Alright, so I just got back from Croatia, and man, what a trip! Thought I’d jot down some notes about how it all went down. Maybe it’ll help someone else planning a similar adventure.
First things first, the planning. I started by Googling “best time to visit Croatia” and “things to do in Croatia.” Obvious, right? Then I jumped into booking flights. Found a decent deal with a layover in Frankfurt. Pro-tip: always check nearby airports, sometimes you can save a bunch of cash.
Next up: accommodation. I used * and Airbnb. Split my time between hotels in the bigger cities (Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik) and apartments in the smaller towns. Apartments gave me more space and a chance to cook some of my own meals, which saved some dough.
Day 1: Zagreb Landed in Zagreb, took the airport bus to the city center. Checked into my hotel, dropped off my bag, and immediately started wandering. Hit the Zagreb Cathedral, Tkalčićeva Street for some lunch, and the Museum of Broken Relationships. That museum is WEIRD but cool.
- Lesson learned: Wear comfortable shoes! You’ll be doing a lot of walking on cobblestones.
Days 2-4: Plitvice Lakes & Zadar Rented a car and drove to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Seriously, those lakes are unreal. Spent a whole day hiking around. Stayed in a small guesthouse nearby. The next day, drove to Zadar. Watched the sunset at the Sea Organ and Greetings to the Sun – super touristy, but worth it. Had some amazing seafood at a Konoba (traditional Croatian restaurant).
Split & Hvar (Days 5-8) Drove down to Split. Explored Diocletian’s Palace, climbed the bell tower for views of the city. Took a ferry to Hvar. Hvar is definitely more party-oriented, but the beaches are beautiful. Rented a scooter and explored the island.
Dubrovnik (Days 9-12) Ferry from Hvar to Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is STUNNING. Walked the city walls, took a cable car up Mount Srđ for panoramic views. Did a day trip to Lokrum Island – peacocks everywhere! Dubrovnik is also pricey, so be prepared.
Food & Drink
Croatian food is delicious! I ate a lot of:
- Ćevapi: Grilled minced meat.
- Peka: Meat and vegetables cooked under a bell.
- Seafood: Fresh and amazing, especially along the coast.
Drank plenty of Croatian wine and beer too, of course!
Getting Around The car rental was great for flexibility, especially for Plitvice and Zadar. Ferries were easy to use for the islands. Within the cities, I mostly walked or used public transport.
Biggest Regret? Not learning more Croatian phrases before I went. Everyone spoke English, but it would have been nice to be able to say more than “hvala” (thank you).
Would I go back? Absolutely! Croatia is beautiful, the people are friendly, and the food is great. Start planning now!
