Enjoy a fun-filled holiday with the best places to visit in Croatia. Whether you’re interested in history, lounging on the beach, or seeing the major sights, there’s something for everyone. An ideal place to visit with your family, a special someone, or with friends, the country of Croatia won’t disappoint.
Best places to visit in Croatia: Cities
Croatia oozes elegance no matter where you go, with the cities being a great place to visit if you want to enjoy some ancient architecture. Add to that a range of other activities, such as close by beaches and fantastic food, and you’ve got a trip to remember. Cities are also great as they offer lots to do throughout the seasons, so you can take the trip whenever is convenient for you.
Zagreb
A great place to start for the best places to visit in Croatia is the capital, Zagreb. A busy city that boasts both a historical and a modern side, you won’t want to miss out on visiting. In the historic centre, you can spend time strolling along the cobblestone streets, stopping and taking pictures of churches such as the Cathedral of Zagreb. Other important sites, such as the mediaeval Stone Gate boasting a painting of the Virgin Mary, attracts tourists from around the world.
When you need a break, you can head to Ban Jelacic, the main square in the city, where you can sit at one of the many restaurants and watch the world go by. A great destination for all the family, Zagreb has something for every age. If you’re looking for a place to buy gifts for loved ones, then check out the open-air Dolac Market, where you can find a range of local arts and crafts as well as fresh food and clothing. One of the best things about Zagreb is that it’s great to visit throughout the year, with there always being something to do come rain or shine.
Dubrovnik
One of the most iconic cities in Europe, Dubrovnik is, without doubt, one of the best places to visit in Croatia. Known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, the Old Town of this city is a sight to behold. A prominent tourist hotspot in Dubrovnik is the defence walls, which take around 2h to walk along. Add cobblestone streets and stunning palaces, such as the 14th-century Gothic-Renaissance Rector’s Palace, and you’ll have a photo opportunity around nearly every corner.
If the city gets too hot, you can make the short journey to stunning beaches, such as Banje or Lapad Beach, where you can sunbathe, swim and relax. Alternatively, if you want to cram as much sightseeing in as possible, you can take the roughly 15min ferry to the island of Lokrum, where you can explore a monastery, the botanic gardens and a range of beaches. Dubrovnik is a great destination all year-round, with there being something for all the family to enjoy. However, it’s worth noting that in the peak holiday months of July and August, the city can get very hot and crowded, so it may be better to visit during the spring or autumn.
Best places to visit in Croatia: Nature
Away from the city, it won’t take long for you to be at one with nature. Head to the source of the Cetina River, where you will get to enjoy a natural phenomenon and enjoy fantastic photo opportunities in a relatively unknown tourist destination. Or visit one of the many national parks, such as the one at Mljet, where you can go swimming in lakes and see a range of wildlife. Check out our top tips for nature, below.
Glavas Source
Located close to the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, you’ll find the fascinating natural lake known as the Glavas Source. Around a 1h 30min car journey from Split, you’ll probably find it easiest to base yourself in the coastal city and take the trip from there, as there isn’t much accommodation around the lake. The Glavas Source is the origin of the Cetina River, which meets the sea in the port town of Omis. This natural phenomenon is a turquoise lake in the shape of an eye, which is up to 137 metres deep in the centre.
This hidden gem, which is off the beaten track for most tourists, is a great place to come for a swim, a picnic and to relax amongst nature. It’s the perfect place for some photography that will impress all your friends back at home, too. Go one step further with a drone and take pictures from a bird’s eye view, which will provide you with the best shot.
Mljet National Park
A small island located close to Dubrovnik, Mljet is one of the best places to visit in Croatia. Boasting the stunning Mljet National Park, which encompasses the entire northwest area of the island, it’s the perfect place to be at one with nature.
Offering breath-taking landscapes, lakes you can swim in and an abundance of nature, it’s a great place for all the family. Inside the park, there are two large saltwater lakes. One of these has an island with a 12th-century monastery (that’s now a restaurant) in the middle, so you will be able to re-energise with ease. You can either stay in Dubrovnik and get the roughly 1h 20min ferry to the island for the day, or you can opt to stay in accommodation on Mljet itself.
Best places to visit in Croatia: Beaches
A trip to Croatia wouldn’t be complete if you didn’t head to one of the iconic and trendy beaches on offer. Whether it’s on the mainland or on the islands, Croatia’s beaches are truly a magnificent sight. With both pebbled and sandy beaches available, all with crystal-clear waters, you can enjoy the perfect family day out by the sea.
Zlatni Rat Beach
Considered one of the best places to visit in Croatia for a beach day, Zlatni Rat Beach has got everyone saying the same thing. From tourism companies and the media to well-trodden travellers, it’s a favourite place to catch some rays. Located on the island of Brac, you can get a ferry there in about 50min from Split. You’ll then need to get a roughly 50min bus to Bol, but you’ll find all the travelling worth it once you arrive at the beach.
