What To Know Before Traveling To Croatia In 2023 – Part 2

What To Know Before Traveling To Croatia In 2023 – Part 2

So, you have decided to travel to Croatia! For more tips, check out our first part of the 6 things to know before traveling to Croatia where we deep-dived into the new Croatian currency, booking your vacation early and exciting events. In this part 2 of what to know before traveling to Croatia in 2023, we’ll be supplying you with all our tips and tricks using local insight to help guide you throughout your vacation. Including some more insight into what to avoid in Croatia to make your holiday one to remember.

Being prepared for a big trip abroad is essential to ensure you experience no unexpected surprises that could ruin your long-awaited vacation. This isn’t to say you should plan every detail down to the last second, but it is worth having a general idea of what to expect from your travels.

So, without further ado, let’s get into part 2!

1) What to know before traveling to Croatia – The shoulder season in Croatia

Knowing what you want to get out of your vacation to Croatia is a good place to start when considering when to travel, as the seasons bring different benefits for different tourists. There is no bad time to travel to Croatia. However, the best time to travel to Croatia mainly depends on the traveler’s preference.

If you’re looking for warm, sunny weather, anytime between May and September is a good time to visit. Of this period, July and August are the hottest months with temperatures averaging in the 80s and 90s. This season is the best for tourists looking to relax, explore Croatia’s exquisite coastline, partake in watersports and swim in the cooling Adriatic Sea.

Due to the higher temperatures, these months are very popular times to travel. During this time you should expect more crowds, however, the benefits definitely outweigh the negatives. Nothing beats the Croatian sunshine. And certain tourist attractions, accommodations and restaurants are only open during the summer peak times.

What to avoid in Croatia in 2023 – Dismissing traveling outside the shoulder season

Springtime in Croatia is magnificent. It’s the season of new life when we see Croatia’s National Parks bloom with fragrant flowers and vibrant leaves across the expansive foliage. The weather is warm and pleasant and may be considered more comfortable than the hotter months of peak summertime. This makes it ideal if you are hoping to do more energetic activities, such as hiking.

Alternatively, the colder months can show a different side to Croatia. Inland you will find snow-covered towns, frozen lakes and glistening waterfalls throughout the islands and national parks. Tourists can enjoy spending time at ski resorts and partaking in fun wintertime activities including sledging or ice skating. If you decide to travel closer to Christmas, you are in for a treat. Croatia has one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, Advent in Zagreb, which you absolutely cannot miss!

2) What to know before traveling to Croatia – Getting around Croatia

It is fairly easy to travel around mainland Croatia. With the opening of the Pelješac Bridge last year, which connects the north and south (without the need to drive through Bosnia and Herzegovina), traveling became even easier by car. Renting a car is one of the most comfortable ways to explore the inland parts of Croatia. But if you’re looking to venture out to some of the islands around the coastline, we recommend traveling by private yacht.

Booking a private yacht is quite straightforward and an undeniably amazing opportunity to explore Croatia in the most luxurious manner. When booking a private yacht with us, not only will you have the chance to see locations of your choosing, but you’ll also have continuous access to the boat throughout your trip.

With a personal captain and a private chef onboard, travel doesn’t get more opulent than being served meals tailored to satisfy your palette as you sail across the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea.

What to avoid in Croatia in 2023 – Relying on public transport

Public transportation is known to be quite efficient in Croatia, but solely relying on it for travel can be a little difficult. Especially as delays and cancellations can easily sour an otherwise incredible trip.

Many ferry routes only operate during the high season, meaning you will need to meticulously plan your vacation around the ferries’ schedules. It is also not guaranteed they will go to all of the locations you wish to visit, as some islands are not accessible by public transportation or connected by bridges to the mainland.

To avoid disappointment, we recommend booking a pre-planned tour to Croatia, with transportation included to ensure a relaxing vacation and make planning your vacation a whole lot easier, as we would do all the hard work for you. 

3) What to know before traveling to Croatia – Entry into Croatia

One of the most important things to prepare in advance is the required travel documents for entry into Croatia. For US citizens, a visa is not required to enter the country as Croatia is a member of the Schengen area. It is possible to stay up to 90 days for tourism or business during any 180-day period. If you intend to stay longer than this, you will be required to apply for a visa. 

However, if you do intend to travel outside of the Schengen area, you may be required to obtain a visa prior. Always double-check if the country you are planning on traveling to requires a visa beforehand here.  

As of May 2022, Croatia removed all COVID-19-related entry requirements for US citizens. This means US travelers can visit Croatia without the need to take a Covid-19 test prior to travel or show proof of a negative Covid test or vaccine certificate to enter. There are currently no requirements to quarantine before or after landing in Croatia. 

Please be aware that things can change due to certain circumstances. Always double-check Croatia International Travel Information on the State Government’s website to ensure that you are up-to-date with the latest travel information. 

What to avoid in Croatia in 2023 – Not having a valid passport

To ensure you are eligible for entry into Croatia you must have: 

• A valid U.S. passport to enter Croatia – EU regulations require that U.S. passport holders have at least three months of validity on their passport from the date of departure from Croatia.

• A free stamp page in your passport – Only one page is required for an entry stamp in and out of Croatia.

• Money – There are restrictions on how much money you can bring in and out of Croatia. The limit is currently set at up to 10,000 euros either way.

Booking a trip to Croatia 2023

Feeling more prepared for your vacation to Croatia and ready to book your Croatia 2023 trip? Speak to our travel experts today! 

We have a long list of pre-planned tours taking tourists all across Croatia. You will easily find one that suits your preferences. But if you would like to tweak an itinerary or create a customized tour around Croatia completely from scratch, our friendly team here at Adventures Croatia are on hand to help you create the perfect vacation for you. 

For more information on what to know before traveling to Croatia in 2023, check out part 1 of this blog series.