Wandering Croatia | 100 Days On The Road

Are you planning to visit Croatia? Here, you’ll find everything you need to know, from the best places to what to see and where to stay.

Croatia is at the intersections of Central and Southeast Europe. An incredibly diverse Balkan country with so many things to do, so if you’re flexible, we suggest visiting Croatia for more than two weeks.

We arrived in Zagreb late in the evening at -5°C temperature, wearing the clothes we borrowed from our hostel friends in Montenegro. If you haven’t read Montenegro’s blog yet, we suggest giving it a shot to understand the whole story better.

As soon as we arrived at the apartment, we were greeted by our host, Leonardo, as he waited for us patiently. The apartment was surrounded by nature, clean and cosy, exactly what we needed at that moment. The following morning, as you can imagine, we first bought some winter clothes.

Zagreb 

Zagreb is 100% worth visiting, and you should consider it part of your trip when you visit Croatia. You see a different side to this remarkable country with a more authentic travel experience.

Getting Around Zagreb 

If you stay near the city centre, you can get around Zagreb on foot.

The primary method of transportation to get around Zagreb is the tram. You can purchase tickets from the stands selling newspapers or convenience stores. Some of them are found near the tram stations. These stands aren’t open 24 hours, so ideally, buy the tickets ahead of time, especially if you need to travel early in the morning or late in the evening.

Must See and Do in Zagreb 

Stop at Strossmayerovo šetalište promenade and admire the views. Taking the staircase at the end of the promenade gives you a prodigious panoramic view of Zagreb town. 

Pass through Zakmardijeve Stube Alleyway. It’s at the end of Strossmayerovo šetalište promenade. You can enjoy a walk along the streets and admire the many stairs in Zagreb.

Take a peek at The Stone Gate. It’s a landmark of the Upper Town of Zagreb. This gate was constructed between 1242 and 1266 and got its present look in the 18th century.

Explore the Grič Tunnel, a pedestrian underpass found in the city centre of Zagreb, beneath the historic neighbourhood of Grič. This tunnel has six entrances, and most of them are closed to the public. We entered from Mesnicka Street. You can also find another two different entries close to the Art Park.

Split

Split is the second-largest city after Zagreb in Croatia and the biggest city in the region of Dalmatia.

Exploring Split – Things to Do 

Walk along the main promenade in Split, Riva. A long path, with the Adriatic Sea on one side and coffee shops with tourist stands on the other side. It’s the perfect place for sightseeing in the most relaxing way. 

Stroll around Old Town. You can explore the many magnificent buildings and appreciate Croatia’s history and culture.

Hike through Marjan Hill from Old Town.

You can’t visit Split without seeing the astonishing view of the city from above. Marjan Hill has several nature trails and viewpoints that overlook Old Town.

We started this hike by taking the staircase from Matejuska Fisherman’s Port. However, there are several options from which you can begin. 

• Direct route through Varos neighbourhood with stairs.
• Gradual climb through Varos Neighborhood. 
• Take the trail to Cave Dwellings and Rock Climbing Split.
• Take the trail to Marjan Beach.

The route will lead you to the starting point at the bar/restaurant, where you can spend a few minutes looking at the view before you continue further up Marjan Hill. 

After walking on the pathway for some minutes, you come across the small Church of St Nicholas, where behind it, you see a staircase on the right side. You have to take this staircase, as this will take you directly to the Marjan Hill viewpoint.

Along the pathway, one can admire some great views of the surroundings overlooking the Adriatic Sea. We couldn’t stop taking photos.

What to expect on top of Marjan Hill?

An exceptionally 360° panoramic view of Split, including Old Town and the surrounding mountains surrounded by the Adriatic Sea. Be prepared to allocate a good time there.

After this viewpoint, we suggest you continue along the trail, where you’ll come across a large cross, from where you can witness some more fantastic views.

Hiking Marjan Hill should be on your top list when you visit Croatia, as there’s so much to explore.

Hvar 

When you visit Croatia, you can’t not hop on one of its islands!

Croatia was the country where we touched the 100th day on the road during our backpacking adventure last year, and to celebrate this big day, we chose the extraordinary Croatian Island of Hvar.

It’s one of the most beautiful islands in the world. We took the ferry from Split, which took almost an hour of beautiful scenery to get to Porto di Hvar.

TIP: If you plan on visiting Hvar around October, note that it’s a low season from that month, and most locals hit back to Split. You’ll find most places closed, and in low season, the ferry doesn’t work frequently, so always check the ferry schedules.

To witness the most stunning sunset in Hvar, you should do so from Carpe Diem Beach. You’ll capture a beautiful dusk with the most peaceful atmosphere.

Where to stay in Hvar 

In Hvar, one can find endless options of places to sleep. From hostels, apartments, rooms, and the list goes on and on. We stayed in a suite at Art Deco Pape, where we found the most kind and helpful hosts. We’re so grateful we crossed paths.

Generally, in Croatia, you can also find a variety of accommodation options. Choose your dates and search through Booking.com for great prices.

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