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Croatia is on the wish list of many Americans traveling from one country to another in Europe.
With its Mediterranean climate giving the coastal provinces excellent year-round weather, perfectly preserved historic towns, and a laid-back way of life, it competes with neighboring sunny spots Montenegro and Greece for the title of Southeast European country. Top solo travel destinations.
Despite Greece’s ancient charm and Montenegro’s fashion, Croatia is still a favorite among most, and in this article, we’ll give you 7 reasons why:
It Is Perfectly Safe For Tourists
Historically, Eastern Europe has had a reputation of being ‘less secure’ than the more ‘developed’ West, but as figures compiled by the US State Department will tell you, that does apply.
As part of the bloc, Croatia is one of the safest countries for solo travelers to exploreclassified as the least risky overall in a investigation made by experts in Bouncewho asked visitors if they felt safe traveling in Croatia, in a broader sense, and got a resounding yes for an answer, « even at night and alone. »
BounceThe data corroborates that of the US State Department’s travel advisory lists, where Croatia is added as a « tier 1 destination. » This means that security concerns are minimal, and it is as safe as Norway, Finland or even Iceland, considered the safest to visit in the world.
Beautiful nature and beaches
The Croatian coast, part of a larger historical region called Dalmatia, is one of the most beautiful bathing areas not only in Eastern Europe, but also the whole continent.
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Situated on the northern arm of the Mediterranean, mystically called ‘The Adriatic’, Dalmatia is a rugged, typically subtropical terrain, boasting picturesque coastal lanes, interspersed with small pebble beaches and sandy crescents, and limitless natural wealth than other powers. Orientals find it hard to match. .
If you are a nature seeker, you should definitely pay the Plitvice Lakes Nature Park A visit. Famous for its waterfalls, which flow effortlessly in the hot, dry summers and freeze almost completely during the harsh winters, it is a natural escape from the busy and tourist-overcrowded coast.
Sljeme Mountain, an hour’s drive from central Zagreb, is also not to be missed, with its many hiking trails, meandering streams, and abundance of wildlife. It is particularly impressive in the colder months when snow covers the misty pine forest.
Diverse Tourist Offer
Croatia is, perhaps unsurprisingly, often portrayed in the media as a summer escape.
Home to a cluster of Adriatic islands bathed in the turquoise ocean and sharing a pan-Mediterranean culture with their Italian, Greek and Spanish counterparts, Croatia, Dalmatian Croatia at least, feels closer to the south than to the center or even east of Europe.
That being said, narrowing it down to just one beach area is a serious mistake.
As you may have guessed by now, this is a country where nature will always find ways to amaze you, be it the less-explored alpine peaks surrounding the inland capital of Zagreb, the picturesque Danube basin, or the vast, lush green forests. covering almost a third of the national territory.
croatia is diverseAnd as a nature lover, you’ll never run out of parks to explore, mountains to climb, or rivers to kayak.
Croatia is more liberal than other Eastern European countries
Eastern Europe has been synonymous with conservatism and backward policies when it comes to Human Rights.
From the outright ban on gay marriage in some countries to the endemic post-Soviet corruption seen in others, one might think that Croatia and countries like Hungary, Romania or Moldova are all peas in the same pod.
This could not be further from the truth.: yes, Croatian society still has a long way to go, especially when it comes to accepting same-sex relationships, the culture is very liberal and western-leaning, but the role of religion in the state, although influential, it is much more limited. than in, say, Serbia.
The proof is in the countless LGBTQ bars and clubs that keep popping up in urban centers like Zagreb and Zadar, the naturist beacheswhere you won’t be looked down on when you decide to bare it all, and the carefree attitude of the locals towards life in general.
You might get the odd disapproving look from an elderly Croatian. ninth holding hands with your same-sex partner in Split, but they are highly unlikely to insult you.
Locals are friendlier to tourists
The hostility of Europeans towards Americans has become a running joke on social media channels.
Videos of tourists recreating the rudeness of the French or the impatience of Italian waiters as they take their orders have gone viral repeatedly in recent years, and judging by Western Europe’s staggering rates of overtourism, it’s no wonder that they want the locals to « go ». .
Croatia, on the other hand, has so far been an exception, as has its close partner Bosnia and Herzegovina. For years, especially during the 1990s, tourists avoided vacationing in Croatia because of the bloody war that resulted from the breakup of Yugoslavia.
After surviving a period when their beautiful beaches were left empty and the underground tunnels of the medieval fortress were used as bunkers by the population to protect themselves from heavy shelling and artillery, the Croats have learned to appreciate the contribution of foreigners and the freedom they now enjoy after the traumatic Yugoslav years.
In fact, it is so friendly to foreign investment that it became the first country in Europe to launch a Digital Nomad Visa as early as 2021, when the continent’s borders were still closed due to COVID, and is now the ‘most digital nomad’ hub. dear’ by 2023.
Tourists, and tourist dollars, are more than welcomeand as long as you show kindness and respect, and familiarize yourself with the culture, you can be sure that they will give you their Balkan friendliness.
Great Infrastructure
Croatia’s excellent infrastructure is one of the main reasons why it has become a very popular destination for solo travelers.
It may be anywhere in the country: the Istrian peninsula near Italy, or the remote southern tip of Neretva, nearing the border with Montenegro, but it will have at least one bus available to get you where you need to be, as well as multiple ferry and train connections.
companies like flix bus operates throughout the national territory, transporting clients from the metropolis of Zagrebi to the old ports of Split and Dubrovnik throughout the year.
Trains are a bit trickier to navigate, running less frequently and mostly restricted to central and south-central Croatia, but they are a great option for traveling at a slower pacecontemplating the landscape in anticipation of the next stop.
Of course, if you’re short on time, you can always fly. Almost all Croatian resort towns on the coast have a small national or international airport serving them and connecting them to other small airfields and major international hubs such as Zagreb, Split, Zadar and Dubrovnik.
An exciting destination for TV fans
Finally, Croatia has risen to prominence in the last decade due to its association with the biggest television event of the 21st century, game of Thrones.
The city of Dubrovnik, where much of the external scenes for King’s Landing was shot, is a natural film set with winding, cobbled streets lined with centuries-old stone houses, massive walls and fortifications, drawbridges and towering fortresses. from the hills
If you are a history buff or just a game of Thrones amateur, you will find yourself stopping for photos and recreations of some of the show’s most iconic moments throughout.
Cities like Split and Sibenik are also popular with visitors interested in experiencing the charm of the Old World and the quiet life of the Mediterranean, although admittedly movie fans might want to extend their time in Zadar. Hitchcock’s Favorite Seaside Spot.
According to the legendary filmmaker, « Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world », and after sitting next to the Sea Organ while the Adriatic lapped at my feet, on a balmy late summer afternoon, the sea reflecting the setting blood orange sun, he feels compelled to agree.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