The beach itself comes in the form of a horn, with two sides of coastline separated by a lush green forest of pine trees. Boasting crystal-clear waters and white sand, it’s a great place to go if you want to find your own corner of paradise. Interestingly, the beach itself changes form depending on the tide, current and wind. With shallow waters, umbrellas, sunbeds and snack bars, it’s the perfect place to visit for a family with young children.
Podrace Beach
Another of the best places to visit in Croatia for a day by the coast is Podrace Beach. Located close to the port town of Makarska, which is a famous seaside resort itself, it’ll take about 30min to reach the beach by car. Podrace Beach consists mainly of pebbles, making the water even clearer, as there is never sand being kicked up. There’s lots of natural shade from pine trees, which you can use throughout the day, making it a perfect beach to visit on hot days.
Ideal for all the family, you’ll be able to access changing rooms, showers and a restaurant on the beach. This is also the perfect beach to take a snorkel, with there being an abundance of marine life to explore out by the rocky cove.
Best places to visit in Croatia: Sightseeing
On everyone’s Croatian itinerary should be some of the major tourist attractions. From Roman ruins and historical architecture to adventure parks and beautiful beaches, there’s a selection of sights that will keep everyone entertained. Check out our tips for sightseeing on the mainland and islands, below.
Hvar Town
One of the Dalmatian Islands, Hvar is, without doubt, one of the best places to visit in Croatia. A trendy island, you can enjoy fantastic food, chic hotels and beautiful beaches. Hvar spent nearly 400 years under Venetian rule, so it’s also ideal for history lovers. In the main square, you can visit the 16th-century cathedral, head up to the hilltop fortress or stroll around the quaint fishing harbour.
Located off the coast of Split, you can get a ferry to the island in around 1h 45min. There are plenty of accommodation options on the island, but you can also include this as a day trip from Split if your itinerary is already jam-packed. A great place for all the family, you can travel with kids to the adventure park in Jelsa, where there is a range of activities such as archery, bubble football and paintball. The best time of the year to visit Hvar is in the peak summer months, when you’ll be treated to sublime weather and the island will be in full swing.
Pula’s Roman Arena
Back on the mainland, another of the best places to visit in Croatia is the Roman Arena in Pula. Pula itself is a fascinating city to visit, with there being ancient ruins scattered throughout. With a range of well-preserved Roman architecture, it makes for a great day of historical exploration. Whilst there is a range of Roman buildings that remain to this day, the most popular with tourists is the Pula Arena.
Built around the 1st century by Emperor Vespasian, it is one of the finest large Roman amphitheatres that remains to this day. Once an arena for gladiators, it could hold up to 20,000 people. Nowadays, the capacity is only a quarter of that, with there being an array of concerts and festivals that take place in the summer months.
For that reason, we recommend visiting during peak season, so you can take advantage of the great entertainment schedule in place.
It’s also worth checking out the Roman Forum, which is an ancient square that held social gatherings and events in ancient times. The Temple of Augustus, a columned structure with Roman sculptures, should also be added to your history tour of the city.
Best places to visit in Croatia: Islands
Another thing you shouldn’t miss out on when visiting Croatia is its iconic islands. From the most popular islands to the less-visited ones, you can find the perfect place to call home for your holiday. From natural parks and beaches to Roman architecture and vineyards, you’ll love the sophisticated feel of the Croatian islands.
Krk
One of the best places to visit in Croatia if you’re looking for an island escape is Krk. A beautiful island that boasts Roman churches, monasteries, fishing villages and vineyards, there’s an array of activities to keep you entertained. Located just off the coast of Rijeka, you can usually access the island via an impressive bridge in under 1h by car. Aside from the great sights to visit on the island, it’s also well known for its great walking and cycling routes.
Having some superb restaurants to choose from too, which are known locally as konobas, it’s the perfect place to taste some local delicacies. Bite into some surlice (homemade pasta) or enjoy some Kvarner shrimps, whilst watching the world go by. With beaches aplenty, such as the beautiful Baska Beach, it’s the ideal place for all the family to visit. Similar to other islands in Croatia, it’s best to travel to Krk during the summer months of July and August for optimum weather.
Dugi Otok
Slightly overshadowed by neighbouring islands, Dugi Otok is definitely worth visiting if you want to escape some of the more popular tourist attractions. Located off the coast of Zadar, you can get to the island by ferry in around 45min. The island’s name means ‘long island’, with it coming in at about 45 km long and 4 km wide. On the island, you’ll be able to visit hilltop hamlets, colourful fishing villages and great viewing points.
The island also boasts Telascica Nature Park, where you can be at one with nature. For those that want a lazy day by the sea, check out Saharun Beach, which offers shallow, crystal-clear waters. One of the best things about this island is that you can enjoy all of these activities, and more, without the usual tourist traffic that Croatia has during the summer months. Best visited between July and September, you will be able to make the most out of the superb weather on offer.
Excited for your next adventure? Our friends at Where to Go, produced by the team behind the award-winning DK Eyewitness travel guides, are here to help!
Each fortnight, hosts James and Lucy talk to local experts about the destination they have chosen to call their home, exploring their personal connection to the place, what makes it so special and the best things to see and do.
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