Dreaming of Croatia: 15 Best Places to Visit

I haven’t met a person that hasn’t been dreaming of Croatia. Even though it’s my country and I’m definitely biased when it comes to it, objectively I do understand why Croatia is at the top of anyone’s bucket list and why people are coming back any chance they have. We have it all here: clear turquoise sea, beautiful nature, great food, cute towns with rich history. While every corner of Croatia is beautiful in its own way, there are some places that are just very special. So, in this blog post I will be sharing with you my 15 best places in Croatia you can visit.

I tried to be inclusive, especially as I am trying to get people’s attention on places that go beyond Split and Dubrovnik. So, on this list you will find the most popular places like the towns I just mentioned, best islands, nature parks, but also hidden places and underrated regions.

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Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is the most popular place in Croatia, especially after the Game of Thrones series.

The city is often called the Pearl of the Adriatic and has some of the best preserved city walls in the world. It’s located at the very south tip of Croatia, so a beautiful turquoise sea is guaranteed.

Which is why Dubrovnik is definitely a great place to start if this is your first time in Croatia, though be warned that it is also the most expensive city in Croatia.

Top Things to Do in Dubrovnik

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik

Korcula

I’ve been to Korcula many times and it’s by far my favourite island in Croatia, and the most beautiful one. To cut the story short, Korcula comes with all the superlatives, so you won’t regret it if you decide to spend your time there.

It’s often referred to as Dubrovnik’s little sister because it reminds of it, but is more charming. The sea is incredibly clear and beautiful and there’s plenty of things to do there.

Top Things to Do in Korcula

Read my 7 Days in Croatia: A Realistic Itinerary blog post.

Where to Stay in Korcula

Split

Split is the biggest and the coolest city on the Croatian coast. It’s also in a great location because from Split you can easily visit national parks like Plitvice or Krka, do island hopping and visit nearby cute towns, such as Trogir or Primosten.

Therefore, Split is one of the best locations if this is your first trip to Croatia, and personally, it’s where I would start if I were you.

Top Things to Do in Split

📖 Read my 20 Insider Things to Know before Travelling to Croatia blog post.

Where to Stay in Split

Trogir

If you ask any Croatian which coastal town they find the most beautiful, the answer would in most cases be Trogir.

Trogir is a beautiful historic town and harbour on the Adriatic coast. The historic part of the city is situated on a small island between the Croatian mainland and the island of Ciovo.

Because of its outstanding beauty and Venetian architecture, the historic centre of Trogir has been enlisted in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997.

Top Things to Do in Trogir

📖 Read my When is The Best Time to Visit Croatia: A Local’s Guide blog post.

Where to Stay in Trogir

Primosten

For some reason it took me so long to visit Primosten, but as soon as I stepped in, I fell in love. Actually, I feel in love already from the viewpoint which is overlooking the town of Primosten and nearby islands.

Primosten is a small town in North Dalmatia, very close to Sibenik and just over an hour drive from Split, so it’s definitely easy to visit, though I do recommend staying there for a few nights if possible because once in Primosten, you wouldn’t want to leave.

Things to Do in Primosten

📖 Read my 10 Beautiful Boutique Hotels in Croatia Worth Booking blog post.

Where to Stay in Primosten

Makarska

Makarska is often considered a party town, though it is much more than that! The town is the centre of the Makarska Riviera, a popular tourist destination under the Biokovo mountain.

It’s famous for its beautiful palm-fringed promenade with lots of cafes, bars and boutiques overlooking the harbour.

It’s a great base for exploring Dalmatia mainland and nearby islands too.

Top Things to Do in Makarska

Where to Stay in Makarska

Hvar

Hvar Island is one of the most beautiful and popular islands in Croatia. It is a 2 hours ferry ride from Split, so you can easily combine it.

The close proximity to Split is why Hvar is the best island for first-time visitors, but also it offers a lot of activities suitable for any travel style; from relaxing to partying, which is why it’s a great island to start before you decide to visit some of the more peaceful and smaller islands where there’s not much to do but relax.

