A thousand islands in impossibly clear Adriatic water, Dubrovnik's walled Old Town, Split's Diocletian's Palace and Plitvice waterfalls — Croatia punches far above its size.
Croatia has quietly become one of the UK's favourite summer escapes — Game of Thrones made Dubrovnik mainstream, but the entire Dalmatian coast is stunning, from Split's Roman ruins to Hvar's party beaches to Korčula's sleepy fishing villages.
Croatia joined Schengen in 2023 and adopted the euro the same year, so there's no more border faff or exchanging kuna. Direct flights from most UK airports run May–October, with limited year-round service to Zagreb. The country is the size of Denmark but has more than 1,200 islands, so island-hopping is a popular week-long itinerary.
Prices have crept up since 2019 — Dubrovnik especially — but Istria (Pula, Rovinj) and the northern islands remain excellent value. A three-course seafood dinner with wine for two is still €50–70, and ferries are cheap (€6 Split to Hvar).
Most routes are seasonal (May–October). Zagreb has limited year-round service.
| Visa (UK passport) | No visa required. Croatia joined Schengen in Jan 2023 — up to 90 days in any 180-day period. |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (EUR, €) — adopted January 2023, replacing the kuna. Cards accepted in cities; cash useful on islands and at markets. |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) / CEST (UTC+2 summer) — one hour ahead of the UK. |
| Language | Croatian. English widely spoken in tourist areas. German and Italian useful in Istria. |
| Best months | May–June and September. July–August is hot and packed in Dubrovnik. |
| Flight times from UK | DBV 2h 50m · SPU 2h 40m · ZAG 2h 30m · ZAD 2h 30m · PUY 2h 20m |
| Plug type | Type C/F (European two-pin). UK adaptor needed. |
| Island hopping | Jadrolinija ferries from Split to Hvar, Brač, Korčula. Book online during peak season. |
Late May to mid-June, and September, are the sweet spots — warm sea, long days, fewer cruise-ship crowds. July and August are intense in Dubrovnik: 35°C, packed Old Town, cruise ship armadas. Winter is fine for Zagreb, but the coast largely shuts down.
Warm sea, quieter Old Towns, best prices.
Cooler but pleasant. Good for sightseeing, sea chilly.
Crowded, expensive, Dubrovnik cruise crush.
No. Croatia joined the Schengen area in January 2023. UK passport holders get visa-free entry for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
The euro (€), adopted January 2023 (replacing the kuna). Cards accepted in cities and larger restaurants; bring cash for small island cafés, markets and smaller ferry routes.
May–June and September. The sea is warm, crowds are manageable, and hotel prices are 30–50% lower than July–August peak.
Dubrovnik 2h 50m, Split 2h 40m, Zagreb 2h 30m, Zadar 2h 30m, Pula 2h 20m. All direct in summer season.
In summer (May–October), most UK airports fly to at least Dubrovnik or Split: London (all five), Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Glasgow, Newcastle, Liverpool. Year-round service is limited — BA LHR to Zagreb runs all year.
Yes — Croatia is among the safest countries in Europe. Violent crime is rare, and even Dubrovnik Old Town is safe at night. Petty theft can happen on packed buses and at ferry ports. UK travellers should carry a GHIC card for reciprocal state healthcare.