Is Croatia worth visiting? – Two most overrated destinations & where to go instead in 2025

Firstly, let’s take a look at what overtourism is and why you should care.

Europe is the global leader in international tourism, absorbing roughly two-thirds of international vacation travellers each year. Tourism here grew steadily throughout the 2010s, with Europe reporting a peak of 743 million international visitors in 2019 and was set to exceed this number in 2024 having recovered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic – this did actually happen with Europe receiving 1% more international arrivals in 2024 than 2019, and 5% more compared to 2023. Spain was the European country with the most international tourists.

Obviously, many Europeans make their livelihood from tourism, yet The Old Continent has also witnessed increasingly devastating side effects of this “windfall”. Overtourism refers to the negative impacts that occur when there are too many tourists in one place at one time. Some of these include environmental damage, congestion, strain on resources, and cultural loss.

Large numbers of tourists can literally trample the environment in popular destinations.

Their impact can include pollution, littering, and damage to natural habitats and ecosystems that are sacrificed to erect new hotels, amenities, and vacation homes.

The city of Barcelona in Spain is a prime example of a city that has been impacted by overtourism.

The city has seen a significant increase in the number of tourists in recent years, with 32 million visitors in 2019 alone, compared to a population of just over 1.6 million. That’s 20 tourists for every one resident, including local children and retirees.

The impact of overtourism on Barcelona's environment has been significant.

The city's air quality has deteriorated due to the high volume of traffic, particularly from cruise ships, which emit multiple times more sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide than the city’s cars each year. Both of these gases have severe impacts on human health, and cause acid rain and acidification of the seas.

Likewise, the city's beaches have been severely affected by overtourism.

Every year, 65,000 cubic metres of sand needs to be replaced due to erosion caused by tourism. Between Barcelona and Vilanova i la Geltrú, which is 46km south, trash accounts for 38% of a typical fisherman’s catch. The metropolitan area of Barcelona has itself become the second-biggest culprit when it comes to emptying plastic waste into the Mediterranean, according to a 2019 report from the World Wildlife Fund.

To address its housing crisis, in 2023, Barcelona implemented a rent cap mechanism that sets a maximum rent for new leases depending on factors such as the condition and size of the property. Even though rental prices dropped by 3.2% in 2024, there were 17% fewer new rental contracts, meaning that the overall availability of rental properties keeps diminishing.

Mounting frustration has led to widespread protests, the first in the late summer of 2024. In response, the Catalan government announced that it would double the regional tourist tax by the end of 2025, raising it to €15 ($16) per night per visitor. Yet, Barcelona is still full of tourists in 2025, so residents protested again in April 2025, when more than 12,000 residents marched through the city demanding urgent reforms.

The situation is critical in other parts of Spain as well. In Madrid, people marched to show their frustration with the housing crisis that forces young people to live with three roommates, only for their rent to still consume 40-60% of their salary.

Overcrowding in popular vacation spots can make it difficult for locals to go about their daily lives and for tourists to enjoy their experience.

The city of Venice comes to mind, the popular canal city flooded with 30 million visitors annually. This number is staggering, considering that Venice has a permanent population of just over 50,000.

The influx of tourists has caused a range of problems, from overcrowding in popular areas to damage to historic buildings and canals.

One of the most significant impacts of overtourism in Venice is the congestion in the city's narrow streets and canals.

During peak season, the city's famous St. Mark's Square can become so crowded that visitors can barely move. The congestion also extends to the city's waterways, with long lines of gondolas clogging the canals. No wonder that the city’s population has declined by more than two-thirds, with 1,000 fewer residents every year.

It would seem that Venice has heeded UNESCO warnings of “irreversible damage” to its historic centre and, as of 2024, introduced a €5 entry fee for daytrippers between 8.30am and 4pm in spring and summer. The policy is designed to respond to the particular problem facing Venice, which is that around 80% of its tourists come just for the day.

Tourist hotspots are often a bit remote or historic, which gives them a picturesque look.

But thst also means that local water, energy, and waste management systems were often built years ago for much smaller communities.

One example of a waste management crisis due to overtourism in Europe can be seen in the Balearic Islands, which are located in the Mediterranean Sea and are a popular destination for island hopping tourists, especially during the summer season.

