Is Croatia still worth going to in 2025? A millennial’s perspective.

Croatia is still one of the hottest countries to visit in the Mediterranean and in Europe. Find out what has changed and what makes it still so attractive to visit!

Whether it’s through Game of Thrones, Europe’s prime EDM festivals, or just a flurry of social media posts, unless you’ve been living under a rock, Croatia is either a destination that’s on your radar or should be!

In recent years, a lot has changed! A supernetwork of (paid) highways makes it quicker than ever to move around. Just last year, Croatia joined the prized Schengen group of nations as well as the Eurozone; in blunt terms, no more border crossings in Europe and you can pay with Euros everywhere 🙂

Pristine beaches, tasty food, jawdropping architecture and history, what more can one ask for?

Well, Croatia is slowly also gaining a reputation of become increasingly expensive, having a lack of consistancy in services as well as being overhyped and overvisited- Hello Dubrobnik City walls in Mid July –

So here we break down the good and bad so as properly informed millennial, whether you’re single, a small family or looking for a romantic getaway, you can better know what to expect!

Communication and Culture

If you’re travelling from North America, you’re in for a bit of a shock. Croatian is not a friendly sounding language and may appear harsh at first. The good news, most people are nice (and direct!) and speak English.

Moving around

Croatia offers more and more flights through several of it’s airports. Zagreb the capital, is more of a constant while costal airports are mostly reasonal including Pula, Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik, 

Cities like Pula and Zadar have tiny airports meaning you will be in and out in a moment, which is super practical. Zagreb and Split got major upgrades in recent years.

By car is a very popular and recommended option. It’s safe and given that there are so many Islands and ferries, it’s worth it. One disclaimer, driving, especially in coastal areas can be scary as many island in particular developed, ummm, organically. This means that at times you will be stuck driving 2 directions on a single car road. Some Google navigation routes will take you to places that look like someone’s driveway. It’s likely legit. Pro tip, get the smallest car possible for your needs and get bulletproof insurance. Germans for instance often use https://www.billiger-mietwagen.de/?aff=bm often with zero deductible and more. You will sleep better at night. 

Dining, groceries and local goods

Since Croatia has grown in popularity so fast, so has its offering. But more is not always better. Dining out is normally good but has gotten quite expensive for what you get. The “Konoba” concept is really nice, traditional and tasty but it has been now used for any pizzeria with a grill. Best do a bit of research beforehand. We will over time share our tested favorites in different cities. 

Groceries. Most Europeans are shocked with prices and often with good reason. Some of it makes sense, some doesn’t. As a generality, expect to pay up to 25% more in coastal Croatia than in a mainland… except if you shop at Lidl, which guarantees it’s prices throughout the country.

Croatian produce is generally very good and fresh. Local markets are the best places to get the best produce but they are often more expensive than supermarkets. Croatia has some very good wine, cheeses (Paski, among others), truffles and more. But wine, in particular, likely due to their low volumes compared to Italian, French or Spanish wines are very expensive for what you get. Expect what you get expect in those countries for 7-9 euro to cost close to 20 for a Croatian wine. This does not mean you can’t get good wine for less but it’s not always easy.

Imported licor for example is inexplicable. We found an Aperol bottle in Split and Pula for almost 20 euros- in supermarket. Needless to say, we went to Lidl and got an alternative licor.Beer is decent and quite cheap.

Beaches and historical sites

The beaches are no longer a secret and in the touristic season, Croatia can be very, very crowded. There are very few private beaches, meaning even hotel beaches are open to the public. Some people complain that Croatia has a lack of sandy beaches. This is partially true. But in general, it has like most of the Mediterranean, large rock formations as well as gravel like pebbles. This does turn some people off, however the water clarity is much better because there is not sand everywhere.

Pro tip: bring or buy water shoes (affiliate link)

Conclusion: 

So, is Croatia worth visiting in 2024? Absolutely, but pick your times. We highly recommend avoiding the high reason (June-August) as prices are higher, crowds are at their maximums and the heat is becoming increasingly unbearable (40 degrees celsius and higher sometimes). 

Our favorite time is September and October. The sea is plenty warm enough, the crowds are gone and the sunny weather is still mostly around. If beaches are not relevant to you, springtime is the way to go, especially in the mainland. 

The only caveat while travelling off-season, especially by plane is that Croatia and most of its airports are seasonal destinations for many airlines. This means your choice in travel will be greatly reduced, especially for long haul flights. 

In turn, you will have a lot more quiet, better deals for accommodation and often even restaurants are cheaper. 

Croatia is no longer a hidden gem. The prices are sometimes crazy (outings, fancy clubs/restaurants) and even groceries, for European standards. But if you arrive with the expectation that prices are the same as at home, you will not be bitter about it.