sail croatia solo traveller

Solo Travel in Croatia: Why I Love and Recommend it

Thinking about solo travel in Croatia?

I’ll be the first to tell you- go for it. 

Croatia was somewhere that I daydreamed about for years. Not surprising, given I live in Canada and our winters last, well, forever. So when I finally got to Croatia, it was perfection.

I spent about three weeks playing in the sea and lounging on sunny beaches, exploring ancient cities and swimming in waterfalls. I visited four cities; Zadar , Split, Hvar , and Dubrovnik and would highly recommend Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast as a perfect destination for any solo traveller. Here’s why.

psst: Looking for a travel credit card with lots of perks (like lounge access) that will also allow you to earn points for travel? This is what I use and recommend. 

Solo Travel in Croatia is Safe

If you were to ask me where I felt the safest travelling alone, one of my top answers would be Croatia, specifically the town of Zadar. This is mainly because it’s mostly locals and not as busy and hyped up as Split and Dubrovnik).  However, I never had an issue, or even thought I may have an issue, at any point of my time exploring the country.

As a solo female traveller I am used to standing out and being harassed by the men; whether they mean to be threatening or not. But it didn’t happen once in Croatia. Sure a few said ‘hi’ to me or came over to talk, but they were always respectful (even at the clubs). Maybe I was just incredibly lucky, but I’m not going to complain because it was pretty awesome and a huge perk as a solo female traveller. 

My feeling of safety wasn’t just in terms of not being harassed. I never felt like I needed to be overly alert. Either in terms of protecting myself or my belongings. I walked around by myself at night and even went swimming in the sea alone at 1am on my last night- just because I could and I wanted to. It didn’t occur to me til after the fact that it was a dumb thing to because I was alone. It’s definitely not something I would have considered doing anywhere else.

Croatia is Easy to Get Around

One of the biggest reasons what I recommend solo travel in Croatia is because getting around the country on your own is a breeze . Renting a car is obviously an option but there’s no need to with the train and bus system. There are generally two types of buses: the fast buses and the slow ones. If you are in a rush, the fast ones are the best option. However if you have some time I highly recommend the slow ones. The drive is significantly more scenic (especially along the coast!). Buses do not have toilets but still stop for a break at a large station (just make sure you have coins as you do need to pay!)

To get to the islands you take the ferry. Again there are multiple choices, some a little faster than others but the main perk about there being so many options is that you don’t have to wait forever to get where you are going.

There are also plenty of public buses to the main attractions as well. For example to Krka or Plitvice National Park. You can also join tours to these sites as well but should there not be enough numbers you can always hop on a bus and go on your own. Your plans needn’t depend on anyone but you. 

Plenty of Accommodation Options to Fit Your Travel Style

Hostels are generally a solo traveller’s best friend: they are budget friendly and allow you to meet people. But plenty of hostels are also party palaces and can end up leaving you exhausted and frustrated. While Croatia’s cities definitely have party hostels, there are plenty of low-key options as well. One of my favourites was Helvetia Hostel in Hvar. It’s run by a family who, while encouraging you to go out and enjoy Hvar’s famous night life, are quick to enforce silence for those staying in at night. Hostels like these are a great option and allow those who don’t like the party atmosphere (or need a break from it). 

Of course, if hostels really aren’t your thing there are plenty of guesthouses, hotels, and resorts to choose from. If you are looking to book, try booking.com. I use them regularly for my own travel as many properties are refundable if your plans change.

There are Lots of Opportunities to Meet Other Travellers

One of the biggest concerns about solo travel in Croatia (and everywhere else) is how to meet people. Obviously, hostels are an obvious choice but, even if you choose not to stay in a hostel, you will have plenty of opportunities to meet other travellers throughout Croatia. As well as the group tour options to some of the country’s attractions, there are plenty of city walking tours and pub crawls for those looking for a night out.

Croatia’s coast is also popular for sailing tourism and plenty of solo travellers climb aboard for a multi-day sailing and island hopping adventure. If you are looking to join a sailing tour in Croatia, check out the options from Intrepid Travel. I sailed with them in Greece and it was one of the best experiences ever. 

Of everywhere I’ve been, I found Croatia to be one of the easiest places to make friends.

Solo Travel in Croatia can be Budget Friendly

Croatia isn’t nearly as cheap is it used to be post Game of Thrones hype and, of course, now that is uses the Euro. That being said, there are still a things you can do to help lower costs, especially as a solo traveller in Croatia. 

