Croatia — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“The clear Adriatic, old towns, and heavenly waterfalls”
Croatia is home to the most beautiful Adriatic coast in Europe — Dubrovnik, the stone-walled city (a Game of Thrones setting); Split with its Roman palace; the turquoise waterfalls of Plitvice; and thousands of islands in clear seas, paired with seafood and a cost of living better than Western Europe.
Croatia at a glance
Choose a city in Croatia
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Croatia right for you?
Why people love Croatia, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Walled Dubrovnik
A world-heritage seaside old town — walk the walls and the Game of Thrones settings.
Plitvice waterfalls
A park of tiered turquoise waterfalls with wooden walkways — a world-heritage site.
Islands and clear seas
Hvar and Korčula, and an Adriatic so clear it's ideal for sailing and diving.
Roman heritage
Diocletian's Palace in Split, a living old town 1,700 years old.
Croatia vs its neighbors
| Croatia | Greece | Italy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $50–100 | $50–100 | $65–115 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Schengen | Schengen | Schengen |
| Getting around cities | Coastal buses + ferries link the islands | Trains + island ferries · Athens metro is good | Trenitalia trains + metro · walkable |
| English | Very good in tourist areas | Decent · good among the young | Decent in tourist areas, less so in the countryside |
| Known for | Clear seas · ancient towns · Game of Thrones | Beautiful islands · history · seafood | History · food · art |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
The Adriatic sea
Dubrovnik, Split and the islands — deep-blue, crystal-clear water where you can see the seabed, best in the peak summer of Jun–Sep.
See this plan → 🏰World-heritage towns
Zagreb, Šibenik and Trogir have complete medieval architecture — spend whole days wandering stone churches and old markets.
See this plan → ⏱️An off-the-formula short trip
Base yourself in Split for 3–4 nights and take a ferry to the islands of Hvar or Brač — easier than you'd think.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
9 ranked reviews
Reviewed12 Best Hotels in Hvar, Croatia for 2026 — Reviews & Price Comparison
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Reviewed11 Best Pula Hotels in 2026 — Reviews, Real Guest Scores, Price Comparison
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Reviewed12 Best Hotels in Rovinj, Croatia for 2026 — Reviews & Price Comparison
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Reviewed12 Best Hotels in Zadar, Croatia for 2026 — Reviewed and Price-Compared
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Sibenik — Old Town & Krka Gateway (2026)
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Split, Croatia: Diocletian's Palace & Riva (2026)
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Reviewed10 Best Dubrovnik Hotels: Old Town & Lapad Beach (2026)
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Reviewed8 Best Hotels in Trogir Croatia — UNESCO Island Stays 2026
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Zagreb, Croatia: Where to Stay (2026 Guide)
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City-by-city food guides — standout dishes and places to try, with real photos
🍜 EatDubrovnik Food Guide
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🍜 EatHvar Food Guide
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🍜 EatPula Food Guide
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🍜 EatRovinj Food Guide
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🍜 EatSplit Food Guide
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🍜 EatTrogir Food Guide
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🍜 EatZadar Food Guide
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🍜 EatZagreb Food Guide
Read the guide →Signature dishes across Croatia
- 1🦑
Grilled Seafood
Fresh fish and squid grilled and drizzled with olive oil — the star of the Adriatic coast.
📍 The coast - 2🍝
Crni Rizot
Black risotto cooked with cuttlefish ink, rich with the taste of the sea.
📍 Dalmatia - 3🥩
Peka
Meat or fish baked under an iron bell with coals — traditional slow food, order in advance.
📍 Nationwide - 4🧀
Pag Cheese
A bold sheep's-milk cheese from the island of Pag, a local specialty.
📍 Pag Island - 5🍷
Dalmatian wine
Local wine from native grape varieties, perfect with seafood.
📍 The coast
City-by-city sightseeing guides — real photos, locations and unmissable highlights
📸 SeeDubrovnik Things To Do
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📸 SeeHvar Things To Do
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📸 SeePula Things To Do
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📸 SeeRovinj Things To Do
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📸 SeeSplit Things To Do
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📸 SeeTrogir Things To Do
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📸 SeeZadar Things To Do
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📸 SeeZagreb Things To Do
Read the guide →Top sights across Croatia
- 1🏰
Dubrovnik
A stone-walled seaside old town — walk the city walls and ride the cable car for the views.
📍 South Dalmatia - 2🏛️
Split
Diocletian's Roman palace, transformed into a living old town.
📍 Dalmatia - 3💦
Plitvice Lakes
A park of turquoise waterfalls and lakes, threaded by wooden walkways.
📍 Central - 4🌅
Zadar
The Sea Organ and a sunset Alfred Hitchcock praised.
📍 North Dalmatia - 5⛵
Hvar
A sun-drenched island with lavender fields, nightlife and hidden beaches.
📍 Dalmatia
🚆 Getting around Croatia
Ferries
Jadrolinija links the coastal cities with the islands — the main way to island-hop.
Buses
Buses connect the coastal cities well (trains are limited); book ahead in high season.
Car rental
Driving the scenic Dalmatian coast is gorgeous and gives you the flexibility to reach Plitvice.
Airports
Fly into Zagreb, Split or Dubrovnik depending on where your trip starts.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Croatia
Now on the euro
Croatia has joined the euro and Schengen areas, so paying in euros is convenient.
Clear seasons
Summer is very lively (crowded and pricey), while many islands are quiet off-season.
Dress for churches
Cathedrals and old churches require covered shoulders and knees.
Schengen visa
Thais must apply for a Schengen visa in advance.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Hostel / apartment $17–30
Eat pizza by the harbor and buy bus tickets online in advance — cheaper than at the counter.
Comfortable
🛏️ 3–4★ hotel near the old town $45–80
Take a ferry to Hvar for a day trip; in high season, booking ahead is very important.
Premium
🛏️ Luxury hotel by the old-town walls $115+
Charter a private boat to cruise the islands and stay in a clifftop villa — the Adriatic at dusk is at its most beautiful.
🗓️ When to visit Croatia
Late spring
May – JunWarm weather, the sea warm enough to swim, and crowds still thin — the best time.
Summer
Jul – AugClear, warm seas ideal for swimming, but very crowded and at peak prices.
Early autumn
Sep – OctThe sea is still warm, the crowds thin and prices drop — a great time to visit.
Plitvice
Apr – OctThe waterfalls are lovely with high water after the rains, and autumn brings beautiful color.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Croatia — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.7🧘 Great for your trip
★ 9.6💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.5💑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Croatia?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Croatia
How many days should I spend in Croatia?+
7–10 days for the Dalmatian coast (Split-Dubrovnik-islands) plus Plitvice; add 1–2 days if you start in Zagreb.
What currency does Croatia use?+
It now uses the euro (EUR), after joining the euro and Schengen areas, which makes onward travel to other European countries convenient.
Do Thais need a visa?+
Yes — you must apply for a Schengen visa in advance, since Croatia has joined the Schengen area.
Tips before you go to Croatia
- Apply for a Schengen visa in advance (Croatia is now in Schengen).
- Avoid August, the most crowded and expensive month; go in May–Jun or September instead.
- Book island ferries ahead in high season.
- Order peka in advance — it's a slow-cooked dish that needs preparation time.