Croatia anyone? Advice please

[Boxster5]

Looking at possibility of visiting Croatia next September flying direct to Zadar.
Thoughts were to stay in Zadar for one week then move to somewhere in the Opatija/Volosko/Rijeka area for the second week. Quite fancy the drive along the Adriatic Coast highway.
Heard rumours that Croatia isn’t cheap from an eating/drinking perspective - Airbnb’s are about average to what we normally pay.
Anyone been to give some insight - any advice appreciated.
I know when we went on a cruise calling at Hvar and Dubrovnik, it wasn’t particularly cheap but not sure if that was the cruise ship surtax (we hate cruises!)
I understand that Croatia is moving to the Euro in December so from past experience, prices will probably increase as a result.

[plenty]

Croatian prices are fairly comparable to Western Europe nowadays, particularly along the coast where the tourists are.

[DoubleSix]

We just did a couple of weeks last summer and I found it delightfully cheap when eating out etc.

Not pennies, but we like to eat in the higher end places and it was very easy on the wallet i thought.

[elise2000]

Boxster5 said:

Looking at possibility of visiting Croatia next September flying direct to Zadar.
Thoughts were to stay in Zadar for one week then move to somewhere in the Opatija/Volosko/Rijeka area for the second week. Quite fancy the drive along the Adriatic Coast highway.
Heard rumours that Croatia isn’t cheap from an eating/drinking perspective - Airbnb’s are about average to what we normally pay.
Anyone been to give some insight - any advice appreciated.
I know when we went on a cruise calling at Hvar and Dubrovnik, it wasn’t particularly cheap but not sure if that was the cruise ship surtax (we hate cruises!)
I understand that Croatia is moving to the Euro in December so from past experience, prices will probably increase as a result.

Firstly, the driving is great. Stunning motorways. Quiet, smooth, few police. If you’ve got two weeks, I’d fly to pula then drive down to split. If you’ve already done Dubrovnik I wouldn’t brother again- the drive from split to Dubrovnik isn’t great.

Eating and drinking out is very cheap if you go to the right places. Touristy places are pricey, local places are cheap.

The euro shouldn’t affect prices- the Kuna has had a fixed rate to the euro for years, and the government are trying to make sure prices don’t increase.

Split is a good base if you want to visit any islands like hvar vis and brac etc.

We live in Croatia for part of the year, so if you need any more specific recommendations just ask.

Cheers

[elise2000]

elise2000 said:

Boxster5 said:

Looking at possibility of visiting Croatia next September flying direct to Zadar.
Thoughts were to stay in Zadar for one week then move to somewhere in the Opatija/Volosko/Rijeka area for the second week. Quite fancy the drive along the Adriatic Coast highway.
Heard rumours that Croatia isn’t cheap from an eating/drinking perspective - Airbnb’s are about average to what we normally pay.
Anyone been to give some insight - any advice appreciated.
I know when we went on a cruise calling at Hvar and Dubrovnik, it wasn’t particularly cheap but not sure if that was the cruise ship surtax (we hate cruises!)
I understand that Croatia is moving to the Euro in December so from past experience, prices will probably increase as a result.

Firstly, the driving is great. Stunning motorways. Quiet, smooth, few police. If you’ve got two weeks, I’d fly to pula then drive down to split. If you’ve already done Dubrovnik I wouldn’t brother again- the drive from split to Dubrovnik isn’t great.

Eating and drinking out is very cheap if you go to the right places. Touristy places are pricey, local places are cheap.

The euro shouldn’t affect prices- the Kuna has had a fixed rate to the euro for years, and the government are trying to make sure prices don’t increase.

Split is a good base if you want to visit any islands like hvar vis and brac etc.

Sept is one of the best times of year to visit- very good weather still but not as many tourists.

We live in Croatia for part of the year, so if you need any more specific recommendations just ask.

Cheers

[Boxster5]

elise2000 said:

Boxster5 said:

Looking at possibility of visiting Croatia next September flying direct to Zadar.
Thoughts were to stay in Zadar for one week then move to somewhere in the Opatija/Volosko/Rijeka area for the second week. Quite fancy the drive along the Adriatic Coast highway.
Heard rumours that Croatia isn’t cheap from an eating/drinking perspective - Airbnb’s are about average to what we normally pay.
Anyone been to give some insight - any advice appreciated.
I know when we went on a cruise calling at Hvar and Dubrovnik, it wasn’t particularly cheap but not sure if that was the cruise ship surtax (we hate cruises!)
I understand that Croatia is moving to the Euro in December so from past experience, prices will probably increase as a result.

Firstly, the driving is great. Stunning motorways. Quiet, smooth, few police. If you’ve got two weeks, I’d fly to pula then drive down to split. If you’ve already done Dubrovnik I wouldn’t brother again- the drive from split to Dubrovnik isn’t great.

Eating and drinking out is very cheap if you go to the right places. Touristy places are pricey, local places are cheap.

The euro shouldn’t affect prices- the Kuna has had a fixed rate to the euro for years, and the government are trying to make sure prices don’t increase.

Split is a good base if you want to visit any islands like hvar vis and brac etc.

