Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Croatia
Croatia has emerged as a top tourist destination in recent years. This should come as no surprise, given its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and crystal clear waters. From the ancient city of Dubrovnik, known for its terracotta rooftops and winding cobblestone streets, to the breathtaking Plitvice Lakes National Park, offering lush greenery and abundant water elements. Not to mention the sun-kissed beaches of the Dalmatian Coast! There’s something for everyone to see in this Eastern European wonder. Today at Civitatis, we’re exploring the top 10 best places to visit in Croatia!
Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Croatia
- Zagreb
- Plitvice National Park
- Dubrovnik
- Zadar
- Omiš
- Split
- Krka Waterfalls National Park
- Pula
- Šibenik
- Korčula
1. Zagreb
When you imagine a holiday in Croatia, perhaps nothing comes immediately to mind. For a little inspiration, picture this: glimmering waters and whitewashed stone cities. The nation’s capital of Zagreb has quite a different vibe, and for that reason, it’s sometimes overlooked by tourists looking for their next holiday destination. However, the city has an enormous amount to offer, from its architecture to its cuisine to its museums.
In the historic centre of the city, there’s plenty to discover! Check out a free tour, where we’ll pass through the city’s key sights. Discover St. Mark’s Church and Lotrščak Tower, each whispering tales of Zagreb’s rich heritage. Along the way, there are lots of monuments that provide an insight into the disintegration of former Yugoslavia. For history buffs out there, maybe check out this Croatian War of Independence Tour for a deeper dive into the story!
Zagreb is also a city with a rich culinary tradition, offering everything from hearty stews to delicate pastries. On a Zagreb Food Tour, you can taste these traditional flavours for yourself and learn all about Croatian cuisine.
2. Plitvice National Park
Plitvice National Park is Croatia’s oldest and largest national park, spanning 30,000 hectares (75,000 acres). Its allure lies in its 16 enchanting turquoise lakes, which seem to shimmer under the sunlight, cascading waterfalls that create a symphony of sound, and lush forested landscapes that invite exploration—all of which make this one of our favourite places to visit in Croatia. This UNESCO World Heritage Site stands as a true testament to the raw beauty of nature. Embarking on a hike along the wonderful wooden walkways is the best way to explore the lush forests within this national park!
We recommend taking at least a day to discover this natural gem. With Civitatis, you can discover the park with a day trip from various locations—check out our selection of trips to the national park from Zagreb, Zadar, Split and Trogir.
3. Dubrovnik
Known as the ‘pearl of the Adriatic,’ the city of Dubrovnik has a lot to offer as a tourist destination and is well worth a visit if you’re in Croatia. Located at the country’s southernmost point, the UNESCO-listed city boasts a beautiful coastline, incredible historical villages and much more!
To discover the city of Dubrovnik, we recommend going on a free tour of the city, which will lead you down the beautiful cobblestone streets, bring you up to speed on the history of the ancient Republic of Ragusa, and past a number of the city’s most interesting landmarks. Among the key sights are the wonderful Orlando’s Column and the Rector’s Palace—not to be missed!
Fan of A Game of Thrones? On this Game of Thrones walking tour in the city, you can discover some of the main filming locations from the show. Visit Fort Lovreijenac (St. Lawrence Fortress), climb the staircase that leads to the Great Sept of Baelor and simply stroll through the streets that feature in the show—a must for any fan of the series!
If you’re planning on visiting the city, it might be worth looking into the Dubrovnik Card. This card gives the user access to many of the city’s top attractions as well as unlimited use of the city buses for the number of days you select!
4. Zadar
Next up on our list is the charming 3,000-year-old seaside city of Zadar. Steeped in Roman, Venetian, and Byzantine influences, the city’s Old Town is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets lined with medieval churches, Roman ruins, and elegant palaces. Perhaps the main historical attractions are the Roman Forum, conceived by the first Emperor Augustus in the 9th century and the magnificent Church of St. Donatus —a symbol of Zadar.
