Women’s Group Travel Guide to Croatia

A complete guide for women travellers – from hidden coves to old city walls

Imagine crystal-clear Adriatic waters lapping against rocky shores, medieval walled cities frozen in time, world-class oysters pulled fresh from the sea and a country so safe that a door wedge lock gets flagged at airport security – not because it’s dangerous, but because you genuinely won’t need it. Welcome to Croatia.

Travel expert Lisa Jarvis of ChasingMemories.co has visited Croatia and counts it among her top three destinations in the world. A specialist in women’s group travel and travel insurance, Lisa recently sat down to share everything women need to know about exploring this stunning Balkan country – from the ideal two-week itinerary to the single best month to visit. Here’s what she had to say.

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Why Croatia should be on every woman’s bucket list

Tucked along the Adriatic Sea in southeastern Europe – directly across the water from Italy – Croatia offers one of the most diverse travel experiences on the continent. Part of the Balkan region, it sits alongside emerging hotspots like Slovenia and Albania, but Croatia is the one that keeps drawing travelers back.

You might recognize Dubrovnik’s honey-colored walls from Game of Thrones, or have stumbled across Croatia on a travel show. But beyond the screen fame, what makes Croatia truly special is the sheer variety it packs into one country – dramatic national parks with cascading waterfalls, hundreds of islands to explore by boat, charming old towns steeped in history, a thriving food and wine culture and miles of gorgeous coastline.

Safety First – A Country Where You Can Truly Relax

For women traveling solo or in groups, safety is often the deciding factor – and Croatia delivers. Lisa describes it as “an incredibly safe country,” noting that the only graffiti she encountered was sports-related. Even more telling? Her door wedge lock – a travel security staple – was flagged by security at a Croatian airport because it was considered completely unnecessary. Their local guide confirmed it – Croatia is simply that safe.

The perfect two-week Croatia itinerary

Lisa’s recommended route runs from north to south, giving you the best of Croatia’s inland and coastal wonders. Here’s how to structure two weeks –

Week one – Zagreb, the National Parks & inland Croatia

Start your journey in Zagreb, Croatia’s vibrant capital city. Inland and often overlooked in favor of the coast, Zagreb is a wonderful introduction to Croatian culture, café culture and history. From there, make your way south through Croatia’s most spectacular natural landscapes –

• Plitvice Lakes National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its terraced lakes and waterfalls
• Krka National Park – stunning cascading waterfalls you can actually swim near
• Scenic drives through the Croatian countryside toward the Dalmatian Coast

Week two – Split, the Islands & Dubrovnik

The second week is all about the water. The stretch between Split and Dubrovnik is where Croatia truly dazzles – crystal-clear turquoise water, rocky beaches and island-hopping by boat. Sailing trips in this region are typically offered in week-long segments and Lisa recommends booking through a local guide who can arrange shorter, more flexible options.

End in Dubrovnik, walking the famous old city walls and soaking in the history of one of Europe’s most beautiful medieval cities.

Bonus – add Slovenia for a slower pace

If time allows, consider extending to three weeks by starting in Slovenia – Croatia’s northern neighbor and equally underrated – before flowing south through Zagreb, the parks, the coast and finishing in Dubrovnik. This is the slow travel dream.

When to go – September is your sweet spot

Croatia’s tourism season runs from mid-May through the end of September. Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect –

• May (early) – Cooler water temperatures, fewer crowds – great for the parks
• July & August – Peak season – hot, busy and pricey, but the energy is electric
• September – The sweet spot – warm weather, fewer tourists, lower prices and the sea is still perfect for swimming
• October–April – Most island businesses close; better suited for city exploration only

Lisa is so sold on September that her women’s group trip is scheduled specifically for that month.

