7 Must-Have Experiences in Croatia

Pozdrav prijatelji! (“Hello friends” in Croatian) it’s me, your travel big sister! Here is another article filled with my curated list of the 7 must-have experiences in beautiful Croatia.

I had the pleasure of traveling to Croatia with my best friend in 2022 and then with my boyfriend in 2023. Both trips were fabulous and in different regions of the country. Croatia is an effortlessly stunning country filled with nature, yummy eats and kind people. I would highly recommend this destination for a girls trip, a honeymoon, a lovers retreat, a family trip and so much more. This is exactly the type of list I would curate for family and friends, and now I’m wanting to share it with you too!

Well, without further ado, below you’ll find my 7 must-have experiences in Croatia!

1. Krka National park

Now, I’ll be honest. I didn’t plan a trip to Croatia because of its inland beauty, but because of it’s cities and beaches. However, I was beyond thrilled by our visit to the Krka National Park. The scenery was truly remarkable and the colors of the nature coupled with the perfectly manicured walking path made it exceptionally pleasant.

We used a tour company that did a fabulous job – and I would highly recommend them. The guides give tips and tricks about Croatia like where to eat and where to visit throughout the rest of your trip which was wonderful. I do really love getting out of the city and experiencing the countryside of any new place.

2. have Delicious gelato

Though Italy is famous for its delicious gelato, Gelateria Emiliana in Croatia has the best gelato I’ve ever had. This quaint shop has loads of unique flavor combinations and slow churned gelato to give it a fantastic texture. My personal favorite flavor was the rich and tangy cheesecake one, but trying multiple flavors during various visits we didn’t find a single flavor that we didn’t like.

Not only are the flavors fresh and amazing, but they also make handmade cones. I traveled with my best friend who has Celiac disease and they also make their own delicious gluten-free cones which gives them bonus points in my book!

3. Get out on the water!

Croatia is situated along the Adriatic Sea and, in my opinion, it is one of the most underrated countries in the region. The water in Croatia is perfectly aquamarine and getting to experience it by boat is an absolute must.

There are two great ways to spend a day on a boat in Croatia – especially if you’re on a budget. Whether you’re looking for a smaller scale day cruise, or a fun party yacht experience you are bound to have an amazing time.

Out to Sea Split (enter promo code “explorenlauren” at the checkout for a discount!) is a company that throws an absolutely electric party on their yacht. All you need to do is meet them at the dock in Split at 2:00 pm and they’ll take care of everything else – and you get to visit the famous Blue Lagoon! If you’re ready to keep the party going after the the sunset cruise party, they’ve partnered with a nightclub in Split that’ll get you VIP entry just by showing your wristband from the day!

If you’re looking for a more relaxed and more quaint boat trip then this is the one for you! These smaller boats are fun for a quieter and more intimate experience. They even take you to swim off the island where Mamma Mia was filmed!

4. splurge on a stay at the excelsior hotel

What a phenomenal hotel. Yes, it’s an absolute splurge, but it’s worth it. I was lucky to find a discounted rate after checking the various booking sites for weeks and hoped it lived up to the hype – and boy-oh-boy did it! The Excelsior Hotel is a architectural masterpiece right on the water looking at the walled city of Dubrovnik.

The lounge chairs lined up along the sea and attentive staff were spectacular. If you like feeling pampered and like a queen this is the place for you. The spa has endless services and the complimentary breakfast buffet has copious amounts of fresh fruit, honeycomb, fresh juices, pastries and so much more.

This hotel definitely goes in my top 5 favorite hotels of all time.

5. zagreb is strictly strukli

You can’t sleep on strukli when you’re in Zagreb! Strukli is the most famous dish from this area and its basically like eating a warm hug in a ramekin. Trying this dish is definitely one of the best experiences in Croatia. La Štruk is known for making the most delicious strukli with plenty of unique flavors to choose from.

This doughy, creamy and flavorful dish is the perfect thing to eat when you’re looking for something filling and easy. Personally, I think the sweet ones are the best. I loved both the blueberry and honey and walnut options as they provided an additional texture. Paired with a glass of Croatian red wine and you’ll be set for a great evening!

6. Swanky mint hostel

Ah, the Swanky Mint Hostel. This hostel is one of the best hostel’s I’ve ever stayed in. I’ve stayed in both the private rooms and the co-ed bunk rooms and they’re both clean, spacious and comfortable. This hostel has a lively bar and a rooftop pool, so there’s no shortage of young international tourists hanging around looking to make friends.

*It’s also perfectly located in the heart of Zagreb and right at the tram stop, so if you’re carrying or lugging heavy luggage it’s very accessible.

7. Market in zagreb

I am an absolute sucker for an outdoor market in a new city. I love seeing the tourists and locals alike mulling around oohing and aahing and different produce, baked breads, spices and flowers.

Not only was this market packed with tons of different food stands, but there was an additional market indoors selling fresh seafood, and a massive market space below the outdoor market. Indoors, they have butchers, breads, cheeses, eggs and plenty more.

It’s so easy to spend hours here buying delicious treats and learning more about the Croatian delicacies and culture.