city, can be reached in 10-15 minutes from the center by tram.
North-east
If your Croatia travel is in low season (spring, autumn) and your main goal is health treatment then from Zagreb you choose routes north to 1 of 3 Croatia all inclusive SPA resorts:
Tuheljske Toplice - less than 1 hour from Zagreb north to Slovenia border.
Krapinske Toplice - 10 minutes from Tuheljske Toplice. Thermal waters here are among the top ten in Europe and there are lots of accommodation options with price of 40 EUR and rating 9.5+.
Varazdinske Toplice - thermal mud-balneotherapy resort 1 hour north-east from Zagreb with accommodation prices of 40-50 EUR for a double room with 9.5+ rating.
Prices for massage in Croatia is 40 EUR for 1 hour classic massage and 75 EUR for 90 minutes Chocolate Ritual (Peeling + Wrapping + Massage).
Besides, you can add to your Croatia travel emotions visits to beautiful 13th century Trakošćan castle (40 minutes from Krapinske Toplice) or Veliki Tabor - ancient 12th-century castle just 30 minutes from SPA Krapinske Toplice.
Istria peninsula
For those who begin their Croatia travel in Pula or Rijeka here’s the list of destinations to be included in your Istria peninsula tour package:
Rovini - sometimes called a small "Croatian Venice" is one of the most mysterious and romantic cities in Croatia.
The Gulf of Lima is a picturesque bay near Rovinj.
Motovun village - an authentic medieval fortified village from the 12th-13th centuries.
Pula - the largest city in Istria with its ancient Roman amphitheatre built in the 1st century AD and being one of the six largest coliseums in the Roman Empire. The gigantic building accommodated 23,000 spectators.
Just several kilometers from Pula is Brijuni National Park.
For kids, there are aquaparks: Istralandia (30 minutes north from Poreč), Aquacolors Poreč, Aquapark Pula by Wibit.
Rijeka
There is a chance that your Croatia trip will start in Rijeka so the main destinations near the city are:
Just 40 minutes from Rijeka and you can continue your holidays in Učka Nature Park - a mountain range which rises behind the Opatija riviera, on the eastern side of the Istrian peninsula.
1 hour east from Rijeka is another National park - Risnjak. It is a mountainous, forested and sparsely populated region with mountains up to 1500 meters high.
Trsatski kaštel - medieval castle located on a steep hill 138 m high, rising above the gorge of the Rechina River.
You can also take a tour to Krk island and spend 1 night there.
If your Croatia holidays continue south then drive the road from Crikvenica to Zadar via the city of Karlobag along the coast with mind-blowing Adriatic views and moments to remember in Northern Velebit National Park.
Zadar
An all inclusive tour in Croatia can’t be without Zadar with enormous options where to stay. Here’s the list of top attractions near Zadar:
Just 1 hour from Zadar to the east and you get to Paklenica National Park.
Telascica - Kornati - a natural park in the southeastern part of the Dugi Otok island.
Galesnjak - a heart-shaped island 15 km south of Zadar.
National treasure Plitvice Lakes is only 1:30 northeast from Zadar.
Aussichtsturm Tkon - an awesome viewpoint on the island of Ugljan.
Kudin most na Krupi and Pariževačka Glavica viewpoint on Zrmanja river in just 1 hour drive from Zadar.
Sibenik
One more city worth visiting is Sibenik. It is surrounded by a dozen of islands and from here you can travel to:
Krka Reserve with its Utvrda Ključica fortress, Skradinski Buk waterfall and a boat trip to see all the beauties from the water side.
Vrana Lake - the largest lake in Croatia just 1 km from the sea, part of it is an ornithological reserve.
Vidikovac, Kamenjak - a view from above to Vrana lake and tens of islands in the Adriatic sea.
Murter island is 30 minutes from Šibenik. You can get there by car (it is connected to the mainland by a drawbridge) and spend 1 night in this calm area. From Murter, you see the Kornati archipelago - another beautiful National Park.
