Category: Croatia

Croatia has been popular for being a nude beach destination especially among German and Dutch travelers. The Croatian coast is one of the most popular naturist travel destination in Europe and home to the largest and oldest nudist camp area in Europe: Koversada in Istria. Croatia offers a variety of naturist facilities, such as : beaches, campsites, tourist villages , hotels, apartments and resorts. There are also the free nudist beaches along the Croatian coast, which are known to the nudists but not officially designated as naturist beaches. The naturist beaches are marked FKK.

Two of the most popular naturist places are Naturist Resort Solaris and Naturist Camp Valalta in Istria.

Naturist Resort Solaris offers a campsite with a 2500 m beach, apartments and rooms. Shops, a pool bar, a sports center and restaurants are available within the resort. The camping is located on the peninsula Lanterna on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula.

Valalta Naturist Camp stretches along the northern coast of Rovinj and offers apartments, bungalows, camp (including for campervans) and marina. Restaurants, a pool bar and beaches are located within the cap.

Lokrum island naturist beach, located close to Dubrovnik, is one of the most famous FKK beaches in Croatia. The beaches are rocky and the naturist section is located at the far eastern tip.

Paklina naturist beach, located on the island of Brac, has a naturist section which is pebbled.

Politin naturist beach is located within the Naturist Campsite Politin , close to the town of Krk. The beach is pebbled . Restaurants , shops and a café bar are located within the resort.

Malinska Heaven beach is also located on the island of Krk, in the town of Malinska . The beach has both grass and pebbles.

Bunculuka Naturist Campsite is located near the town of Baska and offers a sandy beach. Sports can be played within the resort (tennis, volleyball, miniature golf).

Konobe Naturist Campsite is located close to the town of Punat . It offers two large pebble beaches and numerous small, hidden beaches.

Mlini naturist beach is located between Dubrovnik and Kavtat . The pebble beach has its own restaurant and you can rent umbrellas and sun-loungers.

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Visiting Croatia in only 10 days can be a bit of a challenge. The country has a lot of interesting places to visit and cramming a lot in such an itinerary means you’ll leave out certain places. In this case, Plitvice Lakes (although you can spend only a day in Split and drive to the Lakes on the second day), Pula and Hvar (but again, you can plan a day trip from Split as the ferry only takes 2 h). Plus, you can “customize” this itinerary idea to suit your own needs; for example, spend only 1 day in Zagreb and 3 days in Split, allowing you add a day trip to your itinerary.

This itinerary is meant to hit some of the most popular places in Croatia: Rijeka, Krk Island, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik. If you want to spend some time on the beaches, plan to visit the country during the summer. For a more budget friendly option, October is a good choice and the weather is still good and warm.

Itinerary assumptions:

• The itinerary starts in Zagreb and ends in Dubrovnik. From Dubrovnik, you can take a ferry to Bari, Italy and explore more of Southern Europe’s beauty.
• You will be using the public transportation to get between the cities. If you’d love to take a scenic drive, then do that on the Split to Dubrovnik part of the itinerary.
• You will be staying in hostel or hotels with easy access to the main sights in the cities.

Day 1, 2 : Zagreb

Most often the capital of Croatia, Zagreb, is just a stop on the way to other popular destinations. Indeed, you can get here by plane or train easily from most of Europe, but you shouldn’t overlook the city, either.

The Upper Town is the medieval part of the city. The Old Town Gate is now a shrine to Virgin Mary. And you can take a day trip to Medvedgrad, which is a fortress located on Medvednica, a mountain overlooking the capital. The hiking and biking routes are excellent.

Day 3 Rijeka

Rijeka is Croatia’s main seaport and the country’s third largest city. While it’s served by an airport, it’s a better idea to travel to the city by train or bus. Most of the city is easy accessible on foot and to see its main sights, just follow the tourist path.

Don’t miss the Trsat Castle, overlooking the city, and City Tower, a symbol of Rijeka.

Day 4, 5 Krk Island

Especially if you plan to visit Croatia’s second largest island during summer, you’ll be facing large crowds of tourists. Krk Town is the capital and the busiest city , with a lot of places to see.

Many travelers come here for the beaches and swimming, so head to Baska and you’ll find a modern resort town. Needless to say, it’s packed in the summer.

>>read about the Top 7 Best Beaches in Croatia

Day 6 Zadar

Located in northern Dalmatia, the city is home to a lovely Old Town. Zadar is easily tackled on foot, so don’t forget your good walking shoes at home. Did you know that there are 34 churches on the peninsula where the Old Town is located?