Food, wine & the hidden gem you can’t miss

Croatian cuisine is fresh, simple and extraordinary. Here’s what to put on your must-eat list –

• Fresh fish & seafood – the coastal location means everything pulled from the water is incredibly fresh
• Grilled calamari – whole squid, grilled to perfection (a world away from the fried rings back home)
• Oysters from Ston – considered some of the freshest in the world
• Croatian wine – the stretch between Ston and Dubrovnik is wine country, with local varieties you won’t find elsewhere

Don’t miss – Ston – Croatia’s best-kept secret

Sitting between Split and Dubrovnik, the small town of Ston is Lisa’s pick for Croatia’s hidden gem. It’s home to some of the world’s freshest oysters, impressive old city walls that rival Dubrovnik’s and easy access to wine country – all without the tourist crowds. Better yet, it makes for an affordable and accessible day trip from Dubrovnik.

Instead of taking the passenger ferry between Split and Dubrovnik, drive it. The coastal road is one of the most scenic drives in Europe, passes directly through Ston and crosses an extraordinary long bridge built to bypass a small stretch of Bosnian coastline – a quirk of geography that makes for a fascinating story.

Getting there – flights & getting around

Croatia isn’t a direct-flight destination from most US cities, but smart routing makes it very affordable:

• Fly into a major European hub (Rome, Helsinki, Frankfurt) and connect to Split or Dubrovnik via budget European airlines
• Budget inter-Europe flights can be remarkably cheap – think Rome to Split for around $52 USD
• Once in Croatia, travel by car, boat and bus; trains are not a primary mode of transport within the country
• Island hopping is done by ferry and private boat – your guide or tour operator will handle the logistics

Join the Women’s Group Trip to Croatia

Lisa hosts a women-only group trip to Croatia in September 2026 – an 8 to 9-day experience designed around connection, self-care and adventure. The itinerary focuses on the coast between Split and Dubrovnik and includes:

• All accommodations, including the final four nights in a private vacation rental right on the Adriatic Sea
• All transportation once you arrive in Croatia
• Most meals – all breakfasts, a welcome dinner, a farewell dinner and one traditional Croatian lunch
• Guided walking tours of old towns and historical sites
• Island hopping and time on the water
• Optional river canyoning (an optional upgrade – note – check your travel insurance for extreme sports coverage)
• Optional oyster excursion in Ston (another optional upgrade well worth considering)

Not included – your international flights, personal expenses and souvenirs.

Never done a group trip before?

Lisa’s advice is simple – just do it. Group travel eliminates the mental load of planning – everything is organized for you. You’ll meet women from different backgrounds, all brought together by the shared experience of travel. And if you need downtime or want to wander off on your own for an afternoon? That’s perfectly encouraged.

Don’t skip the travel insurance

Lisa requires travel insurance – specifically the medical portion – on all of her trips. US health insurance does not cover you internationally and medical costs abroad can be significant. She also recommends checking whether your policy covers adventure activities like river canyoning, which is classified as an extreme sport. Many insurers offer affordable add-ons for exactly this.

Lisa’s top travel tips for Croatia

• Pack a phone lanyard – great for photos, hands-free walking tours and keeping your phone safe in crowds
• Bring bag straps to attach a second bag on top of your rolling suitcase – a simple but game-changing hack
• You don’t need a door wedge lock. Croatia is that safe.
• Talk to the locals – Lisa says her favorite activity anywhere in the world is chatting with locals to understand how they really live
• Book a local guide – Lisa’s guide Robi transformed her trip with insider restaurant picks and flexible sailing arrangements
• Drive the Split–Dubrovnik coastal road instead of taking the ferry – don’t miss Ston along the way

Ready to go?

Croatia checks every box – safety, beauty, incredible food, rich history and a warmth from its people that stays with you long after you’re home. It’s no wonder Lisa counts it among her top three destinations in the world – and it’s no wonder she keeps going back.

Whether you’re planning your own two-week adventure or looking to join a curated women’s group trip, Croatia is ready for you.

Interview conducted by Erin Parker. Lisa Jarvis is the founder of ChasingMemories.co, specialising in travel insurance and passenger rights.