Are you planning a trip to Croatia? Perfect, first and the most important step is done, you have decided on what destination to visit. We believe you’ll have a great time in Croatia and fall in love with this beautiful small country. Now is the time for the next phases of the vacation planning, and a packing list is one of the most important aspects of vacation planning. In this article we bring you our ultimate packing list for Croatia that will help you not to forget anything important and give you a few additional tips when it comes to visiting Croatia.
There is nothing worse than arriving at the destination intended and realizing that you have forgotten something important. Packing for a vacation is also one of the least favorite aspects of any vacation, but it must be done. We hope that this list will make it easier to make a packing list for Croatia and leave you with some free time for other, better things in your life.
Let’s pack like a pro and head toward Croatia!
Travel Documents & Money We are starting this Croatia packing list with the most important things you really don’t want to forget. There is nothing more important on this list than these next few things:
Valid passport (check the expiration date and make sure it’s valid for at least 1 more year!)
Travel insurance ( we used to travel without it for a long time, but will never do it again. It doesn’t cost so much, but can save you a lot of trouble.)Copies of important documents (digital + printed). It’s good to have these just in case.
Credit/debit card AND some euros . Croatia uses the euro since 2023, and it’s always good to have some amount of cash since not all the places accept cards, and it will be better to change the currency of your country to euros back at your place than in Croatia. If you want to rent a car in Croatia, then a credit card is a must .Driver’s license & international driving permit (if you plan to rent a car or scooter)
Travel waist bag : We suggest using this kind of bag for easy storage and access to all important documents. Have this bag beside you.
Clothing Essentials Ok, once you’ve got everything from the list above, you’re already 90 % ready for trip to Croatia . In this section, we’re going to discuss clothing essentials. These depend on the season you want to visit Croatia (and what part, since Croatia has a few different climates). Here’s what you might put on a packing list for Croatia when it comes to clothes.
Summer (May–September)
Lightweight shorts & skirts
Breathable tops and T-shirts
Dresses for warm evenings
Swimwear (bring more than one piece!)
Hat and sunglasses (the sun in Croatia is strong, and the worst feeling ever is to get sunburned)
Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers for sightseeing and outdoor activities
Flip-flops or sandals for the beach time
Light sweater or jacket for breezy nights (especially if visiting Croatia in May and September)
Spring/Fall (April, October)
Long pants/jeans
Layers! T-shirts, long-sleeves, and a few hoodies
Rain jacket, rain poncho, or windbreaker
Winter (November–March) Beach & Island Gear If you are visiting Croatia in peak season, like 90% of the visitors do, here are the essentials:
Beach towel or microfiber travel towel (microfiber towels are lightweight and won’t use as much room as a regular beach towel)
Polarized sunglasses are advised, but any sunglasses will do just fine
High SPF sunscreen (cheaper to bring your own, we suggest SPF 50+)
Hat with a brim
At least one pair of extra swimwear
Water shoes (most beaches are pebbly in Croatia, and these will make walking easier)
Snorkeling gear (optional, but good to have it, at least small swimming googles)
Toiletries & Health Many of these products can be bought in Croatia too, so think about the available room and whether you want to bring your own or get it once you arrive in Croatia.
Usual toiletries you use (toothbrush, shampoo, etc.). If you’re staying in a hotel, you’ll probably get a shampoo, or you can also get one when you get to Croatia, since they are not as expensive.
Any medication you need, plus a small first aid kit. Make sure you have a valid permit for a medication if traveling by airplane. Your doctor can issue this, and it might save you some potential trouble at the airport. Having a small first aid kit is always advisable and won’t take much space in your luggage.
Aloe vera or after-sun lotion for skin nutrition after exposure to the sun.
Insect repellent, especially for hikes in inland Croatia . This will help the ticks and mosquitoes to stay away from you.
Travel-size body wash or shampoo.
Tech & Travel Gadgets Technology, nobody can live without it nowadays. Here are some of the most important devices you might want to have on your packing list for Croatia.
Phone + charger
European plug adapter (Type C/F). Buy it in your country so you don’t need to search for it in Croatia.Headphones or earbuds. Great things for traveling by airplane or in public transport.
Camera or GoPro if you want to record adventurous moments in Croatia. If you want to take regular photos, your phone will do just fine.
Power bank (optional, but suggested if you plan on multi-day outdoor trips in Croatia)
Dry bag or waterproof pouch (great to have for activities like kayaking and beach days)
Outdoor & Adventure Items If you’re an outdoor person like we are, here are a few things to bring to Croatia:
Backpack for hikes or city sightseeing
Hiking shoes if you’re heading to places such as Plitvice, Paklenica, or Biokovo
Reusable water bottle
Travel guidebook or offline maps app (Wi-Fi might not be available in some areas)
Additional items that can make your stay even better
A good book or Kindle for beach days
Travel-size laundry detergent (for longer trips)
Foldable compact bag for market shopping or beach trips
Pocket tissues (some public restrooms might be low on them)
Electrolyte tablets (perfect after a hot day of hiking or island partying)
Bonus Tips for Croatia Travelers
Pack light! Most Croatian towns have stone streets and stairs that are not the best places for dragging large suitcases. Some places like Dubrovnik even forbid it.Many national parks and islands in Croatia mean that you’ll probably be active. Pack for movement, not just relaxation.
You’ll find pharmacies and shops all across Croatia. Don’t panic if you forget something! Unless it’s from the first section. Then panic!
Before You Venture to Croatia Of course, your packing list for Croatia might look different, but in this article, we tried to focus on the essentials. There are probably a few items that you either want to add or remove from this list. We hope this article was helpful and that it’ll ease your planning and packing. Read the other articles on our blog, especially the itineraries in which we discuss what your vacation in Croatia might look like. Our blog is also full of places to visit in Croatia, as well as the best activities to take your time and explore.
And when you finally reach Croatia, we wish you dream holidays!
