Top Things to Do and See while Solo Traveling in Croatia
I had been dreaming of visiting Croatia for a while and I had some time after the school year was over so I decided to pop over and see the islands. I have always heard good things about Croatia. The islands, people, culture, history and affordability. June seemed like a great time for me to go and it was the perfect solo destination. If you’re planning a trip and wondering what to see and experience, here’s my breakdown of the top things to do in Croatia.
Croatia is a beautiful country with a long coast on the Adriatic Sea. Croatia has over 1,000 islands and it’s located in Central Europe making it easy to add it to your European tour. Besides being known for the beautiful coastline and national parks, there have been many movies and tv series filmed there including Game of Thrones, Succession, Mama Mia and Star Wars the Last Jedi.
If you’re planning your own trip and wondering what to see and experience, here’s my breakdown of the top things to do in Croatia, with a solo traveler’s perspective in mind.
On of my favorite cities in Croatia is Dubrovnik, check out the post here. If you’re looking for another island destination check out my posts on Athens and Santorini in Greece.
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Zagreb
First stop on your Croatian adventure is exploring the historic Upper Town of Zagreb. You can wander through the streets admiring the colorful rooftops and you there you will find The Stone Gate, which is the only preserved city gate in the former defense system. Going through it you will enter St. Mark’s Square.
The most important sight in the square is St. Mark’s Church. The Parliament, Government of the Republic and the Constitutional Court are all located in the square.
While in Upper Town, don’t miss the Lotescak Tower. The tower was built in the 13th Century to protect the gate and you can climb the tower to get a breathtaking view of the city.
There is also a funicular which connects the Upper and Lower towns and is another great way to see the city. Zagreb also has many museums to check out if you have time, the Museum of Broken Relationships, the Croatia History Museum and the Zagreb City Museum.
Traveling to Croatia? Check out some recommended hotels below
Plitvice Lakes
The next day’s itinerary starts in Plitvice National Park. It is the oldest and largest national park in Croatia. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and covers almost 30,000 hectares of land. It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Croatia and you will see why it’s one of the must see places on the list.
You definitely could spend the entire day here looking at the bright turquoise lakes and countless waterfalls along the way. The park has sixteen lakes connected by streams and falls, lots of different hiking trails and routes through the park so it’s easy to get lost. The views are stunning in the park, so not a bad place for a little adventure if you wander the wrong way. It has easy walkable trails and boardwalks throughout the park so you can get the best views of the lakes and waterfalls.
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I’m a solo traveler who has visited 30+ countries and love helping others feel confident traveling on their own. On this blog I share itineraries, practical travel tips, and lessons I’ve learned from traveling solo around the world.
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Zadar
From Plitvice, it’s time to head to the coast. Zadar is said to be the oldest settlement in Croatia. The architecture dates back to 1490, so the city has some amazing buildings to see. Zadar is small, but worth a stop if you have time. The Roman Forum is the highlight of Zadar, along with the Church of St. Donatus and the Bell Tower. Other popular sites include, the Land and Water Gates along with the Square of Five Walls. The walls are a cute little spot in the city and contain all of Zadar’s history.
There are plenty of churches to see in the city. Just by walking around the Old Town you can see numerous churches and the best views are along the city walls. Zadar has some museums to check out if you’re interested in a little history of Croatia. The Gold and Silver Museum, the Museum of Ancient Glass and the Archaeology Museum.
Sibenik
Sibenik is the oldest native Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea. It’s located in central Dalmatia where the KrKa river flows into the sea. Sibenik is known for being a car-free old town, built on a hill and has more than 2,800 steps, which is why it’s called “the city of stairs.” It’s a charming little town to spend a day or the afternoon depending on your schedule. Sibenik has two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Cathedral of St. Jacob and the St. Nicolas fortress. It is the only city in Croatia that has two UNESCO sites.
At the St. James Cathedral, which is the largest stone-built cathedral in the world, there are some very interesting sculptures outside which deserve a quick look. The other UNESCO site is St. Nicolas fortress, one of the four venetian fortresses. The easiest way to see the fortress is by a boat taxi. It’s a quick little stop along your way through this medieval town.
Don’t forget to wander through the Old Town here. The narrow streets are lined with little boutiques. It’s a quaint area where you can relax, enjoy a cup of coffee and people watch. The St. Michael’s Fortress is a highlight of Sibenik. It’s the oldest fortress in the city and at the top of the castle you can get a great view of the Old Town.
Krka National Park
Before heading to Split, I stopped at Krka National Park where you can see more amazing waterfalls and green pools. After all, you can’t get tired of natural beauty. Depending on the season and regulations, you may be able to swim near the waterfalls. The park has waterfalls that are up to 150 feet high. You can get around the park easily with all the marked wooden trails. A boat ride to Visovac Island is also an option, which is a peaceful and quiet stop along the park.
Split
For me, Split was more than just a stopover, it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip. It has a bit of everything: old and new city together and mountains along with the sea. It’s a great city to stop and spend some time in. I would designate at least one, if not two days just for Split. It is a must see on our list.