Makarska Riviera
It is among the most popular Croatia resorts. Here you enjoy the following routes:
Punta Rata - gorgeous beach 20 minutes north from Makarska. Was named one of FORBES Magazine’s Top 10 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World.
Biokovo Nature Park - a mountain towering almost 1300 meters above the sea with an unforgettable panoramic view of the Makarska Riviera.
From Makarska, you can take a ferry to Sumartin on Brac island and stay several days in the city of Bol to swim and sunbathe on the famous Zlatni Rat beach or take photos of Adriatic and neighbouring Hvar island from Vidova Gora.
Continue your Croatia tour and drive the road from Makarska to Trogir. But don’t take the fast road on the autobahn, drive the coastal road via the beautiful city of Omis. Plus enjoy Croatia cuisine in the central historical part of Trogir which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Islands
Among the myriad of Croatia islands we recommend you the list of must-see ones:
Hvar - the most fashionable and sunniest island in Croatia, together with Pag and its Zrće Beach being the best party islands with fancy nightclubs, bars and rich nightlife.
Vis - is located in the open Adriatic sea, has a great Stiniva beach and there are a lot of daily tours from Split to Blue Cave on the neighbouring Biševo island.
Korcula - is the perfect place for those who love the absence of tourists and beautiful views. Among other things to do on Korcula island here's the list of nice restaurants there.
Mljet - Croatia's greenest island in the south part of Adriatic with cool little bays, National Park and gorgeous view from mount Veliki Gradac.
Dubrovnik
Is one of the most popular Croatian destinations but for those of you who are looking for silence and calmness Dubrovnik will disappoint you: overcrowded, with very expensive parking, located too far south and in fact you won’t get any special travel emotions compared to relaxing on islands like Hvar, Vis or Korcula.
The only option for you is to fly directly to Cavtat, the southernmost city in Croatia, a few kilometers from Dubrovnik airport. And enjoy 2 main beaches in Cavtat: Beach Rat and Cavtat Beach.
FAQ
How to spend 2 weeks in Croatia?
Rent a car and drive. Maybe it looks a bit expensive at 40 EUR/day, but the Croatian coastline is designed for automobile trips and without it you won’t get the best of the country. Besides, having your own car allows you to reach the best viewpoints on islands and complete freedom to choose a new place to stay for another magnificent night. Ferry prices are modest ones: from Makarska to Sumartin (located on Brac island) you need to pay 30 EUR for your car.
You can find itinerary and prices to all Croatian islands here - https://www.jadrolinija.hr/en/
How to get to Croatia?
Ryanair has direct flights from London several times per week (in summer time) to 6 Croatian cities: Pula, Dubrovnik, Rijeka, Split, Zagreb, Zadar. From London it is only a 2 hour flight at a price of around 50 EUR return ticket. Other UK cities with direct flights twice per week in summer time include Liverpool, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Bournemouth.
From Eindhoven, Netherlands you can get to Zadar or Zagreb twice per week, a 2 hour flight will cost 50 EUR return ticket.
From Brussels, Belgium direct flights to Croatia include Pula, Rijeka, Zadar, Zagreb twice a week, with prices like 50 EUR return ticket.
From Dublin, Ireland you can get to Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Zagreb twice a week, with a price like 80 EUR return ticket.
Is Croatia too expensive?
If you look at this straight, the answer is YES - rich Europeans mainly rest in Croatian resorts. In addition, there are not too many all-inclusive hotels that you are used to in other tourist countries.
A room in the simplest hotel on the coast will cost you 100+ euros per day in July and August (when prices in almost all areas of recreation increase by up to 50%).
But you can easily rent an apartment instead for around 50 euro and come to Croatia in June or September. The weather is mild, it is not extremely hot, the sea is still very comfortable and the resorts are not so overcrowded.
And if you need an apartment to sleep in, take a shower and sometimes cook your own meals, there will be plenty of relatively inexpensive offers.
So you would better come here in low season, rent a car, choose apartments in places that impress you and see maximum Croatian beauties cos’ these are real travel emotions!