Best Places to Visit in Croatia
With a glimmering coastline of islands, abundant seafood, and historic old towns squeezed onto walled…
The Dalmatian Coast is an adventurer’s paradise. On our Croatia vacations, you will travel by private boat from Hvar Town to Vela Luka on Korcula Island for a day of biking. Set on a tiny peninsula on the Peljesac channel, Korcula was first home to Slavic pirates who used the island as a base from which to attack passing ships; in the year 1000, it was taken over by Venice, marking the start of an 800-year on-and-off Venetian rule. Today, the island is renowned for its gorgeous, white quarried stone, countless secluded bays, small, uninhabited islands, and breathtaking views.
Check out our incredible adventures exploring the highlights and hidden gems of Europe!
Activity Level 1
What's The Rush?
I'm active and in decent shape and not looking to experience a place just through a bus window. I'm happy to slow down on the trail, soak it in and breathe in the fresh air.
Walking: 2-3 hours per day on gentle-gradient trails.
Other activities: On these trips, you'll be taking part in a range of other activities that focus less on building up a sweat and more on enjoying the finer things in life.
Activity Level 2
On the Move
Sure, I own some hiking boots, they're even worn in, but they don't go on long trips. I like my creature comforts and I like to give a range of activities a go.
Walking: 2-4 hours per day on gentle to moderate gradient trails. No multi-day hikes.
Biking: 1-3 hours, cruisy rides achievable by anyone, even first-timers. Kayaking: 1-3 hours, entry-level sea kayaking with specialist guides and stable boats.
Other activities (i.e. snorkeling): Always optional and very little exertion required. A highlight for many!
Activity Level 3
Earn Your Lunch
I stay active on vacation and love the feeling of relaxing after a busy day on the go. I season my trips with a little fresh exercise.
Hiking: Typically, 3-6 hours per day on well-formed backcountry trails. Expect some significant gradient inclines and declines.
Altitude: Your trip may include some moderate altitude areas, though these don't form the focus of the trip and are generally manageable.
Biking: 1-3 hours on well-formed paths or roads where you can expect some hills with moderate climbs and descents.
Kayaking: 1-3 hours, entry-level sea kayaking with specialist guides and stable boats.
Other activities (i.e. caving): Always optional and very little exertion required. A highlight for many!
Activity Level 4
Challenge Accepted
I'll let my trusty guides sweat the small things, so I can focus on my goal. Getting to the top, reaching the end, achieving my dreams! Sure, it'll be tough, but the views will be worth it.
Hiking / Trekking: Typically, 4–6-hour hikes with options for more, sometimes with limited or no vehicle support and nearly always with ascents and descents.
Altitude: Some trips at this level will reach a significant altitude. We are here to help you manage that and make your experience one to cherish for a lifetime.
Biking & Kayaking: If one, or both, of these activities are 'your thing,' there are trip options in this range, allowing you to be on two wheels or with a paddle in your hand for most of the day.
Activity Level 5
The Upper Limit
I'm ready to put in the hard work to reap the rewards. I'm a seasoned adventurer, not afraid to get my boots wet.
Trekking & Altitude: This is classic trekking, at altitude. Some might even call it 'expedition-style.' We've had folks from all walks of life achieve their dreams on our grade 5 trips, so if you're in for a challenge get in touch to find out if this is for you.
Whether you’re looking to dip your toes into the Adriatic or want to explore the streets of Dubrovnik, we believe June is the best time to visit Croatia because of its lovely daily high temperatures in the upper 70s and island-hopping is in full swing before the busiest months of July and August.
What you end up picking will depend on when you plan on traveling, but below are three things that you should consider packing for your Croatia adventure, regardless of when you visit!
The voltage in Croatia is 220 whereas it’s 120 in the U.S. so if you plan on packing electronics, you’ll need to pack accordingly. This means that you may need an electrical converter in addition to the outlet adapter that you’ll need (outlets in Croatia have the standard Continental Europe two-pin plug). It all depends on what you plan on plugging in and if it works universally in the U.S. and Europe. Read your product manuals – especially if it’s an electric shaver or hairdryer.
While uncommon, sometimes people experience motion sickness while on boats. Whether taking a public ferry or island-hopping via a chartered boat, guests who think they might have motion sickness may want to pack Dramamine to combat the possibility of motion sickness.
No one likes sand in their socks, so flip flops and/or sandals are a must for the beach. If you’re planning on exploring the cities and villages, pack close-toed shoes like tennis shoes or hiking boots. Finally, for nights when you want to dress up, keep in mind that many streets are cobblestone so consider packing flats instead of heels.
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When it comes to travel tips, sharing is caring, so we’re happy to pass on a few pointers on how you can best experience Croatia.
Care to have a beer while gazing at the deep blue sea? Then you’ll want to hit up this bar which is found in the cliffs in the old town area of Dubrovnik. It’s called Buza (meaning ‘hole’ in Croatian), and you enter through a small door in the seaward-facing city walls. If you decide to climb down the rocks and go for a dip, do it before you order your drink!
Croatians love their ‘kava’ a.k.a. coffee. They drink it all day, and it’s a beloved ritual that is much more like an art form than a quick caffeine pick-me-up. To blend in with the locals, have a seat in a ‘kafic’ (café), sip your brew and partake in the people-watching. Do so as if you have all the time in the world, it’s what the Dalmatians do!
Croatia has many nude beaches, but the southern beaches tend to be more modest, so keep that in mind before picking a beach or dropping your top!
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As members of the Active Adventures family, Austin Adventures offers booking assurance that allows you to secure your spot with a deposit now and pay the rest later. Plus, if your plans change or you can’t travel, you can transfer your booking or request a refund on any additional funds paid (less deposit) up to 90 days from your original trip start date.
With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience with the perspective of an insider.
It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, are experts in motivation, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!
When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. Every detail is handled; all you need to do is show up!
Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted vendors and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides and our seasoned operations team at headquarters.
Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries and sustained relationships for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.
For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience. If we’ve done our job, they’ll have you saying “wow!”
