Croatia is one of the most beautiful countries I have traveled through in Europe. While the inland region deserves more attention than it often gets, it is Croatia’s coastline and islands that leave the strongest first impression for many travelers.
From time to time, I still find myself mentally going back to 2016, when I traveled through much of the country and felt completely pulled in by one stop after another.
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!)
1. 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.
What I liked most about Rovinj was how compact and digestible it felt. It was small enough to enjoy without pressure, but still visually rich enough to feel special the entire time you were there.
2. Trogir
Unlike most other cities along the Dalmatian coastline, what makes it stand out is its setting. The old town sits between the mainland and Čiovo, almost suspended between the two, with its own compact medieval feel and a small Venetian fortress adding to the atmosphere. If you are moving between places like Zadar, Šibenik, and Split, Trogir is an easy and worthwhile stop along the way.
3. Krka National Park
Krka National Park may not feel quite as dramatic as Plitvice at first glance, but it still deserves its place on a Croatia itinerary.
The waterfalls, streams, and greenery make it an easy place to enjoy for a slower stretch of the trip, especially during the summer. At the time I visited, what made Krka especially appealing was the ability to actually get in the water, which gave it a different feel from other national parks. It felt a little more relaxed and a little more playful.
4. Šibenik
Šibenik ended up being one of the most underrated stops of my entire trip.
Unlike some of the better-known coastal cities, Šibenik sits at the mouth of the Krka River and feels slightly more tucked into its harbor setting. The old town is full of narrow stone alleyways that are easy to wander without much of a plan, and the climb upward rewards you with beautiful views over the city and water.
For me, it was one of those places that had less hype than others and still delivered just as much.
5. Plitvice Lakes National Park
If you search for what to do in Croatia, there is a good chance Plitvice Lakes will show up almost immediately, and for good reason.
The waterfalls, turquoise water, and wooden pathways through the park make it one of the most recognizable landscapes in the country. It can definitely get crowded, especially in peak season, but it is still one of those places that feels worth seeing for yourself.
Even with the crowds, the setting has a way of living up to the image people already have in their heads.
Dubrovnik
6. Dubrovnik
No list of beautiful places to visit in Croatia would feel complete without Dubrovnik.
It is easily the country’s most famous destination, and yes, it can be crowded even outside of peak summer. But I also have to admit that the beauty of the place makes that easy to understand. The walled city is packed with history, dramatic stone streets, sea views, and a scale that feels grand without losing its character.
There are few places in Europe where you can walk ancient walls, swim just outside them, and then end the day with a view from above.
Credit: visiting-croatia.com (Okay, a drone would have been an incredible component on this trip)
7. Korčula
As iconic as Dubrovnik is, Korčula ended up being my favorite place in Croatia.
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.
Final Thoughts
Croatia has no shortage of beautiful places, and this list could easily have been longer. But these seven were the ones that stood out most to me, whether because of their beauty, atmosphere, uniqueness, or the way they fit into the overall rhythm of traveling through the country.
If you have been to Croatia before, I would love to hear what places stayed with you most.
Have you ever been to Croatia?
Let me hear about your trip in the comments below :D!
Be sure to check out my voyages through Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro.
