Summer 2016: Start Planning Your Croatian Electronic Escape Now

Croatia's crisp waters, glamorous beaches, and warm weather combine to create a Mediterranean Mecca of music festivals.

There are a wealth of areas and festivals to explore but if it's decadent electronic music festivals you want, then the places to go are Novalja or Split. Both have been given the nickname of "The Croatian Ibiza", and there are new events popping up every year competing alongside long standing greats which pull ravers in from around the world.

Here's our guide to planning your perfect Croatian holiday for Summer 2016.

 

A photo posted by @festicket on Sep 2, 2015 at 12:02pm PDT

When's the best time to go to Croatia?

While festival season starts around April and ends late September, the busiest months are July-August. So if you decide to go to a festival around those months make sure your accommodation is booked as soon as possible.

On the other hand when booking flights, depending on where you are flying from by, travel and flight websites SkyScanner and Cheap Air once reported that booking your flights early as possible isn't always the cheapest option. For example a look at 2014 figures saw that booking flights from UK to Croatia was cheapest during the 6-week window before departure date!

There's plenty of country-specific advice around, so hunt online for the best tips before booking.

 

A photo posted by @festicket on Oct 16, 2015 at 9:56am PDT

Where should I stay and how do I get there?

As mentioned earlier, the best purely electronic events happen in Novalja or Split, which have several airports within reach. Zadar, Zagreb and Split airports are the most popular and convenient choices. Many Festicket packages or deals direct from the festivals offer airport transfers near or even outside your accommodation, so you just need to decide where to stay.

Both Novalja and Split have a wide range of areas to sleep so it largely depends on what vibe and experience you are looking for. Novalja and Gajac have lots of shops, bars, restaurants and nightlife, yet Barbati Area or Straya Novalja Bay offer quiet escapes with little cafes along the bay, providing a chance to recharge throughout the festivals.

In Split, Bacvice is a popular choice due to its famous beach and proximity to nightlife, while the Old Town area is right in the centre of town if you love to be in thick of it. There is also Veli Varos' charming winding streets and endless restaurants.

Which festival should I go to?

THE SEASON OPENER - Zrce Spring Break

Inspired by Spring Break in America, this festival gives you a similar chance to lose your inhibitions at insane parties. Last year's edition included Pirate party boats, afterparties on the beach and more throughout four days of mania. For the ultimate decadent experience you might want to check out the wild VIP packages.

The 2016 lineup is yet to be revealed but 2015 featured R3hab, Quentin Mosimann, DJs From Mars, DJ An7onio and Mario Amarillo.

When & Where? 25 - 29 May 2016 at Zrće Beach

Festicket Guide / Tickets & Packages

THE ECLECTIC ONE - Hideout Festival

Of all the electronic festivals on this list, Hideout's lineup is the best one to choose if you're going with mates from all sub-tribes of the dance community, as house, techno, dubstep, drum'n'bass, rave, and minimal beats are all covered.

Last year Hideout celebrated its 5th birthday, and 2016 promises to get even bigger and better. Its legendary status continues with amazing warm-up parties, dance floor takeovers in unforgettable nightclubs, and gatherings for all moods along the beaches and onboard boat parties. Headline artists, adored labels and respected club night organisers will be your host.

When & Where? 26 June - 1 July 2016 at Zrće Beach

Festicket Guide / Tickets & Packages On Sale

THE WORLDWIDE TRAVELLER - Ultra Europe

Since its 1999 debut in Miami, the mighty Ultra Music Festival has travelled around the world visiting and/or setting up party bases across the globe from South Africa to Japan. Known for its incredible stage designs, which paint the skies with fireworks and pyrotechnics, lights that bathe the audience with lasers, and body-vibrating sound systems, Ultra draws devotees from across the world just to meet members of the "Ultra Family".

From 2013 Croatia has had the honour of hosting Ultra Europe. Each edition consists of a massive beach party that takes over the island of Hotel Amfora Gran Beach Resort, epic pre-parties, and the main three-day event which pulls together a consistently unbeatable lineup of EDM and house superstars.

When & Where? Dates to be announced soon but the main festival will be taking place at Stadion Poljud, Split.

Festicket Guide / Tickets & Packages

 

Let your colours burst at #ultraeurope! #fireworks #ultra2015

A photo posted by Ultra Europe (@ultraeurope) on Sep 1, 2015 at 5:14am PDT

THE RECORD LABEL RIOT - Armada Croatia

Taking over the world-famous Papaya night club, Armin Van Buuren's co-founded label will bring artists and friends of the roster to present a four-day takeover of pool parties, boat parties and jam-packed nightclub.

Seen by many as the perfect warm up to Ultra Europe, which usually takes place straight after, Aramda's 2015 lineup saw the likes of Andrew Rayel, Cosmic Gate, Ørjan Nilsen and MaRLo play.

When & Where? 18 - 21 July at Papaya Nightclub on Zrće Beach

Festicket Guide / Tickets & Packages On Sale Soon

THE TECHNO TAKEOVER - Sonus Festival

If you're more of a techno head then Sonus will tick all your boxes, as over the years the likes of Richie Hawtin, Sven Väth, Loco Dice, Dixon, Chris Lieving, Jackmaster and Magda have appeared once, twice or three plus times at this popular event.

From the creative minds behind Time Warp, Sonus spoils you for choice of who to see in which order. Zrce Beach and its high-profile nightclubs form the perfect stage, while boat party tickets always sell out fast.

When & Where? Dates to be announced but the festival will take place at Zrće Beach.

Festicket Guide / Tickets & Packages

What else to see and do in Croatia

• If you are staying for a long period of time and fancy adding a wild card into your electronic music holiday, the finest acts in hip-hop, rap & RnB appear at Fresh Island festival.
• Aside from finding the best electronic festivals in Croatia, you can also enjoy fun water sports at Zrce Beach such as wakeboarding, water skiing, jet skiing and fly boarding.
• If you want to experience the thrill of adrenaline along with waterfalls, forests and caves, Sunturist run very popular rafting, kayakning and canoe trips.
• The Roman Aqueduct is a must-see for fans of sightseeing walks and instagram moments.
• Most travel guides recommend trying Croatian lamb as it is a nationwide speciality, along with 'Zutica' white wine and Pag's Sheep Cheese.

With many announcements coming out soon, you can keep up to date with all of Festicket's Croatian events here!