These islands, which include Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, have a combined population of just over one million but receive around 14 million tourists per year. This influx of visitors has created a significant waste management crisis, as the islands' infrastructure struggles to cope with the amount of waste generated.

The data tells a story.

According to data from the Balearic Islands’ government, during the summer season, the islands generate around 4,500 tonnes of waste per day, which is a 70% increase compared to the off-season.

This waste includes not only household waste but also litter from beaches, restaurants, and other attractions. The waste management facilities on the islands are not equipped to handle this level of waste, which has resulted in overflowing bins and streets littered with trash.

Ultimately, that waste can end up in the sea, polluting the marine environment and threatening the islands' delicate ecosystems, not to mention making for yucky swimming.

In 2019, the government of the Balearic Islands adopted groundbreaking new laws pinpointing specific tourism-related waste, such as prohibition and reduction of items found on beaches and single-use plastics.

Pushed out by tourism development, cultural traditions may be watered down or commercialised for the market.

One example of cultural loss due to overtourism is Prague. Prague is a popular destination for tourists due to its beautiful buildings and rich history. However, the influx of visitors has put a strain on the city's infrastructure and architecture.

According to data from the Prague Institute of Planning and Development, the number of people visiting Prague increased from 4.1 million in 2000 to 8 million in 2019. This near-doubling has put a significant strain on the city's historic buildings, as the foot traffic and pollution from increased transportation has accelerated the decay of the city's facades and other architectural features.

Furthermore, the rise of short-term rentals and souvenir shops catering to tourists has caused a decline in the number of traditional Czech businesses, such as artisan shops and local restaurants.

This has led to a homogenisation of the city's cultural offerings, with many visitors seeking out the same tourist-oriented experiences rather than exploring the city's authentic local culture. In addition, the high volume of visitors has also led to increased prices for housing and other necessities for locals, leading to a pushout of long-time residents from the city centre.

Yes, Croatia is a good place to visit, as long as you understand what to look for and what to avoid. The nature is unforgettable, the beaches are gorgeous, the food is great, and Croatian people are welcoming.

Croatia is safe for families and individuals. The country's 2025 Global Peace Index score is 1.450, in 10th position worldwide.

Additionally, Croatia was ranked as the safest country in the EU to walk at night in 2024 and 2025.In smaller Croatian towns, such as Stari Grad or Jelsa it's common to see children playing outside in the evening while parents are at home. In most of Croatia, childhood is still as it should be – care-free and full of adventures.

Travel insurance isn’t mandatory to visit Croatia unless you require a visa to enter the Schengen Area. However, we recommend visitors to still obtain at least basic insurance to cover significant expenses in case of an emergency.

Medical expenses, unless something terrible happens, shouldn’t be too high. For example, a person without any insurance pays €46.50 for their first medical examination, while any check-up is €26.50. Clearly, prices are nowhere close to legendarily expensive medical procedures in the US, but if you are visiting Croatia, especially with kids, having a travel insurance policy can put your mind at ease.

Similar to other European hotspots, overtourism is becoming a real issue in Croatia, so you might be better off visiting some of Croatia’s hidden (and semi-hidden) gems, or visiting off-peak – more below!

Croatia relies more on tourism than any other EU country, and these issues are familiar to residents of the country’s hotspots. Here are Croatia’s two biggest tourist attractions.

Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage site and survivor of a brutal Serb siege in the 1990s, known for its medieval architecture and beautiful coastline.

More recently, the city gained fame as the main filming location for King's Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms in the enormously popular TV show Game of Thrones.

Visitors can take a walk along the city walls, explore the Old Town, and take a cable car up to the top of Mount Srđ for panoramic views of the arguably the most famous Croatian city – all while imagining a fleet of dragons overhead. In recent years, the city’s special beauty has drawn a significant influx of tourists, leading to overcrowding, environmental damage, and cultural loss.

In recent years, the city’s special beauty has drawn a significant influx of tourists, leading to overcrowding, environmental damage, and cultural loss.

According to data from the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, in 2019, the city received over 1.2 million visitors, with an average of 10,000 visitors per day during peak season. believed 2019 would hold the record for years, but in 2024, Dubrovnik welcomed 12.5% more tourists than in 2019. Dubrovnik is a city with 41,562 permanent residents that took in a whopping 1.35 million guests last year – that’s more than 32 tourists for every local resident.

