Zagreb, CroatiaPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Croatia
Croatia, made simple: walled cities, island ferries and lakes the colour of glass
Croatia strings more than a thousand islands along one of the cleanest coastlines in Europe, with Roman palaces, Venetian harbour towns, turquoise waterfall lakes and a relaxed, café loving capital inland. It is easy to visit, but ferries, summer crowds and the new European entry systems reward a little planning. This guide takes the guesswork out so you travel with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyEntry rules, seasons, safety advice and health, answered
- LandingAirports, SIM cards, euros and your first night, explained
- Your days in CroatiaOld towns, islands, lakes and food, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain cards, cash, ferries, tipping and typical budgets so costs never catch you off guard.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Croatia should feel like a holiday from the first ferry, not a puzzle. We answer the questions about entry, money, ferries, crowds and safety before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Coming home from Germany, Austria, Chicago, Sydney or Buenos Aires to see family, or bringing your children to the village for the first time? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your CroatiaCity breaks, islands, national parks or food and wine: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsEntry rules, the right season and current travel advice, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for restaurants, beaches, museums, hikes and stays across the country.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to link Zagreb, the lakes, the coast and the islands at a realistic pace.
Everything your Croatia trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes, Istria, Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred restaurants, beaches, museums, hikes, markets and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik and stays in every region.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Croatia trip
Zagreb, the lakes, the Dalmatian coast and an island or two
Many first trips fly into Zagreb for two nights, then head south to Plitvice Lakes, sleeping nearby to walk the boardwalks early. From there the motorway drops to Split and Diocletian's Palace, the base for ferries and catamarans to Hvar, Brač and Vis. Finish with the bus or a catamaran down to Dubrovnik and its city walls, and fly home from there. Ten days covers this well; two weeks lets you add Istria in the north west or a slower island stay.
- Walking the boardwalks of Plitvice Lakes at opening time
- Diocletian's Palace, still lived in, in the heart of Split
- Island hopping by ferry and catamaran from Split
- Dubrovnik's city walls early in the morning or at sunset
Start with the destinations
See how the capital, the lakes, the coast and the islands fit together.
Croatia destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Croatia rewards a little preparation: entry rules checked for your passport, ferry and catamaran seats booked ahead in summer, timed tickets for Plitvice, and a season that suits you, since July and August on the coast are hot and crowded while May, June and September feel calmer. Our free planner helps you shape it.
- Realistic travel times between the coast and the islands
- The right season for beaches, hiking or city breaks
- Where to base yourself in Dalmatia and Istria
Where to go in Croatia
From the capital Zagreb and the lakes of Plitvice to the hill towns of Istria, the Roman palace of Split, the island of Hvar and the walled city of Dubrovnik.
City of Zagreb
Zagreb
A relaxed Central European capital of hilltop lanes, café terraces, quirky museums and a famous Advent market.
Read the guidePhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lika-Senj County
Plitvice Lakes
Sixteen terraced turquoise lakes joined by waterfalls and wooden boardwalks in a forested UNESCO park.
Read the guidePhoto: Tesla Delacroix, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Istria County
Istria
A green peninsula of Venetian harbour towns, a Roman arena, hilltop villages, truffles and wine.
Read the guidePhoto: Ekaterina Polischuk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Split-Dalmatia County
Split
A lively port city built inside a Roman palace, and the main ferry hub for the Dalmatian islands.
Read the guidePhoto: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Split-Dalmatia County
Hvar
Croatia's sunniest island, with a glamorous harbour town, the Pakleni islands and peaceful villages inland.
Read the guidePhoto: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Dubrovnik-Neretva County
Dubrovnik
The walled city on the sea, with marble streets, the walk around its walls and island day trips.
Read the guidePhoto: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is Croatia safe to visit?
Croatia is one of the safer countries in Europe, with low violent crime. The main risks are pickpocketing in crowded old towns, summer heat, sea and road safety, and wildfires in dry months. Read your own government's travel advice before you go.
What is the capital of Croatia?
Zagreb, in the north of the country, about half an hour by road from Franjo Tuđman Airport. It is the hub for trains and long distance buses.
Do I need a visa for Croatia?
Croatia is in the EU and the Schengen area. Many passports, including those of the UK, the US, Canada and Australia, can visit visa-free for short stays, but rules vary by nationality and new EU entry systems are being introduced. Check the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs before you book.
What money is used in Croatia?
The euro, since January 2023. Cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for small cafés, markets, bakeries and some island businesses.
When is the best time to visit Croatia?
May, June and September give warm sea, open ferries and fewer crowds. July and August are hottest and busiest, while winter is quiet on the coast but lovely in Zagreb, with its Advent market.
Can BlissPoint Travel book my trip?
We are a free travel guide, not a tour operator. Use our trip planner to shape your route, and our partner links to compare flights and stays.
Ready to find your Bliss in Croatia?
Use the free trip planner to shape your days, or send us a question through the contact page.