May to June or September to October is the best time to visit Croatia, with warm weather and fewer crowds than peak summer. July and August bring the hottest weather but the busiest coastline and highest prices, particularly in Dubrovnik and along the Dalmatian islands. There are highlights year-round: Hvar's Lavender Festival fills the island with the scent of harvest every June, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival brings open-air theatre, opera and music to over 70 historic venues through July and August, and Istria's Truffle Days celebrate the region's prized white truffles across October.

The best things to do in Croatia include exploring Dubrovnik's old town, island-hopping along the Dalmatian coast, and wandering Zagreb's historic centre.

• Exploring Dubrovnik's walled old town and city walls

• Island-hopping from Split to Hvar, Brač and Korčula

• Wandering Zagreb's historic Upper Town and museums

• Hiking among the waterfalls and lakes of Plitvice Lakes National Park

• Sailing or swimming along the Istrian coast, around Rovinj and Poreč

• Truffle hunting and wine tasting in inland Istria

• Discovering Split's Diocletian's Palace, a still-inhabited Roman palace built for the emperor's retirement in 305 AD

• Diving into the glowing waters of the Blue Cave, a sea grotto off the island of Biševo near Vis

Croatia is reachable by direct daytime trains to Zagreb from Ljubljana, Vienna and Budapest, and by overnight sleeper train from Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Buses connect Croatia's coastal cities, including Dubrovnik, with neighbouring countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ferries also link Croatia with Italy, with a year-round route between Ancona and Split, and seasonal services from Venice, Trieste, Bari and other Italian ports to the Istrian coast and Dalmatian islands.