This number is staggering considering that Dubrovnik covers only 143 km² (55 mi²), which is approximately 11 times smaller than Greater London.

Stradun, the main thoroughfare of the Old Town, becomes so thick with humanity that the street is divided in half, between those filing in one direction and those in the other – with hardly any room to cross or turn around. It is a far cry from the old days of Dubrovnik when children used to play games on the ancient flagstones in the summer.

The influx of tourists has caused a range of problems, including pushing out local and artisan businesses. There is no decent butcher shop in the town, for example, despite the decidedly carnivorous diet of most Croatian people. No bakeries where goods aren’t reheated from frozen. Only a few small groceries, closer in size to a bodega.

That is not to say that the city is bound to disappoint or that visiting means being complicit in its decline. Here are three tips for having an extraordinary – and ethical – visit:

If cruise ships epitomise highly “extractive”, disrespectful tourism, slow travel almost always offers the more sustainable choice.

You burn less carbon getting around, are more likely to cook at home, and can give your host a break from daily deep cleans and full laundry service.

If your work and personal life allow you the flexibility, take advantage of Dubrovnik’s offerings for digital nomads. The city's tourism board has been hard at work to develop the region as a destination for longer term visitors who work remotely. It is easy to obtain a Digital Nomad Visa for any location in Croatia. Actually, the “visa” is a year-long residence permit, but you don’t have to stay for the full duration. This residency makes it easy to enjoy the perks of life in Croatia without worrying about complicating your tax filings.

Along with the Digital Nomad Visa, the City has opened up the Lazareti, an ancient port facility repurposed as a gorgeous coworking office.

Overlooking the sparkling blue sea, less than a minute to a sun-soaked picnic on the rocks, the Lazareti boasts high ceilings, inspiring architectural details, and blazing fast wifi. We promise you, it’s an improvement on your current Zoom background.

Even if you’re planning a more traditional visit to Dubrovnik, you can still adopt a slow travel philosophy for your Croatian getaway.

For example, consider ditching the “whirlwind sightseeing tour” in favour of a home base that is well-positioned for day trips. The area around the city is packed with unforgettable excursions, including Pelješac, Hvar, Lokrum, Cavtat, Kotor, Mljet, and the hinterland. Don’t be in a rush to leave!

While the historic core may seem more convenient, keep in mind that all of its accommodations are tucked away down cobblestone alleys in a car-free zone with extremely scant parking for quite some distance.

In addition, what most people don’t know is that Dubrovnik is shaped like a boat.

There are steep ascents on both sides of the main thoroughfare, so you will probably be hauling your luggage up steep cobblestone alleys to a house with equally steep, narrow old stairs, built some centuries ago. Navigating all of this after a long flight in a crowded city, either in the raucous evening hours or the burning hot day – well, you see where we’re going.

You have alternative places to stay.

We recommend Lapad, about 3 kilometres (2 miles) from the Old Town.

It’s a good walk for the intrepid and well-served by bus and taxi. Lapad offers a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere with a range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly apartments to luxury hotels, such as Hotel Lapad.

One of the main attractions in Lapad is its long, sandy, beautiful beach, which is popular with both locals and tourists.

There are also several smaller beaches in the area, as well as a number of water sports and activities, such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkelling.

Other popular attractions in Lapad include the pedestrian promenade that runs along the waterfront, the Lapad Bay Park, which offers stunning views of the surrounding hills and islands, and the Gruž Harbour (a hub for ferries and boats that connects Dubrovnik with other destinations in Croatia and along the Adriatic Sea coast).

Plitvice Lakes National Park, located inland in central Croatia, just a few hours from Zagreb, is also a UNESCO World Heritage site – and again, one of Croatia's most popular tourist destinations.

It is the oldest and largest national park in the country, covering an area of around 300 km2 and boasting a unique ecosystem.

While the park's stunning waterfalls, lakes, and forests have long been a draw for visitors, in recent years, the park has faced significant challenges related to overtourism.

During the peak summer season, the park can be extremely crowded, with long lines, congested walking paths, and overcrowded viewpoints. The sheer number of visitors can also have negative impacts on the environment, including increased pollution, erosion, and damage to sensitive ecosystems.

Many try, despite warnings, to swim in the turquoise waters of the lakes, feed the fish, or leave food for other animals.

