Galešnjak — The Heart-Shaped Island in Croatia
January 10, 2025
7 Romantic Places on the Adriatic
January 14, 2025Make this year special. Step out of your comfort zone and travel alone... to Croatia! Croatia is the perfect destination as it is completely safe for solo travelers. The transportation connections are excellent, the distances between places are relatively small, the prices are affordable, and the locals will offer you a warm welcome and be available for any advice or information about the place you’re visiting.
Pack your bags and set off on your first solo trip to Croatia. But before you go, read about the best places in Croatia for solo travelers.
1. Zadar
Greeting to the Sun at dusk, Zadar (Source: TZG Zadar)
The city of Zadar in northern Dalmatia is a destination that solo travelers will love. Tourists adore Zadar for its diverse historical and cultural heritage that adorns the city center (must-see locations include the Roman Forum and the medieval Church of St. Donatus), as well as for the popular installations, the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun, located on Zadar's promenade.
Experience the local relaxed lifestyle by strolling along and exploring the popular street Kalelarga. Zadar also has several beautiful parks where you can take a break from sightseeing with your favorite book. The largest city park in Zadar is Vladimir Nazor Park, just a few minutes from the city center. In the Queen Jelena Park, you’ll find the lounge bar Ledena, where you can unwind with a drink. Among other attractions, we recommend visiting the newly opened Museum of Illusions, modeled after the one in Zagreb.
Where to stay in Zadar?
2. NP Krka
Swimming under waterfalls
Reconnect with nature at the Krka National Park. In this enchanting place, you can completely relax and enjoy the phenomenon of the seven travertine waterfalls of the Krka River. Located close to major cities like Šibenik, Zadar, and Split, Krka National Park offers enough historical, cultural, and natural attractions to captivate you and keep you there all day.
Hop on a boat and visit the island of Visovac, in the heart of Krka National Park, where you'll find the Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy and the Church of Our Lady of Visovac. For a glimpse of prehistory, visit the archaeological site of Burnum or the so-called Oziđana Cave, which features a collection of artifacts from the Neolithic, Eneolithic, and early and middle Bronze Age.
You can reach the park’s most beautiful waterfall, Skradinski buk, by boat departing hourly from Skradin.
Between sightseeing, take a break in one of the rustic restaurants or enjoy a coffee at one of the cafes, soaking up the beautiful atmosphere enhanced by the sound of nearby waterfalls.
3. Split
Split Riva (Source: Split Tourist Board)
The second-largest city in Croatia offers enough attractions to keep a solo traveler entertained for several days.
The sun almost daily entices people out of their homes, especially to the Split Riva, an unmissable spot for hours-long coffee sipping. Head to one of the many cafes lined along the Riva with your favorite book and enjoy your vacation, savoring a coffee or any other drink of your choice. Don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation with a local.
Explore the cellars of Diocletian's Palace, where you can buy handmade souvenirs for your family and friends; wander behind the Cathedral of St. Domnius and enjoy the view of the Riva from above; as evening falls, sit on the stone steps (skaline) at Peristyle and listen to globally popular classics performed in Croatian interpretations.
If you lose your way while strolling around the city, ask a passerby for directions, but always have your phone with internet and GPS handy.
On the weekend, hop on a ferry or catamaran and visit one of the nearby islands. We recommend the island of Šolta—a perfect place for relaxation. Rent a bike at the ferry port in Rogač and explore Šolta’s coves, forests, and olive groves.
If you’re in the mood for more adventure, the town of Omiš on the Cetina River is an ideal spot for adrenaline-pumping activities. Dress appropriately, bring a bottle of water, and experience rafting on the wild waters of the Cetina or the increasingly popular zipline over the breathtaking Cetina canyon.
Where to stay in Split?
4. Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik Center
Dubrovnik is undoubtedly a top destination in Croatia for solo travelers that you must not miss on your journey.
If you’re a fan of the series Game of Thrones, you’ll know that Dubrovnik served as the set for King’s Landing. Many city tourist agencies offer tours of Dubrovnik’s city walls. Choose the option that suits you best. Take the cable car, a bus, or walk up to Mount Srđ, where you’ll be greeted by a stunning view of Dubrovnik—the very one featured in countless photos and postcards from around the world. At the top, you’ll find a fortress (with an entry fee), a restaurant, a café, and a museum dedicated to the Croatian War of Independence. If you plan to visit Srđ during the peak season (especially in July and August), make sure to go early in the morning!
We recommend a one-day trip with one of the tourist boats to the three islands in front of Dubrovnik—Lopud, Koločep, and Šipan, or even to the islands of Korčula and Mljet.
Visit the island of Lokrum, a special reserve of forest vegetation, just a ten-minute boat ride from Dubrovnik’s city harbor. Lokrum can be visited from April to November.
If you’d like to learn more about the beaches of Korčula Island, read our blog on the top 6 beaches of Korčula Island.
