Backpacking Croatia

How about endless long beaches and great hiking trails? Then we recommend Croatia! There are plenty of well paved cycling paths that will invite you to tour the country, the coasts offer fantastic sandy beaches and there are great hiking trails waiting for you!

We hope you enjoy our ideal backpacking route for Croatia!


Important Basics

Official Language ( Croatian )
English Croatian
Hello Zdravo
Goodbye Zbogom
Thank you Hvala
Yes Da
No Ne
Capital City

Zagreb

Form of Government

Parliamentary republic

Best Time to Visit

June – September

Fun Facts
  • With over 2,715 hours of sunshine a year, Croatia is even sunnier than Sydney, Australia!
  • The necktie was invented in Croatia.
  • Croatia owns 1,246 islands.

Cities

Zagreb

Zagreb is relatively small, and you can reach most of the sights by foot. You can easily catch any tram and start an exciting day from the Ban Jelacic Square, right in the middle of the city.

Check out the beautiful white cathedral called the church of St. Mark and the Dolac Market. There, you can buy everything you need for a good picnic – however, make sure to get here early to get the best and freshest vegetables, as the market starts as early as 7.00 am. Another great experience to try out is the Zagreb city cable car. You can try it out for pretty cheap, and you’ll have a great view over the city. For art lovers, the art pavilion is the perfect place for you to admire many art exhibitions.

Stay in one of the local hostels for €13 a night and get a bed in a 10-person dorm.

Zadar

You can get to Zadar by bus for about €10. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to listen to a sea organ, powered by the waves. You’ll also find a modern work of art in honor of the sun right on the beach. The whole thing consists of solar collectors, which provide a great play of colors at night. There’s also a museum of antique glasses with a glassblowing show where you can even buy souvenirs. The cathedral of the city offers you a spectacular view, as it is richly decorated inside and built in Romanesque style. There are plenty of cozy pubs in the old town, and many young people there speak English. You can get your dose of evening entertainment by the Lounge Bar Ledana or the Backstage Bar, where you can get coffee during the day or beer at night, and all of that while chilling to some live music!

You can get a bed in a 4-person dorm for €18 a night in one of the local hostels.

Sibenik

You can reach Sibenik by bus for about €5. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the town cathedral, which is registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Built in the 15th century, it portrays the head of over 70 citizens living in the city at that time, carved out in

stone. The medieval monastery garden of St. Lovro holds over 100 spices and medicinal plants, as well as figs and pomegranates. There is also a small fountain in the middle.

Besides a great beach life, you’ll also get a wonderful view over Sibenik’s old town from Banj. Here, you can enjoy a game of volleyball and beach soccer. The white beach also has a small bar where you can get some refreshments. If you want pure water action, then be sure to visit the Aquapark, located about five kilometers from the city center. Float in the lazy river or stop under the big water barrel, which drops over 120 liters of water every few minutes. Visit the town museum and the fortress of Sibenik to have a perfect cultural end to your trip.

You can sleep in one of the local hostels in Sibenik and get a bed in an 8-person dorm for €14 a night.

Split

We continue our trip by heading to Split. You can get there by train for about €8. If you like cultural spots, you’ll adore Split. The beautiful Dalmatian city is also a great place to be for people who love sunbathing. You can get some ice cream and go shopping on the Riva promenade.

The Marjan mountain is located a bit west of Split, at 180 meters above sea level. From up there, you'll have a unique panoramic view of the region. Art lovers shouldn’t miss out on the Mestrovic Gallery, which is part of the Imperial Palace’s park. The statue of Gregor of Nin near the Golden Gate is also worth a detour. Another popular destination is the Klis fortress, about 10 km away. The beautiful old town is worth visiting, with its heart in the middle being the palace. You’ll find the Palace at the heart of the city’s old town. You’ll also come across a museum, a temple, and a cellar vault, among others.

Fuel up for your next day at one of the city’s hostels. You can get a bed in a dorm for €18.

Hvar

We continue by ferry to Hvar for about €5. The small island is also called the St. Tropez of Croatia. The city only has about 4,300 residents. From the city of Hvar, you can admire the Spanjol fortress. You’ll get a breathtaking view over the old town and maybe catch a glimpse of the neighboring Palinski Otoci islands.

You’ll find cafés and restaurants in the yacht harbor, while the center of the city provides nice views over St. Stephen’s Square and Cathedral. There are still some monks living in the Franciscan monastery of Krtznog Puta. There’s a museum on-site that you can also visit. Of course, you can also swim and sunbathe on one of the many beaches of Hvar. Crystal clear water and fine sand make the island the perfect place to relax by the beach.

We recommend staying at one of the local hostels, where you can get a bed in an 8-person dorm for €14 a night.

Dubrovnik

You can reach our final destination, Dubrovnik, by ferry for about €15. The old town has plenty of nice stops, like cafés, shops, and restaurants. The city was built on a slope, so you’ll have plenty of stairs to climb. At the old port, you can sit and watch the boats. Not too far away, the waves crash against rocks, so you might get wet pretty quickly if you’re not careful. The best way to explore the city is with a tour, as it is not too expensive, and you’ll get to see and learn a lot about the main sights.

