A Treat on the Adriatic: Best Places to Visit in Croatia

 

Out of all countries to visit—there is one that stays behind its limelight. A place where coastal towns are the main attraction. A dreamy destination for those who like pastoral landscapes and mighty mountains.

The land where wildlife roams—Croatia. Beyond the usual tourist traps, Croatia has a lot to offer, including some of my personal favorites, which are also included here. This may be your first time here in such a country, or this may be one of your main tourist destinations. However, if you are on a Eurotrip, then Croatia must not fall out of your list. 

Moreover, if you decide to travel to the Adriatic, you will most likely end yourself in the city of Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik's picturesque medieval forts and walls are supplemented with a gorgeous seashore with numerous good beaches and islets. 

Travel is more fun if you are with your family, is it not? Thankfully, Croatia is very family-friendly for traveling. Thus, this blog has compiled a list of the greatest places to visit in Croatia that highlight the country's best attractions to assist you in planning the perfect itinerary.

So what are you waiting for? From hidden islands to secluded beaches, divulge into Croatia’s adventure by reading these top places below! 

Dubrovnik 

Croatia will never be complete without the outstanding views of Dubrovnik. Named the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, this old coastal city exhibits the beautiful scenes of the Mediterranean. If you look from above, this place surely is majestic due to its outstanding landscapes and uniformed rooftop houses—a complete match for the city’s light blue skies. Dubrovnik, on the Adriatic Sea's southern point, was founded in the 7th century based on marine commerce. Despite frequent territorial challenges from Venice and the Ottoman Empire, Dubrovnik thrived as a center of literature, art, science, and education during the Middle Ages. If ever you wish to travel to Croatia, make sure to enjoy Dubrovnik’s beautiful scenery! 

The Rector’s Place

Moving on for history enthusiasts, this place might be the perfect destination for you. The Rector’s place—mostly known as the main attraction of the Ragusan empire, this palace is just the perfect balance between European renaissance and Slavic baroque architecture. Thus, this automatically caters to the perfect aesthetic for tourist spots. The photos you can take here are majestic—unlike no other. The palace's first level, which now houses the Cultural History Museum with beautiful furnishings and armor, was home to the empire's most powerful citizens. The atrium of the palace of the Spice King of Qarth was utilized as a filming site for Game of Thrones — the atrium of the palace of the Spice King of Qarth. 

Rovinj 

From afar, it may appear as a peaceful fishing village, but newsflash, this is exactly the charm of Croatia’s Rovinj! Through its old charm and natural surrounding beauty, this place will take you back in time. With its narrow streets and cobblestone ground, Rovinj is surely one of the best architecture in Croatia up to date. Seven medieval city gates, the 12th-century town clock, the Balbi Arch, and St. Euphemia's Basilica, an enormous baroque cathedral packed with many exquisite art pieces, are just a few of the Old Town's historic beauties. The Valdibora Farmer's Market, the picturesque port, Carrera Street with its many boutiques and art galleries, and Grisia Street, lined with artists and souvenir dealers, are all worth seeing. So what are you waiting for? Visit Rovinj and try its explorative itineraries now!

Split

Ever heard of flowers? Well put “Mediterranean” in it and you will get Croatia’s largest city, Split! Located on the peninsula off the Dalmatian coast, this town is filled with outstanding Roman architecture—needless to say, the uniformed orange-roofed houses. In this place, sunlight is abundant, creating more impressive lights and enjoyful nightlife. The city's historic center, which features beautiful Gothic and Renaissance buildings, including Diocletian's Palace, is the crown gem. Built between 298 and 305 AD, this Roman Emperor palace complex is more like a mini-city in and of itself, with a maze of marble roads and buildings housing shops, cafés, and taverns. St. Duje's Cathedral, Jupiter's Temple, Peristil Square, and two real Egyptian sphinx sculptures are among the palace's other notable structures.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

If you like land and sea in one picture, then go visit Plitvice Lakes National Park and witness its beauty and wilderness. This place is the largest national park in Croatia—more so, included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Plitvice's multicolored lakes top the list of Croatia's most beautiful lakes. Twelve Upper Lakes and four Lower Lakes make up the lake network. To discover the park's amazing natural splendor, choose from one of eight well-marked hiking paths. The entire park normally takes approximately 8 hours to tour. It might sound long but believe me, this is not enough to fully exhibit the beauty of this national park. If ever you came from Split, then this destination will just be one day away. Sounds hassle? Well, don’t worry, the place is very much worth it! 

Zagreb

Colorful town, with its buzzing art and delights. Croatia’s capital should not fall behind on your to-do list. Zagreb has been continuously skipped to travel to, which can become quite a bummer and a waste for travelers. However, with its popularity rising, it manages to push through the eyes of the tourists and prove its worth as one of Croatia’s finest tourist destinations. It started during Christmas, as this year's Advent festivities run through January 7, 2022, and include plenty of outdoor revelries, music, and street cuisine throughout Zagreb's city center, including the historic Upper Town. The majestic Esplanade Zagreb Hotel, which blends Art Deco flair with modern conveniences and serves the distinctive Croatian trukli (cottage cheese dumplings) at its Le Bistro restaurant, is the most luxurious location to stay.

Croatia, like much of Europe, has its share of medieval cities and historic monuments, but what sets it apart is its abundance of breathtaking natural features, such as the Plitvice Lakes, the amazing Adriatic beaches, and beautiful islands.