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The best of Croatia

Croatia is an absolute stunner of a country hugging the Aegean Coast. Across the sea from Italy and surrounded by Slovenia and Bosnia, this beautiful place offers a rich history of the former Yugoslavia as well as former Venetian and Hungarian rule, crystal clear sandless beaches on the coast, waterfalls and lush mountains, and incredible food. It has become more famous in recent years due to the filming of Game of Thrones which was shot in Dubrovnik, Split, and around the islands. Below are the top experiences you can’t miss on a trip to this incredible country!

An example of the crystal clear water in Croatia!

Plitvices National Park

This national park is one of the most beautiful national parks I have ever visited. It is filled with gorgeous, emerald hued pools and waterfalls. You can spend a full day walking the planks throughout the park and taking in the many different cascading views.

Clear blue lake with visible submerged branches, surrounded by dense green trees under a bright blue sky.
A series of waterfalls cascades down a lush, green mountainside into turquoise pools under a partly cloudy sky.
Wooden boardwalk curves along the edge of a clear blue lake with submerged branches, surrounded by forested hills under a blue sky.

Split

This seaside town has cobblestoned, narrow streets running through it’s main downtown ‘old town’, which is all a part of Diocletian’s palace. Make sure you hike up Marjan Hill and visit the local swimming hole at Bay Jezinac, and climb up the clock tower!

Aerial view of a coastal city with red-tiled roofs, a marina, and hills under a clear blue sky.
A view of Split from the Bell Tower at Diocletian’s Palace.

Dubrovnik

Another seaside town, similar to Split with the orange cobbled roofs but actually enclosed by a complete ancient wall! There are many Game of Thrones spots here (but skip the tour – you can find them all online anyway). Make sure you definitely buy tickets to walk the city walls, but do it early in the day or at dusk, to avoid crowds and the pounding Croatian sun. You an also take a dip at Blaze Beach and jump straight into the sea, looking up at the high ancient city walls above you! Also, catching sunset at the top of the Dubrovnik Cable Car is quite special, as you can see the string of islands, like pearls, up the coast to the north and west. Something else I really loved in Dubrovnik was the pistachio and chocolate ice cream called “Mozart” – out of this world!

View through a stone window frame overlooking a city with red-tiled roofs and distant hills under a blue sky.
Aerial view of a coastal town with red-tiled roofs, historic buildings, stone walls, and the sea with islands in the background.
Clear seawater by a stone wall and rocky shoreline, with a few people walking near the base under a bright blue sky.
View of coastal islands and hills at sunset, with people sitting on a rocky foreground and an orange sky over the horizon.

Hvar

This island gets a reputation for being a party destination / yacht week central spot, but it is so, so much more. The old town is gorgeous and snakes up the mountain with narrow cobblestoned paths with cute cafes and shops up to the fortress. If you go further afield, check out an amazing beach paradise on the far side of the island called Skalinada Hotel & Restaurant – make sure you stay a few nights to get the full experience of this beach paradise! What’s especially lovely about the beaches in Croatia is that the seaside is more pebble and less sand, which keeps you clean and also keeps the water very pure.

Two towels lie on a pebble beach near clear blue water, with a swimmer and distant shoreline under a clear sky.
Narrow stone alleyway with steps, lined by stone buildings, green plants, and bright purple flowers hanging from a balcony under a blue sky.

Day trip into Bosnia or Slovenia

you’re so close to the borders of these countries, why not add them to your itinerary? We got dinner in Bosnia when we were staying near Plitvices National Park, and it’s a great way to explore a new culture and food, even for a short while!

A tall clock tower is seen across a pond with swimming ducks, surrounded by trees under a partly cloudy sky.
A view of the town of Bihac, on our evening in Bosnia.

Enjoy the food and wine

To be honest, I hadn’t thought much about what the food and wine might be like in Croatia before we arrived – but wow, did I underestimate it. The wine is delicious and cheap, and the fresh seafood and pasta are delicious! The cuisine has elements from Italy (thanks to the Venetian influence) as well as Hungary. We ate goulash in Zagreb and delicate macaruli pasta in Dubrovnik. You get a little bit of everything!

A bowl of creamy pasta with mushrooms and shaved cheese on top, served in a gray ceramic dish.
A plate of fried sardines, thick-cut fries, and salad with wine, water, and olive oil on an outdoor dining table.

 

Rebecca runs The Adventure Beckons, a travel and outdoor adventure blog based in Vancouver, British Columbia. As an experienced traveler to over 40 countries and counting, she provides her readers with practical travel itineraries from day trips to multi-week adventures. She strives to balance nature and hiking with the must-see tourist highlights that are genuinely worth your time and money.

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