Language: Croatian   |    Currency: Kuna (kn)    |    Local time: UTC +01   |    Avg. Flight time: 2.20 hrs

Bask on beautiful beaches

More than 1,200 islands dot Croatia’s 1,777 kilometre-long (1,104 miles) southern coastline, which also boasts a string of sun-drenched beaches.

So, holidays in Croatia are perfect for bronzing on the beach, gliding out in a kayak across the glittering Adriatic Sea or spending lazy hours exploring the Dalmatian coast’s timeless stonewalled villages.

Lap up Croatia’s cultural gems

Croatia’s all-inclusive holidays are ideal for sightseeing as well as sand: there are historic ports, ancient walled towns and no fewer than seven World Heritage Sites just waiting to be admired.

Capital city Zagreb’s contemporary art galleries rub shoulders with Austro-Hungarian-style architecture, while a walk along Dubrovnik’s 16th-century walls reveals a vista of orange roofs, baroque churches and marble pavements.

Get gastronomical in Croatia’s countryside

The open-air markets found in most Croatian villages burst with regional delicacies, including wild asparagus and truffles from Istria and sun-ripened olives from Dalmatia. 

How about giving your holiday in Croatia a special foodie twist with a wine-tasting tour of Hvar’s famous vineyards, or a cookery course set inside an ancient stone villa?

When to go

Peak season is between July and August when the country’s beaches and hotels fill up quickly. The most popular all-inclusive Croatia holiday hotspots include Hvar, Split, Korcula and Dubrovnik, where average summer temperatures simmer at around 25C.

If you’re bargain hunting, try visiting Croatia in May, June or September. The Adriatic Sea is still warm enough for swimming during these months and a steady breeze creates wonderful sailing conditions. Low season (between October and April) has its own winter charm and is the best time to see Croatia on the cheap.

Events for your diary

Music festivals: Croatia’s calendar is packed with quirky events and a festival scene that has exploded in recent years, earning the country a reputation as Europe’s party capital. Zagreb’s INmusic Festival, for example, is a great place to let your hair down.

Dubrovnik Summer Festival: The Dubrovnik Summer Festival has been going for years, with music, theatre and dance followed by partying into the small hours.