Top Things to Do in Croatia + Places to Visit

Croatia is one of the few European destinations where time slows down. It demands to be explored one culture-steeped locale at a time, and one pristinely mellow island at a time. Unlike other countries in the continent, Croatia boasts a mix of cultures and landscapes owing to its unique geographical location.

With a range of neighbouring countries in Central and Southeast Europe, and the majestic Adriatic Sea forming its coastline, this country in the Balkans is indeed one of a kind when it comes to attractions and experiences.

From the tourist-centric Dubrovnik to the endless shores of the Dalmatian coast, there is much to see and do in Croatia. For travellers looking to enjoy a wholesome holiday in the country, here is a detailed look into the best places to visit and things to do in Croatia.

Best places to visit in Croatia
The best things to do in Croatia
Wrapping Up: Top Things to Do in Croatia
FAQs

Best places to visit in Croatia

Comprising over 1200 islands and over 4000 km of coastline, Croatia is a treasure trove of distinct rich laid back experiences. Whether it is island hopping, exploring the culture, or enjoying some downtime by the Adriatic Sea, Croatia presents the perfect haven for it all.

Here are some of the best places to visit in Croatia.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations in Croatia. Known for its unique walled structure, and its fortified old town featuring dozens of medieval monasteries, churches, limestone structures, and ancient residential quarters, the place looks straight out of a period movie. Being one of the core locations for the hit series Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik has since its release, gotten overly crowded with tourists, especially during the spring and summer months. However, navigating your sightseeing ventures around early mornings and late evenings will help you get a more peaceful experience. This colossal wonder of a city is one of the best places to visit in Croatia, and for good reason.

Split

Split is another one of the most popularly visited cities in Croatia, boasting some of the world’s best preserved Roman architectural marvels. The second-largest city in Croatia holds a rich history as well dating back to the 3rd Century BC marked by the Greek settlement. One of the core attractions in Split is the sea-facing Diocletian’s Palace, which features stunning views of the coast along with an interesting series of maze-like streets and lanes bustling with cafes, restaurants, and quaint little shops. Its Roman ruins combined with the spectacular natural landscapes of Marjan Hill, makes Split one of the best places to visit in Croatia.

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Šibenik

Sibenik old town with St James cathedral, Croatia
Image courtesy: Shutterstock/Balate.Dorin

Šibenik, although one of the less-visited places in Croatia, is nothing short of a charmer when it comes to attractions. Set on a bay connected to the Adriatic Sea, the city is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites. The first is the St. James’ Cathedral – a 15th century architectural gem featuring a frieze of 71 comical faces adorning its front facade. The second is the St. Nicholas Fortress – a sea bound fortified fortress built during the Venetian times featuring a spectacular walkway connecting the fortress to the mainland.

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Zagreb

Zagreb, Croatia’s capital and largest city, is a unique wonder of a destination, featuring distinct attractions across two segments, made for laid-back walking tours. Once two separate towns, Zagreb is now a reunited single city with unique elements to explore across the Lower Town and the Upper Town. While the Lower Town features tasteful neo-baroque and art-deco-inspired buildings, the Upper Town screams old world charm with its narrow cobblestone streets, medieval squares bustling with shops and tourists, and elegant red-tile clad rooftops of houses. While the place is a hot spot for tourists year-round, it is one of the core places to visit in Croatia, just for its historic significance.

The Dalmatian Coast

Landscape with Sibenik, dalmatian coast of Adriatic sea, Croatia
Image courtesy: Shutterstock/Balate.Dorin

Last but not least is the iconic Dalmatian Coast. Comprising a centrally located coastal strip and many islands scattered across the grandiose Adriatic Sea, the coast is known for its boundless natural beauty. Featuring exotic turquoise waters, palm-tree-lined shores, lush green surroundings, and many picturesque harbours and bays, it comes as no surprise that the Dalmatian Coast is one of the most visited places in Croatia. Technically connecting the major cities of Dubrovnik, Split, Šibenik, and Zagreb through Southern, Central and Northern Dalmatia, the coast is the highlight of a Croatia trip, offering accessibility to the city-side while also reminding you to stop, and soak up the beauty of the world.

Most well-curated Croatia travel packages cover these core destinations and experiences. If you are looking to have a laid-back vacation this year, consider booking cheap flights to Croatia a few months ahead of the shoulder season during fall, to take advantage of fewer crowds and better prices.

The best things to do in Croatia

From the crowd favourite Dubrovnik to the iconic Dalmatian Coast, there are a ton of exciting and fun things to do in Croatia.

Here is an overview of everything you can do for the best experience.

Dubrovnik’s Cable Car Ride

Cable car elevator in old Dubrovnik city, Croatia
Image courtesy: Shutterstock/Vova Shevchuk

Riding the thoughtfully made cable car is one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik, as it allows you to get a better aerial view of the city’s historic Old Town. Shutting up Mount Srđ to reach a summit 412m high, the cable car gives you panoramic views throughout the ride. At the vantage point, the breathtaking sight of the terracotta clad rooftops with the Adriatic Sea in the background, will be eternally memorable.