Here’s some simple tips for keeping on a budget travelling through Croatia’s coastal cities. – Consider staying outside of the old city itself (I stayed in a hostel in a local neighbourhood outside of Zadar- a 25 minute walk to Old Town but right by the beach, bus station, grocery store, and beach bar!) -Eat local; there’s lots of delicious and fresh food in Croatia but stay away from ocean-side restaurants or restaurants flaunting the view- they up the price, but not the quality! -Check out multiple companies before signing up for an activity or tour -Visit during the shoulder season (May/June/September) before tourist season starts, but before things start to close off for the winter. It’s cheaper and less crowded. You’ll also be thankful for the (slightly) cooler temperatures during these months. -Plan on staying in Split and Dubrovnik during the week. There’s a major influx in tourists on weekends mainly because of sailing trips. It’s not only cheaper during the week, but it’s also less crowded.

Final Thoughts on Solo Travel in Croatia

As you can no doubt tell, I loved my time in Croatia and would absolutely recommend it to any traveller. Travelling alone isn’t always easy, but if you are considering solo travel in Croatia I definitely think you should give it a shot. I hope you like it as much as I did. 

Ready to Book Your Trip?

Don’t forget travel insurance!

Please do not travel without travel insurance! I’ve had to use it multiple times throughout my travels and it has saved me thousands of dollars. You can learn more about travel insurance  here . If you are looking for a provider I love and recommend  SafetyWing . For Canadian readers, take a look at  SoNomad.

Book your accommodation

I love and recommend  booking.com  for accommodation. They have a range of hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and resorts. Plus, the platform has a great loyalty program that means the more you book, the more you can save. 

Book your tours

My go-to tour provider that I love to recommend is  GetYourGuide . They have options all over the world and partner with local companies for everything from day trips to food experiences and even airport transfers. 

Get connected

If you want to have data while travelling for online maps or any other needs, an esim is one of the easiest solutions. I’m a big fan of Airalo and have used their sim cards around the world from Brazil to Uzbekistan, Greece to the USA. It’s really easy- you download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase. 

Not sure what to pack?

I have destination-specific guides for some countries but you can also check my  travel essentials  and  camera gear  if you are looking for some ideas. 

Looking for a travel buddy?

Check out my group trips!

25 Comments

[…] accommodation, and tours, is incredibly traveller friendly. I loved my time exploring Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast and I don’t think I’ve ever felt safer as a solo female traveller than I did in […]

Question what’s the estimated cost??

Depends totally on your budget but I found Croatia pretty affordable compared to, say, somewhere in Western Europe like France or even Greece. I wrote a guest post for a fellow blogger breaking down cost. It’s geared towards mid-range travellers rather than budget travellers but I share some money saving tips and it will give you an idea. You can find it here: https://www.moneywehave.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-go-to-croatia/

Did you pre-plan what hostels you would stay at when you visited Croatia or did you fly by the seat of your pants? I’ve wanted to get an idea of how much a hostel might be for island hopping, but unfortunately I can’t find any on any hostel booking site (they maybe have 1 or 2 hostels per island).

Hi Karlie, I pre-planned because I was there during the busy season. If you will be too I definitely recommend booking in advance!

Hi Hannah, I’ll be solo for a couple weeks at the end of June, is it actually necessary to pre book the hostels as I don’t really know where in Croatia I will be at any certain time.. any help is appreciated 🙂

Hi George, if you aren’t too picky or on too much of a budget you should be ok to book a couple days before. That being said June is high season, so things may book up quickly. It’s kinda a toss up but if you are willing to be flexible you should be ok! (PS don’t skip Zadar, its great!)

My girlfriend and I are planning to go during high season (only time we BOTH could get off work) would you pre-book your ferry trips to the islands? Or would you recommend booking them when you arrive….Im just worried with it being high seasons that ferries may fill up quickly and we may not be able to get to some islands that we want to!

Thanks in advance!

Depends on where you are going. Ie there are many ferries that go out to Hvar from Split, so thats fine. But If doing Hvar to Dubrovnik like I did, book in advance. I left it till I got there and grabbed the last ticket- and that was mid Sept. Croatia is AMAZING though- enjoy!

Hi Hannah I am thinking of going to Croatia in September alone. I am thinking of flying to split then doing 10 days – which places would you recommend in that time ? And is it possible to get some recommendations for hostels to meet other people ?

