Croatia tours

Book a Croatia holiday, and allow Exoticca to direct your journey through this fascinating country. We arrange everything, leaving you free to check off several epic sights and activities.

Officially the Republic of Croatia, Hrvatska connects central and south-east Europe. Born out of the demise of Yugoslavia, it declared independence on June 25, 1991, with the war finally ending in August 1995.

Since then, the country has modernized and now thrives. The economy is fully integrated, globalized, high-income, and service-based. Unsurprisingly, tourism is a vital industry taking advantage of several unique attractions.

Most trips to Croatia delve into Dubrovnik’s fascinating medieval heritage, encapsulated within the austere walls surrounding the old town. Many visitors recognize features from the acclaimed TV series Game of Thrones, filmed here.

The inland capital Zagreb is wedged into the Dinaric Alps and remains the trendy, cosmopolitan center of arts, culture, and science. The alluring city of 1.2 million people is also at the core of political, administrative, and economic affairs.

Diocletian’s Palace boggles the mind in Split, while the first-century AD Roman amphitheater in Pula once showcased gladiators and is a must-see. Our tours target the most popular and compelling sights to provide magical experiences that last a lifetime.

Croatia tours from the UK begin and end in London, Dublin, and Manchester. Flights from London take under three hours.

While Croatia isn’t a huge country, it packs a punch with several fantastic and distinctive attractions. We offer various tailored tours of Croatia that feature the best of the country.

Dubrovnik

An admired medieval city famed for unique architecture, Dubrovnik is integral to our Croatia multi-day tours. The fantastic old town offers a collection of gorgeous buildings and structures like the cathedral of the Assumption, the Sponza Palace, and the Franciscan Monastery.

Nestled beside the Adriatic Sea, most tourists explore the narrow cobblestoned streets of the old town on foot. Stroll the city walls, have a sunset cocktail on one of the beautiful beaches, or take the cable car for a bird’s eye view.

The old town is the filming location for the popular Game of Thrones series. If you’re a fan, you can take a tour to follow in the footsteps of the show’s favorite actors. 

The cuisine is a unique fusion of Greek, Italian, and Ottoman influences. Whether you’re partial to seafood, meat, or vegetarian dishes, you’ll find fresh produce flavored with local herbs and spices easy to come by.

Plitvice Lakes

Many of our Croatia holiday packages from the UK include the largest and oldest national park, covering almost 30,000 hectares. It showcases a stunning karst landscape with meadows and forests, but the star of the show is the astounding Plitvice Lake system.

Ongoing geological and biochemical processes form natural dams by depositing calcium carbonate. Waterfalls connect them, cascading the water over dolomite and limestone. These watercourses are interconnected both above and below ground.

The natural beauty and processes also provide a natural habitat for remarkable biodiversity. Populations of brown bear, gray wolf, and lynx roam the forests along with several rarer species.

Opatija

This charming coastal town in the northwest is a popular seasonal resort area. Book one of our holiday packages to Croatia to visit this elegant area bordered by forests and the Adriatic. 

Named after the 14th century Opatija Sv. Jakova, or Abbey of Saint Jacob, the town gained popularity during the 19th century. Initially, it was a health resort for the aristocracy, earning it the “Cannes of Croatia” tag. Today, it is again a health and wellness destination.

Visit the neo-Romanesque Church of the Annunciation with its bright green dome. Don’t miss the Maiden with a seagull sculpture on the reef beside the promenade overlooking Kvarner Bay.

There aren’t many major attractions, but the vibe and luxurious mansions and hotels are exquisite. To the north and south are rocky, picturesque coastal landscapes and smaller resorts.

Split

The country‘s second-largest city and the largest in Dalmatia, Split is a buzzing central peninsula that has spread into the surrounding areas. Most gravitate to the old city dominated by Diocletian’s Palace.

In prime position beside the harbor, it takes up half of the old town and resembles a fortress. A striking Roman ruins complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s also a living museum. Croatia guided tours lead you through the winding lanes of shops, hotels, bars, and restaurants.

Game of Thrones fans can visit the medieval Klis Fortress for stunning vistas over Split and the islands beyond. Don’t miss the octagonal Cathedral of St. Domnius and tour the ruins of the ancient city of Salona.

Croatia: Off the beaten track

While our team produces guided tours covering most of the significant sights, you can expect time to do some exploring on your own. Research to discover a few gems and use your free time to head off the beaten track in Croatia. 

Lastovo is an island getaway about three hours from Dubrovnik. Its isolation has kept away the hordes so far, but stories of lush scenery, picturesque villages, and exceptional fresh fish are out. Don’t forget to sample some of the locally-brewed fresh limoncello.

Zagreb, although not off the beaten track, is a renowned Christmas-time destination. Zadar’s amazing peninsular old town is famed for its Roman and Venetian ruins. It’s relatively quiet and offers access to islands and national parks.

For Croatia adventure tours, consider Omis. It’s 15 miles (25 km) south of Split and offers trips to the iconic Blue Cave, with activities such as ziplining, river rafting, canyoning, and cliff jumping. It also has an incredible old town and white sand beaches.

The high season is July and August, but it can be hot and crowded. Many choose windows from May to October when numbers and prices are lower. The temperate climate ranges between warm summers, and cooler but winters, with a higher chance of rain.

Croatia may be more expensive than its Balkan neighbours, but it’s affordable by Western European standards. The local currency is the Euro, adopted at the beginning of 2023.

It’s 153 miles (246 km) between the two cities by road. Take a ferry to get a unique perspective of the stunning coastline. It takes 4,5–6 hours, depending on which boat you take. You can also fly or take a bus.

It depends on how much time you have. Most trips to Croatia cover the major attractions in ten days or less, but there’s a lot to this diverse country, and many travelers stay much longer.