For €20, you can also get a wonderful view over the old town and the harbor when walking alongside the city walls. You might recognize some buildings, as Game of Thrones was shot here. You can also explore Dubrovnik by sea by renting a kayak. Furthermore, you can also easily reach the Srd Mountain by cable car and dine at the restaurant located on top of the mountain. There are also plenty of beautiful beaches in Dubrovnik!

Before catching your flight home, you can stay in one of Dubrovnik’s hostels, where you can get a bed in an 8-person dorm for €31 a night.

So what are you waiting for?


Zagreb

Zagreb

Zagreb is relatively small, and you can reach most of the sights by foot. You can easily catch any tram and start an exciting day from the Ban Jelacic Square, right in the middle of the city.

Check out the beautiful white cathedral called the church of St. Mark and the Dolac Market. There, you can buy everything you need for a good picnic – however, make sure to get here early to get the best and freshest vegetables, as the market starts as early as 7.00 am. Another great experience to try out is the Zagreb city cable car. You can try it out for pretty cheap, and you’ll have a great view over the city. For art lovers, the art pavilion is the perfect place for you to admire many art exhibitions.

Stay in one of the local hostels for €13 a night and get a bed in a 10-person dorm.

Zadar

Zadar

You can get to Zadar by bus for about €10. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to listen to a sea organ, powered by the waves. You’ll also find a modern work of art in honor of the sun right on the beach. The whole thing consists of solar collectors, which provide a great play of colors at night. There’s also a museum of antique glasses with a glassblowing show where you can even buy souvenirs. The cathedral of the city offers you a spectacular view, as it is richly decorated inside and built in Romanesque style. There are plenty of cozy pubs in the old town, and many young people there speak English. You can get your dose of evening entertainment by the Lounge Bar Ledana or the Backstage Bar, where you can get coffee during the day or beer at night, and all of that while chilling to some live music!

You can get a bed in a 4-person dorm for €18 a night in one of the local hostels.

Sibenik

Sibenik

You can reach Sibenik by bus for about €5. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the town cathedral, which is registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Built in the 15th century, it portrays the head of over 70 citizens living in the city at that time, carved out in

stone. The medieval monastery garden of St. Lovro holds over 100 spices and medicinal plants, as well as figs and pomegranates. There is also a small fountain in the middle.

Besides a great beach life, you’ll also get a wonderful view over Sibenik’s old town from Banj. Here, you can enjoy a game of volleyball and beach soccer. The white beach also has a small bar where you can get some refreshments. If you want pure water action, then be sure to visit the Aquapark, located about five kilometers from the city center. Float in the lazy river or stop under the big water barrel, which drops over 120 liters of water every few minutes. Visit the town museum and the fortress of Sibenik to have a perfect cultural end to your trip.

You can sleep in one of the local hostels in Sibenik and get a bed in an 8-person dorm for €14 a night.

Split

Split

We continue our trip by heading to Split. You can get there by train for about €8. If you like cultural spots, you’ll adore Split. The beautiful Dalmatian city is also a great place to be for people who love sunbathing. You can get some ice cream and go shopping on the Riva promenade.

The Marjan mountain is located a bit west of Split, at 180 meters above sea level. From up there, you'll have a unique panoramic view of the region. Art lovers shouldn’t miss out on the Mestrovic Gallery, which is part of the Imperial Palace’s park. The statue of Gregor of Nin near the Golden Gate is also worth a detour. Another popular destination is the Klis fortress, about 10 km away. The beautiful old town is worth visiting, with its heart in the middle being the palace. You’ll find the Palace at the heart of the city’s old town. You’ll also come across a museum, a temple, and a cellar vault, among others.

Fuel up for your next day at one of the city’s hostels. You can get a bed in a dorm for €18.

Hvar

Hvar

We continue by ferry to Hvar for about €5. The small island is also called the St. Tropez of Croatia. The city only has about 4,300 residents. From the city of Hvar, you can admire the Spanjol fortress. You’ll get a breathtaking view over the old town and maybe catch a glimpse of the neighboring Palinski Otoci islands.

You’ll find cafés and restaurants in the yacht harbor, while the center of the city provides nice views over St. Stephen’s Square and Cathedral. There are still some monks living in the Franciscan monastery of Krtznog Puta. There’s a museum on-site that you can also visit. Of course, you can also swim and sunbathe on one of the many beaches of Hvar. Crystal clear water and fine sand make the island the perfect place to relax by the beach.

We recommend staying at one of the local hostels, where you can get a bed in an 8-person dorm for €14 a night.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik

You can reach our final destination, Dubrovnik, by ferry for about €15. The old town has plenty of nice stops, like cafés, shops, and restaurants. The city was built on a slope, so you’ll have plenty of stairs to climb. At the old port, you can sit and watch the boats. Not too far away, the waves crash against rocks, so you might get wet pretty quickly if you’re not careful. The best way to explore the city is with a tour, as it is not too expensive, and you’ll get to see and learn a lot about the main sights.

