Dalmatia - Zadar Region Travel Forum

I'd like to visit Crotia traveling from the northern coast down to Dubrovnik over the course of 1 week. Is it safe for a female traveling on her own? Also, are the hostel options? I'm looking to budget travel.

Last ques, are there any bike tours (single day) or one week along the coast that offer budget pricing/accommodations?

Many thanks!!!

Being a solo traveller myself I assure you it is safe as far as you bahave yourself. Most of the people you meet will be tourists. Donīt know about hostels but there is plenty of private rooms for a reasonable prices

Croatia is a safe country overall, crime rate (Street assaults, robberies, etc.)is still low. As for bike tours, there are some, check www.istria-bike.com their web site is really good and they have tours (routes, Bike&Bed and more) listed (although, Istria is in the northern part). There are several other agencies offering tours in Dalmatia, check:
http://www.pedalandseaadventures.com/bike_tour_of_croatia.html; there is a Croatian agency organizing bike tours called Avanturist; their web site is not functioning well (Enlish is not working at all) but you can contact them on avanturist@zg.htnet.hr and ask.
As for hostels, not too many on the coast and they get booked really quickly in the summer, but private accommodation is plentiful and it's usually the same price as hostels pppn.

Thank you!

Yes, absolutely. I have lived here for over a year and you will have no problem in the cafe bars. The guys will look you over (I consider this appreciation) but there is no grabbing butts or Hey Babys if you are a solo woman traveller. An invitation for coffee or a drink is just an invitation for a coffee not a prelude to anything else. Of course the construction workers will still call out if you are jogging by, but that's universal right? Most guys and gals hang out in single sex groups, all the cafe bars allow kids (and smoking beware) so it can be a little too family oriented at times. Along the waterfront at night you will glimpse more couples however single women are not assumed to be looking for action if you are strolling alone at night.

Depending on where you start in the North (Rijeka?) one week is a short visit. Plan to stay at least 3 days in one spot and then cycle to the next place. Soba (Sobe/Apartmani/Zimmer) are all very clean and don't hesitate to pick a place without an official blue sign because it is common to see if you like the room and take it or not as you feel. More stars on a sobe just means it has a seperate kitchen or more rooms,not that the sobe is better quality. Plan on 60 euros a night and you will be fine.

I haven't seen much activity in the bike tour business. Its not for the budget traveller as far as I can see. I think most of the places have mountain bikes to rent and maybe you can get a map at the tourist bureau. I brought my road bike over from the USA but I'm from Seattle where we are bike crazy and also have lots of hills. I see plenty of solo bikers loaded down with paniers this month and not so many in the heat of the summer.

Independant travel requires you to learn some language so write down a bunch of phrases and get a local to help you with the pronunciation. Always use lots of courtesy (greetings, thanks and please) in Croatia because there is a more formal host/guest tradition here.

Sretan put (happy/lucky travels)!