Rolling Around Croatia: A Wheelchair User’s Travel Guide

If you are feeling rather adventurous and don’t mind relying on the kindness of others then Croatia could be a great place to travel in a wheelchair. I was inspired to write this post after my friend Jeanne of incredibleACCESSIBLE.com said that someone she knew was thinking about traversing the country and wanted to know how accessible it would be. Since most of the country has been around since the 15th century or longer, it can be tricky to navigate the terrain in a wheelchair. However, this post will focus on certain areas where wheelchair access is more prolific than others. Here are some of the highlights for wheelchair accessibility as it pertains to this great tourist destination.

Stairs

For starters, stairs are a big issue. Almost every place in Croatia has stairs that can be really challenging. However, there are ways around them. For instance, if you are making a trip to the Plitvice Lakes then there are various wooden ramps that are a bit bumpy and steep, but doable. The stairs can be a trick, however, keep in mind that typically on these types of trips there are groups of people involved and one of those is almost always sure to lend a helping hand.

Wooden ramp at Plitvice Lakes

Most of the major four and five star hotels in Croatia also have ramps that make the stairs a non-issue. They are also equipped with elevators inside the property. The point being, if you are staying in a hostel or apartment, you should probably request a first-floor dwelling if at all possible. Otherwise, you will need help getting up and down the stairs to your apartment or room.

Hit the Beach

The best beach for wheelchair users can be found near Opatija. There you will find ample parking, as well as educated staff that are available to answer any questions that you might have. They also have an access ramp for wheelchair users that goes down to the beach.

Opatija beaches are beautiful!

Most of the four and five star hotels in Croatia along the coast have wheelchair access ramps that go to the beach as well. The only problem with these beaches are that they are pebbly rather than sandy. However, it’s not like you’re going to roll around sand in your wheelchair either. You would burn your motor out pretty quick! Trust me, I know from experience.

Yet all is not lost with beach life. The promenade is easily accessible and snakes down the coast of Croatia through the Makarska Resort area. From here you can easily find your way to many of the shops and restaurants that are fairly easy to navigate. Again, the only trick might be trying to get up the steps at certain promenade access points. There, you might need to request the help of a friend or stranger to get you topside if possible.

An Isolated Gem

The Radisson Blu in Dubrovnik is a fantastic hotel in regards to wheelchair access. This is the only resort complex in the city and they have gone to great lengths to make it wheelchair accessible. The Radisson offers wheelchair accessible rooms for disabled guests and all of the walkways are wide and easy to navigate. The restaurants and cafés on site are designed with accessible features in mind. I read so many great things about this resort online as far as accessibility is concerned.

The Radisson Blu

However, Mother Nature is not as concerned about wheelchair accessibility as the Radisson Blu hotel is. Outside of the complex there are steep surroundings, which make it extremely difficult for wheelchair navigation. There are no shops or restaurants within walking distance. So if you want to have an isolated experience at a world-class resort then the hotel in Dubrovnik is certainly an option. Just keep in mind that beyond that, there are no other options. If you would like to get out and explore then you might just spend one evening of your stay at this resort and then make arrangements to find another place along the coast that will give you a bit more freedom.

Transportation

Transportation is generally accessible. Most of the bus lines and of course the airport are more than accommodating. The only trick happens to be if you try to hop a cab. If you do, just make sure that you mention your accessibility concerns in case they did not notice that you are in a wheelchair (yes, it can happen). Most often though, you will more than likely be riding the bus as it is a common intercity mode of transport. Upon arrival, choose the best street for you to navigate in your chair. Since the country is ancient, some of the roadways are a little less maintained. The good news is that this is improving as Croatia’s reputation for a holiday destination keeps increasing. They still have a bit further to go before they improve their overall marks, yet the country is certainly worth exploring if you are okay with asking for a little help from time to time. Enjoy your adventurous time in this beautiful country!

Have you been to Croatia? How accessible did you think it was?

*I have not traveled to Croatia. I found this information from various websites and compiled the information to make this article.

*A Note from Curb Free with Cory Lee: This post includes affiliate links. When you click on a link, I may receive a small compensation, which will help this blog grow into a better resource for disabled travelers.