It's not all about the beaches! From historic cities to stunning National Parks, see what else Croatia has to offer.
Table of contents1. Hit The Beach
The stunning coastline and beaches of Croatia are certainly one reason why over 12 million people visit Croatia every year. Did you know that the vast majority of beaches in Croatia are pebble beaches? There are stunning white sandy beaches, but they are few and far between. There’s nothing wrong with a pebble beach though and it only adds to the beauty of the Adriatic! Featured above is Zlatni Rat Beach, on the island of Brac. This golden-horn shaped beach has recently been listed as the number one beach in the world and is truly a reflection of the work of mother nature - the shape continuously changes ever so slightly in accordance with the currents.
2. Ride The Dubrovnik Cable Car
The best views of Dubrovnik and beyond are without doubt, experienced from the top of the Srd Hill. Journey time to the top is just three minutes you’ll find yourself more than 400 meters above sea level. Enjoy a panoramic view of Dubrovnik’s Old Town and the Adriatic sea and take take some amazing Instagram photos. On a clear day, you can see up to 60 km!
3. Explore UNESCO Sites
You might be surprised to know that Croatia is home to seven USESCO World Heritage sites. These include: Plitvice Lakes National Park, Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian, Old City of Dubrovnik, Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilicain the Historic Centre of Poreč, Historic city of Trogir, Cathedral of Saint James and the Stari Grad Plain. Check out the map below and plan your trip to visit some of these impressive sites!
4. Go Rafting on the Cetina River
If you're a bit of an adrenaline junkie, then rafting on the Cetina River should definitely be on your Croatia ‘to-do’ list! Rafting in Croatia provides an excellent opportunity to explore Cetina River and its magnificent canyon, swim and jump off the rock to the water. The quiet parts of the river and the second and third grade rapids enable a three hour combination of adventure and relaxation in the amazing Cetina river canyon.
5. Go Zip Lining
There's being adventurous, and then there is being brave… Zip Lining ticks all of the boxes for a heart-stopping, adrenaline pumped activity! Once strapped in, you’ll be flying over one of the largest & deepest canyons in Croatia. The object of the challenge is to cross all 8 wires, 150m above the ground. Are you up for the challenge?!
6. Visit Stunning National Parks
Croatia is a home to eight stunning national parks, each brimming with their own unique beauty and diversity. From the magnificence of the island of Mljet to the natural beauty of Krka National Park and Plitvice Lakes, there is something here to tickle everyone’s senses.
7. Island Hop via Ship
When a country has more than a thousand stunning islands, you simply cannot pass up the opportunity to discover a few of them via boat! Sail Croatia offers a wide range of cruises for all ages, nationalities and travel types with various itineraries allowing you to receive a truly authentic Croatian experience as you island hop, sun bake and embrace the vibrant nightlight that Croatia has to offer.
8. Get Active
Croatia is undoubtedly a wonderful country to visit on holidays, to just unwind, relax and overindulge. But if you’re up for more than just sunbaking and swimming and you enjoy keeping active, then perhaps mixing the two could be an option for you. Croatia’s diverse coastline and islands allow for incredible hiking and cycling routes and also allows you to experience Croatia from a totally different perspective.
9. Attend a Music Festival
Croatia is proving to be the festival destination in mainland Europe with some big name events such as Hideout Festival, Ultra Europe and one of the newest festivals to the scene this year and arguably most popular, Love International. Croatia’s easy connections with major European hubs and the incredible summer weather makes it a top festival location.
10. Walk Dubrovnik’s City Walls
As you might expect, the walled city of Dubrovnik is best explored from its walls – and these aren’t just any old walls. They are are a series of defensive stone walls that run an uninterrupted course of approximately 1,940 metres in length, encircling most of the old city, and reach a maximum height of about 25 metres. A walk along Dubrovnik’s famous city walls that surrounds the Old Town is a unique and wonderful experience and a must-do when visiting Dubrovnik.
11. Go Wine Tasting
Love wine? Even if you’re not a wine-drinker, you will still appreciate the local cheeses and olive oil on offer at some of Croatia’s numerous vineyards. Our favourite is the Stari Grad Plain; nestled amongst a UNESCO protected World Heritage Site. Bottoms up!
12. Find a Konoba
Food and wine is something that Croatia does well, actually… very well! Do yourself a favour and skip the overpriced pizza shops along the harbour front and find a local Konoba! These are quite often, small family-run restaurants offering homemade food and delicious wine in a pleasant family atmosphere. It’s a great way to enjoy good quality Croatian dishes and meet a local family.
