Welcome
to Croatia, the Pearl of the Adriatic
Where to go
Zagreb and Slavonia
The capital has grown and evolved enormously. Now home to many foreign nationals, International Universities and some of the most talented tech pool, Zagreb has been home to a big transformation into an international metropole with great museums (http://www.msu.hr/stranice/Visitor%20Information/10/en.html https://muzejiluzija.com/en/home/ as well as the now notorious
Museum of Broken Relationships
Slavonija
While most try to find the quickest direct flight to Istria or Southern Dalmatia, one very authentic and worthwhile experience is visiting the Slavonija region. Is the agricultural meca for Croatia, home to a growing number of eco-tourism locations and vineyards. In addition, there are charming towns such as Dakovo, with a stunning cathedral. No, you will not find crystalline water here. You will find one of the truest and traditional corners Croatia has to offer. It is also normally a great road trip and definitely, for the most part, budget friendly.
Dalmatia
Dalmatia is Croatia’s most visited region and with good reason. Many, many islands. A stunning coastline with tons of history. It is also evolving. Visiting Dalmatia is of course very popular in high season but if you want your own slice of heaven, don’t be scared to explore spring and most notably, early fall, when you can still swim in the sea while having considerably lesser crowds and better weather (unless you thrive in high heat)
Did you know? Split is home to Deoclecian’s palace. One of the most incredible and best preserved roman structures on earth. Is also boasts the world’s oldest cathedral.
Istria
Often called the Tuscany of Croatia, the Istrian peninsula is one of the most beautiful areas in Europe to visit. It has amazing wines, food and architecture, featuring the most preserved Roman amphiteater in the World. It’s a slower, more thought out Dalmatia in terms of it’s offering and depth of activities. It’s relatively condensed and accessible with short drives. The nature is greener and some would say it’s more sophisticated and charming. Try it for yourself
Did you know? Pula is home to the best preserved Roman amphitheater on the Planet.
When to go
Instinctively, one would think that summer is the best time to go. But that is not the best option for most. Croatia, just like most of the Mediterranean, is going through excruciatingly hot July and August months (35-40 degrees for weeks at times) which makes it very unbearable to do anything but lounge in the sea. Another factor is collective holidays for many countries in Europe. August, for instance, is known to be off for most of Italy and several other countries (to a lesser extent) but this means August tends to be incredibly hot and busy. If that’s your drift.
The coastal region is best in September and October (still swimmable water, less tourists, often cheaper). The capital and mainland region is good anytime but the summer for some (empty city) but best for others
How else to experience it:
Sailboat: Because of the proximity and density of the islands in Croatia, sailing is super fun and effortless.. (book here?)
The best Xmas market in Europe is (was) in Zagreb!: That’s right! Rated higher than Vienna, Prague, Dresden.. Zagreb’s modern, varied while still cozy xmas market, that spans over several squares and has a vast ice skating track connecting the main train station with the Central Square. A must see
Truffle hunting and wine tasting in Istria: This is an Italy thing, right? well , not exactly. Truffles grown in abundance in Croatia and they are amazing (and cheaper). A must try.
Pickleball in Savudrija: Sure, one of Croatia’s newest and most prestigious properties has the fews, the spas, the dining..but did you know they are Pet, Family and Pickeball friendly. Yes, we said Pickeball. https://petramresort.com/hr/petramu
Getting there:
2/5
Croatia has risen in popularity but the lack of regular flight networks, especially outside of peak season, makes it harder to get to. The national airline is only regional (Europe) so transcontinental flights are few in between. The trains and train network are not great and severely outdated and slow. But where they win on is on the roads. A beautiful (toll) highway makes going up and down the country a breeze. Cars are highly recommended, especially small ones, considering how narrow and difficult on the islands can be. The bus network is also decent and rather quick. Ferries are also numerous to get between islands. Split is a great hub to move back and forth.
People friendliness:
3/5
Cold on the surface but warm inside. You need to be direct with Croatians. They mostly all speak English and another language, either German, French or Italian. Not particularly customer service oriented.
Infrastructure:
3/5
The tourism network is quite bleak. A unified set of services or packages are rare. You must ask for everything whether it’s included or not. In our experience, the easier, not so fancy activities (such as day-long island tours) tend to be much more bang for the buck and authentic than some wannabe fancy, new offering. Do your research and you will be fine
Beach and entertainment:
4/5
Croatia has some of the most pristine and beautiful beaches in Europe.
It has also risen in popularity for entertainment including the Island of Pag that has it’s own version of Ibiza and is home to the Ultra Europe Music festival.
For the less party people, cities like Dubrovnik and Sibenik have create wonderful theater and city festivals maximising their history and architecture for culture lovers to experience.
Accomodation range and quality:
3/5
The hotel offering has improved considerably in the last year but Croatia lacks consistency.
Historically, the country relied on “Zimmer Frei”, private accomodations. In recent years, a panoply of new 4 and 5 star hotels have appeared everywhere. The issue is the in between. Lots of outdated, aging older hotels and private accomodations. Recent online reviews and responsiveness are key!
I fell head over heels for Malaga! From its sun-kissed beaches to its vibrant culture and mouthwatering cuisine, every moment in this enchanting city was a treasure. Malaga, you’ve stolen my heart forever.
Ivan Bruno, March 12-22, 2024
Madeira exceeded all my expectations as a digital nomad destination! With its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and reliable internet connection, it became my ultimate work and play paradise. From scenic hikes to cozy cafes, every moment felt like a picture-perfect adventure. Madeira truly stole my heart and became my dream workspace away from home.
Vlatka, September 04-16, 2023
