July the 26th, 2026 – An analysis of a staggering 1.6 million reviews reveals precisely what tourists really think of Croatia in comparison to its competition.
Croatia has triumphantly emerged as the highest-rated major Mediterranean destination based on an analysis of more than 1.6 million online guest reviews, but the data also highlights several areas where the country is falling behind its competitors. This study, as reported by Ivan Ivankovic for Index, examined 1,622,218 reviews written by travellers themselves, offering a broad picture of how visitors perceive Croatia compared with other leading Mediterranean destinations.
greece is still leaving a stronger impression…
The overall results are encouraging. Croatia achieved an average rating of 8.91, narrowly edging out nearby Greece and comfortably outperforming Spain, neighbouring Italy and Turkey in overall guest satisfaction. However, when travellers who had visited both Croatia and Greece were asked which destination they preferred, 11 out of 12 nationalities chose Greece, suggesting that while visitors rate Croatia highly, Greece leaves a stronger overall impression.
One of Croatia’s biggest strengths is its location. Visitors consistently praise the country’s remarkable coastline, islands and natural beauty, while also giving high marks for cleanliness. The analysis found that Croatia is also viewed as one of the fairest destinations in the Mediterranean, with comparatively few complaints about scams, hidden charges or tourist traps.
croatia has the highest number of reviews calling it “too expensive”
The biggest criticism, however, is price. Croatia recorded the highest number of reviews mentioning that it is too expensive, with complaints focusing mainly on restaurants, drinks and other spending outside accommodation rather than hotel prices themselves. Among everyday purchases, tourists most often criticised the cost of bottled water, while cocktail prices were also seen as relatively high. Coffee prices, on the other hand, attracted fewer complaints.
The research also identified several recurring frustrations. Guests most frequently complained about parking, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, noise, cleanliness in some locations and showers or water facilities. Croatia also performed poorly when it came to cashless payments, with many visitors noting that some businesses still accept only cash, which represents a growing inconvenience for international travellers.
croatia performs better outside of the main summer season
Another notable finding is that Croatia receives better reviews during the pre-season and post-season than at the height of summer. This suggests that overcrowding and peak-season prices continue to affect the visitor experience during the busiest months.
The analysis paints a nuanced picture of Croatian tourism as a whole. Visitors continue to love the country’s scenery, safety and overall quality, making it one of the Mediterranean’s top-rated destinations. However, if Croatia wants to remain competitive against rivals such as Greece, the findings suggest it will need to address concerns over pricing, infrastructure and service during the busiest part of the tourist season.
