all the best countries for a woman to travel solo, Croatia is one of my absolute favorites. After traveling to more than 80 countries, Croatia is still in my list of the top five favorites and often competes with Italy for first place.
I like to travel in Croatia. It is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, there are so many interesting places to explore, the food and wine are excellent; and it is one of my favorite places for photography.
But many women feel that Croatia is a “more difficult” destination, better booked for further travel. Why? Well, the national language is incomprehensible. It is more “exotic” than most traditional Mediterranean destinations. This is Eastern Europe (although, really, don’t say it, This is Central Europe). Only in the 90s bombs fell on Dubrovnik. Don’t these features make Croatia a difficult destination? Wouldn’t it be easier to travel alone to Spain or Greece?
Boy. In fact, I would say that Croatia is a much simpler destination than Spain or Greece and probably simpler than most countries in Europe.
Why travel solo in Croatia?
Solo travel in Croatia you can at your own pace. Spend an entire afternoon at the Museum of Broken Relationships if you wish. Breeze through Dubrovnik in half a day if you want. Eat the black truffle pizza at Jupiter Pizzeria in Pula il consecutive nights if you want. This is Your Journey and if You travel alone, You can do whatever You want.
Croatia is a very easy country to travel. English is widely used; there is a very good travel infrastructure and you will find hotels, Restaurants and tours for all price ranges. The roads are easy to navigate, there is public transport everywhere and you can also find a lot of information online.
Croatia is filled with so much beauty. Natural beauty, from the mountains and waterfalls to the cliffs of the coast, has inspired artists for centuries. But there is also a lot of beauty that has been built by people, from the ancient cities of Rovinj and Dubrovnik to the great cathedrals and hill towns that seem to loom well above the planet.
In most places in Croatia, you get excellent value for money, which is especially important if you pay on your own. While Croatia was historically an affordable alternative to places like Italy and France, prices are rising steadily, especially in Dubrovnik, Rovinj, and other popular holiday destinations. They get the greatest value in small seaside or inland towns, which are more affordable than small seaside or inland towns in much of Western Europe.
Is Croatia good for Solo travelers?
Yes, Croatia is a good choice for Solo travelers. In general, I recommend that first-time solo travelers make their first trip to a place where English is the national language, but Croatia works as well because everyone speaks it! (Unlike France or Spain, Croats recognize that the Average foreign tourist does not speak Croatian and adapts accordingly.)
Sometimes you will find people who do not speak English — taxi drivers, bus station employees, shopkeepers— but 95% of the time it is easy to make your point known. If you stick to the tourist trail, you can get along.
Croatia also has a very good travel infrastructure. There are hotels in a variety of price levels across the country. There are buses and ferries everywhere (the train is limited in Croatia, but good for a few routes). If you want to drive, the roads are in excellent condition. There are Restaurants and tours throughout Croatia that cater to tourists from different countries.
A group trip can be a great way to get to know Croatia. I recommend group trips overland, and I recommend small boat cruises, such as sailing cruises or small sea cruises.
I do not recommend a great sailing in Croatia. These contribute significantly to overtourism; they are terrible for the environment and ensure that you only visit destinations when you are most packed.
Large cruises in the Adriatic Sea tend to visit small ports that were not built for thousands of tourists at a time, such as Venice and Kotor. If you are on the cruise, you should consider a small boat or a sailing trip instead.