Game of Throngs: How to defeat the masses in Croatia

Game of Throngs: How to defeat the masses in Croatia

Despite the latest tourism explosion, it is possible in Croatia to beat the masses. Here we show you how

I have unfinished shops in Croatia. A few years ago I came across some cheap flights to Dubrovnik and booked it without sufficient research. It was summer. It was Europe. It would certainly be easy, I thought.

Soon afterwards I realized that five nights in Dubrovnik were not a good idea in mid -August. Since its use as a location in Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik has experienced an explosion of tourism.

2010, a year before the start of the show, eight million tourists traveled to Croatia. In 2018, this number rose to almost 19 million - an increase of 135 % in just eight years.

I didn't want to spend five days to fight crowds in a historic city, so I canceled my flights (not just!) And decided to leave Croatia for another time. To save yourself the same trouble, follow our advice on how you can defeat Croatia's masses.

1. Visit outside the summer months

summarizing: do not visit in July or August; Decide for May or September

alt = “Avoid July and August if you want to defeat the crowds in Croatia”> XBRCHX/Shutterstock Avoid July and August if you want to defeat the crowds in Croatia

If you want to defeat the masses in Croatia, it is imperative that you visit outside of summer. July and August are high season and tourists flock to the country, especially into the old town of Dubrovnik. The summer sun there crashes into the stone walls and paths, which makes the place hot and stuffy - not ideal when it is overcrowded.

2. Make a cruise with a small ship

summarized: Make a cruise with a small ship with Croatia Cruises & Tours

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Croatia cruises & tours

with over 1,000 islands, islets and cliffs, Croatia feels like tailor -made for cruises with small ships. Large ships cannot reach small ports, so a cruise with a small ship is a great way to achieve remote destinations.

Croatia Cruises & Tours has been running cruises with small ships in Croatia for 30 years - long before the tourism boom. The range of excursions includes the most important sights of Split and Dubrovnik as well as quieter destinations such as Biševo and Brijuni.

3. Visit

summarized: Visit the most important sights from Monday to Wednesday

alt = “The old town of Dubrovnik is a big attraction for tourists”> Schnepfdesign/Shutterstock The old town of Dubrovnik is a major attraction for tourists

In order to defeat the crowds in Croatia, you avoid weekends on which the most important sights with international tourists and local visitors from other parts of the country are employed.

It is advisable to visit early to the middle of the week, preferably before Thursday when some of the large cruise ships arrive and bring thousands ashore.

4. Go late in the day

summarized: Visit the old town of Dubrovnik after 4 p.m.

alt = “A visit to Dubrovnik at dusk is a good way to escape the masses”> CGE2010/Shutterstock Dubrovnik at dusk

The tourist rush is continuously large on important sights such as the old town of Dubrovnik from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Therefore, consider dealing with a sea kayak tour in the morning (e.g. with a sea kay -tour).

Croatia Cruises & Tours creates in Dubrovnik overnight so that you can linger on land. Walk in the light of the late afternoon over the city walls, enjoy the view from the Minčeta tower and discover why Croatia wears the nickname "Pearl of the Adriatic".

5. Avoid large cruise ships

summarizing: Check the cruise plans of the port authority and avoid peak times

alt = "Avoid a simultaneous visit with large cruise ships"> Biletskiyevgeniy.com/shutterstock Avoid a simultaneous visit with large cruise ships

If you happen to create a large cruise ship at the same time, you can count on thousands of additional people on land. Therefore, it is best to avoid these days.

The Croatian port authority publishes diagrams for every month that show the cruise plan in various ports. It is worth comparing your planned journey with the timetable on your port (s).

6. Dare to go to a quieter place!

summarized: Visit the northern regions of Croatia

alt = "The picturesque island of Lošinj"> Creative travel projects/Shutterstock The picturesque island of Lošinj

Everyone wants to see Split and Dubrovnik, but with over 1,000 islands to choose from they have many ways to defeat the masses in Croatia.

You can choose from Biševo, Lošinj, NP Brijuni, Opatija and Vis, all of which can be seen on a small ship cruise to Croatia.

We recommend using Bookaway to find bus, ferry and train tickets in Croatia. You can find popular routes in Croatia here.

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Lonely Planet Croatia is a comprehensive travel guide for the country, ideal for those who want to explore the most important sights and take less busy roads.

main picture: ihor Pasternak/Shutterstock

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