The most visited place in Split is the Diocletian’s Palace and Peristyle. It’s another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Croatia and I found it to be the best area of the city. There are cafes, restaurants, music, processions and it’s full of people. Make sure while you’re in the Diocletian’s Palace you see the Vestibule, often called the Atrium or the Rotonda. It’s a huge cavern shaped structure with a hole at the top.
The Podrumi cellars, which are underneath Diocletian’s Palace deserve a little walk through too. If you’re not tired of seeing churches and cathedrals yet, Split has The Cathedral of St. Domnius as one of its main focuses. You can go up to the bell tower to see some amazing views of Split.
Visiting Split? Below are some activities to do while you’re there.
Walking around Split you will see The Golden Gate and the Gregory of Nin statue. The legend of the statue is that if you rub his big toe, you are granted a wish. Then, right outside the Palace is the Old Town promenade and harbor. It’s a lovely walk where you are able to escape the crowds a bit. You can relax and have a drink before your next stop, the Republic Square. In this square there are cute little shops with locals selling jewelry, clothes and handmade goods. Perfect place for souvenirs.
Brac & Hvar
Now is time to start a little island hopping. First up is Brac Island, which is home to the famous Zlatni Rat Beach. This beach continues to be voted best European beach to visit and is Croatia’s most photographed beach. It’s made up of tiny white pebbles and gold sand. The turquoise water is breathtaking and the tip of the beach is said to change shape with the way the wind blows, making each visit different.
It becomes crowded in high peak season so be ready for tourists, but the view is stunning so you can’t come to Croatia without seeing it. Surrounding the beach are pine trees and rocky cliffs which give the best views of the beach if you like to hike. It’s worth it in my opinion and wasn’t a very difficult hike. You can also drive up fairly close to the peak and then finish with a short hike. The Vidova Gora peak is also the highest point on the Croatian islands.
If you’re over 40 like me, you don’t have to do the party scene in Hvar to enjoy it. I found it just as rewarding to explore the quieter parts of the island at my own pace.
Check out below for some options in Hvar.
Next off to Hvar, the most popular island in Croatia. Since Hvar is a large tourist destination it’s more expensive than the other islands, but it’s where the nightlife, trendy restaurants and famous people are said to have been seen. You can see huge yachts and boats in the marina so it’s obviously a place you need to stop on our list of top things to do and see.
The town of Stari Grad on the northern side is one of the oldest towns in Europe. The most unforgettable view in Hvar is definitely the Spanish Fortress. You can see the entire town and the Pakleni Islands. Hvar is unique because in addition to the popular night clubs and restaurants there are fields of lavender, vineyards and olive trees. Hvar has some of the greatest beaches to visit, which if you’re island hopping, you obviously need to see in order to compare beaches with the other islands.
Korcula and Mljet
Next, Korcula Island, also known as “mini Dubrovnik.” You can wander the stone wall streets in Old Town and take in this historic town. The architecture is stunning and it gives you some time to relax. Sights to see: St. Mark’s Cathedral and the Bell Tower. You can climb the tower and get some stunning views of the city as well.
After a short trip to Korcula, you can catch a ferry to Mljet, the quietest island. Mljet National Park occupies about a third of Mljet Island, known as the greenest island in the Adriatic Sea with over 70 percent covered in forest. It contains two saltwater lakes which are shades of blue and green. It’s beautiful. You can also take a short boat ride to St. Mary Islet which is in the middle of the larger lake.
Some options below for Korcula.
Dubrovnik
Finally: Dubrovnik. It’s the end of your trip and you have saved this amazing city for last. Dubrovnik is often called the “Pearl of the Adriatic” and you can’t miss it. It’s one of Croatia’s most beautiful and historic cities. The city is encircled in walls and all the roofs have orange tiles making it one of Croatia’s most unique cities. It has many of the four and five star hotels and Michelin rated restaurants, which means it’s also the most expensive city in Croatia.
Begin by strolling through Old Town and looking at the massive stone walls. The first walls were constructed in the 9th century. You must take a tour around the city walls because the views cannot be beat and it’s in the middle of the city. One of the most charming aspects of the walk is seeing the gardens and courtyards in the neighborhoods as you walk through. Don’t miss the funicular to Srd Mountain, it has the best views overlooking Dubrovnik and at night the city lights up to give you another viewpoint looking down.
Here are some options for day trips from Dubrovnik:
There are many other historic sights in addition to just the walls, such as St. Blaise Church, the Renaissance Rector and Sponza palaces and the 15th century Onofrio’s Fountain. After Dubrovnik, if you have time you can take a quick stop in Montenegro,(check out the post) checking off another country on your list.
Things to Know
Currency– Croatia now uses the Euro. Cash and cards are widely accepted.
Languages– English is one of the main languages so you will have no problem getting around and speaking with the locals.
Cuisine– Mediterranean style with fresh fish, olive oil and meat dishes. Top foods to try in Croatia: Peka, Soparnik, Brodet and Burek.
Safety– I felt extremely safe being a solo traveler. There were always people out and about in the bigger cities and islands. I was out later than normal in Croatia because they are similar to Spain with the custom of late lunch and dinner times. Dinners often begin around 9:00 pm.
