Is Croatia Worth Visiting in 2025? (Honest Opinion)
Croatia experienced a tourism boom a few years ago, and it seemed like everyone was spending their summer holidays there.
But is Croatia worth visiting still or it became an overrated travel destination?
As I travel to Croatia a couple of times a year, I can see how the country changed in the past few years.
Still, the short answer is yes, Croatia is worth visiting!
Despite recent price increases, the country is still a fairly affordable summer destination, with picturesque old towns, pristine beaches, and lively nightlife.
Let’s see if it’s the right destination for you!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. I hope you find the information here helpful!
Is Croatia Worth Visiting?
The short answer is yes, Croatia is well worth visiting.
I’d argue that this small coastal country is one of the most diverse and beautiful European countries.
Most people visit Croatia for the beaches, but nature and history lovers are in for a treat too!
TOP reasons to visit Croatia are:
- picturesque old towns
- beautiful beaches
- charming wineries
- stunning National parks
Some would say that Croatia isn’t what it used to be, and that’s true. At the same time, which place is the same as it was 10 years ago?
The main downsides of travel in Croatia these days are crowds and high prices.
As Croatia’s popularity increased, so did the prices for the most popular tourist destinations.
It is well known that Dubrovnik is expensive, but so are many other coastal towns. It’s not uncommon to see Western European prices in restaurants and bars.
Now, everybody’s idea of expensive is different, but it’s safe to say that summer vacation in Croatia will cost you more than in the cheapest beach destinations in Europe like Albania or Turkey.
TOP Reasons To Visit Croatia
There are many reasons why visit Croatia, so let’s start with the best ones!
1. Pristine Beaches
Crystal clear turquoise Adriatic Sea and beautiful Croatian beaches are the main reason to come to Croatia this summer.
Croatia has a long coastline and hundreds of islands, dotted with beautiful beaches and secluded coves only accessible by sea.
From Pula beaches in the north to Dubrovnik beaches in the south, it’s hard to pick the best area of Croatia for beaches.
Most beaches in Croatia are pebbled and rock beaches.
Sand beaches are not that common in Croatia, but you’ll find a few.
2. Picturesque Old Towns
If you’re looking for a travel destination with countless sightseeing opportunities, Croatia is the one for you.
Croatia is home to hundreds of beautiful Old Towns – on the coastline and in continental Croatia too! Here are some that should be on your Croatia itinerary:
Rovinj
Rovinj is one of my favorite towns in Croatia. This coastal gem is best known for its beautiful hilltop old town overlooking the sea.
The best thing to do in Rovinj is to stroll the cobblestone streets and discover all of the Instagram spots in Rovinj. That makes it a great travel destination year-round.
Motovun
This hilltop village in the heart of the Istria peninsula is one of Croatia’s best-hidden gems. Since it’s not on the coast, many people don’t even know it exists!
Korčula
There are hundreds of islands in Croatia, and Korčula and its stone old town might be one of the most beautiful.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik doesn’t need an introduction. Its beautiful walled Old Town is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Croatia. Spend at least 3 days in Dubrovnik exploring its maze of cobblestone streets looks like it came straight out of a storybook.
Zadar
Situated in the middle of the Croatian coastline, Zadar is worth visiting for its beautiful old town, unique art installations, and pristine beaches.
Hvar
The most popular Croatian island of Hvar is popular for a reason. Besides its lively nightlife, the island is dotted with seafront towns and the famous Fortica Fortress, which offers stunning views.
Pula
Pula might not be as charming as Rovinj or Poreč, but this former industrial town has dozens of Roman ruins, including one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters!
3. Easy To Reach And Get Around
If you’re not convinced yet, Croatia is so easy to reach – at least during summer.
There are 5 airports along the Croatian coastline, connecting the country to more than 50 European cities!
Many places like London have flights to all Croatian airports, so you’ll have to decide if you want to discover the north or the south of the country by taking a flight to Dubrovnik or Pula.
During winter, you can fly to Zagreb, the Croatian capital, and get a bus to the coastline.
You can easily get around Croatia without a car. Buses are the main mode of public transportation in Croatia, and they go to virtually every tourist destination.
Croatia also has a well-developed ferry network, making it easy to reach Croatian islands or go from Pula to Zadar, skipping the long coastal highway!
4. Island Hopping
Island hopping in Croatia quickly became one of the bucket list experiences in Croatia.
The coastline is dotted with hundreds of islands and blessed with warm seas and mild weather, offering a sailing season that lasts from April to October.
It’s no wonder sailing in Croatia is so popular!
There are different ways to enjoy this activity depending on your budget.
For starters, you can rent a sailboat and sail around Croatia on your own. I’m looking forward to the day I can do that!
Other (much more) budget-friendly alternatives are joining a sailing week, self-organizing island hopping by ferry, or going on a sailing day trip!
You can spend a day at sea with boat tours from many Croatian cities:
5. UNESCO Sites
Croatia is home to 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites. All of them are along the Croatian coastline, 2 are natural and 8 cultural sites.
The most famous places on the list are the Old Town of Dubrovnik and the Palace of Diocletian in Split.
Other places on the list include the Historic City of Trogir, the defense walls of Zadar, the episcopal complex in Poreč, and The Cathedral of St James in Šibenik.
Stunning Plitvice National Park is also on the list!
6. Untouched Nature
Speaking of nature, Croatia is THE destination for nature lovers.
The country has 8 National Parks, 12 Nature Parks, and 80 special nature reserves! For such a small country, that’s a lot of untouched nature to explore.
I love hiking and being in nature (I even got a certification from the Croatian Mountaineering Association) and Croatia is a gift that keeps on giving.
So, what are some of the must-see natural landmarks in Croatia?
Of course, you need to visit Plitvice National Park. It is truly one of the most beautiful series of waterfalls I’ve ever seen.