For €20, you can also get a wonderful view over the old town and the harbor when walking alongside the city walls. You might recognize some buildings, as Game of Thrones was shot here. You can also explore Dubrovnik by sea by renting a kayak. Furthermore, you can also easily reach the Srd Mountain by cable car and dine at the restaurant located on top of the mountain. There are also plenty of beautiful beaches in Dubrovnik!

Before catching your flight home, you can stay in one of Dubrovnik’s hostels, where you can get a bed in an 8-person dorm for €31 a night.

So what are you waiting for?

Croatia Route Map

Itinerary and Stops.

Tag
Route/Station
Transport
Unterkunft
1. Home – Zagreb
Home – Zagreb
Flight
50
10-person dorm
13
2. Zagreb
Zagreb
-
10-person dorm
13
3. Zagreb – Zadar
Zagreb – Zadar
Bus
10
4-person dorm
18
4. Zadar
Zadar
-
4-person dorm
18
5. Zadar
Zadar
-
4-person dorm
18
6. Zadar – Sibenik
Zadar – Sibenik
Bus
5
8-person dorm
14
7. Sibenik
Sibenik
-
8-person dorm
14
8. Sibenik
Sibenik
-
8-person dorm
14
9. Sibenik – Split
Sibenik – Split
Train
8
Dorm
18
10. Split
Split
-
Dorm
18
11. Split
Split
-
Dorm
18
12. Split
Split
-
Dorm
18
13. Split – Hvar
Split – Hvar
Ferry
5
8-person dorm
14
14. Hvar
Hvar
-
8-person dorm
14
15. Hvar
Hvar
-
8-person dorm
14
16. Hvar
Hvar
-
8-person dorm
14
17. Hvar – Dubrovnik
Hvar – Dubrovnik
Ferry
15
8-person dorm
31
18. Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
-
8-person dorm
31
19. Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
-
8-person dorm
31
20. Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
-
8-person dorm
31
21. Dubrovnik – Home
Dubrovnik – Home
Flight
50

Total price.

Flights 100,00
Transportation 43,00
Tours 0,00
Accommodation 374,00
Total 517,00

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Dos and Donts, Food & Drinks, Costs.

Breakfast

Bread & Jam: A simple way to start your day. Pair it with a coffee and you’re ready to go!

Soups

Goveda Juha: This beef soup is a popular dish in Croatia. It contains meat, carrots, and herbs – perfect for a hearty meal!

Manestra: A classic for the winter. A vegetable stew with various spring vegetables and potatoes.

Main Courses

Crni Rizot: Also known as black risotto, this Croatian specialty is made with squid ink.

Pasticada: Served with a delicious sauce, this Croatian meal is composed of steak and gnocchi.

Peka: Veal or squid roasted over the fire, then served with various vegetables.

Octopus salad: A typical dish on the coast of Croatia. The freshly fished octopus is served with various herbs and dressing, from carrots and peppers to tomatoes.

Soparnik: A cake made of puff pastry and filled with chard leaves.

Lamb: Served on skewers. You can order them at restaurants and share them with friends, as it tastes delicious.

Drinks

Wine: Croatian wine is renowned, so make sure to try out a glass or two!

Tea: Croatians are very proud of their tea. Green tea and peppermint tea are among the most popular tastes.

Croatia

The exchange rate for 10 Croatian Kuna is around €1.33(as of May 2022). See prices for certain products and the cost of living below:

Cost of Living

Food

Free Time

Personal Hygiene

Dos

Public transport: Croatian public transportation is great for backpackers! It’s pretty cheap and reliable.

Off the beaten path: Sure, Croatian beaches are tempting, but you should try explore the interior of the country – you’ll be sure to discover some great corners of Croatia!

Diving: Croatia is a diver’s dream! It’s the perfect country to try your hand at diving.

Don'ts

Don’t mention Yugoslavia: Don’t mention the history of Croatia, as it is a sensitive topic.

Don’t wear a swimsuit in the city: While Croatia has some amazing beaches where you can sunbathe in your swimsuit, make sure to dress appropriately when going back to your hotel.

Don’t travel during the summer: If you want to avoid crowds of tourists and the blazing heat, avoid going to Croatia during the summer. We recommend traveling there during spring or fall – we guarantee you’ll get so much more out of your trip!

Visa, Visa, Passport & Vaccinations

Passport

Yes

Temporary passport

Yes

National ID

Yes

Temporary national ID

Yes

Child’s pass

Yes

Visa

Yes

Vaccine

Robert-Koch-Instituts

Additional Remarks.

Travel documents must be valid for the entire length of your stay. Please also inform yourself on the current entry regulations regarding the Corona virus. Current information about this can be found at the your country’s Foreign Office.

The team at Backpacker Trail wishes you lots of fun and an unforgettable trip!

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