Yes, there are crowds in Croatia. And thank God they are.

The first rule of summer vacation, in my experience: if you want peace like in a movie scene, avoid July and August. The second rule: crowds are an indicator that a place is worth visiting. Many people complain about traffic jams, crowded promenades, and lines for ice cream, but I’ve found that there’s a certain charm in the crowd that confirms the destination’s popularity and quality.

I remember the first time I avoided all the crowds and went to the beach early in the morning — that feeling was wonderful, but I also missed the city’s daytime liveliness: street music, small festivals, local artisan workshops, and evening events. Crowds are often the result of good marketing, flight connections, and developed infrastructure that bring people in. When new roads, luxury terminals, and the Pelješac Bridge are built, it doesn’t happen by accident — it’s because people want to come.

Recent flights connecting Croatia with major European cities mean shorter travel and more tours. There’s a difference between a crowd caused by poor organization and one that’s a natural result of popularity. In the first, you’re stuck in chaos; in the second, you’re part of a shared experience. Most crowds I remember belong to the second category: city festivals, open-air concerts, exhibitions, promenades with local food trucks — all create a “buzz” that attracts people and builds memories.

New infrastructure helps ease the pressure: modernized highways, roundabouts, expanded ports, and better traffic management already help distribute the flow. If you’re willing to plan a bit — avoid peak hours, use direct flights, and take public transport — you can have the best of both worlds: experience the “buzz” and retreat to a quiet bay the same day.

Many hotels and municipalities are introducing parking reservation systems, more night ferry departures, and events spread outside peak times, reducing stress levels. When I think about all those crowds now, I see the logic: if someone takes thousands of selfies on the promenade, if local shops stay open late and restaurants have waiting lists, those are signs that the destination has something to offer.

Back to a personal anecdote — one August, I stood in line for fish for about ten minutes. The path to the table was slow. But while waiting, I met a couple from Poland, shared a table with strangers and locals, and drank wine while the kids ate. That’s the social life that crowds often create.

In conclusion, if crowds annoy you, plan to drive earlier or choose morning hours for a walk. If you love events and social scenes, enjoy the crowd — it confirms that the place is worth it. And yes, thank God for crowds — they mean jobs for locals, new investments, and a better tourist offer.