The place to go tenting in Croatia, the place to seek out chalets in probably the most lovely places, and the out of doors actions in Croatia you don’t need to miss on a vacation… or an extended keep.
With fairly, historic walled cities, waterfalls and different superior pure wonders, and 2000 kilometres of shoreline, Croatia presents the right mixture of journey and rest. It’s simply subsequent to Italy, sharing a border and the attractive Adriatic Sea with the Italians, a lot extra simply accessible by highway or ferry that you simply may suppose. In reality, a visit combining Italy and Croatia ought to undoubtedly be thought of.
On this journey information, we’ll provide you with all the data you have to simply organise your journey to Croatia: ferries, automotive or campervan rent, campsites and open-air resorts, and locations to discover on this fascinating vacation spot.
Whether or not you’re there for per week, a month and even longer, Croatia is a stunningly lovely, secure nation which is able to impress and amaze you daily of your keep.
Easy methods to get to Croatia
Flights to Croatia
One of the best situated worldwide airports from an open-air vacation viewpoint are Zadar and Cut up, as they’re seaside cities providing rapid entry to the seashores, islands and fairly coastal cities you’ll possible need go to. Zadar is handiest, nearer to Italy and to most of our inventory of 20+ open-air resorts and campsites in Croatia.
It’s additionally attainable to fly into in Zagreb and Dubrovnik, however make sure that to have a look at the place the very best lodging and actions are after which test distances earlier than you e book. Croatia is a giant nation and – from both of these spots – you would find yourself with hours of driving or bus journeys to get to your last location.
Ferries from Italy to Croatia
It’s possible you’ll discover that the very best locations to go in Croatia are simpler to achieve from Italy. It’s solely a hop,skip and soar by automotive or campervan from Trieste, or by ferry from Ancona. Travelling by automotive is usually extra handy for those who arrive from northern Italy (for instance, Venice) and plan to cease in Istria, whereas, if you’re coming from central Italy, the ferry may be very useful.
From Ancona ferry port, there are departures to Zadar (7-9 hours) and Cut up (11th of September hours), within the central a part of the Croatian coast. Costs differ in response to route, variety of passengers, sort and measurement of auto. A bridge passage for a single particular person and not using a car can price round 100 to 120 euro for the standard round-trip ticket. For 2 folks in a medium-sized campervan, the fare ranges from 350 to 500 euro for departures from Ancona. Fares can differ significantly: naturally, you’re going to get the very best costs in off-season or by reserving effectively prematurely, whereas the very best costs are in July and August, when these routes turn out to be very talked-about.
To seek out the very best fare to your dates, we advocate utilizing our worth comparability and ferry reserving device. With all accessible timetables and fares conveniently on one web page, the choice and reserving course of will likely be smoother. In case you are planning an on-the-road journey to Croatia, it’s also possible to contemplate reserving a return journey from totally different cities, which can be very simple to do on our web site.
There’s a second ferry route between Dubrovnik and Bari, which – though dearer than the opposite route and never as useful for the places we advocate you to remain in, in Croatia – is an possibility price understanding about for a campervan journey specifically.
Lease a automotive in Croatia
If you’ll be able to get a direct flight to Croatia and may afford to splash out for extra flexibility in your journey, a rental automotive, or certainly a campervan or motorhome, will can help you marvel at extra of the 2000km lengthy Croatian shoreline and get to extra adventurous locations, tough to achieve by public transport. It can additionally provide you with that additional little bit of consolation for a extra stress-free journey.
To test dates, costs, automotive varieties and pick-up places accessible, use our:
(Tip: For extra selection, choose a global airport as your pick-up location.) Costs in excessive season begin at round 650 euro per week for a compact automotive.
If having your individual transport would push the vacation finances out too far, don’t fear – there are good bus strains all alongside the Croatian coast making journey by public transport attainable and inexpensive. So, selecting to remain an additional week at a campsite and forgoing the rent automotive is unquestionably an possibility. You gained’t be wanting issues to see and do close by your campsite.
Croatia holidays by the ocean: the very best places
If, in your creativeness, Croatian seashores seem as infinite stretches of white sand, you’ll be in for fairly a shock if you arrive! Though a majority of these seashores do exist, in actuality most of Croatia’s shoreline is characterised by picturesque cliffs and rocky inlets, with white and gray pebble seashores and crystal-clear water in shades of inexperienced and blue. Greatest explored within the water, armed with masks and snorkel!
Istria and the Bay of Kvarner
Istria is the northernmost a part of the Croatian coast, but it enjoys a delicate local weather that permits the seaside vacation season to start as early as spring.
The realm round Rovinj boasts probably the most lovely seashores within the area, with sheltered bays and coves which are nice for kids. In the meantime, those that need extra journey can head for the islands of Losinj and Krk, which have secluded coves, together with the pristine seaside of Sveti Ivan, and quieter villages surrounded by lush vegetation and a community of climbing trails excellent for escaping the summer season crowds.
