Holidays in Croatia

Holidays in Croatia - Destination Profile

The 2 most popular areas for holidays to Croatia are; the picturesque paradise of the Istrian Riviera and the intriguing city region of Dubrovnik. Croatia has a breathtaking coastline, with numerous secluded coves for those seeking peace and tranquillity, as well as excellent watersports and snorkelling facilities for the more active holidaymakers. Whichever pursuit you decide upon, you are guaranteed to return home with magical memories of your holidays in Croatia.

Holidays to the Dubrovnik Coast region of Croatia promise wonderful sights for everyone, its rich cultural heritage combined with its magnificent natural beauty makes it a perfect holiday destination. Croatia holidays in the Dubrovnik region are taken in the resorts of Cavtat and Dubrovnik.

The peninsula on which the Istrien Riviera lies can only be described as magical, overlooking the turquoise Adriatic Sea the picture perfect views are a sight to behold. Holidays in Croatia's Istrien Riviera of Croatia are very much focused around the popular resorts of Porec, Rovinj and Umag. The Istrian region is an excellent base for family holidays in Croatia, boasting a magnificent coastline and charming medieval towns filled with delightful restaurants.

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Holidays in Croatia - Things to see

Dubrovnik City: Visit the ancient walled city of Dubrovnik, this magical place is where the perfectly preserved streets and buildings will make you feel as though you have stepped back in time to the 12th century. Dubrovnik also offers a number of atmospheric churches and monasteries.

Dubrovnik Summer Festival: This summer festival takes place each summer, from mid July to late August featuring open air evening performances of theatre, jazz and classical music in the old town. Zagreb and Split also have summer festivals.

Zagreb: Visit Croatia's capital, the country's economic and cultural heart with plenty of sights including Gornju Grad's monuments, St Mark's Church, the Parliament (Sabor) and the cathedral.

Pula: The largest city in Istria and home to the well preserved Roman amphitheatre one of the most famous sights in Croatia. Built during the 1st century AD, the three-story amphitheatre is the sixth largest in the world. During the summer the amphitheatre hosts the Pula Opera Festival and other events throughout the year. Other sights in Pula include the Triumphal arch of the Sergii, the Temple of Augustus, the Cathedral and the Franciscan Church and Monastery.

Holidays in Croatia - Things to do

If you're in search of a bit more from your holidays in Croatia then try one of the many activities Croatia has to offer.

Hiking: Holidays in Croatia are a perfect choice for those who enjoy walking and hiking with numerous interesting walks and trails to be explored. The national parks offer particularly picturesque walks including the Plitvice Lakes and on the islands of Brijuni and Mljet. More challenging hikes lead to the head of Mount Biokovo and the Velebit mountains located in north Dalmatia.

Tennis: An extremely popular pass time for Croatians and interest has grown since Goran Ivanisevic's success in 2001 at Wimbledon. There are some excellent tennis schools in Croatia and many hotels boasting tennis facilities.

Diving: Scuba diving is a must for those taking Croatia holidays due to the beautiful clear and calm sea. The Adriatic sea has many ancient Greek and Roman artifacts that are waiting to be discovered. Diving courses and packages can be booked in resort for both experienced divers and beginners.

Sailing: A popular pass time for those taking Croatia holidays and a the perfect way to see the coastal islands and networks of small archipelagos.

Holidays in Croatia - Eating/Drinking

Holidays to Croatia are great for food lovers who will be able to try a great range of cuisines. Fresh seafood is widely available and absolutely delicious, the restaurants are constantly serving a wide variety of fresh fish caught from the pristine Adriatic Sea. If your not a fan of seafood there many other alternatives including tasty meats such as ham and salami, cheeses and refreshing wines.

For those taking Croatia holidays with adventurous palates the traditional cuisine is amazing with dishes such as bean stew, pork half shanks Podravina style, burek (meat pie) and Dalmatian style Cod to name a few.

If you enjoy winding down over a beer, than Croatia holidays are right up your street because Croatian beers are very high quality. Good Croatian beers include Zagreb's Ozujsko pivo or Karlovacko pivo or Tuborg. In the region of Dalmatia there are some excellent red wines and would make an excellent present from your holidays to Croatia.

Holidays in Croatia - Climate

The climate is Mediterranean along the Adriatic coast, meaning warm dry summers and mild winters, with 2,600 hours of sunlight on average yearly - it is one of the sunniest coastlines in Europe! In the interior of the country, the climate is continental with hot summers and cold, snowy winters.

Max Temp C	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct
Croatia	17	22	26	30	28	26	18
London	14	17	20	21	21	17	15
Sunshine Hours	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct
Croatia	6	8	9	10	9	7	6
London	5	6	7	6	6	5	3

Croatia Holidays - View 5 Day Forecast

Holidays in Croatia - Beaches

Although there aren't many sandy beaches in Croatia, you'll be amazed by the beauty of the pebbly shores lapped by clear turquoise waters. There are many secluded coves to be explored and the waters are ideal for all types of watersports, including snorkelling.

Holidays in Croatia - Transport

The country's excellent bus network is far-reaching and reasonably priced. Trains are cheaper and more comfortable than the bus, but also slower except for the new high-speed train between Zagreb and Split.

All the usual car rental chains are represented in Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik and most Istrian towns. Drive on the right side of the road. The spectacular Adriatic highway from Italy to Albania runs along the steep slopes of Croatia's coastal range, and is one of the most exciting drives in the world.

If you can get where you're going by ferry, then do it - cruising among the islands of the Adriatic certainly beats sitting on a bus, no matter how cheap or fast it is. Jadrolinija coastal ferries ply the waters between Dubrovnik and Rijeka, stopping at Split and Korcula.

Holidays in Croatia - Shopping

Holidays to Croatia provide visitors with the ideal opportunity to explore the local markets and find wonderful locally produced items such as pottery, lace, handmade silk ties, shawls, scarves as well as a wealth of other interesting souvenirs to remind you of your Croatia holidays. Traditional handicrafts such embroidery and ceramics are widely available making lovely souvenirs.

Tourists can reclaim VAT on expenditure of more than 500 Kn. Visitors should ensure that all receipts are retained as the financial police have the power to levy fines to visitors without relevant documents; this is to prevent VAT evasion by shopkeepers.