Take your time to enjoy the excellent Croatian cuisine . And do some people watching as you are at it.

Day 7,8 Split

The city is located in Central Dalmatia and still offers plenty of well preserved Roman ruins to visit. Split was originally built around the Diocletian Palace, where the locals sought refuge centuries ago.

You can easily get to Split by bus from Zadar. Make sure to visit the Diocletian Palace , with the historical center built around it. St. Duje’s cathedral is the oldest cathedral in the old and was built as a mausoleum of Roman Emperor Diocletian. Rent a bike and enjoy Riva, the main city promenade.

If you visit Split during summer , you can head to Bačvice beach.

>>read about Getting from Zadar to Split

Day 9, 10 Dubrovnik

It is an old city on the Adriatic Sea Coast and probably the most well know travel destination in Croatia. Nicknamed the Pearl of the Adriatic, during the Middle Ages it has a trade industry so powerful that it rivaled Venice.

Make sure to get to Dubrovnik from Split by car, as the scenery along the coast is amazing, making it one of the most beautiful scenic drives in Europe. If you don’t fancy renting a car, then take the bus.

Visiting the Old Town of Dubrovnik is a must. Make sure to buy a map before attempting to do any walking. The maze of narrow streets can take some time to figure out. The Bell Tower, Sponza Palace, Pile Gate and the Old Port are only some of the places worth your time. And it’s impossible not to spend some time on the Stradum .

Don’t forget to visit the city walls, too, but make sure to plan this walk for early morning as the Mediterranean Sun can be really hot by mid-day. There are some interesting forts to check out within the city walls.

And while here, why not spend a bit of time on Lapad Beach, which is a sandy beach area with lovely views of the Old Town.

Read about :
>>Getting from Split to Dubrovnik
>>Things to do in Dubrovnik

Here is the itinerary map (if you rent a car for your stay and drive from city to city):

View Larger Map

Photo credits: Zagreb , Rijeka , Krk Island , Zadar , Split , Dubrovnik

Croatia and Greece might not be that close on the map but they both offer a lot of things to offer. And many travelers think it’s a good idea to visit both countries during the same trip. Finding connections between the two countries isn’t as easy as you might think.

Quick summary

If your only concern is the budget, you’ll be surprised to find out that flying (through London and on low cost airlines), taking a ferry (via Italy) and taking a train cost about the same. As for the time spent traveling, it’s all about finding the best connections….so you are basically left to choose whatever suites your travel style best.

Flights from Croatia to Greece

Croatia Airlines offers seasonal flights from Athens to both Dubrovnik and Zagreb. But what do you do outside the summer season? Fly through a major European hub, of course. And choose low cost airlines.

For example, EasyJet flies out of Zagreb, so you can book a flight to London Gatwick (€32 per person one way in June 2012) and then another flight to Athens (£50.99/€61 per person one way in June 2012). Surely beats the Lufthansa connection via Frankfurt at €178 per person one way, doesn’t it?

Another option is to fly from London to Thessaloniki (£40.99/€49 per person one way in June 2012). And it also beats the option to connect via Budapest on Malev (€197 per person one way in June 2012).

Or you can fly from Dubrovnik to London on the same airline (€36 per person one way in June 2012) but the route is available from mid-April only.

The conclusion is really simple: if you want to fly from Croatia to Greece, your best bet is to fly from Zagreb to London and then take another flight to Athens. Because both routes are served by low cost carriers you won’t pay that much but be prepared to spend a night in London, depending on the flights’ schedules.

Read more about:

>> Flights to Athens
>> Flights to Thessaloniki
>> Flights to Croatia

Ferries from Croatia to Greece

Unfortunately, although there were rumors about a direct ferry connection between Croatia and Greece, nothing has been done and you’ll have to connect through Italy.

So, the first step is to take a ferry from Dubrovnik to Bari. Jadrolinija operates most ferries on this route and you will pay €37.50 one way, during the low season for a seat on the deck. During the high season (Jun 24 – Aug 28), the same seat costs €45 one way. The travel time is about 7 h.

Read more about:
>> Getting from Dubrovnik to Bari
>> How to get from Croatia to Italy by ferry

Once in Bari, you can take another ferry to Igoumenitsa, Patras, Cephalonia/Kefalonia or Corfu. The crossings take between 8 h and 15h depending on where you want to arrive in Greece.

>>read more about How to get from Italy to Greece by ferry

You can also connect via Ancona. There are two connections from Croatia to Ancona: Zadar and Split. And from Ancona you can take another ferry to Patras or Igoumenitsa; but the crossing time is between 15 h and 21 h.