There are many seaside campsites in Istria, with very inexpensive costs, from 10-15 euro per pitch, with direct entry to the ocean, a swimming pool, eating places and loads of services and actions for kids and younger folks. You possibly can even discover locations to remain on the islands: right here you are inclined to get extra unique open-air resorts, together with 4- and 5-star campsites, with bungalows and cellular houses overlooking the ocean and actions resembling scuba diving and snorkelling.
Northern Dalmatia
The coast of northern Dalmatia, nearest town of Zadar, is characterised by headlands and rugged cliffs dotted with islands. And it’s on these islands, from the extra distant Selve and Dugi Otok to the extra common Ugljan and Murter, that the area’s most noteworthy seashores could be discovered. Slanica seaside on the island of Murter is especially appropriate for kids, with shallow waters and varied services. Those that need to benefit from the solar in full tranquillity, alternatively, can take a ferry from Zadar and spend the day in Silba or Olib.
Chalets and campsites in northern Dalmatia are simple to seek out.
When you don’t need to journey too removed from Zadar, you’ll be able to undoubtedly use right here or close by Zaravecchia as your base. They’re actually lovely spots: Zadar metropolis may be very underrated and there are campsites simply exterior the centre, surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation and with actions resembling kayaking, fishing, bike rides and swimming.
The close by islands of Ugljan and Murter even have a number of luxurious, eco-responsible resorts, notable for his or her dedication to sustainability and discount of waste. Costs will likely be a bit increased, however if you’re searching for a calming out of doors vacation in unspoilt environment, will probably be cash effectively spent. The extra distant islands have just a few guesthouses however no open-air tenting and self-catering lodging. They are often visited on a day journey from the mainland.
Southern Dalmatia
On the “Makarska Riviera” in southern Dalmatia, to seek out a fascinating, secluded seaside, all you must do is cease on any stretch of highway the place there’s a path resulting in the ocean, and observe it to the seaside.
Nonetheless, we will’t not point out Zlatni Rat seaside on the island of Brač: a white pebble seaside well-known for the truth that it’s perpendicular to the coast and for the form of its tip, which adjustments relying on how the wind blows. Additionally famend are the seashores on the island of Hvar, a preferred vacation spot for these with their very own boat due to its typically calm and clear waters.
Campsites on Brač island
If you’d like a standard tent tenting journey, simply accessible from Cut up, the island of Brač is a superb tenting vacation spot. Campsites are nestled within the pure setting of the Mediterranean maquis and infrequently have direct (typically even personal) entry to the seaside. Pitches are effectively spaced out and youngsters will likely be saved entertained by the ocean and the numerous actions on supply. There’s additionally an honest selection of eating places with native delicacies, each inside and beside the campsites.
One of the best excursions in Croatia
Croatia has turn out to be world well-known due to its shoreline and crystal-clear sea, however don’t neglect the Dinaric Alps, which snake their approach throughout Croatia, creating a wide range of landscapes resembling waterfalls, lakes, caves and imposing peaks.
The nation’s must-see vacation spot on an out of doors vacation in Croatia is the Plitviče Lakes Nationwide Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Website. Characterised by its wealthy natural world, the park boasts an 18-kilometre community of trails that cross the 12 largest lakes and can help you admire the system of waterfalls that join them. Its proximity to Rijeka and Zadar makes it an ideal day journey from the coastal campsites of Istria and the Dalmatian Coast.ia.
Paklenica Nationwide Park is one other pure marvel, dwelling to Croatia’s largest mountain vary, Velebit, providing over 150 km of climbing trails appropriate for all ranges. Because the massif is so near the Croatian coast, any path on Velebit ensures breathtaking sea views. Just like the Plitviče lakes, Paklenica is definitely accessible from Zadar (solely 25 km away) and is inside a few hours of Cut up as effectively.
Avid walkers and hikers will likely be within the By way of Dinarica and the By way of Adriatica, two medium-high problem routes of over 1000 km, which run the size of the nation, from Istria to Dubrovnik. The previous, with a number of attainable variations, additionally continues into the neighbouring Balkan nations, making for an epic journey over just a few months.
The nicest cities in Croatia
Istria: Poreč and Rovinj
Each characterised by a robust Venetian affect, Poreč and Rovinj are the primary cities in Istria to go to. The previous boasts valuable marble and Byzantine mosaics thought of among the many most respected on the earth, whereas the latter combines a energetic nightlife with Roman buildings and Baroque structure on a cliff overlooking the ocean.
Zadar
A traditionally vital metropolis for Venetian rule over the Mediterranean, Zadar boasts a vibrant outdated city dotted with church buildings and attention-grabbing buildings such because the Sea Organ, which produces sounds primarily based on wave movement.