Thank you 🙂

Hey Anna! I went to Croatia early September and it was gorgeous- great weather, but not quite as crowded. You can easily do Split, some islands (Hvar is great) and Dubrovnik in your 10 days. If you feel like venturing out a bit more I highly recommend Zadar- its my fav (north from split but still on the coast). For Zadar I loved the Drunken Monkey Hostel, in Hvar I used Hostel Helvetia which was great for meeting others. I think in Split I stayed in Diocletian Palace hostel which was ok and I can’t remember where in Dubrovnik but it wasn’t great so no loss there. If you can, do a day trip to Krka (from Split or Zadar) you can swim in the falls- its beautiful!

Thanks Hannah! Very helpful advice . I am now thinking of missing out Dubrovnik do you have any other places you would recommend going ? So I am flying to and from split. Plan to visit split, zadar, hvar at the moment and I have 10 days. Thanks!! Really appreciate it

I haven’t been, but I have heard great things about Makaraska as well. That being said I think you will have lots to see and do in those 10 days even if you don’t add anywhere else. There are some great boat trips you can take from Hvar Island for the day, and Krka and Plitvice are both close to Zadar.

Croatia is just amazing I did it last summer and I fell in love. And yes if someone is wondering it is really safe – I never felt in danger for one week there.

glad you loved it as much as I did 🙂

is it safe for brown faces though? is it racist?

I didn’t notice any racism. The locals are mainly caucausian but I came across a number of travellers of different races during my visit and it never came up in our discussions.

[…] of beaches, nature, and historical towns makes it a popular choice for all kinds of travellers, and Croatia is great for solo travel.  That all being said, it is a popular destination so if you plan on coming during high season […]

Hi Hannah! I’m doing a small solo stop-over in Croatia at the end of my family Europe trip in middle-May. I was wondering if you had any recommendations of MUST-SEES since I’m there for such a short time?

I definitely want to do hostels but wanted a mix of both party/quiet time but still want to be able to meet new people.

Do you suggest booking tours in advance, or just wandering around the city and seeing what I run into due to my time frame? I’m so excited and am happy to hear it’s a safe place to be solo-wise. Thanks for any advice!!

If you are short on time I suggest just doing your own thing and exploring a bit. Zadar and Hvar were by far my favourite spots. I found Split and Dubrovnik more expensive, touristy, and not as friendly.

Hi Hannah! I am looking to do a Croatia trip in 2020. I’m debating on May, June, or September. I have decided to do something for my 50th birthday to treat myself. Would you recommend a hostel for someone in that age range, or would a hotel be better? Lodging recommendations would be appreciated! I definitely need a quiet atmosphere to sleep because I think I’m the world’s lightest sleeper, LOL. From what I’ve read, it seems that flying into Italy, and catching a connecting flight to Croatia may be a more economical option. Any advice for a first-time solo International traveler is appreciated!

I can’t comment for May or June but I went in early September and it was still really hot! End of the month some more seasonal things did start to shut down though (beach clubs etc). If you need quiet I definitely don’t recommend hostels-they can normally be quite loud. I’d do a hotel or maybe an airbnb instead. Look for somewhere central in the old town areas and you’ll be close to all the attractions and good stuff. Flights to Italy might be cheaper for sure, but then consider how you will get from Italy to Croatia. Another flight? Public transit? Keep that in mind!

[…] felt more local than touristic and had more than enough to keep me busy for a few days. Plus, as asolo traveller in Croatia, I loved how safe I felt in Zadar. In fact, I ended up returning to Zadar for my final days in […]

Hi! What hostel did you stay in in Zadar? It sounds great 😊

I stayed at the lazy monkey!

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

By leaving a comment you agree with the storage and handling of your name and email address by Eat Sleep Breathe Travel. *

Dreaming of Adventure?

Sign up to the Eat Sleep Breathe Travel mail list and stay up to date with all the latest travel tips and stories.

• The Solo Travellers Guide To...

The Solo Traveller’s Guide to Croatia

Travelling to Croatia was once considered an alternative holiday. Now, we realise what we were missing out on for so long. An engaging blend of party islands, Unesco World Heritage-listed old towns and dreamy landscapes is a snapshot of what this charming country is all about. It’s well set up for solo travellers, as this dedicated guide will prove to you.

The lowdown for solo travellers in croatia.

Solo travel to Croatia is becoming easier, with a well-honed tourist trail joining the major spots. Female travellers should feel at ease, particularly with an engrained cafe culture that offers relaxed and plentiful places for holing up with a good book or chatting to locals and fellow tourists.

A Croatia solo trip overview

Occupying prime coastline between the Adriatic and the rest of its Balkan neighbours, Croatia is the top choice for solo travellers looking to contrast characterful cities with the rocky islands that have long been the stars of the show. Capital city Zagreb is worth checking out on an extended trip, but you’ll find a stronger flavour of traditional Croatian culture in towns such as Pula, Zadar and Rijeka – the European Capital of Culture 2020 and home to a clash of Cold War concrete relics and ornate ochre Austro-Hungarian villas.