Price-wise, Bari – Patras costs €55.40 per person, one way ; while Ancona – Patras costs €69.00 per person, one way.

Trains from Croatia to Greece

An easy way to travel between Croatia and Greece by train is to connect via Budapest (Hungary) and Bucharest (Romania).

There are direct trains from Zagreb Glavni Kolod to Budapest Keleti (because that’s where you’ll board the train to Bucharest Nord Gara A). Trains leave Zagreb at 4:08 p.m. daily. The travel time is about 7 h.

>>read more about Getting from Zagreb to Budapest

There are two connections daily from Budapest Keleti to Bucharest (Bucuresti) Nord Gara A: 7:10 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. The travel time is 14 ½ h.

From Bucharest board the train to Thessaloniki. There’s only one connection per day and the travel time is 18 h.

It is a very long route but on all night trains you can choose a cabin. Prices aren’t available online as you are crossing four countries, but you can also get Eurorail pass for this part of Europe. From personal experience on part of this route, it’s safe to say that prices average around €30- €50 per person one way, for each leg of the journey.

>>read more about Getting to Greece by Train

Buses from Croatia to Greece

Figuring out bus connection from Croatia to Greece is even harder than figuring out the train connections. Actually there aren’t any bus connection from Zagreb to Central/Eastern/Southern Europe, so if you try to replicate the itinerary above, you’ll still need to travel by train either to Bucharest or to one of the Romanian border cities (Arad, Timisoara, Oradea). From there you can catch a bus to Thessaloniki or all the way to Athens. Eurolines serve the route from Romania to Greece.

Driving from Croatia to Greece

First of all, ask whether you can take the rental car over the border and across several countries. Then, you can plan the route overland via E-75 and E75 , if you depart from Zagreb. It’s 1564 km to get to Athens and should take about 16 hours to drive. However, make sure to stop along the way.

This is the route from Zagreb to Athens without ferry crossings

View Larger Map

Photo credits: Athens Airport , Ferry , Budapest Keleti by Cristina Puscas and may not be used without permission

May is one of the best months to visit Croatia. The sunny and warm weather allows visitors to explore the coastal towns and islands but the mass of tourists haven’t arrived yet so there’s some laid back feel still present. But the café life is in full swing and the day trips organized by travel agencies start to be available.

Weather

The sunny and warm days replace the early spring weather and it’s already possible to swim in the southern islands, by the end of the month.

Some temperatures:

Dubrovnik avg high 21C/70F; avg low 13C/57F
Hvar avg high 21C/71F ; avg low 14C/58F
Split avg high 21C/70F ; avg low 13C/57F
Zagreb avg 16C/60C

Facilities

Ferries to Croatia are available on all routes now and there are more connections than during early spring. For the domestic routes it’s not possible to book in advance, but if you travel internationally it might be a good idea to via a travel agency. If you want to travel between the Croatian islands the ferries are still spottier than you expect , so check if there’s a ferry available on the route you want to travel.

While for the domestic flights the airfare doesn’t change from season to season, when you fly from abroad, flights to Croatia start to increase in May but the prices also get more expensive. Still, it’s cheaper than flying in July or August. But do make sure to book your ticket in advance.

Accommodation is not hard to find but the prices start to rise because everyone is gearing up for the high travel season. Book your hostel bed ahead of time or consider camping.

Things to do

May 1 is Labor Day but worry not because those who work in the tourism sector are providing all the services. So, no disruptions in transport, either.

May is definitely the month of flowers in pretty much any European city. Croatia makes no exception and Split is home to the International Flower Fair , which takes place in the basement halls of Diocletian’s Palace. Or you can head to Zagreb by the end of the month for the Zagreb Flower Show which features 120 florists.

>>read more about Things to do in Zagreb

St Duje (St Domnius) is the patron saint of Split and he is celebrated on May 7. So, expect to find competitions, processions and games in the city.

If you missed Cannes Festival, head to Dubrovnik International Film Festival, which begins right after the other has ended. Sure, it’s not as star-populated but it’s easier to get into.

The mild weather makes Dubrovnik a delight to visit. Take a walk on the beach, sip some coffee in a stylish café and do some people watching. You can also visit the Sponza Palace and the Cathedral

>>read more about Things to do in Dubrovnik

Thanks to the nice weather, it’s a delight to plan some time in the nature in May. You can plan to visit the Plitvice Lakes National Park or Krka Waterfalls .

>>read more about the National Parks

Photo credit

The warm weather brings more festivals and the outdoor activities are a delight. April is also a good month to visit Zagreb and Dubrovnik.

