Atsons - 20 Best Places to Visit in Croatia - Discover Croatia Travel Guide

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Written by: Angela Pearse

Edited by: Bruno Luis

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Introduction to Croatia

Croatia is an enchanting combination of offshore islands, thickly wooded national parks, historic walled towns and glittering azure seas. This is one of Europes Mediterranean hot spots in summer, so if its sun, sand and glamour youre after then Croatia is the place to go. With its swanky harbour restaurants, cocktail bars and luxury accommodation it certainly has appeal for wealthy travellers.

But theres more to Croatia than expensive hotels and beach resorts. History buffs will fall in love with towns like Split and Dubrovnik and discover evidence of a fascinating past that stretches from prehistoric times, to the modern day conflicts. Meanwhile nature lovers will appreciate the flora and fauna of the remote Kornati Islands and the hiking opportunities of the magnificent national parks, Plitvice Lakes and Krka.

Theres so much to see and do in Croatia that it can be difficult to know where to begin but the clich theres something for everyone really does apply to this captivating country.

Wikimedia / gari.baldi

With its coastal setting and Old Town encircled by astonishingly well preserved ancient walls, Dubrovnik is simply mesmerising. If you like historic attractions you wont be disappointed with this UNESCO World Heritage site. There are plenty of Baroque churches, late medieval monasteries and Renaissance palaces to admire, some undergoing restoration as a result of the conflict in the 1990s with Yugoslavia. Dubrovnik dates from the 7th century and rose to power in the 13th century as an important sea faring town. You can learn about its maritime history, as well as its more recent past, in the Old Town museums, and by exploring the Old Port.

Dubrovniks ancient city walls are a historical highlight and afford great views of the Old Town and harbour. The walls are 2km in length and can be undertaken on a self-guided tour; its best to go in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the cruise crowds. Afterwards go for a stroll around the atmospheric Old Town which has many attractions including beautiful architecture, outdoor cafes and restaurants, museums, churches and shops.

Wikimedia / JSB

City Walls of Dubrovnik

There is always something going on in the Old Town which is the cultural heart of Dubrovnik. The main street or Stradun is lined with restaurants and at each end are two spring water fountains, called the Two Fountains of Onofrio. Stradun leads to Gunduli Square which has a daily market selling figs, cheese, fresh organic produce and more.

Onofrios Fountain

Dubrovnik has many intriguing little streets begging to be explored filled with craft shops and numerous hole-in-the-wall bars where you can sample traditional dishes, as well as the local beer and wine. In the summer live music can be heard on the streets and festivals are held. The Old Port of Dubrovnik is a stepping stone for visiting nearby islands or other Croatian towns.

Flickr / 29cm

If youre a nature lover, then make sure to fit in a day trip to the Plitvice Lakes National Park. This stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site is situated near the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina and is almost 300 square kms in size. Well set up with amenities for visitors, the park has a large number of lakes, around 20 in total, with the two biggest, Proansko jezero and Kozjak being also the deepest. There are many hiking trails throughout the park, some leading to spectacular waterfalls which connect the lakes. The most popular time to visit the park is in the spring and summer, though autumn and winter can be incredibly beautiful, especially if there is fresh snowfall.

There are numerous trails of varying lengths (four to eight hours) that will take you right to the waterfalls and lakes which are grouped into 16 upper lakes and four lower lakes. Its worthwhile making the effort to hike to the base of the Large Waterfall, which descends from a height of 78 metres. It is also possible to get superb aerial views of the lakes from some of the hikes, so be sure to bring your camera.

Flickr / Pablo BM

One of the Waterfalls in the National Park

This is a chance to see nature at its most untouched. The location of the Plitvice Lakes has meant that many rare plant and animal species have been preserved without interference from man. Some trees are nearly 700 years old, and rare animals and birds can be found in parts of the park such as lynx, golden eagles and the brown bear. The crystal clear waters of the lakes also teem with many varieties of fish.

If youre not up for hiking, there are other ways to get around the park, namely by a shuttle bus which runs regularly around a certain route. You can also get excellent overall views of the area by taking a boat trip across the largest lake. Visitor numbers tend to swell in the warmer months, so you may want to choose to arrive earlier or later in the day. Come prepared with suitable walking shoes, food and water.

Flickr / Ramn

Situated in the Adriatic Sea, a 40 minute ferry ride from Split, Hvar Island is an extremely picturesque place and famous for its beautiful beaches, historic architecture and wine. Catering to the nightclub scene in the summer months, the main town of Hvar is a lively mix of clubs, pubs and restaurants. However, the rest of the island is also worth exploring for its vineyards, secluded pebbled beaches, clifftop views and ancient Greek ruins. If you want sunshine, then Hvar is the place to go, its said to be the sunniest spot in Europe. For that reason wine and olives are two of its traditional specialities.