Croatia is having its moment, and it's well deserved. This sliver of Adriatic coast packs more beauty per square mile than almost anywhere in Europe: medieval walled cities, more than a thousand islands and islets, truffle forests, Roman ruins, and some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean.
Where should you go in Croatia? For a first trip, stick to the Dalmatian coast: Dubrovnik for the walls and the Stradun, Split for Diocletian's Palace, Hvar for glamour, and Korčula or Vis for quiet. Go in May, June, September or October, when the water is warm and the old towns breathe.
Key facts
- Best months: May, June, September and October. July and August are hot, busy and the most expensive.
- Getting there: fly into Split (SPU) or Dubrovnik. Our yacht trip starts and ends at Split.
- Where to stay: Hotel Excelsior or Villa Dubrovnik in Dubrovnik, Hotel Judita Palace in Split, Maslina Resort on Hvar.
- Caviar trip:The Croatia Experience, 8 days on a private mega yacht from Split.
As a 6X Condé Nast Travel Specialist, I've watched Croatia grow from a budget destination into a real luxury contender. The hospitality is genuine and the value is hard to beat. Here's what you need to know.
Why Is Croatia Becoming a Top Luxury Destination?
Tourism is one of the biggest parts of Croatia's economy, and the coast welcomes millions of international visitors every year. New and renovated hotels along the Dalmatian coast mean you can now stay somewhere truly beautiful in every major stop.
The Best Things to Do in Croatia, Place by Place
What are the best things to do in Croatia? Walk Dubrovnik's walls and the Stradun, wander Diocletian's Palace in Split, climb to Hvar's fortress, lie on Zlatni Rat at Bol on Brač, and slow down on Vis.
Dubrovnik: The Pearl of the Adriatic
Yes, Game of Thrones put it on the map. But Dubrovnik has been a cultural powerhouse for well over a thousand years. Walk the old city walls (about 1.2 miles, allow 90 minutes to two hours), wander the marble-paved Stradun, and stay at Hotel Excelsior or Villa Dubrovnik for the best old-town views.
Photo: Caviar in the Air
Pro tip: Visit in September or October if you can. Summer crowds in the old town can be intense, and the city now limits cruise ship visits to manage the flow.
Split: Where History Lives
People still live inside Diocletian's Palace. Restaurants operate in its ancient courtyards, laundry hangs over Roman-era walls, and the whole thing feels like time travel. Hotel Judita Palace puts you right in the old town.
Hvar: The Lavender Island
Croatia's most glamorous island. Hvar Town has a 16th-century fortress, excellent restaurants, and a beach club scene that draws European celebrities. Maslina Resort, near Stari Grad, is one of the island's finest, with minimalist luxury surrounded by olive groves.
Vis: The Secret Island
Vis was a Yugoslav military base, closed to foreign visitors until 1989. That isolation preserved quiet villages and a pace of life that makes even Hvar feel rushed. Vis isn't on our yacht route, so if it calls to you, plan it as a few extra days on your own before or after the trip.
Bol and the Golden Horn
Bol, on the island of Brač, is home to Zlatni Rat, the Golden Horn: a long spit of white pebbles that reaches into the sea, its tip shifting with the wind and the current. Swim off one side in the morning and the other in the afternoon. It's our last stop on the yacht before the Captain's Dinner.
Packing for any of these? Here's what to wear in Croatia in summer, with the July packing list.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Croatia?
- Peak (July and August): Hot and sunny, very busy, highest prices
- Shoulder (May, June, September, October): Warm, calmer, and our favorite time to go
- Off-season (November to March): Cool and rainy, very quiet, lowest prices
May and September are warm enough to swim and quiet enough to explore at your own pace.
What Should You Eat and Drink in Croatia?
Croatian food is criminally underrated:
- Peka: Meat or octopus slow-roasted under a bell-shaped lid with potatoes and herbs
- Black risotto: Cuttlefish ink risotto, savory, dramatic and unforgettable
- Istrian truffles: Black and white truffles that rival Piedmont's at a fraction of the price
- Dalmatian pršut: Air-dried ham cured in the coastal wind, different from Italian prosciutto and just as good
- Plavac Mali: Croatia's signature red grape, bold and sun-drenched
Michelin has taken notice of Croatia in recent years, but some of the best meals still happen in konobas (taverns), where family recipes meet Adriatic ingredients.
The wine regions to know: Pelješac for bold Plavac Mali reds, Istria for crisp Malvazija whites, Hvar for light Bogdanuša, and Korčula for rich Pošip.
Is Croatia Safe for Black Travelers?
Croatia is very safe and consistently ranks among the more peaceful countries in the world. The country is less diverse than Western Europe, and Black visitors are still relatively uncommon, so you may get curious glances in smaller towns. Hostility is rare.
In Dubrovnik, Split and Hvar, the tourism scene is fully international. Hotel staff, restaurant owners and tour guides are used to welcoming guests from all over the world.
Want to See It All From the Water?
The easiest way to string these towns together is a yacht. I laid out our exact 7-night yacht itinerary, and if you're torn between this coast and the Aegean, read Croatia or Greece: how to choose.
Ready to explore Croatia? View the Croatia Experience: Split, Bol, Korčula, Dubrovnik, Trstenik and Hvar, with Croatian wine along the way.
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