Croatia River Cruises 2023/2024

Croatia Travel Guide

Croatia River Cruises Things To Do

• 
  Dubrovnik

  Located in south Croatia, Dubrovnik sprawls along the Adriatic Sea. It is especially known for its Old Town section, which is surrounded by stone walls, built during the 1500s. The walker-only Stradun features restaurants and shops, which line a limestone pavement. See the Baroque St. Blaise Church, the Sponza Palace, and the Gothic Rector's Palace, which now serves as a local history museum. The River Ombla area is beautiful and is a must-see spot if you like the great outdoors.

  Best Time To Visit

  Enjoy warmer and pleasant temperatures without the crowds in September.   

   

  You Should Know

  Game of Thrones was filmed in Dubrovnik. The terra cotta roofs in Old Town and the medieval architecture made the city the ideal spot to produce the television show. Guided tours provide insights into how the show was shot and take tourists to some of the filming locations.
• 
  Ston

  The town of Ston is close to Dubrovnik, being part of the county of Dubrovnik-Neretva on the Peljesac Peninsula. The locale is known for three things – its impressive and preserved walls, its mussels, and its salt works.  

  Best Time To Visit

  See Ston in June or September when the weather is sunny and there are fewer tourists.  

   

  You Should Know

  The salt works of Ston were founded during the 1200s, although the harvesting of salt is believed to go back further in history. Today, salt harvesting is still done following traditional practices. The town is well-known for its Old Walls, which were built during the 14th and 15th centuries to defend Dubrovnik – known as the Republic of Ragusa at the time.
• 
  Split

  The second-largest city in Croatia, Split sits on the east shore of the Adriatic Sea. The city is known for its beaches, so if you like beach activities, you won't want to miss a chance to enjoy the sands, sun, or watersports in Split.

  Best Time To Visit

  You can enjoy the sights more if you go when it is less crowded, preferably during June or September. If you want to visit the beach and swim, choose September, as the water will be warmer.  

   

  You Should Know

  Visit Diocletian's Palace in Old Town, built in the 4th century. It features the villa where Diocletian, the Roman emperor, retired. St. Dominus Cathedral, in Split, is the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world You can view the city by climbing up to the bell tower. However, don't go when they are ready to ring the bell (which happens on the hour), as it can be an ear-splitting experience.
• 
  Zagreb

  The Croatian capital of Zagreb is known for its Austro-Hungarian buildings, which were built during the 1700s and 1800s. In the city's center, the Gothic Zagreb Cathedral and St. Mark's Church (built in the 1200s) are must-see attractions in the Upper Town section. If you would like to enjoy a relaxing repast, head over the Tkalciceva Street, home to several outdoor cafes. Ban Jelacic Square, in Lower Town, features parks, shops, and museums. 

  Best Time To Visit

  Pack your bags for a river cruise trip to Zagreb in June or September.  

   

  You Should Know

  The Museum of Broken Relations received the Kenneth Hudson Award in 2011 for being the most innovative museum in Europe. It displays artifacts from failed love relationships. St. Mark's Church can be easily recognized because of its vibrant tiled roof showing the coats of arms of Zagreb City, Croatia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia. The 13th-century church also displays a Gothic door and Romanesque windows.
• 
  Belgrade, Serbia

  The capital of Serbia, Belgrade is home to the Beogradska Tvrdava, a fortress that stands where the Danube and Sava rivers meet. The fortification was important, strategically, to the empires of the Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, Serbians, and Austrians. Today, it houses several museums and is home to a large park known as Kalemegdan.

  Best Time To Visit

  You will enjoy sightseeing more if you go when there are fewer crowds during June or September.  