Krka National Park is a great alternative if you’re staying in the south of the country too!
Brijuni National Park is a great idea for a day trip from Pula, and you can easily visit Kornati National Park from Zadar.
7. Unique Events
I love how historical monuments in Croatia aren’t just places to visit; they’re seamlessly integrated into everyday life.
For example, did you ever want to watch a movie or see a concert in an ancient Roman amphitheater? You can do it in Pula!
Also, how does an acapella concert in a 9th-century church sound? Apparently, it sounds amazing because the Church of St. Donatus in Zadar is used for musical performances!
Dubrovnik Summer Festival is another event that takes place in historical places around the city.
8. Summer Nightlife
Continuing with the theme of events, did you know Croatia is a popular festival destination?
When I lived in Pula, we would go to a music festival every other week in the summer.
Most of those festivals moved to different locations in the meantime, and today you can attend music festivals throughout the country!
Ultra Music Festival in Split is probably the most famous one, but there are dozens of others you can go to instead. There is something for every music lover!
InMusic Festival in Zagreb has more of a rock and alternative vibe, the Sea Sound Festival in Šibenik has more of a reggae vibe while Hideout Festival in Zrće is the one for electronic music lovers.
9. Delicious Cuisine
Croatian cuisine might not be as popular as Thai or Indian, but it is certainly delicious.
Where it lacks in recognizable dishes, Croatia makes up for it with fresh ingredients full of flavors.
Most Croatian dishes are very simple, without too many spices or ingredients.
However, locally grown produce and fresh ingredients make even the simplest dishes mouthwatering.
You’ll notice that Croatian cuisine has a lot of Italian influence, and you can get delicious pizza, pasta, and gelato throughout the country.
If you’re traveling as a vegan in Croatia, it will be hard to try local specialties as most are meat or fish-based. Luckily, more and more vegan restaurants are popping up in the country!
Unfortunately, many traditional restaurants in tourist areas are overpriced and not very good.
It would be a shame to judge Croatian cuisine based on one bad experience, so make sure to read reviews and ask locals for recommendations!
10. Safe For Solo Travelers
I grew up in Croatia and never felt unsafe. I worked countless night shifts and walked home alone at 3 am after a night out, and never thought twice about it!
Honestly, I had such unrealistic expectations of safety in the world before I traveled outside of Croatia.
Croatia is one of the best countries for first-time solo female travelers!
Of course, you should still pay attention to your belongings and avoid unnecessarily dangerous situations. Incidents can happen everywhere.
11. Laid-Back Lifestyle
Finally, the laid-back Croatian lifestyle is one of the main things I miss whenever I leave the country.
Croatians like to take their time and enjoy simple joys – hanging out with friends, barbecues, drinks with friends, and swimming.
If you walk through the city center on a random morning, you’ll see hundreds of locals sipping coffee and hanging out on cafe terraces.
On a sunny winter day, everybody flocks to the seafront promenades and enjoys a walk in the sun.
It is easy to relax in Croatia, especially if you visit off-season. Summers are kind of chaotic!
Reasons To Skip Croatia This Year
Croatia is not the same country it was 10 years ago, so some people might be disappointed if that’s what they expect.
No country is perfect, so Croatia might not be the right choice for you if these things are important to you.
Not a budget destination
Croatia is not a budget holiday destination anymore. That’s not to say that you can’t visit Croatia on a budget!
Still, if you’re looking for an all-inclusive destination for less than 50€ per day, Croatia is not it. All-inclusive packages are not as common in Croatia as they are in Turkey or Egypt.
A summer holiday in Croatia will cost you at least 100€ per day per person!
If you’re backpacking Croatia and staying in hostels you can stay under 50€ per day per person.
Most budget accommodation options in Croatia start at 50€ per night, but 100€ per night is more common in the high season.
Eating out will cost you around 15-20€ per meal, and cocktails and drinks in bars are often around 10€.
Many places in city centers are just tourist traps—you’d never see locals there, so they close entirely during winter.
Spending summer in Europe is expensive, so consider traveling in shoulder season if you want to save money!
Crowded tourist attractions
If you’re dreaming of swimming on secluded beaches and relaxing away from the crowds, the most popular Croatian summer destinations are far from that.
Beaches are crowded, streets are congested with traffic, and it’s hard to admire fairytale places like Dubrovnik with so many people around.
Sure, there are many underrated beach towns in Croatia and islands are a great choice to escape the crowds.
However, if you want to see the must-see places in Croatia, like Split, Dubrovnik, Pula, or Zadar, prepare for the crowds.
Also, as there are many people around, the service tends to be subpar and the staff doesn’t really care much if you return or not.
Highly Seasonal
Now that I’ve told you about the crowds in Croatia you might think that visiting in November or February might be a fantastic idea.
Unfortunately, you’ll run into a new problem if you try visiting Croatia in the off-season.
Tourism in Croatia is highly seasonal and basically runs from mid-May until mid-October. Many places along the coastline are only open from June to September!
I don’t think it is necessarily bad. It is just something to keep in mind.
I love visiting places in the off-season, and wandering the cobblestone streets of Rovinj without crowds in March is one of my favorite things to do!
Final Thoughts: Is Croatia Worth Visiting?
Now that you’ve seen all the pros and cons of visiting Croatia, what do you think, is it worth visiting?
I’d say yes! Croatia is well worth visiting.
The downsides of traveling in Croatia are something you’ll experience in every European summer destination.
Also, when you know it’s not a budget travel destination, you can be prepared for the prices.
At the same time, Croatia is a beautiful country with many iconic landmarks and hidden gems.
Instead of visiting Dubrovnik or Split, you can discover less visited islands in the north of Croatia or experience a mountain getaway in Gorski Kotar.
