Croatia`s coast is a major draw for many of the country`s tourists, but while mainland cities have stunning beaches, so too do the islands. Croatia provides the perfect opportunity for island-hopping, and most islands are easily accessible by ferry. Our favorites are Brac, Hvar, Korcula, and Ciovo in Dalmatia and Krk and Pag in the Kvarner Gulf. Explore these options with our suggested itineraries, or build your own to suit your desires for sun, relaxation, exploration, and history!
Known as the `City of Museums`, as there are more of them per square foot than any other city in the world, Zagreb is the capital of Croatia. The historical part of the city, Kaptol, is a medieval urban complex of churches, palaces, museums, and galleries. Of particular note is Zagreb Cathedral, the largest cathedral in southeastern Europe.
Set on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, Dalmatia is characterized by its coves, secluded beaches, warm sea, constant winds and beautiful wooded islands. Dalmatia is home to some of Croatia`s most accessible and enchanting cities and sites. There`s something for everyone in Croatia`s coastal playground.
In the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the wealthy built holiday homes on the Kvarner Gulf, bestowing places like Rijeka and Opatija with a rich legacy of stately architecture. From both of these cities you can easily connect to hiking trails inside two national parks, and adjacent islands are just a short car or ferry ride away.
The Plitvice Lakes are located in central Croatia, close to the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The national park in which the lakes are situated is of the most popular sights in Croatia; it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting over 1.8 million visitors in 2019 alone.
Istria is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea, and roughly three-fifths of the peninsula`s area belongs to Croatia. Istria was once ruled by Italy, and Italy`s influence can be seen in everything from its culinary traditions to bilingual road signs. The cities and towns here are very historic, dating back to Roman times.