Best things to do in Croatia: sun, sea, and storybook towns

If you’re dreaming of balmy days by the Med, hiking to cyan lakes and thunderous waterfalls, or getting lost in a medieval walled city, then your mind has transported you to Croatia. Known as the Land of a Thousand Islands, this varied country on the Adriatic Sea is famous for its exquisite nature, fine wine, idyllic coastal towns, and an abundance of ancient beauty.

There are so many things to do in Croatia that it can be hard to nail down your itinerary. Whether you enjoy strolling through marble-clad streets or going on island-hopping adventures, Croatia has an amazing experience waiting for you.

Hike in Plitvice Lakes National Park

Everywhere you look in Croatia, your eyes are dazzled by emerald greens and peacock blue waters, and it’s not just the coast where you can witness this magical natural eye candy. Plitvice Lakes National Park is the most famous national park in Croatia, beloved for its ribbons of scenic lakes connected by cascading waterfalls and verdant forests. The park contains 16 lakes, as well as dozens of reed-fringed ponds and karst limestone caves to explore. Stroll along well-maintained boardwalks through forests of pine, spruce, and beech trees to reach iconic sites such as Kozjak Lake, the largest lake in the park, and Veliki Slap Waterfall, the park's highest. If you’re planning on hiking in Croatia, this spot is super scenic.

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Step back in time at Diocletian's Palace

Split is Croatia’s second-largest city and is always buzzing with the perfect mix of history and modernity. One of the main reasons to visit Split is Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO-listed ancient Roman ruin and the beating heart of the city. Don’t expect lavish throne rooms or grand dining halls, though. Diocletian’s Palace is more of an Old Town area made of a labyrinth of streets packed with bars, boutiques, and restaurants.

The palace was originally built in the 4th century using stone from the island of Brač and took 10 years to construct, and no expense was spared on its beauty and grandeur. Over the years, it was expanded into a vast military fortress, a fortified town, and an imperial residence. Today, it covers an area of more than 30,000 sq m (322,917 sq ft) and has 220 buildings within its boundaries.

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Admire the artistic capital of Zagreb

Zagreb is Croatia’s bustling capital city and is where to go to see the country's modern life bursting out of the remains of its past. Although Zagreb isn’t the best place to go for historical attractions, it's a good spot to discover Croatia’s quirky side. A good example is the Museum of Broken Relationships, a gallery dedicated to failed romances.

As you wander the streets lined with Austro-Hungarian buildings, you’ll discover a sprinkling of street art adorning the walls, connecting the city’s past to the present. In between explorations, dip into the always-busy coffee bars, admire modern artwork in the numerous galleries and the Museum of Contemporary Art, or catch a performance at the Croatian National Theatre. Zagreb is all about connecting to the arts.

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Be amazed by the Krka waterfalls

Divided by the 73km-long (45 mi) Krka River, Krka National Park is a natural oasis characterized by its craggy gorges, Franciscan monasteries, and two famously gushing waterfalls: Roski Slap and Skrandinski Buk. Skradinski Buk is arguably the highlight of the park. This towering 800m-long (2,625 ft) cascade crashes over a ridge set 46m (151 ft) high before plunging into a cyan pool below. A tranquil hour-long hike along boardwalks reaches the falls, and cafés and souvenir stores are built into the former mill cottages nearby.

Roski Slap is a smaller waterfall, though still impressive, measuring 650m (2,133 ft) long and 26m (85 ft) high. It’s reached by boat from Skradinski Buk or by driving. You can't swim in Skradinski Buk, but you can at Roski Slap.

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Explore the walled city of Dubrovnik

Old Town Dubrovnik is Croatia’s biggest attraction. Known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, this fairytale walled city is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a magnet for travellers. Despite being heavily shelled during World War II, many of the city’s original medieval buildings are still intact, including the mighty stone walls that encircle the city. Within the walls, the cobbled streets are lined with baroque churches and elegant squares, transporting you back to the 13th to 17th centuries. For a memorable view of the city, take the cable car up Mount Srđ to see the terracotta roofs seamlessly blend into the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea below. Without a doubt, Dubrovnik is beautiful, and that also makes it busy and popular.

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Take a Game of Thrones tour in Dubrovnik

For some travellers, the medieval scenes of Croatia are firmly printed in their minds long before they travel there, thanks to the popular HBO series Game of Thrones, which was mostly filmed in Croatia, particularly in Dubrovnik (King’s Landing) and Split (Queen Daenerys’ Palace). Fans of the show should head to Dubrovnik for the Game of Thrones tour, which takes you to legendary filming locations seen in the TV series. Stroll the same street where King Joffrey had his iconic walk of shame moment, and sail to Lokrum island to explore the great trading city of Westeros known as Qarth. A highlight of the tour is to sit on the original Iron Throne, which was gifted to the city of Dubrovnik after the show ceased filming. You can see it on display at the Visitors Center on Lokrum.

Hang out at Golden Horn Beach

If you’re looking to explore Croatia beaches, then Bol is where you’ll find the best of the best. In summer, this compact town is bustling with travellers looking for beach-city bliss. The main beach, Zlatni Rat (also called Golden Horn Beach), is a pebble beach that draws sun-and-sand seekers from far and wide. It’s located just 2km (1.2 mi) west of Bol and is famous for its pointed spit that harmoniously bleeds into the ocean.