Aside from historical points of interest, Zadar is perhaps best known for its wonderful seafront. A walk along the city promenade at sunset is hard to beat! This walk was further enhanced in 2005, when the immensely popular Sea Organ was installed. The Sea Organ is a set of marble steps that have been partially hollowed out, connected to 35 organ pipes beneath the waves. The result is a fascinating combination of sounds created by the ebb and flow of the sea. Think brown noise, but amplified! Discover all of the above and more on this Zadar Free Tour!
Another advantage of Zadar is that its a great point from which to visit some of Croatia’s many hundreds of islands. We recommend visiting Dugi Otok island—a lesser-known yet breathtaking island in the country. On this Dugi Otok Kayak Tour, you can explore the island’s caves in kayaks, go cliff jumping and enjoy the sun on the white sand beaches! There truly is something for everyone, making this one of the best places to visit in Croatia!
5. Omiš
Also considered to be somewhat of an untouched gem, Omiš is definitely a destination worth considering on your Croatia itinerary, especially if you’re looking to experience a more ‘local’ vibe. This charming town is home to a number of impressive beaches, ancient fortresses, a breathtaking canyon and, what’s more, it’s only a 30-minute drive from Split!
6. Split
Split is another coastal gem. Boasting world-class cuisine, history and culture, Croatia’s second-largest city is one that has something for everyone!
The walled city is perhaps best known for Diocletian’s Palace. This palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, commissioned by the unlikely Roman Emperor of the same name. The palace is now one of the most well-preserved Roman monuments in the world. What’s more, it serves as a vibrant cultural hub, with streets filled with shops, cafés and residences. On this Split Free Tour, you’ll get to explore the palace, all while learning about the Roman Emperor’s fascinating story, from his humble beginnings to his abdication. For an even deeper dive into the palace, grab a ticket for Diocletian’s Dream. On this dynamic 3D 360 virtual reality experience, you’ll travel in time (virtually) back to 305 AD!
7. Krka Waterfalls National Park
Two national parks on one list? Krka National Park is another lovely option for you nature lovers out there. Although it’s signifcantly smaller in size to Plitvice, Krka still packs a punch, boasting seven beautiful waterfalls, various caves and five medieval fortresses. Another distinct advantage of this national park is that it’s much easier to get to from the coast—if you’re staying somewhere like Split or Zadar, Krka is far more accessible. We recommend this Krka Waterfalls day trip from Split!
8. Pula
Pula is one of Croatia’s many as of yet ‘undiscovered’ destinations. The capital of Istria in Northern Croatia, the city of Pula is a laidback, cosmopolitan treasure with plenty to see. The city boasts a fascinating combination of architectural styles, from ancient Roman classicism to brutalist Soviet-era architecture. This, alongside, wonderful beaches, incredible (and affordable) food, there’s something for everone in Pula.
Pula is also the perfect base from which to explore Istria. On this day trip to Bale, Rovinj and Porec, you can explore some of the region’s most picturesque towns, sample delicious local cuisine and chill out on untouched beaches! You might be surprised by how much some of these towns resemble neighbouring Italy. If you’re a foodie, this Istria food tour from Pula is another great option—visit Hum, Motovun and Labin all while you fall in love with the flavours of Croatia!
9. Šibenik
Šibenik is the oldest city in the Adriatic, is nestled between Zadar and Split. Boasting a fascinating medieval history, a myriad of architectural styles, fantastic sea views and irresistable restaurants, Šibenik is one of our favourite spots to visit in the whole country. Gain an insight into this historic city on this Šibenik guided tour.
What’s more, it’s the closest town to the aforementioned Krka National Park! If you do visit, consider this day trip to Krka National Park from Šibenik.
10. Korčula
Korčula is a Croatian island just off the Dalmatian coast, home to beautiful beaches, rolling vineyards and a culturally vibrant old town. Slightly off the beaten-path, it has a more laid-back vibe than many of the more commonly-visited Croatian islands.
The best way to explore this charming island is on this Korčula kayak tour. On this activity, you can get your blood pumping as you traverse the waters which was witness to countless battles between the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires.
While these are our top 10 places to visit in Croatia, there are plenty more fascinating and exciting destinations to explore. If you’re planning a trip to Croatia, check out more activities in Croatia with Civitatis! Sretan put!
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