Croatia festivals: everything you need to know

Site of Hideout, Fresh Island, Sonus, Love Week, Vibe Guide

Zrće Beach’s venues are Noa, Papaya, Aquarius I & II and Kalypso. The trick is to start at one end and finish at the other: Noa’s marina-based layout makes it the perfect place for pre-game cocktail jugs. Papaya is undisputedly the main club on the beach – the pool parties and peak-time headliners play out here. Come 3am when the crush gets too much, head next door to Aquarius I&II. It’s the second stage of the festivals – almost as rammed but you’ll get some space and some bar service. Finally, the best sunrise sessions happen at Kalypso, a former beach bar turned tropical superclub down the other end of the beach.

Food: Zrće festivals have their accommodation in the town of Novalja. There are plenty of pizza and burger joints on the main stretch, but head further, past the boat party harbour or off the main square in front of the marina, for quieter, better quality eateries.

Drink: The cheapest places to drink are restaurants themselves, or once you’re at Zrće beach, Euphoria bar on the left as you leave the bus serves super-strong cocktail jugs of Long Island for around a tenner.

Money: You’ll need ATMs. They’re located along the main strip in Novalja and the road leading to Zrće. Zrće only has one, and the bars and boat parties are cash only.

Local knowledge: Be aware that it’s very hard to get the morning after pill in what is essentially a pretty Catholic country.

[Image above: Hideout Festival]

Site of Outlook, Dimensions, Sea Splash

We recommend camping at these festivals. The campsite’s set deep in the forest, has a big on-site complex of shops and bars, and two beaches, one of which plays music all day. Buses from the festival into town are every 15 minutes during the day, but a total mystery at night. Finally the festival operates a bag search policy when you arrive – but there’s an on-site supermarket anyway.

Eat: Get into downtown Pula during the day, as you’ll get a better variety of food than found on site. Try the bars by the harbour or leading off the amphitheatre for outdoor seats and lunch deals.

Drink: The Pula festivals use tokens. So drinks, by Croatian standards, are not cheap. Pre-game is key. There’s plenty of tap water on site, so get a bucket and keep a stash of beers from the local supermarket cool for campsite drinks.

Money: You buy tokens with cash. You’re best to get this out in Pula; the few cash machines on site are sketchy, and there’s none once you’re at the festival itself.

Local knowledge: The Pula festivals have some of the best boat parties in the business so make sure you snag one. The place also has a lot of undercover cops, so party wisely.

[Image above: The Garden Festival]

Site of Love International, Soundwave, Electric Elephant, Movement, Defected

The Tisno festivals happen at three locations: the main ‘Garden site, boat parties and the afterparty venue, Barbarella’s. Do your homework and make sure you book both boat parties and Barbarella’s afterparties – the latter aren’t always included in tickets. Generally speaking, daytime at the festival site tends to be a pretty laid-back affair, so wander the 2km into town (or get the £4 taxi-train) for beaches and bars.

Food: Downtown Tisno is set around one harbour. At the far end of that harbour is a stretch of pizzerias serving pizzas for £5 and bottles of wine for £8.

Drink: The Tisno boat parties are some of the cheapest in Croatia, serving bottles of prosecco for around £20 and beers for £3. Back on land, pints in the local bars are pretty reasonable, though pre-gaming over dinner in town might be your best bet.

Money: Bars are cash-only. The site has only one ATM, in the tourist office. Head into town.

Local Knowledge: The taxis in Tisno are expensive by UK, never mind Croatian standards. Local buses will ferry you to your transfer point, to Split and to Zagreb for only a few quid. Get hold of a timetable from downtown Tisno.

[Image above: Fresh Island Festival]

Site of Ultra Europe

Get there early. 60,000 people show up at main venue, Poljud Stadium, at approximately the same time, so arrive before 9pm and grab a few beers before the queues amass. Also be aware that Ultra Europe pauses for 20 minutes between sets, so head to the bar with a few minutes of each set to go to ensure you’re served nice and quick.

Food: There are stacks of trailers and vendors looped around the stadium. If you fancy something different, get a bus to the main harbour (the bus station’s located there, so almost every bus you hop on will pass through) for a series of squares with outdoor cafés and restaurants.

Drink: Booze isn’t cheap at Ultra Europe. Luckily, Split is. Croatia’s second city is a student town, and rammed with great bars.

Money: At Ultra Europe they operate a wristband system: head to one of the signposted booths, hand over cash or card and they charge your wristband with credit. Just remember you’ll need spare cash for the obligatory 4am hot dog.

Local Knowledge: For accommodation, go Airbnb or equivalent. Locals have caught on to Ultra Europe, but the festival accommodation is either more expensive or located, quite literally, in another town.

[Image above: Bol, Croatia]

Your Croatia trip doesn’t have to end when the last tune of the festival does.

Finished at Zrce Beach? Head to Zagreb

It’s one of the most beautiful places in Europe. A student city, modern hostels are on every corner, and beers are around £1.20 a pint. For good tunes head to Masters or Sirup club. For white-sofa madness head to the Lake Jarun superclubs.

Finished at Tisno? Head to Krka National Park

First up, grab a bus from Tisno to Sibenik a half-hour drive away. It’s a bigger town with cheaper accommodation and decent bars. Next, get a bus to Krka National Park, Croatia’s little-known slice of Eden, with waterfalls, trail walks and boat rides and swimming available in ice-cool lakes and rock pools set in deep forests.

Finished at Split? Head to Hvar

Hvar is a superyacht port and home to some of the slickest, best-looking venues (and people) on the planet. East European socialites abound. and it’s by no means a cheap day out, but if you’re staying in Split jump on the catamaran to this spot and head to Carpe Diem bar or similar – you’ll likely fall in love with what (or who) you find.

[Image above: Hvar, Croatia]

Finished at Pula? Head to Venice

Pula’s port offers cheap ferries to Venice. It isn’t a party city, but it is one of the loveliest places on the planet and perfect for a post-festival romantic weekend. Water-front bars and eateries aren’t cheap, but seek out back alleys where a pizza and a bottle of wine won’t break the bank.

Need more work on the tan? Head to Bol

Bol is a laid-back seaside town on Croatia’s Brac island, famous for Zlatni Rat beach which juts out into the sea. There are plenty of bars and restaurants, apartments and even hotels are affordable, and it can be easily reached by catamaran from Split.