Further west, the genteel spa resort of Opatija seduces with its Belle-Époque-era villas, while deeper south and backed by mountains lies Split, which is a tad less touristy than Dubrovnik. Split’s crowning glory is the Unesco-listed Diocletian’s Palace that wraps around the city centre, one of the world’s most impressive Roman-era landmarks.

Islands-wise, you could either head straight for Hvar – a magnet for young travellers looking to party and the mega-rich looking to moor their multi-million-euro yachts. Or give it a miss and visit islands like Vis or Korčula – both featured on Culture Trip’s carefully curated eight-day Croatia adventure .

Where to stay in Croatia as a solo traveller

Croatia could be Europe’s mecca of heritage hotels – historical buildings meticulously transformed, with all their original structure and character maintained. If you’re willing to push the boat out a bit, you could spend your nights in villas, palaces, family estates and four-star hotels . If you’re looking to keep accommodation costs down, opt for hostels and family-run B&Bs instead – most offer great value for money and are of course great sociable stopovers for solo travellers.

What to do in Croatia as a solo traveller

For a relatively small country, there’s a disproportionate amount to do in Croatia. Selecting key sights will draw you to a particular region; just don’t blame us if you end up lingering longer.

1. Observe art of the elements in Zadar

Architectural Landmark

Cosmopolitan, coastal Zadar has playful architectural sites that function as art installations right on the shore. The Sea Organ is a set of steps leading into the water that harness the movement of the waves, transforming it into music. Further along, the sister installation, Greeting to the Sun , is a soporific solar-powered collection of glass plates that glow in different neon colours after sundown. Wander over to hop-scotch with other gleeful tourists or just to admire the illuminated waterfront.

2. Explore Tito’s animal-filled island

Natural Feature

3. Combine sightseeing and island-style nightlife on Hvar

Eating and drinking in Croatia

Croatian food is as diverse and delightful as its scenery. Maneštra is a popular Istrian soup made with beans, pork and corn – and an excellent match for the region’s white Malvasia and red Teran wines. Walk into any seafood restaurant and you’ll find crni rižot – a black risotto made from squid ink – on the menu, while meat lovers must try Dalmatian pršut (cured ham), which is often smoked in juniper wood and dried in the wind. If that doesn’t whet your appetite, maybe the herbaceous sheep’s-milk cheese produced on moon-like Pag will.

For restaurant recommendations, check out our top picks for Split and the best places to eat in Dubrovnik if you’re a vegetarian or vegan .

Getting around as a solo traveller in Croatia

You can travel by train from north to east, although buses are the main transport mode along the coast. For exploring the interior, you’ll need a car, which you can easily hire from all airports and some train or bus stations. Roads and toll motorways are in generally good condition up and down the country, with English-language signage and inviting bistros found along the way. Affordable ferries are the old-school way to hop around the islands, although high-speed ships also run from Split .

What to do to fit in – and not offend

Meeting people in Croatia couldn’t be more easy-going – Croatians are laid-back and welcoming of foreigners, and many young Croatians speak very good English. Don’t refuse the flavoured grappa “on the house” after a meal out – it’s the restaurant owner’s way of welcoming you to Croatia.

Solo travel doesn’t mean you have to be on your own all the time. Discover Croatia with our Local Insider and a small group of other culturally curious travellers, on our in-depth eight-day exploration of Croatia’s Adriatic Coast .

Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.

Our immersive trips , led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>

All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.

See & Do

The best snorkelling spots in croatia.

The Best Beaches on the Island of Korcula, Croatia

Which Towns Should You Visit While Sailing in Croatia?

Film & TV

The best game of thrones locations you can visit with culture trip.

A Guide to Sailing in and Around Croatia

A Guide to Sailing Around Istria and Kvarner, Croatia

Guides & Tips

The ultimate guide to holidays in croatia.

Beautiful Croatian Islands You Need to Explore by Boat

How to Spend Seven Days Island Hopping Around the Kornati Archipelago, Croatia

Sail Away From the Crowds in Croatia With These Secret Alternatives to Busy Marinas

A Guide to Sailing in the Kornati Islands, Croatia

How to Spend Seven Days Island Hopping Around Istria and Kvarner, Croatia

Culture trip spring sale, save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips limited spots..

• Post ID: 1002183204
• Sponsored? No
• View Payload