Croatia - whats it like and where to go
Discussion
We're looking to book a week away in July and are thinking about Croatia but know nothing about the place. Ideally we want beach resort, quietish but things to do, nice restaurants, some shops etc.
What resorts are good? Heard Split is OK?
Is it expensive to eat out there (presume they are Euro based in the main tourist areas?)
Places to see/visit?
Basically any advice would be massively appreciated.
What resorts are good? Heard Split is OK?
Is it expensive to eat out there (presume they are Euro based in the main tourist areas?)
Places to see/visit?
Basically any advice would be massively appreciated.
It's beautiful. Much cheaper than the usual European destinations; especially so when you get outside the cities.
We stayed in Dubrovnik in 2015 and were very impressed (the old town is quite touristy, but the whole area is stunning).
There are very few traditional sandy beaches - most are pebble but it means the water is incredibly clear for snorkelling. Hire a car and go to Kotor in Montenegro / Trebinje (so?) in Bosnia, even up to Ljubljana in Slovenia if you're in the North. The whole area is absolutely stunning
We stayed in Dubrovnik in 2015 and were very impressed (the old town is quite touristy, but the whole area is stunning).
There are very few traditional sandy beaches - most are pebble but it means the water is incredibly clear for snorkelling. Hire a car and go to Kotor in Montenegro / Trebinje (so?) in Bosnia, even up to Ljubljana in Slovenia if you're in the North. The whole area is absolutely stunning
As above, not many sandy beaches but don't let that put you off. We paid in Kuna and found prices to be cheaper than UK but not extraordinarily cheap.
We went at the end of August week last year and loved it. Weather was 31-33 degrees everyday so a bit hot but in most places it was not quite full peak season busy. Food/living was generally cheaper than UK, but not cheap cheap.
Flew into Split but immidately headed down the coast. Stopped in Makarska (epic road to the summit of a 1700m mountain only a few km away) for 1 night/2 days then headed down to Korcula.
Korcula was definitely my favourite location, beautiful walled city, nice and peaceful, good reasturants and bars, excellent scenery, not particularly busy. We stayed less than 20 seconds walk from the harbour and within 60 seconds you were in the city walls! Would have stayed here longer if we knew what we know now!
We then ended up in Split for the last few days. Tbh it was very busy as we arrived there on a weekend although calmed down slightly. We visited Zadaar, Krka waterfalls (very busy, go very early), Trogir and a few places on the way. We most enjoyed walking around Split in the evening. It's very easy to lose yourself (helped by beer and wine). Would recommend Pizzeria Portas for the best pizza I've ever had.
We ummd and ahhd about going to Dubrovnik, we could have had a day trip there from Kocula but all latest reviews were saying it was heaving at the end of August so we left it for another time.
We went at the end of August week last year and loved it. Weather was 31-33 degrees everyday so a bit hot but in most places it was not quite full peak season busy. Food/living was generally cheaper than UK, but not cheap cheap.
Flew into Split but immidately headed down the coast. Stopped in Makarska (epic road to the summit of a 1700m mountain only a few km away) for 1 night/2 days then headed down to Korcula.
Korcula was definitely my favourite location, beautiful walled city, nice and peaceful, good reasturants and bars, excellent scenery, not particularly busy. We stayed less than 20 seconds walk from the harbour and within 60 seconds you were in the city walls! Would have stayed here longer if we knew what we know now!
We then ended up in Split for the last few days. Tbh it was very busy as we arrived there on a weekend although calmed down slightly. We visited Zadaar, Krka waterfalls (very busy, go very early), Trogir and a few places on the way. We most enjoyed walking around Split in the evening. It's very easy to lose yourself (helped by beer and wine). Would recommend Pizzeria Portas for the best pizza I've ever had.
We ummd and ahhd about going to Dubrovnik, we could have had a day trip there from Kocula but all latest reviews were saying it was heaving at the end of August so we left it for another time.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=130...
