Weekend Getaway in Croatia
Zagreb Weekend Getaway
Zagreb is one of the nicest places in Croatia for a quick getaway. Because Croatia's capital city is bustling and buzzing all year, there is always much to do regarding attractions, cultural events, restaurants, pubs, and nightlife.
Croatia could be better for a shopping vacation in terms of prices, but there are plenty of shops to enjoy if that's your thing.
Some compare Zagreb to Prague, the famous Eastern European short-break capital; if you've enjoyed Prague and enjoyed it, why not try Zagreb this time?
In general, Zagreb is ideal for a short holiday at any time of year. However, we recommend avoiding high summer (July and August). Although there is much to see and do in the city, it may be sweltering - and you might have opted to go to the shore instead (and be able to jump into the Adriatic!). Indeed, because many inhabitants have relocated to the beach, the city can be quiet regarding activities and the like.
Spring, early summer, and fall are excellent times to visit Zagreb. Even in the dead of winter, the yearly Advent in Zagreb has been named European Destinations' Best Christmas Market three years in a row. You might even get some snow!
If you are spending a long weekend in Zagreb, try taking day trips to other surrounding towns and attractions.
Dubrovnik Weekend Getaway
Again, Dubrovnik is ideal for a weekend getaway in Croatia. If you stay for two or three nights, you'll likely see the main attractions and experience the delights of locally caught seafood numerous times.
Given that you'll have two full days in the city, you'll spend the first day visiting as much of the Old Town as possible, and then the second day returning to all the things you missed or want to see again!
If you want to spend some time relaxing and enjoying the sun, there are several beaches in the city, including Banje Beach, just outside the Old Town.
If you want to avoid the crowd, take a trip to nearby Lokrum island (15 minutes by boat) - the island is a lovely spot to unwind in a quiet little cove for the afternoon. Alternatively, for another alternative day/afternoon trip, try a journey to one of the adjacent (slightly larger) Elafiti islands.
Alternatively, more and more tourists visit Dubrovnik during the off-season, and tourist authorities are actively promoting the destination as a location to come in the autumn and winter. There are still plenty of events, practically all attractions are open, and because it's at the southern end of the Croatian coast, the temperature always stays high - the average temperature in December is 10 degrees Celsius and 9 degrees Celsius in January.
Split Weekend Getaway
With its amazing ancient sites (including Diocletian's Palace) and busy nightlife, Split is an ideal destination for a mixed city trip. Its beaches are very well-known; you should visit Bacvice Beach and mingle with the people.
If you've exhausted everything Split offers during your brief visit, there are plenty of surrounding attractions to explore. Trogir, a charming tiny town, is approximately 30 minutes away by local bus or boat, making it an effortless excursion. You can take a ferry or catamaran to one of the surrounding islands - see our Day Trips from Split section for more information. Consider spending a day at Krka National Park, where you can swim in one of the lakes.
Pula Weekend Getaway
Pula is also an excellent choice for a weekend getaway in Croatia, but only from late spring to early autumn, when flights to Pula are available.
Like the cities mentioned above, Pula has outstanding sites, including several from Roman times, such as the extremely well-preserved Arena.
