Honeymoon
A Croatia honeymoon between old walled towns and islands in clear water
Croatia gives a honeymoon two things at once: stone towns where everyone strolls along the harbour in the evening, and islands where you swim off the rocks in water clear enough to see the bottom. It is a short flight from the UK, and in June and September it is at its best.
6 November 20264 min
Picolo Editorial
Croatia's coast runs for hundreds of kilometres along the Adriatic, with more than a thousand islands off it. For a honeymoon the choice is between the walled city of Dubrovnik in the far south, the islands around Split such as Hvar, and the peninsula of Istria in the north, which feels close to Italy. Below we show when to go, the four places we recommend, a ten-day route and the hotel we pick in each.
In short: a honeymoon in Croatia
Best months: June and September, with warm sea and fewer people than in July and August.
For the romance: Dubrovnik, a walled old town above the sea.
For island life: Hvar and the islands off Split, by catamaran.
For food and quiet: Rovinj in Istria, in the north.
For nature: the Plitvice Lakes, 16 lakes linked by waterfalls.
Our hotel pick: Villa Dubrovnik, rated 9.8 out of 10 from 209 reviews on Hotels.com.
Our first choice for a Croatia honeymoon: four nights at Villa Dubrovnik in early June or September, with terraces stepping down to the sea and a view of the old town. Check availability and prices at Villa Dubrovnik
This guide is part of our best honeymoon destinations series and our guide to honeymoon destinations in Europe.
When to go to Croatia on honeymoon
June and September are the best months for most couples. The sea is warm, the days are long and there is room on the beaches and in the old towns. July and August are the hottest months, but Dubrovnik and Hvar are very busy and prices peak. In May and October the cities and national parks are pleasant, but the sea is cool, and many island hotels close in October. Read our guide to the best time to visit Croatia.
Four places in Croatia for a honeymoon
Dubrovnik: the city inside the walls
For centuries Dubrovnik was a city state of its own. Its walls run for almost two kilometres around the old town and are still complete, with churches, palaces and the polished main street Stradun inside. Walk the walls early in the morning, before the cruise ships arrive, and take the cable car up Mount Srđ for the sunset. The island of Lokrum is a short boat ride from the old harbour.
Our pick is Villa Dubrovnik, described in full below. For a beach hotel, Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik sits on its own cove, a five-minute drive from Pile Gate, the main gate of the old town, and is rated 9.8 out of 10 from 1,000 reviews. Read our Dubrovnik guide.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik
Hvar and the islands: by catamaran from Split
Hvar is Croatia's best-known island and one of the sunniest in the Mediterranean. Hvar Town has a square of white stone, a fortress above the harbour and water taxis to the Pakleni Islands, wooded islets with coves and small restaurants. Further east, Stari Grad was founded by the Greeks, and its old fields are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lavender inland blooms in June and July.
Our pick is Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel on the harbour in Hvar Town, with a rooftop terrace and a spa, rated 9.2 out of 10 from 606 reviews. Read our Hvar guide and our guide to Split, the port for the islands.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel
Rovinj and Istria: the quiet north
Istria is the heart-shaped peninsula in the north of Croatia, close to Italy and Slovenia. Rovinj is its prettiest town, with an old town on a small headland crowned by a church tower, and pine forest along the shore. It is calmer than the south, and suits couples who care more about good food than nightlife.
Our pick is Grand Park Hotel Rovinj, a modern hotel facing the old town across the harbour, with two outdoor pools, an indoor pool and a spa, rated 9.8 out of 10 from 263 reviews. The forest park Zlatni Rt is a 15-minute walk away.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Grand Park Hotel Rovinj
At dusk the pool at Grand Park Hotel Rovinj looks across the harbour to the old town and its church tower. Photo: Hotels.com
The Plitvice Lakes: a day among the waterfalls
The Plitvice Lakes are 16 turquoise lakes linked by waterfalls, crossed on wooden boardwalks, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitor numbers are capped, so book tickets for a set time in high season, and arrive at opening time. Dubrovnik is about five to six hours south by car. Read our guide to the Plitvice Lakes and Dubrovnik.
A ten-day honeymoon route in Croatia
Fly into Split and spend two nights there, then take the catamaran to Hvar for three nights. Continue to Dubrovnik by catamaran or car for four or five nights, and fly home from there. With more time, add the island of Vis, or start in Istria and drive south via the Plitvice Lakes. Most beaches are pebble rather than sand, so pack water shoes. See our guide to the best beaches in Croatia.
Our pick for a Croatia honeymoon
Villa Dubrovnik: terraces above the sea, facing the old town
Villa Dubrovnik is a small luxury hotel built into the cliff just east of the old town, with terraces stepping down to the sea and a view straight across the water to the city walls. It has a rooftop terrace, a spa with an indoor pool, two bars and the restaurant Pjerin, which serves Mediterranean food at breakfast and dinner. Banje Beach is a 15-minute walk away, and guests rate it 9.8 out of 10 from 209 reviews on Hotels.com.
Our verdict
What Picolo recommends: a ten-day honeymoon in June or September, with Hvar first and four nights in Dubrovnik at the end.
Why: the islands give you swimming and slow days, and Dubrovnik gives you one of the most romantic old towns in Europe for the final nights.
The trade-off: July and August are crowded and expensive, and most beaches are pebble. If you want long sandy beaches, the Greek islands or the Algarve suit you better.
Frequently asked questions
Is Croatia good for a honeymoon?
Yes, Croatia is good for a honeymoon, especially for couples who want old towns, islands and clear water in one trip. Dubrovnik, Hvar and Rovinj are all romantic, the food is good and the flight from the UK is short. Go in June or September to avoid the crowds and the highest prices of July and August.
When is the best time for a honeymoon in Croatia?
The best time for a honeymoon in Croatia is June or September. The sea is warm, the evenings are long and there is room in the old towns. July and August are hotter but crowded, and in May and October the sea is cool and some island hotels close. September often has the warmest sea of the year.
Where should you stay in Croatia on honeymoon?
Stay in Dubrovnik for the walled old town, on Hvar for island life, and in Rovinj for a calmer stay with good food in the north. A classic ten-day route combines Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik by catamaran. Our first choice is Villa Dubrovnik, with terraces above the sea and a view of the old town.
Is Croatia or Greece better for a honeymoon?
Croatia is better for old towns, island hopping by catamaran and a shorter flight from the UK, while Greece is better for sandy beaches, sunsets over the caldera on Santorini and a longer season. Both are best in June and September. Read our Greece honeymoon guide if you are choosing between them.
Sources
The facts about Dubrovnik, Hvar, the Plitvice Lakes, the seasons and the beaches come from Picolo's own guides to Croatia. The facts about Stari Grad and the Plitvice Lakes as World Heritage Sites come from the UNESCO World Heritage List. The guest scores come from each hotel's page on Hotels.com. Last checked: 6 November 2026.
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This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, Picolo earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Our picks are made independently by our editors.
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