The walled old town of Dubrovnik from above
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Croatia

From the walls of Dubrovnik to the harbour of Hvar and the islands of the Dalmatian Coast: Croatia at its finest on the Mediterranean, chosen by one rule: first class or not at all.

Dubrovnik at golden hourPhotograph: Geio Tischler

Kultura

Stone cities on the Adriatic

Croatia's coast is a chain of stone cities on the Adriatic: Dubrovnik inside its medieval walls, Split built within the palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian, and the Venetian-era towns of Hvar and Korčula. For centuries Dubrovnik was the independent Republic of Ragusa, a rival to Venice in trade and diplomacy.

Offshore lie more than a thousand islands, which is why the Dalmatian Coast is one of the great sailing grounds of the Mediterranean. Inland, the lakes and waterfalls of Plitvice and the hill towns of Istria, famous for truffles and olive oil, show another side of the country.

This guide brings together only the first class: the hotels that hold MICHELIN Keys, the harbours that take superyachts, and the best way to see the coast, by yacht from Split to Dubrovnik.

A few words of Croatian
EnglishCroatianSay it
Hello (good day)Dobar danDOH-bar dahn
PleaseMolimMOH-leem
Thank youHvalaHVAH-lah
Good eveningDobra večerDOH-brah VEH-cher
The bill, pleaseRačun, molimRAH-choon, MOH-leem
The red roofs and stone walls of Dubrovnik Old Town and its harbour, seen from Mount Srđ above the Adriatic
Dubrovnik Old Town from Mount Srđ

Where to go

The best places to visit in Croatia

Dubrovnik, Hvar and Split: the best time to visit, the one best hotel, and how to arrive by private jet, helicopter or yacht.

Dubrovnik

Best time to visitMay, early June and late September to October are best: warm sea and pleasant days, without the July and August crowds on the walls and in the Old Town.

  • Stay
    Villa Dubrovnik (two MICHELIN Keys)

    Terraced into the rocks a short boat ride from the old town, the highest-rated hotel in Dubrovnik.

  • Dine
    None that meets our standard yet.
  • Beach
    None that meets our standard yet.
Arrive privately
By private jet
Dubrovnik Airport (DBV / LDDU), 15 km from the Old Town, about 30 minutes by car; its 3,300-metre runway takes every class of private jet.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Marina Frapa Dubrovnik, in Gruž, 220 berths for yachts of 10 to 50 metres and one berth for a yacht up to 100 metres; about 10 minutes by car to the Old Town.

The full Dubrovnik guide ›

Hvar and Split

Best time to visitLate May to June and September are ideal: the sea is already warm, the days are long, and the harbours are calmer than in the July and August peak.

  • Stay
    None that meets our standard yet.
  • Dine
    None that meets our standard yet.
  • Beach
    None that meets our standard yet.
Arrive privately
By private jet
Split Airport (SPU / LDSP), about 30 minutes by car to Split; Hvar is an island with no airport for jets, so the onward leg is by helicopter or boat. Brač Airport (BWK / LDSB), on the neighbouring island, is an occasional alternative for some aircraft.
By helicopter
The fastest way to Hvar: transfers from Split Airport to Hvar Town or nearby landing points take about 15 to 20 minutes.
By sea
ACI Marina Split, 318 berths at the western end of Split's harbour, a few minutes from the old town; for Hvar, ACI Marina Palmižana on the Pakleni Islands takes yachts up to 40 metres, a short water-taxi ride from Hvar Town. A fast boat between Split and Hvar Town takes about an hour.

The full Hvar guide ›

Beyond the coast

Plitvice and inland Istria

Plitvice Lakes National Park

A chain of lakes linked by waterfalls and travertine barriers in the forested hills between Zagreb and the Dalmatian coast. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 for the continuing natural formation of its tufa barriers.

Best time to visitMay, June, September and October.

  • Stay
    No hotel here yet meets our standard; visit as a day trip from Zadar.

Motovun and inland Istria

A walled hill town above the Mirna river valley, with a 13th-century bell tower and the largest secular building of its period in Istria. The Motovun Forest in the valley below is known for Istrian white truffles, in season from September to December.

Best time to visitSeptember to November, for the truffle season and the grape harvest.

  • Stay
    No hotel here yet meets our standard; visit as a day trip from Rovinj.
Rovinj's pastel houses and the bell tower of St. Euphemia above a blue harbour in Istria
Rovinj, Istria

Stay

Luxury hotels and resorts in Croatia

Croatia's hotels at our standard each hold two or three MICHELIN Keys, among them Villa Nai 3.3 on Dugi Otok, the country's only three-Key hotel.

The finest hotels

Each rated Forbes Five-Star or holding two or three MICHELIN Keys.

  • Villa Nai 3.3Dugi Otok

    A small olive-estate hotel built into the stone of Dugi Otok, Croatia's only three-Key hotel. Visit website ↗

  • Villa DubrovnikDubrovnik

    A white terraced hotel on the rocks below the old city walls, facing Lokrum, with two MICHELIN Keys.

A dinner plate, red wine, candles and rose petals on a table by candlelight
Dinner by candlelight

Dine

The best restaurants in Croatia

Croatia's finest restaurants on our list.