Weather

Spring has settled in, at last , and the flowers are in full bloom. You might actually be able to swim for an hour or so at noon along the coast.

Some temperatures:

Dubrovnik avg high 16C / 62F; avg low 10C/50F
Hvar avg high 17C/63F ; avg low 10C/51F
Split avg high 17C/63F ; avg low 8C/48F
Zagreb avg 11C/51C

Facilities

Ferries to Croatia restart their schedule if they’ve been stopped over winter and those with fewer connections during the cold season add more trips. Prices are slightly lower than during summer. But if you plan to travel from mainland to the islands or between the islands, make sure to check the schedule in advance as the service is spottier than during summer.

While for the domestic flights the airfare doesn’t change from season to season, when you fly from abroad, expect to find cheaper flights to Croatia than during summer and an increased number of flights. Still, book the ticket at least a month in advance and avoid flying around Easter.

Accommodation is also easy to find and the prices are lower than during summer. But since April is a popular time to visit Croatia especially for those on a low budget, book your hostel bed ahead of time and try to avoid traveling around Easter (unless you plan to spend Easter in Croatia, of course).

Things to do

April is the best month to visit Zagreb. The flowers are in bloom and the city looks absolutely amazing. Don’t miss the Botanical Garden and the parks. Also, plan to visit the museums and the Cathedral or do some shopping at the market.

>>read more about Things to do in Zagreb

The mild weather and lack of visitors make Dubrovnik a delight to visit. While you won’t be able to swim in the sea, you can definitely walk on the beach. You can also visit the Sponza Palace and the Cathedral

>>read more about Things to do in Dubrovnik

April is also a good month to plan outdoor activities , so head to the Plitvice Lakes National Park or Krka Waterfalls . The splendid waterfalls are swollen with water and the rivers are also at their peak so those who want to try rafting and kayaking will be delighted.

>>read more about the National Parks

With the warm weather also come the festivals. Palm Sunday and Easter festivals take place in the country and there are also some special religious events. Jurjevo (St George’s Day on April 23) marks the beginning of spring. He is the patron saint of harvest and fertility.

In Zagreb, the St Mark’s Festival is a music festival which features local folk music as well as classic music. Most concerts take place in St Mark’s church.

In Split you can attend the Croatian Theatre Festival which highlights theatre groups from around the country. But if you don’t speak Croatian, you can head to the Guitar Festival in Split (last week of April).

In Porec, the end of April is dedicated to the wines produced in this area.

Photo credit

Should you decide to visit Croatia in October, you’ll be rewarded with a country not deformed by the tourism. By now, the summer high season has ended and the life gets back into the routine so you get a chance to see the country as it is. It’s the time when locals harvest the grapes and other products. But you should pay a little more attention to the ferry schedule as it’s less frequent.

Weather

October weather is mild enough to allow for outdoor activities. Generally speaking, autumn is one of the best times to visit Croatia. It’s still possible to swim in Southern Dalmatia.

Some temperatures:

Dubrovnik avg high 20C / 69F; avg low 13C/56F
Hvar avg high 20C/69F ; avg low 14C/58F
Split avg high 20C/69F ; avg low 12C/54F
Zagreb avg 11C/51C

Facilities

Ferries to Croatia are still available from Italy but there aren’t as many connections as during summer. Prices are also slightly lower than during summer. Should you plan to travel from mainland to the islands or between the islands, make sure to check the schedule in advance as the service is spottier than during summer.

While for the domestic flights the airfare doesn’t change from season to season, when you fly from abroad, expect to find cheaper flights to Croatia than during summer. Still, book the ticket at least a month in advance.

Accommodation is also easy to find and the prices are lower than during summer. But since October is a popular time to visit Croatia especially for those on a low budget, book your hostel https://www.croatialogue.com/hostels bed ahead of time.

Things to do

Two major festivals take place in October in Croatia. The film festival in Zagreb features Croatian films, as well as up-coming international directors. And if you like truffles head to the Istrian Truffle Days which take place Livade, near Motovun. You can indulge in these delicacies for a fraction of the price you’ll pay in France or Italy.

The nice weather allows for sightseeing, so if you are in Zagreb don’t miss the museums, the market or the Cathedral. The things to do in Zagreb also include: the Medieval fortress of Medvedgrad and the Botanical Garden.

Dubrovnik is definitely known for its beaches and nightlife, but other things to do in Dubrovnik include: visiting the Sponza Palace, taking photos at the Great Onofrio Well or visiting the Cathedral.

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