We live in Croatia for part of the year, so if you need any more specific recommendations just ask.

Cheers

Thanks Elise2000 - we can get cheap direct flights from Newcastle to Zadar with Ryanair, hence the reason for picking Zadar as a base (but we don’t have to stay there). I’d heard that Pula was worth a visit (Istria region sounds interesting) so could do that first week then possibly Zadar second week? Split sounds a bit too big & developed for us - perhaps I’m wrong?
We’ve got the Lonely Planet guide for Croatia so a good start.
If we like it so much, I’d be tempted to drive there some day via Slovenia.

[elise2000]

Boxster5 said:

elise2000 said:

Boxster5 said:

Looking at possibility of visiting Croatia next September flying direct to Zadar.
Thoughts were to stay in Zadar for one week then move to somewhere in the Opatija/Volosko/Rijeka area for the second week. Quite fancy the drive along the Adriatic Coast highway.
Heard rumours that Croatia isn’t cheap from an eating/drinking perspective - Airbnb’s are about average to what we normally pay.
Anyone been to give some insight - any advice appreciated.
I know when we went on a cruise calling at Hvar and Dubrovnik, it wasn’t particularly cheap but not sure if that was the cruise ship surtax (we hate cruises!)
I understand that Croatia is moving to the Euro in December so from past experience, prices will probably increase as a result.

Firstly, the driving is great. Stunning motorways. Quiet, smooth, few police. If you’ve got two weeks, I’d fly to pula then drive down to split. If you’ve already done Dubrovnik I wouldn’t brother again- the drive from split to Dubrovnik isn’t great.

Eating and drinking out is very cheap if you go to the right places. Touristy places are pricey, local places are cheap.

The euro shouldn’t affect prices- the Kuna has had a fixed rate to the euro for years, and the government are trying to make sure prices don’t increase.

Split is a good base if you want to visit any islands like hvar vis and brac etc.

We live in Croatia for part of the year, so if you need any more specific recommendations just ask.

Cheers

Thanks Elise2000 - we can get cheap direct flights from Newcastle to Zadar with Ryanair, hence the reason for picking Zadar as a base (but we don’t have to stay there). I’d heard that Pula was worth a visit (Istria region sounds interesting) so could do that first week then possibly Zadar second week? Split sounds a bit too big & developed for us - perhaps I’m wrong?
We’ve got the Lonely Planet guide for Croatia so a good start.
If we like it so much, I’d be tempted to drive there some day via Slovenia.

If you’re not bothered about the whole holiday being coastal, inner Croatia up towards Zagreb is meant to be very interesting (although I’ve barely visited the area myself).

Split is big, although it’s certainly worth going into for a day or two.

I’d suggest visiting islands as well if you have time. Hvar for instance- you can get the car ferry from split to Stari grad (the old town on Hvar). Lovely place and not too touristy. And if you’ve got the car there’s loads of interesting places to visit on the island. (I am biased though as that’s where we’re based!)

[DoubleSix]

With the beaches being stony we weren’t too fussed about being coastal.

A villa with a big pool is generally our priority. (Still only 10 mins to coast).

Flew into Pula, and stayed in Istria, travelled the region a lot, beautiful country, lovely people.

Edited by DoubleSix on Monday 7th November 19:43

[shirt]

Had a month in Istria last summer, staying all over the peninsula. Weather was perfect and despite everyone we spoke to saying it was their busiest season in memory we really didn’t find it to be ‘that’ busy.

I didn’t view it as being expensive for f&b and from my recent trips to uk (I’m an expat Brit) I would say the prices are noticeably lower there and for noticeably better quality. I’d also say the service and hospitality was first rate.

Great place, loved it. Helped that we knew people in pula who gave us plenty of tips, but found it easy enough to navigate. We did think of venturing further south but didn’t bother in the end, went up to Slovenia and the Dolomites for a week before having a few days in Venice before flying home

[Boxster5]

Thanks guys - some helpful information there.
We’re waiting for Ryanair to release their flights for next Summer before we take it any further.
We don’t “have” to be coastal as we’re not beach bums but it would nice to see the turquoise waters!
Istria is heading towards the top of my list at the moment.

[shirt]

The waters around istria are amazing. No beaches as someone else pointed out but lots of access for swimming, we had a dip every evening. I also have a contact for a really top bloke who does boat trips, did a full day with him and then an evening trip for the full moon. The latter is not really allowed by the authorities (being out after dark), but he arranged it for us.

If you do choose istria I have lots of f&b reccos.

[DoubleSix]

[craig1912]

Was there in June, Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik and found the prices pretty good. Not as cheap as Greece but less than UK, even in the old town of Dubrovnik.
Will definitely visit again.

[Jaguar steve]

Central Adriatic coast round the Split/Trogir area is lovely. Kaka Park inland and a trip to some the offshore islands are all worth a go too.

Croatians are mostly hospitable but it's nowhere near as cheap as it used to be and popular tourist areas can get very crowded.

[R56Cooper]

Plitvice lakes is absolutely stunning and well worth a detour.

https://np-plitvicka-jezera.hr/en/