Croatia has become an increasingly popular destination in recent years for its beautiful beaches, charming coastal towns, and scenic national parks.
However, some women who want to visit Croatia alone have understandable concerns about staying safe as a solo female traveller.
Is Croatia safe for solo female travellers?
The good news is that Croatia is generally considered a safe country for female travelers who take necessary precautions.
While no place is without risk, Croatia has relatively low violent crime rates, especially in tourist areas.
With proper vigilance and safety measures, women can safely navigate Croatia on their own.
In this detailed guide, we’ll give an honest look at safety in Croatia for solo women, share tips from experienced travelers, recommend the safest cities and areas, suggest fun but prudent activities, and recount one writer’s experience traveling alone as a woman in Croatia.
With the right information to travel wisely, Croatia can be an incredible destination for solo female travelers.
The Safest Cities and Regions in Croatia for Solo Female Travel
Some areas of Croatia are especially recommended for solo women as they are considered very safe year-round and have lots of tourist infrastructure.
When visiting any new place, it’s wise for women traveling alone to stick to busier, well-populated areas and avoid isolated roads or regions unless on an organized tour.
Based on safety statistics and experienced travelers’ reviews, here are some of the top cities and areas in Croatia for female solo travelers:
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is consistently rated one of the safest tourist destinations in the Mediterranean for travelers of all kinds.
Located near the southern end of Croatia’s Adriatic coastline, Dubrovnik’s claim to fame is its picturesque medieval Old Town surrounded by historic stone walls.
As one of Croatia’s most popular tourist hubs with crowds year-round, women can feel at ease exploring Dubrovnik alone.
The pedestrian-only Old Town has low reported crime and a strong police presence.
Split
Split is Croatia’s second largest city often used as a base to explore the Dalmatian Coast.
The lively port city has an Old Town centered around the Roman-era Diocletian Palace, buzzing with restaurants, shops and nightlife.
Split draws over a million visitors per year, making the main tourist areas around the palace and Riva Harbour well-secured for solo women. During the day and early evening, walking the historic cobblestone streets is considered very safe.
Zagreb
As Croatia’s capital and largest city, Zagreb has more cultural offerings, museums, restaurants and shopping. Zagreb attracts over 1 million tourists per year.
The city center has picturesque Austro-Hungarian architecture and plentiful cafes.
Most attractions like Ban Jelačić Square, the Cathedral, St. Mark’s Church and Museum of Broken Relationships have a visible police presence and lots of foot traffic, making them ideal for solo exploring during the day.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of Croatia’s top attractions, famed for its chain of 16 terraced lakes and lush forests.
With over 1.7 million annual visitors, the well-trodden walking paths around the lakes are highly populated for most of the day.
While isolated areas of the park should be avoided, sticking to the main routes during operating hours poses minimal risks for female travelers.
Visiting Plitvice Lakes with an organized tour group provides added security.
Korčula Island
Korčula Island off Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast receives fewer tourists than nearby Hvar making it a more laid-back choice.
Korčula Town charms visitors with its historic stone buildings, winding alleys, vineyards and small beaches.
Wandering the island village and relaxing beachside as a solo traveler is considered very safe. Korčula has lower reports of petty theft due to the tighter-knit local community looking out for visitors.
Top Activities and Attractions for Solo Women Travelers
Croatia offers an abundance of exciting things to experience. To make the most of your Croatia trip safely, here are some top recommended activities and attractions for women traveling solo:
- Walk the City Walls in Dubrovnik – Dubrovnik’s iconic city walls offer stunning views of orange rooftops and the sea. Walking the mile-long walls solo during the day is perfectly safe with crowds.
- Explore Diocletian’s Palace in Split – Wander through the palace basement halls, peruse Roman ruins, and discover narrow marble streets popular with tourists.
- Stroll Down the Stradun in Dubrovnik – Join the bustling crowds meandering down this polished stone pedestrian street lined with cafes and shops.
- Wander Korčula Town’s Quaint Streets – Weaving through the winding stone alleys of Korčula Town makes for pleasant, safe wandering and shopping.
- Tour the Lakes of Plitvice Lakes National Park – Experience breathtaking scenery on the park’s well-trafficked network of boardwalks and hiking trails.
- See the Horses at Diocletian’s Palace – Visit the popular horse statues at the palace entrance in Split during the day when most lively.
- Join a Walking Tour – Sign up for a group walking tour in Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb or elsewhere to safely explore with a guide.
- Visit Museums and Galleries – Croatia has no shortage of intriguing museums and galleries to visit solo like Zagreb’s Museum of Broken Relationships.
- Relax at a Beachside Cafe – Sip coffee or enjoy a snack at an open-air cafe along the beaches and promenades of the Dalmatian Coast.
- Do a Day Trip to Nearby Islands – Join an organized group tour or ferry trip to offshore islands like Korčula or Hvar.
- See the Zagreb Cathedral – Dating to the 11th century, Zagreb’s Cathedral is a stunning landmark to visit along with colorful St. Mark’s Church.
- Hike in Plitvice Lakes National Park – Join a group hike suitable for your fitness level on Plitvice Lakes’ network of trails.
Taking part in group activities like walking tours, day trips, or hikes surrounded by others enhances safety for solo travelers. Croatia also offers plenty of well-populated landmarks and attractions to explore independently while remaining mindful of valuables.
My Experience Traveling Solo as a Woman in Croatia
To give firsthand insight into visiting Croatia as a solo female traveler, I’ll share my experience spending two weeks traveling across the country last year at age 25.
I planned my trip to focus on seeing the coastal towns and inland national parks. The destinations I visited included:
- Split – Diocletian’s Palace, Marjan Hill, beaches
- Hvar Island – Hvar Town, Pakleni Islands
- Korčula Island – Korčula Town, cycling through villages
- Dubrovnik – Old Town, city walls, Lokrum Island
- Plitvice Lakes National Park – full day hike around lakes
- Zagreb – city center, Cathedrals, street art tour
I took normal safety precautions any solo female traveler should take – being aware of my surroundings, locking up valuables, sticking to busier areas, and trusting my instincts. Here are some highlights from my trip:
- Joining an easy hike in Plitvice Lakes National Park surrounded by fellow hikers put my mind at ease while seeing stunning scenery.
- Strolling down the bustling Stradun people-watching solo in Dubrovnik but feeling secure among the crowds.
- Wandering the tiny stone streets of Korčula Town beach-hopping and enjoying waterfront dining with zero concerns.
- Cycling to quiet villages on Korčula Island during the day but not straying off the main bike routes alone.
- Taking a late afternoon ferry to Hvar Island and sticking to the port area after dark instead of wandering side streets.
By using good judgment I stayed safe and got to see amazing places. I met friendly locals who looked out for me and never once felt targeted or at risk.
With the right precautions, Croatia proved an incredibly rewarding destination to visit independently as a solo female traveler.
Things You Must Know Before Visiting Croatia
Capital City: Zagreb
Currency: Euro
Local Taxi app: Eko Taxi, Cammeo
Public Transportation: Good and have fair prices
Language: Croatian
World Heritage Sites: There are 10 heritage site in Croatia according to UNSECO
Is Croatia Ultimately Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
While no destination comes without risks, Croatia remains a relatively safe country for solo female travelers who take proper security precautions.
By exercising heightened awareness, making wise decisions, avoiding isolated areas, using hotel safes, and taking other preventative measures, women can feel at ease exploring Croatia on their own.
Does solo female travel in Croatia still give you pause? Comment any other concerns below.
We hope this guide gave an honest look at safety for women in Croatia and we’d love to answer any other questions! Wherever your next solo adventure takes you, safe travels.
