Do’s And Don’ts In Croatia

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Post author SJ

Written by our local expert SJ

Sarah-Jane has lived in Croatia for 10+ years. SJ, as she is known, has been traveling the Balkans & beyond since 2000. She now shares her passion for traveling with her husband & kids.

Here are just a few of the many reasons you need to book a holiday and travel to Croatia! We’ve got something for everyone – see if you can get to the end without finding a reason…

To Read A Book

Reading a Book in Water_Dave Collier
Photo: Dave Collier

There are many beaches and parks to relax and enjoy reading your favorite book. This lady has the right idea!

To Get Lost

Velebit Croatia | Travel Croatia Guide
Velebit Croatia. Photo: Aleksandar Gospić

Just be sure to tell someone where you’re going. You can find this maze in the North Velebit National Park. Just be sure to tell someone where you’re going.

To Take A Leap Of Faith

Adventurers take note: you can go bungee jumping, skydiving, and whitewater rafting across Croatia. We’ve got Maslenica Bridge (pictured) which is 56 meters high on our radar for this summer. I bungee jumped Zrce Beach back in 2010. What a rush!

To Try The Local Transport

Donkey Race at Sali | Things to do in Croatia
Photo: Go See Write

Embrace a donkey, hold your breath and go. The yearly donkey race is held on Dugi Otok (Long Island) each August.

If a donkey race is not your thing, then do like we did, and jump in a raft and enjoy a sweet ride along the Cetina River near Omiš in Central Dalmatia. Or, if you’re near Zadar, then go rafting along the Zrmanja River.

Things to do in Omiš Cetina River Rafting Video - Travel Croatia like a local

To Take A History Lesson

Zadar green square panoramic view, Dalmatia, Croatia

History has never looked so beautiful in Croatia. Admire 2000-year-old architecture while sipping coffee or shopping at the Roman Ruins, known as The Forum in Zadar.

To Travel Beyond The Coast

Zagreb - Croatia Travel Blog

There is a side of Zagreb that will be sure to surprise you. Despite being Croatia’s capital city, Zagreb is often overlooked as a destination in its own right. Yet this city has remained at the forefront of history and culture in Croatia since medieval times. There is always something happening in Zagreb – especially in winter.

To Fly Without Wings

Not for the faint-hearted. Be freeeeeeeeee and go zip lining in Croatia.

To Rock Out!

Biserukja Cave - Croatia Travel Blog
Biserukja Cave – Krk Island

Find a hidden spot underground. Manita Pec cave in Paklenica National Park is an exceptional place to start. So too is Biserukja Cave, on Krk Island or Strasna Pec on Dugi Otok. Locals say that this cave served as a makeshift habitat for early human inhabitants on the island. Cool huh?

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To See The Wildlife

Things To Do In Slavonia Croatia - Horses On The Farm

There are several ranches in Slavonia to get up close and personal with horses. Here are just a few you might want to check out.

To See The Architecture

Stapina South Velebit | Travel Croatia Guide
Northern Velebit National Park. Photo: Zadar Region TZ

Head to Stapina, the biggest rock formation in North Velebit National Park.

The Velebit mountains are what divides the Adriatic coast from the continental part of Croatia. The Velebit makes for a gorgeous backdrop for photos, often looking like a fake Hollywood movie backdrop.

To Meet the Locals

Meet the locals of Dubrovnik | Travel Croatia Guide

We’re all very friendly, come to say hi. When you are staying in Dubrovnik, go and meet Šime and his parrots – just watch your fingers; I can’t vouch for the friendliness of those little guys.

To Make Your Mark

Foot in Sandy Beach Croatia | Travel Croatia
Photo: Dugi Otok TZ

Contrary to popular belief, Croatia does have sandy beaches as well the impressive pebble-lined ones. This is Sakarun Beach, situated on the northwest side of the magical Island of Dugi Otok.

To Reach For The Stars

Water Dubrovnik | Travel Croatia Guide
Dubrovnik. Photo: Giandomenico Ricci

The Adriatic’s azure clean waters are simply amazing. Dive in!

But, how do you choose where to swim in the sparkling azure Adriatic? After all, there are over 1,000 islands, inlets, and isles stretching across 6,000 kilometers of coastline in Croatia – here, try one of these beaches.

To Let The Kids Run Free

zadar greeting to the sun Leonardo Uzeda black and white
Photo: Leonardo Uzeda

Croatia is one of the most family-friendly destinations in the world. We made a list of ideas for fun things to do with kids in Croatia – and this is just the start of fun things kids can enjoy in Croatia.

To Defy Gravity

Cetina River - Couples Rock jumping - Travel Croatia like a local

Ready. Set. Go.

I must admit that it took me a few minutes to pluck up the courage to do this, but here we are, jumping off rocks along the Cetina River near Omiś.

To Visit Kings Landing

Croatia Travel Blog_Top Things to do in Croatia

Die-hard fans of the HBO TV series Game of Thrones will appreciate the thrill of visiting the filming location of Kings Landing – located in our Pearl of the Adriatic – Dubrovnik.

To Fall In Love

Galešnjak Island Zadar | Travel Croatia Guide

In the Zadar Region, you’ll find Galesnjak island – hard to pronounce and heart-shaped. Nawww, ain’t she pretty?

To Spear a Pig

Roasted Spit Razanj | Travel Croatia GuideNot for the faint-hearted, and definitely not for vegetarians. Startup a massive fire, add the skewered swine and turn constantly and slowly until it’s roasted to perfection. Known in Croatian as a Ražanj, you’ll find them all over the country.

The great news is you can buy it everywhere, and they also roast lamb the same way. It’s delicious!

Spear A Fish

Food in Slavonia_Šaran U Rašljama

If a piggy isn’t for you, maybe you’d enjoy this traditional style of cooking fish in Slavonia.