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Circular wall walks in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik city Castle. Circular walk, Croatia
Image courtesy: Shutterstock/EJManzaneque

Best known for its walled nature, Dubrovnik allows you to take walking tours atop the walls. Standing 1940 m long with six fortresses, three entrance gates, and several watch towers, the walls in itself offer something of a medieval nostalgic experience. Combined with the spectacular views of the Old Town it encloses within, the wall walk makes for one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik.

Sightseeing in Split

Scene from the old city of Split and the view of old bell tower in sunset — Scene from the old city of Split and the view of old bell tower at sunset
Image courtesy: Shutterstock/nomadFra

Split, boasting some of the biggest landmarks of the country, brims with rich sightseeing experiences. From the Roman-inspired Diocletian’s Palace to the lush landscapes of Marjan Hill and the iconic Game of Thrones locations, there is much to see and get fascinated by in Split. Sightseeing alone is one of the most fulfilling things to do in Croatia.

A Capella in Split

Traditional dalmatian singers , performing under the cathedral dome in Split
Image courtesy: Shutterstock/Cpifbg13

As you walk through the historical Diocletian’s Palace, staring in awe at the sheer intricacy of the architecture, stop by at the Vestibule to listen to professional a capella singers displaying their skills to immerse yourself in the symphony.

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Hike up Marjan Hill

Forest road, hiking trails to Marjan Hill in Split, Croatia.
Image courtesy: Shutterstock/Sandra Mori

If you are up for some low-key adventure, try a hike up the beautiful forested trails of Marjan Hill. The sweeping views of the city and the Adriatic seascapes at the top will leave you spell bound.

Island hopping

Zadar archipelago, Croatia
Image courtesy: Shutterstock/Pat Moore

Island hopping is one of the most popular things to do in Croatia. The advantage of choosing to visit multiple islands from the country is that you can launch your journey from anywhere on the Dalmatian coast. Connecting cities like Dubrovnik, Split, and Zagreb, you can either take private tours of each island from any of these places, or go on small ship cruises for a more comprehensive experience covering more activities and meals as well.

Mljet National Park

The Mljet National Park, comprising almost a third of Mljet Island, is an excellent place to enjoy lush untouched greenery. You can either explore the scenic paths by foot or rent a two-wheeler to soak in the serenity. The place also has small beaches with saltwater lakes carrying emerald waters, perfect for a picnic. A relaxing day out is indeed one of the best things to do in Croatia.

Fine dining at Hvar

Fine dining at Laganini in Hvar Croatia
Image courtesy: Shutterstock/Nemir2000

Hvar Island is best known for its active nightlife and world-class dining experiences. Once you explore and capture the best of the island’s rich landscapes spanning lavender fields, picturesque beaches, and vineyards, choose to dine at one of the luxury restaurants and indulge in the local cuisine to get a taste of Croatia’s culinary treats.

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Wrapping Up: Top Things to Do in Croatia

With such a diverse range of experiences covering sightseeing, historic learning, landscape watching, island hopping, and modern dining, Croatia is quite the holiday destination. An exhaustive list of things to do in Croatia would potentially be endless considering the many options the country has in store. Nevertheless, this list provides a head start into navigating the rich European destination.

Find well-curated Croatia tour packages to cover the best experiences and places to visit in Croatia. Stay at the best hotels in Zagreb or Dubrovnik as well for a comfortable explorative journey. Be sure to secure your Croatia visa well ahead of time to avoid last minute hassles.

Quick Summary – Best Places to Visit And Things to Do in Croatia

From Dubrovnik to the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia comprises some of the most mesmerizing Hollywood-worthy destinations that will enrich your memories for a lifetime. Some of the best places to visit in Croatia are Dubrovnik, Split, Sibenik, Zagreb, and The Dalmatian Coast which connects many of these cities. Some of the top things to do in Croatia include taking cable car rids in Dubrovnik, taking circular wall walks in Dubrovnik, A Capella in Split, hiking up Marjan hill, island hopping, and fine dining at Hvar.

FAQs

What is the nicest part of Croatia to visit?

Croatia is filled with stunning historic sites, sparkling beaches, natural landscapes, and pristine islands. For the same reason, there are several beautiful places to visit in Croatia.

Here are a few of the most important cities and regions:

Dubrovnik
Split
Šibenik
Zagreb
The Dalmatian Coast

Where in Croatia was Game of Thrones filmed?

Game of Thrones was shot extensively in the most popular city of Dubrovnik in Croatia. Some scenes were also filmed in the seaside facing city of Split.

What language do they speak in Croatia?

Around 90% of the people in Croatia speak the native language of Croatian. A few people also speak Serbian, Bosnian, Hungarian, and Albanian, depending on the proximity to the neighbouring countries.

What is Croatia best known for?

Croatia is best known for its stunning beach landscapes, history, unique culture, and gastronomy. Featuring ancient buildings and other architectural assets of the past, along with sparkling beachsides lining the endless Dalmatian coast, there is a lot to see and do in Croatia.

Do I need a visa to visit Croatia?

Yes, Indian nations require a valid Croatia visa to visit the country on tour. You can easily apply for a Croatia visa online and get it processed in 10 to 15 days, as long as you partner with an experienced travel agency providing reliable online visa services for 180+ countries.

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