I have been dreaming about Croatia ever since my last visit in the summer of 2025. The crystal-clear blue seas and concrete beaches (sand is my arch-nemesis), the ancient Roman ruins, and friendly people have left me longing for my return!
I was there for a festival in Tisno, but stopped over in the beautiful Split beforehand. I was visiting with a group of friends, which meant a lot of communication and navigation were required, making a solid internet connection a must.
And as anyone who has been to a festival knows, only the best internet connections seem to work when crammed amongst thousands of people.
Thankfully, my Saily eSIM kept me connected throughout my whole trip to Croatia, which made all the difference when it came to coordinating with friends scattered across the festival site, locating vegan food, and checking my banking after spending far too much across the trip.
In this article, I am going to go into detail about why I recommend Saily’s eSIM for Croatia (or their regional Europe plan if you are planning to explore further afield), including my experience with reliability, internet speeds, security features and pricing.
How to pick the best eSIM for Croatia?
With so many different eSIMs to choose from, it can be tough to know which one to buy. Ultimately, it comes down to your needs, like great connection, decent speeds, and affordable prices. Here is my own criteria:
- Reliable connection: An absolute must for me is a reliable connection. So I look for eSIM providers that connect with major local networks like A1, T-Mobile, and Telemach, which offer the most extensive 4G and 5G coverage across Croatia.
- Flexibility: My plans often change when I travel. I want to be able to top up data in seconds through an app so that I can streamline my internet connection, no matter where I am.
- Price: Data costs can add up, especially on longer trips. Plus, travel itself is super expensive. So I look for an eSIM that has affordable pricing, whilst still providing everything else on this list! Which means I’m often not buying the cheapest eSIM, but one that is competitively priced.
- Security: Visiting unfamiliar websites is an unavoidable part of travelling. I want a provider that includes ad blocking and web protection as standard.
Not many eSIMs I have found were able to successfully fulfil all of the above criteria for me. But thankfully, there has been one eSIM brand that has come out strong throughout all my travels – Saily. Continue reading to find out more!
Why I recommend Saily Croatia eSIM
There is a lot that I love about Saily. I can always rely on their eSIM for great connectivity and speeds. It is super easy to top up, their prices are competitive, and they have a variety of additional security features that I find to be really useful!
You can find out more about the brand in my full Saily review, or read on to find out more specifically about their Croatia eSIM.
Pros
- Reliable coverage with access to 5G, LTE and 5G
- Great internet speeds for calls, videos, and more
- Affordable plans with a variety of lengths and data
- Built-in ad blocker that saves data
- Web protection and other security features
- Just one eSIM download
Cons
- Data-only (no Croatian phone number)
- Coverage may be weaker in very remote areas
What is the coverage like?
I was able to connect to the internet within minutes of landing at Split airport. It continued to work like a charm throughout my whole trip in Croatia. In Split itself, both in the old town and down by the shore, I was accessing LTE and 5G networks with very no drop outs.
Travelling to Tisno from Split by car, I also found my phone connection to be consistent. With only one instance where I momentarily lost internet connection, which is to be expected when driving through more remote areas, whether you are using a local SIM or an eSIM.
Thankfully, I was also getting a reliable connection across the festival site (a beachside resort near Tisno). I had no issues getting on the internet throughout my whole week there.
How are the internet speeds?
In Split, like all other cities across Croatia, speeds were more than comfortable for everyday use. Navigation, browsing, messaging, and loading restaurant pages all worked without any noticeable lag. As well as doing spots of work here and there, and watching my favourite TV shows from the hotel.
Moreover, I was able to hotspot to my friend’s phones, and we could all use the internet seamlessly.
At the festival in Tisno, as you would expect, things slowed down during the busiest periods. But even then, I could still send messages, keep an eye on my banking (after spending loads at the bar), and load basic webpages.
Is it affordable?
Saily offers solid value for Croatia, with plans starting from just $3.99 for 1GB over 7 days, up to 20GB over 30 days for $27.99. For a festival trip or a city break in Split, a mid-tier plan will cover most people comfortably, especially with the ad blocker quietly saving your data in the background.
