Croatia, Dalmatia, Brac island, Bol, Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape) beach
Destinations Mediterranean Shore Experiences

The best places to visit in Croatia

Explore the sparkling seas, medieval towns and rich culture of Croatia with a guide to the best places to visit along the Dalmatian coast.

4 min 19 Jul 2020

Editorial Team

Author

1. Dubrovnik: the Pearl of the Adriatic

‘Those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik.’ The words of George Bernard Shaw, who dubbed the city ‘the pearl of the Adriatic’, ring true. Arriving in the UNESCO World Heritage city, visitors cannot fail to be wowed by the vibrant colours of the ancient city rising from the sea. Be dazzled by rich terracotta roofs, gleaming white city walls, lush green foliage and the sapphire blue waters of the Adriatic.

 

Dubrovnik’s main claim to fame is its fantastic city walls. Dating back to the 9th century, the walls were built to protect the city from the Turks and now enclose a pedestrian-only old town. Wander round the city’s marbled streets on a Best of Dubrovnik shore experience or get a bird’s-eye view of the city from the cable car, which travels from the city walls up to the top of Srd Hill in under four minutes.

 

View cruises to Dubrovnik here.

Image of Dubrovnik in Croatia

2. Split: World Heritage awaits

Croatia is not lacking in historical sites, with ramparts and medieval walls being a familiar site to many of the towns and cities. The port of Split, the second largest city in Croatia, does not fail to deliver on this – Diocletian’s Palace, built at the turn of the 4th century, forms the heart of the old town and is one of the best-preserved Roman palaces in Europe.

 

Wander the pedestrianised streets of the town centre on a walking tour, pop into a konoba (wine cellar) for a taste of the local tipples, or explore natural beauty and wonder at the power of the waterfalls in Krka National Park.

 

View cruises to Split here.

Split is a town on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, is known for its beaches and the fortresslike complex at its center, Diocletian's Palace, erected by the Roman emperor in the 4th century. In this picture, the Bell Tower and Green Market were reflected in the water. Tourists wandering around the colorful Green Market, which brims with stalls selling everything from fruits to flowers and local products.

3. Hvar: the lavender-scented isle

Croatia is made up of more than a thousand islands, but Hvar is one of the most famous. Experience the Croatian Riviera to the max in Hvar Town, where the rich and famous flock to its marble streets. The capital’s yachts, cool cocktail bars and shimmering waters make this a fashionable hotspot in summer.

 

But this pretty island has much more to offer outside of the capital’s walls. Purple fields of lavender, vast olive groves, lush pine forests, fruit orchards and vineyards make up the landscape of this fertile island. Explore the lay of the land on one of the mountain bike or hiking shore experiences, or view the landscape from a different perspective on a sea kayaking shore experience.

 

View cruises to Hvar here.

4. Zadar: energy in motion

Thought to be Croatia’s oldest inhabited town, Zadar isn’t short on appeal with old-world treasures and new attractions aplenty. In just a few seconds you can stroll from Roman ruins to modern must-visits like Sun Salutation and Sea Organ, created by local architect Nikola Bašić. These imaginative installations harness the unique solar and wave energy of the shore to create playful live art. By day, you could take a memorable dip in the sea to the harmonious tones of Sea Organ. By night, Sun Salutation comes alive with a mesmerising light show. All lots of fun, but very useful too, as these attractions collect enough energy to power the entire harbour-front lighting system.

 

View cruises to Zadar here.

Dramatic aerial view of the Zadar old town, an ancient Venetian stronghold on the Adriatic sea, in Croatia