When I visited Croatia in June of 2022, I went to Split and Hvar which are two popular destinations in Croatia. If you are deciding whether you want to visit either of these cities, this mini-blog may help you decide. Keep reading to find out what to expect from both of these destinations.

Split, Croatia

If you like to travel to big cities, Split may be the spot for you. Split is the second largest city in Croatia, so there is plenty to do. There is always commotion with numerous stores and restaurants in the center of the city.

If you are a morning person, I recommend grabbing some delicious pastries at a bakery near the water and enjoying the views along the Croatian coast.

When I was here, several business stands lined the coast. You could buy art trinkets, bracelets, and lavender products to name a few finds. There is a food market in the center near the coastline as well. Allow yourself to explore the center and get lost in the streets as you stumble upon memorable areas.

For lunch or dinner, you can find endless fresh seafood. You can expect to smell stinky fish in the center of the city, so keep this in mind. If you order fresh fish, there is a good chance that you will get the entire fish served to you (head, bones, etc.).

The city is full of culture and history. History-lovers should see Diocletian’s Palace and walk through the Old Town. If you are interested in night-life, Croatia is a fun country to visit. Split has numerous night bars that fill up with people, so bring your party outfits!

Hvar, Croatia

Personally, I preferred Hvar over Split. I prefer beach towns over hustling cities, so I found the island of Hvar to be a piece of paradise. You can relax on the island, but you can also explore and be entertained as you walk through the center, explore the history, find new beaches, and eat lots of gelato.

My favorite beach was Pokonji Dol Beach. The water is crystal clear and there are two great restaurants right on the beach. You can expect rocky beaches in Croatia, so I rented a beach chair to use for the day.

I recommend exploring Hvar’s Old Town for great shops and Croatian dining. From here, you can visit the Hvar fortress (Tvrdava Fortica) to see the town from above. Although I did not go on an excursion while in Croatia, there are several interesting excursion options that leave from Hvar. For example, you could go on a boat tour to explore the famous blue caves, rent ATVs/quads, kayak, or go on a short sailing trip. If you are ready to party late at night, Hvar has several popular clubs like Central Park Club, Kiva Bar, and Nautica Bar.

Conclusion

Both spots have a lot to offer, so if you have time for both destinations, you should visit both places. It is easy to get from Split to Hvar as you just take one ferry. If you only have enough time for one location on your trip, then hopefully this mini-blog will help you make your decision. For those of you who prefer big cities, I would suggest Split, Croatia. If you prefer island life and want a slower beach vacation, I would suggest visiting the island of Hvar.

For more information on specific restaurants to try in Split and Hvar and to hear from somebody who was in Croatia for a few months, check out a blog written by She Travelled the World. If you are looking at booking a trip to Europe, I visited Croatia and Italy on the same trip. Check out my 10-Day Italy Itinerary blog for more details. Happy traveling and thanks for stopping by!