For comparison, Holafly, one of the other well-known names in travel eSIMs, only offers unlimited plans. Their 7-day unlimited plan comes in at around $29.90, which is considerably more than most visitors to Croatia actually need.
| Data | Duration | Saily (USD) | Holafly (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB | 7 days | $3.99 | N/A (unlimited only) |
| 10GB | 30 days | $17.99 | N/A (unlimited only) |
| 20GB | 30 days | $27.99 | N/A (unlimited only) |
| Unlimited | 30 days | $71.99 | $74.90 |
If you are planning to travel beyond Croatia, Saily’s regional Europe plan covers 35 countries under a single plan, so you can island-hop into Slovenia or cross into Bosnia without needing to switch anything up. This can save you even more money in comparison to buying individual eSIMs for each country.
Does it include any extras?
On top of providing an internet connection for your phone, the Saily eSIM includes a hotspot, which means I was able to check on my work emails on my laptop, no matter where I was in Croatia.
The Saily app also has a built-in ad blocker tool, which has helped me save a lot of data when browsing the internet. Ads can be really data-intensive, and not to mention, really pointless and irritating. I have been able to save nearly 28% of data by having this tool switched on.
But it doesn’t stop there. Saily was created by the team at NordVPN (a VPN provider), meaning security is taken very seriously. They have a few extra tools in their app, like Web Protection and Virtual Location, that help protect your privacy online. Giving me ease of mind whilst scouring the web for things to do in the country (on unknown websites!)
Who should buy Saily’s eSIM for Croatia?
Anyone travelling to Croatia will realistically benefit from having an eSIM. It is the simplest and most affordable way to stay connected, and with Saily’s eSIM for Croatia, you get reliable coverage, great speeds, competitive pricing, and useful security features on top.
So, really, if you fit any of these groups, then you’ll want to consider their eSIM:
- Holiday maker, either on a weekend break or a 2-week trip.
- Backpacker looking to save money whilst staying connected to people back home.
- Full-time traveller and/or digital nomad (you may want to check out their monthly worldwide subscription, the Ultra Plan).
- A family with kids to entertain, therefore, useful to have access to a hotspot and video streaming platforms.
How to get started with Saily
Setting up your Saily eSIM for Croatia takes just a few minutes and can be done before you even leave home, no SIM card shops or roaming fees required.
- Check your phone compatibility: Most newer iPhones and Android devices support eSIM technology. It is worth double-checking your model on the Saily website before you buy.
- Pick your plan: Choose from a range of Croatia data plans, from 1GB for a short trip to 20GB for a longer stay, with unlimited options also available. Browse the current Croatia eSIM plans here.
- Install your eSIM: After purchasing, you will receive simple setup instructions. I usually do this whilst packing/prepping for my trip, so it is ready the moment I land.
- Download the Saily app: Available on the App Store and Google Play, I use the app to monitor my usage and top up whenever I need to.
- Top up as needed: If your data is ever running low, you can just add more data within the app. No need to install a new eSIM, it all runs through your existing one.
One of the things I love about Saily is that you only ever need one eSIM download, no matter how many countries you visit. If you are heading to Slovenia or Bosnia after Croatia, you can simply add a new plan to the same eSIM without any faff.
My verdict: The best eSIM for Croatia
There is a lot that I love about Croatia, and a lot that I love about Saily’s Croatia eSIM! After using it throughout my trip, from navigating new places to staying in contact with friends, it will remain my go-to for future trips to the country.
It takes away the stress of finding a local SIM on arrival, keeps you connected without breaking the bank, gives you access to great speeds and reliable coverage, and throws in some genuinely useful security extras on top.
I will be using Saily every time I head back to Croatia. And based on how much I am already missing it, that return trip cannot come soon enough!
Croatia eSIM FAQs
Which eSIM is best for Croatia?
Saily is my top pick for Croatia. I used it throughout my trip, from exploring Split to attending a festival in Tisno, and it held up brilliantly in both settings. Reliable, affordable, and packed with useful extras.
Can you purchase an eSIM for Croatia before getting to Croatia?
Yes, and I would strongly recommend it. You can buy and install your Saily eSIM before you leave home, so you are connected the moment you land. No queuing at airport kiosks or hunting for a SIM card shop in an unfamiliar city.
Which mobile network is best in Croatia?
Croatia has strong coverage from several local networks, including A1, T-Mobile, and Telemach. Saily connects to the best available local network automatically, so you do not need to think about it.
Can I use the same eSIM for Croatia and other countries?
Yes. Saily only requires one eSIM download. If you are visiting Slovenia or Bosnia after Croatia, you can simply add a new plan to your existing eSIM through the app, no reinstalling required.
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