   

  You Should Know

  The heartbeat of Belgrade is its green markets. While the largest market is Kalenic, Zeleni Venac offers a unique architecturally styled building as well as a central location. The markets feature a section of fresh produce that includes specialties such as pickled chilies, kajmak, honey, and ajvar. If you visit cafes and markets, it helps to know a bit of the Serbo-Croat language. For example, dobar dan means "good day," while hvla translates to "thank you." If you are having trouble with pricing, a vendor or store owner will usually write down the cost.
• 
  Iron Gates Gorge

  The Iron Gates Gorge lies on the Danube River and creates the border for the two countries, Romania and Serbia. The Romanian side of this natural site includes Iron Gates Natural Park while the Serbian side is made up of Derdap National Park. In July 2020, a large protected area on the Serbian side was given the designation of a UNESCO global geopark.

  Best Time To Visit

  A nice time to pass through the area is during June or September, both of which are more temperate times of the year.  

   

  You Should Know

  The site is about 3K or 2 miles long and 530 feet (162 meters) in diameter. With its towering cliffs, Iron Gates Gorge is one of the most impressive natural wonders in Europe. Until the building of the Sip Canal in 1896, a huge rock reef of the gorge nearly barricaded the width of the Danube River.
• 
  Vidin, Bulgaria

  Situated on the Danube's southern shore, Vidin is a port town that lies in northwest Bulgaria. It is near the borders of Serbia and Romania and serves as the administrative sector of the Vidin Province. The town connects to the town of Kalafat, located in Romania, by ferry. It is considered a resort town because of its abundance of mineral water.

  Best Time To Visit

  Plan a visit to Vidin during June or September when temperatures are not too hot or too cool.  

   

  You Should Know

  Vidin is one of the oldest towns along the Bulgarian bank of the Danube River. The Baba Vida fortress was constructed from the 9th through the 10th centuries. It is one of the few completely preserved Bulgarian medieval castles. Its construction was started at the site of an ancient Roman watchtower, known as Bononia.
• 
  Bucharest, Romania

  Bucharest is the capital of Romania and serves as the country's center for commerce. An iconic landmark of the city is the Palatul Parlamentului government complex, which was built during the Communist era. The massive structure features 1,100 rooms.

  Best Time To Visit

  June or September are always good times to visit Bucharest, Romania, as the weather is moderate and you can get a lot of sightseeing done. The historic Lipscani district features a vibrant nightlife scene.

Croatia River Cruise Packages

• May to June - Good Season

  If you go during May, the temperatures are not sweltering and you will experience increasingly more sunny days. However, if your plan is to go swimming at a beach, you will probably find the water too cold.

• September to October - Best Season

  If you want to save money and make the most of the weather, you probably will like going in September. Again, this time is ideal for swimming and enjoying fewer crowds. You can also take advantage of lower pricing. If you book far enough ahead, you may be able to get a discount of about 20%. Watch out for the strong coastal wind of the Bura, which blows northeasterly – something to consider when making river cruise plans. While it normally occurs in the winter, its effects can be still be felt year-round.

Croatia River Cruises Frequently Asked Questions

• What Are Croatia River Cruises?

  Croatia river cruises normally include trips of about 11 days that cover major Croatian ports and cities. A highlight of the river cruise includes sailing through the Iron Gates Gorge, a spectacular natural wonder. River cruises normally begin in Dubrovnik and end in Bucharest, Romania. Popular Croatian cities and ports-of-call on the river cruise include Split and Zagreb, the capital. Stops in Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria are normally part of the itinerary.

• What Is Included on Croatia River Cruises?

  Croatia river cruises permit you to sail through Croatia and the Balkans, visiting natural sites and historic structures. You receive guided tours, free meals, complimentary beverages, luxury accommodations, and Wi-Fi.

• What’s the Best River Cruise of Croatia River Cruises?

  You will find the best river cruise for you when you locate a river cruise package that meets your interests and budget. One of the best river cruise lines to consider is Avalon Waterways, as it offers Croatia river cruises that cover most, if not all, of the aforementioned attractions and more.

• How Much Do Croatia River Cruises Cost?

  If you want to go on a 14-day river cruise, expect to pay around $4,000 per person during the month of September, which is a preferred sailing month. Plan your trip several months in advance, and you may be able to reduce the price by $500 to $1,000.