However, the biggest threats to the park’s survival come from its surroundings, rather than from within the protected area. In 2014, the local government rolled back laws preventing development in regions neighbouring the park.

The number of private apartments subsequently rose from 16 in 2009 to over 300 in 2017, with a jump in overnight stays from 600 to over 30,000 in the same period.

The new construction is not connected to any sewage system.

Instead, the houses get the water they need directly from the lake basin and empty their waste water into the surrounding land. This has resulted in the creation of what locals sarcastically refer to as Plitvice’s “17th lake” – a foul-smelling pool serviced by an unidentified drainpipe.

The municipality has little resources to cope with the problem.

It is the poorest and least populated county in Croatia, and the lion’s share of the income generated by ticket sales from the park goes directly to the state – only 6% remains with the local municipality.

In 2016, UNESCO prompted action by threatening to put Plitvice on the “In Danger” list or to withdraw the site’s inclusion on its list of world heritage sites due to unsustainable tourism and construction practices. In response, park management limited the number of daily visitors, promoted off-season visitation, and introduced new trails and walking paths to distribute visitors more evenly throughout the park.

In 2018, UNESCO decided not to list Plitvice as “In Danger”. However, the UNESCO Committee also stressed that visitation growth and infrastructure gaps still posed a “potential danger” to the park’s status.

As part of their response, the park also hiked daily ticket prices to €40 per adult as of 2020. Prior to that, the ticket price was €33 in 2019, and €24 for the two years previous. In the years before that, the price was only €14.50.

Given the overwhelming demand to visit the park, these higher prices are likely a fair reflection of the park’s value, and also enable the area to invest in skilled staff and critical conservation measures.

You can support these efforts by visiting off-peak, doing your research on accommodation and meal choices before coming to Croatia, or visiting one of the lesser-known parks below.

Consider hewing a different path and visiting another park in Croatia’s impressive national system.

If your vacation schedule is flexible, try to visit Croatia late or early in the season.

Coastal Croatia is rainy in November and December, but it has many beautiful days in the winter, spring, and fall. For hikers and bikers, spring is the season when Dalmatia, one of the most beautiful regions of Croatia, really comes to life – since the summer heat can rob the most determined outdoor adventurer of their enthusiasm. Fall is a great time for boating, since most of the regattas and sailboat festivals take place after the summer.

Accommodations are far cheaper off-peak, and while some restaurants and other attractions are closed in the off-season, many remain open or will serve guests upon request.

In general, locals are far more relaxed and open to friendship when you visit Croatia during the off-season.

Most Croatians of working age are hustling from dawn to dusk in the summer months, so the off-season is their time to reconnect with family and friends.

Join them in one of the beautiful festivals celebrating food and wine that take place before the season or after the tourists go home, such as:

There are clearly many reasons to visit Croatia if you plan your holiday correctly. Avoiding crowded periods of the year is the foundation – but, as with real estate, it’s all about location, location, and location.

Hvar Island in Croatia holds a unique distinction: it has more UNESCO World Heritage listings than any other island on Earth. But accolades aside, Hvar is a destination of remarkable diversity. On its western tip lies the cosmopolitan Hvar Town, a global magnet for yacht travel and high-end thrills, where visitors from every corner of the world converge. Travel eastward, and you'll eventually reach Sućuraj, a small harbour town where time slows and simplicity reigns. In between stretches a tapestry of landscapes and experiences – fragrant lavender fields, centuries-old traditions, sun-drenched vineyards, quaint villages, and hidden beaches waiting to be found. Hvar isn’t just a place you visit; it’s a place that stays with you.

Whilst the island is charming all year round, the best time to visit Hvar depends on what you’re seeking. If you crave the feeling of vibrant energy – the hum of bustling town squares, the scent of pine and lavender, perfect beach weather – then plan your stay between late spring and early autumn.

It’s location, location, location – not time of the year – when it comes to crafting the perfect vacation. And when it comes to location, it doesn’t get much better than Hvar Island.

Discover where to stay on Hvar based on your personality and travel plans with our guide to the island’s diverse regions and towns. Whether you’re chasing nightlife, nature, culture, or complete seclusion, we’ll help you find your perfect corner of Hvar. And wherever you land, you’ll find our curated Hvar Away villas in each region for your ideal stay.

Need help creating a bespoke villa escape for your trip to Hvar? Reach out to us, that's what we do best.