Squeezed between the Istrian Peninsula to the west and Dalmatia to the southeast, the Kvarner Gulf offers many of the Croatian coast`s highlights: grayish coastal hills and mountains, an archipelago of ochre-grey islands and fishing villages with narrow alleys and gardens groaning under the weight of subtropical plants. In the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the wealthy built holiday homes here, bestowing places like Rijeka and Opatija with a rich legacy of stately Habsburg-era architecture. From both of these cities you can easily connect to hiking trails inside Ucka Nature Park and Risnjak National Park. The islands of Krk, Cres, and Pag are just a short car or ferry ride away; their landscapes are beautiful and their towns and villages are worthy of in-depth exploration.
Squeezed between the Istrian Peninsula to the west and Dalmatia to the southeast, the Kvarner Gulf offers many of the Croatian coast`s highlights: grayish coastal hills and mountains, an archipelago of ochre-grey islands and fishing villages with narrow alleys and gardens groaning under the weight of subtropical plants. In the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the wealthy built holiday homes here, bestowing places like Rijeka and Opatija with a rich legacy of stately Habsburg-era architecture. From both of these cities you can easily connect to hiking trails inside Ucka Nature Park and Risnjak National Park. The islands of Krk, Cres, and Pag are just a short car or ferry ride away; their landscapes are beautiful and their towns and villages are worthy of in-depth exploration.
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.
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 islands such as Hvar, Korcula, and Brac, just to name a few, are easily accessible by ferry.
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.