Backpack Europe and Budget Travel: Travelling in Croatia
Travelling in Croatia
Croatia is a beautiful, sunny country. Island hopping and riding the ferries to picturesque towns along the Adriatic coast is one of the highlights of travelling Europe. Dubrovnik is by far the most beautiful town I've ever been too.
Backpacking Croatia - Quick Facts
Local Language: Croatian - As with most Eastern European countries, if you don't speak the local language, German is a good backup. A good amount of Croatian speak some English though, and some also speak Italian.
Visa Requirements: Canadians are allowed in Croatia for 90 days without a visa.
Health Risks: None - But there are still landmines in the hills and remote areas of Croatia. Don't stray into any abandoned village, and try to stick to paved surfaces.
Costs: Croatia is much cheaper than western European countries, however prices are steadily rising. Outside of Zagreb and the major tourist areas prices drop dramatically. Budget at least $35-$50 Canadian a day (depending of course on your level of comfort).
Early morning on the marble streets of Dubrovnik
My Travels in Croatia
My girlfriend and I travelled to Croatia in the summer of 2002. It only took about 6 hours by train to go from Budapest to Zagreb. When we arrived, we found it quite easy to change money and thankfully their is a hostel only one or two blocks from the train station. It was in the hostel where we saw our first war refugee.
Zagreb was a very quaint city, with similar architecture as Budapest. It was also quite easy to navigate, and all the main sites are very close together. After a couple of days, we left and began to make our way south, to Dubrovnik. We stopped at Split, Zadar, and Opatija along the way. Eventually though we made it to Split (after several harrowing bus rides) and hopped on the ferry to Dubrovnik.
The ferry ride through the Adriatic to Dubrovnik is a beautiful trip. Passing through the islands, and the sun shining is a great experience. Next time, I want to be able to spend more time checking out the islands such as Hvar.
Dubrovnik is by far the nicest most picturesque city I've been to. We got a room with an old woman who rented out space in her apartment, right in the Old Town of Dubrovnik. She had a sad story though, as many people in Dubrovnik after the shelling it took from Serbian forces during the war in the Balkans. Both her husband and son were killed in the same night of shelling, she even showed us where the shells fell through the roof. All this history, both distant and recent, combined with the beautiful water and sunshine of the sea made Dubrovnik an unforgettable place.
Hotels and Hostels in Croatia
Croatia is a huge tourist destination, and many people are returning now after the Balkan war. Beautiful seaside hostels and hotels and many resorts line the Croatian coast. Make your reservations in advance though - My biggest problem in Croatia was finding a room on a short notice. If all else fails, you may wish to take a room with a local "Sobe" woman. They usually are found at bus stops and are happy to help.
For hotels in Croatia, check out the link below:
Hotels in Croatia
| Book hotel in Zagreb Book hotel in Dubrovnik Book hotel in Split Book hotel in Crikvenica |
Book hotel in Opatija Book hotel in Plitvice Lakes Book hotel in Hvar |
Zagreb & Dubrovnik
Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia, and you'll probably end up here at some point as it is also one of the main transportation hubs. There are many sites and attractions to check out, and the local hostel is located very close to the train station. The bus and train station are also only about a kilometre apart.
Dubrovnik is the hardest city in Croatia to get to - It's at the far southern tip of the country and there are no trains that go there. You could take the bus, but it's a sketchy ride and the ferry is a great trip. There is no official accommodation in the Old Town, and you'll probably end up staying a few kilometres outside of the city - Keep your eyes out for women holding "Dobe" or "Zimmer" signs. They may have a room in the old town, and it's usually quite cheap. That's where I stayed. From Dubrovnik you can take a bus north to Sarajevo and Mostar in Bosnia/Hercegovina. I strongly recommend it, for the experience is truly one of a lifetime. But all things said and done - Dubrovnik should be the one place you visit in Croatia if possible.
As always, bring a guidebook! It'll add so much more to your experiences.
For Croatian and European travel guidebooks, check here:
Croatian and European Guidebooks
Trains to Zagreb and Croatia
Trains aren't very good in Croatia - They just don't go anywhere! Apart from Zagreb and a few other cities, train service is slow and infrequent. If you're heading south to Dubrovnik, you'll need to bus your way south for the most part.
Eurail passes don't cover Croatia, but Interrail passes do:
Cheap Train and Eurail Passes
For more information about the Croatian rail system itself, click here:
http://www.hznet.hr/
Flights to Croatia
Most flights to Croatia arrive in Zagreb, though I believe there may be another airport elsewhere in the country. For more information, check out the link below:
Cheap flights to Zagreb / Croatia
Croatian Language
Croatian is a difficult language, with sometimes strange letter combinations. It's definitely worth learning a few words though, because English isn't widely understood, especially outside of large tourist areas. Your best bet is to have some knowledge of German or even Italian as many people speak those as second languages.
Canuck Abroad's Croatian Travel Dictionary
The island of Korcula in the Adriatic
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