📖 Read my 7 Best Places to Visit in Croatia for First Timers blog post for more.

Where to Stay in Hvar

Brac

If you’re looking for a more laid back version of Hvar, then Brac is definitely a great place to visit.

It also has some of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia, there are a lot of wineries, restaurants, cafes, but it is not party-focused like Hvar can feel at times.

Top Things to Do in Brac

Where to Stay in Brac

Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice Lakes National Park is the most beautiful nature place you can visit in Croatia, so I recommend going there on your first trip.

Plitvice consists of 16 lakes with waterfalls that extend into a limestone canyon. It is also a home of many endangered and rare species. You can choose between different routes, depending on your travel style.

Last time I took route C which includes a short boat ride through the lake and a panoramic train ride back to entrance 1 where the route starts. The total duration is 4-5 hours.

Top Things to Do in Plitvice

Where to Stay in Plitvice

Even though many people visit Plitvice on a day trip from Zagreb or Split, you can actually stay in the area, which is my recommendation for the full nature experience.

Krka National Park

Speaking of national parks, Krka is my 2nd favourite after Plitvice and it’s a great alternative if you’ve already visited Plitvice or you need a place closer to where you’re visiting (especially if your base is south Dalmatia).

My recommendation is to spend a full day in Krka National Park to experience it in the best possible way.

You can easily visit Krka on your own, or go on a guided tour.

Top Things to Do in Krka

Where to Stay in Krka

Istria Region

Even though it’s at the seaside, Istria is quite underrated region, and what a shame!

While personally I love the beaches in Dalmatia more, the towns and nature of Istria is so beautiful, it’s definitely one of the best places in Croatia to visit.

You can easily spend a full week in Istria and not get bored (actually you’ll leave with craving for more).

Top Things to Do in Istria

Where to Stay in Istria

Zagreb

Even though Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia, for some reason it is largely overlooked and skipped when planning a trip to Croatia.

To me, it’s such a big mistake because Zagreb is a beautiful city with central European architecture reminiscent of Vienna and Budapest. It’s a fun and cool place with interesting things to do.

If you’re visiting Croatia for the first time and landing in Zagreb, I definitely recommend planning to spend about 2 days in the city.

Top Things to Do in Zagreb

Where to Stay in Zagreb

Varazdin & Trakoscan

Varazdin is in northern Croatia, about an hour and a half from Zagreb. It was once the capital city of Croatia, from 1756 to 1776. Therefore, the town is full of beautiful central European architecture.

A short 45 minute ride from Varazdin is Trakoscan Castle, the best preserved and most beautiful castle in Croatia, built in the 13th century.

Both Varazdin and Trakoscan can be easily visited from Zagreb, though I do recommend spending more in the area if you can, especially if you love hidden gems.

Things to Do in Varazdin & Trakoscan

Where to Stay in Varazdin & Trakoscan

Slavonia Region

I was born and raised in Slavonski Brod, one of the most important cities in the Slavonia region, on the eastern side of Croatia.

If you’re looking for places beyond Dubrovnik and Split, places that are local and off the beaten path, then you have to come to Slavonia.

Here, you will find cute central European towns and villages with amazing food and hospitable people. Slavonia doesn’t live off of the tourism, so the connections and hospitality are genuine. Also, it’s among the cheapest regions in Croatia you can visit.

Top Things to Do in Slavonia

📖 Read 15 Traditional Croatian Foods to Try on Your Trip blog post.

Where to Stay in Slavonia

Cetina River Spring

Cetina River Spring is a hidden gem about 2h drive from Split. The reason it hasn’t become massively popular is because it is accessible only by car and it’s in the mountains, so most tourists miss it or don’t even know a place like this exists.

So, if you want a beautiful nature place with no crowds, you have to go to Cetina River Spring.

There’s not much to do there, but there are interesting stops on the ride towards it, which I’ll include below.

Top Things to Do in Cetina River Spring

Where to Stay in Cetina River Spring

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