A Croatian holiday delivers an intriguing blend of history and culture along the Adriatic coast. Croatia is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most beautiful countries and is one of our top sun destinations. Explore some of the top things to do in Croatia:
- Dubrovnik Old Town
- Pula Arena
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Zagreb
- Island Hopping along the Adriatic Coast
With its mix of historic cities, natural wonders, and island landscapes, Croatia offers something for culture seekers, nature lovers, and those looking for a more relaxed coastal experience alike.
Best places and activities to do in Croatia
1. Take a Dubrovnik walking tour
Often referred to as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the most astounding and beautiful cities you are ever likely to see. When you take a holiday to Dubrovnik, you'll discover its stunning hillside location, shiny limestone cobbles, red-tiled roofs, medieval architecture, and the azure sea lapping at its old city walls.
Key highlights of Dubrovnik include:
- Walking along the Old City Walls with panoramic views over the Adriatic
- Exploring the narrow limestone streets of the Old Town
- Discovering historic squares, churches, and palaces within the Old Town
- Relaxing with a drink outside one of the numerous bars and cafés and watching the world go by
- GoT fans will instantly recognise this as the setting for King’s Landing and you can easily book a Dubrovnik Game of Thrones tour, where you can learn more about this popular series and visit its filming locations.
2. See Ston wall, the longest in Europe
About an hour’s drive from Dubrovnik lies the charming town of Ston, which is especially famous for its remarkably well-preserved 15th-century defensive walls, often called the ‘European Great Wall of China.’ Spanning approximately 5.5 kilometres, these walls are the second longest in the world and were originally built to protect the valuable salt mines that still operate today. The salt pans of Ston have been in use since ancient times, producing salt in much the same way as they did centuries ago, and they are among the oldest saltworks in Europe. It’s also renowned for Ston oysters, which are considered some of the finest in the Adriatic.
3. Discover Pula Arena and other Roman ruins in Croatia
Croatia has some remarkable ancient Roman sights.
- The amphitheatre in Pula was built in the 1st century, around the same time as the Colosseum in Rome, and was used for gladiator fights. It’s one of the largest in the world, very well preserved, and is actually the last remaining Roman amphitheatre to still have its towers.
- In Split, you’ll find Diocletian’s Palace, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the Old Town and dating back to the 3rd century, this Roman complex could be considered a town in itself. Measuring around 30,000 square metres and home to over 3,000 people, the palace forms the heart of Split, with many shops, restaurants, bars, narrow cobbled streets, impressive arches, and stone columns for visitors to explore.
- The former Roman colony of Poreč is also rich in history and features classic Romanesque architecture as well as Venetian Gothic palaces.
4. Explore Rovinj
To reach this charming Croatian town, it’s best to take a boat tour to experience the ‘Blue Pearl of the Adriatic.’ Known for its Venetian heritage, Rovinj is sometimes referred to as ‘Little Venice’ due to its distinctive tall houses, narrow cobbled streets, and quaint squares, which exude an old-world charm. Once you arrive, you’ll find a vibrant maze of colourful buildings lining the hillside, leading up to the iconic Church of St. Euphemia with its towering bell tower, offering panoramic views over the Adriatic.
5. Unwind in Istria
Istria, the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea, is an incredibly beautiful region of Croatia. Rolling green hills overlook the lush valleys and sparkling sea, with little towns like Motovun perched on the hilltops above. The peninsula is located at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner. The Phoenicians and Greeks introduced grapevines to Istria. Today, numerous high quality Croatian wines are produced on the Peninsula, thanks to its fertile soil and sunny hillsides.
6. Uncover Plitvice Lakes National Park
There are eight incredible national parks to explore in Croatia. Among them is Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the country’s most famous natural wonders. Known for its cascading lakes and waterfalls connected by a series of walkways, the park offers stunning turquoise waters and lush forests, making it a paradise for nature lovers.
7. Discover the capital, Zagreb
Zagreb, one of Europe’s oldest cities, where we’ll stay throughout our Highlights of Central Croatia tour, is bursting with history, culture, and energy. Divided into two main areas, the historic Upper Town (Gornji Grad) and the lively Lower Town (Donji Grad), Zagreb offers a unique blend of medieval architecture, Austro-Hungarian influence, and modern charm. The city is renowned for its impressive collection of museums, boasting more museums per capita than anywhere else in the world, which has earned it the nickname 'the city of museums.
8. Visit Sibenik
Less well known than the famous cities of Dubrovnik and Split, the pretty seaside town of Šibenik lies on Croatia’s north Dalmatian Coast. One of its highlights is St. Michael’s Fortress. Due to its immense height, the tower is visible from everywhere in the town. Erected among the buildings of the old town, 70 meters above sea level, the fortress was ruined and rebuilt several times until the beginning of the 15th century. Today it stands proud in white dressed stone and is the location for many music and cultural events. Another sight of the town is Sibenik Cathedral, a beautiful UNESCO Heritage Site.
9. Get a taste for island hopping in Croatia
Sailing around the Croatian Islands is an unforgettable experience, but if you don’t fancy spending days or even weeks at sea, there are plenty of enjoyable short boat trips in Croatia to experience.
- The boat trip to the Elaphite Islands is undoubtedly one of the highlights of our Discover Dubrovnik tour for many of our customers. In addition to enjoying these pristine islands by sea, you’ll have opportunities to disembark during the day, allowing you to stroll around these largely uninhabited landscapes.
- If you’re staying in Dubrovnik, you can easily visit Lokrum Island, a densely wooded nature reserve featuring a botanical garden and the remains of a Habsburg fortress.
- On our Croatia's Dalmatian Coast holiday, you can also take a boat trip to the unspoilt “golden island” of Zlarin and Krapanj, the smallest island in the Šibenik Archipelago.
10. Experience Croatian food
Croatian cuisine is based on great-tasting, locally produced ingredients, seasonal vegetables, seafood, and fruity olive oil.
Traditional dishes and local specialities not to be missed include:
- Smoked ham and cheese
- Pršut, air-dried ham, often served with sheep’s cheese
- Dalmatian octopus salad
- Black squid ink risotto
- Shellfish and grilled sardines
- Peka "under the lid” meat, vegetables, and herbs slow-cooked under a metal dome in an outdoor oven
Experience the top things to do Croatia
Croatia offers the perfect combination of natural beauty and rich culture, with its stunning coastline, pristine beaches, picturesque villages, beautiful islands, sunny weather, delicious food and rich cultural legacy of historic sights; it’s no wonder why our selection of Croatia holidays are so popular!