To Walk The Plank

PLITVICE LAKES - CROATIA TRAVEL BLOG

No trip to Croatia is complete without a visit to the oldest national park in Southeast Europe. You must walk the wooden planks of Plitvice Lakes National Park. This UNESCO site has sixteen lakes linked together with a series of waterfalls that’ll fill up your memory card in a jiffy.

Anyone familiar with the popular HBO television series Game of Thrones will undoubtedly recognize this spot without even knowing it. It’s Dubrovnik, and it’s the pearl of the Adriatic for those of you who don’t know. There are a bunch more Game of Thrones filming locations across Croatia – how many do you know?

To Chase Tail

Croatia has 1777 km of coastline and 1246 islands and islets, meaning there is no shortage of places to dive and chase tail!

To Just Hang Out

Križnica-Hanging-Bridge
Križnica Hanging-Bridge

Why not head inland and check out some of Croatia’s rivers. This is the Križnica Hanging Bridge in Slavonia

To Go Clubbing

Krapina_MUSEUMS OF HRVATSKO ZAGORJE
Photo: Museum of Hrvatsko Zagorije

In the city of Krapina, around 70 neanderthal remains were discovered. They have a museum in Krapina dedicated to the story of the Neanderthals, which is one of the oldest archeological sites where the remains of Neanderthals were found in Europe.

To Get High

Susak Island, Croatia, aerial view
Susak Island

Why not take to the skies and get an aerial view? Try paragliding, skydiving, or fly between islands on a seaplane.

To Walk With The Dead

Mirogoj cemetery monumental arcades panorama

Mirogoj Cemetery is one of the largest cemeteries in Europe and is also recognized as one of the most beautiful. Mirogoj Cemetery is actually more than a cemetery. It is a place where architecture, art, and history come together in beautifully landscaped gardens.

To Go Fishing

Island Gaz_Brijuni | Travel Croatia Guide
Photo: Renco Kosinožić Croatian TZ

Croatia has 1246 islands and islets, so why not spend a week and sail the Adriatic and explore them yourself. This is Gaz Island, which is part of the Brijuni Archipelago.

To Take A Ride In An Electric Car

Nikola Tesla Electric Vehicle Rally - Inside

The car race of the future. The Nikola Tesla Electric Vehicle Rally in Croatia has taken place for five consecutive years, and in 2014 the LA Times dubbed the race the “quietest and most beautiful race in the world.

While You Are On Vacation In Croatia, Be Sure NOT To…

We have a lot of reasons to come visit us in Croatia – but, we warn, you NOT to try any of these (wink, wink!).

Don’t Mess With An Alka Knight

Sinjska Alka: Barelling down the track -Travel Croatia like a local
Photo: Ilija Veselica

 

The historical Sinjska Alka event was inscribed onto the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2010 and has recently celebrated its 300th anniversary.

Don’t Stop Eating

You can start with a traditional meal like Soparnik and a glass of Croatian wine. Then you can finish with any Croatian Recipe of your choice.

Don’t Get Caught By A Pirate

Sail ship_Pirate_Dubrovnik - Croatia Travel Blog

In the 12th century, the Pirates of Omis were among the most powerful and fearsome pirates on the Mediterranean Sea. Nowadays, you will see a replica pirate ship or two, but the Omis Pirate spirit lives on!


Don’t Get Caught With Your Pants Down

Girls_beach_Sunny_Islands - Croatia Travel Blog

But if you must, make sure it’s on one of Croatia’s many nudist beaches.

Don’t Miss A Sunset

Krk Premium Camping Resort - Camping Resort - Sunset View

Take your pick of any one of these 41 photos of sunsets in Croatia, all of which are guaranteed to spark your wanderlust.

Don’t Forget To Go To The Beech

Beech Forrest | Travel Croatia Guide
Photo: Paklenica National Park

In the Paklenica National Park, you’ll find this Beech forest. Can you believe Paklenica is just 40kms from Zadar?

Don’t Let The Slippery Ones Get Away

Snails

A true delicacy in some parts of Croatia. Will you dare try snails?

Don’t Get Sunburnt

Lobster at Restaurant Opat, Kornati Islands

Be sure to stay sun-safe, or you’ll end up looking like this lobster we ate at Konoba Opat, Kornati Islands. Konoba’s are scattered all over Dalmatia and typically serve local meals prepared using traditional techniques.

Don’t Split Without Visiting Split

How to Get from Split to Zadar Croatia

Split is Croatia’s 2nd largest city and the largest in Dalmatia. The city is centered on the famous 1700-year-old Diocletian’s Palace, which sits right beside the Adriatic. Spend hours at a café on the Riva and watch the world go by.

Don’t Get Into A Fight

Pula, Istria. Driving Zagreb to Dubrovnik

Or you may have to face your opponent at the Arena! Kidding.

The Pula Arena was once the site of Gladiator fights and was built in the 1st century. Today it’s used to host summer events such as film festivals and concerts.

More Travel Tips For Croatia

Comments (39)

  1. What a great list, I have never been to Croatia but you keep giving me reasons why I should. Hmm can I fit it into my December trip to Europe?

  2. I don’t think we’ll get to Croatia this year but hoping to soon! Amazing how many of Croatia’s islands have such cool shapes. The King’s Landing looks great for photography!

  3. Plitvice looks beautiful and I love all of your tips! Trying adventurous new foods, meeting locals, and learning the history and culture of an area is all so important for traveling in Croatia and everywhere else! Thanks for the post. – Emme @ Green Global Travel

  4. the same is valid for Montenegro so if you don’t find a free place in Croatia just stretch your trip a bit ;)

    1. This one was so cute…… He followed me till the end of the island and I did not give any food

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