It’s also a windsurfing hot spot because it frequently has Mistral winds (a strong, steady, northwesterly breeze). The best time to go windsurfing is in late May or early June, though you can expect winds to last until October. Winds are usually stronger in the afternoon.

Sail to Croatia’s best islands

Croatia's nickname is the Land of a Thousand Islands, so the idea of coming to the country and not visiting an island is like attending the world’s largest buffet and just having a cup of water. While we don’t all have time to check out 1,000 islands, if you want to explore a handful of them, then the three most popular islands to visit are Mljet, Hvar, and Korčula for unspoiled nature, idyllic seaside towns, and beaches made for lazing on.

Mljet is a mostly uninhabited island with cobalt blue lakes, tranquil bays, and secluded beaches. The entire western side of the island is a national park, famous for its two saltwater lakes, one of which (Veliko) contains a small island with a 12th-century former Benedictine monastery at its center. No motor vehicles are allowed in the park, so hiking is the best way to see these lakes. You can access the park from one of the small port villages, Pomena and Polače, located on the island.

Hvar is known for being Croatia’s party island. Once the sun dips below the horizon, the quaint medieval city is transformed into a lively bowl of singing, dancing, and frivolity. From après-beach parties to cocktail lounges and tiny dance bars, Hvar is a place where young travellers can let off steam and trade their backpacks for dancing shoes. (But make sure to wear sturdy footwear because the beaches are notoriously rocky.)

The island of Korčula is 279 sq km (108 sq mi) of laid-back bliss. Korčula Town is sometimes referred to as "Little Dubrovnik" because it packs the same level of Gothic architecture between its city walls but without the throngs of people. Don’t miss the extraordinary cathedral and the marbled streets within the imposing walls of the Old Town. You could easily spend an hour exploring the town, leaving the rest of the day to hunt for remote beaches or embark on forested hikes around the island.

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Meet wildlife at a bear sanctuary

Many unique species of wildlife roam Croatia's national parks, including lynx, wolves, and brown bears. However, the brown bear is quickly becoming endangered because of traffic, hunting, and poaching. It’s estimated that only about 800 to 1,000 brown bears are left in Croatia. The Kuterevo Bear Sanctuary was founded in 2002 to rescue orphaned brown bears and educate visitors on the wider issues of bear conservation. The Kuterevo Bear Sanctuary is open from spring to late fall, and it's the best chance to see bears in Croatia.

Appreciate the beauty of Zadar

Zadar is an old town on a peninsula on the southern Dalmatian coast. It's known for its Roman and Venetian architecture, particularly the Venetian gates in the city walls. It’s the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia, yet it has a different vibe compared to the others. Although teeming with historical buildings, Zadar has a lively and youthful spirit, with beach resorts, backpacker hostels, and charming restaurants ranging from classy to divey. Notable landmarks in the city worth exploring include the Roman Forum, St. Mary’s Church, St. Donatus’ Church, and the lavish St. Anastasia’s Cathedral.

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Drink wine at Croatia’s vineyards

Like most Mediterranean countries, Croatia produces excellent wine. What makes Croatian wine unique is that wineries use their own grapes that have been cultivated in the country since as far back as ancient Greece. For a scenic and historic winery to sample Croatia’s unique wines, head to the Peljesac Peninsula for the popular Vinarija Miloš, which was one of the first wineries in the region to begin private wine production after communism ended. Located high in the hills, this family-owned vineyard is known for its ecological approach to producing gold-standard wine, and it features a charming cellar door overlooking the vineyards and rolling hillsides. Take a tour of the vineyard and winery, learn about the production techniques, and sample some of the crisp produce made by the region’s indigenous grape, plavac mali.

Another popular vineyard is Vinarija Jagunić outside of Zagreb. It’s a small, award-winning boutique winery said to be one of the first wine estates in the Plešivica region. It specializes in producing sparkling wines and a unique variety of orange wines.

See what's on stage at Pula Arena

Pula Arena is an impressive Roman amphitheater that's the only one remaining with four preserved side towers. It was built from 27 BC to 68 AD, making it older than the Coliseum in Rome. Once used for gladiator fights, today it puts on concerts and operas, as well as film festivals.

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Find hidden coves and caves on Vis

Vis is one of the most remote islands in Croatia, making it the perfect place to visit to avoid the crowds. Made up of two attractive towns and a dusting of tiny villages, this island has much to explore. In the south and east of the island, you’ll find a plethora of sandy and pebble beaches, as well as hidden coves and isolated bays. On the islets surrounding Vis are several sea caves, the most well-known of which is Bisevo Blue Grotto, which puts on a dazzling light show. On a clear morning, the sun’s rays beam through an underwater hole, illuminating the interior with fluorescent blue light.

Party at a festival in Tisno

Tisno is a cute town straddling the island of Murto and the mainland. It’s where in-the-know travellers go to party, and it’s famous for hosting numerous high-profile music festivals throughout the summer. In July and August, Tisno comes alive with the sounds of electronic music pumping through the streets. The ringmaster of these events is the Garden Croatia, a beachside resort with three separate stages.