We love Croatia and I've been twice in the past few years and again about 7 years ago now. It is getting more mainstream but remains cheap - well dependent on how you do it. In the above link when we went the accommodation cost us ~£75 each for 10 days in our own studio at the same time of year (we wanted to be out and about trying different foods etc.)
We favour the islands off Split (Brac) but that is an element of familiarity - next time we're there can see us trying a few different areas
We love Croatia and I've been twice in the past few years and again about 7 years ago now. It is getting more mainstream but remains cheap - well dependent on how you do it. In the above link when we went the accommodation cost us ~£75 each for 10 days in our own studio at the same time of year (we wanted to be out and about trying different foods etc.)
We favour the islands off Split (Brac) but that is an element of familiarity - next time we're there can see us trying a few different areas
Wife and I went last summer and did an All Inclusive place on Kolocep Island. Was about 30-45 minute boat from Dubrovnik meaning we had a sand beach etc while also being close enough to go and do day trips etc.
Loved it and would go back...also great if you like Game of Thrones as lots of the Kings Landing stuff is filmed there.
Loved it and would go back...also great if you like Game of Thrones as lots of the Kings Landing stuff is filmed there.
Dan_1981 said:
We're looking at Porec at the moment - which does seem to be the most popular area - I guess the touristy bit?
Any feedback?
We did 14 nights in Istria back in 2015 - 4 nights in Portoroz (Slovenia) and 10 at the Palazzo in Porec. We loved the place. It's not touristy in the traditional Med-sense, much more relaxed. The main street can be crowded, with a few tat shops, but otherwise it's a great place, full of good restaurants and some great bars. There's also a lot of places to visit in the surrounding region, including Motovun - birthplace of Mario Andretti, and the heart of truffle country.Any feedback?
We also found it incredibly cheap, contrary to what we've heard about Dubrovnik and areas further south. Our first night we ate at one of the swankier places on the front, had a 3 course meal, with aperitifs, a bottle of wine, coffees and it came to £75. There's a great no-frills pizzeria that we went to 2-3 times as well, and you could eat for 2 with drinks for about £15. And that is no reflection of the quality, which was superb. They also love their truffle over there, and will pile it on anything, without charging the earth for it.
I'd go as far as to say the food is up there with the best of the rest of Europe (especially the cured meats and cheeses which easily rival Italy and Spain), and the beer is also really decent, unlike many of the Med countries. The people are pleasant and warm, with none of the arm-waving of other Med countries.
I think the Kuna was 10/£1 at the time, but now around 8. We'd go back in a heartbeat but for now having a wee one that we want to take to a sandy beach this year (there are none in this region).
Edited by Swervin_Mervin on Wednesday 1st March 14:44
Right. If it's the one I'm thinking of, it's on a little island off Porec, with water taxis running between the two. No idea what it's like, other than it looked nice as we sat directly opposite at the Caffe Del Mar supping all sorts whilst the sun set on the horizon 
ETA: Boat watching there is a good sport as well. Some crackers moored up whilst we were there.
ETA: Boat watching there is a good sport as well. Some crackers moored up whilst we were there.
Lopud was great when I was there, as was Dubrovnik..
Went back last summer for the first time since independence, as part of a road trip, and spent time in Pula after a couple of days in Zagreb. Pula is worth seeing, for a lot of the Roman and WW1 architecture, but it's quite a relaxed place, as is the capital (Zagreb). Driving there was superb as the motorways were really quiet, perfectly surfaced toll roads, and you can see how much has been spent on infrastructure.
Went back last summer for the first time since independence, as part of a road trip, and spent time in Pula after a couple of days in Zagreb. Pula is worth seeing, for a lot of the Roman and WW1 architecture, but it's quite a relaxed place, as is the capital (Zagreb). Driving there was superb as the motorways were really quiet, perfectly surfaced toll roads, and you can see how much has been spent on infrastructure.
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