Croatia is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve traveled to in Europe and while it’s inland region is something you shouldn’t miss, it’s Croatia’s entire coastline that brings in the visitors. From time to time I sit back and time travel back to 2016 when I traveled the near entirety of the country and was in awe at every stop along the way.
From Venetian architecture to pastel colored rooftops…
……here are my TOP SEVEN Places you MUST SEE in Croatia!
Credit: epepa.eu (I wish I had a drone at the time!)
Rovinj
One of a few old cities along the Istrian and Dalmatian coast that sits on a small peninsula jutting out into the sea like a teardrop on a map. Rovinj is a small but beautiful city with a small hill at the center overlooking the coastline and horizon of the sea.
Trogir
Unlike most other cities along the Dalmatian coastline, Trogir is perfectly sandwiched between the mainland and Ciovo island (Otok Ciovo) with it’s own small venetian fortress. Trogir is more than likely on the way to Split coming from Sibenik or Zadar, so why not make a pitstop!
Krka National Park
Alike its sister Plitvice Lakes, Krka is a more low key and less dramatic but still beautiful must see in Croatia. With endless waterfalls and streams surrounding you and the best part, the ability to swim in the park. If it’s a hot European summer, you’ll want to be here!
Sibenik
A highly underated city of tourism, Sibenik was a jaw dropper for me. Unlike most coastal cities, Sibenik sits at the mouth of the Krka river and within a harbor. The city center comprises of endless narrow alleyways to get beautifully lost in and a hilltop to take in incredible panoramic views.
Plitvice National Park
If you Google things to do in Croatia, apart from coastal cities, you might fight a thumbnail of waterfalls coming out of greenery, Plitvice. Plitvice Lakes National Park is located inland between Zadar and Zagreb and is heavenly in it’s own right. Thought it can be crowded at high season of large groups crowding the narrow planks along the falls, seeing these unique types of waterfalls.
Dubrovnik
What is a list on “must sees” in Croatia without the biggest destination in Croatia and the Balkans. Dubrovnik is by far one of the most beautiful historic coastal cities I’ve ever had the opportunity of visiting. While it can be crowded with tourists even in shoulder season, I’ll have to say that it is justified. The walled city is full of history to enjoy both inside and out. You can go for a swim outside the walls and enjoy a gondola ride to end the day with a view from above.
Credit: visiting-croatia.com (Okay, a drone would have been an incredible component on this trip)
Korcula
Many would be confused as to why Dubrovnik is not my top favorite. That’s because in Korcula, Marco Polo was here, just kidding. But no really he was here!
Korcula is my favorite destination in Croatia because it is the polar opposite of Dubrovnik, it’s anything but super crowded. It is a smaller walled city sitting near the end of the island of the same name and has incredible views across the water to the Peljesac peninsula. What I loved about Korcula is that it took me away from the feeling that I was in Croatia, but that I went back in time to a different era in history. That it was easy to digest as a destination yet so overwhelmingly beautiful.
Have you ever been to Croatia?
Let me hear about your trip in the comments below :D!