Two MICHELIN stars

Two superyachts at anchor on a calm blue Adriatic Sea
Yachts in the Adriatic

Sail

Yachting in Croatia

The superyacht marinas of the Adriatic and a seven-day route from Split through the islands to Dubrovnik.

Superyacht marinas

A week at sea

The Dalmatian Coast: seven days from Split through Hvar, Vis and Korčula to Dubrovnik, with the anchorages, restaurants and beach clubs reached by tender.

Read the itinerary

Cruises

Croatia by sea

The cruise ports of Croatia, and where the luxury lines call.

Dubrovnik and Split are Croatia's great cruise ports, and the small ships anchor off Hvar, Korčula and the islands.

Where the luxury lines call

From the lines' own 2026 and 2027 voyages. Ports change from season to season, so check the voyage before you reserve.

Luxury Cruise LinesSuites at Sea

Experience

Events and things to do in Croatia

The Croatian year: the great events, month by month; each event's own website gives this year's dates.

The great museums

Opera houses, concert halls and festivals

  • Pula Arena

    One of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world and the only one with its entire outer wall intact. It hosts concerts, opera and ballet. Visit website ↗

  • Dubrovnik Summer FestivalDubrovnik

    Since 1950 it has staged classical music, theatre, opera and dance across the walled city each July and August, from Hamlet on Fort Lovrijenac to concerts in the atrium of the Rector's Palace. Visit website ↗

  • Peristyle of Diocletian's PalaceSplit

    The colonnaded court of the Roman emperor's palace, the open-air opera stage of the Split Summer Festival, founded in 1954 and held each July and August. Visit website ↗

Live

Luxury real estate in Croatia

A home in Croatia: the agencies and advisers at our standard, for the purchase and for life after it.

Prime real estate

  • Croatia Sotheby's International RealtySplit

    The Sotheby's affiliate for Croatia since 2017, covering luxury coastal property in Split, Dubrovnik, Trogir, Hvar, Brač and Primošten. Visit website ↗

Yoga mats laid out on the teak aft deck of a yacht above the open sea
Yoga on deck

Plan your trip

Luxury travel in Croatia and the Mediterranean: your questions answered

When is the best time to visit Croatia?

Dubrovnik: May, early June and late September to October are best: warm sea and pleasant days, without the July and August crowds on the walls and in the Old Town.

Hvar and Split: Late May to June and September are ideal: the sea is already warm, the days are long, and the harbours are calmer than in the July and August peak.

Where are the best luxury hotels in Croatia?

Dubrovnik: Villa Dubrovnik (two MICHELIN Keys).

How do you arrive in Croatia by private jet?

Dubrovnik: Dubrovnik Airport (DBV / LDDU), 15 km from the Old Town, about 30 minutes by car; its 3,300-metre runway takes every class of private jet.

Hvar and Split: Split Airport (SPU / LDSP), about 30 minutes by car to Split; Hvar is an island with no airport for jets, so the onward leg is by helicopter or boat.

Which are the best restaurants in Croatia?

The finest table on our list: Agli Amici Rovinj.

Do you tip in Croatia?

Voluntary but appreciated: around 10% in restaurants for good service, 10–15% at upscale places in the big cities; round up for taxis. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day.

What should you wear in Croatia?

Shoulders and knees covered in churches, cathedrals and monasteries. Town centres including Split and Dubrovnik issue on-the-spot fines for walking around shirtless or in swimwear. On yachts, soft-soled or bare feet on deck. Smart-casual for fine dining.

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A hand adding wood to a fire on a sandy shore, still water beyond
Wood on the fire by the water

Customs and etiquette

Customs and etiquette in Croatia

How Croatia does things.

Language
Croatian. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and marinas along the coast; German and Italian are common too.
Greetings
A handshake in formal settings; cheek kisses among friends and family. Dobar dan (good day) is the polite opener; use surnames and titles until invited otherwise.
Dress
Shoulders and knees covered in churches, cathedrals and monasteries. Town centres including Split and Dubrovnik issue on-the-spot fines for walking around shirtless or in swimwear. On yachts, soft-soled or bare feet on deck. Smart-casual for fine dining.
Dining
Lunch is traditionally the main meal; dinner is usually served well after 8 pm, later in summer. Meals are unhurried. Book ahead in Dubrovnik, Hvar and Split in high season.
Tipping
Voluntary but appreciated: around 10% in restaurants for good service, 10–15% at upscale places in the big cities; round up for taxis. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day.
Good to know
Croatia uses the euro (since 2023). By law, shops may open on only 16 Sundays a year, so most are closed on Sundays. Climbing on monuments and drinking alcohol in public spaces also bring on-the-spot fines in many towns.

Every list on this page is checked by hand and dated: last checked October 2026. Hotels, restaurants and events link only to their own official websites, where confirmed.

The Mediterranean Season Letter

Where to be, every season

Four letters a year, one for each season: the Mediterranean from spring to autumn, and Beyond the Mediterranean, into the Alps, in winter. The one best hotel to book, and the events worth crossing a sea for.