Croatia probably isn’t the first country on your holiday bucket list, often usurped by the far more high-profile and popular summer destinations in Spain, Italy, France, even Greece. But as a Mediterranean gateway to central Europe, Croatia has a great deal more to offer than its short-haul popularity level would suggest.
Indeed, with its beautiful coastline, historic towns and laid-back Mediterranean atmosphere, Croatia is one of the best-kept secrets in mainland Europe, and one which continues to win over travellers from around the world. It’s one of the easiest places in the Western Hemisphere to fall in love with, and in this guide to Croatia’s best travel spots, you’ll find out precisely why. Come with?
Dubrovnik’s Timeless Beauty
First, let’s start with the most popular destination in Croatia: its coastal jewel of a port city, Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik may already be somewhat familiar to you, having served as the backdrop to some of television’s most memorable fantasy shows – Game of Thrones very much included. Dubrovnik’s ancient city walls are a thing of majestic beauty, and a transportive place to explore – as are Dubrovnik’s intoxicatingly beautiful limestone streets and Renaissance-era buildings. All this, overlooking the bright blue Adriatic sea; a setting that truly feels like stepping into a postcard.
The Natural Wonders of Plitvice Lakes
Now, Croatia has an impossibly long coastline, and in many ways is defined, touristically, by this very coastline. But there are a great many wonderful things happening inland, and it would be an incredible unforced error for you to miss them. One such wonderful thing is a National Park that equates to a natural wonder of all its own: Plitvice Lakes National Park.
This UNESCO World Heritage Centre is a huge swathe of forest land, stippled with gargantuan lakes and waterfalls, again, straight from a postcard. If you’re looking for scenic European walking trails through untouched nature, there’s no better place to start. And if you’re the adventure sporting type, this is a veritable playground for climbing and biking too.
Split’s Perfect Mix of History and Coastline
Back to the coast for a moment, and we come to Split – a sprawling port city built around the remarkable Diocletian’s Palace, a Roman ruin that dates back to the 200s. This is a massive urban centre, and one which combines centuries of history with contemporary conveniences befitting the best Croatia holidays. Waterfront cafés, bustling beaches and Old Town charm combine to create a heady mix of cultural excellence and Adriatic calm; Split really does have everything.
Island-Hopping Along the Adriatic
Going even beyond the mainland coastline of Croatia, Croatia’s numerous Adriatic islands each offer something different for you to explore and fall in love with. Hvar is a beautiful island to visit, not just for its beaches but also for its Medieval architecture; Korčula’s practically a floating forest, with incredible inland walking routes and scenery – to say nothing of its kayaking pedigree. Don’t be afraid to explore islands beyond the main players, either; by exploring several islands in one trip, you can add some real variety and adventure to your itinerary.