Cut up
Croatia’s second-largest metropolis, Cut up is price a go to for its atmospheric outdated centre of stone alleys, bars and eating places set inside historical partitions, buildings resembling Diocletian’s Palace, the elegant waterfront energetic, and the character on the encompassing hills that give it a verdant really feel because it slopes in the direction of the majestic mountains within the background.
Dubrovnik
On the southern tip of the nation, Dubrovnik is called the pearl of the Adriatic. It’s inconceivable to stay detached to the fantastic thing about its marble streets and stairways, its sheer partitions shimmering within the daylight and the orange-red sunsets from the highest of Mount Srđ. Lose your self in its alleys at first gentle, to take pleasure in its magnificence in silence earlier than the (typically chaotic) metropolis life awakens. However be ready to pay extra for the privilege of visiting Dubrovnik.
How a lot does it price to go on vacation to Croatia?
Croatia is now not a low-cost vacation spot however, aside from exceptions like Dubrovnik, it’s nonetheless attainable to keep or vacation in Croatia on a decrease finances than in lots of European nations. Exercise and sight-seeing prices should not extreme, for those who keep away from very well-known points of interest such because the Dubrovnik metropolis partitions. Restaurant prices can simply be diminished by cooking on the campsite or shopping for at native markets and picnicking.A couple of money-saving suggestions will make your finances go even additional:
- To start with, don’t neglect that Croatia has its personal foreign money. The foreign money in Croatia is the kuna, which on the present trade charge (June 2022) is equal to 0.13 euro. Order some kuna earlier than departure, to keep away from shedding cash on an unfavourable trade charge in locations like airports on arrival.
- As we’ve got already seen, the price of journey can differ and to economize it’s good apply to e book journey effectively prematurely.
- Staying on a campsite in a tent or campervan is nice in Croatia and can cuts prices significantly. A motorhome pitch for two adults and a couple of kids begins at as little as 350 euro for a complete week in late August, and customarily has a lot of enjoyable providers included resembling a swimming pool.
What to do in 7 days in Croatia? An itinerary: Istria and the Bay of Kvarner
It’s inconceivable to go to the whole Croatian coast in a single week, so put that concept out of your thoughts! We’re recommending an itinerary which is able to can help you uncover the northern a part of the nation, between Zadar and the Italian border.
Day 1: Zadar
After arriving by airplane or ferry in Zadar, take a day to discover the historic metropolis centre.
Day 2: Plitviče Lakes
Solely an hour and a half from Zadar, the Plitviče Lakes are a must-see on any itinerary. Spend the day exploring the park’s trails and waterfalls, taking a picnic with you. On the finish of your go to, head straight north to the island of Krk.
Days 3-4: Krk Island
Enterprise to Malinska, and discover the seashores. Take time to calm down, hike, pattern the island’s distinctive native gastronomy and admire the structure of the city of Krk. When you want, you need to use the second day to additionally go to the island of Lošinj.
Day 5: Rijeka
Commit half a day to Rijeka, strolling across the market sq. and waterfront earlier than heading to Učka Nature Park, the place you’ll be able to keep in a single day.
Day 6: Učka Nature Park
Discover the park and its many trails and viewpoints, for a day devoted to getting in contact with nature. Go to the Korita spring and maybe organise a hike to Brgudac, an enthralling mountain village. Examine the maps for harder trails for consultants.
Day 7: Rovinj
In an hour’s drive you’ll arrive in Rovinj, the place you’ll be able to select whether or not to discover the maze of alleyways within the outdated city, organise some climbing within the Golden Cape Nature Park, or calm down on the seaside.
Day 8: Poreč
Go to the distinctive mosaics of Poreč’s basilica and take one final swim at one of many seashores round it earlier than heading in the direction of the Italian border. (Poreč is simply over an hour from Trieste).
Helpful suggestions for travelling in a campervan in Croatia
- Tenting exterior campsites or geared up relaxation areas just isn’t allowed in Croatia, so at all times test that there’s a campsite within the space you propose to go to.
- Velocity limits for vehicles, campers and lightweight caravans are 50 km/h in city areas, 90 km/h exterior city areas, 110 km/h on highways and 130 km/h on motorways.
- When you resolve to go to Croatia in winter, don’t neglect winter tyres and snow chains.
- On the coastal descent to Dubrovnik, there’s a quick stretch of shoreline belonging to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the place documentation checks typically create some site visitors and attainable delays. Take this into consideration when you’ve got strict timetables to stick to.
Really feel you recognize sufficient to plan a visit to Croatia now? Croatia is nice from early spring, but when it’s a summer season vacation you’re considering of, don’t neglect to start out planning as early as attainable to get a wider vary of lodging and choices, lower your expenses and get your journey off on the suitable foot! Begin your search by shopping our tenting and self-catering lodging in Croatia.