Places to stay in Croatia

Choosing where to stay in Croatia just depends on the type of holiday you want to have and how much money you want to spend. Croatia is indeed a very touristy country and you can find good value for money hotels, campsites, flats and holiday homes in many locations.

The Croatian hotel industry has a very long tradition: it dates back to the 19th century, when sumptuous hotels and villas were opened to accommodate the wealthy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire who chose Croatia as their holiday destination.

After the civil war that led to the country’s independence in the 1990s, Croatia built a solid reputation as an extremely inexpensive tourist destination and based its strength on this in attracting more and more tourists, mostly from northern Italy and Germany.

Over time, the hotel offer has improved considerably: today in Croatia, alongside the traditional sobe (rooms with private individuals), you can find hotels of all categories, from cheap pensions to luxury resorts and holiday villages.

There are also hotels of major international chains of medium and high category, while at the other end of the spectrum there are more and more hostels catering for independent and low-cost travellers.

Here are some tips for choosing where to book accommodation for your holiday in Croatia.

The islands of Croatia

For a beach holiday, one of the Croatian islands, for example Pag, Rab, Krk, Brac or Cres is the perfect destination. They are generally small and it only takes an hour or two to drive around them all, but they have miles and miles of coastline dotted with beaches, coves and inlets.

Some islands, such as Hvar, have a very developed tourist industry and there is therefore a wide choice of hotels and rooms to rent; others, such as Vis, have only recently opened up to tourism and have a limited offer of hotel facilities, which makes them particularly attractive but requires careful organisation of the holiday.

Accommodations in PagAccommodations in HvarAccommodations in Krk

Not sure which island to choose? Don’t worry, we have created an easy-to-use guide to Croatia’s most beautiful islands. Go to the Croatia Islands page which one should you choose?

The Croatian coast

If you plan to spend most of your holiday at the beach, staying at a seaside resort is an almost obligatory choice for you!

The offer of accommodation in Croatian seaside resorts is very wide, given the strong tourist vocation of the coastal areas: some parts of the Croatian coast are literally littered with resorts and hotels of various categories, from luxury to budget; the offer of room rentals is also wide.

It will therefore not be difficult for you to find good accommodation in summer resorts. Nevertheless, it is advisable to book well in advance, especially if you are travelling in July and August because during these months Croatian seaside towns are literally taken by storm by tourists.

Makarska Riviera

The Makarska Riviera, an enchanting stretch of coastline over 50 km long and stretching at the foot of dramatic mountain ranges, is now completely devoted to tourism. Here, you will find a wide choice of accommodation such as hotels, resorts and flats, as well as other tourist services such as travel agencies, equipped beaches, restaurants, bars and clubs.

The main tourist resorts in the area, where you will be most likely to find a hotel or B&B, are Makarska and Brela; also easily accessible from the Makarska Riviera is the beautiful island of Brac, which boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia.

Cities of art

If you want to combine relaxing days by the sea with cultural sightseeing, or if your holiday in Croatia is limited to a weekend, it might be more interesting for you to stay in cities.

In Croatia’s most important cities you can find hotels of various categories, including luxury and business hotels. Cities are also a good choice for budget travellers because the best hostels in Croatia are to be found here. Cities also offer better bus and train connections and are therefore preferable if you do not have a private car or do not wish to hire one.

Zagreb

The Croatian capital is a modern city that boasts numerous themed museums and art galleries. It’s an exciting and still little-known city, and a must-see. It is not close to the sea, but it is well connected to the most important tourist destinations in Croatia.

We recommend Zagreb to those who dream of a city break that is different from the usual Paris or Prague, and to those who want to make an itinerary in Croatia that includes both sea and art and culture.

Until a few years ago, Zagreb did not offer a varied choice of hotels: the hotels, once run by the state, were all similar, with standardised prices and services. Today, the situation is completely different, and you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to sleeping in Zagreb: you can find everything from backpackers’ hostels to chic hotels.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic, is a fascinating destination that allows you to combine hours of relaxation on beautiful beaches with a visit to one of Europe’s most atmospheric cities.

Suitable for couples who want a romantic holiday, young people looking for fun, families with children in need of comfort and amenities, history and culture enthusiasts, and generally anyone who enjoys mild temperatures, Dubrovnik also boasts a good offer of hotels, hostels and rooms to rent.

The best areas to stay in Dubrovnik are Lapad and Ploce; the Old Town is certainly more attractive, but there is less choice of budget hotels.

Split

The other pearl of the Croatian coast, Split, is also a city that combines magnificent cultural attractions and beautiful beaches nearby, with all the essential tourist services and a wide choice of accommodation and venues.

It is therefore a suitable destination for different types of travellers, and the hotel offer reflects this variety: in Split you can find comfortable holiday flats, luxurious design hotels, budget hostels and nice family-run B&Bs.

Istria

Istria is a favourite destination for tourists from all over Europe. This means that its beautiful historic towns and seaside villages see an exponential increase in population during the summer months.

Gone are the days when you could leave for Istria without having booked a room. Now it’s a good idea to already have a hotel or b&b to go to, so you don’t risk having to take the last remaining room in the whole town (usually at a hefty price).

Another reason to book in advance is that Istria is a little more expensive than other parts of Croatia, so to keep your holiday budget under control it’s a good idea to grab the best deals early.

But where should you book your hotel or private room? Istria boasts some of Croatia’s most famous resorts such as Porec, Rovinj and Pula. Whichever location you choose, you are guaranteed beautiful beaches and interesting cultural and historical sights, not to mention great seafood restaurants and legendary Istrian discos.