Croatia Weekend Breaks

Sure! A city break in Croatia is an excellent choice if you are looking for an interesting off-the-beaten-path destination. The stunning beaches of Dubrovnik, the quiet cobbled streets of Zagreb, the busy nightlife of Split, and the most beautiful sunsets in the world in Zadar – the remarkable destination has something for everyone. Plus, the country is much less spoiled by the attention of tourists compared to universally adored Italy or Portugal, so even during the peak of the season, the sights and the streets are not very crowded.

While we always advise considering the late April / early May or the velvet season for your trip, when it comes to weekend trips to Croatia, we recommend shifting the dates a bit closer to summer. Croatia’s rainy season starts in the middle of September and lasts till the middle of May, providing not the best weather for exploring this fantastic destination. However, November and March might be excellent choices if you travel on a budget and are not afraid of getting wet. They are the wettest months in Croatia, so they are not exactly popular among the globetrotters, but they offer nice prices on accommodations and excursions.

Sure, three days is enough for a nicely balanced city break. Croatia has a lot to offer and seeing everything in one day is impossible, but if you choose one city and spend a long weekend exploring its gems, it should be enough to cover the main sights, check out the regional cuisine, speak to locals, and just get the feel of a place. Even if you have 4 days in Croatia, we don’t recommend adding more than one city to your itinerary. It’s better to add a full-day trip to the nearby destination, than loosing time on getting around the country and settling in in a new place.

Croatia is a middle-range travel destination, but even within the country, the prices differ significantly depending on the city. For example, Zagreb, the country’s capital, is considered one of the cheapest destinations in Europe, while Dubrovnik is more expensive than Portugal’s Lisbon.

As mentioned above, the rainy season in Croatia is long and lasts for over seven months. Generally, it starts around September 18 and lasts till May 13. As you can imagine, most tourists prefer to plan a short trip to Croatia in the summer to increase their chances of staying dry. However, if you are traveling on a budget, consider going in October – November or February – March. The rain scares away the majority of travel enthusiasts, so the prices for the accommodation and excursions are very nice. If you plan carefully and in advance, a 4-day Croatia tour in late autumn or early spring will cost you about as much as a 3-day trip in July.

Neither is better; both are great. Split is a bit cheaper, boasts better nightlife, and a wider choice of exciting day trips. Dubrovnik is a foodie’s paradise. It’s smaller but has a lot of character and truly breathtaking views. Both cities are excellent choices if you are considering a destination for a beach holiday.

If you interested in major cities that have something else to offer but lying on a beach all day, consider going to Dubrovnik or Split. But if you are looking for something more off-the-beaten-path, head to Brač or Makarska.